Almost on cue Canamanta swam over and swirled about Bicks in what appeared to be a happy manta dance.
"Ya let's head back. Maybe we can find some quick work to get a bit of cash."
Logan nodded, "Yeah let's go, and agreed we could do with some more cash."
"Cash? What's that?" Gear-grabber Jack shrugs and offers a wry smile.
"Hey--was there anything interesting in that magic haversack we found?" Jack asks suddenly. Once he's given the item in question, he opens it and starts rummaging through its contents.
"Wow!" enthused Logan when the treasure tumbled out of haversack, "I guess that solves the question of how to fund the repairs!"
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With as much of the tunnels clear as possible, the team returns to Hetamon's shop finding the tiefling in the middle of finishing some containers with materials for the spell. With a quick glance you can see the containers are waterproof. "Ah my friends, welcome back I'll be ready to head out in just a few moments, just getting this last pot sealed and we should be able to get that pump of yours back in working order." he says putting the containers into an alchemists backpack in order to reprecent the ritual for the spell without him having to place it on the bottom of the tunnels.
The return trip to the Lucky Bones goes surprisingly smooth without encountering any of the Dottari on the streets. Listening for rumors as to why the streets feels abandoned, you learn that there is a public event going on at the Opera House. It seems a foreign investigator is being honored by Thrune for taking down the murderer Varl Vex and defending the city of Kintargo, without being a native of these parts.
Once back underwater, Hetamon quickly goes to work with fixing the pump, directing you to help him replace valves and rings around the pipes, while he sets up and starts praying to Milani for the repairs of the machine, so that the area can be livable again and house a rebel group after her own heart. It takes about 10 minutes but eventually you start to see a waterline slowly coming down from the ceiling, leaving a pocket of air for you to breath. Hetamon looks at you tired and spent "That should be the pump back to full working order. You might need to assign a few people to maintain the it, but it shouldn't break down anytime soon. I'd imagine any underwater creatures left in the tunnels, will follow the waterflow out so as to not end up trapped in here."
With the pump fixed the story for this book is now concluded. You can now level up to 7. Your rebellion rank has increased and you get a free skill point to add to any skill you like and a bonus feat from one of the following: Great Fortitude, Iron Will, or Lightning Reflexes.
Logan was impressed with the repairs and said, "Thank you Hetamon! I'm looking forward to seeing the tunnels when they've fully dried out. I dare say everyone could do with a rest, perhaps we should turn in?"
Later after resting, Logan had another look at some of the items they'd found.
Noting Mirabella's interested he said, "I think I know what the vial and the wand are, I'm less sure about the robe and have no idea about the pearl."
Mirabella adds her own investigation to Logan's efforts, focusing on the pearl and robe.
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Logan notices the Ruby Vial might fetch a really good price, once the content is spent. But the content might be even more valueable as it contains a single dose of oil of life (distilled from the quicksilver of a philosopher's stone.)
The wand contains 23 charges of Alter Self and the robe is a robe of powerlessness, which prevents you from using you magical powers if it's put over you.
The pearl is a little out of your league, but together and with the knowledge the devil gave you, Mirabella is fairly certain that it is indeed a pearl of power.
Logan was awed by the contents of the ruby vial, "Folks come look at this, doesn't look like much right? But this is oil of life if you were to pour this over a corpse it would resurrect them even after a century or so! Let's hope we never have cause to use it. The wand lets you change your form like I did, useful stuff. The robe is cursed, its a robe of powerlessness that prevents Spellcasters from using magical powers. I reckon we should keep this in case we ever need to take a Spellcasters prisoner."
Finally he said, "Miri has identified the pearl as a pearl of power, a boon for any prepared Spellcaster."
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About a week has past since you cleared out the Lucky Bones and the place is begun to actually be habitable again. Laria's Bellflower Network and the Order og the Torrent, along with a few Milanite worshippers have helped out clean out the place and make the rooms in the decent enough to sleep. Underneath the caverns is no longer flooded and the Aquatic elves have helped clearing out the rubbish making it float out the caverns along with the water. It is still damp in the caverns, but they can be used for storing with the aid of magics to keep the rooms dry.
It's late evening and with you all about to settle in for the night Hetamon joins you at the tavern after closing hours. "It is good I found you before you turned in for the night. I have been approached by one of my longterm allies who wishes to meet with the Silver Ravens possible to aid us in the future. You might know her, she is the headmistress of Lady Docur’s School for Girls, Lady Mialari Docur. I was thinking it might be a good idea to set up some sort of council where we could get leader form various groups and organizations to meet for a meeting once a week. We could than address the concerns from our allies or invite new ones to join. We could use more people and support if we are to succeed in bringing Thrune down and retaking the city.
"Oh!" remarked Logan, "We'd heard her school closed it's doors but never got round to finding out why. They say Lady Docur's is the oldest private school, founded three centuries ago but its elven headmistress Mialari Docur. I have to admit a certain curiosity... And yes a council sounds like an excellent idea, hearts and minds and all that."
"It is always good to start meeting new allies."
Bicks still new to this, eyes this person to check for any compulsion magic or deceit.
= 33
Logan nodded and asked those in the room, "The silver council has a certain ring to it. Do we need to do anything to prepare?"
Jack is quiet but agrees that an alliance with a long-lived local such as Lady Docur might prove beneficial. He wisely keeps his opinions about allying with her young student body to himself as he stands next to Canacha.
Mirabella add her agreement to the rest. "The more united the opposition against the Thrune oppressors is, the better our chances. Let the headmistress know we will be happy to meet her."
In her spare time since freeing the aquatic elves and hearing their story about an aboleth threatening their home, Mirabella has made a point to study the aboleth language.
While Miri had been studying that most alien of languages, Logan was found performing weapon katas whilst blindfold! He explained this by saying "In battle one of the worst things that can happen is being unable to see, I'm preparing for the worst while hoping for the best..." After long hours of practicing he'd occasionally brew mint tea, but only when he was absolutely certain the smell wouldn't carry. When asked about where the mint came from he was coy, although he admitted he could get more.
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Hetamon worked quickly and got a council set up in the Lucky Bones. Among the participants are most allies you already have met namely Laria, Octavio and one of his armigers, Elia Nones, the first mate of Cassius crew, are representing him as he is a captain and he can't set foot in Kintargo for the time being, and lastly the person who asked for this meeting Lady Mialari Docur, a beautiful elven woman well into her second century of age in a simple yet elegant elven dress any noble would envious.
Hetamon takes the word. "Thank you friends and allies, I'm happy to host this first Silver Council here in the Lucky Bones that we recently acquired and made into a place of living. As has been mentioned before we want to host this once a week but swap location to allied taverns, our homes, or hideouts in the future so that Thrune one catch wind of these anytime soon. Lady Docus has requested to speak first and I am so inclined to let her." he says with a smile as he gestures for the headmistress to speak to the assembly.”[/b]
Lady Docur stands up and bows her head towards Hetamon, before looking over each of the parties around the table. ”Thank you my old friend, I’m am here today because we have heard the rumors of the return of the Silver Ravens, although not those of old but new and fresh freedom fighters. I’d much rather like to lend you my aid than have you be an enemy, so I’m here to ask you about what you plans are for what happens after the rebellion. I’ve heard you had an interest in the Gray Spiders and since you use their old hideout there might be some true to these words, but I would be a fool to assume anything before having met you all. As a sign of my good will towards you I have a small brought a small token from my private stash seeing as they would benefit the town in your hands rather than collecting dust on my shelves.” she nods to her attendant, a young half elven woman just about adulthood, and she presents a pair of scrolls to Logan as he looks like a learnt magic user, or maybe they know something about you already. Lady Docur sits down once more awaiting the councils responds.
Logan can inform the rest that the scrolls contains the spells Heal and Raise Dead.
She hadnt been alltogether sure about the idea of a council...after all it seemed that when they first started most of the voices for said council had been silent. It had been her and her friends who had actively started to do things...but she supposed Hetamon did have a point. They would need more agents, more hideouts more voices to finally topple the government here.
She smiled and nodded at Hetamon's words to the council though she mostly stared at the elven woman. She still remembered her friend Meliora.... light she hoped she was okay somewhere living it up with a pretty thing and not rotting in a jail cell or worse, had often complained about that school. She just wished she could remember what it was she was complaining about.
Thank goodness Jack sat beside her though Canacha did kinda wish the tables were better angled so he couldnt look at the elven woman. She looked so beautiful it almost hurt her eyes to look at her. She purposely interlaced her foot with Jacks trying to keep his focus from the lady. She didnt think he would like you know chase after the elven woman but still just in case. She should remind him what he had... if he ever made the move. She wondered if she should spell it out for him.
She blinked when she realized that the Lady Docur had asked a question of them... she had heard it really just was focused on Jack so she ended up blurting out the first thought that came to her head.
"Installing a mayor from the people and ...and..."
Realizing she had lost her train of thought.... or that the words she had been about to say were probably really stupid she tried to play it off like she was well the mad part of the mad alchemist some people thought her to be.
"make mint legal again that's for sure. I need it for my tea... it helps me think straight."
She add taking her and placing it on Jacks thigh giving him a squeeze to show she was nervous and hopefully to get him to rescue her.
Logan examined the scrolls and was taken aback, "Uh... You are most generous Lady Docur. I'd like to say I hope we never have to use these, but revolution is a dangerous business. As for what comes after, I think we can all agree that things can't go on like they did before. A mayor of the people sounds like a good start, we need a rebalancing to ensure the rights of ordinary people. Once the dust has settled and the worst of the old regime is swept away we may well need a reconciliation. Many folk have had little option but to collaborate in small ways, it would not do to exchange a dictator for a mob."
"A handsome gift indeed, Lady Docur." Mirabella adds after learning the content of the scrolls.
"And you are quite right. Clearly stated common goals will make our efforts to build a united resistance movement more likely to succeed. First and foremost, we should seek the removal of the tyrant Barzillai Thrune and reinstate a true representative of the people. And annulment of all of the recent proclamations."
She pauses, as if daring to speak her next thoughts is even more controversial, even in this gathering of rebels.
"However, even if we install a new mayor, can our beloved city ever be truly free while it is part of Cheliax and under the dominion of her Infernal Majestrix? Those of us who are regarded as inferior races or worshipers of outlawed religions will never find peace under the banner of Cheliax. If true freedom is what we dare hope for, Kintargo must become master of its own fate in all respects."
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Lady Docur is hard to read what she things about you answers but does respond "That sounds like you have the needs of the city in your mind with you plans. But we'll have to see action behind those words. For now I will follow your work more closely while giving a little support where I can without drawing the ire of Thrune just yet." she says nodding to her attendant. "Might I suggest that you perhaps start with you plan by curry flavor with the nobility of this city. It's good sense to get as many of them as possible on your side, because at some point you can't just keep using the rabble of the streets to keep peace and calm in Kintargo. Luckily in my position as headmistress of a school for gifted individuals who without my guidance would be outcast at best have a good relation with the elites of this city and can tell you that not everyone is siding with Thrune. There are noble families who with love him gone, but who will not go after him unless they see someone who can bring him down."
Logan frowned, he knew Lady Docur's plan had merit but there was likely a catch. He replied cautiously "Trying to get families from the Court of Coin involved does us makes sense. However some of them, my own estranged family included, have tied their fortunes to that of House Thrune. I expect father will prove to be intransigent..."
He tried to consider which families they might be able to win over and which they must avoid.
Jack gave Canacha a quick smile before taking her hand in his. He sat quietly, nodding at most of the points and suggestions his comrades made while offering no words himself. The talk of trying to recruit Kintargo's nobility to the Silver Ravens' cause made a lot of sense...and he'd have to talk further with his friends once they were away from the newly founded council.
He also ponders over which families might be amenable to giving the new lord-mayor the boot.
"Can you direct us toward the families you think are most sympathetic to our cause? Any leads will expedite things and limit our interactions with the wrong people."
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Jack and Logan put their heads together, which Lady Docur confirms for them. "As you two friends just mentioned master gnome, I would think that the houses Aulamaxa, Aulorian, Jarvis, Jhaltero and Vashnarstill would place that allegiance in what they think is best for Kintargo. Aulorian might be hard to get an appointment with, I've heard through the grapevine that his son was taken from his estate not to long ago, and he is currently search high and low in Kintargo for him, otherwise he is a greed bastard so he might side with whomever gives him a sizeable bribe. I would avoid Delronge, Sarini and Tanessen completely they are pretty much so deep in Thrunes pockets they might aswell be a part of the Asmodean church. They are just as likely to turn on Thrune as they would be on the Queen.
Logan paced as he though and then he stopped and shared his thoughts, "Lets see Eldonna Aulamaxa has a thing for the opera, so what if we where to build a bigger world class theatre? As as a sweetener we could offer hunting rights we'd confiscate from House Delronge. Of course a big theatre means lots of stone masonry, and that's music to Becla Jarvis and Canton Jhaltero."
Smiling he explained his other idea, "The silver trade is dear to Auxis Aulorian as well as Jhaltero and naturally Sendi Vashnarstill would be happy to haul the best to far off Arcadia. So I suggest we officially promote the silver trade. Between those two initiatives we ought to get the most amenable of the nobles on board."
"Agreed Eldonna seems like a good place to start."
"Kintargo's already got a world-class theater," Jack points out. "What we need is to evict the Asmodean squatter who's taken up residence therein."
"But I agree--starting with Archbaroness Aulamaxa is a good place to start."
"Why have one when you can have two for twice the price?" quipped Logan, "But yes you're probably right Jack, we should start there at least."
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"It's always a good place to start with one, just be prepared that the nobility might need you to do something to impress them or earn their trust. After all, Thrune can make promises just like you can even if he doesn't mean to keep them." Laria chimes in as the meeting move on to the next point.
"When we are done with the nobility, we should also look to get support from outside of Kintargo, particular the areas just around here. You have already got some contracts with the aquatic elves, might be a good idea to help them with their problems. After that getting the Support of Vyre a city close to here, which is basically a free city in Kintargo, which the government keep that way to have a place the officials can go to unwind. Lastly, we need to somehow prevent the Queen from sending in an army to help Thrune, while she is busy with the Iomedean Paladins around the Andoran Border, she would still be able to send in enough support to deal with us. There is only one place big enough for large troop movement towards Kintargo, The Menador Gap, take control of the old dwarven fortress there and we will have closed Thrune off from outside support.”
"Mmm, The Queen" replied Logan who managed to say the title with the vitriol of a curse. Frowning he replied, [b]"It would not do for us to help our neighbours only to find her armies in the city."
To his fellow conspirators he asked, "What say you? Should we first take this dwarven fortress and then see to our neighbours?"
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"I think it would do us better to get the support of Vyre and the aquatic elves first, before we do a big statement to the queen that we are closing the passage to Kintargo. Most likely none would be the wiser about our actions in those regions, but the moment we take control of the Menador Gap we are essentially forcing Thrune to act on it. Best case tou have to retake it a second time but with a much tighter secrurity, it could also mean Thrune send someone to keep an eye in things in Vyre and other chelaxian cities close by " Octavio responds to Logans suggestion.
She scrunched up her nose as she tried to make an equation out of everyone's thoughts. She understood math...all this talk of politics not so much. She did understand though what the meant about actually trying to rebel or secede from Cheliax. They had an actual army... a powerful church backing them... mage.... devils....She trembled for a moment as she thought about all the vile things that could be thrown at them.
"Maybe.... we focus on small steps first yes?"
She said out lowly her already pale pallor getting even paler for the moment.
Logan shrugged, they'd have their work cut out for them no matter which order things were done in.
"When we cleared out the flooded levels of the Lucky Bones, we rescued a band of aquatic elves from captivity. They risked much to find aid for their home, which is being plagued by an aboleth. Assisting them would be a good place to begin. It is unlikely to attract much attention from Thrune or other surface-dwellers, and could secure us valuable allies which could greatly improve our ability to bring in supplies and move unseen in and out of the city."
"More water?"
The usually fiesty redhaired dhampier said with no enthuthiasm whatsoever.
"You are right of course Mirabella. . . but but..."
”I know, Canacha…but they need our help and we need their support in return. Hopefully we can stay dry for the rest of our adventures.” Mirabella says with a sympathetic smile for her friend.
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"Perhaps if I might interject, you start currying favor with the noblehoueses that you think we can get to support us. You might be gone for weeks so it might be a good idea to lay in the ground work for your return. We will keep Kintargo as much together as is possible without stirring things up. And the rest of us should keep our eyes and ears to the ground and make sure we find every little support that we can." Hetamon adds to the discussion. "Other than that I don't really thing we have much more to discuss for now, for the next weeks see if you can find sympaphisers to our course and we will give them a chance to talk with us, or at least us whom are more in the background anyway untill we are sure they can meet you." he says gesturing towards all of you.
Once the party has left the council meeting, Jack pulls Canacha aside. Taking a deep breath, he explains to her that Jack Duncloak is merely an alias he uses, and that his true name is Danilar Jhaltero...and that he's a member of one of the city's great noble houses, albeit a relatively unimportant member. He briefly explains that Danilar's death was faked in Westcrown and that he later returned to Kintargo to serve as an undercover agent of his family, especially in the area of gaining information on the city streets.
Assuming that Canacha doesn't slap the taste out of his mouth for his deceit, he likewise tells the rest of the party who he truly is.
"I think we ought to be able to get Baron Canton to oppose Thrune...especially if we can get a couple more noble families on our side."
This unexpected reveal caused both of Logan's eyebrows to rise, "Wow you had me fooled! But now I think on it House Jhaltero is famed for its intelligence gathering network... I agree we should try to get a couple of other families on side, too bad about my own family. I'm sure father is busy tormenting halflings in the name of Asmodeus or one of his devil's... Or perhaps composing a love letter to House Thrune." The last was said with great bitterness, Logan's split from his family had been anything but amicable.
Logan considered the best way to approach house Aulamaxa, he already knew a fair bit about them including their love of hunting and opera. Perhaps Jack was right and they should deal with the Asmodean squatter in the opera house as he put it.
Jack compares notes with Logan as the two nobles try to figure out the best way to approach Archbaroness Eldonna.