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"This is a very good question young monk, but be sure that the gold key was the right decision. The trap was supposed to trigger when the chest is opened if it hasn't been disabled before. You passed the theoretical skill tests like finding the magic chest and the key at the ceiling as good as the practical ones like getting the key down with good team work and avoiding the trap at the last chest. I can tell you that not every group succeeds in these tests. It happens that I have to get young recruits out of this room without the map." the servant answers to Alexos questions. "Oh, the other thing with the golden key. My master asks the keys back to him, I'm afraid you can't keep it. I really would be more than happy to give it to you as a gift, but I have my duties and demands."
The servant guides the Pathfinders to the exit. "Good buy and greetings to Master Valsin."
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I see.
Alexos nods as the servant answers his question. A bit of the burden is lifted from his heart.
Very well, here is the key. Give my regards to your master and I will pass yours to Master Valsin.
With a little reluctance, but less than before, he hands the key to the servant as he leaves the house.
Turning to his other companions, he says:
Well, that was fun. Where to next?
He sticks the contract and map within a pocket inside his robes for safekeeping. Again, he watches the streets for would be pickpockets and thieves... the strange man he saw from earlier still bothering him.
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Arriving at the Temple of the Shining Star, you are immediately directed to Ollysta Zadrian. This Paladin of Sarenrae is young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously. As she notices your arrival, she strides forward, addressing you in a strong voice.
"Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity. Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may Sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold.
Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society.
I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?"
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Alexos looks around the Temple, and has thoughts of his old monastery. Turning to Ollysta Zardrian, he is impressed both with her demeanor and with her visible combat prowess.
Well met, Madam Zardrian. Your crusade sounds like a noble one, although its goals do not meet entirely eye to eye with my own. Still, I hope one day to write that you were successful in your endeavors.
He gestures to encompass his companions.
We would be happy to bring this medicine to this orphanage. You are right that some do attempt to abuse charity, but do you have any particular reason to suspect it here?
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"We don't have more than rumors that Auntie Baltwin is abusing the children for her own benefit. We need somebody to visit the orphanage and find out more about the situation. Maybe it's just rumors, but if you find out that the rumors are true, our efforts will go to somebody who really needs our help." Ollysta Zardrian answers to Alexos.
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Touchy smiles his biggest smile when he sees the young paladin. He quickly sidles right up to her during introductions.
"We'll be sure to check out these children and their caretaker most thoroughly." He also assures her. "Indeed!"
(max DC 10)
Touchy confirms what Nixie says about the nearby market merchant, and suggests picking up a bottle of her favorite whiskey en route. "Loosen the tongue, free the inhibitions, that sort of thing." He adds with a grin, by way of explanation, though he seems a bit too familiar with the technique.
When the bard suggests interviewing the children away from Auntie Baltwin, Touchy agrees. "Oh, they'll love you, my dear. Perhaps take Kraak with you... our feathered friend there's probably better then candy at getting children to gather about." With that last he sighs slightly. "If I'd known there'd be children today, I'd have made a special batch!"
"As to this Aunty Baltwin, why would she notice you when she's got old Touchy to stare at!" He cackles gleefully. "I shall charm her bloomers off!
"Well, 'less the elf there gets them all in a bunch first." He adds after a moment.
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The plan seems sound... and while you charm her I will observe her responses to see if she is being truthful. If it turns out that she has been neglecting or abusing the children, however, her bloomers being in a bunch might be the last thing she will be worried about.
Alexos looks grim.
Those who defraud charities for orphans deserve a special brand of fist to face that I call the "Date Checker." I call it so because once you finally wake up, the first question you need to be asking is "What day is it?"
Alexos sighs.
After you, Nixie.
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"We heard rumors that she's drinking a lot of alcohol while caring for the children and people reported, that from time to time they see orphanes coming out of the richer people's houses. We are afraid that she forces the children to work for the rich. I really hope you proof the rumors wrong." the Paladin answers to Nixie. "If that's all, please deliver the medicine as soon as possible."
On the way to the orphanage you pass a market and get a bottle of Whiskey for 3gp.
Nearly swarming with cats and children, this fine upper-class home appears to be clean and in good condition considering the number and ages of its inhabitants. Three young boys shoot marbles in the dirt near the side porch, and inside strewn toys and more cats lie about on the floors. A few children take care of chores, while coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs.
Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery is known for being a place where sick kids go to get better, and the results seem amazing. Some people claim the place looks odd because people are always coming and going, sometimes taking kids with them. Auntie Baltwin has always played that off as their parents taking them home. A few of the kids come and go throughout the day, especially children that are now well, but have nowhere else to go.
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Touchy eyes all the cats dubiously, clearly not sure what to make of it.
He glances at Kraak, back at the cats, then back to Kraak again. He slaps the tengu on one shoulder and says with a chortle. "Oh, they've been dreaming all nine of their lives for you."
"There's some kids right there, Nix." He adds with a nod. "Go show them your obvious charms!" He grins at her, and heads towards the house. "Will run interference should their caretaker pop her head out."
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Nixie is determined to get to the bottom of this one. On the way she adds a few pebbles from the street to her purse bag so it sounds very full when she rattles it. Hey everyone, I'm thinking about asking Auntie if she has any kids who can help me with a few "chores" I need done. And that I can pay. What do you think of that approach?
She asks the kids playing marbles: Hello tough guys! Where is the Auntie?
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Alexos eyes the cats and children. Something seems... off. It seems too sanitary, too orderly. Yes. That was it. The dwarf had the whiskey and Nixie and the Tengu were interacting with the children.
Alexos smiles at the boy.
Yes, thank you for guiding us to her. Here. He gives they boy a silver piece, and noticing the looks on his friends, tosses each one of them one too.
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As he comes inside, he attempts to observe anything he can.
To Xichi he says, in orcish:
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"Thank you very much, Sir!" the boy says to Alexos. "Please follow me. The kitchen is up the stairs and right. As the boy takes you to Auntie Baltwin you can see children in dirty clothes playing together with children in fine clothes, but they all seem to be sick. Everything else looks normal to you.
The boy takes you directly to the sitting room next to the kitchen. In the room there is big table and several chairs, it seems to be the room where the children take their meals. And there is also an old woman.
"Hello, I'm Gilga Baltwin. How can I help you?" the old woman says.
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"How would she know any are gone?" Touchy responds to Kraak's recipe talk, still puzzling over the hoard of felines.
He follows the boy leading them inside, leaving Nixie and Kraak to talk to the kids.
"Lady's a wonder if she can keep this place this clean with all these cats here." He muses quietly as they enter.
He whispers to Alexos. "Think you could slip upstairs, and look around?" He doesn't wait for an answer however, as the boy leads them through the kitchen into the sitting room beyond.
At the sight of the old woman, he turns on his most lascivious smile. "Why ain't you a sight for sore dwarven eyeballs!" He says, moving right up to where she sits, before she has time to rise, and offering a friendly hand. He stands such that should she want to rise, she's going to be basically rubbing right up against him.
"We're here, sent by that shiny lady up at the temple to deliver some medicines for your kids!" He says, though doesn't immediately produce the medicine.
Eventually he steps back, looking for a spot to sit, though realizes quickly he's going to have to shoo some cats away to do so.
"But figured I'd come in and say hello, heard wonderful things. Wonderful things indeed!"
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Alexos attempts a smile.
Why yes, madam, I do believe you might. Our employer has a business proposition he would like us to negotiate on his behalf. But before we get into the details, it has been a long walk. Would you mind to terribly if we adjurned to a more private section of your house with a few glasses of tea?
Gesturing to Touchy, he continues.
He indeed has a gift from our employer of aid as a small token of our employer's seriousness, but we can get to that after we get to the other gift he sent.
He nudges Touchy.
Go on, give her the "special" medicine.
And he winks.
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Alexos grins and gestures at the pocket holding the whiskey.
You remember, my friend. The good medicine. Please tell me that you didn't consume it on the way over. Our employer wouldn't be happy with you if you have, dwarven tastes and tolerances non withstanding.
Turning to Gilga, he says.
So please madam, this conversation would only bore your young charges anyway, and our feathered and bardic companions can keep them entertained while we talk.
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Touchy chuckles slightly, shaking his head. He pops off his pack, and pulls out the whiskey. He then hands it directly to Alexos, with a slightly frown. Then heads back towards the kitchen.
"I'll make some tea." He says as he wanders to the next room.
"Damn elves, either huggin' trees or smoking 'em." He mutters.
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Alexos takes the bottle from Touchy with slight bow, and thanks him for brewing the tea.
As you can see, our employer very much wants to come to an agreement with you, and prefers one that is mutually beneficial.
He puts the bottle inside his sleeves.
Still, best to have these kinds of discussions in private, eh? You must have a study we can occupy for not even an hour.
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Very much so, appreciated.
Alexos smiles, reaches back into his sleeve, and pulls out the bottle again. He looks at it whistfully.
Ah, this really does look good. If it were not a present to you I would have a sip. Oh well, here you are.
He hands Aunty the bottle.
Working with all of those orphans must be hard. Don't mind me if you want to test it while we wait on the dwarf to make the tea.
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When the kids don't answer Nixie's confidence is shaken. Well, listen guys, you have fun with the marbles. I'll see ya around. Having gotten nothing from the kids that calm her suspicions she heads into the house. She waits in the hallway stretching and yawning until a moment when no kids are present. Then she looks around for an entrance to a basement. If Auntie is doing something naughty we will find evidence in this building's storage areas. Nixie gasps at her next thought...Or in her bedroom! But i'm really hoping the naughtiness is in the storage area. Nixie shudders at her own wandering imagination.
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Alexos sees that his attempt at manipulation failed. He is still smiling, but the warmth has left his eyes.
We are, as my dwarven friend alluded to, here from the temple. The Silver Crusade has sent us to do a routine inspection of your operation here, to ensure that the children under your care are indeed getting the best help possible. This is to make sure that the level of aid we are providing you is sufficient to cover the ends, as well as to ensure that you are making the most use out of aid provided.
Alexos takes a seat.
There is no reason this discussion has to be formal though. I find that these things go so much faster when we just have a discussion of things as friends, not as examiners talking to an examinee. Hence the whiskey, and tea... and if you have any, scones would be wonderful!
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"Haha, you are a fluffy guy!" one of the children says. Kraak finds out, that the children are forced to work in other houses. The money they earn is paid to Auntie Baltwin and she keeps the most of it.
Xichi can see a lot of other children playing in the garden. Some of them are playing tag others shoot marbles and some are just reading books in the sun.
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"Ah, the paladin sent you! I remember. So you have more medicine for us? Thats fine, we already ran out of it. But what do you want to inspect? There are children and it's clean. The children get food and have a place to sleep. When sick children come to me most of them leave cured." Auntie Baltwin ansers to Alexos. "I will get you some cones."
Auntie Baltwin leaves the room and limps into the kitchen. She sees Touchy preparing tea and says "Thank you my dear, my old shaky hands would spill most of the tea. But let me put some sugar into mine." and thinking the dwarf is busy preparing more tea and not watching her she tips a few splashes of whiskey into her cup. Touchy can see that her hands are shaking.
on the woman. All signs of alcoholism.
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Touchy grins at the old lady. "Sugar makes everything sweeter." He replies, "Work at a confectioners over in the Coins, I know what I talk of!"
"Not as sweet as you, of course!" He adds with a hearty wink.
"Don't mind the stuffed shirt out there." He adds, nodding towards the sitting room and Alexos. "I think you've done wonders here. Wish my place were this tidy." He shoos a cat away with one hand as he sets up the tea on a small platter.
"Awful lot of cats, though..." He adds, somewhat hesitantly. "Caring for sick children and the stray kitties? Wonders indeed. They should be giving you a medal!"
He then carries the tea tray back into the sitting room, dropping it in front of Alexos, giving the elf a pointed frown as he does so.
He then just stands nearby doing his best to distract from any noises Nixie might be making upstairs.
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"Ah, the kitties come and go. But the children like them, they seem to cure faster when caring for the kitties." Auntie Baltwin follows Touchy into the sitting room. "And here are the scones for you. They are from yesterday, but still good. Bakery deliveries are every two days only."
She turns to Alexos and says "I can show you the rest of the house if you like. So you can tell the Paladin, that her efforts are going to the right institution."