The crew of the Audacious grab the bodies and head up the tunnel. As Elon hefts Barbarosa onto Barley, he notices that the corpse has not been preserved in the usual manner. It must have been magically altered to remain preserved. The usual embalming procedures have not been followed - no tell-tale smells of chemicals - and the corpse is not made up to look fresh, it is fresh.
As the Red Lady and her possessions are bundled up in much rougher fashion than the first body of Rory Barbarosa. As they are packing the robes, the masked hoods with the star over the left eye once more reveal themselves. Some of the companions deign to have a closer look...
The tunnel seems longer this way. It is up hill and the weight of the bodies slows down those carrying them. Eventually, though, the markings indicating where the trap was appear on the floor, and it isn't long before everyone is hoisted back up into Lord Krinst's vault.
He is running a hand through a remarkably full head of hair (for his age) and making a most careful accounting of everything in his vault. Several acolytes are assisting him in this task both a smith and a mason are already present with the requisite tools to begin repairing the vault.
"Yes, I think if those further precautions are taken, I could continue to leave my wealth with the Church of Abadar," he notes to a blonde man dressed in full ceremonial plate mail, "Tell Jyronn that he still has my custom... at the discussed discount, of course."
As the armored man departs, Krinst finally turns to notice the returning crew. "Oh, hello my dear fellows! My, but you have quite the array of... erm... bodies there. I was hoping you would return with but the one. Does she live? Never mind, you can fill me in soon. Boys," Krinst turns to address the acolytes and the men who have come to repair his vault, "I need to speak with these chaps... and ladies... for a while and require privacy. I know this vault is sealed from a number of intrusions - or it was - so it should make an ideal meeting place. You understand."
They do indeed, and leave the man with the bulging purse to his privacy.
"So..." Krinst claps his hands together excitedly, "What happened and what are we going to do with... her?"
Bazsil nods at Gado and takes up one of the bodies, happy to hump it back to the Abadarans for whatever purposes they might have. His keeps his hammer handy in his left hand as he drags a body back. He wishes he could enjoy the day at the beach, but others seem keen on entreating themselves with the Abadarns, and Bazsil will not argue that.
Back at the vault, he lets those that can fix the Red Lady and possible get her to talk to do their thing. He stands aside, often looking down at his hand and admiring his new ring.
Aeslin mutters to Sebastian when she sees the symbol, conferring with him on what they think it is
"why, Sebastian, isn't that an interesting symbol. You know, I don't think my beguiling gift spell is as good as you make it out to be. Don't I need something to give them.. And don't I need to be right next to them? Oh yes, the symbol. Probably the sort of thing I was hired for.
"Daddy will be so proud ! I am finally making something of myself! No, I shan't be doing manual labor, why do you ask, my little friend?"
To Lord Krinst, Gratum says, "We are going to have her judged for her crimes... and also have our second most intimidating friend, because I doubt she can understand Barley, ask her about why she took the captain's body."
"Then we will hand her to the Abadarans who will interrogate her methods of entering the vault. I'm sure they will get much value out of her account, and will be able to improve their security."
Having said his part, Gratum bows to Lord Krinst, and steps back to allow the interrogation to begin.
Elon trudges through the brush of the beach. Eww, I hate the stuff that washed ashore... he thinks as a guiding hand forces him back north towards the tunnel.
---
"She is a crook. Might use a good talking to, but she seemed innocent enough." Elon reasons of the Red Lady, carried by Baszil.
He helps the acolytes heft the body of Barbarosa from Barley as he just wishes to be on the ship and be away from this place.
"When do we set sail? This town stuff is rather boring." he remarks. "When do we leave? Ugh... I hate this."
"Ah, excellent idea... judged for crimes and all of that," notes Krinst, not entirely convinced, "Yes, much better than just killing her outright. That is, unless she already knows too much about Barbarosa, yes? She's a fiend and tried to murder all of you, yes, so death doesn't seem too out of order for her." Krinst looks a little uneasy with what he's saying, but clearly he doesn't want to put the new Barbarosa or the expedition in peril.
"Well, I guess you should interrogate her then..." Lord Krinst makes a rolling motino with his now, letting the companions know that he means 'before anyone comes back in', "And thank you for returning Rory's body! I think we may end up having a much smaller viewing, invite a few gossips who knew him, but otherwise a private affair. Then cremate him. Then disintegrate him and scatter him to the for winds while sailing on the ocean. Sounds like something a sailor would want, yes? That should make his body nigh impossible to find.
"Elon, six days my friend. Thanks to your efforts in stopping this woman, we don't need to rush our preparations and leave tomorrow. We still have six whole days." Krinst is so relieved he doesn't notice that he read the dwarf wrong. After all, who figures a dwarf wants to head out to sea?
Krinst rummages through his possessions and passes out a vial of smelling salts. "Usually I use this in case a lady faints, which happens more than you might think, but it should work to revive this woman."
As Gado scurries around, he barks at the others in a surprisingly commanding tone. His duty to cataloging properly is not to be underestimated. As he writes each item down, he notes values and organizes them into groups for re-sale or for practical use by his new companions.
yes, these will come in handy. Aeslin should like that. Wrigley could use these... hrmm.. Let me just...
As Gado records the magical protective trinkets, he pockets the ring of protection and notes in his Journal:
ring of protection: Bazsil
As the group begins to move the bodies and collection of gear, Gado hefts his new handy haversack with the bulk of the spoils.
so much easier to carry! and much less stubborn than that mule...
"Here you go my fine new friend. Found something for you." Gado says, poking Bazsil in the side then dropping a shiny ring into his hand.
Back at the vault, he lets those that can fix the Red Lady and possible get her to talk to do their thing. He stands aside, often looking down at his hand and admiring his new ring.
"I'll be here if you need me to put her down permanently. Otherwise, do your thing."
"Oh! They are truly murderers. Assassins even. Not sure daddy would like dealing with those sorts, though he certainly has done so in the past. 'Business is business', he always said... usually when he had to do something distasteful."
When she notices the group's blank stares, as well as a little nip by Sebastian, she continues.
"Oh, I am sorry. You didn't realize that they were members of the Cult of Norgorber. He's the god of assassins. One of the ascended, and the only one that is regarded as evil.
"These cultists are likely members of The Gray Master cult... and if so just thieves. However, I think it more likely that they are followers of the aspect known as the Reaper of Reputation, which considers him the keeper of secret knowledge. They are very politically motivated, which would make sense in a city like Magnimar.
"Oh! What else? Well, Norgorber's Ascendance Night is celebrated on the night of the 2nd and 3rd of Desnus... what day is it today? That's the day he completed the Test of the Starstone. I wonder if she has a copy of The Words Behind the Mask? I hear they are all slightly different, and could give us some insight into her motivations.
"At least it doesn't seem like they follow Father Skinsaw, his aspect which is worshipped by the most murderously insane of his followers. They are known for the atrocities that they commit in his name."
At this, she shudders, and goes pale, as she remembers some of the rituals that she's read about.
"mher mher mha mah mah mher mher"
Gado blinks his eyes a few times doing his best to stay focused. When Aeslin seems to be finished, he leans over to Bazsil and whoever else is standing next to him, "Is she going to do that a lot? Maybe I'll have her over to my tent if I am having trouble sleeping..." The unintended innuendo flies right over the frail wizard's head.
Gado grabs the smelling salts and walks over to the woman, passing them under her nose until she startles herself awake.
"Hi there. I'd tell you my name, but it really isn't important. Your name, might be, so let's start with that. Then you can tell me if you are going to talk, or spit in my face and pretend like you have some honor in holding your tongue. Thanks to these fancy scrolls that allow us to speak with the dead, we don't really need you alive to complete this interrogation, so it really is in your best interest to just spill everything you know now. Give me a reason to tell Grim here not to reap your soul."
Gado delivers his speech deadpan, showing no care whether the woman lives or dies. He is completely oblivious to the fact that others have nearly nodded off at his monologue as well.
When the red woman wakes up, and Gado starts talking, Aeslin looks at her very funny.
"They call me the Red Lady, boy, and the things I know would curl your toenails," the woman, who cannot be much older than Gado himself, sneers at her interrogator, "I might speak with you, but I want answers myself. Why don't you tell me why we could neither speak with Barbarosa's spirit nor raise him from the dead? Then I will answer your questions. One for one, but I go first. Those scrolls don't come cheap, you know... oh, and you - all of you - have to promise to let me live afterwards. I don't have to go free, but you all must promise and I mean promise by all of your ancestors upon pain of death."
The Red Lady rolls her eyes at the cackling woman in the corner.
At least, she does so at first. Then it starts to irritate her, then distract her. Soon she can do nothing but think about this odd woman in the corner.
"You realize my promise means nothing? But promise you I will, nonetheless. You have my word that I will not take your life, on the condition that you give us all of the information you have. What the church of Abadar does with you is not on my hands though. That is a fate you cannot escape, no matter how much or little you speak."
Gado finds a place to sit and when he does, he pulls his journal out to begin taking notes.
"Wait... You want us to answer a question first? You do realize that we captured you after you stole something that did not belong to you? You are on the wrong side of this to be making demands. My life isn't the one hanging in the balance, and contingent upon the full and truthful answering of questions."
Gado sets his writing quill down with a small amount of exhasperation at the woman's defiance.
Awkward... maybe the diplomat can take over from here, I suck at this. We can't possibly answer her question truthfully, as the truthful answer will tell her everything she needs to know to confirm the ruse that Lord Krinst has spent so much money to put into place. Who knows what kinds of clairaudience spells she may have on her now.
In an epiphany, Gado begins to cast some of the minor spells he has left, searching for any type of magical connection this woman might have to an unseen ally.
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"Do you think I am a fool?" the Red Lady spits on the ground at Gado's feet, almost passing out from the pain that simple act causes, "I want you all to promise that all of you will allow me to live. If you believe the church will kill me - and they will - then hand me over to someone who won't or let me go free. There is a tunnel there, and I'll happily go out that way." The Red Lady was unconscious for the journey and clearly did not hear the thunder of the approaching storm.
"As for who asks first, you don't like it... then kill me and you'll learn nothing. Or, play along and I'll give you what you want."
"Do you think I am a fool?"
That you dared try to steal from me, Witch, shows that you are.
Bazsil snorts, thinking something funny. He chooses to interrupt Gado's inquisition.
"I do not object to keeping her alive, but explaining things to her we should not do. I'd rather talk to her skull...if such things are possible. If we wishes to pay for her silence with her life, that is fine with me."
Bazsil readies Lucy.
Aeslin just sits back, concerned about the vicious response of the lady, but maintaining her cackling.
|
"there is an old adage, perhaps you've heard it before?" Wrigley says, stepping forward and addressing the Red Lady. "It says, all things being equal, the simplest explanation is usually correct."
"The truth is, we don't know why your spell did not work."
"I am no master of the arcane forces that guide the universe, and it seems with all the unknowns this world might bring, and what strangness the Dark Tapestry might inject upon us, any number of infinite things might've gone wrong. You speak of weaving and unweaving the threads of fate, dealing with the very essence of life and death, as if it were a simple thing... which it cannot be."
"Though I understand, for you, us not knowing is not a very gratifying answer."
"Now, everyone, please calm down," the halfling says, altering his gaze to see the more hostile members of the group, especially the Grim. "We will not harm you, and I will do everything in my power be sure the members of this church do not either. But I cannot guarantee you will walk completely free... I don't know that I have that much clout." He adds, jokingly.
With his voice still calm, but purposeful, Wrigley adds, "Now, my lady, will you answer some of my friends' questions? You're cooperation would go a long way toward helping your own cause."
"A cause you should be most interested in supporting."
Wrigley makes a very compelling case for her compliance...
"Very well, maybe you don't actually know why he can't be resurrected. I certainly can't imagine what would stop such a thing. So, perhaps it is time to return the favor. I will answer one question. Ask it." the Red Lady turns to the assembled crew expectantly.
Bazsil gets the distinct impression that she is indeed willing to answer honestly, if not entirely openly. Likely this little game will continue tidbit for tidbit, with the least information given as possible.
This will be an interesting game. Who can reveal the least amount of information, while asking the most revealing questions. The obvious question is why they were trying to raise the captain, but I think we have a pretty good idea already. Who she is working for may actually tell us more about the why and the how than anything else...
"Who charged or paid you for this job of stealing Barbarosa's body and extracting information from it. And no games or lies, or the little 'save the red-head's life deal is off." Gado asks.
Outwardly he is smug, and sits back in his chair, inkpen in hand and ready to record. Inwardly, he worries his question can somehow be twisted to not reveal anything to them.
I am smart dammit. I will not allow myself to be out-witted by a thief and liar. Next question, if I didn't screw this one up, will be to find out exactly what information she was trying to extract from the dead captain...
Bazsil keeps his back against the wall, keeping quiet except for occasional snorts of derision or disbelief.
It's not that Bazsil was a killer, or a savior: he was in-between. He understand that to some, killing was wrong and should be avoided. And to others killing meant nothing. For Baz, he wanted his kills to mean something. He wanted to kill in combat, or to eat, or for sport. To him killing this Red Witch wouldn't really accomplish any of those goals.
Some would think it just, others would think it unjust, Baz would just be bored by it.
So he snorts again.
"Your cackling madwoman is really annoying me. Any chance you can get her to stop?" asks the Red Lady, "Never mind. I wouldn't want to waste a question. I belong to a Cult that venerates Norgorber in his one true form: the Reaper of Reputation. We call ourselves the Twilight Sages, but that won't mean anything to you." She smiles, almost daring someone to tell her she just lied. Bazsil notices that she had eyed off the pile of robes before answering, and likely knew the companions had already figured it out (or would have been able to later).
"My turn now," she says, "Why do you care so much for what happens to the body of Captain Rory Barbarosa?"
"When you steal what does not belong to you and you think I should let it go? You steal a man from me that hired me? And trusted me...and you think that is no big deal?" Baz snorts, the answer is obvious.
"The answer is you don't steal from me, woman. Our turn." Baz nods at Gado to continue.
"I can stop at any time. But, I choose not to, right Sebastian!"
"Your answer twists and weaves, man who will not be stolen from," the Red Lady muses, "And it does not explain why these seven others came also. I cannot believe that all 8 of you were so enamored with your dead employer that you would risk your lives to get his corpse back."
The Red Lady makes it clear she wants more of an answer before she will give one back.
Aeslin wracks her brain, but has never heard of these Twilight Sages.
"Krinst is my employer," Ciaran says. "And you stole from him. Bazsil is right.
"Now give your answer, or we'll do this my way rather than Gado's"
"Huh. So Krinst hired you and tasked you with retrieving Barbarosa's corpse," the Red Lady looks both intrigued and satisfied with the revised answer, "Very well, you may have another answer. First, though, I will require a question. Unless you want the oily-haired man's rhetoric to count as your next question?" The Red Lady smiles at Ciarán and tries to affect an alluring pose - spoiling it slightly when the pain in her side causes her to wince. Nevertheless, she looks at Ciarán as though he may be someone she would gladly devour - whether as a meal or as a lover, Ciarán is uncertain.
These humans are so odd. Punctuating the interrogation with flirting and bravado. At least she seems to be unaware of the clone.
Gratum puzzles through the events. Recalling that the captain had just made his first public appearance the day before, when he "died," and this woman wanted information from him.
Would she have tried to learn from the captain if he had not died, or was this a crime of convenience? Does she want to know more about the Isle? What if the Ascended are as mystified by the Eye of Abendego as we are? What if this cultist is afraid that Norberger could end up with a similar -STOP! I know nothing of hokey religions, such musings will do no good. Let's just get the facts.
To further clear his thoughts, Gratum speaks his mind to the group in general, "She was hoping this would be a windfall for her. All the knowledge of the captain's recent venture, without any of the work, and nobody else would have it. Like digging through his pocket for loose change. Kind of shallow for a priestess..."
"Your answer twists and weaves, man who will not be stolen from," the Red Lady muses...
Bazsil readies his hammer, having caught the first of her lies and misdirections.
"Are a coward or are you lying, witch? You would not pursue those who stole for you? Do your fellow cultists steal from you because you would not pursue them? Is that what you are finding so hard to believe?" Bazsil says irritably.
"One more lie out of you, and I'll end you. Your end of the deal is broken."
"Oh, you do want me to answer you, man with the curls and an unhealthy attachment to his hammer. Very well. I am no coward, nor have I lied to you," she answers truthfully, "I would pursue those who stole from me, but I do not believe you were stolen from - I would not consider my dead ex-employer's corpse my property and I find it ridiculous that you do, though now I believe that you actually do. My fellow cultists do not steal from me because we are part of a larger whole with a common destiny, and they also fear me.
"There, now I have answered at least three of your questions. Time for you to answer another of mine," the Red Lady continues to behave as though negotiating from a position of strength, "What did Barbarosa do to ensure he would both survive sailing through the Eye of Abendego and be able to make it back?"
Gado's irritation begins to fade as he watches the back and forth. The irritation turns into a bit of fascination as he watches the mind games going back and forth.
"What you consider as property worthy of stealing is not yours to decide. You obviously felt there was value, else you would not have gone through such trouble to break into this vault. You knew it was illegal, else you would not have remained secret about it. You knew the people who had legitimate claim to the body would be upset, else you would not have done so much to cover up the theft, by filling the coffin with rocks."
Gado stands up and sets the inkpen down carefully. He walks slowly over to the red-haired woman, brushing his robes smooth as he walks.
"The problem with your position, is that even if you believe you are answering our questions truthfully, you have done nothing but be coy and misdirecting, which makes us think you are lying. And as long as we think you are lying, we think you are breaking your end of the deal. There is no impartial judge here to arbitrate and validate. You remain at our mercy."
Gado stops right in front of the bound woman, putting his hands on the arms of the chair she is sitting in. Koney flutters across the room, landing on his shoulder. He leans closer to put his face mere inches from hers.
"To answer your question, he made a really good boat, and spent his life ensuring he was skilled enough to sail it. Those preperations were plenty sufficient, since he wasn't murdered until he returned."
"Coy? Coy?!" the Red Lady is genuinely affronted, "I have answered the only proper question you have bothered to ask me in a straightforward and honest manner. It was not I who answered questions with more questions like the smug sh*t with the hammer did. As for mercy, you remain at mine if you want the answers you seek!"
The Red Lady calms somewhat when Gado answers her last question. "So, it was his ship. Now we are getting somewhere. Very well, ask your next question. Make sure it is as direct as you want your answers to be, else you will find yourselves frustrated all the more."
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Gado's familiar lets loose a loud shriek in the woman's face to punctuate whatever point Gado was trying to get across.
"You see, we were tasked to find Barbarosa's killer." technically true, even if we already found that answer "And you stealing his body makes me think that you had something to do with it." Thhaaaaat is a lie. hopefully she doesn't catch on.
Gado stands back up, though Koney jumps over to land on the woman's head, pecking down at her forehead occasionally.
"So now I have answered another of your questions, and your rambling to our previous questions makes all of us think you are lying. This is your last chance to walk out of this place drawing breath. Maybe you killed Barbarosa, maybe you didn't. Maybe you had him killed so you could steal his body, maybe you didn't. It's clear you did it to find the secrets for getting to the Isle where he brought all of his treasures."
With a deep breath, Gado continues. "At this point I am inclined to think that not bothering with this game anymore is more beneficial in terms of keeping our secrets than gaining any of yours. So if your next answer is unsatisfactory, I will allow the Grim here to further his unhealthy attachment to his hammer, which will likely result in you being unhealthily attached to his hammer."
She has revealed enough through her questions for us to know she wants information on how to get to the Isle. Her answers about her cult are vague and not specific enough to have anything to go on. Aeslin said that their cult is likely very politically motivated. So what end is she working towards here?
"I asked about who you worked for in doing this job, and you were coy and vague about your cult. If you will not answer that question with anything but vague and guarded responses, then you will tell me what the endgame is for your cult to reap the reputation and knowledge of the Isle of Dread. Do not answer with simple money, as we both know that will be a lie. Your Cult is far more concerned with political power to be moved by simple greed. Think about your answer dear, and make sure it is detailed and complete. Because when The Grim is convinced you are still playing games, I will not be able to stop him. And my bird has a particular taste for red-headed eyeballs."
"You accuse me of lying when I have only told the truth, but your own lies betray you," the Red Lady says when Gado tells her he thinks she had something to do with the murder of Rory Barbarosa, "For even your lies tell me things. Since you offered that information freely, and without a question from me, I will let it slide. I warn you moving forwards, though, I am better at discerning your lies than you are at recognizing the truth when it is given to you."
As Gado continues to tell her she's rambling and lying, she screams, "You have asked me but the one question! What in the f*cking Nine Hells are you people doing? Provided one monkey still lived in this world, I would not hire you as interrogators over that monkey. This is a farce. Ask me a question if you want answers. If you want a conversation that goes nowhere, then put on a kettle and let's have some f*cking tea!"
Her anger and straining to yell causes her to pass out once more. Another dose of smelling salts brings her around again, calmer this time; calm enough to listen to Gado's additional accusations and question. She seems unfazed by Gado's threats or his bird's taste for eyeballs.
"I told you the name of our cult, the god we worship and even which aspect! That is more information than you deserved from a single question. I never told you that money was a motivation, so don't seek to tell me I will lie before I've had a chance to answer - and you know nothing of our religion," she breaths deeply to relax herself lest she pass out again, and looks at each of the Audacious's crew in turn, "The endgame? You wish to know about the endgame? Very well, but there is so much more to know about a game than just its ending... but I will tell you. Our endgame is relatively simple: we wish to destroy every sentient thing and every recorded scrap of information on the Isle of Dread - or otherwise prevent its secrets from being laid bare to the world. Whatever knowledge it holds is for Norgorber alone to know."
Not a one present believes she is telling anything but the truth. No omissions or evasions.
"My turn again. What specific design attributes did Barbarosa's ship possess, different from a regular ship, that allowed it to safely pass through the Eye of Abendego and back again?"
Bazsil folds his arms, now convinced this game was stupid.
"I don't care if she tells us the truth anymore," Baz grates. "She has a whinging nasal whine to her voice that is quite annoying. I'm sure her skull would be less strident, because it could not be moreseo."
The unmistakable click of a hammer being pulled back on a gun sounds from behind the Red Lady. Lord Krinst has a musket aimed at her head. The Red Lady freaks and tries to run away to the tunnel, but the strain on her manacles and herself is too much and she passes out from the exertion. Krinst aims downwards and with a well-aimed shot ends her life.
"Boys, I wasn't sure about this from the start, but now I know it was a bad idea from the start," he says, almost apologetically, "Giving a cultist of Norgorber any information about the expedition could compromise it. We have no idea what magics are at play here, or if they are capable of freeing her. Best if she finds out no more and dies the ignorant sow she is."
If any look disappointed, Lord Krinst pats them on the shoulder in a fatherly manner. "No tears for this one, and she perhaps told us more than she intended. This Isle clearly has secrets worth getting at, which makes our mission all the more important. Also, if Norgorber is involved somehow, then... well, I may have overstretched myself with 'then'. I'm not sure what conclusion to draw."
"Found it!" comes Marcus's voice from around the corner, "You might think about better cataloging and categorizing your vault..." the wizard begins.
"Bah! Don't blame your ineptitude on my lack of organization," Lord Krinst takes a silk-wrapped object from the flustered wizard, "I was going to save this for 'the off' as it were, but I think that you'd perhaps best get used to using it first. This is for all of you to share, and should come in quite handy. I heard Bazsil muttering about how much he wanted one earlier, and figured I wasn't doing anything with this one for now... but I do want it back! When the expedition is over, it is to be returned to me. I think Wrigley might make best use of it for day-to-day purposes... but I'll let you decide that amongst yourselves."
Lord Krinst takes off the silk wrapping, revealing a slender rod with strands of gold torsionally wrapped along its length. Woven into the gold are gems and jewels of incredible beauty and worth, and it is capped with a spectacularly cut, impossibly red ruby.
"Consider the loan of this thanks for rescuing the body of Rory Barbarosa," Lord Krinst smiles at the companions open mouths.
We should see if she likes yaks. That's always a good test for seeing if people are good people. If she doesn't then Baszil can have her. Elon thinks to himself as Gado and the woman go back and forth.
---
She seems better at this arguing thing than we do... he comments inwardly. Still, this is getting boring. Why should we care about them if we are leaving for the island soon? Doubt they are on the island...
---
Well that was exicting... Elon thinks to himself as the interrogation ends with a bang.
"Are we going to leave yet? Gettin' itchy waiting around for the voyage." he comments as he just desires to shove off.
"Anything else to do before we leave?" he asks Krinst, hoping the answer is no.
Elon stomach rumbles after the fight and interrogation. "Anyone up for going to get some food? I saw a great ramen shop on the corner. Run by a Tien Tengu I met in Hinojai. Don't try to order chicken, though..."
Bazsil reacts too late to cover his ears from the noise of the pistol, his regret echoing in his ears as much as the detonation. He shoots Lord Kinst a look. "A little warning next time?" Bazsil snorts. "If I had used my hammer, I might have given you the courtesy of warning as not to spray you with cranial matter. You could have done the same."
Bazsil flicks his oiled curls away as if trying to fling away his irritation.
His irritation is more fully doused by the presentation of the rod of splendor, a simply splendid idea, no doubt thought of by a genius.
"Well, that will do nicely. We will eat like kings, at least once in a while. Now, what's next? Let us intern the body someplace secret so we can enjoy our last days on shore."
Bazsil looks at Elon.
"Food! YES!" Bazsil exclaims. "That would be good...unless..." Bazsil turns to the Lord again. "...you have some need of us?"
"Finally, someone has the right priorities! I still have money left over from that bag that Krinst gave us. Let's go drink and eat!" Elon says joyfully as a concurring moo erupts from Barley.
"Also, you still got a bit of nasal cavity on yer locks." Elon says as he leaps up to brush it from his hair.
"Nothing left to do, unless you would like to!" Lord Krinst replies, "It is up to all of you to prepare for this expedition as much as anything else. The regular crew and the supplies will all be sorted out by Barbarosa. It will take a while, so do whatever you like for the next six days... just stay healthy, stay alive and be at our warehouse on the morning of the sixth day!"
"Nothing like not being the target of an Alkenstar to wake you up!" Gratum says with a little envy and a tinge of fear in his glance at the gun.
...
"Six days? I must prepare..." he says. Everyone gets the idea that his plan for preparing is to be as unconscious on the boat as possible.
However, that's only part of his plan for the week...
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The halfling stares incredulously onward as the Red Lady is murdered before his eyes. A dour look quickly takes shape as he looks on toward Lord Krinst.
Why did we even question her? he thinks to himself, anger and resentment brewing for the man when the gun. What were we even trying to learn from her?
Wrigley cannot understand what has happened, and why they even began to question the woman if she was in turn to be murdered, senselessly.
Krinst may have pulled the trigger, but it was our words that put her life in danger, he shakes his head and curses himself for even opening his mouth and convincing the Red Lady to begin talking. He knows, with a sigh of disappointment in himself, had he not helped her talking, she may still be alive. Initially, he simply did not want her to be killed in cold blood on the beach, but here and now, the questions they asked and information they let slip put her life in danger. Was there something in particular we wanted to learn from her, or did we question her for no reason? Why did we not simply turn her over to the authorities, that would maybe have saved her life....
"I think I'll pass on the drink, if it's all the same," he says, collecting his things and preparing to leave. "I'll be sure meet up with everyone within a few days."
Gado jumps nearly to the ceiling when the gunshot goes off, clearly not expecting the loud noise.
He stands, frozen, staring at the lifeless body of the woman who only moments before was telling at him. The report echoes in his ears, drowning out all other speech as he digests the grisley scene in front of him.
will I ever get used to that? Do I want to? Maybe.... Maybe I don't care.... That didn't go at all like I thought it would. For a smart guy it was like she was out thinking me with every question...
"Well that went exactly like I was hoping it would. She lost control in her anger and gave up much more information than I think she wanted to."
"I, for one, am not going to lament her death. She did try to kill us on the beach, and happens to be a member of a notoriously evil cult who is trying to undermine the one thing that will take me away from sure death and torture at the hands of Mistress Lanvi."
Gado once again smooths his robes, and smiles with excitement at the offered rod.
this trip might not be so bad after all. I think I am actually looking forward to it now...
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"I....who is trying to undermine the one thing that will take me away from sure death and torture at the hands of Mistress Lanvi."
Bazsil smiles at the little man.
"I thought I told you. You do not need to worry about your mistress when I am around. You just point her out to me and I will take care of her," Bazsil smiles creepily. "Many women cannot resist the charms of Bazsil, when I choose to use them. Maybe I will take your mistress as my lover, for you, Gado."
Bazsil claps Gado on the back.
"We should go eat and plan what else can do this week. This new rod adds much to the pleasure of this cruise."
Bazsil speaks more on the way to food.
"Perhaps we should examine and inspect the ship before we go. We might know else we need from examining the preparations that are being made. Like, will there be outside hammocks for lounging?"
Gratum listens to The Grim boast, and consider comforts. "If there aren't any hammocks for you to lounge about between swinging Lucy, just find some rope, I can show you how to knot it correctly, and it can be used again as rope if the need arises. Gratum tells him. "of course I've yet to be on a boat without hammocks." Granted the TWO I've been on may or may not represent the majority of boats.
He also speaks with Sumaru about the types of structures used in her homeland, what they are made of and what defenses they provide. He sketches up general plans from what she provides.
His curiosity however leads him to investigate the Twilight Sages, as much as he can. He calls on Aeslin and Elon to help him understand more, if they are wiling. If not he looks for a priest who might be able to tell him more, as he knows where the Abadaran's are he'd first start there.
"Aeslin, I would like to speak with you about these Twilight Sages. It seems, even if they learnt nothing here, that they pose the biggest risk to our voyage's success so far."
Except possibly each other, Ciaran adds to himself. He looks at Krinst's still smoking gun, the dead woman, and Bazsil's jauntily retreating back and shakes his head.
The retort of the gun startles Aeslin into ending her cackling. Until Ciarán addresses her, she just stares at the body.
"Well, Ciarán, unfortunately I don't know very much about them. In fact, until just now, I had never heard of them. However, I think it would be a very good idea that we research whatever we can from them. Yes, I think that would be good."
She takes a look at the rod, and tries to discern what it is.
"Mr. Krinst, sir? What is it. It is more powerful of an item than I am used to working with."
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"Bazsil clearly understands one of its potential purposes. He was just talking about how much pleasure a new rod would add to his cruise.
"Given his relationship with his hammer, that man has a worrying infatuation with inanimate objects. And hair oil."
Hearing the start of Ciaran and Aeslin's conversation while striding out the door, Gratum says to Baszil and Elon, "I'll catch up." then turns back around into the vault.
As he comes back inside he says, "Aeslin, if you don't know, can we see what records the Abadaran's have on the cult. Their sense of duty would likely make it so they have great records on all things, I should think."
"Given his relationship with his hammer, that man has a worrying infatuation with inanimate objects. And hair oil."
Inwardly responding to Ciaran, Gratum thinks,Only the one object to my reckoning... and is that really so bad?
Aeslin cannot determine the rod's function, which tells her enough about how powerful it is! When Marcus sees here examining it and becoming frustrated, he offers help, "It's a rod of splendor," he tells Aeslin, but loud enough for everyone to hear, "It will grant the wielder quite the boost in diplomatic situations or even for casting spells, if they do so with their id rather than their IQ. Daily, that person can also bedeck themselves in near-royal clothing and accoutrements, appearing to be worth thousands of gold. You cannot remove or sell such items, however, or you will quickly find yourself naked with nothing but your rod in your hands.... erm... so to speak.
"But the most fun power can only be activated once a week and includes the creation of an enormous pavilion tent capable of holding five score guests! It also includes food, furniture and other comforts for said guests. It really is a magnificent item to have with you on your travels. I've even heard of one opulently wealthy king who only travels with seven of these rods, so that he may feast in the pavilion daily! Of course, he wears his own clothes, but he loves to delight courtiers by favoring them with a touch from one of his rods."