I look to Ulrik and give him a faint smile, "That sounds like a very good plan, however it doesn't help us if something happens to one group while the other is elsewhere. We could always say that Marcus and I were travelling to the village looking for refuge and we met you on the way, you said you could lead us to someone in charge and that is why we are at this Cindi's house, or wherever we are at the time?"
Vironus dips his head down into his palm, shaking his head side to side with a slight smirk.
Yesterday you announced what we were doing to the entire town, and now you want to act like we coincidentally bumped into River and Marcus, before splitting up? My plan's easier and is a lot less likely to get us all in trouble. If we go ahead with your idea, we're sitting ducks. At least in a group of two and three, if one lot of us got into trouble, the others would be able to surprise our enemies.
Vi looks to the docks, then towards Cindi's house.
Look, splitting up is seen by many as a bad idea, but Cindi's house is over there, and the docks are here. We're not far away from one another and so far nobody knows we're travelling together. There's no point revealing the fact we're all together and then splitting up as it contradicts the whole point of splitting up, having one known party - you, myself and Rogar, and one unknown party is where we hold the advantage.
Listen, do what you want. I've heard enough of these silly plans, with some of you disagreeing just because it's I who's making the suggestions. You can do as you please, but I'm going to search around town to find some extra clues. We found nothing at Cindi's yesterday so I'm going to find the Triumvir who gave us the wagon. Who knows, maybe I'll get to dirty my blades.
As Vi starts to walk off, he turns back and laughs.
Who knows, by the time I've solved this, perhaps you would have made your decisions on where you should next go.
"We are travelers none here truly knows us."Turning to Vi he looks to him as one might look to someone who completely missed the point."What I am saying is we go our separate ways with it appearing they thank us for our aid. Just in case any see us talking now. Then we investigate separately but stay near enough to each other as to aid each other. Limited Divide & Conquer."
While Ulrik and Vironus are talking, Rogar quietly says a few sentences to Marcus and River.
We're not going to know where they are if we're inside Cindi's house though, are we?
Vi laughs.
Unless of course you have a gift of sight that allows you to see through walls.....I don't have that.
I look to Rogar and Marcus,
Upon hearing Ulrik's idea, Marcus gives a brief smile.
"For now, it's better if we act that way. We won't rise more suspicion about us and still can be in contact if any troubles appear..."
And then, to Vironus:
"Overconfidence has brought demise even to the mightiest warriors. I wish you good luck, but I'm afraid I can't take responsability for your actions.
Well then, we are splitting up. Rogar, River and myself are going to Cindi's. You can wander around the docks or wherever you want to be. Once we are done there, we are heading to the docks, if you want a meeting point."
Then, he leaves towards Cindi's, waiting for Rogar and River to join him.
I nod at Ulrik and Vironus, then walk to catch up with Marcus. Once Marcus, Rogar and I are all together I speak to them as we walk.
You approach the small area, splitting up as you enter the town proper. Seeing some 30 people milling about, mostly humans and dwarves, with a few halflings and gnomes thrown in. All but four are moving boxes around. A tall human and a gnome standing on the deck of the ship, and the other two triumvirs.
Rogar easily leads you down the deserted street to the building that housed the triumvir, and she seemed to hold some meetings as well. Many of the things have been picked up in the past day, but it is still a little cluttered.
When they reach Cindi's house, Rogar looks around to make sure they're not being observed and enters. Once inside, he divides the structure into quadrants and begins searching for anything of interest.
I hold an outstretched hand out in front of my face and close my eyes. I mutter a few words in an incomprehensible tongue and focus.
Ulrik sighs then has a sudden thought."Vironus, I have a plan though you might not like it... You interested in hearing me out?"
Pausing in his tracks for a second, the warrior turns around, smiles and beckons the man over.
Follow me Ulrik. We can discuss things on the way!
Ulrik whispers to Vi."My first thought won't work. But I got to thinking. In the south there is a Pirate Town who appears to be a very law abiding town. They enforce strict laws. The reason why is this keeps their true business hidden. I am thinking this town seems almost as odd as that one does. You follow me?"
Keeping his voice down in turn, Vi whispers back.
You have my understanding and I agree with you, which is why I think we need to find the residency of all Triumvir in town, seeing as they're pre-occupied with the shipments right now. Perhaps we can uncover some information by sneaking into their homes and searching through their belongings. I feel it's our best chance.
You spend a few moments looking around the room, but dont find any magical auras around.
You take a few minutes to do what you think to be a good search of the room, and come across a few maps, a storage space where the diary was, some ledgers, some seemingly holy scriptures, and a note in a strange language.
Marcus waits outside, looking for anyone who could discover them.
"Haven't found anything yet? She may had some hidden room or space where she kept her private belongings..."
I look over from Marcus to Rogar, "Well there are no magical energies; current or lingering, here. Which can be taken as a good sign."
Rogar responds to Marcus' question. "Aside from some maps and ledgers, there really isn't much here. I did find a note, however, but I'm unable to decipher it. Maybe you can do better?" He walks over and shows the note.
Ulrik smiles and whispers back.[/b]"I agree. Shall we get on it then?"[/b]Ulrik then moves to inspect the nearer buildings. Using hand signs to communicate to Vi.
You notice many people look your way, and some wave at you apparently thinking you are there to see the triumvirate, while others glare, since you don't seem to be working. However, none approach you while they are so busy.
You go to the houses, examining them. Some are locked, some aren't. When you approach the two larger ones across the courtyard from Cindi's, you find both are unlocked as well, presumably the other triumvir's.
While neither of you speak the language, River knows it's written in Aklo. A scrawl in the bottom, written in a shaking hand in common, "Dawn in the forest."
As to the ledgers, you see many places and people listed, the temple, Sumak, the Burning Tavern. You do see a line a little disturbing. A delivery of a very strong pesticide to the Burning Tavern.
Neither of you recognize the deity in the scriptures, but see many mentions of [Iiosla^nii'yu] [za^hud'ni] and a couple mentions of [Mie^dra'lo]. Which seem to be heroes called [Sru'pa'lox] (either a country or the name of the saga, you aren't sure). It varies in language, from common, to Infernal and Aklo. But to you it mostly seems like ravings of a madwoman.
Vi nods to Ulrik and shifts his head over towards the larger house on the left, then heads inside.
I look up from the note and at my friends, "Well it would seem there is little else here, maybe we should head down to the docks to see what else we can find out now?"
Then, he take a second look at the crowd, hoping to not raise suspicions once the group leaves.
Ulrik waits for a sign that it is safe to entire. He draws his sword just in case it is needed.
"Well, I say we should go to the docks first. Maybe Ulrik and Vironus has found something, or they have already caused so much ruckus that they might be in trouble. Once we regroup and compare what we have found, then I suggest we should seek after someone who can translate those words for us."
And then, seeing Rogar holding the papers, he ask him:
"Rogar, what are those paper's contents? Are they also written in Aklo, or some obscure tongue as well?"
"I think we should find Ulrik and Vironus and get back to town. We need some answers."
You enter the house, with proportions suitable for a human, however, the house is completely empty. Seemingly, nobody actually lives here.
Well Ulrik...no bed, no living quarters, no dining hall....nothing but empty space. I think we should report back to the others, then hold up in here for the night, to see if this building is being used at all.
Ulrik grins."Seems best to do that. Maybe we should look for the other house as well."
Vi smirks in return and pats the man on the shoulder. Ready when you are!
As you leave the building, you notice your wayward compatriots walking across the central area, leaving one house and walking toward the third large building.
You walk toward what you believe to be the dwarf triumvir's house, and as you attempt to open it, you find it locked.
Ulrik, head to the left and I'll head to the right. There may be an open window the Triumvir forgot to close. If all else fails, well...breaking and entering is our next option.
Seeing Ulrik and Vironus heading towards the large building I tap on Marcus' shoulder and point over to them discreetly. We walk over to them and get to them as they go to open the door. "We found a diary and some receipts, what have you found?"
Ulrik motions for them to head to the empty house and whispers."We can show you and talk in there."
Vi smirks before heading around the house to look for any entrances or open windows.
Marcus tries to look what Vironus and Ulrik are trying to do:
and then he whispers to Rogar and River:
"What it's supposed that those two are doing?"