Gideon gave a slight frown at the question. He'd been glad to help get the man, giving his name as "Rexus Victocora", at least as far as saving him from those thugs. But joining an active rebellion? Was that something he had the stomach...not to mention the stones...to do?
"This is a...difficult question to answer. Sure I have family here in Kintargo, and I don't like the way things work here any more than you or Melia...I pronounced that right, didn't I?...sorry, I'm terrible with names. Any more than you or Melia do. I'd wager no one here is a fan of things, nor were many of the people getting clubbed over the head in the park just a few minutes ago. I can't speak for the others, but...I can't give you an answer this second. Not for something this far-reaching. I need to take a little time to think on it."
Tom couldn't believe his luck, but he looked around. The others would probably want a cut. He sighed quietly and distributed the gold evenly among the party, pocketing the extra two gp as a finder's fee.
Wanting nothing more than to get off the streets being prowled by the Dottari, he followed the group of roustabouts to the bookstore suggested by Rexus.
Once inside, he leaned against a bookshelf full of romance novels with titles like Love in a Dark Land, Sunrise in Minkai and Rise of the Lust Lord. Not that Tom took any notice.
"Thank you again for the timely rescue. Truth is, our meeting was no coincidence. I have followed some of your work against House Thrune since the Night of Ashes. I planned to meet you in the protest earlier today, but in the panic that erupted I lost track of your group. You proved yourselves to be people of uncommon skill, and I am a man of uncommon needs."
"My name is Rexus Victocora, and until last week's Night of Ashes, I was one of the city's nobles. My parents' estate burned to the ground that night. I escaped simply because I was studying a the Alabaster Academy during the fire. There were other fires that night, as you know, fires that many believe were started by Barzilai Thrune or his agents in an attempt to squash any spirit of rebellion Kintargo might have.
Now more than ever we need that spirit of rebellion to stay strong, but Thrune's actions have driven into hiding those who would stay strong and resist. Those who could once rally the city to a cause, such as Lord-Mayor Jilia Bainilus and my parents, are missing at best, and are more likely dead. I cannot do this on my own, but with the aid of talented citizens such as yourself, I have hope that we can. Will you aid Kintargo? Will you save the city from the devil?"
Tom raised an eyebrow.
"Not to burst your bubble guv, but I ain't never done nuffin' worth remarking on against the Thrunies. I'm pretty sure I'm just in the wrong place at the wrong time," He nods to Xeno."The lady did me a good turn, even if she didn't know it, and I thought I'd return the favor is all."
Tom sees the look of disappointment in Rexus' face (and perhaps a few others), and tries somewhat to steel himself against it.
"Look, it's going to be hot out there for a few hours yet, and I'm happy to stay in the shade. I'll stick around guv'nah, if I hear something that sounds too hot for me, I'll probably walk," Tom says.
"But I ain't no snitch," he quickly adds, "Tom Quicksilver has a rep to uphold, and he ain't about to run to the Thrunies if someone is gonna put a boot to Old Barzi's dotties."
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"Hope you don't mind if I only give you the name Xeno. It's not that I don't trust you, well I don't trust you but more than that I trust the Hellknights to have access to magic that can force you to spill everything you have ever heard. And I don't like the idea of waking to my door being smashed in knowing that I was the doom to my family as well." Xeno says but thinks actually bring doom to my father would be some recompense but they don't need to know that.
"Cutter here" she indicates to Tom " s selling himself a bit short, there at least two dottaris that would consider him a menace to Thrune rule," turning to Rexus "If you a have sound plan to rid the city of demons of any type I'm happy to listen, please continue" Xeno's accent for those that have the ear such things clear identifies her as a member of upper class in the city.
what do I know of house Victocora and its notable members?
Finally, a chance to get some answers... Looking to Raven to make sure she agrees, Johan says "If you have a plan to find out what has happened to the missing people and to return things to some semblance of normalcy, Raven and I are with you"
Knowledge nobility for Johan as well.
Having heard your answer, Rexas continues, "The day after the Night of Ashes, I was approached by a woman named Laria Longroad, she claimed to be a contact of my mother, Baroness Porcia Victocora. She also claimed my mother was a high-ranking member of a secret society called the Sacred Order of Archivists, a band of Iroran scholors dedicated to the protection and restoration of history. I was dubious of her claims, until she produced this letter in my mothers hand."
Rexas draws out a letter and presents it to any of you who wish to read it.
My dearest son,
If you are reading this, what I have feared has come to pass and I am dead. For many years, I have belonged to the Sacred Order of Archivists and have worked to free Kintargo from Chelish rule. I have learned much about Kintargo’s secret history, and fear the time will soon come when the city needs the return of its Silver Ravens. You have likely not heard of the Silver Ravens—few have. Mentions of them have been redacted by the agents of House Thrune, but during the civil war, the Ravens worked to ensure Kintargo’s safety. They were heroes in their day, and I fear that Kintargo needs their kind again. Do not believe the government’s claims that Lord-Mayor Bainilus abandoned us! Darker things are afoot, and I fear that all who work against Thrune may find themselves in danger in the days ahead.
The Silver Ravens maintained numerous hideouts within Kintargo’s walls during the civil war. I have located one such site—the chambers below a building known today as the Fair Fortune Livery. If you are reading this, I was unable to seek further answers there myself. Gather heroes to your side, my son, and search below the livery. There, if my research is correct, you will find something to teach you more of the Silver Ravens and their legacy.
Do not let my death be in vain. Stand up for Kintargo. Bring the Silver Ravens back to life!
He gives you a few minutes to read over the letter before asking, "I am unable to do this alone. Will you aid me in saving Kintargo?"
Tom seems bored until one of the party reads the letter aloud. As the letter continues Tom grows more and more interested.
"Wait! You're talking about a heist!"
Tom grins widely.
"I don't have much interest in fighting, but stealing is something that I definitely know a thing or two about."
"I don't know much about this place. But step one is usually casing the joint."
The name of Laria Longroad rang a bell but the name of the Faire Fortune Livery did not. "I will see what I can do. I'll help you with this former safehouse but after that, after that I'll re-evaluate."
Melia was brought into Kintargo with the help of the Bellflower Network. Would this connect her to Laria somehow?
Second, it is inevitable that the others will find out Melia actual last name sometime soon. Considering her family rules one of Cheliax' archduchies I'd say the name is strongly associated with Thrune. How do you want to handle it, giving the others Knowledge: Nobility checks to know what it means and roll from there? I'd say Rexus should just know as soon as he hears it.
This is another reason why I'd want to know if my character knows Laria as she could vouch for my character on being excommunicated and disowned because of her actions.
Rexus responds, "I do not know much of Laria, but my mother trusted her knowing she faced death. That is enough for me to trust her.
Gideon seems to take longer than the others to make his mind up; at least, that's how it seems to him. While the others are willing to go at least as far as this livery, Gideon is still not sure where he stands. He seems in deep thought for several moments. Then, suddenly, he seems to have made up his mind.
"I suppose a place that's been abandoned for as long as the Livery has would be a good place to hide out, if nothing else. Alright.I'll help. I don't know what good I'll be able to do, but I'll help."
"I agree and I think it was time we were getting off the street"
Melia nods at Rexus' comment on Laria, "Will you be joining us at the Livery as well Rexus?" It seemed logical he would but the man had just received a beating from those thugs so he might need time to recover.
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"It shouldn't take too long, the surface is only a old stables. I guess the secret 'base' beneath could be any size but if they expanded too much horizontally their neighbors might have noticed. It would be fairly likely that if left now we would be there past curfew when we finished, might be better to head home now, let your loved ones know that you survived the protest and meet outside the livery tomorrow morning."
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Xeno nods "Sounds good to me. In the way of plans, I'd like to have a name to call everyone, by preference not your real one. Additionally a little about what you are capable of would help in planning. For myself you may as I said before call me Xeno. I am an able swordswoman augmented by a little magic and know a little about getting around unnoticed."
Rexus steps out of the room and returns with a tray of bread, fruit, cheese, and wine. He gives you all a chance to eat, the chance for the streets to calm down, and likely to catch his own breath after his near death incident earlier.
After everyone has had their fill, he will join you on your way to the Fair Fortune Livery. This aged stable leans slightly to one side, its roof precariously propped up by aged wooden walls. The livery's front and back doors are locked shut and chained, but so loosely that a person could squeeze through with an escape artist check.
After eating his fill of the fare offered the group by Rexus, Gideon is much more compliant about following the man to the livery. When they reach the aged stable, he purses his lips, then shakes his head. "I don't think I'm going to be any help in this instance. Might should've stayed way from that last wedge of cheese..." he muses.
"C'mon Raven, show em how it's done"
Tom leans against the wall next to Raven. He appears both smug, and annoying as only a 16 year old boy can.
"That's an old Worchester lock, you have to hold the second pin before the first."
He offers to hold a pin to keep the tumbler from slipping back so Raven can get the job done.
"The name's Tom by the by. Formerly of the Devil's Cradle. Currently between territories. Yourself?"
With Tom's aid, Raven is able to get the lock open and pull the chain from the door. The air inside reeks of stale urine. Broken desks, scuffled tables, and torn chairs crowd the thirteen horse stalls, all of which are covered in a healthy layer of dust. A grated-off alcove along the southeastern wall seems to house the only relatively intact wares. Inside a pack of feral dogs reside. The largest is a half-starved mastiff (suitable for a bounty if delivered alive to the dottari) who raises up growling and barking at the intruders. Three other mutts join the mastiff in barking at you attempting to scare you off.
Johan quietly croons to the large mastiff ”Hey boy, we are friends… calm now boy…”
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Xeno smiles secretly to herself Raven and Tom seemed competent and Raven didn't sound like her real name.
Once inside she steps back, hand on her hilt, and lets Ricean sing to the dogs. Trying help would just make it harder, animals just didn't seem to like her, they probably could detect the devil in her, but in this city Devils were everywhere.
Tom presses against the wall he was previously leaning against and hides. This is why He wanted to case the place before infiltrating it.
"Poor things. I wish I had something to offer them. Actually, maybe I have." With that Melia grabbed her bag and soon enough found some strips of dried meat. She threw two at the mutts and then threw the rest out into the square behind them, making room for the dogs to run past.
The large Mastiff sits facinated at Johan's singing. The other dogs stopping their advance as their alpha has stopped.
Gideon pauses, holding stock still. Maybe music really could soothe the savage beast...
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Raven will peak inside and determine if there is a location where she could easily move to and remain out of the reach of the dogs (on top of a table, inside a stall, etc.). If a location exists, she will tell the others what she is doing and (unless they object) move with stealth (trying to appear non-threatening) to that location.
If there isn't a safe location to move (or if the others object), Raven will wait, but ready her bow if the dogs attack.
With Johan keeping the big mastiff fascinated the mutts make no move against you. It gives Melina plenty of time to pull free some meat from her rations and feed the pups. You have a few rounds to explore until his bardic performance runs out assuming he wants to continue using it.
Johan nods her agreement with Xeno and motions to the others to search
Looking around and realising the dogs are unlikely to attack, Tom shrugs and sneaks into the room searching for any hidden doors, traps or points of interest.
While searching the stables, you notice what appears to be a platinum ring nailed to one of the rafters 15 feet above. There are two offices offices in the back, but you'll have to pass the dogs to get to it. There is a hallway that is blocked by a locked iron gate.
Tom, intrigued by the difficult to reach shiny thing kicks off one wall, reaches up to a loose board and then drags himself up to the platinum ring.
He struggles at first, as a board comes loose in his hand with a crack, but tries again.
"Ow, Splinter!"
Tom sucks on his finger and gives up on the ring, instead heading over to the gate to inspect it.
Obviously too distracted to notice anything, he at least manages to pull the splinter out.
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If this was working stables there would be rope to restrain the dogs, but given how long it has been since used as such any rope here is unlikely to be able to hold a mouse let alone a large dog. Maybe they used chain at times it should still be sound. Xeno looks around to see if there any lengths of chain. She stays near to Johan to keep protecting him.
"Well...I'm no athlete, but I suppose it's worth a shot, even for me..." Gideon muses aloud, then wraps his fingers around something sturdy enough to support his weight.
In short order, he is making slow, though effective, progress up the toward the ring. "Huh! Look at me! Better at this than I thought I'd be. Well...luckier, if nothing else. Still. Better lucky than good." he adds; it only takes a few minutes to retrieve the ring. When he's back on ground level, he shows the platinum bauble, decorated with the signet of Juliac, to the others.
Tom looks over at Gideon.
"Well done mate, that was a tricky climb. What's that symbol on the ring mean?"
He asks both Gideon, and the masked lady they seem to be the most likely to know about things of this nature.
Having gotten the ring down, there does not seem to be anything else in the other stalls. The only places left to search would be the offices in the back, the path to wish is blocked by the dogs. Or the hall that is blocked by an iron gate.