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Aeris studies the crane a bit more, muttering a bit. "If we hitch that doodad up to the thingy there, we might be able to get the crane to shimmy-slide along that raily bit. But it looks like the framistat at the end has a busted flange. Anyone have any ideas how we could rig up the end of this doohickey?"
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Zlata chuckles to herself at Aeris's attempt to decipher the mechanism. Reminds me of the men back in Urghai standing around a broken plough, pretending to know how to fix it, she thinks with a pang of sadness.
"I think you boys better listen to Arc, she seems to know what she's doing," she says teasingly. "I'll see what I can do with that boat."
She exits the warehouse and checks out the boat , and once satisfied that it's serviceable climbs in and moves into position beneath the hole in the floor.
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Arcana explains the workings of the crane and how to go about getting crate moved safely while Zlata with a little bit work finds that she is quite skilled at maneuvering the little craft.
Aeris sees the logic of Arcana's explanation which is backed up by Insidion.
Unfortunately the mechanism of the crane is to damage to put the box down in the warehouse but they are able to safely lower it into the boat where Zlata awaits.
With a fair bit of ingenuity and a good bit of teamwork the pathfinders are able to get the crate to safety. The rescued crate holds a smaller mahogany box inside, which contains five books and a few loose sheets of paper in a leather folder. The titles and subjects seem completely unrelated to each other: Practical Thaumaturgy In Accordance with Creation, Geographic Anomalies of the Inner Sea, Under Kaer Maga: A Trial and Travel, Physiology of Dragons: An Illustrated Reference, Lost Sarusan. The leather folder contains cargo manifestos, warehouse inventories, and other financial logs from a dozen different merchant houses and trade guilds.
The crate also contains 10 sets of masterwork thieves’ tools, three flasks of alchemist’s fire, a flask of acid, a dozen jars of various inks, a footprint book, adamantine weapon blanch, three bags of powder, a deck of marked cards, and two sets of average loaded dice.
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Insidion rummages through the crates.
"Not the most valuable cargo," he muses. "Still, they said the rest of these crates will be confiscated...may as well go through them, too." he adds.
The tiefling begins searching the rest of the warehouse crates for anything interesting, but mainly seems to be having fun breaking crates open and causing wanton destruction.
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"A funny collection of stuff to ship with some old books," comments Aeris, "whoever packed this crate was either expecting trouble or looking to cause some. I guess we should haul it all with us and get on with our to-do list." He pockets a flask of alchemist's fire and puts a portion of the other items in his backpack, waiting for the others to collect the rest.
"Okay, looks like it's time to collect some medicine and deliver it to some orphans. Sounds pretty straightforward. Let's go."
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Off you go. On the way to the the Temple of the Shining Star Arcana senses that someone is following her. She gets a glimpse of a dwarf but before she make any more out or follow the dwarf is gone.
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 the your arrival, she strides forward, addressing the group 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
East gate district?”
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Ollysta Zadrian smiles recognizing the another Paladin in her midst. Addressing Aeris she answers saying, "We are only concerned if the resources are being used for the purpose they are given. Your mission is to uncover whether it is so. At this point I have no particular reason to suspect Auntie Baltwin."
"If that is all I suggest you set off. May Sarenrae smile upon you all."
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On the way to orphanage you may you try to ask around about Auntie Baltwin and try to recall what you have heard about her.
You may make Knowledge Local and Diplomacy Rolls
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Aeris stops at a market near the orphanage to buy a snack and gets to chatting with Miltivis, the proprietor. Still chewing on the last bites of a kebab as he comes back to the group, he says, "Turns out Auntie Baltwin shops there too, though she's not the most beloved of customers - demanding, and often rude to others in the shop. Sounds like she doesn't mind a sip or two, either. She's kept Miltivis' high-end whiskey supplier in business for decades."
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You all have also heard that, 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.
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.
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One of the boys responds to Arcana, "Just playing. Whatcha upto?" The children don't seem to be afraid of Insidion and a few watch him with fascination.
Aeris attempts to enter the house discretely but a bell rings as soon as the door open and he is greeted by Auntie Gilga Baltwin.
lady Baltwin says eyeing Aasimar with suspicious interest, "Good day, how may I help you?"
If you look around the room you notice a very nice living room which quite expensively decorated, though not opulent and in nearly immaculate condition with the exception of a few children's toys here and there. A fire burns in the fireplace and there are a inviting sofas nearby.
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The kids look to one another for a moment unsure what to say.
"A package, what package? she says confused for a moment. Suddenly remembering she beams, "Oh yea, the medicines for the children, we've been running low. Oh these are just in time thank you. These will come to good use. You can set it down over there. That's a a good fellow." She motions towards a spot in the corner.
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Aunie Baltwin says to Zlata "Yes, that is a reality of the world we live in. But thank you for the supplies. They will be most useful. I am grateful that you brought them. You place them over there and leave. Please send my thanks to Ollysta Zadrian."
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Aeris's eyes narrow for a moment as he takes a closer look at Auntie Baltwin, then he quickly turns his head and looks around as if admiring the decor. She looks like an addict of some kind! Broken blood vessels in her eyes and nose, her hands shake, her eyes are glassy and she's sweating. I wonder how she'll react if we delay in giving her the medications? Could she be somehow hooked on them?
He makes no move to set down the medication as she asks, instead engaging her in conversation and observing her closely. "How do you keep this place so clean with all the children about? I had an uncle, a very educated man, who always referred to children as 'agents of entropy' - I don't know exactly what he meant, but I understood it to mean that they spread chaos everywhere. There's no evidence of that here, how do you manage it?"
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Auntie Baltwin blushes at the compliment and replies "Oh you know it isn't easy, the little ones are quite the handful and sometimes I think it's just too much. Why don't you put the medicines over there and let me make you all some tea as a thank you for dropping these off."
Auntie Baltwin leads them into the sitting area and head into the kitchen all the while chatting. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite get your names."
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Well it's very nice to meet you all. You are such good souls to bring this medicine. My stocks have been running low."
She comes out of the kitchen with a tray of tea cups and a kettle. She pours out the tea and offers it to you.
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"Thanks for the tea," Zlata says, "though I usually drink something stronger." As she emphasises the last word, she inclines her head slightly with a glance from Arcana to Baltwin's cup, hoping her friend will take the hint.
"And you manage this place all on your own? Or do you have others to help you?"
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Insidion notices the woman adding something to her tea.
No wonder the orphans are so pathetic.
He doesn't need to hear your commentary all the time, infernal wretch!
Insidion shakes his head of distraction, then moves discreetly to Auntie Baltwin and whispers to her.
"I always like to spice mine up, too," Insidion says as he holds out his cup.
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"Now, wait a second. I have nothing against a drink at the end of a day's toil, but never while on duty." Drawing herself up to her full height, the half-orc confronts Baltwin, "And being drunk while looking after children? That would... upset me. Are these medicines we've brought you really for the children, or to ease your hangover?"
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Aeris takes an appreciate sniff of the steam wafting off his tea cup, the whiskey infused in it giving it a pleasant smokiness. When Zlata begins accusing the matron of the orphanage, Aeris thinks, Uh-oh, not sure that's going to help the situation. But I might as well do what I can to make it work...
He stands and looks at Auntie Baltwin with his ferocious raptor eyes, saying, "She's right, that's no way to care for children! Maybe we should take a look around and make sure they're getting the care they need!"
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"What? Dealing with these children is pretty difficult work you know. They go on all day long non-stop. This just helps a little. And no, why on early would I want to consume medicines. Do I look like I need healing? You better watch yourselves otherwise I"m going to call the town guard. You have no right to go through my house. I'm going to have to report you unless you leave right away."
She seems quite serious and you could end up in trouble with the guard if you don't proceed carefully.
She suddenly notices Arcana's injuries, "Oh you poor thing, still not feeling better here let me help with that." she does something which you think might be magical and Arcana is back up to full HP.