"Let's have this conversation somewhere else. It does no good to have extra ears listening. To the Nest. Let's hope the rat thing in a box has left the area for a while." Davina nods in the direction of the backroom of the shop.
In a low voice, Dom asks, "Is it weird that I've missed that place...?"
Kiri was incensed at Jessibel's refusal to take responsibility for her stupidity and thought doing something rather violent might help. The fact the others were siding with the fool girl made her even angrier but she also knew when she was outnumbered. "You are not admitting the problem Apprentice, you failed to use your head. If you had you would never have gone down there alone in the first place and would have come for help before you went down there. None of the rest means anything without using your head for something other than a target." Wind swirled around her in agitation as she said, "If you were a fledgling you would have been left to die for what you did, none would have come looking, and the nest would have been the better for it."
Kiri began to approach Jessi as the winds swirled around her, it was obvious she was still incensed, but she didn't seem ready t do violence. "Lucky for you you aren't a fledgling and I humans are just stupid grounded birds with no need to be smart." The winds buffeted Jessi as Kiri reached her and the strix reached out to grab her and hug her. "You do that again and I'll kill you so you suffer less."
As the group reached Jessi's manor house Kiri conveniently disappeared before they went inside. She wasn't going in there and instead had gone to a building top to keep watch for trouble. She settled in and kept her eyes pealed from a concealed vantage point.
Jessibel gets nervous when she realizes just how angry Kiri is with her. She considers defending herself, but ultimately realizes her defense is more of an excuse. She gasps when Kiri suddenly closes on her and is shocked to receive a hug instead of a beating.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused," the girl says. "I thought I could handle this on my own--after all, every little chick has to leave the nest eventually, right?--but...I seem to have overestimated my abilities...and competence."
From her perch near the wall, Kiri watches as Jessibel dutifully heads straight for her family home without making any detours. Then she's able to follow the others to the coffee house.
Leora pours drinks for anyone who would like them as the group gathers in the secret basement of the coffeehouse, then settles down to answer T'chazzar's questions. "I used to live at the Thrashing Badger, a tavern on the other side of the river. There's a whole bunch of religions that are forbidden in Kintargo, Sarenrae, Milani, and Cayden Cailean. So you can probably guess which one had a hidden temple in a bar. Anyways, one night, a few months ago, a bunch of buildings that just happened to be places that might be related to those sort of groups burned down. On the same night, a bunch of people were killed, supposedly in random muggings and stuff, but they just happened to be part of other subversive groups like the Bellflower Network and the Sacred Order of Archivists." Leora swirls her glass of wine, looking into it for a moment before continuing.
"I stayed with a friend for a few days, but the people at the Badger were like family to me. During some protests, I ran into everybody here, and Jessi, and since we are all like-minded about our new mayor, we've gotten along pretty well."
"What will we do next? We've been trying to find more folks who are on our side and get more information about what's going on. It's tough with the Dottari and the Queensmen always sniffing around, but we've done pretty well disguising ourselves, hiding out here, and laying low when we have to."
She looks around to see if any of the other Silver Ravens want to share their story with their new friend and potential ally.
T'chazzar mulls over the information that Leora has passed on, then says, "Hrm. I was always told that the surface world was no better than the Darklands, and here at least that seems to be mostly true."
After a momentary pause he says, "Except for people like you, trying to make things better."
He shifts in his seat and uncrosses his arms, then says, "There are a few things worth considering if this is going to be a real... well, revolution. The Dottari and the Queensmen are looking for rebels... so give them some. There needs to be more than just Silver Ravens. Make up something and start spreading false information. Create fake identities. Hold impromptu activities without telling anyone and run for it before the guards can show up. Keep them spreading out their resources, guessing who's the real threat."
"As for the mayor, sounds like reconnaissance may be in order - at some point. A powerful civic figure like that probably has strong defenses at home, but there will be a time when you can use your connections with the Opera House's former employees to find out the best way inside the building and learn more about him - maybe a way to strike a blow against him directly."
"Anyway, that's just my perspective. Please, do continue."
Another letter arrives an hour after Jessibel's; this one is from Lydia at Songbird Hall. She informs you that the teens you saved--along with their parents and guardians--would like to hold a party in your honor in 2 days' time at the Silver Stein Tavern. Naomi, the baker's apprentice, has promised to bake a cake for the occasion.
Allys the tavernmistress keeps you all lingering outside until everyone's arrived and the final preparations inside are ready; then she allows your group into the common room to a series of Hurrah!-s, Huzzah!-s and Hooray!-s. Present are all the teens: Naomi, Triella, Pavel, Belana, Mortan, and even a sheepish- and haggard-looking Gavin Brassvane. Also present is Gavin's mother, the green gnome Paqshari, Peter Pinch and Candace Kintner, as well as the priestess Lydia. At a corner table sit the tieflings, Baelgar and Zea.
Naomi's cake is wheeled out of the kitchen. Huge and multi-layered, it's covered with blue and pink frosting. While Mortan cuts the cake, Gavin and Paqshari approach your group. "Go on!" the green gnome urges her apprentice.
"I'm sorry about all the stuff I put you--and my friends-- through," the teen says glumly. "I wasn't thinking straight...."
"THAT's an understatement!" Paqshari cuts in. "Really--putting some purple goop you found in a graveyard into your mouth to taste it! I know I do that myself in my shop, but that's different--what I sample comes from bottles and vials whose labels have fallen off! Totally different!"
Turning to your group, the gnome pulls 5 glass containers containing a (Surprise!) green liquid. "These are antitoxin. As both a reward for your efforts and an apology, in case I came off as a bit rude in our dealings."
A loud caw comes from another corner of the establishment. On a regular barstool sits Triella's raven familiar, Blackfeather, still super-sized but seeming quite a bit more stable than he was. "Thanks for saving Mistress," he squawks. "I can have cake," he adds to Triella.
Domitius listens to T'chazzar's ideas with interest. "I like where you're going with this, Flincher," Dom grins, trying his hand at kidding with the drow. "None of us really set out to be in this business, so it's taken us a little time and effort to get our feet under us. But you're right. I think we can start giving the Thrunies more than they ever bargained for."
Domitius listens to Gavin's apology, and feels pity for the young man. While the half-orc had certainly been party to violence himself, it was nothing one would call wicked, and he'd always been in control of his actions. I hope the boy isn't scarred too badly by what he went through, he thinks to himself.
"Lessons in prudence seem to be the standard these days," Dom says to Gavin. "We'd all do well to heed them."
"And thank you, zelenaya, for the gift." Dom takes one of the vials, holding it up to the light to see the green hue. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I certainly hope I never have to use it."
Dom buys a round of drinks for his friends, plus two additional mugs that he carries, with his own, over to the table in the corner. "Baelgar, Miss Davina had a question about the Nursery she was hoping you could help her with. A moment of your time, she was hoping for..."
C'mon, mister, take the hint.
Assuming Baelgar leaves the table, Domitius says to Zea, "I was dismayed when we heard you were ill. I am happy to see you better, and most glad you are not becoming wererat. I do not think whiskers would be a good look for you," he jokes.
He then lets a ridiculously long pause linger at the table, before suddenly catching himself. "Oh, yes. I, uh, I wanted to tell you, I was most impressed by your bravery, and I enjoyed the chance to work with you. Maybe we could do it again some time? Ideally something with less vermin involved." Dom grins, and takes a swallow of cider.
Baelgar takes Dom's hint but glares at the half-orc the whole time he rises and then stalks in Davina's direction.
"My appearance is exotic enough without whiskers," the young tiefling concurs with a slightly toothy smile. "But filth fever, alas, is one of the hazards of living in the Devil's Nursery. I'd like it if you worked with me--with all of us in the Nursery. The idea that someone killed that child and summoned the tooth fairies here makes me very angry...and vengeful. This wrong must not go unavenged. And now that my people can again walk the streets without fear...what will they do about Thrune and what will Thrune try next against us?"
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Davina gives a bit of background about her involvement. My family were members of the Ravens long ago. My parents have conveniently forgotten that, and will do anything to keep their place in society. Never mind their place is based on my deceased husband's name and connections. I haven't forgotten what my family did, and what needs to be done. I'm a researcher and fairly popular pulp writer under a pseudonym."
"I like your plan to hit and run maybe make up an additional group just to take the attention off of us."
Davina looks confused as Baelgar moves to her table and asks what the question about the Nursery is. She glances over and sees Dom speaking to the young Tiefling, and it clicks. Thinking fasts she says, "Have a seat. I'd like to know if you have any information about a group called the Red Jills. Jess had a run in with them, and they might be allies or enemies. I'm not sure yet."
"Oooh, great ideas, T'chazzar." Leora admires the drow's cunning plans for distracting Thrune and keeping him on his toes.
Leora is excited to be at the party and glad to see that the teens, Gavin, and Zea are all okay. She carries a slice of cake over to talk to the teens. "Naomi, this cake is great. How are you feeling, Gavin?" She chats with them for a bit to see how they are doing and if life is going back to normal for them, or at least as normal as it could be after what happened to them a few days ago.
As Leora chats with the teens, she realizes that all have adjusted well from the harrowing experience...except for Gavin. While Triella's having a few minor issues dealing with her enlarged familiar, Gavin's distant and depressed, due to his stupid action of ingesting the demon's bile, his kidnapping of his friends and intention of sacrificing them to the bile, and his indirect responsibility in the death of his own father at the fangs of the giant spider. You get the feeling he's not enjoying the party in the least but at least he showed up and showed some remorse.
Leora listens to the teens and later, when she can talk to Gavin alone, she says "Thanks for coming today Gavin, it means a lot to me- all of us- that you're here. If you ever wanna talk, I'm here to listen."
"I'd like it if you worked with me--with all of us in the Nursery. The idea that someone killed that child and summoned the tooth fairies here makes me very angry...and vengeful. This wrong must not go unavenged. And now that my people can again walk the streets without fear...what will they do about Thrune and what will Thrune try next against us?"
Dom glowers into his mug. "If it is vengeance you seek, I will help you find it. Until fairly recently, I have spent much of my life... how do you say, going through the motions? Not until very recently did I start looking around, and realizing I do not like what I see. Fortunately, Fate threw my lot in with my friends here," he motions behind him to the others.
"I believe that apart, we all would have amounted to little more than angry loners. But if we all work together, we can become something irresistable. Something that can make Kintargo better, for all her people." Domitius catches himself, a bit self-conscious. "Sorry. I do not mean to come across as podstrekatelya," he grins sheepishly.
Kiri was hesitant about the party, it wasn't something she had a lot of interest in, too many foolish humans, but she was invited and it would be rather rude of her to not go. When it came to time she simply found a secluded perch and took her food up with her to watch from a safe distance. She noticed the young man who was the cause of the Demon's Bile incident keeping to himself and noticed the rather large familiar cawing about cake. The bird she liked, the boy she didn't. The kid had caused a lot of tragedy by his actions but she decided that he was suffering enough for it. She moved along the rafters she was perched on until she was above him and sent a brief burst of wind down to smack him lightly in the head and get his attention.
Baelgar sits down next to Davina and chats with her a bit concerning the Red Jills. "The Jills are almost exclusively tieflings, natives of the Devil's Nursery or come to Kintargo from distant parts of the Empire to escape oppression or worse. They're muggers and street thugs for the most part. Lately they've been targeting normal folk of the city, especially after the sun sets. You can often recognize them by the red hooded cloaks they wear."
"I've learned recently that their leader likely has made some sort of deal with the Lord Mayor, the dottari, and/or the Queensmen. It seems the Jills won't target or attack those two groups."
The darkly handsome (and darkly creepy) tiefling takes a deep breath and stares at Davina, seemingly weighing whether or not to tell her something more. "Although the gang is active in Redroof and parts of Temple Hill...I hear tell that their hideout is somewhere on the eastern slope of the latter section of our fair city. Take care if you venture there--it's unlikely you'd receive a warm greeting there."
*********************************
Zea asks Dom the meaning of the Orcish word he used and then nods at the translation. "I believe the tieflings of Kintargo could be prodded into becoming rabble-rousers...with the right motivations and goals. Most live a life of poverty and crime; it's all they've ever known. Perhaps the promise of a better life might get them to unite against Thrune...but many hold grudges against all humankind, not just the Thrune family."
*********************************
Gavin nods at Leora's kind words but explains he's not over his grief and shame from the demon's bile incident yet. He admits to being surprised at how understanding and forgiving most of his friends have been, however.
A bit later, when a swirl of winds buffets him, he looks upward and makes eye contact with Kiri in the rafters.
Kiri looked down at Gavin and said, "Remember what you did, learn from your mistakes, and don't repeat them." Her feathers ruffled slightly in some stray wind, "The cost of your lesson was high and will wear at you all your days, don't let it stop you, use it as a guide, when you aren't sure what you are going to do is smart remember the cost you paid and try to do right by your papa's memory and you should end up doing the right thing. Caution and thinking are what will get you through the years ahead." With that she turned her focus to the others and watched as they enjoyed themselves.
After an absence of three weeks, the fledgling new iteration of the Silver Ravens is again operating out of the Nest, the hidden series of rooms and barracks formerly used by the Bellflower Network located beneath the Long Roads Coffeehouse. That business’s proprietress, the halfling Laria Longroads, has brewed extra coffee and baked extra pastries in preparation for this special day. The dozen-plus members you’ve recruited thus far—plus the three special teams (the tengu Fushi sisters, the dwarf Turl and his street entertainers, and Forvian Crowe and his freedom fighters)—all filter into the place throughout the day in small numbers, gathering to hear what the organization’s next move(s) will be. Two of the three absentees, conspicuous mainly because you don’t hear their nearly constant girlish laughter or childish bickering, are the two teenaged noblewomen and ‘frenemies,’ Jessibel Aulamaxa and Sabrina Sarini. Jessibel’s currently grounded, forced into working with her elder brother to try to find a way to stabilize the family’s businesses and finances in the new world that is Barzillai Thrune’s Kintargo; red-haired Sabrina is still missing after storming out of the Nest in a huff three weeks earlier. Lastly, the Varisian mage Nicolae vanished in the days after Sabrina’s abrupt departure when he went into the streets looking for the missing girl.
Rexus Victocora, the last survivor of his noble family (whose villa was burned to the ground on the infamous Night of Ashes that marked the new Lord-Mayor’s arrival in the city), has again taken up his usual post at a large desk he’d been using while attempting to decode a series of old Silver Ravens documents found in the safe house beneath the Fair Fortune Livery in Redroof district. The gregarious fellow announces that he kept busy during the lull in the new Silver Ravens’ operations and has decoded a few more documents and learned something of the members of the original Silver Ravens sect.
”The woman who founded the Silver Ravens was a mysterious elf known only as ‘Jackdaw’,” Rexus begins. ”She was a figure who, before the advent of the Age of Lost Omens, built herself into a sort of Kintargan folk hero who fought for the rights of the city’s downtrodden. As an elf, she might still be alive to this day, but I’ve not yet found a clue to her final fate at the end of that failed rebellion.”
”Many of the original Silver Ravens were adventurers or worshipers of the goddess Milani, also called the Everbloom and, perhaps most notably, the Lady of Uprisings. Jackdaw, a swashbuckler, was the most powerful and influential of them all, but others who rose to particular prominence among the Silver Ravens of old were Amyreid (a female half-elf cleric of Milani), Ba (a male halfling enchanter), Kyda (a female human rogue and bard), and Brakisi (a male human urban ranger).”
”You’ll all recall Lord-Mayor Thrune’s Proclamation the First: All slayers of city pests (hereby defined as doves, mice, and ravens) who present said pests to the dottari shall be rewarded with a bounty of 1 copper piece. Let us examine these words more closely in light of Thrune’s rule since he arrived in our fair city! Doves—the universal symbol of peace. Ravens—no doubt a jab at the Silver Ravens who once dared oppose tyrants of his ilk. And mice—Ah, I failed to mention that the mouse is the sacred animal of the Church of Milani! We thought these new rules were mainly rants of arbitrary madness or rules meant to show that there was a new absolute ruler over our streets, but no—Barzillai Thrune was plainly declaring war on those who might oppose him and his regime. I lost my family on the Night of Ashes. This murderous madman must be stopped or the Kintargo we all know and love will be no more!”
”Ah…herm!” Laria’s throat-clearing gets the attention of the gathered rebels. ”Ah…I’ve heard tales of the Milanites in town and their leader, the Rose of Kintargo. Ain’t met him personally, mind you, but we’ve exchanged messages on a few occasions. I think he and his followers are laying low after the Night of Ashes, but at some point—sooner rather than later—it’d be in our best interest to ally with the Milanites. I think the Rose maintains a number of different identities throughout the city and may be or have been at one time a member of the Kintargo Opera House Society. Perhaps your friend Jessibel can keep her eyes and ears open while she’s off gallivanting with her new friends.”
You’ve heard whispers that folks dedicated to Milani, Lady of Uprisings, were among the regular clientele of the Thrashing Badger.
When they all met again after three weeks of laying low Kiri was debating the wisdom of staying here much longer. She had her father back, he was safe, and Apprentice was grounded and proving to be far less worthy than she had first hoped. Kiri found herself desiring to flee the city with her father while they still could as she sat and preened herself. She felt a certain obligation to the Ravens now that her father was returned to her. She could likely have freed him herself but she couldn't be certain. She knew that they were strix and the needs of humans weren't really her business. She kept at it a bit longer and then rose, throwing her cloak on, and heading to the Coffee House for their meeting.
When she arrived at the coffee house Kiri made her way down to the hidden area and took her seat just in time to hear the windbag Rexus start spouting off...again. She did care for the nobleman much, though he wasn't as bad as most she'd seen, and listened to him while hiding her impatience as best she could. The only bit of news that she found interesting was the news of the Red Jills. She'd never had any run-ins with them but they were terrorizing the part of the city she knew of as home and wasn't going to stand for it. She looked at the others and said, "I think these Red Jills need to be dealt with."
Davina starts in surprise when Kiri speaks. "I agree with the young woman. They are actively causing issues with the people of the city. The buildings while interesting will still be there. We can send a team to do some early surveillance."
Domitius' brow furrows as he takes in the information Rexus is telling them. "Rexus, let me ask you, does it matter what Mayor Barry does with the animals? Does it weaken this Milani any that he's targeting mice, or is it just a jerk move?" Dom's eyes brighten suddenly. "If this stuff matters, can we work it the other way? What's the sacred animal to the Dark Prince?"
In response to Kiri and Davina's comments, Dom frowns slightly. "While I agree the situation with the Jills needs addressing, it worries me that in all of our searching Kintargo the past few days, we've heard no trace of either Sabrina or Nicolae. If they're really missing, i think we should try and find them sooner than later."
Leora raises a hearty "Hear,hear!" at the end of Rexus's speech just as Laira cuts him off.
"Huh, Cayden Cailean is particular to hounds, do you think that's related to that proclamation about turning in live mutts for cash?" Leora muses.
When the group regroups, Leora laments "I'd love- well maybe that's not the right word - be interested in seeing if we can find any sort of clues or information at the Thrashing Badger. I mean, like Rexus with his house, I lived there since I was a kid and I wouldn't mind seeing it again."
"But you guys are right," she says to Kiri, Dom and Davina, "The buildings aren't going anywhere and that's something Jessi or somebody else could check out for us. I dunno where else we'll look for Sabrina or Nicolae though. If we didn't see or hear anything of them after traipsing about the city looking for Jessi and those kids, they might have just skipped town."
Dom nods at Leora. "The thing is, Leora, I didn't get a chance to really look anyplace besides the Sarini estate, where I had my unfortunate little run-in with Sharkey's goons. I've been with that girl for most every step she's taken the past two years. If she's around to be found, I bet I could find her."
He then turns to Davina. "That said, I'm not doin' any more running off by myself without a word to you. Can't say's I liked where that got me." Dom grimaces at the memory.
Davina listens to the suggestions. She leans back in her seat. "Leora and Dom both make good points. Maybe we can look for everyone at once? Lurk in the alleys and streets to see what we can find. In our defense we weren't looking for Sabrina or Nicholae when we were searching for Jess and the teenagers."
She gives Dom a grin. "Good idea we don't want to lose anyone else."
T'chazzar says, "I agree that we should deal with the Red Jills. Gang activity is usually a response to disenfranchisement and oppression. That means that gangs can sometimes be co-opted by revolutionary movements by the promise of tearing down the system that oppresses them. That means we might be able to turn them into a cell for our work. Even if we can't, we need to stop them from preying upon innocent civilians. Either they should be productive in helping the nascent revolution, or they should be stopped so they can't hurt people - and both of those mean we should look into the matter."
"Miss Jessibel wanted to try to sway the Red Jills to our cause, but I'm not sure they're redeemable," Laria says in answer to T'chazzar's comments. "Seems they've become more troublesome since Thrune took over."
Rexus considers Dom's question a bit before answering. "Yes...I suppose there's nothing more to his edicts against certain animals than to amuse himself by antagonizing the faiths and organizations that hold those beasts sacred. He's a piece of...work...or another four-letter word."
The holy animal of the Church of Asmodeus is...the serpent.
As the Silver Ravens and their supporters try to pick up where they left off a few weeks back, it quickly becomes apparent this will be easier said than done. Folks who knew that Sabrina was a Sarini worry about her continued absence, fearful that maybe she's returned to the fold of that diabolist family and will rat out the rebellion. Also, racism begins to rear its ugly head. T'chazzar is the object of whispers from those folk who've heard of the dark reputation of the drow. Then things worsen when Zea and two tiefling companions (Garrik and Mezdelben) make a visit to the Nest to report that thankful folk from the Devil's Nursery have agreed to help out in the battle against Thrune. Apparently, some of the Kintargans eager to overthrow the new Lord-Mayor aren't yet willing to align themselves with drow and/or tieflings to do so.
Dissension in the Ranks*: Personality conflicts among the Silver Ravens have compromised cooperation. For the next week (including the next week’s events, if any), all Organization checks take a –4 penalty. If you roll Dissension in the Ranks twice in one Event phase, it becomes persistent. Mitigation: If a Silver Ravens officer makes a successful DC 20 Diplomacy check to soothe over the dissension, this penalty is reduced to –2.
Note: These penalties do NOT apply to this week's rolls.
T'chazzar does his best to fit in, and to defuse tensions. Despite his natural charisma, he remains in the background and keeps many opinions to himself - instead letting the various revolutionaries make their own decisions and agreeing that this is their city and their home so they are the ones who should figure out what they will do to save it.
He also spends a good deal of time drilling with Forvan's Fighters, trying to get a handle on their skills and working to coordinate so that he can fight alongside them if needed.
Davina tries to calm the upset followers. She sends out groups to gather information about Sabrina's location.
While Turl's troupe meets with their contacts throughout the city regarding sightings of anyone who might be Sabrina, it becomes obvious that any returns from the investigation might take a few more days...if they come to fruition at all. Laria tries to light a fire under your collective butts by suggesting that perhaps the Ravens could seek out the red Jills or maybe explore the ruins of the Victocora estate or Thrashing Badger while Turl's folks hunt for a trace of Sabrina's whereabouts.
Those present in the Nest on the night of Pharast 17 get a bit of a surprise when a Silver Ravens supporter, a scraggly fellow by the name of Morgar Manthai, arrives at the coffeehouse after curfew, soaking wet and demanding to speak to whatever leaders might be present. He claims that he and nearly a dozen other supporters were having some drinks and discussion at a dock tavern called Clenchjaws when a squad of dottari and nearly two dozen Queensmen burst in and declared the tavern closed under the order of the Lord-Mayor. Then they started arresting folks left and right so...Morgar jumped out a window, dove into the river, and made his escape. He fears that several of his comrades didn't escape arrest, however.
Davina is shocked as she hears what happened at Clenchjaws. She was just there a couple of weeks ago. "Let's go to Clenchjaws to see what we can find out."
Kiri had been staying att he Coffee House again once it was safe to do so. She knew that Davina would let her and her Papa stay with her but she wasn't comfortable in such a place. When she heard about the events at the Tavern she knew they were going to have to investigate. It was a shame really, the fools shouldn't have been gathered like that and should probably be left to suffer. Of course that would be just as bad for the burgeoning rebellion so she resigned herself to helping them. When Davin said they should go investigate Kiri nodded agreement and said, "Alrigh then. Let's go."
Domitius scowls as the idiotic whispers about T'chazzar start surfacing. What the hell difference should that make? He's drawn steel in service to the cause, that should be all that matters.
When the situation flares up again upon Zea's arrival, Dom gets flat-out pissed. "Are we saving Kintargo for everyone, or just for roshka," he asks out loud to no one in particular. How much more of this crap would be directed at me if I looked more like my kin from Belkzen?
He turns to the tiefling woman. "Bolshoy spasibo, Zea. Both for finding more people willing to commit to the cause, and for bringing the news yourself. Always a pleasure to see you." As he looks Zea in the eye, his frown melts just enough to not look like he's about to belt someone.
"Let's go to Clenchjaws to see what we can find out."
Whoops, duty calls. "Coming, sudarynya." He turns back to Zea. "I, uh, I've got to go. Until next time." He smiles at Zea as he bows, then turns to Davina. "Ready when you are," he says, fervently hoping for someone to give him a little trouble.
"Why don't my friends and I accompany you all as far as the Bleakbridge?" Zea suggests to Dom. In a lower voice she adds, "We're more comfortable and less of a...distraction...back in the Devil's Nursery." On the long walk southeast, she alternates chatting with her tiefling associates (who follow about half a block behind the Silver Ravens) and your group, speaking mainly with Dom.
As the Bleakbridge draws near, you can spot a few folks loitering around Clenchjaw's Tavern, most examining a large piece of parchment nailed to the establishment's front door. Once the other folks have examined the notice and walked off (some grumbling and cursing under their breath), you're able to read the notice: "CLOSED By Order of Lord-Mayor Barzillai Thrune." No reason is given for the closure.
As you consider the implications and Zea and her comrades prepare to cross the Bleakbridge, you realize you're not alone: A short, rather husky man in his late 20s with medium-length sideburns is circling the tavern, inspecting the building closely. He smiles at your group and says, "Guess it's true what they say: Mess with the Thrunes and you get the devil horns!"
I don't know if we're only allowed the one Diplo check, but even if more than one is allowed, I didn't make it.
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Leora is about ready to tear her hair out by the end of the week when the dissent in their ranks sets the Silver Ravens back, and slams her mug of ale on the counter when Morgar storms in and explains what happened at Clenchjaw's.
"Morgar, um, what kind of drinks and discussions do you guys have at Clenchjaw's?" Leora asks, after he's had a chance to calm down. She offers him another beer to make up for the one he didn't get to finish at Clenchjaw's before he got thrown out. She is hoping to find out if maybe they'd been talking about the rebellion and perhaps someone caught wind of it.
.
She follows her companions to Clenchjaws to see if they can learn anything at the tavern. "Ugh! Seriously! Can't we catch a bit of luck? Just when we were getting things going again! Maybe I'll start praying to Pharasma too..."
Leora listens carefully to the stranger checking out Clenchjaw's Tavern to see if she can get a read on his feelings on the closing of the tavern. Is he a regular there, a potential ally, an under-cover Queensman, or what? "Glad it was the devil's horns this time, and not the devil's fire," she comments to him in return.
She also walks around the building to see if anything looks odd, or if she can see anything in the windows.
Before the group goes to check out Clenchjaw's, Leora corners the Fushi sisters. "Look, we really want to find our missing friends. You ladies remember her, she lived here at the nest with us for awhile. Sabrina honestly could be anywhere in the city, or even in prison, or in danger. If she left, it would really give us peace of mind to know she got out safe."
Gather Information (Fushi Sisters, Turl’s Troupe; Agitators, Cognoscenti, Rumormongers, or Street Performers): Attempt a DC 15 Secrecy check with a bonus equal to twice the team’s tier. If you are successful, the team has gathered information for you. This can either be a randomly determined rumor (your GM has tables of rumors that change with each adventure) or a specific piece of local information that you could learn by making a Diplomacy check to gather information about that topic or individual. For certain topics or individuals, the DC might be higher than 15. If you roll a natural 1 on the Secrecy check, you don’t automatically fail, but your Notoriety score increases by 1d6.
Davina smiles as Dom and Zea walk along together toward the back of the group.
"Know how Clenchjaw managed to mess with Thrune? I was here not long ago, and nothing was going on." Davina studies the man, and waits to see how he responds to Leora.
Morgar wrings some more water out of his shirt before answering. "We were just sharing a few pitchers of ale and discussing what a mess the new Lord-Mayor's made of our city--you know: the usual. We never mentioned the Silver Ravens or this place, though. There've been a few fights over the past week, I'll admit, but nothing that didn't get broken up quick. Hell, I don't even think the fellows that started the fights were true Thrunies...just chicken-crap citizens afraid that Thrune's fist'll come down on them but unwilling to stand against the bully."
Morgar blinks as he has a late realization. "Huh--guess maybe they were right!"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The stranger flashes a wide grin at Leora's play on words, nodding and saying, "Aye--guess you make a good point there! Could've been worse! I've heard some rumors that those fires back in Abadius might not have been accidents."
The man's smile fades as Davina speaks up. He shakes his head and admits that he doesn't know Clenchjaw and never visited his tavern. "Damned shame, though. The city needs its drinking holes and other places to unwind in these tense times. But 'one man's misfortune is another man's opportunity,' I always say! I'm considering buying this place."
He suddenly begins to size up Leora and Davina rather salaciously with his eyes. "Say...you ladies wouldn't be looking for work, would you? Ever been a hostess or server?" Then he spies Zea and his grin widens further. "You'd be perfect for what I have in mind!"
"Where are my manners?" the man blurts out suddenly, his ubiquitous grin gone momentarily before it returns again full-force as he sticks out his hand for anyone willing to shake it. "The name's Saul Porter; glad to make your acquaintance!"
You pick up bad vibes from the stranger even before he speaks...he almost seems too friendly. As he speaks, you get a better feel for why you were immediately put off by the fellow: you sense that he's sort of like a vulture, swooping in to pick at the bones of someone else's misfortune.
Peeking through the window of Clenchjaw's you see that a few trays, mugs, and overturned chairs litter the floor. There are some bloodstains--not enough to hint at a massacre, but enough that you can be certain not everyone went along peacefully when the place was raided. Lastly, you spy something in the rafters in a corner across the room...what appears to be a large bird's nest...inside the tavern.
"Guess it's true what they say: Mess with the Thrunes and you get the devil horns!"
Domitius isn't sure if that's supposed to be a crack at Zea, Garrik and Mezdelben, and after the way those three, and T'chazzar, have been treated over the past few days, Dom is in no mood to pretend "jokes" like this stranger's are amusing. He stands tall next to Zea, arms folded over his chest, amusing himself with the thought of how those sideburns would feel if he gave this guy the back of his hand.
"Say...you ladies wouldn't be looking for work, would you? Ever been a hostess or server?" Then he spies Zea and his grin widens further. "You'd be perfect for what I have in mind!"
By the time Saul has finished speaking and extended his hand, it's all Domitius can do to keep from grabbing the arm and breaking it. Not that Zea, Leora, and Sudarynya can't look after themselves, Dom thinks, fuming behind a rapidly slipping indifferent demeanor, but someone needs to teach this rude little korotyshka some manners.
Walking up to Saul, Domitius pointedly ignores the offered hand and says, "And what exactly is on your mind, Mister Porter?"
T'chazzar, meanwhile, keeps his head down. With the problems going on, he figures that the rebellion needs a victory to take its mind off internal divisions, and he hasn't been around long enough to prove to people that his contributions are genuine - indeed, in his entire life he might not be able to win the trust of everyone in the rebellion. If this bothers him, he doesn't show it. Instead he focuses on training with Forvian's Fighters and looking over old correspondence and sketches of various parts of the city, always with an eye to how to turn old history into new secrets.
As Saul Porter makes his pitch, T'chazzar folds his arms and rolls his eyes.
He whispers to Leora, "This always gets me. Men trying to exploit women for lascivious purposes. Trying something like that in the Darklands would be a quick way to get flayed by the woman in question."
Saul's grin falters just a bit when Dom refuses to shake his offered hand. "Well, I'm more into gambling and games of chance than just having folks sitting around drinking, so I was considering whether it would be profitable to turn this place into a small gambling hall. I had an epiphany for a grand opening tournament--something I call Beat the Devil and Take His Gold! I'd have a bunch of lovely hostesses dressed in costumes with tails like real succu--no, erinyes--they have tails, right? But if I could hire a gaggle of gorgeous tieflings like this young lady--with real tails--I wouldn't have to pay as much for the costumes, right?"
"What, really?!" Leora says softly to T'Chazzar, making a mental note to ask him more about the Darklands after this Saul guy leaves.
To T'chazzar's point, she's about to tell this guy off, but wonders if she might at least be able to get a little bit of information from him. She'd love to sneak in and get a look at the birds nest or whatever it was in the rafters, but she doubts any of the Silver Ravens would be able to sneak in during broad daylight with so many people around.
"Wait, Saul, did you say that Old Clenchjaw pissed off Thrune somehow? Is the place closed permanently, like is it up for sale or something?"
Davina gives Saul a look as Dom growls at him. Dom's been in a bad mood I should just let him blow off some steam, but we want to avoid charges.
"I'm interested in the answer to that question myself. We might be interested in the tavern ourselves. Do you happen to know where Clenchjaw is?"
"I heard the place got closed and its owner arrested," Saul says. "Puttin' two-and-two together with the way Thrune's worked since getting here, I assume Mr. Clenchjaw will vanish like that opera star who operated the music store. I'm not 100% certain the place'll go up for sale, but I smell an opportunity. And this town needs all the diversions it can get, wouldn't you say?"
Again he asks Zea if she would be interested in rounding up some of her lady tiefling friends for a job opportunity, and while Zea claims she'll look into it, you get the feeling she's with Dom about this guy, not liking or trusting him in the least.
"Gotcha, that makes sense," Leora responds to Saul. As much as Leora would like to keep looking around, she realizes they should probably come back later when the place isn't so busy.
Leora looks around as the group leaves to make sure Saul or others aren't following them.
Leora fills the others in on the birds nest she saw inside Clenchjaw's, through the window. "What do you guys think? That Saul guy is pretty sketchy, he gave me a bad vibe, though looks like he rubbed most of us the wrong way. Should we, or some of us, try to get in after curfew, when everyone's not standing around in front of the tavern? Or just let it go?"
"Let's head to the docks really quick. I want to see if I can learn anything from them."
Davina heads down to the docks, and starts listening to the conversations around the area.
While the others were discussing things with Saul Kiri was very silent. More to the fact Kiri wasn't even there. Sometime during the conversation she had slipped off and was now nowhere to be seen.
Kiri's explorations confirm that the tavern has a back door (locked and/or barred, with the same notice nailed onto it) and a lone chimney not wide enough for her to attempt to slip down. The only windows in the place are a pair near the main entrance, and they too are locked.
As you take one last peek back at the tavern while departing you notice that two more people have approached the tavern's front doors: one (a smallish female) wears a black-and-red tabard of the Church of Asmodeus while the second (a taller male) is clad in black with a red patch or emblem over the left breast. The pair speaks briefly with Saul but then shoo him away and, apparently possessing a key, enter the tavern.
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Later Near the Docks....
There are a lot of out-of-work sailors and stevedores near the docks, thanks in no small part due to Lord-Mayor Thrune's latest Proclamation that keeps foreign ship captains from disembarking from their vessels; the docks are as sparsely-used as you've ever seen (assuming you're a Kintargo native). People are upset about the shutdown of Clenchjaw's as well.
Your group is close to the ruins of the Thrashing Badger, and you overhear some talk about the place as you pass through the area. It seems that after the fire, the dottari heavily patrolled the streets and docks around the area, and some of Thrune's allies even combed the river, likely for dead bodies. The fire was so fierce it burned through the docks, dumping the charred remnants of the Badger into the shallows of the Yolubilis River; if you want to explore them, you'll need to take a cold early spring swim.
Your rumor gathering bears some fruit: One fellow who escaped the raid on Clenchjaw's claims that the Queensmen killed a rainbow-winged miniscule dragon who suddenly appeared and tried to attack them.