Talia nods "That good enough for a starting point at least. We will stay in touch with the rest of our bargain."
Outside Talivar noted, "Talia wants to make some new friends..." He shook his head at the thought of trying to contact assassins who where devoted to a rather strange cult. Cautiously he explained his concern, "I guess I'm curious, but uh I'm wonder if rushing into this might not put them on the back foot? I mean just think of the implications from their point of view..."
"Actually, I think talking to them now gives them more time to make a decision. My priority is to have their assistance when we return to the city in roughly 5-7 days and attempt to take down Klorn and/or Goldshackle. If I talk with them tonight about the possibility of an alliance, that gives them 5 days or so to mull it over and/or plan. If we wait until our second visit, we would need an answer from them more urgently. I think meeting with them tonight is fine provided we don't expect a decision from them tonight.
Sounding skeptical Talivar asked, "Eh you always were ambitious, what's in it for them? A big mark like those carries a hefty risk. Also what makes you think they're going to give us the time of day?"
"Because as Betty said, their anonymity wont last forever. The Mantis are already of their activities (even if they think its the work of a different deity) and it wont be long before they are tracked down and eliminated. To be honest, they want us active. As long as we run around, the Mantis are worrying about us and not about them. They also benefit from the Red Mantis being wiped out, they can expand, or just carry out their activities without fear of being purged."
"Do I think we go into battle marching hand to hand wearing the same team strip? No chance in hell. Do I think our goals are compatible? I sure do. Besides, it doesn't hurt to at least ask."
Talivar shrugged, "Mmm I wonder what their goals are exactly, well I guess there's one way to find out..."
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Uruelleth shrugs. "Well, if they're like just about any other non-bug group, they'll have something for us to do for them," he says drolly.
Talivar laughed, "That's like a law of the universe or something..." He fell silent shortly after, wondering just what kind of task they'd request, something unsavoury no doubt.
From Betty’s you head to the Twisted Anchor tavern in the Medina. Even this late at night, several of the bars you pass appear to be packed with people. The moon is nearly at its highest point in the night sky when you arrive at the Twisted Anchor.
The tavern has a simple sign out front that consists only of an anchor twisted around twice. While you can hear voices talking inside, the tavern doesn’t appear to be nearly as full as some of the bars you passed on the way here.
Walking inside, you find the common area is well lit. A bartender and a couple barmaids busy themselves attending to the few tables with patrons.
One of the barmaids notices you walk in and comes over. She smiles and says, “You’re all up late. Here for drinks? Or did you want something to eat?”
"Its a little late for some food I think, I'm here for some drinks" Talia replies, taking a quick look around and ordering what looks to be a common choice at the tavern.
"Aye been a long day.... Mine's a pint o'bitter if ya have any." replied Talivar who fished out a couple of coins and put them on the counter before looking for a free table. Of course this gave him an excuse to size up the punters and check if any of them seem particularly dangerous looking.
"A shot of something hard," Kilarra remarks, grabbing a seat. Since her companions were already gawking around like tourists, she leaves them to it, acting casual as she settles in for a few drinks.
"And a shot of something harder," Uruelleth adds as he sits next to Kilarra.
"Better leave us the bottle," Kilarra pipes up with a smirk. "I'm overdue for a drink."
At the tavern, Talia’s fairly certain she knows how to comport herself around the locals.
The barmaid shows you to a table and soon brings out a pair of beer pints for Talia and Talivar. She also brings out two bottles of liquor, one for Kilarra and one for Uruelleth. She makes sure they know which is harder.
From your table, you’re able to get a clear few of the other patrons. Some glance at you briefly, but then return to their respective conversations. No one seems to be paying any particular attention to you.
Talia notes one table where two men are seated. They’re near what appears to be a back door, or perhaps just a door to another room. They’re speaking in hushed tones that are impossible for you to overhear, even for your sensitive ears. If anyone in the bar has anything to do with the Guild, Talia suspects it’s those two.
"Hmm, two of them together complicates matters. I'm not sure waltzing over and interrupting their discussion would be particularly wise. We might need to do subtle and get them to come to us" Talia muses to Talivar by way of an explanation.
When the barmaid comes around, Talia discreetly points to the two men. "Can I happen to buy the two men over there a drink? I'm happy to buy them a round of what they might currently be drinking. Feel free to send the drinks over on my behalf, I don't need to deliver them" the shaman asks politely, passing some coins over to the barmaid, covering the cost of the drinks, as well as a small tip for the inconvenience.
Talivar nods slightly at Talia when she buys the men a drink before murmuring, "I wonder if coming as four is an issue... Well we'll see."
The barmaid nods at Talia’s request and takes her coin before hurrying off to retrieve the drinks. She returns a couple minutes later, going to the table with the two men. The barmaid hands them the drinks and nods toward Talia, saying a few words as well.
The two men look over at Talia for a moment. It’s only a couple seconds, but Talia gets the distinct impression they’re both studying her closely. Then they raise their glasses to her before returning to their conversation.
As you’ve had a bit more time to observe the men, you can see that they’re dressed in fairly plain clothes. Both of them appear to be human but there seems to be something… off… about one of them.
Talia is quietly pleased at the reaction from the two men. Getting noticed was the main thing, but she didn't think she could force the issue and bluntly wander over there.
Instead, she sits in her seat, and chats with Talivar, and on the (or after an) hour sends another drink the two men's way (if they are still there). She hopes that one (or both) of the men eventually come to her but knows that this isn't a guarantee.
The two men get up to leave before Talia has a chance to order another round of drinks for them. Noting the time, you see that they leave at almost exactly midnight. They exit through the door opposite where you entered. They both glance back for a minute, apparently scanning the entire room in an instant, before passing through the door and shutting it behind them, preventing you from seeing where they went.
Talia swiftly stands as the men leave. "Time to go I think. It was always going to be tricky making contact without antagonizing them but at least we avoided hostilities. I'm sure they can track us down if they are curious enough. We should probably post a watch though just to be safe."
Talivar drained the rest of his glass, got up, collected the empties and left them at the collection point by the bar. Once they were outside he responded to Talia, "Are you planning to come back here again? Also should we be expecting visitors tonight?" In this town a little paranoia went a long way especially considering what they had got up to earlier they would need to set watches. With that though in mind he carefully scanned the area for any danger.
Kilarra downs a few shots of liquor in the time they spend at the bar, joking with Ruel and occasionally chatting with her way-less-fun-companions while keeping an eye out for trouble.
When it's time to go she places some coin on the table and raises her hand in farewell to the server. "Night."
She follows her companions out into the streets.
Ruel keeps pace with Kilarra, judiciously measuring his shots to avoid true inebriation. He exaggerates his drunkenness when it comes to time to leave, giving Kilarra a hungry look that leaves no one in the bar any other idea as to why he chose this moment to leave.
Kilarra, who's more than a little sick of this whole 'not-getting-any' thing that's been going on lately, smirks. "Hold that thought for later."
"Maybe when we finish dealing with the goblins we might come back here again, but no, I don't expect to come back here tomorrow night. I think we will have our hands full escaping the city with the healing magic for Makkatat. I do think its a possibility that we could be expecting visitors tonight though. I suspect those two men might be at least suspicious or curious about us at the very least but whether they choose to follow up or investigate is a different matter entirely. Certainly when Betty makes contact with her acquaintance they might put two and two together."
"I don't mind taking first watch if you want to get some rest" she offers, her eyes searching the immediate area.
Talivar carefully scans the area and spots no danger. It seems as though neither of the men decided to follow. The four of you are alone for the moment.
It seemed they where safe for now, so Talivar decided to discuss plans, "We know they can see past cloaking magics with those masks so just waltzing up to the door doesn't seem ideal. I favour a diversion... I wonder perhaps we should pay somebody to deliver a cart to the temple doors with a cargo of dead bloodwatch (under a tarp). We can leave a taunting note in the jaws of one saying we have six more someplace the other side of town. Do you think that would get their attention?"
Uruelleth looks impressed at Talivar's ruthlessness. Then he shakes his head. "I don't think we've got the time to kill and hide six bloodwatch."
Talivar laughed, "Neither do I! Another pair however may be possible... The note is a bluff, albeit one signed in blood."
[b]"I don't think we need to make this more complicated than it needs to be. I can Stone Shape through the wall and into the building without needing to speak to the guards. I Stone Shape through, Silent Image covers the entrance, we get the item and we get back out. I can even cast Scripted Hallucination to make an illusion of us moving through the city to hold the guards attention if we want to split the numbers. What do we think?" Talia asks
Kilarra shrugs, not really understanding Talia's spell chattering. "Sure. Let's go for it."
Tired of standing in the street, Kilarra starts walking to the inn.
As the last of his tribe, Achutla was determined to make the Mantis pay for their genocide. While the surviving lizardfolk tribe, the Greenscales, vowed neutrality, Achutla would have none of it.
For years he waged a bloody, guerilla war against the Mantis and their allies, the monkey goblins. He would occasionally catch a patrol off guard or burn a wagon full of supplies, but what he did seemed to make little difference to the Mantis and the monkey goblins.
Nevertheless, Achutla continued in his campaign. While the Mantis might not have been growing weaker, Achutla was growing stronger. His ability to target a Mantis’s weaknesses was quickly becoming second to none. But there was only so much a single person could do.
After a particularly disastrous raid on an enemy’s supply caravan, Achutla was forced to flee deep into the jungle to survive. Wounded and exhausted, he was more frustrated than ever before.
In a moment of desperation, Achutla decided if he was to truly make a difference, he would need to strike the Mantis where it would hurt. He didn’t know where their fabled Citadel could be found, but he knew of the next best thing: the Pagoda of the Mantis in Ilizmagorti.
Once his wounds had sufficiently healed, Achutla made his way through the Mediogalti jungle to the city. He slipped inside, the Mantis presuming he was one of the Greenscale lizardfolk. At night, when he figured defenses would be the lightest, Achutla made his move.
Charging straight for the Pagoda, Achutla drew his greatsword and bared his teeth and claws. The two Mantis at the gate were caught unawares and quickly struck down by the crusading lizardfolk. Emboldened, Achutla continued his assault, making his way into the Pagoda itself.
It was here that his attack met a quick and unceremonious end. A screeching alarm sounded as he entered the Pagoda and magical lights illuminated the large entry area where he found himself. Mantis flooded in from the numerous doors on the ground floor and floor above. More than even Achutla dared believe he could slay.
Just as he was about to try taking as many Mantis with him as he could, a heavy weight slammed into the back of his skull and he knew only darkness.
Bharaz had eagerly sworn the oath to uphold the Mantisbane Pact. Lord Borogrim had watched him do so. Despite the dwarf’s eagerness to depart for Mediogalti island and join those alright fighting to overthrow the Mantis and end Achaekek, political turmoil among the monarchs of the Pact proved to be a frustrating distraction.
While Lord Borogrim fully supported sending Bharaz, he needed the support of the other monarchs as well. Queen Galfrey and Queen Edasseril were both supportive. Ruby Prince Khemet III was indifferent. But it was Grand Prince Stavian who was the real problem. The man was apparently impossible to work with. He demanded that all decisions go directly through him and was making coordination between the five monarchs difficult at best.
This political squabble went on for some time when Lord Borogrim finally decided that he had had enough. With Queen Galfrey and Queen Edasseril’s blessing, Lord Borogrim sent Bharaz on his way. The ranks of those on the island were apparently dwindling, so they couldn’t afford to wait for political unity to act.
Bharaz travelled to Absalom where Lord Borogrim had booked him passage to Azir in Rahadoum. From there Bharaz was able to find a spot on a smuggler’s vessel bound for Ilizmagorti. The smuggler was a friend of Shark, someone the other members of the Pact had apparently been working with.
After a tumultuous journey to Mediogalti island while skirting along the edge of the Eye of Abendego, Bharaz finally arrived at the city of the Mantis, Ilizmagorti. The smuggler directed him to Shark’s inn, the Murdered Manticore, where Lord Borogrim had explained that the current members of the Pact were staying.
It was approaching dusk when Bharaz finally arrived at the inn, but the other members of the Pact were nowhere to be seen. After a brief conversation with Shark, who was apparently the inn’s owner and barkeeper, Bharaz made his way up to where the Pact members were staying. He took a seat to wait for them to arrive.
With a plan in place, you make your way back to Shark’s inn to sleep for the night before the raid the next day. The first stars are appearing in the sky as you arrive. Much to your surprise, Shark greets you when you enter and informs you that a certain person is waiting upstairs for you. If you ask who, he says it’s probably not his place to explain.
Going upstairs, you go through your rooms before finding the person in question sitting on a bed, apparently waiting for you to arrive. The stout dwarf was sitting upright even before you entered. You’re certain you’ve never seen him before.
Bharaz sat before the group. Like most of his kind he was short, stout, and bearded. His blonde hair was well kept, and his clothing that of a simple traveler. Wool pants, a thick leather jerkin, gloves, and a faded blue cloak with a hood. A small pouch hung from his belt on the left, as well as a rather large holy symbol of Torag, set within was a cracked gemstone. On the right was a single sheathed dagger. The only thing he held was a plain darkwood buckler on his left arm, devoid of any script or image.
He stood up and looked at the group with a critical eye. ”Ye lot must be the right one. Ne’er seen an elf with arms like that...would ye be Uruelleth? And then, Talia...and Kilarra?” He muttered under his breath ”Wasn’t there supposed to be more? They’d better be the right ones...”
Uruelleth folds his arms and narrows his eyes at the dwarf. "Since everyone on this island who knows us are trying to kill us, why shouldn't we return the favor? Who are you?"
Bharaz grinned, ignoring the threat. ”And a poor assassin would I be if I thought to forewarn ye and take the lot on meself.” Standing up, he put his hands on his hips and said ”Name’s Bharaz, Clan Silverhelm. I bloody well talked our benefactor’s ears off until they finally decided to send me.” His emphasis on finally expressed his frustration. ”Got me a grudge against the bloody assassins who killed me brother. I swear by the forge to be telling the truth.” He tapped the holy icon that hung from his belt. ”That satisfy ye?”
The burly elf shrugs. "Not really. But then, I'm the paranoid type. Getting your throat slit a couple times in your sleep will do that to you."
Bharaz scratched his head, at a loss for words. This wasn’t going at all how he had expected. ”Eh...” He started, and then stopped. ”Well...guess ye could have me...not stand watch? I mean, I’d be fine with more sleep. That, and there’s what, four of ye? Seems to me like ye can use the help. More reward than risk, in accepting the offer of a dwarf swearing truthfulness on the symbol of the God of his race, I’d say.”
Uruelleth's mouth twists. He spares a glance to Kilarra to gauge her reaction to this new arrival.
Talia narrows her eyes a little skeptically. "Like Uruelleth, I don't like my name being sprouted out by people I don't know. The Mantis have tried to infiltrate the Pact before and there's little reason to indicate that they wouldn't attempt the same tired old trick again."
Talia pauses for a moment "Actually, I could go on a vision quest and see for myself if what you say is true, but I couldn't do so until tomorrow morning. Depending on what I saw, that would probably be sufficient to satisfy me."
Kilarra rolls her eyes. "And here I was, hoping for a quiet -- " she spares Ruel a smirk " -- non-violent night for a change." She sighs and eyes the dwarf, crossing her arms. "I've seen people lie on everything, dwarf. Gods, family, lovers..." She shrugs. "There's nothing you could say that would convince me."
She considers Talia's words, then smirks at Bharaz. "No matter. She can see into your head and your past. If you're lying, we'll know soon." WIthout taking her eyes off Bharaz, she tells the others, "I'll watch the dwarf. Sleep, Talia. You can sift through his head in the morning."
She glances at Ruel. "Tag me out in a few?"
"Talivar can keep watch too," Ruel says while returning Kilarra's smirk. "Maybe he can take first shift?" He eyes the sorcerer and considers how good he'd be in close-quarters fighting. ">sigh< All right. I'll give you a break after a while."
Getting somewhat annoyed, Bharaz said ”Now look here. I am of Clan Silverbeard! It is a noble house and I was in the court of Lord Borogrim himself. And to get here I bloody well had to go from Azir to Rahadoum! And after that fookin’ long trip, what then? I had to hire a bloody smuggler to get here. Ye know Shark? If ye do them he’ll understand what that entailed. And all of that to get here, standing before ye, having me honor besmirched. Bah!” Throwing his hands up, he retreated to a chair, in which he sat, while muttering in Dwarven about how the unfairness of being held to long-legs’ standards of honesty.