Antonio nods. "We should communicate with the main group first. They may be able to help on getting information on Alana. We can work on the plan to deal with her from there."
"Indeed. Though it may be hard to trust sometimes, with these holes in our memories, clearly at one point, we did trust each other to some extent. Though I suppose it is always possible that it was that trust that allowed ourselves to be compromised in the first place. Still, we are stronger together. House Thrune breeds this sort of mistrust as a protection from itself, because if everybody mistrusts each other, they can never conspire to overthrow their infernal masters."
Seeing as how there was a consensus to gather with the others and share information, Gray went with the group to go meet with the other large group that had been left behind so they could share intelligence and get to planning the demise of Alana. It wouldn't topple Thrune...but every bold and ambitious plan started with a single objective and expanded from there. Once Alana was eliminated, more and more players would start showing their hands as the opportunities for a power grab began to coalesce. The inquisitor was relatively apathetic about who came out on top, as long as Thrune was overthrown.
Good question. I think the suggestion to gather information on Alana is a good one. That plan has to be excellent. At the same time, does anyone have suggestions about what scroll we go after next? What other location information do we have... I believe we had a little bit of information about other locations, did we not?
”Perhaps we have an in with Narikopolis,” Edmund suggests, glancing toward Payk.
Payk looks behind him to see who Edmund is looking at, and then he remembers the memory. "Oh, yeah, me. Um, I don't know. I can try though."
Remembering what Drem had told the group what seemed like ages ago, the inquisitor volunteered, "Perhaps while Payk explores his newly-remembered bloodlines, we can gather the contract of Sarini. According to the Halfling, it's behind a statue in the common room. Supposedly simple enough."
Gray shrugged, as the plan to continue finding contracts and animagi was fraught with peril. Once the great Houses discovered what the group was up to, not only would they hide their contracts and constructs more thoroughly, they would probably work hard to eliminate the threat, i.e. the party. While Gray didn't much fear death, he couldn't exactly enact revenge from a grave.
Antonio grins. "I doubt it will be that easy, Gray, but you have a point that we currently know where it is. Perhaps we should move to acquire it before news of a contract being stolen is spread."
"While we prepare for such a juncture, I can take the time to ask around town on Alana. Perhaps someone knows more about her then we do."
Okay, good ideas. I will go out and acquire some healing wands so that we have the resources we need for survival. Whatever information any of you can gather is welcome, including any formal gatherings that are coming up. If we can get into Thrune and Sarini or any of the others without having to break in, that gets us one step closer with less risk, and also offers us the benefit of confusion about who might be behind any theoretical theft.
Also, do we have volunteers about who wants to join in on the two missions we have already planned?
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Adrien looks between Vince and Ziera. “I liked the plan where Vince just went after Alana on his own. What happened to that plan? ” Vince sneers at him. “If he’s given up on that dream i can be of service. I also have a signet house ring from Thrune, so i might be able to get us inside. ”
Alden notes the reactions and takes some notes.
“Payk will check on Narikopolus. I can join him there. Gray and Ziera will work on the Sarini contract. Dante can you help there?”Dante nods. “Glifdore will work on the operations, and probably team up with Rantin. The Azure Avenger, Vince and Adrien will learn what they can about Alana. ” He looks around the room to make sure everyone is accounted for.
“Edmund? Sydney? ”
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”I shall help with the Sarini contract.”
Do you need help with anything Sydney?
Antonio nods to Gilfdore's last statements. "Indeed. I didn't expect such a shock from the animagi's death, but we should be prepared to face it next time."
"The cell method should work well. Ziera, we shall work as you need us."
Ziera tells her cell that she'll meet them later at [insert name of random inn here], and they are free to come up with their own plans, but if they don't have any currently to collect as much information about Sarini and any upcoming social events as possible.
Then she takes off.
She is going with Sydney.
Gray nodded at Antonio's astute words. Falling unconscious after defeating an animagus was a trifle unsettling and irritating all at once. Still, the gain of the memories was something he coveted, even if the inquisitor suspected it would change very little about his motivations. Indeed, he felt like yet another part of himself had been stolen, and while he had come to terms with his nature and the effects of his trauma at the hand of Thrune, it did not mean he intended to roll over and take it. After all, he was still working against the devil-worshippers even now for causing the pain.
As the group split apart and Ziera suddenly darted away, Gray shrugged and looked at the remaining duo that would be working with him. "Antonio, you mentioned gathering information. I'll work towards that end, as well. Edmund, perhaps you can research a way to lessen the blow when an animagus is destroyed?" The inquisitor looked slyly at the bookseller before he, too, darted away to do what he did best.
Edmund will seek out a library that allows general admittance by the public and begin the task of researching as Gray suggested. He considered returning to the Leroung library, but realizes that that’s probably a stupid idea.
+ bonus from using a library
That sounds like important information that could help us.
Ziera takes out pen, ink, and her journal and asks Sydney to tell her what she remembers.
She writes it down as quickly as possible, asking questions if she needs clarification on anything.
Antonio nods to Grey before he leaves. "I'll be investigating Alana. Anything that can make our task easier."
Moving through the streets of the city, Antonio inquires for rumors of any defenses Alana has, or any physical or mental weaknesses she possesses.
Ziera takes careful notes and remarks
Wow. Talk about manipulative. This makes me wonder how much we ourselves are being manipulated. Thrune surely wants the other houses to be without their contracts... what if they set this whole thing up?
Sydney nods. I thought that as well. But we'll come back to that in a minute, there's another memory.
The elf stands with his back to you, gazing out a window. 'I apologize for doing some of this work through Alana but if Thrune is to ever have some success the first step is to keep Alana busy trying to figure out what the plan is. If I gave her all the details, she might puzzle it out by the time it doesn't matter, but with only half the details she is busy and Thrune gets its way. You are to proceed to phase two. I am sending you and a few of our other spies to the front lines, or rather our front lines. I need you to withdraw our troops from the front line and bring them here, to Egorian. Do everything necessary to keep it from the captains and generals on the lines. Tell the troops themselves that Duranu needs their service; you will be given notes with my seal to convince them that you are indeed my messenger. You'll also need to change the captain's troop sheets; a little enchantment might help with that as well. If you think of anything else while you're there, do as you feel is necessary. Just make sure that nobody in command, even our own command knows the troops have been withdrawn, nobody. I'm sending you to the troops on the Isger front. I'll need 10 banners to be returned, split evenly among footmen and crossbowmen. Ten banners? That's a quarter of the Isger front! I have moved back your next meeting with Alana by a week, so you have about ten days to get this done. I trust you'll have no difficulties. You turn to leave. And remember, this is your chance to impress me.
Also, how the house is laid out, main entrance, side entrances, secret entrances, etc. And where the specific room containing the House Contract might be.
Ziera takes careful notes.
Sydney, do you know where these meetings were? Were they inside the Thrune manor? Any insights on the layout if so?
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Antonio takes careful note of the information he gathered before going to the previously mentioned Adjective Noun inn to meet the others.
Edmund is already waiting at the Ugly Suckling, clearly having trouble hiding his disdain at the barely veiled innuendos of the decor. He’s relieved to see Antonio arrive.
”Let’s never use this inn again, shall we?” he whispers as Antonio pulls up a chair. ”I’ve been offered three drinks since I sat down, all sent by those rather husky lads by the bar. And I don’t quite believe that that rather tall barmaid is actually a woman!”
After gathering what information he could on House Sarini, Gray made his way to the Ugly Suckling, snickering at the barely veiled innuendo of the name and the not-at-all veiled artistry adorning most of the walls. He made his way over to the table occupied by Edmund and Antonio, nodding in greeting to each of them before taking a seat. Edmund, at least, seemed uncomfortable, and after a quick glance at the clientele and the staff, it was easy for the inquisitor to understand why. Amused, he waved a passing server down and ordered an ale, politely declining any 'additional' services.
"Gentlemen, how goes it?" The smirk on his face is disrupted by a fit of coughing that the young man tried to stifle by holding his hand over his mouth, to limited effect.
Again, Ziera takes careful notes.
Thank you for these. That is definitely useful. Is that all the information you wanted to record?
Sydney nods. “I will let you know of any other memories that come this way. I only hope that regaining our memories will not stop these dreams. One further note of discovery, i did look up the name Duranu. He was a General for Thrune’s army. But more importantly, he was a General when Thrune came to power in Cheliax. I believe that these dreams are showing Thrune’s taking of the crown. ”
”It goes as it goes, but I will be glad to have this particular meeting done and over with. I’m far too old-fashioned to be comfortable in a place such as this. What is up with that sign ourt front? I understand that a small, roasted pig is often called a suckling, but that is most assuredly not an apple in its mouth!”
Thank you for the information, Sydney. Keep in touch.
She smiles, and goes to the Inn they agreed on earlier.
Seeing Ziera enter, Antonio smiles. "Looks as if we are ready to begin."
"I looked into Alana, to see exactly how completing the deal with Drem will work. Her mansion is practically a fort, mixed with a border during wartime. Anyone entering the premise is checked for magic or weapons, and illusionary disguises are checked for. I believe there is also a measure of passwords to enter the grounds as well. I would like to circumvent the security, but Alana rarely leaves. It looks like the job is going to require quite a bit of effort, information, and luck."
"Any better news?"
Edmund's comment about the sign out front caused the coughing fit to grow even worse as Gray started to chuckle, the burning pain bringing tears to his eyes. When Ziera walked in and Antonio brought their attention back to the task at hand, the young man got his breath under control and started astutely paying attention as Antonio divulged what he had learned in his foray to gather information.
Sadly, it seemed as though Alana was well-protected with a vast array of security defenses. While the group could likely devise a plan to bypass them, the easiest way would be to lure the noblewoman out, or otherwise find a way in, such as a ball or gathering. He resolved to think about it later. For now, he turned to his other companions to listen to what they had discovered in their meandering.
I've discovered something about House Sarini. In the center of their manor house is a statue or a harp, hand lyre, and flute. If you play Sarini's Grace on the flute, the harp should rotate to reveal a staircase down. The staircase leads straight to Sarini's contract.
I also discovered that Thrune attempted to manipulate the contract by threatening a devil who apparently had the power to modify it. They demanded that Sarini, and their contract, must be subject to Thrune. ... I don't know if that attempt was successful, but I suppose we should assume that it was.
What this means for us I am not sure, but it does give us the location and the trick to getting in. I am not certain if it is still guarded by a devil, but it was at some point in the past.
Gray nodded thoughtfully as Ziera went over the information she had learned. It seemed as though they had much that was redundant, but also corroborated. That was nice to know. The going rumor was that Sarini was little more than Thrune's servants, so the lovely aasimar's statements seemed to support that theory, as well. When she was done, he added the little additional information he had to the mix.
"The statue that was mentioned should be near the main entrance to the estate. The lords and ladies use a separate portal to gain entry, and Sarini has few visitors these days. There will likely be but a single clerk on duty should we decide to call upon them."
”I did some digging into animagi and how we might better mitigate the stress regaining memories puts on our bodies. There is a book which may help, but it resides in the possession of Dice Drem.”