"Well enough! And yourself?" Cyrus engages in a bit of idle talk before getting to his question.
"Truth be told Brenda, I wanted to ask if you knew of a mercenary company known by it's crest of a Black Manticore. We encountered a specter yelling gibberish in Draconic and speaking about some Manticore or something...any thoughts?"
She gives a concerned look... But answers honestly.
"There is a mercenary company based neard the docks... The Shadows of the Manticore. Their members often communicate in Draconic and their crest is a black manticore." You can notice contempt in her words. "They are... not honorable people. Hard men and women with no qualms about their contracts or methods... Just barely better than an assassin's guild, if you ask me."
She sighs heavily and adds. "I cannot tell you what to do, Priest Cyrus... But I must advise you to stay away from them. No good comes from associating with those people."
"I don't intend to associate with them at all. Dropping off something that might belong to them however is a different matter. Thanks for the warning though Brenda. I appreciate your concern." Cyrus raises a tankard in thanks.
"Very well. But still... Be careful." she relaxes a bit and adds "Have a good night, Priest Cyrus. May Abadar and Iomedae guard you and yours."
Brenda then makes a light reverence to your group and leaves, still walking with military composure... Until Jenny touches her face with a cold mug. Brenda is startled for a second, then rolls her eyes and moves on, while Jenny giggles and laughs.
The rest of the night goes by peacefully... After a while, most of the patrons leave and you find your way to your rooms... Frederick and Jaazkara are given empty guest rooms for the night
Cyrus checks to see if they were leaving fruit in the dish in his absence in case he returned. If so, he enjoys the fruit on the balcony in the night air before retiring to bed.
Ahhh, a soft bed at last! How I missed it. He thinks as he buries himself in the sheets.
Jaazkara enjoys the food and drink, though she speaks very little throughout the night. It is difficult to say whether this is due to the overwhelming panorama of sensations going on all around her, or simply complete dedication to feasting and drinking. She is entranced by the dancer's movements, and glances back to her occasionally while listwning to the mingles conversations of the many patrons. At one point she also speaks to the gruff bartender about suggestions of good spirits. She spends the rest of the night at the table making a grand show of enjoying her spoils and before retiring, she offers some purchased fruits to the chameleon and pays for a room.
"It's 5 silvers for a bed in the common room, 2gp for a simple individual room (which has 2 beds), 6gp for one of our Quest rooms, which include 4 beds. Finally but not least, it's 10 gp for one of our finest rooms, which come with either 1 or 2 large beds and are really spacious. And if you lose too much on gambling, I'm sure we can find you a clean stall in the stables or space in the hayloft for a couple coppers... (...)"
If nothing happens that night, then next day Eitylen will look for someone to sell him some eyes of the eagle and a smith to further enchant his chainshirt.
The Eagle's Eyes are available in one shop or another. Eitylen has no difficulty buying them. There are many smiths capable of enchanting his armor as well, but the price and required time vary based on what enhancement is desired.
Another +1 for a +2 total. EDIT: And I Buy the eyes.
I also look for new job opportunities in the field of adventuring and gather information about missing members of the black anticore gang.
Frederick gladly rents a fine room.
"A fifth the price of my previous one! What a deal!"
Marcie gives a confused glance at Frederick, but then shrugs and goes back to her work.
- - -
Eitylen hears a few rumors about mercenary work here and there, but nothing too solid... He does notice some unusual military presence by the docks and an increased number of priestly and mage-looking people walking around town... They are still a small minority of the population, though. Not only that, but there are even more festive flags, banners and ornaments on the streets... It's all but impossible to find a building with no Purple Moon-related decoration of some kind. Last but not least, Eitylen hears news about ghosts and spirits showing up all around, but the rumors are vague and conflicting.
As for daytime work, Frederick tries to track down any leads on his mother, enlisting the aid of the more street savvy members of his new party if he can.
In the morning Brother Cyrus will go to the docks looking for whatever base the Black Manticores utilize. He requests Jaazkara to accompany him and the same to Brenda with a bit of flair if he can catch her around.
"Brenda of the Red Eagle, I humbly request your assistance in returning a set of cursed daggers to the Black Manticores. A specter lies bound to them and wont pass until it is delivered to it's company. If you would grant me this request in accordance with the oath you made...I would be eternally grateful." Cyrus bows low.
As for daytime work, Frederick tries to track down any leads on his mother, enlisting the aid of the more street savvy members of his new party if he can.
- - -
Brenda is easy to find. She has a room in the Mad Shark and is usually near the area whenever she isn't "at work" with the Red Eagles.
She nods and accepts the request gracefully.
"I shall keep my word, Priest Cyrus. You have my sword."
The red-haired warrior leads Brother Cyrus (and whoever chooses to accompany him) to the eastern side of the docks... The place isn't much worse-looking than the rest of the harbor, but the silence, relatively small number of people and almost complete absence of anyone wearing any kind of official uniform gives you an uneasy feeling... Still, even here there is quite a flow of boats and ships.
Most passerby take a measuring look at you... Brenda in particular attracts even more attention, but other than that, no one bothers you.
Eventually, you reach a tavern named "The Fang and Sting". The building is fully painted black and has smoked glass on its windows. Despite its grim-looking facade, you can smell the tantalizing scent of good food...
"This is the place. This is where the Shadows of the Manticore gather" says Brenda with an serious look in her eyes. "Whatever you do, Priest Cyrus... Do not let them see weakness or foolishness. Real or imagined."
Jaazkara accompanies Brother Cyrus.
Cyrus feels greatly reassured to have two stalwart warriors at his side and pushes the door open to stride within.
The tavern is surprisingly clean and well-maintained... And it has a good number of patrons, most of which wear no armor. The room is quite well lit at its center and by the door, but rather dark by the walls and in the back, where most patrons wear black cloaks. Nothing but the occasional candle and just a smidge of light illuminates that area.
The smell of crab soup, roast chicken and beer fills your nostrils.
A middle-aged woman cleans glasses and tableware behind the counter while a waitress grabs a tray with food from a bald black man on the other side of a kitchen window...
Every patron and employee takes a quick, judgmental look at your group, specially Brenda, then seemingly return to whatever they were doing before...
Sitting by the counter, an anthropomorphic crow wearing leather-armor and a grey cloak speaks without looking at you...
"You're a long way from home, Red..." his voice is dry and coarse, but he doesn't sound openly hostile. "I hope you don't find trouble..."
"Quiet, vulture." says Brenda, assertively. "Our business is with your superiors. Take me to Captain Sillados."
Despite him having no teeth, you can't help but feel like the tengu is smiling at you. When he turns around, you see carries enough daggers for a whole army, and at his belt rests a silver-bladed barbed scimitar.
"Sillados is dead, Red." he says with a satisfied look in his face. "What business could an eagle have with the manticore?"
"Are you a captain yet, vulture?" Brenda replies condescendingly, much to the creature's chagrin. "If not... Be a good grunt and call your superiors."
"Have you parents never told you to polite to your host, Red?" he says, fingers sliding over his daggers... While Brenda keeps her hand firmly at the handle of her sword. "You should be more careful with your words..."
"And you should be more careful with your hands." Brenda answers.
I guess Eitylen goes too. (how much takes to rise the +1 to +2 for the armor?,a week?)
"As...entertaining as this exchange has been, I've come to return something that belongs to the Manticores. Could you call your superiors...please?" Brother Cyrus states amicably whilst taking in the site of the tavern though his last word has a certain power to it.
"It is a delicate matter."
Jaazkara arches an eyebrow at the tengu.
Pretty please? -
"QUIET, YOU ALL!" shouts a man in a dim-lit corner as he bashes his table with a heavy tankard. "My ears hurt from hearing you childish banter..."
He stands up and slowly approaches the center of the room... Revealing a man in his late forties, quite tall, but also very slim... He wears a dark blue robe with a bandoleer thrown across his shoulder and a two steel amulets around his neck. He carries a wooden staff in his right hand and a couple daggers in his belt. As he approaches, the Tengu steps back.
"Red Brenda of the Red Eagle..." he speaks slowly. "Our companies have never been on friendly terms. You in particular never bothered to hide your contempt. You know you aren't liked here. So tell me... What is so important that you'd decide to step down from your high horse and visit us lowlifes?"
Brenda replies less aggressively this time.
"This man has important business with your group. I'm here to accompany him."
The man looks at Brother Cyrus with curiosity...
"And why would a foreigner need a Red Eagle mercenary just to visit a tavern by the docks... What brings you here, stranger?"
"Caution mostly...I've come to return these Claws." Cyrus says with emphasis as he takes the daggers wrapped in cloth and places it on the counter.
"A specter lies bound to them due to some unfinished task the company sent them out to the Boiling Swamp for. Out of professional curiosity, why were they out there?"
"Because their former owner died. Why else?" says the man with contempt. "I know to whom these weapons belonged. He wanted to create his own 15 men squad. As is our law, he set out to find weapons and armor. We at the Manticore earn what we have. He left with 3 others, saying he'd bring back fine steel, enough swords for all of his men... And the Manticore would have more fangs."
The man takes a quick look at the haunted weapons then seemingly loses interest in them. Proceeding to sit calmly in a nearby chair...
"He failed. As many do..." he says. "This was 19 years ago. I din't care then, I don't care now. What do you expect from me?"
"He must have had quite the iron will to refuse passage into the beyond or just be stubborn as hell. I don't expect much from you. Just a simple "Well done" or a "You have served the Manticore well." Not for me of course. Tell it to the daggers. He had found 14 blades. I'll add another to that to make it 15. Even though he died before making it back, perhaps it would ease his spirit to know the blades made it here." Cyrus scratches his chin in thought.
"Jaazkara, the other swords please."
Jaazkara nods once, slowly, hesitant to face the spectre again and in such confined quarters...and dubious company. She trusts Brother Cyrus' judgement though, and complies.
"A good job?!" the man says with disdain. "He failed. And I will not say otherwise. One doesn't join the Shadows of the Manticore to be patted on the head... If you want to be coddled, you go cower under the wings of the Red Eagle."
Brenda is about to protest but isn't given the chance to speak. The man grabs the daggers and drops them on the floor.
"Wake up, fool! Your superior calls you!"
You feel a sudden chill in the air and the daggers quiver... Inside the area of frost, the specters comes into existence.
"I am-" it begins to speak, but is quickly interrupted by the robbed man.
"I know who you are, you idiot!" he says with an intimidating tone. "You're a dead man wasting my time! Why are you even here?"
"My mission..." it says before being abruptly interrupted once again.
"Your mission failed." says the man, and the specter stays silent. "Accept it. Leave. We are the Shadows of the Manticore, and death is when we rest."
The specter raises his head, then kneels...
"Death is when we rest..." it repeats, before sliding his hand like a knife across its chest and then finally vanishing from sight... The air slowly regains its original temperature. The daggers lose their light blueish glow...
"You can keep your swords, priest. I have no need for them. Here we earn all we have." The robbed man picks the daggers and adds them to his belt. "Is that all?"
That was bad ass... - Say Eitylen in low voice.
"Fair enough. Though apparently the daggers were still worth something. You were rather quick to snatch them up. Though it wouldn't surprise me if the Manticore was miserly. That makes for a better story to tell over drinks anyways." Cyrus folds his arms and begins to leave.
Well atleast that spirit was able to move on.
"You know nothing of our laws, priest." says the man, coldly. "Offend us at our house again, and it'll be the last time you offend anyone."
Jaazkara, eager to be gone from the place, quickly follows Cyrus. She suggests meeting up with Frederick and aiding him in his search.
Eitylen Ignores the threat as it would have never happened, he start moving to follow Cyrus but before he waves his right hand to say goodbye to the manticores.
"Oh pardon me. I'm an outsider afterall. These native traditions surprise me every now and then. No I don't believe I'll ever speak with the Manticore again. Gods willing." Cyrus leaves and goes by the Temple of Abadar to purchase a Guiding Vellum on his way back to the Mad Shark.
"Sorry to drag you along for that Brenda. Those people seemed to have gotten under my skin..."
Brenda smiles.
"There's no need to apologize, Priest Cyrus." she says, solemnly. "The Manticore has never been known for their lovable members..."
She sighs and adds...
"But I have to admit... I don't you were ever in any danger. Well... At least not up to that last part. I wasn't sure he'd attack us..." she says a bit worried. "Even so... I'm glad my sword wasn't needed. I guess I still owe you one." Brenda speaks with a friendly tone.
I think that If we all take 10 we can get a 30 in gather information.
I can't speak for the others, but I guess that yes we take 10 in the gather information for a total of 30.
Frederick writes up everything he knows about his mother and hands the sheets off to his allies. The information isn't much to go on. A vague physical description (that could be just about any orc female), and a distinctive sapphire bracelet she got in her brief time on Hermea.
"Also she spoke with a weird accent. Kind of...hissy? Always held the sss sounds."
"The bracelet sounds pretty uncommon. Let's see what we can come up with."
Cyrus asks around the temples and stops by an old friend's residence(Tai Leng) to see if he's seen anything. Preferably over tea.
Jaazkara tries to comment on the tea, seeing it as an "herbal infusion."
"Dis...herb water...is...sooding'. Is dere' honey, perhaps? Potent leaf indeed."
Frederick tries to help.
But gets about as far as he did before.
are accents covered by kn(geography)? if that is the case Eitylen takes 10 for a 24
