|
Once the guards have left, Calypso drops the jilted lover act, and she looks at the barkeep.
"Next time, don't take so long coming to my defense, darling."
Her hair once again starts to writhe, and the crab comes out to stare at the barkeep.
She turns on her heel and follows the others, but not after blowing a kiss to the rest of the bar patrons.
The barkeep shudders, and looks away a bit faster than might be considered polite. He's definitely glad you're leaving.
You have a few hours before you think the vile alchemist will be in the sewers.
|
Lysaer shrugs off the Ulfen's heavy handed support, but gives him a nod and theshadow of a smile graces his face for a moment.
Seeing that they are done now and with some time to spare, Lysaer spends some time getting the lie of the land, and attempts to learn what he can of the Kortos consortium and their holdings.
In addition, you also uncover the name of a guardsman and investigator who does not seem to be in the pocket of the Kortos Consortium.
Delroya’s directions and Boldren's information gathering lead to an isolated alley in the Bristles, and then down into the sewers beneath Diobel. The stench of sewage mixes with the sharper odors of chemical fumes and decay and permeates the damp tunnels.
From this intersection, tunnels lead west and south into the darkness. A third tunnel heading east is filled with detritus, filthy beddings, food scraps, broken glass, and rotting furniture.
You hear movement and moans of pain off to the east.
|
As Lysaer is asking the local people about the area and the Kortos Consortium, Boldren once again shares what limited information he has about the subject.
“There is no formal alliance between the Kortos Consortium and Aspis Consortium, and the two groups are likely working together in a limited capacity—at least for the time being.”
“Although the Aspis Consortium seems to have an agreement with part of the Kortos Consortium, neither group is centralized enough for such an arrangement to be very stable. Causing a major disruption in their operation would very likely sever ties between the two groups.”
“House Locosta, the faction allied with the Aspis Consortium, claims that its major interest is in Qadiran spices, but the family derives most of its pro t from buying and selling Qadiran slaves.”
As the group descends down into the sewers, Boldren retrieves an ioun torch from his backpack. After whispering a command word, it begins to shine as bright as a torch. With a quick snap of his wrist, he sends the brightly lit stone into the air, where it begins to circle around his head.
|
|
Though unable to gleam any information personally, Lysaer thanks Boldren for his insight, filing the knowledge away for further tactical use. As they make their way through the city, he passes on advice.
"Whilst it will be difficult in a sewer, try not to stay too close together, as an alchemis he will know the secrets of the explosive weapons."
When it is time to combat the alchemist, the aspirant Knight climbs down second, after the Ulfen Warrior. He smoothly rolls his spear around his midriff and brings it ready to bear, stepping forwards down the tunnel.
The light reveals a river of sewer sludge running down the center of the sewers. It has a slight chemical smell, so it's not as bad as one might first imagine, but it's still rather disgusting.
A bit to the east you see a hole in the wall, perhaps leading to a small alcove. At the edge of your vision, you see some figures in the darkness. Probably homeless junkies. They cover their faces from your light, and moan softly as they rest against the walls.
You see a small lantern burning at the end of the tunnel, with the shadow of a figure moving in front of it. The movement stops as your light heads in its direction.
At the end of the tunnel, the small lantern illuminates a statue of a giant rat rests in the dead-end passage. Countless empty flasks and discarded alchemical ingredients lie on the floor around the statue. On a nearby workbench sit several organized but empty flasks and jars.
You see a bit further in the tunnel and can tell that yes, the figures you see are indeed in a semi-stupor. From the dirty blankets and mounds of trash, they probably live here.
The silhouette the others see at the end of the tunnel is a human (-ish) person. He had been mixing liquids in flasks until he saw you. Now, he's turned to watch what the party does.
|
|
Seeing the thick sludge running through the centre of the sewer, Lysaer grimaces in disgust before hopping over to the next side. He turns to Oddr with a grim look in his eyes.
"Woodcutter, you guard that flank and I will guard this, the rest of you split yourselves off."
He then makes a few steps up the corridor, hoping to spy more of the shape hidden in the shadow.
"Reveal yourself!"
The man in front of the distant lantern yells back at Lysaer. "I've been in these here sewers for months, so you can just go bugger off and find your own piece to clean. Why da you gotta come bother us?"
A few of the recumbent figures stir and rub their eyes at Boldren as he inches forward.
The figures moan and paw at Calypso's bandolier as she passes. Their bodies are clearly ravaged, perhaps by some disease, or maybe by drugs. As you get closer, you see there are two more of these wretches in the nook to the south.
"Buy?" The figure is intrigued. He pauses to scratch a pussing boil. "What did you have in mind?
|
|
Noticing that the group are trying for a somewhat non violent ending to the confrontation, or at least appear to be, Lysaer steps forward cautiously, keeping his spear ready and expecting an attack from the undoubtedly mad leper. He says nothing, waiting to see how things pan out before interjecting.
"If you're approaching me it had better be about large quantities. And you'd better have a good deal to propose, as my current contracts are quite rewarding." He scratches a place one should not scratch in polite company.
|
|
Watching the exchange with an arched eyebrow, Lysaer is obviously unsure of the route the group are taking, I was under the impression we were going to slaughter this fool, no matter. he clears his throat softly before speaking.
"Hmm yes, I am sure we could outbid your current support, what would your best price be?"
Lazlo picks at a scab for a minute, pondering. "You brought gold with you, I presume? That'll be 3,000 gold for the first 100 doses, with a promise of purchasing at least that much three times each week, and a promise that I'll get to perfect the formula before mass production." He rubs his hands eagerly.
|
|
"Do. do. da. do."
Boldren glances over his shoulder then back at the impossible conversation taking place. After rolling his eyes, he launches a magic missile at the alchemist. As soon as the bolt strikes the man, the wizard loudly clears his throat.
"Aghgggagh! Oops! Sorry! That was my bad! It slipped! That was an accident!"
|
Oddr hears the fake apology in the inpatient wizards voice after seeing the bolts of arcane energy fly down the sewer tunnel and thinks to himself...oh boy, i bet that does it...who would have thought a wizard picks a fight when the warriors were acting calm...i swear if any of these mooks step forward in a threatening manner i will cut them in two...