Are you sure you don't want to store them? It makes for a much better bathing experience. As I said, as long as you don't disturb other guests.
The man takes the coin, and while he clearly hints at putting the blades in storage, he doesn't press the issue.
Blackjack looks around the facility and appreciates the intricate mosaics and tile work, as he feels the humid air wafts out of the house, a stark contrast with the air outside.
Kyra pays the man an extra gold and asks for a long robe. She hides her sword inside it pressed against her body.
A1: The broad hallway is lined with hooks and shelves that hold dry towels, bottles of scented oil, and a variety of combs and brushes. Several buckets of water line the southern wall, and particularly dirty patrons often douse themselves in water here so as not to soil the main pool. Two sets of curtains seal the hallway off from next area ().
A2: Wooden benches and partitions line most of the walls of this rectangular room, and the air is kept warm and humid. Four smooth tables stand in the center of the room, and several clients lie on them receiving massages from the bathhouse staff. The eastern wall is subdivided into several smaller chambers containing broad brass bowls that hold heated rocks for creating additional steam.
A3: The chilled bath of the Jistka Bathhouse is in the lower level of the structure, a mixed-gender facility where the modest either soak in light robes or seek other places. The air is cool and humid and the lighting is dim. Faint lanterns reflect off the water and the sound of running water echoes off the tile floor and walls.
The guests in the bathhouse throw the adventurers some startled looks. Down in the cold bath is a man whose face looks familiar - he looks just like the sketch that the VC provided.
The man sits quietly, relaxed, in his bath. Are you looking to buy? You seem to be more the type that buys steel, he says with a glance at the concealed longsword.
There's other patrons in this bath. A few of them leave somewhat nervously as the adventurers enter.
I don't know about that. What kind of assistance do you need?
Which is why people come to a bathhouse. he speak softly, You hear the rustling over water, the echoing of the splashes? You can speak safely without anyone overhearing, so long as you keep your voice lowered.
‘Sasha Antif-Arah sends her regards—healthy and alive from Andoran.’
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Shel looks cross at. Kyra, not wanting to resort to a possible blackmail attempt unless it was completely necessary. "We are here from the Society. We've been sent to discover why the Riftwardens have went silent all of a sudden. And J______ seems to have disappeared altogether. We visited the estate and apparently there had been no word for a bit, according to the majordomo."
As Shel calls the man 'Mr Kline', he says Kline? I might know where to find him, if he's still alive. Why do you want him?. Kyra then chimes in, which draws a raised eyebrow from the man. He says You have my attention. As long as she is alive, we can talk more. When Shel asks about the Riftwardens, his face turns a bit, though, and he says That is dangerous business. I'm not sure either one of us wants to get involved in that.
As the questioning continues, a man wearing the robes of the pure legion steps up to the adventurers, his sword drawn (but lowered) As he does this, Blackjack notices two more legionnaires at tactical positions.
You, the man says, addressing Jacques. you lot have been asking around about Eando Kline, the legionnaire asks burquely while the real Mr Kline silently lets himself submerge in the water. Tell me what you know of his whereabouts!
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Enveloped in the warm embrace of his bath, Aleister barely notices the arrival of the soldiers. He grants Shel a bit of Fortune in an effort to help her talk their way out of trouble.
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"Bon chance monsieur" - Blackjack looks hardly ruffled, "you appear to have caught me at a disadvantage for I have only gossip and rumour to furnish you with, and by your presence here I can comfortably take it you are as up to date as we are. I heard he was at the track, but that was not very good advice because half the city was there, yet Kline not so much. Likewise I heard he was taking a bath, which I can understand as it is clearly popular, however all we found was another merchant who might know him, but once again Kline appears to be a phantom. As we are both after the fellow, perhaps we could help each other out?"
Diplomacy
The attitude of the enforcer seems to improve Our information seems to be correct then. You are looking for him. Good of you to be so upfront. We will have to search the bathhouse, let's start with this merchant you have found. Where is he?
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Diplomacy
Jacques looks about and notes the absence of the merchant. "By his sudden disappearance I can take it the merchant we were speaking with knows plenty - hence why he has disappeared like a bad debtor now you have arrived. That wont help either of us. What activities is Eando into that has caused the Pure Legion to go find him? Anyhow, like my friend says, you sort out the exits, we will try and relocate this merchant."
Jacques towels off casually, awaiting the decision.
We need to get these soldiers out of the cold baths section so Kline can escape. Guarding the exits will make things worse. The cleric thinks with worry.
Maybe you could ask them to search the hot baths section while we "work" this one Shel... Kyra whispers to the halfling.
Very well, we will guard the exits, make sure nobody goes in or out. We appreciate the help, citizen
Kline is still pretty much where you left him, slowly emerging from his half-submerged hiding place. Thank you for getting these guards off my back.
He grabs a dry robe, and moves to the Sauna area. There, in of the smaller chambers, he opens a secret door to Azir's under city, and takes some time to talk to the adventurs You are looking for Jahari, then? And the Riftwardens?
I know where the Riftwardens are, but it’s not an answer you’re going to like, Kline says with grimace. They attempted a raid on a compound full of Blackfire Adepts who were masquerading as slavers, but the plan didn’t work as they had hoped. For all their talent at magic, the Riftwardens aren’t the best at keeping their heads down when planning an attack. The Blackfire Adepts caught wind of their plan and struck first, capturing all four of the Riftwardens perhaps a week ago. From what I’ve been able to gather, the Blackfire Adepts are planning on moving to greener pastures—which could mean practically anywhere other than Rahadoum—and they’ve been making the most of their remaining time in Azir by interrogating their captives rather ruthlessly. It seems the Blackfire Adepts just can’t pass up a good opportunity to gloat over their arch nemeses, but they’re sure to tire of it soon and just execute the lot of them. Last I heard, the slavers are departing on a caravan the morning after tomorrow, and you can bet that the Riftwardens will be dead before then.
I suppose we should rescue the Riftwardens as soon as possible then.
Errr... Who/what are the Blackfire adepts? Kyra asks a little embarrassed by her own ignorance.
Eando looks in surprise at Kyra You don’t know? Didn’t the Decemvirate brief you at all? The Blackfire Adepts seek the destruction of civilization using terrible outsiders. They’re not nice people, and the Riftwardens oppose them. If you need a comparison, think of them like the Aspis Consortium to your Society, though that assumes either side qualifies as ‘the good guys.’
There isn’t much I can do without endangering myself, and I’m not going to do that, but I’ll tell you this: there must be more than one way into that compound. Heading over the walls or through the front door may be your style, but I also know that the Blackfire Adepts are looking to pick up and leave, meaning they’re probably interested in selling off as much of their inventory as possible to lighten the load. How you operate and what the Society teaches these days is your business.
[b]So, you never told me how Sascha, what news is there of her?
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Diplomacy
Jacques looks impressed by the fellows reasonableness. "I am not certain what you are into that has the Legion all up in arms about it, but then they seem to have some strange views and it is not my concern. What I do know is that you seem like a fair and reasonable fellow who has at least volunteered information he could have kept silent about and been none the worse off. I know you know there is always danger in sharing information, in my homeland the suspicions reached fever pitch and many decent people were sent to the blades for a haircut they never deserved, and no doubt its like that here too - I respect that you have endangered yourself thus far, and feel poorly for asking more of you, but I must, for otherwise more people will certainly die that could be saved - we have a chance to rescue, but anything further you share can only aid justice and liberty, I beseech you to do what is right"
We are reeeally nice. Help us please!
The pathfinders manage to sway Eando, who responds: “I have obligations that prohibit me from joining you directly in whatever you do, but I can at least buy you some time or create a diversion when you make your move. Don’t worry about contacting me; I’ll be keeping an eye out for when you get near.
Looking at Aleister, he adds: The Diamond Sage shared my doubts that the agents of Amenopheus would measure up to our standards, but I see that we were mistaken. She is no longer here, but the people of Eto know her well. Any questions you have shall be answered there.
Eando the gather his belonging, and gets ready to escape through the secret passage. As parting words, he says: Remember that explosions and swordplay are fine in a dungeon, but you’re looking at an urban raid in a city with a good police force at an estate that pays its taxes. Once you start cutting down Blackfire Adepts, you won’t have long before the local guards surround the place. Act decisively.
Once Eando is gone, exiting the bathhouse path the Legionnaires poses little additional problem.