An examination of the boxes reveals that very little of the medicine has been used, though you're not certain what was used would have been used for.
Daniel smiles as well when he hears about the girl's dream. Oh I'm sure you will marry one, if you want it so much. Tell me, how does Auntie portray the knights to you in the stories? Are they brave, kind, and noble? Do you think one of them would want to marry Auntie, if she was younger? Daniel winks at the girl mischievously, then continues.
You said you help Auntie with many tasks, what was the hardest task she gave you? And this Chrissie - is she one of the girls, too? Does she oversee the boys? What does she do when the boys get naughty and don't stop pestering you?
Pearl looks around for a moment, then whispers to you, "I don't think Auntie Baltwin was ever young."
"Well, washing pots after dinner is kinda hard. 'specially when it's one of the boys's turn and they run off and I hafta do it after the food gets all hard."
"Chrissie acts like she's my older sister. This used to be her dress!" Pearl does a little twirl to show her dress off. "She keeps the boys being good. Though I think she likes Evritt. Shhh, don't tell anyone! She always makes sure to tell the younger ones to listen to me when she leaves early and'll beat 'em up if I tell her they dont' when she comes back."
Auntie Baltwin comes back into the room, having donned a new apron, and apparently a new sense of resolve going by the steeled look on her face. Another new addition is a new glass she carries with her, which she takes a hearty drink of and sets on the table beside her. "Did they steal anything, Chrissie?" Chrissie shakes her head no to Auntie Baltwin. "All right, good job keeping an eye on this riff raff. Grab yourself a cookie and be on your way." Chrissie gives you all a big smile, waves bye, and runs off towards what you believe is the kitchen.
"All right. If you have something you want to say, I suggest you say it. Otherwise I'm gonna ask that you be leaving my home. Well?" Auntie Baltwin taps her foot impatiently, waiting on a response.
|
"Do not mistake our intentions. I, for one, still have intentions of presenting you with the supplies we have been given, but before I can confidently do so, I will need an explanation for the nighttime occurrences. Also, after what Pearl had to say about Chrissie, I'd very much like to meet her, if that's not too much to ask. She sounds like a wonderful child." Gerald does his best to give his voice a calm, soothing tone, hoping that it will bring about Baltwin's trust. "Please understand, we would like to give you the supplies, but we cannot do so in good faith until you explain yourself."
Diplomacy:
"Stupid girl." Auntie Baltwin can be heard mumbling under her breath. "Well, she ain't here, off playin' or something. You know how irresponsible kids are, probably gonna be gone all day, sure you don't have time to wait around for her."
Auntie Baltwin's story doesn't seem to match up with Pearl's description, giving you the feeling that something is off.
You feel that Auntie Baltwin is hiding something about Chrissie off playing. As she speaks, she slightly averts her eyes and her voice trails off.
Jericho
Radig
Gerald
Arathorn
Daniel
Jiece
Without saying a word, Jiece slips back in minutes before the old crone. After listening for a short while, the woman's responses causes Jiece to laugh out loud. "If she is off doing her own thing, I can't rightly blame her. Any other lies you'd like to come up with before I share our little secret with my buddies here?" Jiece scathes her. Palming one of the small vials of medicine in his pocket, Jiece pulls it out and holds it up, revealing its existence to everyone present. "Nice haul this little thing would get on the streets. Fenced a few myself back in the day. How much is it running now?" Jiece shrugs. "Never mind that." He says as he passes the vial on to his fellows for closer inspection. "How about telling us what it is the kids are hiding? They told me enough as it is, but I love hearing the confession of others. Makes me feel all saintly inside." Jiece throws that little bit of false truth into his interrogation. He hadn't heard a thing from the kids, but she didn't know that. He had certainly convinced her of it otherwise earlier.
-
-
Once the girl leaves, Daniel's nice expression is gone, replaced by a stern, convicting look. Part of that look goes to Jiece for framing the kids and making them subjects to Auntie's imminent wrath.
"So, is Chrissie so irresponsible that she routinely takes over your duty to oversee the kids while you're locked away with one of your bottles? Is every other kid here so irresponsible as to have to clean up your manor and act as your servant? You meet us with alcohol in front of the children you're supposed to raise, then you lie to us about Chrissie being off all day? We have seen quite enough to realize that the kids here aren't allowed that sort of thing, without even having to ask them about it." Another piercing look at Jiece.
"Yet you have the nerve to ask the Silver Crusade for more and more money? Didn't it ever occur to you that they give it to the kids, not to you personally? We will leave what we have promised to deliver today with you, but if you, for the lack of better motivation, want to get any more help, you have to stop using the kids for your personal gain, starting now. Consider this a mercy we're granting you. Should you abuse it, the word of your exploits will reach every mecenate of Absalom, as well as the law enforcement, immediately. The Silver Crusade will be watching you day and night."
Auntie Baltwin takes a deep drink and slumps in the chair, visibly having settled on this moment. "Fine. You think you've got it all figured out, huh? Well if it's a confession you want, you can be doing the confessing. What do you want to shut you all up? That's your game right, blackmail? Or are you as goody two shoes as youre acting?" She stares hard at Daniel as she says the last bit.
Daniel's eyes narrow as he seems to be thinking over his answer.
He responds slowly and calmly, but the tension is bubbling up inside him.
"You are so deeply entrenched in blackmail, extortion and abuse yourself, that you're unable to recognize motives above them in others.
It'll take more than money or favors to shut me up. It'll take leading an honest life, and caring for the orphans who's got no-one but you in the world to care for them. Even despite all the wrong that has been done to them, you're the closest thing they have to a mother, so they give the closest thing they have to love to you. What do you give them in return?
Abadar teaches us that balance is everything, so the hurting you inflicted on them has inevitably come round to you. It all has to stop. Your drinking problem, your black market operations, your wanton use of child labor - this is enough to place you under investigation. No amount of bribes will bail me out of the responsibility towards my god to restore the wrongs you've done."
Paladar says: Yes, to evil!
Auntie Baltwin takes another sip of her beverage, meeting Daniel's stare. She then carefully sets the cup down on the table beside her, and then proceeds to fall out of the chair and to the ground.
"Please, you mustn't tell Ollystra about this. It's the alcohol, makes me not right in the head, I tell you. I'll get help, put an end to my ways. But please, you mustn't speak of her the truth. I'm all these kids have, I'll do what I can. Just please when you go back don't let her know what you have found here!" Face in her hands, you can hear her sob from within her grasp.
Seeing an old woman crying on the floor, Daniel naturally comes closer and offers her a hand. His face remains steely, though.
"You are indeed all the kids have, but they deserve better. You are guilty of the worst sin - corruption. Justice demands that you are put before trial of law.
But justice must be restrained by compassion and mercy. You have sinned because you're weak, so I offer you aid. I will speak to Ollystra on your behalf and pledge her to give you a chance. I will ask that you're seen by a physician to help you cope with the alcohol, and that you are assigned a maid to help you maintain the manor. That will replace the aid Ollystra is currently giving you, and will likely be more costly for the Silver Crusade. But I will do everything I can to show them how much the kids need someone to look after them. Consider my offer carefully, for the only alternative to repentance is harsh punishment."
Jiece smirks as Daniel finishes his speech, tapping a finger against the blade resting at his waist. With a mischievous grin meant for both Baltwin and possibly Daniel too, Jiece speaks up. "And the harsh punishment is my forte, Auntie." Turning to his allies, he stands tall and his grin vanishes. "We've exposed her sins. She won't be stepping out of line again, I surmise." He glances at the crone on that one. "Let's go let Ollystra know then continue with what else we have to get done for the day. If leaving her is such a burden on your heart, Daniel, I'll drop by later to check on her." Leaving it all at that, Jiece steps out of the house and into the streets. "Let's go," he calls back to his allies as he begins walking. With one final smirk unnoticeable to the others, he calls back to the crone. "I'll be seeing you later, Auntie!"
-
Auntie Baltwin continues sobbing as she makes hurried promises to do whatever it takes to change her wicked ways.
You return to the Temple of the Shining Star to report to Ollystra Zadrian. You all are ushered to the same meeting room as before.
"I see you all have returned. Please tell me the outcome of this task."
Daniel steps forward with a solemn expression on his face.
"Mistress Ollystra, we have delivered the package to Auntie Baldwin's orphanage, as you requested. But we decidedly didn't like what we saw there.
One, the kids there are put to work doing household chores, effectively serving as Auntie's maids.
Two, while the kids are busy doing it, Auntie herself drinks strong alcohol in front of the children. She didn't even think of putting the bottle away in our presence. Her health and behaviour reliably suggests that she's an alcoholic.
Finally, the worst part is that she keeps the medicine she's being given away from the children, preferring instead to use them as couriers to sell those on the side and pocket the profits. We have confiscated one of the bottles as evidence. Would you repeat your memorable display, Jiece?"
"But for what it's worth, we found that the kids are content with their lives - they have time to play, they are fed and they have a roof to live under. If I have any say in the further fate of Auntie Baldwin, I humbly ask that she's given a chance to repent before facing the law. If she's cured of her alcoholism, and prevented from using the kids to her own gains, she may become a decent caretaker. She has the capacity inside her soul, buried deep under the layers of corruption, but it's there."
Jiece was standing against the wall near the entrance as Daniel and the others reported their findings. The entire time he stood back, sharpening the blade of his dagger to a keen edge . "Would you repeat your memorable display, Jiece?" Jiece looked up at the mention of his name, dropping his blade hand and slipping one of the vials out of his pocket, tossing it to Daniel.
"Not really sure my performance is temple acceptable, but thanks for showing interest, Daniel." With that, Jiece goes back to sharpening his blade.
Ollystra listens as you reveal your findings. As you finish, she addresses you all. "I see that your findings do indicate that our concerns were valid. In regards to your first point, a little hard work can build character. But most of the children in her care would be expected to be recovering from illness.
"The alcoholism is truly a concern. Once again, regardless of personal opinion, we cannot fault one for mild intake. But as strongly as you indicate puts all in her care in danger.
"This last part is truly troubling. The medicine is intended for those she watches over, and if they are not receiving it, she is endangering their lives for personal gain.
"We will take your advice into consideration regarding her fate. It speaks of your character that you would ask for her to be given a chance to change her ways. As long as you can remain stout in the face of true evil, then such mercies are indeed a blessing. Mayhaps when you have finished all your tasks for the Society, you would consider joining the Silver Crusade. But for now, your reward." Ollystra presents each of you a small bag of gold for the completion of this task (68gp each).
Daniel lowers his gaze as he accepts the reward, blushing slightly.
"It would be an honor, my Lady. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. May the blessings of Abadar upon you be eternal."
As the party exits the temple, Daniel stops at the charity box to throw 8gp in there and offer a short prayer for his god to continue guiding him. He then turns to his companions to discuss the next stop on their quest.
Jiece takes a few steps forward outstretching his arm in order to graciously take the payment. Opening the pouch and peering inside, he smirks and closes it back up, securing it well to his hip. "Not looking for any blessings or nothing and I highly doubt I'll be joining your crew, but as long as you keep paying, I certainly don't mind doing business with you." He nods assertively at his answer, but a small tinge of his response shows that he respects the Silver Crusade - even if he doesn't agree with them. The same sign of respect that he gives Daniel and the rest of his fellow Pathfinders.
Jiece chuckles at Gerald. "I think we'd best get on with our mission, gentlemen. We weren't given it so we could sit around and drink instead." Jiece replies. "If you want to meet with the Osirian next, however, I have nothing against that. Seems like it should be a quick negotiation." Jiece splinters away from the group and begins working his way towards through Absalom towards the Wise Quarter.
Your group makes it's way to the estate of Grand Councilmember Dremdhet Salhar. You are greeted by a guard, expecting your arrival today. Granted entance, you are met by a servant who informs you that Salhar has been called away on important Council business, but he his trusted advisor has been instructed to negotiate on his behalf. You are led down a series of well decorated hallways and expensive rooms until reaching a simple study at the end of a hallway.
Sitting behind the desk of the study is a tan-skinned old man flipping through a large tome. Scraps of paper mark dozens of sections in it. He waves you in, and after finishing the section he was on, closes the tome and addresses you all.
“Good day to you, Pathfinders. I am Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage, advisor to Master Salhar. I understand you were sent here to discuss archaeological permissions. Knowing this was coming, I spoke with Master Salhar at length on the subject and have this to say.
“Since Osirion was reopened to exploration a decade ago, adventurers, historians, and treasure-seekers flock to my country by the hundreds, perhaps thousands. While most families with ancestral burial vaults maintain guards and keep their sites out of the hands of casual thieves, not all families have the wealth or power to restrict everyone, and as we all know, not every defense is perfectly secure. Unscrupulous tomb robbers and maligned merchant organizations cause Osirion to bleed relics into the Inner Sea—something the descendents of Ancient Osirion cannot afford. We Osiriani have thousands of years of rich history coursing through our veins, and while that power has been out of focus in recent years, we are content to wait, knowing our enemies will wear themselves down. As they fall into arrogance, folly, or greed, we wait for our return to power, knowing we bear the riches of our ancestors at our feet.
“Master Salhar remains impressed by the Pathfinder Society, orating in their favor a handful of times in front of Absalom’s Grand Council, in fact. Due to previous relationships between him and the Society, Master Salhar has agreed to grant permission to the Pathfinder Society to explore his family’s vaults below Sothis. The only thing herequires is that you retrieve the map of the vaults from his own vault here. The servant will lead you to the basement and show you the room.”
The Sapphire Sage’s eyes twinkle as he smirks knowingly, then he turns back to reading his book as though he had never been disturbed.
Daniel listens to the arrogant man intently, trying to realize if he's hiding something behind his waxen face.
Jiece nods in understanding. "Helluva fight you Osiriani got ahead of you." Juece replies to the Sapphire Sage. "Appreciate the business you and yours are bringing our way. Hope we can reciprocate it one of these days." Jiece turns to the servant and motions for the man to lead the way.
You find it difficult to get a read on this man.
The servant leads you all through the manor down into the cool basement. A couple turns and you are all brought before a simple wooden door. The servant beckons you all inside, and as the door shuts, you hear it lock behind you. Turning you see written on the door the phrase, "Within these cases lies your quest and your way out."
The plain stone room contains three chests: A copper-banded chest of smooth, dark wood; a red lacquered chest; and what looks to be a cube of solid steel. Behind the chests sits a low table holding a clear glass jar half full of liquid and a covered wicker basket.
This steel cube has only the faintest of cracks in it, along where the lid meets the chest, and is featureless except for a narrow keyhole. You further identify indications that this chest does indeed have an arcane trap on it of some form.
You notice nothing unusual about the text on the back of the door.
What is this? We had an agreement and he tries to trick us? Hmph. I'd remember to avoid doing business with Osiriani people in the future.
Daniel comes up to the dark wooden chest and tries to open it.
The chest appears to be locked. An examination of the chest reveals no other particulars about it that you can identify.
Well, this one's locked. At least I hope the Councilmember wouldn't expect us to break into his chest to retrieve that what he has promised to give us.
With that, Daniel goes to inspect the wicker basket and try to open it unless something alerts him.
The wicker basket is 2 foot round, the lid resting gently atop it's wide rim. Opening the basket, you see a blue stone key inside resting atop a pile of crumpled linens.
Daniel announces his finding to the rest of the group.
He picks the key up and displays it.
"This must be a puzzle of some kind. Never was good with those."
He tries to fit the key in the dark wooden chest first, then gives it to Gerald if it doesn't fit.