Evan succesfully makes it back, and now stands next to Muchiko.
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Mary keeps a sharp eye on everyone to make sure nothing pops its head out and threatens her comrades. While looking around, she looks into the crate next to the one she is standing on and sees some shiny steel armor. "Well Abadar does favors indeed. Everyone look, there's a shiny armor in the crate next to me."
Mary moves to the edge of her crate and kicks the top with her foot, and slides, and with a kick of her foot shoves the top off the crate. Mary peers inside it. "Oh wow, it's steel lamellar armor. My paladin archer trainer had a set just like that." Mary is mesmerized for a moment, remembering her training and the constant berating of Iomede.
Embarrassed how she lost track of time for a minute, Mary continues, "Well, yes, I certainly could use it, but I know some of you also could use better armor. How shall we divide up our good fortune?"
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The Gorumite sits in his little row boat. At the talking above he sighs, he was going to be sitting for awhile at this rate. However he sat quietly listening to the water lap against the boat considering his answer before speaking. "Just keep it for now and we will discuss this when we complete our tasks! We don't have time to debate!"
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Evan gets side tracked when Mary starts talking about all the wonderful things that she sees in the crates, so he begins to search through some of them. After hearing Vitarri yell from down below he remembers the task at hand.
"Alright Mary and Muchiko time to lower this crate down into the boat. I feel kind of like smugglers making off with illegal goods. Isn't it exciting!! That reminds me of this one eyed half-ogre that would float into the village from the swamp and sell very strong liquor, he called it Hag's Blood. Man did it have a kick and in the morning you felt like you swallowed fire."
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Vitarri helps to lower the crate down when it comes time. Despite his boasting the crate slams him into the deck of the boat. The gorumite recovers and tries to get back to the dock where he helps unload the crate and break it open.
While the others look over the contents of the warehouse, half tempted with burning the rotted structure to the waterline. However it held at least one good item he'd take it for the benefit of the group...
After nearly killing himself with a crate that barely missed his head, Vitarri succesfully rows the boat back to the dock. He lifts the chest unto the dock and rips it apart, eager to see its contents.
The rescued crate holds a smaller mahogany box inside, which contains five books and a few loose sheets of paper in a leather folder. The titles and subjects seem completely unrelated to each other: Practical Thaumaturgy In Accordance with Creation, Geographic Anomalies of the Inner Sea, Under Kaer Maga: A Trial and Travel, Physiology of Dragons: An Illustrated Reference, Lost Sarusan. The leather folder contains cargo manifestos, warehouse inventories, and other financial logs from a dozen different merchant houses and trade guilds. The crate also contains 10 sets of masterwork thieves’ tools, three flasks of alchemist’s fire, a flask of acid, a dozen jars of various inks, a footprint book*, adamantine weapon blanch*, three bags of powder*, a deck of marked cards*, and two sets of average loaded dice*.
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Vitarru gives a low whistle at the flasks of alchemist fire. "Glad we didn't drop it. Hopefully we can use these at some point." Leaving the others to discuss he reenters the warehouse and makes some racket.
Eventually unearthing a longbow still in its case, luckily it was still oiled and in decent shape. He emerged from the warehouse, which now had several smashed crates, and looked to Muchiko. "I think you can use this better then I can." He holds the bow up to her.
"I think we should take a cart to our next task. As they are on the otherside of Absalom. I'll pay for it this time 'round."
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While waiting for Vitarri to get the crate up on the pier, Evan searches the warehouse. Cracking open a few crates and finding nothing interesting he starts to give up. "One last one then I'll go help Vitarri." Having a little trouble with the lid, Evan wedges two daggers under the lid then stands on the daggers and begins to jump up and down on them. "This is fun maybe I'll open more crates this way." Then suddenly the lid flips off and the daggers fall to the ground leaving Evan with nothing to stand on. Evan tries to tuck and roll but to late a falls flat on his face. "Ok, maybe I this is my last crate." Standing up and dusting himself off he looks in the crate. "Wow, look at this!" Holding up a small crossbow as blood drips from his lip. "Someone made a crossbow for little people like me. There is even little bolts. This is definitely worth a bloody lip." He makes his way to the door trying to figure out how to load he new little crossbow the whole time. "Mary ....?
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Mary comes out of the corner having shed her scale armor for some shiny new steel armor.
"My training officer always started new recruits by recommending aiming for the chest or their belly, whichever is bigger." Mary grimaces at Evan. "Careful where you point it! Don't point a weapon unless you're ready to shoot it. Crossbows are dangerous weapons, you can shoot your eye out."
Turning to Vitarri and Muchiko, Mary says "Nice job everyone. Let's gather some of these additional items to aid us and return the books to the Pickled Imp with haste. Then I would suggest moving to the Temple of the Shining Star, since it is the closest objective from our current position."
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As the group walk to the nearest shop to sell their items Evan keeps pace with Mary. "Hey Mary that was a great shot back there with your bow. How did you shoot that rat in the warehouse when Vitarri was standing in your way? I have trouble throwing my daggers while people are fighting. Can you teach me that?"
"I mean wow, for a second there I thought you where aiming for Vitarri and I wouldn't want to shoot him in the back it might make him mad."
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"I was aiming for Vitarri and missed. Heh, I'm kidding!" Mary laughs a little, and continues, "You have to know enough about fighting in close quarters to anticipate where they are going to be when your arrow arrives. I started with fighting with my training wooden flail against people and got used to knowing where people and creatures tend to be, then I just shoot where I expect them to be. Takes some practice. Actually, takes a lot of practice. If you can accomplish it quickly I'll be amazed."
Mary stops for a moment, thinking. "Having seeing your nimbleness, I'll probably end up being amazed."
Turning to Vitarri, she says, "Do you think the merchant at the Pickled Imp might give us a bit more coin for this stuff? He said something about doing favors."
And so the party travels back to the Pickled Imp, to deliver the items Guaril requested.
"Ah, you're back!", Guaril says as the party enters his shop. "Did you find what I requested from the warehouse?"
The party gives the shopkeeper the items, and his face brightens. "Ah, thank you! I take it you didn't run into any difficulties? No? good! I'll have Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin know you completed this request."
Before the party can get in a word, Guaril urges them to leave. Back on the street, the party has to decide where to go next.
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Vitarri eyes Mary warily during her joke before barking a laugh in response. "Finally the soldier is learning! Now we just have to survive the next task. I doubt the man will part with anymore coin then necessary. Greasy little weasel would prefer not to pay us if he could..."
Once they were wrapped up Guaril Vitarri calls for a cart and has them quickly moved across town there next task. What shall we do next?" The last task with the Paracountess had been bothering g him but he didn't understand why. Something about that name unnerved him...
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Mary whips out the parchment from her backpack and reads, "Chelish Paracountess Zarta Draleen possesses an item from the vaults. We have to go to her estate and retrieve it."
"You know, I'm sure they probably sent her a nice fancy letter asking her to return it, and I wonder how long they have waited before sending us to go get it? If she isn't willing to return the item to the lodge, then I highly doubt she's just going to hand it over to us. Maybe I can talk some sense into her so it doesn't come to blows."
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Despite the sudden perspiration at the thought of the task with the Paracountess Vitarri did his best to refocus on the task at hand. He pulled his task copy from his gauntlet and read it over, then mentally planned the other steps as they rode in the cart.
"Sounds fine to me, smaller quarter easier task. Item retrieval and we can return it to the vaults at the end of the day. Lets take care of the Osarian noblemen after that as that is another pickup and deliver at the end of the day task." Then the orphanage would be last and if they ran into trouble they'd have plenty of time and not be wasting too much time on foot. Hopefully...
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Not paying any attention to the others while they discuss the next task, Evan is taking all the sites of the city while riding in the cart."The city is much different from this height. I can see so much more. I bet you feeling like this all the time don't you Vitarri?" Overhearing someone say his name Evan looks at the others in the cart. "What was that? Where to next...I don't care." Evan goes back to enjoying the cart ride.
As the party moves into the Ivy District you all notice the houses are rather large, and probably expensive too. There aren't a lot of people on the streets, but there are a few other carts moving from one place to another. The streets are broad and the trees that have been planted every couple of yards cast their shadows on the sidewalks.
Arriving at Paracountess Zarta Dralneen’s townhouse in the Ivy District—one of several homes the noblewoman keeps around Absalom—the PCs come upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with gleaming silver fixtures greet the characters, a prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door chime. Moments after ringing it, a servant in loose casual attire opens the door, greeting the Pathfinders as if expected. If questioned, the servant remains quiet, only responding when pressed, and then with only a few simple words: "My mistress will answer any questions you have once we reach her quarters."
Led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, the party finally arrives on the third floor of the house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study, which lies beyond her bedroom. Knocking upon the door and announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly stained wooden door. A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in this sitting room. A chaise sits along the north wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table.
Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen regards the party with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing to address the hopeful Pathfinders. "Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks." She then turns her attention to the group.
"It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a freshfaced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up. Well, maybe not you." Zarta points at Evan.
"I assume this isn’t a pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t get that man around these parts anymore," she gestures, sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a secondary thought. "On the good side, he always sends me all the precious new recruits."
"Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we use the creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order."
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Smiling back at the girl and waving. "Hey where are you going?" A look of confusion flashes across Evan's face but it is quickly gone. "I guess she has never seen a halfling before or..." Pointing at Vitarri and trying to hold back laughter. "...she was scared by the BIG BIRD MAN in the cart."
Evan listens to the Para countess smiling at hear comments and trying to get a word in but is always cut off. As she begins to talk about people needing to know their place he gets quite. ...evil heartless b@t%h many of my race are stuck in their "Place" in your homeland as slaves...
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Again he was distracted his thoughts were distant as Evan talked about something else off topic, he was starting to wondered if the halfing was a genius or just a happy go luck sort. Either way he was cautious around anyone who could throw a knife so well. This band was far more then it seemed, with Mary's bow, Evans dagger and Muchikos muscle there was little they could not accomplish in combat. Evans comment caused him t lift his head momentarily but when he saw no one he set his chin back on his fist assuming it was one f Evans fancies again...
The Ivy district was very off putting for him, he wasn't used to being surrounded by haughty and pompous people. In fact he really wished he could beat most of them as their arrogance led to dry sarcasm often aimed at those they thought were there lessers. Especially at people such as himself. However he reigned in his temper and remained calm, distracted but calm.
Upon entrance into the fancy home Vitarri was nervous being in this Paracountess Dralneen's home, in fact he was cracking his knuckles restlessly like he was getting ready for the fight of his life. It was very uncommon for him to act this way and he couldn't quite put his finger on why. As she spoke he became rigid, her words reminded him of something he'd heard before or at least he thought however he'd never met her before...
He chuckled at her comment and responded in his boisterous way. "You'd have a hard time with me Countess..." He caught his own tongue before continuing. "Pardon me, now as you've already said we are here to retrieve an item you borrowed from the pathfinder vaults. I don't wish to impose on you further and would like to complete our task and be on our way."
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Waiting kindly for Zarta to finish her little speech, Mary keenly listens to Vitarri's response.
Mary puts her soft hand on Vitarri's shoulder in a reassuring manner. Mary replies, "Paracountess, we aren't here to either make waves or erode the true order. We are here for the trinket you so described and my friend is eager to get on with his task. With your superior wisdom, you should realize that fresh recruits can be so unpredictable and sometimes hard to judge. I have only been with my companions a short time and they certainly have surprised me with their strong arms," patting Vitarri's shoulder, "sharp eyes," pointing at Muchiko "and nimble hands." Mary points at Evan. "I think even you too might be surprised."
Mary continues, "We wish to do this the easy way, and I hope you see the wisdom in that path. Save your energy for those who make waves and erode the true order."
The paracountess chuckles while Mary talks and winks at Evan. "Nimble hands you say? I quite like that, perhaps I was wrong about you."
"The 'trinket' Ambrus Valsin sent you to retrieve is a seven-lock iron case. It has seven masterwork locks and several magic seals placed on it." While the paracountess speaks a cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door. The paracountess pauses for a moment while looking at the door. "I was trying to bypass the protections, but it didn't go as planned. I advise you don't try to tamper with the case when bringing it back to the Grand Lodge."
A few more crashes can be heard, followed by another loud boom. "You seem eager to obtain the trinket and be on your way, but I cannot give it to you now. A servant of mine is greatly misbehaving. You’re going to have to deal with it in order to get the trinket."
She goes over to the desk in her study, opening a drawer and drawing out an exquisite silver letter opener shaped like a dagger. "You might need this to get it to submit," she offers with a sly grin.
Zarta’s bedroom is decorated in the colors of Cheliax— ebon black and crimson red. Silk, rare woods, and carefully carved marble compose every bit of furniture in the room. Goose down now litters the room, covering almost every surface and the silken shreds of the cushions that contained it lie about like flayed skin . A post on the massive screened bed is snapped in half, collapsed on the bed and drawing the screened curtains into a ripped slope of formerly fine cloth. Vials of perfume and crystal jars of other cosmetics sit smashed on the marble floor around the dresser. A prominent fixture in the room, a large “X” made of stout wood sits along the west wall, complete with leather shackles and chains. A table sits to its left strewn with various items intended for pleasure, but outwardly resembling implements of pain.
A small imp sits next to the bed with a box in its hands. It smashes the box against the wall and picks it up again. "Aack! Why box no open for Kreuvus?!"
A silver-tipped riding crop lies on the table in the southwest corner, just inside the door.
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Vitarri gave the woman a cold, calculating look before Chuckling and following the others into her bedroom. "Never thought it would be this easy to get into a Countesses bedroom." He lets the dry joke hang as he strides into her bedroom.
He notes the silver tipped riding crop with a grin. This lady is twisted in her tastes... Seeing as Evan had the silver dagger he would use this, she had given the a great tip and he wasn't about to give up a tactical advantage.
Kreuvus hears something behind him, and turns around to see what it is he hears. When the imp sees the Pathfinders he shows them a devilish grin. "No", he says resolute. Directly after saying this the imp turns invisible, together with the box.
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Since Muchiko didn't quite move, the imp noticed us, she quickly closes the door behind the party.
"If this little ferret is invisible he could easily escape."
And with a twinkle in her eyes she adds; "don't let your prey escape."
Muchiko grabs her spear and starts wading it left and right from the right side of the bed counterclockwise.
"Could one of you take the other side?"
"Boowaa!" The mirror in the Southwest corner of the room falls on the floor, shards of the mirror spread over the floor in that corner. "Wee!" A book with the title 'SM For Dummies' is flung at Mary's head from the desk at the West wall.
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Vitarri walks casually over to the doors, closing them with his free hand as he says. "Lets try not to burn the house down around us. Besides..." As the door shuts he turns with a sly grin. []b"I can see invisible creatures. And if we have some dust or even flour we can use that instead So unless you want a beating Imp you best submit quietly or else...."[/b] He slaps the shut doors with the silvered riding crop. "... you're gonna regret it."
From the direction of the bed a pillow's thrown at Vitarri's head. A copy of the magazine 'Size Doesn't Matter' is flung at little Evan's head. "Blerka strumpfa!"