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"Well, my friends, we've got company!", the dwarf exclaims.
He takes a step back, over some crates, and as he does so takes a hunk of cheese out of his sack.
"Cheese for animals", he says to Lucky Lee and lets go of the chesse, which remains floating in the air. He then swings his arm to the side, and the lump of food hurls itself forcibly at the rat.
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Tabarg inspects the situation inside the warehouse, laughing out loud when he realizes the single crate that didn't collapse into the sea is their quarry.
"How convenient! Now just to safely pick it up, eh?"
He notices Umbaraki sketching his plan and takes a look.
"I think I understand what you're saying, my brother. This seems like a good idea to ensure we do not fail, but which of us should be the one to carefully take the crate? What about you, Ninura my friend? You seem light and quick. Or perhaps you, my lucky brother?"
"I'm no sailor, but I might be able to get the crate. If you guys can hold that sail underneath I can give it a whirl."
But, before the plan is put into motion, rats attack!
"Huh? What's that sound..?"
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Seeing his companions were already attacking one of the animals - which he was clueless about, thinking they were simply weird rats - Jomal advanced and moved towards another , trying to hit it with his sansetsukon.
While moved, the not-so-intelligent monk imagined why his companion, Tabarg, was trying to feed the animals which are clearly aggressive. Plus, he thought on how the Dwarf wasn't too skilled on feeding animals, since he "threw" the cheese clearly with too much strength!
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The rats eye the piece of cheese that Tabarg flings over, but they are too clever to be distracted by this. They are probably thinking that after killing you, they can feed on you AND the cheese. At the very least though, Tabarg moving back cleared the space for Lucky, who now has a unblocked view of one of the rats. He lets fly a small bullet which smashes right through the skull of the nearest rat. It screeches in agony in its death throes, moaning the fact that it never did get that piece of cheese.
Jomal quickly closes in, bringing his flailing rods of wood to smash down onto the spine of the next rat in line . This one goes down with barely a sound. Aurk moves up to lay magical protection on the nagaji while Umbaraki rushes back into the warehouse after hearing the commotion. On the way back in, he seems to see the lazing fisherman in the distance awoken by noise as well.
The remaining rat has clearly worked itself up to a frenzy, not noticing or caring how quickly the Pathfinders are exterminating its companions. It hops forward to attack what it perceives is a large snake, but Jomal deftly sidesteps the rat's bite.
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"Seems like the more orthodox means of destroying threats prevail this time", Tabarg says as he maneuvers around some crates to pick up his cheese. As he does, he peeks in the crates around him, checking for anything that might catch his eyes.
"My friend, why lend a hand when I can do it from right here? I can only move up to around 5 pounds at a time though, so don't expect me to do heavy lifting."
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The Pathfinders drag over the planks of lumber towards the hole, while Hoshi focuses on building a platform that reaches across towards the crate. Tabarg manages to find a hammer among one of the crates which makes Hoshi's job much easier. Despite Lucky's failed attempt to recall something useful from watching the carpenter some years ago at work, Hoshi, with her deft and practised fingers, manage to put together a reasonably stable structure. But there's only one way to tell how well it would hold up weight...
Tabarg continues digging through the warehouse and turns out quite a bit of simple sundries including beer, blocks of clay, coffee, coils of rope, dried fish, lead ingots, nets, raw cotton, rough wool, spare sails, various pulleys and tools, and cheap weapons.
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Despite Jomal's relatively larger heft, Hoshi's cleverly constructed platform is strong enough to hold his weight. The rotten floor around the hole groans somewhat but not being directly loaded, still holds. Once he sees the sail cloth held in ready position, Jomal pushes the crate into the makeshift net. The crate lands smoothly on the sailcloth, but unfortunately not in its direct centre. Hoshi desperately tries to adjust but for a heart-stopping moment, it looks like the crate would slide down one of its folds. The quick reaction of Aurk saves the day, however. He reaches over and with a yank, stops the crate from sliding further. Very carefully, the group of Pathfinder lift the net with its precious cargo out from the hole and move it onto stable ground.
Wasting no time, the Pathfinders lever off its cover, revealing a hotch-potch of miscellaneous equipment. Deep within the crate, you find the ultimate prize you are looking for, a smaller mahogany that Guaril sent you for. Inside, you find 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. What he needs these for is unclear, and all you can do is to deliver them.
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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The Pathfinders makes their way back to the Pickled Imp through the docks. Back along the pier, the lone fisherman looks curiously at the group, but with Hoshi still in the guise of the guard, he wisely decides to keep his boat at a distance, disregarding whatever commotion he heard from within the warehouse. Guaril was pleasantly surprised to see you returning to quickly, and after a quick check to verify that all his items are present and in good order, nods in appreciation for your effectiveness and silently passes over a pouch of coins. "So, if the business of trade interests you, look up Aaqir al'Hakam. Or me, if your interest lies in uh... other forms of goods exchange."
The second task on Pathfinder's list is to head to the Temple of the Shining Star, the Ascendant Court’s massive temple to Sarenrae, to meet with Ollysta Zadrian, a retired Pathfinder now operating the Silver Crusade, an effort to use the Society’s resources to help those in need and spread good deeds throughout the world. Arriving at the Temple, you are immediately directed to her. This paladin of Sarenrae is young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously.
As she notices your arrival, she strides forward, addressing the group in a strong voice. "Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity. Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold."
"Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society."
"I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?"
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"Deliver the parcel, and make sure the lady running the place is on the up-and-up. We can do that ma'am."
Lee thinks for a moment with pursed lips, before continuing in a hushed tone.
"Ma'am? You think your Crusade could help me too? I'm not after coin. Easy enough to earn that. My problem is a bit more existential, you might say. The Devil Nuns of Isger poisoned my blood with - well, with something. Tried to turn me into a weapon, and kind of succeeded. They have no sway over me now, don't you worry. I want to get clean. Can you help?"
Lee looks up hopefully.
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"Thank you. I am always heartened to welcome new Pathfinders to the Society." She hands the package to you, but before you set off, she pulls Lucky to one side.
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On the way, you ask around about the orphanage and the headmistress. While most admit she is a mean old bag, they also all reply they think it is great what she’s doing for the children. Some, however, with more interactions with her, are able to share more.
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Aurk looks around but when he sees the children he heads straight for them. He starts playing with them and telling them tells.
"Fox lady over there lead us to warehouse where some bad guys goes where. She was good at dealing with lock. But then we attacked by big, scary rats. But Aurk was not afraid. Aurk took up Doodat and smash rats. Lizard guy and others help also."
He goes on telling tall tells forgetting that he should be asking about the Headmistress.
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Tabarg resists the urge to put some coin in the hands of those who seem like they might have something to say, instead relying on the simple willingness of the people to answer. This doesn't fail the dwarf, as one Miltvis who runs a local market confirms that, although often rude, she's a good customer who kept his whiskey business running for decades.
"Whiskey, my friends, you hear that? I doubt the poor little orphans have much need for whiskey, and Auntie's probably supposed to have better use for her coin. Suspicious, suspicious, eh?"
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Lucky asks around to see what he knows about Auntie's place.
"Miltvis? Oh, I know him. I've bought booze and victuals there. Is Auntie Baltwin that mad old lady always pushes to the front? Says 'Think of the poor children!' whilst she's grabbing for the whiskey? Seems like an unsavoury sort to me. So, what's the plan here? I think some of us need to keep Auntie occupied whilst the rest have a proper look around her place, and talk to the children. Anyone here good with kids?"
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"The neighbours are sick of the noise the kids and the cats make. Apparently Auntie sends the kids 'off into town' during the day, which the neighbours love. But, I wonder what they're doing in town all day..."
Hoshi shrugs. "I'm alright with kids, I guess. But, I'm better with disguises. If we can spot a kid who's leaving the orphanage, I can disguise myself as them and slip on in." After a moment she adds, "Why don't we say we're here with the meds, but that the church has some questions for her to figure out if they need more assistance. You know, wave the potential of more cash in her face. She might give you a tour, and at least she'll answer some questions. While you guys stall and ask questions, I can slip into the house."
"Any other bright ideas, guys?"
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Jomal isn't able to gather much and he doesn't really know much at all about the current city (or country, for that matter). The monk reunites with his companions still carrying on his bag the uncollected spoils from the last incursion (the ones no one chose). He, himself, didn't bother to choose anything at all, just hoping that whatever lasted would work for him somehow.
This whole plan sounds fairly intricate, my friend... Not to say complicated. Who am I to say anything, though?
While he responds to Hoshi's plan, he scratches his head. He hopes he's following up with the others, but suspects he's not.
Anyway... I think I can do my part. I can help bringing the medicines and trying to... Stall her. Maybe even ask for the tour.
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In addition to what you've found out from specific people, a number of passersby comments that other than being an orphanage, Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery is known for being a place where sick kids go to get better, and the results seem amazing. Some people claim the place looks odd because people are always coming and going, sometimes taking kids with them.
Soon, you find yourself standing in front of Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery, and while you were not exactly sure what to expect, it likely was not this. As an orphanage, you might have expected a place rather ramshackle, but the house actually looks really ... pleasant. It is quite well-maintained and sited in a rather good neighborhood. Not quite to the standard expected in the Ascendant Court district, but nothing shabby like what you would find down in the Docks. Three young boys shoot marbles in the dirt near the side porch, so engrossed in their game that they hardly notice you approaching. Amongst the boys are swarming hordes of cats within the estate.
The front door is wide open, and inside, this fine upper-class home is like what the outside presents. Although toys are strewn about and more cats lie about on the floors, appears to be clean and in good condition considering the number and ages of its inhabitants. Coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs. A few children who appear to be taking care of chores walk past the door. A young girl notices you standing outside and calls out into the house. "Auntie Baltwin? I think there're guests." She then continues her way and move out of sight.
A rather crotchety and warty woman hobbles up to the front door, and stares at the lot of you suspiciously. She sniffs disapprovingly at the large group of dwarves, raises her eyebrow at Lucky in a rather condescending manner, and takes quick glances at the exotic kistune and nagaji, uncertain what to make of them.
Without a word of greeting, she sneers, "Yes, what do you want? I'm busy!"
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Aurk shows some interest in the marble game the boys are playing but is quickly drawn to the cats. He is watching the cats as the group approaches the entrance.
When Auntie approaches them and addresses them, Aurk's attention is quickly drawn to her. "My you are ugly. Do kids wet bed with nightmares of you?"
Aurk then enters the building, pushing the Auntie aside. He sniffs the air and heads right into a room he thinks might be the kitchen. "What you got to eat?"
Seeing the girl in the room, he smiles and wiggles his fingers in greetings to her.
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Hoshi, in the guise of one of the boys, strides into house surreptitiously. Nobody seems to pay particular attention to her, and even if they did, there is little cause for alarm.
"My you are ugly. Do kids wet bed with nightmares of you?"
Aurk then enters the building, pushing the Auntie aside. He sniffs the air and heads right into a room he thinks might be the kitchen. "What you got to eat?"
Auntie Baltwin screeches, "What? How rude!" But before she could protest further, the dwarf has barged right in. She could only stare incredulously at his back. She turns to glare at the rest of the party, and yells out, "What is the meaning of this? Get him out! You stay here!" In her fury, she does not notice that she is contradicting herself.
The headmistress storms after Aurk and grabs him by the back of the neck, likely how she has done countless times with her wards. "You can't just barge in here like that! Get out! Before I call the town guards on you!"
In the kitchen is a girl of about twelve years of age. She is preparing some food ingredients but freezes when the stranger enters, followed shortly by the headmistress. She looks uncertainly back and forth between the dwarf and her.
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Tabarg stays at the back, realizing from Baltwin's disapproving sniff that she does not appreciate dwarves and that he probably doesn't have much to say that can calm her down. Instead, he simply lets the situation unfold as Aurk barges in, closely examining her reaction.
"My friends", he says quietly, "something is definitely wrong about this woman. She has broken blood vessels in the eyes and nose, her hands are shaky, her eyes glassy, and she's sweating like a pig in Qadiran summer. While I cannot say I am an expert in the field, I've learned from some of my colleagues that this could possibly point at, well, substance abuse. Let us hope our Kitsune friend finds further clues inside."
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Lee enters the house.
"Please pardon my dwarf friend Auntie. He's just hungry. So am I actually. Name's Lucky. Our mutual friend Ollysta Zadrian sent us. Say, whatcha got cooking there? Ollysta's keen to know the kiddies are getting fed right, you know?"
Lee follows his nose towards the kitchen, looking over his shoulder at Auntie and smiling as if to invite her to follow.
"Oh, I spy a bottle of my good friend Miltvis' finest! A bit early in the day for that though, don't you think Auntie?"
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Jomal follows with the others, paying close attention to Baltwin and her reactions as he moves. His snake-looking eyes cross hers for a moment, but try to discern movements patterns and danger.
He then proceeds to follow with the plan, trying to fool her and gain some time.
Like my companions said, we're here for Zadrian. She would like us to do a quick inspection on the place before the procedures, so if you would be so kind... Maybe you could give us a tour?