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"I don't jump like the monkeys in a circus, I use me skills to save me skin. As fer a song, there is only two times when a shanty is appropriate: one fer when yer doin' yer work, a two fer when yer raisin' a pint o' three at the tavern. Ye want me ta' sing ya'a song, then the grog'd better be flowin' a bit thicker'n this!"
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After downing a large flagon of... something, Ursahla grins.
Well, I did promise someone a rendition of The Maids of Hag Island, did I not? I hope she's ready to sing it with me and anyone else who knows it, better join in as well. Shanties are meant to be sung in groups, the larger the better.
And so Ursahla begins to sing about, The Maids of Hag Island. It becomes quite obvious by the second refrain, that the song is not referring to actual denizens of that island, but the homely women the sailors had left at home while they sew their oats in whatever port their ship takes them.
Seeing that she losing some of the audience who are not familiar with her bawdy pirate songs, she cuts it off a few verses early (because there are quite a few).
Once again, people are polite, but unsure what to make of the pirate shanties... the party continues on until the sun begins to set and then people begin drifting off in small groups towards the Docks district for the Commemoration service, a much more somber affair.
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Enjoying the praise of her adoring fans, Lizbeth bows low as Red lands her safely and then gives the Tiefling a quick hug before heading off in search of fine drink and an even finer lady to woo. As the party begins to dull she hears what is to be next and drains her drink. She would definitely need it to get through such a low affair.
Dropping back in with her companions,slightly flushed and exhilirated, Lizbeth throws her arms around Urshala's shoulders. "So Cap'n we off?"
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Before leaving the social, Red seeks out the juggler to compliment him on his performance and for his ability to work the crowd.
"Let me offer you a drink. Nice job earlier. Juggling's not a skill an average man can master. And you certainly had the crowd in the palm of your hand." The tiefling offers his hand. "My name's Devlin. Call me Red."
The Docks is not merely a physical location in Absalom, but is, in fact, another city district. For most travellers, the docks are the first sight of the city experienced. It is a bustling area where longshoremen constantly load and unload cargo destined for Absalom's markets and elsewhere. The district itself is a rather rough place, as the Harbor Guard tends to turn a blind eye to most brawls and the like as long as things don't get out of hand. Young touts are found nearly everywhere, announcing the services of all manner of businesses. These include a number of cheap water side taverns and brothels located here.
It is also the home of The Pickled Imp, a curio shop operated by Guaril Karela.
"Thank you Red, I am Evrolet, I learnt my craft in Magnimar - City of Statues it may well be, but also a wealthy city that has spare coin for a good entertainer". The Party moves as a group following the general path of the loose procession to the docks, Reds new friend continuing to describe the various good spots to work in Magnimar, and his interest in finding new opportunities in Absalom, especially once this current job finishes at the end of the festivities.
You make your way down to the Docks District, and at moonrise, the non-denominational Commemorative Service begins. The service is sombre, and those remembering Grayrain and his accomplishments take turns speaking. The event is comparatively small, as most who needed to say goodbye to Grayrain did so earlier in the month at his funeral. As the service concludes, many of those in attendance begin to retire to taverns along the waterfront or back in the Foreign Quarter.
For you though, the night is still young.
Arriving at The Buttered Reefclaw for your dinner date, you are guided to your table where Major Maldris awaits.
"My fellow believers in the great liberty of Andoran, welcome!" he rises to greet you and gestures for you to take your seats "How have you been enjoying the festivities?"
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"You're from Magnimar, Evrolet? My mother was a refugee adopted by a Sczarni clan in Magnimar. Ever had a drink at Jaster Frallino's Fish Tank?"
Red enjoys hanging with his homeboy as he and the party make their way to the Commemorative Service. As the eulogies finish, Red pulls a silver flask from his jacket pocket and spills a little cherry schnapps on the ground. "May Pharasma greet you at the Boneyard with a smile on her face."
Red follows the others to the Buttered Reefclaw and takes a seat at Major Maldris's table. He maintains a polite silence, waiting for his Liberty's Edge colleagues, Lizbeth and Eramos to lead the conversation.
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Staying polite-fully silent throughout the service, Lizbeth is as bored as she feared she would be. At least thy had the fascinating Magnimarian juggler to keep them company and spin a few tales about life in the Varisian city. Bidding him farewell, Lizbeth stops off at her dorm to collect her fancy new dress uniform and matching mask before making their way to the Buttered Reefclaw for her 'date with a major'.
Smiling as they guided to the table, Lizbeth sits in a seat opposite the Major, giving him a rather casual salute as she does so. "Sir Elizia Kithaniel reporting Sir!"
Immediately ordering a fine red from the menu, she ponders what to order for dinner.
After taking your seats, the small dinner party commences and the conversation turns to the local politics, as well as further thoughts on the broader issues of shipping in the Inner Sea.
During the main course, a courier arrives for Major Maldris and delivers a sealed letter from the People’s Council.
Maldris’s expression changes to one of intense seriousness. He taps the letter on the table a couple of times, as if deciding whether or not to open it, then he breaks the seal and reads silently to himself, then looks towards you with a expression of some gravitas.
“I hold in my hands a warrant for the arrest of none other than Halmont Warrith, the Andoran Envoy of Foreign Cultural Affairs. I along with several high-ranking members of the People’s Council have reason to believe the envoy guilty of embezzling funds and accepting bribes to establish safehouses for foreign spies in Andoran—all secretly funded by our own exiled nobility so that they might recapture their political power and influence. Furthermore, he’s been turning around and selecting his own candidates—many connected to exiled Andoran nobility— who he believes will operate under the “old rules,” and treat Andoran’s ex-nobility as they were prior to the revolution. In this endeavor, Halmont is quickly becoming a very wealthy and influential man"
“Halmont’s ties run much deeper than perhaps even he realizes, and I suspect that other far more important members within the Council are using Halmont as a scapegoat. At the very least, I am certain Halmont has allies within the Council who would have warned him the second someone issued the warrant. His cronies will be keeping an eye out for me, making it next to impossible for me to approach without him fleeing.” He glares at his clenched fist in silent frustration before looking up. “Perhaps you can help by making this arrest for me. I can lure away some of his allies by traveling away from his residence, and you could then approach without scaring him off. Take the warrant, go to Halmont’s flat, and arrest him, but don’t forget to gather any evidence you can. He’s a true coward, so hopefully he’ll come peacefully. Remember, I need proof that Halmont’s allies have connections to older Andoran noble families ousted during the revolution in order to make our accusations stick.”
"Nothing of the sort, he's more a bookish aristocrat and utter coward. His strength will be in duplicitousness"
"It is an arrest warrant, the intent being that he be brought in for a trial - and perhaps tell us the full details of his actions and accomplices. Indeed, I trust in your abilities to bring the man in to be tried in the courts for his treachery against Andoran"
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Red drums his fingers on the table in quiet contemplation. "Halmont Warrith, Andoran Envoy of Foreign Cultural Affairs. I think I've heard of this gentleman."
He looks at the Venture-Captain. "A man like that, he's likely to have a way to escape the noose. Major Maldris, do you have blueprints of his residence? If he flees, he'll seek safety with one of his conspirators. Who is his most ardent supporter?"
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His connections will be political and thus his escape. So I assume we need evidence that cannot be explained away, or as they say in Alkenstar, a smoking gun.
I do have to ask however, are you looking for the chips to fall as they will in the pursuit of justice or is it better that a certain outcome is assured.
Ursahla judges Maldris' reaction in addition to his words. Did he want to see if the man was truly guilty of the crimes he was accused of or did he want the man convicted even if that meant planting the evidence?
Red doesn't recall much more detail on Halmont, other than he is an Andoran diplomat and envoy normally found representing Andorans interest in various cities around the Inner Sea.
"We've not had time to look for plans of his premises or any other such intelligence gathering, but no doubt you have your wiles about you and can determine the best path to apprehend the fellow - once he's handed to me he will have no way to escape through his political connections"
***
Ursahla gets a measured reply, the real question not missed "The chips will fall as they will, what is important is that there be nothing we do that might be used in the fellows defence, we are sure he is guilty, and wish to give him nothing to cling to - such as allegations of being framed"
***
Pausing a couple of hundred yards short of the premises, you find a few choice spots from which to view the dwelling.
Halmont’s home is a semi-attached, two story brick building that shares a foundation with its neighbor to the northeast. There are entrances to the north and east. All the curtains are drawn. Red and Ursahla make out candlelight flickering through one of the north facing windows. Most of the upstairs windows are cracked open by an inch, and all of the downstairs windows are closed.
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If he has a planned escape route, then he may have rigged the others with some sort of trap. For all we know his way out may not even been one of those doors. Anyone good at dealing with traps? I might be able to be inconspicuous enough to get a good look at the doors, but I won't be able to do much if they are rigged. We could always try to climb through the windows instead.
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Red observes the home of their quarry. "How about I fly up to the second story and take a peek? If I can open one of the windows without alerting Halmont, I could lower some rope for the rest of you to climb up."
Red ticks off a list of options in his bag of tricks. "I could try to knock him out with my slumber hex or flush him out with a stinking cloud."
While he waits to hear what the rest of the party thinks, he says,"Just need a few moments to gird my loins."
Red uses his wand to cast mage armor, then he casts defending bone, and false life.
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Saluting the Major and making sure to take the warrant, Lizbeth leaves her dress Jacket and mask at the dinner table along with her well polished boots. "Keep an eye on 'em Boss!" she giggles before sauntering off through the streets towards the home of their quarry. As they begin to case the joint, Lizbeth sighs and ponders.
"Y'see, i've got the magic touch that make just about anything open up, but spotting them has always been my issue." She reponds to Urshala with a dirty laugh, "We would make a wonderful team, nothing would be safe!"
Joining Red, Lizbeth uses a wand from a sheath strapped to her leg to coat herself in glowing armour. Then, checking she has her picks she smiles.
"I can also move as quietly as a mouse."
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Red offers to conduct a stealthy aerial darkvision reconnaissance. "I'll cast message on everyone, then fly up to peer into that window with the light on, see what's going on there, then check the other second story windows and let you know what I learn."
Red finishes casting his spell, then strikes a classic superhero pose and lifts off. He'll start with the window lit from within and work clockwise around the building, careful to use the darkness and cover to avoid detection.
The sultry breeze carries him aloft. You can't see me, I'm a tiefling UAV.
Red flies through the night towards the building and begins checking the outside - he notes all the upper floor windows have curtains drawn, but the windows themselves are cracked open about one inch. Only the window with the light emanating has the curtains only half drawn. Peering inside he notes it is a bedroom.
An unmade bed is draped with three thick blankets resting atop silk sheets. An old wooden dresser with all the drawers pulled out is near the bed, and a nightstand bears a nearly expired blob of yellowish tallow.
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Red flies far enough back to whisper to the others via his message spell, "The curtains are drawn on all the upper floor windows, but they're cracked open about an inch. The window with the light has the curtains only half drawn. It's a bedroom."
I see an unmade bed draped with three thick blankets resting atop silk sheets. There's an old dresser with all the drawers pulled out near the bed and the candle on a nightstand is about to burn out.
No sign of life. Maybe somebody left in a rush. I'll fly back to the lit window to keep an eye and ear on things. Let me know what you want to do. We better hurry."
Who sleeps with three thick blankets in this climate? Either Halmont's a cold-blooded lizardman or he lives with his grandmother.
You haven't seen anyone coming or going, but yes there is pedestrian activity in the area, and given that there are festivities on you don't notice the people moving about to be particularly out of place.
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Red whispers back to his approaching companions, "I get the feeling the proverbial clock is ticking. If we're going to do this, we need to act soon. Unless you've got a better idea, I'll provide overwatch from the roof, here, while you all enter the building. Give me the word, and I'll enter through a window on the second floor."
Red casts detect magic and peers in the lit window again, checking for magical auras not visible to the naked eye.
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Hearing Red's message, Lizbeth frowns at the news. She hoped they weren't too late, but it was also likely that the snake got a tip off about the raid despite the Major's plans. Setting off after Ursula, the Vishkanya saunters to not draw much more attention than normal, though with her training she is quicker than her allies.
"Keep your guard up there Red, this may be a sting for the Major and we get caught."
Red gets into a good vantage point on the roof, able to keep an eye on the party approach and two sides of the house at the same time, he is confident nothing is out of the ordinary. He finds no magical auras.
The party moves in sensibly, then prop outside the house -The exterior doors to Halmont’s residence are made of strong wood and have good locks. Ursahlas prudence pays off as she notes the door is trapped, she suspects some kind of gas trap connected to the door.
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Red whispers to the group via the message spell, "Still nothing going on in the empty but candlelit upstairs bedroom. I detected no magical auras in the room. Let me know, if anything happens down there, and I'll make my entry."
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Stretching her nimble fingers, Lizbeth looks round to make sure they aren't being watched from the street before focusing on the trap mechanism before them. Sighing softly, the Vishkanya expertly slides a few tools into her delicate fingers and gets to work, first softly trying the mechanism to work out her margin of error, before trying in earnest to disable to contraption.
Eyes narrowing against the darkness, she finds the mechanisms tricky as she tries desperately to slow her breathing.
rounds.
The trap is disarmed, it was very touch and go for a few moments, however, the Vishkanya is confident the device will not trigger. She was pretty quiet, and nothing seems to stir on the street.