|
"Umm! I appreciate both of your, well, enthusiasm, but perhaps we should wait and see what's in the chest Illuthion's opening! Somehow, I doubt the entire reason for the wicker basket being here is so that we can kill some poor snake inside."
Daraquax looks at Mekhu, as if for reassurance.
"From what I gathered, Mekhu, these trials are mostly based around problem solving, not outright combat, right?"
|
Illuthion raises an eyebrow at the nonchalant way a few seem to accept the way they are treated, but shrugs as he makes his way to the steel box, key in hand. It fits in the lock smoothly, and Illuthion goes to turn it. Suddenly, there is a grinding sound and the key shatters, leaving shards of metal and dust in his hand. Blinking, he brings his hand up for inspection, before shaking away vigorously the remains. "OK, that sucked, but yeah, not entirely surprszing. Master Salhar must really want to give us a highlights tour of what it's like to be in an Osiriani tomb."
He motions at the basket. "I guess you guys can carve away. I've got it from here."
The wicker basket is pulled down by a Mage Hand and a very surprised and rather irate viper slithers out from some of the cloth there was at the bottom of the basket. Kiri's scimitar goes wide, and Anelara and Illuthion make their attacks!
Anelara's sword slices down and makes quick work of the viper before it has a chance to bite anyone.
Surveying the rest of the contents of the Wicker basket, you find a key that has runes that match those on the red lacquered chest.
The key does not appear to fit
You find a key built into the end of a jeweled scepter.
Mekhu and Kiri also hear a click and notice that a golden key now dangles from the ceiling, 14.5 feet above them.
|
Mekhu hears a quiet click as the red chest is unlocked, and looks upwards.
"Hold on Fin," Mekhu says, pointing up at a small golden key on the end of a thin thread suspended from the vault ceiling. "Maybe this is the correct key. It may be challenging to retrieve though." He looks around at the group. "Does anyone have any ideas as to how we might acquire the key?"
As you survey the Scepter Key, it does not appear to be a fit for the Steel Chest.
Keys: Jeweled Key, Scepter Key (Doesn't fit Steel Chest) Gold key (Dangling 14.5 feet above you.)
Steel Chest: Locked. Has a Magical trap. Trap Disarmed
Exit Door: Locked
Copper Banded Chest: Illusion.
Glass Jar: Not locked. No longer filled with acid.
Wicker: Not locked. Snake dispatched.
Red Chest: Locked. Not trapped.
The key appears to be attached to a hook, allowing Mage Hand to slip it off!
The wand is identified as a Wand of Knock (CL 3rd, 11 charges). However, the Scepter Key successfully opens the door, and you are free! Well, as free as you can be, still having two Tasks left to complete!
After you leave the Chest room, the servant that lead you there in the first place exclaims seems to be waiting for you and exclaims, "A thousand apologies, but the Sapphire Sage was called on business. He did ask for me to relay to you give me the map and keys you might have, should you be successful. Which, it would be appearing you are, yes? In that case, you have certainly proven up to the task of representing Master Salahar in his own matters... at a later date, of course" he beams.
"Your trials must have been exhausting, mentally if not physically. You are welcome to the hospitality of this House if you wish a refreshment. If not, I bid you good fortune on your journeys."
|
|
"I for one would appreciate a few minutes to rest, perhaps with a small glass of beer if you would be so kind?" Mekhu replies to the servant as they leave the vault. He looks around at the group. "We should then be moving on to out next task I suspect. Does anyone know which of the remaining two is nearest?"
|
|
Not feeling particularly tired, but also never one to turn down hospitality, Daraquax pipes up, "Oh, a nice glass of juice with ice cubes in it would be lovely, if you have that!"
"Job well done everyone, that went by faster than I thought, and without any problems! We seem to be getting used to each other, you know, teamwork and all."
Daraquax smiles as she takes a short break from standing on her feet, and nearly vanishes as she sinks into the cushions of a nearby chair.
"What a nice house, if I do say so myself! Anyway Mekhu, we should probably head next to the Temple of the Shining Star and see Ms. Zadrian. Ascendant Court isn't exactly close, but it's sure closer than the docks! Besides, knowing that we'll make a delivery to an orphanage, it's more likely we'll end up in the Foreign Quarter, The Coins, or maybe even The Puddles. Then we'll only be a gnome's throw away from our last task!"
After taking advantage of of the Houses hospitality, you go forth to your next task!
Arriving at the Temple of the Shining Star, you are immediately directed to Ollysta Zadrian. This paladin of Sarenrae is young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously as she studies a map stretched across a table that depicts the spread of the Worldwound and the array of Demonic and Mendevian forces.
As she notices your arrival, she leaves the map behind and 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."
She pauses for a momment, then inquires, “Do you know of the Silver Crusade and our mission?”
|
|
Illuthion looks about the temple appreciatively, munching on one of a dozen apples he took from the Salhar estate. "Little bit" he replies nonchalantly. "You guys are do gooders from what I've heard, taking advantage of the society's connections to find and help those that need it. That must bring you into all sorts of conflicts with the Ten; and believe it or not, I can respect that." He pauses, inspecting his apple before concluding and taking another bite: "If I'm wrong though, go ahead and correct me."
|
|
Kiri walks with the others, but does not speak with them. When they arrive for their next task, she remains cold and distant.
She finally ventures to speak with the paladin giving them their mission. "We can deliver the supplies. But how are we supposed to determine if this Headmistress Baldwin is deserving of the charity?"
She cocks her head at Illuthion's words. "We do try to avoid conflicts with the rest of the society. 'Cooperate' is one of the key tenants of the Pathfinder Society for a reason. But we do work 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."
She pauses for a moment. "I suppose we have strayed from the matter at hand." She turns to Kiri. "I have no evidence that Headmistress Baltwin is involved in any wrongdoing, but hope that during the course of your delivery you can confirm whether the orphanage is a worthy recipient for our efforts. I merely ask that you report back what, if anything, you might discover."
|
|
"So you wish us to review the orphanage and the headmistress to determine if they are worthy of your scarce resources? Assess if she is a good person and looking after the children correctly? Is that the measure of it?" Mekhu inquires.
I am not sure how this is work for a Pathfinder, but orders are orders.
"So you wish us to review the orphanage and the headmistress to determine if they are worthy of your scarce resources? Assess if she is a good person and looking after the children correctly? Is that the measure of it?" Mekhu inquires.
The paladin nods. "That and bringing the parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district, or course.”
Nearly swarming with cats and children, this fine upper-class home appears to be clean and in good condition considering the number and ages of its inhabitants. Three young boys shoot marbles in the dirt near the side porch, and inside strewn toys and more cats lie about on the floors. A few children take care of chores, while coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs. A few moments after your arrival, an old woman that could charitably called a hag comes down the stairs, calling out, "Just a moment, just a moment." As she spies the group, she turns to one of the older children and exclaims, "Guests! Dear me, dearie, please go set a tea pot to boil, and grab a poultice! It appears one of the knife ears may have nicked themselves." Looking closer, she appears puzzled by Daraquax. "And what is this? A child in need of a home? Oh, no, a gnome!"
She continues, "Pathfinders, perhaps? With the latest shipment of medicine for my dearies from that sweet Lady Zadrian? Billy has such a sniffle and needs his next dose!"
"Oh, where are my manners. I am Auntie Baltwin, would you care for some tea? Brewed fresh!" She smiles with a grin that's missing a few teeth.
|
|
Hmm, Eastgate, pretty decent neighborhood, good building, but Ms. Baltwin here... Whose Auntie is she, really? At least I can still pass as a child, no Bleaching has set in, good! Something is definitely wrong, though.
Daraquax steps forward, offering her hand and some warm words.
"Oh, some tea would be lovely! I'm Daraquax Bookkezstor, pleasure to meet you, and yes, you're quite perceptive, we've come with the latest shipment. There seem to be quite a few children here, and probably even more cats! You must go through these supplies so quickly, however do you manage? It was all I could do to take care of my own son back in the day, I don't know what I'd do with all these precious creatures running about!"
Once she's inside the building, she takes a moment to look about for anything out of the ordinary...
But a particularly loud child runs by, nearly knocking her off her feet.
"They grow up so fast, don't they? Of course, you'd know better, you must have seen whole generations of kids get sent off into the world!"
"They grow up so fast, don't they? Of course, you'd know better, you must have seen whole generations of kids get sent off into the world!"
Auntie Baltwin smiles and you see that she is, in fact, missing another tooth you hadn't noticed before. "Ah, yes, you dears are in our lives for such a short time before you grow up and go into the world. And yes, we always have need for medicine, so many aches and pains and worse! I treat some of the children whose illnesses other places could not handle."
As she chats, one of the children that dashed off before returns with a hot tea kettle in their mitted hand and sets it on the table. Auntie Baltwin quickly moves over to it, and the sharp eyed notice that she tips a metal flask into her own cup before she pours the tea, then turns to the group. "Tea? Sadly, we don't have much in the way of sugar, but I do have a bit of cream."
Everyone except for Illuthion and Jane note that she splashed some whiskey into her tea cup.
|
|
Slightly offended at the overt racist comments, Anelara hangs towards the back of the group as they enter the orphanage. She also keeps an eye out for anything amiss.
"So, you look to have had a somewhat rough life. Can you tell us how long you've been running the Home here?" If only our group included a healer, we could take a look at Billy and see how he's doing.
"Perhaps we could visit with the children?" Kiri asks coldly. "Maybe we could help Billy with some healing."
Auntie Baltwin wrinkles her nose. "Oh, no, the dears need their rest and I won't have them be disturbed. The medicine that you so kindly have brought will suffice, I would say."
You get the feeling that she's intentionally avoiding letting you have contact with the sick children and won't permit you really questioning the children in general unless you have a really good reason.
|
|
"I'd like to ask you some further questions about the the children's illnesses, madam. What sort of symptoms to they have? Do their illnesses seem to be contagious? Have you taken them to an apothecary, or perhaps to a Pharasmin temple?" Mekhu enquires, somewhat suspicious of 'Auntie' Baltwin's methods and manner.
"Oh, they have a variety of non-life threatening illnesses, which the temples have no time for. Also, they charge more than I can afford."
"What is this about? Is it my drinking? Sometimes it seems the only thing that can help me make it through the day, but please, don't take my sins out on the children in need! I'll turn myself into the church for guidance" she pleads
"Wait! Where are you going? she cries out to Illuthion, but isn't able to put up too much of a fuss as she's already been caught in a couple lies.
Upstairs, you see ten beds, four of which currently have apparently bed-ridden children in them. There are also a pair of kids playing marbles on the floor. After an initial glance, no one looks at you very long.
|
|
Illuthion looks over the sick children, but out of a desire not to expose himself to whatever they've contracted does get close enough to get a good idea as to what has made them sick.
Turning his gaze back to the ones playing marbles, he hunkers down on his hunches and says: "Hey kids! Wanna see a neat trick I know?" He concentrates and slowly, a marble moves on it's own to collide with another.
With Mekhu side-lining the headmistress, Illuthion gets a bit of time to speak to the children. One says, "Aunt Bertie says we aren't supposed to talk to strangers..." but he clearly is fascinated by the moving marble trick.
"Ohhh. Well, keep our hands clean and our beds made... That kinds of stuff." It seems like there might be more, but if there is, they're being close-lipped about it.
|
|
As Mekhu and Kiri continue to as questions of "Auntie" Baltwin, Anelara stands up, "Pardon me, I'll go get some more tea."
She wanders off and tries to engage some of the children working on chores. "It's always good to have a clean home. She kneels down to assist in washing a floor. "Do you like it here? Better than living on the street, isn't it?"
The children seem a bit hesitant, but one chimes in, "Auntie Baltwin can be a bit mean, but she cooks good and tells funny stories at bedtime! She even has us play games at other families houses like, "who can scrub the floor the fastest" or "Empty the cinder buckets!" That last one is especially fun, because she covers us in sparkly bubbles to clean off the soot!"
Another older child that had been quiet chimes in, "During the day, most of us that have been here a while, the ones that ain't sick in bed, go out into the city an' play games an' chores. Auntie says it helps pay the rent. None of us mind nothin' though."