The barman shakes his head at you all. "Not that red-head, the one at the next table, the one with the cute button nose!"
Talarin looks up in recognition of the nods, chin thrusts, and whispers. "So, are you big, strong men just going to keep chatting about me over there or are you going to treat me like a lady and refill my drink?" Her tone is wry and amused as she shakes her head in mock disapproval.
Heledar is struck by the frontal girl statement, but she is so charming, he does not even react to that, simply stating - "If you give us the pleasure of your company, it will be done immediately. Miss...?" - he answers as he stands up and offers a short bow.
Grum looks over at the young woman with dark red hair and fair skin, So different from them, good thing I have Grob. he laments quietly before raising his cup in a gesture of welcome. After she responds to Heledar he speaks up, "Word is you know something of Razmir, we'd appreciate any information you'd be willing to part with."
"Th' name's Rain. And who are you inquisitive midnight gentlemen, hmmm?" The chair across from her scoots out from the table as she pushes it out, inviting the strangers to her table.
"I'm Grobradon, nice to meet ya," Grob says with a note of caution, "Like my brother says, we appreciate any help." He does take a seat at her table.
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He stands up and offers a short bow.
Grum relocates as well, "Rain, Grum's the name. Grob here's my brother." he repeats blandly as he leans back in his seat, uncertain how to proceed or why he's feeling so chatty all of a sudden.
Rythan bowed to Rain as well before settling at her table. "My name is Rythanus. As Grum said, we'd like to hear what you know. Drinks are on us."
"What is it you gentlemen wish to know and why do you wish to know it?" Talarin smiles sweetly to Rythanus after nodding respectfully to the two brothers. "It's just a little odd, you understand, for such an assorted group of out-of-towners to be asking so many questions so late at night."
"Th' name's Rain. And who are you inquisitive midnight gentlemen, hmmm?" The chair across from her scoots out from the table as she pushes it out, inviting the strangers to her table.
"I am Heledar" - the Oracle introduces himself with a smile, but offers only a smile as the chair slides, and sits back at his own table, observing the conversation but not changing seats.
Rythan glanced at the half-orc brothers, thinking they might want to field that question, since they were the ones who had run into the cultists in Kassen.
Grum shrugs, "We don't know any better I guess." he says simply. "We're looking for some folks, a Razmir in particular."
Grob looks to his brother and realizes he doesn't want to give away too much yet. I suppose he's right. We just met this girl. Still, if she's the curious type she may want more.
"Well if you're looking for a Razmiran, you've come to a town full of 'em. Tough to tell the difference between one and the next with those masks though." Rain lifts her cup to Heledar, nodding to the man in turn. She turns her attention back to the toothy brothers, "You looking for someone in particular? To join up and don a mask of your own perhaps?" She leans back in her chair, projecting an air of comfort as her shoulders relax and one eyebrow arches playfully at Grum.
Grobradon mutters under his breath, "No thanks. The mask is tacky and I'm not keen on raiding crypts and stirring up undead that I won't put down."
Rain cracks a half grin as she takes another sip from her cup. "Fair enough." She sets the cup down then leans forward, her hands clasped before her with her forearms resting on the table. "So what do you want to know? You've been kind enough to keep my cup filled and that's worth a few plain answers in my book."
"Well if you're looking for a Razmiran, you've come to a town full of 'em. Tough to tell the difference between one and the next with those masks though." Rain lifts her cup to Heledar, nodding to the man in turn. She turns her attention back to the toothy brothers, "You looking for someone in particular? To join up and don a mask of your own perhaps?" She leans back in her chair, projecting an air of comfort as her shoulders relax and one eyebrow arches playfully at Grum.
Heledar returns the toast, and remains seated at his table listening to the conversation.
Grob takes a look at his brother for a moment to see if he's trusting this lady yet , his brother's got a bit more common sense than he does, then chances it, still keeping his voice low, "I know it must be hard to tell by the masks, but any of them come into town very recently? And do they have any regular meeting points? They borrowed something without asking. We'd like it back."
Grum nods slowly in confirmation, not sure how much to reveal but glad his brother took the lead.
Rain nods along, affirming the not-so-subtle subtext of Grob's question, "Small groups come and go from the temple on a daily basis, so it's quite possible your thief might have been among any of them. I've never been able to tell if the group returning at the end of the day is the same as the one that left earlier that morning or if it's a group that left days or weeks prior. But as for any groups returning to the city? That's really hard to keep track of in a town with no walls unless they come or go by boat. I only know of one group that left, about a week ago by boat as it turns out, but as far as I know they've not returned yet." She shakes her head and sets the cup down, her simple ponytail bouncing with the gesture. "As for meeting places, they've the temple I mentioned. Big and ugly, right in the center of town." She looks up and flits her gaze from Grob to each of the others in turn. "If you're looking to have a chat though, I'd recommend something a bit less direct." She takes another sip and sets the cup back down, then leans back again, balanced comfortably on the back two legs of her chair.
Grobradon considers, I have enough trouble figuring out women back home, city girls are a cypher. "Okay, Rain. Can I ask you another question? Why ARE you helping us? I mean... what's this cult to you personally? They must mean something, or you wouldn't be an expert"
Rain glances to Grob then smirks, "That's three questions, Smiley." Her chair claps back down on all four legs as she sits forward suddenly, resting her elbows on the table, her hands open and raised in mock surrender. "Alright! I confess, the jig is up. It's- well... it's your combined charm that's got me so interested. And the drink didn't hurt your case." She flashes a quick grin then offers with a bit more seriousness, "And besides, do you lot honestly think you're the only ones who've ever been robbed by Razmirans?"
It's- well... it's your combined charm that's got me so interested.
He glances to Grum and says with a straight face, "I told you I was the good looking one." then turns back to Rain, giving a slightly fanged grin in nervous return, "Call me Grob, I kind of need to work on the smiling. Frankly, before this started, I didn't even know they existed. Let's just lay it out on the table then, they took things from an ancient crypt very important to our little town. Some towns folk died because of their machinations, on top of things being stolen. We want to get those items back or at least figure out what's going on with them. And I'm not going to lie, they're on my 'People I don't feel bad about hurting' list right now. If you can help us, you can get a bit of your own back while doing so, and since they're so big on looting, you'd get an equal share on things as were turn the favor on them. you interested in being our guide?"
Grum opens his mouth to protest his brother claim as the better looking brother, but closes it, refusing to take the bait. "Some good friends of ours lost their lives from these thieves folly, as far as I'm concerned they can all die horrible deaths... I just need to find them first." He grits his teeth a little at the recent memories of those lost.
Grobradon nods at his brother's words and puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder. I shouldn't joke. He's in no mood, and I can sure understand why.
Rain frowns at the mention of lost friends and robbed tombs, then sits silently for a few moments considering Grum's story. After a long pause she looks up and offers softly, "Sounds like there's no love lost between you and them. I'll help you if I can." She finishes her drink and rises to leave. "I'll meet you all here in the morning then?"
"As they say, you're the expert," Grob nods. I think we can trust her. We kind of have to. We're lost here.
Grum toasts the newcomer, Rain, and wonders what they've gotten themselves into. Harboring a fierce hope that this time they can all survive it.
After a restful night you all meet up and head to the Forest Bounty in search for Reginar. He is familiar to Talarin – as she’s seen him ask question about the cult – and he no doubt knows about her. Due to the business of the town, it takes a while to get there.
The Forest Bounty is a large feast hall located on the northern edge of town. Made from enormous timbers, the Forest Bounty is a long hall, open at both the front and back, filled with wooden tables and benches. Dozens of people are gathered here, eating, drinking, and laughing. One table of patrons even carries on with a bawdy song that seems to have most of the folk nearby smiling.
When you arrive, a serving maid near the door points to a nearly empty table in the back.
As you approach the table you notice its one occupant is a robust man, wearing green and brown leathers and cloaked in a large bearskin. A longbow rests against the table next to him. He looks up and with a hearty laugh says, “Welcome, friends. I hear that you are looking for me? I am Reginar Lacklan. Please sit—we have much to discuss.”
He sweeps out his arms in an inviting gesture as a serving maid places a tray of roast boar and forest vegetables on the table before him – as well as ale and wine.
”Please eat and drink your fill. I suspect this young lady has already told you all you need to know about the cult but I can fill in any holes you may have if need be. And then we can discuss next steps”
Rain offers Reginar a mock scandalized look then takes a seat at the table. "So you're Reginar, hmmm? I expected you to be... taller. And I shared as much as I felt was prudent." A slight grin plays at the edge of her lips.
"Nice to meet you, Reginar," Grobradon says as his neck cranes about some. It's clear he's still a small town half orc in a (to him) big city. He glances to Rain and her slight grin. I don't know if I think that habit of hers is annoying or cute or both. before looking back at Reginar and taking a seat near him "I'm Grobradon. Rain told us a little, but maybe you should tell us some of the imprudent things as well"
The Forest Bounty was a bit more rustic than Rythan had been expecting in the capital, but he found the atmosphere pleasant enough. He settled on one side of Reginar, offering the man his hand in greeting. "Generous of you. I'm Rythanus Wintrish."
It was a bit early for wine, but he reached for some of the food, waiting to hear what Reginar thought they should know. He watched Rain as well, wondering if she already knew what Reginar was going to say. Maybe she would have more to add.
“Whilst you ponder any questions, it’s worth me putting my cards on the table so to speak. I would like you to get more information about the cult. We know too little about them to get the authorities to take any action. My proposal…”
He pauses – and you sense he’s uncomfortable about what he’s about to say. ”…is that you try to infiltrate the temple as prospective members. Nothing risky mind you, just play along and meet up with me in a week’s time”
Rain's face darkens visibly at the request. "Are you being serious?" Her gaze bounces from Reginar to her new comrades, looking for some indication that they're all playing an elaborate joke on her.
"I'm with Rain here... are you nuts? I mean, in case you haven't noticed, brother and I aren't exactly the sort to blend in and neither of us is thespian material." He says,"I mean, what are there belief systems? Do they have , whatcha call them, commandments? Are there regular times to pray or something? I guess you might know, but even then, you sure they'll buy that we're interested?"
Rains nods in agreement with Grob's sentiment, "Honestly, I'd rather ambush a group of them on their way to the poor district and get in that way." She crosses her hands behind her head and leans back again, balancing comfortably on two chair legs.
Heledar ponders Reginar's suggestion - "It may not be a bad idea actually, but I seriously doubt we can pull off such masquerade during a week... It is also possible that, once in, we may not be confronted THAT many times with the need to prove our allegiance... It is not an easy task for sure. Do we even know how they indoctrinate potential members?"
Reginar looks gravely at you. ”You cannot simply fight your way in, primarily because of the number of cultists and the protection they receive from the local guardsmen.”
He allows this news to sink in before continuing. “They also hold no public services, so there is no way to sneak in. As I said, the only likely way to get in is to join their religion. They interview applicants at the Ranger’s Lament, a tavern across the street from the temple. If you hope to gain entrance, attending one of these meetings is the best way. The next meeting is scheduled for tonight. In terms of what happens after that,” he turns specifically to Heledar at this point, "you'd know more than anyone I have spoken to if you pretended to join them."
"Yeah, I know the place," Rain comments at the mention of the Ranger's Lament. "Even though the guards are in their pocket, you don't think we could jump a group of them in a blind corner, take their robes and masks, and just stroll in through the front door? I can't say as that I like the idea of playing all nice-nice with them in the Lament and they've beaten enough shop owners and other poor folk in the street to deserve some of the same."
Grob looks at his brother, wondering what his take on this is.
"We suspect the masks are just worn outside of the temple. Once inside, you'd have to explain why you're wearing the robes as they'd know you're not already cultists."
"Nuts."
As Reginar addresses Heledar, he ponders for a moment, then retorts - "The Razmiran are not a secret group, yet their proceedings are not as well known as one may think - the very nature of their adoration, in spite of all the questions around it, makes it very different and unique. After all, how many can claim that their God walks among them...?"
"I have pondered this before while we travelled here, and really could not recollect much information at all about their proceedings or rites..."
Rythan sat uneasily, letting the others discuss the proposed infiltration. For himself, he was just worried at what a living god might do to someone who falsely converted to his religion. He had the suspicion that it might be ugly. And what about his current faith? Would his deity take such an action well? Maybe he should seek out a temple or shrine and talk to a cleric... assuming they agreed to this madcap venture. Of course, he had signed on with them in good faith (so to speak). He could hardly bail on them now that they needed his help.
He drummed his fingers on the table, his meal forgotten, his eyes flicking between the speakers.
As Reginar addresses Heledar, he ponders for a moment, then retorts - "The Razmiran are not a secret group, yet their proceedings are not as well known as one may think - the very nature of their adoration, in spite of all the questions around it, makes it very different and unique. After all, how many can claim that their God walks among them...?"
[dice=Knowledge (Religion)]1d20+8
"I have pondered this before while we travelled here, and really could not recollect much information at all about their proceedings or rites..."
Rubbing his temples, Heledar continues - "I really can't remember anything that could be useful for us in this situation... If we do decide to infiltrate, we will have to play it by ear" - he smiles.
"Infiltration is an interesting gambit", Rumha muses as he drums his fingers lightly on the table playing an obscure tune, "As I've got some skills along that line... I'm willing to give it a try."