Muziel loosens his bow and prepares to fire should the Red Mantis move out of melee.
Unable to escape his fate, Vanzulii lies dead in the desert.
Well I guess that answers my question. I had a feeling about him. Let's get the rest of 'em. Gloria says without missing a beat and reloading her weapons.
Vanzulii has a large revolver Altkin made, and two serrated knives, like smaller versions of the Sawtooth Sabers you discovered before. He has 100 gold coins and a vial of the red smoke bomb the mantis seem to like to use.
[/spoiler=Knowledge Local DC 20] These are the weapons of a Red Mantis in training. This was probably his first deep cover mission, and would have received the next level of advancement in the society had he been successful.[/spoiler]
Rifling through Vanzulii's pockets, Karrick finds the vial and sloshes it around before lobbing it over his shoulder to Muziel. The two serrated knives are taken, turned around and inspected thoughtfully. Noticing the coins, Karrick leaves them behind as he backs away with one of the serrated knives in each hand, trying to judge their balance and usefulness.
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Muziel catches the vial tossed by Karrick. "By Zon_Kuthon, why is it everyone has one of these smoke bombs? First Slief, then those Red Mantis, and now this fool?" He figures that if these things are so common, he could probably figure out how to make some himself. . He will split the little bit of gold 4 ways with the party, excluding Karrick who seems indifferent. Clearly he had other concerns on his mind.
"Karrick, I'd normally suggest to you that revenge can wait. You've waited years, after all. But since we already took out one of their number, I guess we'd better finish the job before the others catch on."
Taking her cut of the coins Kera moves over to Karrick and places a gentle hand on his arm. She doesn't have the adequate words to say what she wants to say. He had done so well in talking Gloria down then faces one of the people who had him wrongly put away.
"We should finish this...together"
She of course meant the whole party when she said together. Though Kera did want to make the people who had done this pay. She couldn't shake the image of a young Karrick reading fairy stories...and how far away that little boy was from the man before her.
Miikae barely moves before the confrontation was finished and another assassin had bitten the dust. This one went down alot easier. Surprised him and he tries to run?
Raising her eyebrows at Kera's words she whispers, "We already have a more pressing task. I don't what you are planning right now but revenge can wait."
Miikae looks at Gloria and then to Grachius. "You are right. And he is under my protection. Already saved his life at least once, haven't I Grachius? Fear not Gloria, I will return him safely to where he belongs soon."
Matters not to me, what we had was fast and not very good Grachius. Gloria says with a slight smirk, I believe if we can uncover this conspiracy, we maybe able to learn more about what happened to the Duchess. Yes, I know you are the group sent to find her. By the way, Klara is way ahead of you.
You arrive at the sentry and the Guards let you in, but they do look over Grachius with a puzzling look on their face.
Gloria, please listen to me. You need to get me in the vault so I can recover the Rod of Midnight. The Shepherd is coming... Grachius begins to pass out from all the activity. You are all feeling the effects of the desert as well.
Karrick takes a moment to try and tuck the sawtooth blades into the cover of his cloak, but after fidgeting with them a few times the curved blades and their long handles just awkwardly poke out at his sides, making them rather obvious even on a casual glance. Exhaling a sign, he just shakes his head and moves over to Kera, offering her a nod of appreciation before joining Gloria.
"Ladies first," Karrick grumbles, motioning into the city. Better her than the prison escapee leading the way.
Kera nods to Miikae but she has a felling this all intertwines somehow. She has to bit her lower lip to keep from laughing when Gloria comments on what she and Grachius "had". They were on their way then, Kera taking up the rear just in case.
"Correction -- so that I can recover the Rod of Midnight, Grachius. You're just here so we can claim our reward."
It had been a long trip to the Witch and back, but Muziel did his best to press on.
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How long have you all been out here? It isn't smart to travel in the desert during the day. Lets get you to the Altkin guild house. Baldy can show me any more traitors and you can get some rest. Gloria says matter-of-factly.
Grachius attempts to protest Muziel's proclamation, but is too tired to even speak.
Sands snorts in Miikae' ear, letting her know of his fatigue.
"That's very kind of you Gloria, but I don't think your Altkin friends are going to like us very much."
Muziel interrupts, eager for a little break. "Let's not be so hasty. What Miikae is saying is that we like to keep a low profile. There's a recent... incident that got us a lot of negative attention from the Niven. If you can help us avoid getting noticed by too many people, we'd be glad to have a rest."
"Hear, hear. Somehow I manage to avoid that myself, but I'd rather not get separated due to some accident. A tighter leash for the bunch, not that any should find it at all uncomfortable."
If you have trouble with the Niven than you have fiends in the Altkin. If I heard correctly its because one of you felt the need to disclose their personal beliefs to one of the most zealous religious guilds in town. Keep such information to yourself and you will be fine. We can even lock up Grachius for you for a time.
"So the rumors continue to spread. Very well, lead the way."
You get to the Altkin guild house just before evening. Dinner is about to be served in the main hall, and Gloria has arranged for you to have private sleeping quarters. Many take interest in your return to the city, and your prisoner.
Ok Baldy, why don't you come with me and whisper in my ear if you recognize anyone you can remember from your old courier days. The rest of you sleep tight.
When Gloria seems to want to take Karrick out just the two of them Kera steps up.
"I feel fine. I think I'll join you both."
The thought of Karrick whispering in Gloria's ear doesn't set well with Kera.
Quietly following behind Gloria, Karrick pauses when Kera speaks up and moves to join them. Karrick himself doesn't have a reaction to it beyond looking to Gloria, one brow raised over his goggles in query. It isn't so much that he wants to know if it's okay, but he's curious to see how these two egos deal with one another. To that end, Karrick takes one step to the left to give them some space.
"Before you go, Karrick." Muziel tosses him a vial, with the now familiar appearance of cure light wounds. "Knock em dead."
Although the food is tempting, Muziel decides to remain in their private quarters to relax.
Catching the vial in the air, Karrick looks past the others to focus on Muziel. After a moment Karrick looks down to the bottle, then back to Muziel and offers a lopsided smile before giving the alchemist a nod. No words needed, they've come to a pretty good understanding.
Kera is it? Reedun guild? I think we will be fine without your assistance, but you are welcome to follow. Maybe you can give word to your superiors that the next contract bid from the Altkins is just as welcome as the Niven.
The rooms are very comfortable. Altkin does not have the reputation for the richest guild, but maybe its because they seem to treat their members the best. The beds and furniture in the guest rooms are master quality. The guild house in general seems more of a social club than the utilitarian style contrast you saw in the Reidford guild house.
______
Walking in with Kera and Gloria, Karrick keeps his cloak closed and his hood pulled up over his head. Beneath the cover of his cloak, his hands are at his hips near the small of his back, ready to draw out his knives at a moment's notice.
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"That's right. I would fell better coming along."
Clearly Gloria thinks she and Karrick alone cane handle this. Kera isn't so sure. Gloria may have a high opinion of herself but that didn't make her bullet proof.
"I will do that."
She says smiling a little at Gloria. At least the women was nice enough. Kera also pulls the hood of her cloak up but not for any stealth reasons. She simply wants to hide her face.
Perception:
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Decisions made in haste are rarely well-informed ones, and it feels as though Karrick has been making most of his decisions in a state of haste as of late. Something sets him off, and instead of whispering to Gloria, he bolts away fromt he group, steps up onto an empty chair, runs across a pair of tables, knocking mugs of beer aside before leaping off of one table, arms outstretched and cloak flaring out behind him, to tackle a man who was playing darts.
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Dart Player's Initiative
Throw dart at Karrick, it misses
Karrick tackles the man to the ground in the common room. Gloria aims her two pistols at his head. The man raises his hands up in surrender. Ok ok you got me. Won't do me no good to try and fight ya, and to be true I'm tired of running. The man says, he doesn't seem to be the Red Mantis type.
"You'n me, n'these ladies, n'this knife," Karrick presses his cold-iron knife up against the man's cheek, "are goin' t'have ourselves a little talk." Grabbing the man by the hair with his free hand, Karrick gets to his feet and drags the man up to join him.
Offering a look over to Gloria, Karrick furrows his brows and nods. "This's the one that hired me. I figure he knows the one that paid for the hirin'."
It all seemed to happen rather quickly. One second she was speaking to Gloria and the next Karrick was flying a crossed the room, knife in hand and cloak sailing behind him. If Karrick had a knife out that meant trouble. Quickly Kera took out her sword but it was all over…well other then the dart that went sailing past. Guys aim had been way off.
As Karrick spoke Kera moved closer realizing Gloria already had her guns out. She wasn’t a fan of guns…they could malfunction. Listening to what was said Kera looked from Karrick to the man then back to Karrick again.
”Is this…
She stopped herself from asking if this is why he had acted funny when they had left town to see the witch. That question was for another time. For now she glared down at the man hoping he had answers, more so for Karrick then Gloria.
"That's my line" Karrick remarks as he grabs the man by the arm instead of the hair and looks to Gloria and Kera. "You wanna' go somewhere a little more..." Karrick glances around the tavern, "Private?"
Miikae takes Sands and Grachius in the direction indicated by Gloria where Grachius may be "looked after/locked up" for a time while they were here with the Altkin. "Don't worry Grachius, seems comfortable enough in here. Try making some friends." She smiles coyly as she leaves with Sands and heads to the stables. Whichever town, city or guild she found herself temporary guest of, the one thing that stayed the same were the accommodations that she preferred, well that and the mana wastes. Sure comfort had its temptations and lures, but Miikae long given up any desire to live as those fortunate enough could. It was in her blood, the land and her nomadic people. "Who needs comfort, when we have each other," she says quietly to Sands and she looks after him.
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Please, I know you hate me, but I am not lieing. The shepherd needs a host. If it isn't me, then Muziel or someone, but please I beg you, do something about this. Grachius continues to ramble as he passes out in the room.
Gloria and her men stand the man up and bind him. We can take him to the cell next to Grachius. She leads the group down to that area.
See, we had it handled Gloria points out to Kera, nodding at Karrick and putting just enough emphasis on we to make an obvious implication, obvious to another female at least.
Locking me up will do no good. I do not expect to live out the night. My name is Liam, I am from Mediogalti. I too once aspired to be a Red Mantis, as most on my island do. They used to be a feared and powerful and I wanted that. Then the change came. The Red Mantis are now no more than puppets for Absolam politics. For a chance at a position in the new order I became a puppet myself, only realizing it when it was too late. Karrick you were set up by a splinter group of Red Mantis. We called ourselves The Blood of Achaekek. We broke the treaty, and went against the oath that forbids regicide and would take any job. I left the organization soon after the incident that got you imprisoned Karrick. The Blood of Achaekek only goal seems to be chaos, and I see that now. The one next to me *he points to Grachius* hired them to kill Lord Vyktor. He was not as careful as he thought and the Red Mantis found out. In an attempt to stop the killing, they ended up framing themselves for the deed. The Red Blessing has begun. The Red Mantis will not allow this sort of thing to continue and soon the entire might of the assassin guild will be upon them. They have donned the official colors of Achaekek, for the first time since I was a child I saw Red Mantis on the road in full colors out of hiding. I knew my time was at an end soon, though I never thought i'd see you again.(Nodding at Karrick) He speaks as a man that has faced death and accepted it.
"You think I care about any of that!?" Karrick shouts as he waves one hand wildly in the air after listening to Liam's story. "I don't care if this whole g~@ d$@ned city burns down. I want names." Reaching into his cloak, Karrick unsheathes one of the short sawtooth blades he'd taken from the dead man in the wastes.
"Who wanted those people dead? The people I blew up?" Karrick approaches Liam with that blade gripped tightly in one hand. "Who paid your people t'do it? Who passed down the order? Who chose me!?" The hand holding the knife starts to shake as Karrick whips himself up into a frenzy.
"I want names!"
And the money used to fund the attempt on the Altkins, and your Uncle Gloria, came from Duchess Hana Reidford. Isn't that right.
Klara adds as she comes into the room with escorts from Greystone and Altkin. Liam nods in response I told you, you wouldn't want to know.
I might have been to quick to judge you Karrick. I have been busy since you all left me. I have cleared your name, and I have a lead to where she might be. I will need help, and your promise not to seek out vengeance against her. Running a kingdom in the Mana Wastes is not easy, and sometimes it requires unsavory tasks. Promise me this and I will tell you what I know. Also, where is cuddlekins? I have missed him. She adds the last part referring to Pervince as she looks around the room.
While normally there might be a witty quip about having last seen Pervince with a lady and her horse, that jocular nature is pushed to the wayside by both the abruptness of Klara's arrival and the unpalatable truth of her words. "Guess she wasn't s%#&tin' me when she said she could tell me who was responsible, then." Narrowing his eyes, Karrick's grip on the blade in his hand doesn't loosen.
"Sure," Karrick acquiesces to that requirement without a moment's hesitation, "or I could kill you, and this guy, and her. That'd make me feel a lot better," Karrick's jaw tenses as he watches Gloria. "But why don't you go'n tell me where the big lady is, and we can talk about who kills who first later."
Squinting behind the lenses of his goggles, he adds. "She can still pay up."
So he's not here? Ok I'll check the common room. Come find me once you've calmed down. I've already wasted six mutants today, I need a drink before I feel up to a seventh. Klara says dismissingly and goes to the common room.
Kera could only watch as Karrick dealt with the man who had ruined his life. When they started to move the man Gloria had to open her gob. She had never wanted to punch someone in their stupid face as much as she did right now. However now wasn’t the time or the place for such things.
Listening to the man Kera found all of what he said a little hard to believe. There was no point in doubting him though. He seemed to know his life was forfeit and death usually made people speak the truth.
As Karrick seemed to lose it a little Kera stepped toward him. She wasn’t going to stop him from getting the answers he wanted she just wasn’t going to let him take things to far.
The familiar voice of Klara rang through the room and Kera turned. What she said made Kera’s eyes go wide.
”Hana?”
It seemed impossible but then what point was there in Klara lying? They were taking a lot on faith here. When Klara said she had cleared Karrick’s name Kera looked over at him. He didn’t seem moved at the news at all. In fact it only seems to fuel his anger. Once Klara leaves Kera fully steps up to Karrick.
”Hey…listen. You’re angry and rightfully so. These people used you with no regard for your life. You went to hell for what someone else did. Tearing them a part seems like the right kind of justice right now. But I need you to take a deep breath Karrick. For right now I need you to put a cap on this anger. There will be a right time to unleash it but it’s not now. I promise you that you will get the peace you want but right now Pip need a calmer more level headed Karrick…can you do that?”
Midway through her talk she had placed her hands in his arms hoping he would snap out of his murder trance with some human touch.
"We need to find the others then we need to find a way into that vault."
Seething with anger, Karrick tenses when Klara turn to leave, but it's Kera's attention that keeps him from lashing out like a rabid dog. With his armed hand still shaking, Karrick can't quite hear Kera's words over the noise in his head telling him to go now. But he can hear Kera's tone one that, ultimately, brings him out of his enraged state and back to the present.
Gradually, the shaking in Karrick's right hand stops as she sheathes the sawtooth blade into the scabbard at his waist. His hand remains on the handle of the blade for a moment, before slowly -- reluctantly -- slipping away. "You," Karrick growls, not to Kera, but to the man he'd tackled in the tavern.
"Start running."
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She was surprised her words, even if it was just her tone, got through to Karrick. It was something and at this point a little something was better then nothing. As she watched him let the man go Kera went a little wide eyed. It surprised her but then no doubt his own group would hunt him down and kill him for talking. Following Karrick she hurried along to find the others.
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You visisted the Desert Witch, Ythl left the party to warn Arazni that the Shepherd is coming without its proper host. Muziel learned some history of the area. You met Gloria and uncovered some of Karrick's past, and Klara has uncovered some secrets about Hana and possibly her were abouts.
The man remains silent and does not move. After a few moments that seem longer than they actually are he says I am dead no matter where I go. I will remain here until that occurs.
A few members of the Greystone guild are escorted to the rooms where Pervince, Miikae, and the rest of the party have retired too and knock on the doors. Pardon the interruption, but Lady Klara would like to speak with you in the common room if you are able.
Muziel is startled from his pleasant nap as there is knocking on the door. "Hm, well I guess Klara isn't much farther ahead than we are at finding the Duchess. How convenient," says Muziel with sarcasm. He remains suspicious of this character who has latched onto Pervince, thinking that she must be sent to watch them.
Muziel stands up. "Well, I guess it's time to stretch my limbs. I'll join you in the common room, Pervince. And I won't be returning to our guest room for a while," he says, with a tad too much emphasis. Even if he didn't much like this Klara character, he wasn't going to spoil Pervince's fun.
Pervince is the quickest out the door. "Indeed she calls! How much more worrisome all this dark fate would be without her here." The thought of otherwise spending a few hours a day making a gun rather than in her presence doesn't appeal at all.
Well, not entirely. He brought the crafting tools and parts with him. They bulge from his pack, staggering him until he gets it to his dog.
He nods to Gazerich, at first almost dismissively, but then turns and nods again with more enthusiasm. "Never a dull moment these last few days. I'll be there."
With that, the lucky halfling pushes more quickly to get to Klara with a smile.