Lefty remembers that the being behind the screen was immune to his spell. He posits that it may have been some other creature, one that would have dealings with greedy dwarves and gillmen.
Flori knows the basics. Absalom is one of the few places the gillmen ever come to land and work with surface folk. They have a good relationship with the city Council. Helping guard the city and keep watch on the Black Whale. A few also do salvage work, which is a big trade in the Floatsam Graveyard, out in the bay.
No race comes to mind that fits the bill but Absalom is a busy place, full of creatures. A human, a strong willed, talented human is most likely of course. Or anyone with a magical item to protect the mind...
Don't you find it odd that a dwarf who is supposedly a devout follower of Torag would be so mean and deceitful? Hardly what Torag would want, Latharien asks his companion.
Yes. He seemed a little "off," for lack of a better word. Like he was distracted, or just not himself, Flori says.
In spite of his brusque manner with her, there was something about Dalgus that made her feel a little sympathy for him, like he was somehow over his head in something: Like he wasn't so much a bad guy as a stuck guy. She had no proof of this. Just a gut feeling.
Something's way off. We need to find out more, but how?
Lefty shrugs. I'm at a loss. Let's try the library.
I have to let Shadow get some exercise. Let's do that later.
Latharian understands. We've done a lot. We can take a little break.
Flori says, You mean a long break. I need to unwind. Maybe eat something good.
OK. Sounds good. Not too long, though. I told Rafleck 72 hours.
The young adventurers decide to go for a walk and see the city on this sunny day.
They first go back to the apartments and relax a bit. Flori changes her outfit with her sleeves, then they wander through the city, enjoying the sights.
They wander through the Coins, then end up in the Ivy District, where they have a nice meal. This puts them close to the Wise Quarter, where all the good libraries are.
They'll then go and look for a savvy guide to help them find some info. They'll drop a few silver if they get some competent help.
The Forae Logos is a big place. A smart guide could save them some time. Lefty wants to know more about gillmen and their history in the Puddles, and maybe get some sage advice from some advice sage.
Flori looks around for likely scholars to help in their research. They'll go to the big library and inquire there. If there is something like a "help desk," she'll start there; any smart-looking person who appears to know the scene.
Hello, my friend and I are looking for assistance in the area of gillmen and their history, particularly in Absalom. Could you guide us to the right places to look?
Lefty will try to look sincere.
When the pair go back to their apartments, they both notice something is wrong. The door to the cheap lodgings is hanging open, which lefty would nevi do.
Inside, the room is a mess. Clothes tossed, papers scattered, even Shadow's bed thrown upside down. After a search nothing is stolen or broken but a great deal of mess has been made.
On the table a note lies, scrawled on cheap paper.
Stay out of Puddles Business
Looks like we've made some enemies... Lefty says, a bit surprised.
Somebody's on to us. I was getting tired of this dump, anyway. Looks like a good time to move, the human replies. I can literally carry all I own. We'll just have to find new lodging, and keep a better eye out for tails.
Agreed. I thought we were in the clear, leaving the Puddles. I should have been more alert, Latharien says.
Lefty keeps the note. He might want it for later.
They don't spot a tail, not this time anyway.
At the library a young looking half-elf listens to Flori's question.
"Hmm, an interesting topic. Any area in particular? We have gillmen sections on war, diplomacy, religion, exploration, even economic. What exactly are you looking for?" She pushes up her thin glasses and looks helpful.
What have gillmen been about, historically? Their alliances and enemies, particularly in Absalom? Where can we study that?
'Hmm' The young librarian says, getting up and heading into the deep maze that is the Forae Logos. Here and there a clockwork servant stacks books, cleans tables or simply keeps a watchful eye on the patrons.
"They have not got too involved in the city politics over the years. They are an insular bunch, if I recall. There is a small quarter of the Puddles where they live, I think. They even have an embassy on Escadar, if I recall.'
Soon she leads them to a room full of books on gillmen and Absalom. "I hope you find something that will help. Anything else?"
No, thank you. We'll look for you if we have any more questions. I'm Flori, by the way. This is Latharien.
Lefty and Flori study at the library until dusk. They head back, tired but informed, to the apartments. This time they are undisturbed, and get a full night's sleep.
Our heroes rest and prepare spells on the morrow.
The pair learn a few interesting things. For one thing, gillmen are not commonly involved in city affairs unless they get something out of it (although they do have a good connection with the Pathfinder Society). A rather secretive and jealous people, they do not brook strangers well. They also learn, while the motives are obscure, then tend to be lawful and good. Obviously this varies from gillman to gillman but generally, they are not an evil or greedy race.
After 72 hours, the devious duo are again meeting with Rafleck.
We've learned a little about his associations, but not what he's really up to. We know it isn't what it seems.
They'll share what they know, and ask if Rafleck has heard of an Asmara, or if he knows any gillmen who might.
The Green Mast is still a damp, soggy place with few customers.
Refleck looks even more nervous. He has a nasty bruise on one side of his face, purpling nicely under his thin hair.
'Asmara? I know him. Well of him. He is one of the best salvage divers in the city. A bit of a gillmen renegade too, works on his own. I know he had a falling out with the Pathfinder Society a few years back, but not much else. Why would Dalgus want him?"
The older man rubs the side of his face, obviously thinking.
Maybe we should ask him. But first, who did that to you? We should go have a long talk with them before we go looking for a gillman.
Rafleck shakes his head, "I think you may have riled up some one. A few Muckrakers caught me last night, shouting something about working with 'outside subversives'." He nods to the pair, 'I think he meant you two. They also had some false charge of not paying property taxes or something. They knocked me around and said they will be watching me."
He shakes his head, "I think this was all a big mistake. We should just let him have that stretch of houses."
Yeah, we riled up someone, all right. Somebody doesn't want us snooping around in their business, but now I want to. So, the muckrakers are in on it, too. Can't say I'm surprised, the elf says.
I think Dalgus would love it if you all moved out without a fight. But where are you going to go? You might be able to find another place, but what about all these other poor folks? Dalgus has no right to force anyone to leave, and if the Muckrakers won't stand on the side of the law, then we will. Flori's clearly upset by this latest abuse.
Lefty knows that the city isn't inclined to care much about the Puddles. They're on their own.
So where can we find this Asmara? I'm sure he has plenty he could tell us.
'I'm not sure." Rafleck says, 'I know he doesn't get along very well with the other gillmen, but I'd guess Gilltown." The man says, naming the small district of the Puddles given over to the strange, amphibious race.
As he says so, a loud voice from outside rings out, 'Rafleck Barron, come out! You are under arrest, in the name of the Muddied Center Reserve Civilian Corps. Come out, hands up!"
No, don't, Lefty says.
Civilian corps? That doesn't sound real legitimate to me, Flori says, drawing her falchion. Get up, Shadow. Time to earn your keep.
This might be a good time to let them know we're not going to put up with this nonsense, Latharien says. He stands, drawing his rapier, and casts Shield on himself. Nobody's arresting you, Rafleck.
Rafleck looks worried, "You are going to fight the Muckrakers? Here, in front of everyone?" he looks worried, but brushes the bruise on his face. 'Maybe I should just go..." He doesn't look happy that prospect.
Shadow stretches and then jumps to a table closer to the door, unwilling to get wet until necessary.
Flori goes to the door and looks outside. Under arrest for what? Living in a place you want to steal from him? Fat chance.
Why don't you little thieves run along before somebody gets hurt? she asks, her falchion resting on her shoulder.
How many? the elf asks Flori.
The muddy streets in front of the Green Mast has six Muckrakers standing there, nearly knee deep in murky water. They are armed with swords and clubs, and one bow.
The leader, a lanky young man with blond hair in a braid down his back says, "He is under arrest by the authority of the Grand Council of Absalom and the Muddied Center Reserve Civilian Corps in particular. We do not have to announce charges, certainly not to you, whoever you are!"
'Now, send him out or things get ugly." The last phrase lacks the fire you'd expect as he realizes Flori is going to fight but he stands his ground.
Six, and they have an archer, Flori whispers to Lefty.
No one's coming out. If any of you are foolish enough to come in here, I guarantee you won't be walking back out. Now go away and do something honest for a change. That's your last warning.
Flori slips back inside, away from the door, and casts Blend on herself.
You better make yourself scarce, Lefty warns the balding man. Things are about to get violent.
Lefty casts Vanish on himself, and goes to where he can see out the door.
The barkeep opens his mouth to speak but when he sees Lefty vanish he shuts up and bolts out a back door. Rafleck follows him, while saying, 'Stay safe, you two crazy people..."
Lefty makes it to the door and peers out. He can see the six men quite clearly. They don't look like anything special, just the usual bully boys. After a moment the leader curses foully and says, "Allright, they ain't coming out. let's go get him, boys."
The leader goes first, then the others. At the back is the archer, bow string ready, arrow in hand. Water is kicked up as they slosh over to the big doors.
Here they come, boss man first.
He waits until the man is at the door before casting Snowball at him.
Latharien is visible now, and ducks to the side so the archer can't shoot him.
He hates to kill people, but they chose to side with corruption. What goes around comes around...
Lefty's snowball slams into the leader's long, thin face. A puff of snow and the man goes down, face down in the grimy water.
The archer curses and shouts in a high clear voice, 'You'll pay for that!"
Flori stands quietly beside the door, poised to slice the first person who comes through. She uses the spell to make herself practically invisible. She shouts a warning, then readies to slaughter the foolish.
You don't have to throw your lives away! You can just go, and leave these people alone!
Then she gets ready to kill.
Latharien moves so he can see, and readies an action to cast Ray of Frost on the next target, after Flori attacks, or in case she doesn't drop the first guy.
"We have a job to do, mates. get them!" the archers shouts over Flori's words and the first thug crosses over, sword in hand.
The rest are behind him, crowding the door.
Then, to their obvious shock the blond leader sits up, groggily.
'What happened?" He says. The archer (still outside) hands him a potion and tells him, "Drink up, boss. We got criminals to kill." The man swigs the potion, looking healthier in moments.
Flori attacks the blond leader. Screw your potion! she thinks.
She misses badly.
Lefty gives it a try.
They both miss, and things start to get interesting.
Thugs pour in the doorway, the leader still behind, looking not too confident. Still he shouts orders and encouragement.
"Remember boys, we get a bonus if we get rid of this outside trash tonight!"
The archer bounds away and hides behind the bar, out of sight for the moment.
Lefty Init.: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Flori Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
4 thugs: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Bowman: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Shadow moves and attacks the thug in front of him.
If the thug's CMD is below 24, he is tripped.
Flori swings on the thug in front of her.
If that drops him, she gets to attack another one (cleave).
Latharien casts Vanish again, and moves toward the wall next to the possibly tripped guy.
Shadow, growling like some jungle cat, savages the thug in front of her, knocking him tot he ground. He thrashes into the water, turning it bloody.
Flori attacks the man in front of her, her falchion smashing into his upper arm, drawing blood. The man is very much still upright however, although more then a bit concerned with the power of the blow.
"Use our numbers, boys. Hit them back!"
The thug in front of Flori swings out in revenge, arm looking painful and bleeding.
It does a little damage to Flori, with her armor turning most of the blow. The other thug moves to try and circle Flori a bit more,a lthough he does not quite flank her.
He misses though, obviously more then a bit put off by the strong fight the ranger is putting up.
Another thug moves up towards Flori, stepping in front of the still wounded leader. He also swipes at Flori.
He misses as well, the growling cat next to her bothering him, not to mention the sloshing, frothy water.
The thug in the water stays there, trying to strike back at Shadow.
The cat is too nimble and dodges the blow with ease, the club not even touching the sleek, glossy fur.
The leader roars at the cat savaging his men, cursing the cat in some foul language that makes the cat leap up in fear.
Behind all of them the archer pushes through, making a beeline for the bar. Doing so brings the half-elf close to Flori however....
The elf, despite the water, nimbly dodges Flori's blow and crouches behind the bar, bow in hand.
Shadow bolts in fear, overcome by the leader's threat.
That leaves Flori still fighting the same thugs. She levels her falchion and swings again on the injured one.
She turns and attacks the one to her right, then takes a step.
Latharien steps up to the downed man, to finish him off, but fails.
He can still get an AoO, if he's lucky.
Flori's massive blow knocks the thug to the ground, sending up a red splash. The thug does not move again, clothes floating in the increasingly red water.
Her second blow doesn't quite kill the thug but it slashes a huge network of cuts and bruises across his chest and make him cough up blood.
Lefty misses his blow but waits for the man to try and stand, rapier in hand.
The thug reassemble in front of Flori but they are wary. They assume defensive posture and wait for her to come to them, sword hanging low.
The downed man knocked prone by Shadow tries to stand up and Lefty slashes in.
After being attacked by Shadow and Lefty the thug looks the worse for wear, but he doesn't give up. Instead he slashes out at lefty with a club, with a nail in it.
He misses by a good deal and lefty feels confident.
Behind the bar the archer pops up and fires an arrow at Flori.
The arrow finds Flori's calf and sticks into it, making blood well around the puncture wound. The arrow seems to hearten the thugs, giving them new spirit.
'That's right, lads. Give themt he cold steel!" the wounded leader says from the door.