"Perhaps we can meet one compromise? Calendir is correct about the blade, and Nadja is correct about those after you Natalya. Perhaps you would allow us to borrow the blade for now, and we shall return it after our task is completed? I'm sure it will help soften Calendir, as well as help to ensure our success, which will benefit you as well as us. And perhaps Lady Heidmarch will look favorably upon such aid as well."
"Yes, a goblin." Raven lets out a sigh. "I suppose aiding us will be a better choice than burning down buildings or whatever else they do when not harassing people."
Natalya looks over to Raven, her face carrying an obvious despair. "Take it. I've made enough of a shambles of my life. If it can help, then have it." Sheila sighs audibly.
Lady Heidmarch chuckles softly at Raven's remark. "I suppose it is at that."
Teeth sways back and forth looking around at all of the nice items. He has obviously reached the end of his patience. Bigguns talk way too much Cal! Teeth ready to go!
A bowl of candies sitting on a hallway table suddenly grabs his attention. He slowly strolls over attempting to not draw attention. He eats a piece of candy. He looks around and then quickly pours the rest of the candy into his bag. He spins the bowl around in his hands admiring its shininess and then slides it is his bag as well.
Not very smooth on the attempt, his whistles and walks back over to Cal.
Natalya looks over to Raven, her face carrying an obvious despair. "Take it. I've made enough of a shambles of my life. If it can help, then have it." Sheila sighs audibly.
Lady Heidmarch chuckles softly at Raven's remark. "I suppose it is at that."
Raven moves over to Natalya, bending down to pick up the sword. As she does, she whispers to her, "Remember no matter how dark life may appear, you can always brighten your future."
Standing back up she looks to the others. "Perhaps we should outfit ourselves and travel in the morning then? I know that I am still without most of my magics at present."
Calendir smiles at Teeth's actions - "Right you are Teeth... Right you are... We need to get this thing moving before my patience wears too thin - lets just wait on their decisions, and then we go shopping!"
Shopping good! Teeth reaches in his pocket and hands Cal a piece of candy. It has a huge chunk of lint stuck to it. Teeth share.
Tracking Calendir as he leaves the study with teeth close behind, Nadja inwardly laughed. It's so much more effective when one plays the neutral party, manipulating the situation to ones end. The brute was right however, The witch thought, smiling over the rim of her wineglass and thinking on Natalya last words. Consider it a blood-tax dear..
Breaking away from her musing, Nadja gives a quick nod in agreement with Lady Heidmarch. Your right of course Captain. It would be very foolish of us to relay the information personally. I think an anonymous letter combined with Ravens assistance in illusions should be enough to spread among the sczarni that the Tower Girls are lycanthropes. Rising, Nadja stifles a yawn before addressing the rest of the group. Everyone, take this afternoon and evening to get some rest and prepare yourselves. Captain, if it is acceptable, I would like to leave a list of items we require, in lieu of the gold that you would have given us as a reward. Could you have someone see to it? I would like us all to get some rest, prepare new spells, and I would like us to head for the crow pylon under the cover of darkness.
Rising Nadja gives a shallow bow to the Venture Captain. As she does so, she takes the opportunity to lean forward and whisper. I'll speak to you more concerning the goblin after I get some sleep. For what its worth, I think he can be useful. And if he is not, then I have ways of dealing with him.
Sheila nods to Nadja as she bows and gestures for everyone present to follow. She walks out of the study and into the hallway, where Alexandre is waiting. "Please see to their accommodations, Alexandre." The man bows and gestures for the group to follow before heading for the rear exit of the manor.
You all are shown to one of a series of small buildings on the grounds behind the manor. Alexandre opens the door to one with a small key, before turning to the group, "These buildings are used for visiting pathfinders. Should you need anything, please knock on the door to the manor and I will provide whatever you need, within reason of course." Alexandre offers the key to the nearest of you. "Enjoy your stay for the evening." He smiles warmly and heads back to the manor house.
The building itself is a small house with a few rooms containing small beds and a central common area. On the table in the common room sits a pitcher of water, several glasses, and a small loaf of bread. The beds are clean and comfortable, although privacy and space are a bit more of a premium, with about three beds in each of the small rooms.
In the morning, you are greeted by Alexandre, who knocks at the front door. "Good morning, pathfinders. I trust that your night was pleasant?" He smiles and gestures to the manor house. "Venture Captains Heidmarch would like to speak with you before you leave for your next expedition."
Teeth wakes up and puts his hands behind his head. With a satisfied look, he closes his eyes and smiles to himself. Teeth made good decision. New bosses live the good life! He reaches into his pack and pulls a sweety out then gobbles it up.
After a few minutes of enjoying his comfortable bed, Teeth gets down and gets his alchemist kit out as well as the discovery book that he had been given by his mentor...
When his daily ritual is completed, he heads to the common room to meet the others. Teeth likes the Pathfinder life! What is bosses' plan for today?
Aurora awakes preparing her gear and equipment before donning her armor again and readying herself for the meeting. Pensive over the last night she gives little indication of her thoughts.
23 Rova 4712
The Venture Captains Heidmarch meet you in the study once again. Venture Captain Canayven Heidmarch is a taldan man with a finely trimmed beard and mustache. He's dressed in the finery of a noble, but the way he fidgets make it a bit out of place on him.
Lady Heidmarch nods to everyone. "Good morning. I trust you all slept well." She glances at Alexandre, who nods back to her. "Lord-Mayor Grobaras has approached me with an assignment. I'm informing all pathfinders of this assignment. It may not have anything to do with what you're handling, but in the off chance it does, who'll be better equipped to spot what he's looking for." Sheila takes a scroll from her desk and unfurls it.
"The Lord-Mayor has hired the Pathfinder Society, amongst others, in an attempt to discover the reasons behind the rash of disappearances. Any information leading to resolution of this problem will be rewarded up to an amount of 50 gold pieces," she reads from the scroll.
Lady Heidmarch looks up and examines the group. "There. Now, my husband has an assignment directly pertaining to your current goals."
Sir Canayven nods to everyone and grins. "You're going into the Crow and I must say that I envy you. I would lead the expedition myself, but alas, duties here and further out keep me from joining in anytime soon. If you come across major pieces of information about ancient Thassilon, I ask that you write down descriptions and possibly provide illustrations of what you find. Each piece of useful information would worth... say... 400 gold pieces each.?" Sheila nudges him hard in the side, to which he winces and then grins. "All right, all right. 500 gold pieces each." He smiles at the group. "Any questions?"
Inwardly scoffing, Nadja coolly blinks. My, a whole fifty gold pieces from the Lord-Mayor. How generous of him. Raising a hand to her mouth to cover the harsh smile the witch in a deadpan tone says. "It's so.. reassuring, to know that the mayor cares about his people so much. Then looking past Lady Heidmarch towards Sir Canayven, Nadja gives a precisely shallow bow. We will remember your request Venture Captain. Is there anything specific you suspect we will find there? Waiting her response, Nadja slowly runs her hand down the side of her blouse, feeling Dagon curled up around her arm. Afterward, she turns to the group. I think it best if we approach at night. A single boat approaching the Crow would be easy to spot in broad daylight and we have to assume that the Tower Girls have guards posted. If we approach at night, we have a better chance of avoiding detection.
Teeth still a bit socially awkward points out his findings to Venture Captain Canayven Heidmarch. You look like guard at gate. Is he your twin?
After hearing Nadja, Going at night is good for Teeth!
"If we can find out anything on the disappearance, we will surly let you know." At Nadja's recommendation on the nighttime approach. "I agree, night would be the best chance. I know that I can see fairly well even in darkness, so I could help to navigate us away from any obstructions if someone else would be willing to steer the craft. I'm sure Teeth has some skills seeing in darkness, it is something your people are known for, if you'd like to assist."
Raven gives the Canayven a more thorough look at Teeth's words.
"Stealth would definitely be our friend in this mission," Jotune nods. "A night approach would favor us," thinking of his elven eyesight.
"Agreed on the night approach, but regarding stealth..." Calendir comments with a nod to his shield and opening his cloak to show the metal breastplate protecting his torso.
"Night operations are a bit more difficult but the benefits outweigh the problems."
|
Omoro nods in agreement. "Much like the Natalya intrusion, we'll probably lose the element of surprise quickly. Actually, we'll probably lose it even faster, since we're going after a den of thieves. Still, it couldn't hurt to do some surveillance first. Teeth-san, bakemono are deadly silent when they wish to be. Would you be willing to help scout the place for our best way in?"
Teeth responds to Omoro Teeth can definitely sneak in and scout for bosses. He is very good at being sneaky!
23 Rova 4712
Lady Heidmarch shakes her head. "No, not particularly. However, I have found that in some circumstances involving issues with little information, it is better to cast the net wide."
Venture Captain Canayven grins at Teeth. "Just a coincidence. I hired him just because we look so similar. I'd tell you to go and ask him, but he's off-duty at the moment." Sheila waves her hand and rolls her eyes at her husband. "If you're quite done, Canayven." He grins and nods, "Of course, my dearest."
Lady Heidmarch sighs and shakes her head. "I have gone to the trouble of ensuring that you have a boat for your trip to the Crow. It is waiting for you outside the gate."
"If that is the end of the questions you have for me, I wish you the best in your endeavors. Feel free to return here if you need to rest and recover." She bows slightly to the group. "Good day and may Desna speed you on your way." She turns and walks from the room. Lord Heidmarch grins and spins to follow his wife.
When you all leave, the guard at the gate is absent. A large rowboat sits nearby. The thing is large enough to seat eight, making is pretty much a cutter. There's nothing around to help move it, so it looks like you'll have to carry it to the beach as a group.
Nighttime
Having acquired a vessel for the trip, the group prepares to set underway to the Crow. The piling is located a distance away from the shore, with the only visible sides showing smooth stone walls.
The sounds of clinking mail and shifting gravel give away the group approaching you before they can be seen. A varisian woman holding a whip in one hand and a short sword in the other leads a group of varisian toughs bedecked in chain mail with shields and morningstars.
"Evenin'. So, I finally found th' one's that took Natalya, right? Lookin' ta' take a trip?"
Teeth shrugs his shoulders at VC Canayven's comments. That makes sense. Teeth thinks it a good idea. When you handsome like us, you do such.
When the Varisian woman approaches. Uh-oh! Looks like trouble. Whispering. Bosses want Teeth to torch them?
Whispering under her breath to teeth Nadja gives a curt shake of her head, causing her hoop earrings to shake in the moonlight. I will handle this Teeth. Right now they thing they are in control of the situation. I will change that.
Watching the group approach Nadja gives a dismissive gesture that she has long since perfected to the dockside thugs. Sneering down her nose she portrays a look of utter contempt mixed with idle boredom. Yes, we were and yes we are. You must be the group of Tower Girls that was after her. Nadja say’s drawing out the word girls as she examines the various toughs. Cocking her head to the side, Nadja gives a cool smile. Your quite brave you know. Feigning surprise the witch raises a hand to her mouth. Oh, you don’t know do you? Well allow me to extend this one courtesy to another of the people. The Wreckwash Blades know about your little rat problem. By tomorrow all of the six families will know. Your names will be spread among the other families and bounties will be posted on each rat. You really should have killed Natalya while you had the chance. The Blades were already out for your blood, but now it will be worse.. far.. far worse. Teeth gleaming white in the gloom Nadja gives the other woman a smirk. The Tower Girls are done, but I’m not thing if not fair. Lay down your weapons now and flee, otherwise things will become.. uncomfortable for you.
Raven watches Nadja work and can't help but smile inwardly, thinking to herself, "Brilliant. Even if they still decide to strike they won't be able to fully concentrate on the battle, concern for what may come. If her bluff succeeds."
If only Nadja attempted to avoid bloodshed in all her decisions, the elf thinks, remembering her initial reaction to the now helpful goblin. Maybe she has learned a little bit already
Calendir shakes his head as he ponders - This girl will be the death of us all in the end. And I am the one without any peoples' skills... - by the end of his musings he finds himself smiling at the way Nadja carries herself.
You gotta love her though..
Moving forward, the lithe form of the half elf moves effortlessly as he stands besides Nadja, carrying himself easily in spite of his armor and weaponry.
The woman pauses, a look of panic crossing her face. The feeling seems to emanate outward from her and the thugs slowly become aware of it. One taps her on the shoulder, "Hey, Terisha. Let's just beat 'em up and take the thing your boss wanted."
She turns to the man, hissing, "Shut up, fool! Your here for your muscle, not your brains! Spare the thinking and stand there like the morons you are!"
"Yeesh!" The man throws his hands up and steps back. One of the others snorts. "This ain't worth it. Let's go, Hanric." He and another turn and start to walk off. Terisha looks at them, "You owe the Tower Girls! Get back here!" Hanric looks back and chuckles, "If what she said is true, the Tower Girls won't be 'round for much longer" The two head off into the darkness.
Terisha turns back to the group and stares for a few moments. "Fine, take your shot at all of them. I'll leave you be, so long as you return with Ayala's head when you come back. If not, we'll be waiting right here."
The three thugs behind her look at each other.
Coolly tilting her head to the side, Nadja gives one slow blink, her dark brownish-black eyes more akin to a serpent rather than a human. Six become four. First divide your enemies then conquer them.. but no. My team is not as pragmatic as I am. They wouldn't be willing to strike down a foe who no longer threatened them, even if they still remained a threat. Nodding to herself, Nadja regards the leader. You can wait wherever you like Terisha. Nadja begins, giving a slow smile the way a cat would towards a mouse. But I wasn't the only one that was aware that your gang was hiding out in Festers warehouse. Underbridge won't be the haven it once was. Ivory white teeth flashing in the darkness, Nadja gives the slightest hint of a bow. If you want Ayala's head you will have to pay for it. Like I said, there will be a bounty soon enough. The leader of the Tower Girls and the cause of lycanthropy among the sczarni will fetch a fine price. Waving her hand for her team to enter the boat, Nadja regards Terisha one last time as she steps onto the boat. Consider something my dear. The witch states as the boat moves away from the stone dock. If we are powerful enough to kill Ayala, is it really such a wise thing to be waiting for us when we return? Now leave and don't let me see you when I get back. Oh and Terisha? Nadja pauses theatrically, letting the coolness of her voice become a glacial chill. Don't mistake my generosity for kindness. This is your only warning.
Terisha chuckles lightly, a slight tremor to her voice, "I've got no want to try and collect. They're just as likely to kill me on the off chance I'm infected as to hand over the reward money. I just want to make sure the b!+$# is dead before I leave town." She turns and walks away, heading into the darkness, the thugs trailing after her.
Preparations are finished and the boat is launched from the beach. Using the moonlight to see, you all make your way towards the Crow, but the currents of the bay around the pilings make the trip difficult. What should've taken ten minutes takes over half an hour of difficult rowing. Nearing the piling, you find a small inlet on the eastern side.
A tall lancet arch at water level leads into a chamber at sea level within the side of the Crow. Inside is what was once a small, stepped terrace, now filled with sea water to the level of its top step. Three rowboats are tied off to heavy stones placed on this step. Above, the ceiling rises almost all the way up to the top of the monument, an opening leads off this shaft to the west near the ceiling. At the west end of this room lies a small alcove whose floor shows the stains of countless campfires. The back wall of this alcove has broken through, revealing a passageway beyond.
"I think it'd be best for Omoro and Teeth to check the initial passageway. After they deal with the traps the rest of us can enter and get the ball rolling," the elf advises, upon taking in the scene before them.
During the boat ride over, boredom gets the best of Teeth and he starts into song:
Arrows, fire, and spells galore
Teeth and bosses travel to shore
Ready to burn and poke with knife
Strike longshanks when time is right
Fire and mayhem bosses bring
Tower girls feel th' sting
Row for Teeth and don't get sunk
Girls will splode in tiny chunks!
Teeth pulls out his thieves tools and shows them to Jotune. No worries. Teeth get bosses in safely.
Calendir's first hesitation showed through when Nadja waved them into the boat - he did not go along with that.
When the exchange with Terisha was over, he was left staring for a long time as the girl left - when he turned back, he was staring at Nadja next, smiling and shaking his head - "Keep it up Nadja, you are doing a great service to the group... Remember, I don't like bosses..."
During the boat trip, he keeps silently to himself, eyes focused in the water and in the distance.
As the water lapped at the sides of the boat Nadja listened to the sounds of the night. Off in the distance she could see the lights of the harbor. The Sczarni woman always a certain kinship with the night and despite her genius like intellect, she would have been hard pressed to tell you why. Perhaps it was that as a child she would watch from the shadows of the tent as her mother and father would run their schemes, shilling the foolish and the trusting with false fortunes and promises of hope. They were all rubes in the end, each and everyone that came to her families traveling wagon looking for cures and divinations. But she had learned. Nighttime was an opportunity. Things that would appear ordinary during the day could be fantastical by the light of the moon. Regardless, Nadja had found a certain fortune in the night. It was like a protective cloak that you could wrap around yourself.
Dredging herself out of her ruminations Nadja watched at the bow of the small craft as Calendir sat silently by himself. Sitting down gracefully, the dark haired woman inclined her head, the ringlets of her hair falling like an ebon waterfall. Leaning in close Nadja whispered so that only he would be able to her words over the sound of Teeth singing his discordant song. You may not like bosses, but someone must be the leader. I will not allow our group to fall into chaos and this group requires a strong hand. Back on the pier, with Terisha I spoke for the group because I am the leader and it worked. A unified group working towards a goal is far stronger then a group of individuals doing whatever they wish. Shaking her head, Nadja knows that Calendir already knows the truth of her words We both know that I’m right. You may not like it, but you know its effective. Out of respect for you, I am speaking to you in private. Don’t challenge me infront of the others again.
As the craft nears the Crow piling, and it’s tied off to the heavy stone next to the others, Nadja rises. As she does so she goes to pet Teeth on the head. Lowering her hand she looks down at it, and then at the warty, wrinkled skin of the goblin and seems to think better of it. Tucking her hand away she instead gives the goblin a nod. Make it happen Teeth and take Oromo with you. Don’t move more than two rooms ahead so we can get to you if you find trouble.
Calendir cannot help but stare at that beautiful woman everytime she addresses him, and somehow he still finds her more charming than arrogant. It still does not prevent his answer:
"Look, I agree with your perspective that a unified front is better than multiple heads all acting by themselves, but you are clearly confused about much of the rest. We do need indeed a spokesperson, to offer the group consistency, but I will try again to be as clear as possible, speaking for myself - I do not consider you my, or this groups' leader, and I hope you understand that once and for all"
Calendir is not smiling anymore - "I consider you this groups' voice - it is an entirely different thing, but you don't seem to have grasped it yet..."
"On the other hand, you show me only the same respect I have shown you back there by addressing me in private, but you empty that respect by threatening me with vain words. Understand this Nadja, I will voice my opinion every time I find that I have to, regardless of what you think about it, yourself and your role here - I would expect that your self-proclamed brightness would allow you to recognize it for what it is, but if you want to take it as a challenge, by all means do whatever you feel like... As you always do anyway..."
Again with a smile on his face he adds - "And please refrain from trying to threaten me, I find it is something below you - you can do better than that. I did took it in harshly the first couple of times - by now most of the times it just seems an out of place amusement, but not always"
"I respect your opinions on many things - regardless of whether you value mine or not, you will be listening to them anyway"
Matter of factly, Calendir breaks eye contact with Nadja, purposefully returning to the dark waters ahead - "I am done talking"
Whispering: Cone Omoro. Teeth gets out of the boat and cautiously moves forward into the darkness.
Whispering: Come Omoro. Teeth gets out of the boat and cautiously moves forward into the darkness.
Moving ahead through the darkness, the short passageway gives way to another room beyond, one that has seen some use, but not nearly as much as the previous one. Bits of trash and other refuse as well as the odd scrap of clothing or broken tool are scattered about here and there. Rubble from the broken stone of the passageway you just entered through lies in little piles around the room. Another room lies open to the south while a curving stairway leads up to the north.
Teeth looks at Omoro then points toward the south. He continues moving in that direction.
23 Rova 4712
The foul odor and suspicious stains on the floor reveal that this chamber was used as a privy within the last few weeks. Huddled in one corner are the rotten remains of a small dog.
|
|
Omoro turns up his beak at the room's stench. "I've had enough of sewers and privies. Let's head up the stairs." He returns to the steps, and takes a moment to build a small arrow to indicate the direction they went out of the rubble. He then creeps up the steps, listening intently for any sentries.
There doesn't seem to be any other exit from this room.
23 Rova 4712
Between two curving stairwells lies a small landing. Three stone boxes, their lids raised, stand lined up against the east wall. A fine yellow powder, similar to mold, surrounds them on the floor.
________________________________________________
Teeth whispers. Ungol dust. Bad mojo. Make mind crazy.
Teeth avoids the dust and check the stairs for traps.
|
|
Omoro debates taking some of the poison, but decides against it for now. He lays down one of his arrows by the stairs pointing to the left wall, then another pointing towards the second set of stairs. Nadja will be able to puzzle out what that means, he reasons, and continues on up the stairs, also checking for traps.