"Great idea, and thank you, Octavio, for your insights. The idea that the previous lord-mayor may still be alive poses interesting questions and hypotheticals, but - like Kenji said - let's try to find out more first."
Talvek nods to Lubella. "Shall the three of us go now, since you also have business with them?"
Lubella replied, "It's getting a little later now, so let's go in the morning. Sergio can come too, since he'll be heavily involved with the clinic."
Hetamon greets you in his shop but declines to attend.
”I have some unattended business but trust your judgement in the matter with both organizations.“
***
Turning about to visit the Cloven Hoof Society is a short walk from the Red roof District
Lubella approached building that was reputed to be the Headquarters of the Cloven Hoof Society. Preparing to introduce herself, she cast a spell, and looked for the entrance.
Entering, she looked for someone to speak to, and introduce herself,
"Excuse me, My name is Kyda of the Silver Ravens. Can you direct me to an official of the Cloven hoof Society? I wish to discuss a matter that will benefit the tieflings of this neighborhood."
The headquarters, with the sign simply stating'Cloven Hoof Society' and located in the Redroof district, is now boarded up and those it formerly served desperately seek the help it once provided.
Approaching the described HQ of the Cloven Hoof Society you find the building boarded up. As you look around, a young tiefling woman steps out of the shadows.
”They ‘re gone. Whoever you seek here…gone. Since the Night of Ashes. Strea Vestori ain’t here. Dead maybe. Nobody knows. “
She pauses. ”But you…your group. I heard the rumors. You could find her if anyone in this forsaken city still gives a rats %#^{“
She continues with her tale.
”You be friends with Hetamon. That’s good enough for us. Find her and we will help if we can. “
Oh dear, Lubella thought, seeing the Cloven Hoof Society headquarters boarded up.
She told the young tiefling woman, "We were hoping to set up a medical clinic here, but I guess that's not going to work. I guess we'll try to coordinate something with the Church of Shelyn.
"We'll need someone to pass on information about where people can go for healing. Do you have any suggestions? We'll treat anyone who needs it, even if they can't afford to pay; we're not going to turn away the needy.
"We will look for Strea; any idea about where to start?"
Talvek tries to remember what he knows of Strea, if anything, wondering what had caused her to be targeted in the Night of Ashes.
Sidius nods, "We're certainly willing to try, if nothing else. If only to remind everyone that it's possible to still care for each other, despite His Lordliness' edicts."
Strea Vestori is a tiefling in Kintargo, a Chelish city where the race is unpopular. As of 4715 AR, she has operated the Cloven Hoof Society for several years in support of the city's tieflings. Strea had made great progress with increasing tiefling rights within the city. Unfortunately, since The Night of Ashes, she has gone missing. It is suspected she gained the attention of The Lord Mayor and has not been seen since nor her body found..,
.
”You would have to find someone closer to the city government or their cronies. But I ain’t suspecting you’d get much better treatment than Strea did.“
Lubella commented to her comrades, "Shensen, Rexus, Straea: our list of missing people to search for keeps growing.
"I suppose we might as well head to Songbird Hall, and see if we can speak with Zachrin Vhast; it's not far from here."
The temple indeed is not far and you cross the handful of blocks to the temple district. Shouting can be heard to the northeast in the direction of the bridge. The new toll increasingly unpopular with the citizens.
As the temple stairs are reached you see the familiar figures on the stairs.
The acolyte bows in greeting.
” The true beauty of peace and knowledge can both be found within.
I suspect you seek an audience with the high priest, his holiness, Zachrin Vhast?
He is expecting you. Please follow me. “
She leads you within the temple to the back chambers.
Kenji is clearly sad to hear Strea is missing. “Strea is a legend for those that are different and also those are treated badly in Cheliax! It is unforgivable what happened here!!!!“ he says and howls twice.
When they arrive at the Shelyn temple he bows.
“Thank you.“
Talvek nods at Kenji, a frown twisting his features. "Yes, Strea was.. is a great person, tirelessly fighting for the rights of tieflings. We have to find her."
As they reach Songbird Hall and receive the news that the high priest is expecting them, Talvek leans closer to Lubella to whisper. "Oh no, do you think he's upset we didn't invite him?"
Lubella replied to Talvek, "He's in a difficult situation. I'm sure he supports the ideals that we're championing, but his church can't afford to be too open about supporting us. He doesn't want to have the authorities clamp down on his church, preventing them from helping their flock. I understand his position, and I didn't want to press them to move before they're ready. But I do think that the time has come to build our cooperation with them."
Pulling the beggar robes that were part of his disguise closer around him, Talvek shrugs. "Besides, I'm sure that sooner rather than later Thrune will move against them, no matter what they do. But for now, let's talk to Zachrin Vast and see what he has to say."
Lubella followed the acolyte into the back chambers.
Zachrin Vast enters the chamber.
Greetings once again. Welcome to Songbird hill. How can the servants of Shelyn help a group such as yours? Are you here to make a purchase? Or perhaps a special blessing? You do not look like the types to make purchase of artwork from our local artisans.
He pauses, waiting for you to state your true business.
Lubella told the High Priest, "We have come here to discuss possible cooperation concerning providing social services to the poor. I would like to set up a free medical clinic for the needy. My associate Sergio had mastered the art of disguising his divine spellcasting as alchemy. This should make it easier for him to operate a medical clinic, without drawing undue attention to our activities. Would the Church of Shelyn be interested in joining us in this endeavour? We would heal people regardless of their ability to pay."
The priest considers the offer.
I have to maintain a strict balance between the City Leaders and the 'other' interests in the community. It is not that I would not desire to do more. But I would also not see this temple to Shelyn shut down for crossing some arbitrary line.
He pauses and looks you over, after listening to the argument.
I will allow it. We are already selling curatives. I just do not want this 'free' healing to drain one of the few sources of income we are allowed by the Lord Mayor. We have expenses, and the ever increasing taxes and levies upon our temple.
When you said free clinic for the needy. I can agree with that.
However, free for those with the means to pay, I would need to re-consider.
Lubella replied, "Thank-you. I understand the tricky balance that you have to navigate in the current environment.
"We have learned about an upcoming event: a masquerade ball, where many prominent citizens will be invited. It's likely that we will want to attend, so we're looking into how to secure invitations. It sounds like such a ball would offer a great chance to meet people and make contacts. I'll let you know when we find out more about it.
"We have also set up something called the Silver Council to discuss the situation in Kintargo; we held the first meeting yesterday. The council will meet at various locations, announced ahead of time by discreetly sent messages to selected groups. You would be welcome to send an observer to the next meeting if you wish. I understand that you may not be comfortable joining the council directly at this time."
The high priest considers the offer.
Agreed. I will send a representative in my stead. Just let us know the time and place.
The high priest considers the offer.
Agreed. I will send a representative in my stead. Just let us know the time and place. Definitely let me know about the masquerade ball. It would be an event not to be missed by the faithful of Shelyn.
"One last thing," Lubella added. "We just came from the Cloven Hoof Society headquarters, which is boarded up. Strea had been missing since the Night of Ashes. If you have heard any information about where to look for her, I would appreciate it.
"Sergio will consult with you acolytes about the particulars of setting up the medical clinic. Jackdaw will be available to discuss any security issues."
”We have not heard no seen anything of her in a month or more. But you will be the first to know if we hear anything. Very well. “
The priest waves to the acolytes and they usher you back to the streets.
“Maybe some traditional information gathering is necessary on the ball!!“ the transformed, wolfscarred Ifrit says.
Talvek nods. "That sounds like the best option right now. Let's split up and canvass various parts of the city." He thinks for a moment. "The most likely places where someone would know something are the Redroof and Castle districts, perhaps the Temple district as well. I'll take the area around the castle."
Lubella said, "I'll try to talk to some of the servants. They're likely to hear something about the preparations."
She visited some of the local markets and lunch spots, looking especially for halfling servants in the Temple District.
Kenji overhears some conversations in the streets.
“Heard that Thrune’s going to throw a costume ball for the city at the opera house, and that invitations will be going
out across all walks of life. If that’s true... maybe Barzillai isn’t all bad?”
Some few within the know, seem to offer Talvek some unusual insights.
“The opera house has secret chambers within that hold treasures hidden away from the time of the civil war—
treasures no one’s seen in decades!”
Lubella does not hear anything more about the ball, but hears something that catches her interest.
“Her shop burnt down during the Night of Ashes, but I don’t believe Shensen died—she must be working for the Silver Ravens!”
Lubella returned to the Lucky Bones in the afternoon to report her findings, "I didn't hear anything about the ball, but I did hear someone doubting that Shensen died: the person speculated that she must be working for the Silver Ravens. So I guess her body wasn't found in the Silver Star ruins, and she presumably hasn't resurfaced somewhere else."
Kenji reports back as well that he heard that Thrune’s going to throw a costume ball for the city at the opera house, and that invitations will be going out across all walks of life.
"We have to somehow secure invitations!" he says and howls again.
"And I heard rumours of secret rooms in the opera house and possibly hidden treasures there - not very useful for locating either Rexus or Strea, but perhaps that's where Shensen has been hiding?" Talvek delivers his own report.
"Since we plan to be at the costume ball and that one is being held at the opera house, we can try to find these secret rooms."
Most of the people on the street have not personally received an invitation to the ball but several have repeated.
Hetamon meets your group.
Lord Mayor Barzillai ensures all of Kintargo knows about the upcoming
event and that invitations have gone out to not only the
city’s aristocrats and prominent business owners, but
also to several of the common folk.
Octavio's states My cousin Setrona at her Tooth and Nail, has claimed to have received an invitation to the ball. The date is not listed as she must pick up the admittance ticket in one week as part of her RSVP. The date of the event will be provided at that time.
He pauses.
I cautioned her against attending. Even with high ranking nobles on the guest list, I suspect an ulterior motive from the mayor. But what that is, I cannot guess. Bringing in outside troops? Soliciting Nobles sponsors to pay for his increased dottari presence? Either way, my cousin may be willing to offer her ticket to one of you.
Lubella replied to Talvek, "The ball would be a good opportunity to snoop around the Opera House."
She listened to Octavio and responded, "I'll go an talk to her about it."
She departed to pay a visit to the Tooth and Nail and speak to Setrona.
Setrona greets Lubella as she enters the tavern
”Well hello again. Long time since you graced this place. What can I get you? “
"Hi Setrona, an ale would hit the spot."
She cast her eyes about the bar before lowering her voice, "Your cousin told me you have received an invitation to the masquerade ball; he's concerned that it's some sort of trick by Barzillai Thrune. I can see that the Lord Mayor would be very interested in knowing his whereabouts. I'm trying to get an invitation for the Silver Ravens to use, if you're worried about going. I take it you have to pick it up, and then you learn of the date and time? Any more information that you've heard about the event would be appreciated."
She pauses, not expecting the second question. She retrieves an ale and whispers.
Octavio told me not to attend. But he is overly protective of me. But he is also probably right.
I only wanted to go for my curiosity to see everyone dressed up fancy.
You would make better use of it.
She pulls an embossed vellum letter from her bar apron.
Here. You take it. But you have to go in a week to return this as your RSVP and then they will supposedly give the actual invitation. I think this was just to weed out the riff raff. They probably know who they want to attend already. she says with a wink.
Kenji would have accompanied Lubella.
“Glad to meet you Setrona! May I introduce myself. I am Scarab, newest associate of the Silver Ravens! Thanks for your trust!“ the wolf-scarred Ifrit says and makes a short howling sound.
Setrona greets Kenji
”Oh sure! The pleasure is mine. Thanks for stopping in and you are always welcome back. Anytime! Not just for business. We have drinks and games too! And good place to unwind. “
Later that day, Hetamon sends a messenger boy to Talvek with a bundle of cloth.
Within the bundle, are wrapped a piece of paper and another sheet of vellum.
Please see that this material will suit your purposes for any upcoming events.
I have determined that I cannot use this at this time and it may fit your wardrobe better.
-HH
The vellum is another invitation to the upcoming ball with instructions to RSVP in one week.
Lubella thanked Setrona and returned to the Lucky Bones. "Setrona has donated her ball invitation to the Silver Ravens. The invitee can bring a companion, so that gets two of us in."
“I would very much like to meet your sea elf allies. Maybe they are also able to provide more information?!“ Kenji asks.
Lubella studied maps to estimate the travel time to the village of Acisazi. She consulted with Octavio and other natives of Kintargo, asking their opinion.
She offered opinion to her comrades, "I think we should have time to make it to the Aquatic Elf village and back, in time for the masquerade ball."