Barnabas joins the others on their way out of the inn, "Peytr wasn't very forthcoming about the catacombs."
Knowledge Local
wild
Indeed, many knick-knacks from the nether regions.. all probably fakes, but its worth investigating."
He then holds out his hand to Mirian "My dear, the guards will not be looking for a couple of lovers holding hands, walking to the market with their friends." he beams at her with his most charming smile.
Demetrio walked over to the vendor, but kept his eyes out for danger.
Septimilius walks with the group, his shoulders slumped, trying to not appear as he normally does. He doesn’t want to appear suspicious, so instead of his eyes darting around, he does his best to remain quiet and let his ears try to catch any approaching trouble. While he waits for Demetrio to speak to the vendor, Septimilius kneels and reties one of his bootlaces, thinking about how catacombs are built and what geographical features of the city would make easy entrances when they were built years ago.
Mirian looks at Barnabas outstreched hand and bursts into laughter. ”Such a smooth talker”, she says when she restrains herself. ”Well then lover, escort me to the Peacock Square” she says with badly feigned excitement.
The motley crew works their way to the Square of the Peacock...asking for directions only twice, and enters the area in the morning bustle. There are guards at every known entrance, but with a cursory glance the party is able to work their way in without hassle.
Demetrio>
You do notice extra guard patrols wearing the purple cloaks of the City Elite Guard posted outside the Temple you guys raided and plundered.
Septimilius>
You determine that when the city was first built there was probably only this one entrance to the Catacombs, but over the years, as the city grew there are probably dozens of "discrete" entrances all along the area around the Square of the Peacock, and it's surrounding neighborhoods. It only takes a basement, and a pick in order to make an entrance.
In fact the cabinet in the embalming room of the temple was probably one such entrance, and that's where the ghouls came from.
Barnabus> Your good memory leads you right to the correct area of the market for the "Artifact" stalls. There is not one but about eight stalls in one area that specialize in loot from the tombs of Belthaar. Between you and Demetrio you're able to immediately eliminate most of them as "manufactured" artifacts for the tourist. Two of them draw your attention though. One is a small dirty stall, with only a few pieces of pottery, a strongbox, and a couple of dusty books populating it's shelves. It has none of the garish display of most of the others. Sitting on a carpet hovering a couple of feet off the ground with no obvious means of support sits a black skinned man with a long beard, smoking a hookah with his eyes closed.
The other is a stall with the walls, and entrance closed off, and a sign outside that reads. "Lala's Antiquities - Appointments only".
let's the bargaining begin :-)
Notice: Raise After entering the market
Any Gypsy blooded vendor you come across turns their backs to the party as they pass.
Demetrio bows respectfully to the bearded man.
"Good morning. I am a scholar with an interest in the catacombs. I was wondering if you would be so kind as to answer a few questions. Primarily, I was wondering if you you have witnessed any unusual activity there."
Taking up Mirian's hand, Barnabas pulls her close and sashay's down the dirty streets as if with his truest heart; occasionally swinging her around in a joyous dance or quoting poetry.
Notice
Wild
Having enjoyed holding Miriam close on the journey to the market , Barnabas keeps his hand around her waist as he allows Demetrio to make his introductions.
Hakketh concentrates on being as bland as possible, not making eye contact and not noticing anything happening.
Septimilius waits for a moment to speak quietly to the others. ”Do you know any place on the square that has basement? I think with a pick and a little bit of luck we could make an entrance to the catacombs. Remember the cabinet?” he asks Mirian and Hakketh. ”I think that lead to the catacombs. So, we can try to find a basement with an entrance. Or just make one ourselves. How we convince someone to let us do that? It’ll take more charm than I have.”
Mirian plays along with Barnabas rouse but tenses and pulls the cowl tighter around her face as the group enters the square. Passing the guards with such apparent ease returns her confidence and struts around carefree.
"Do you have any idea where to start looking? I doubt that anyone with such a passage would flaunt it openly, or wish it to become common knowledge."
Demetrio>
The man opens one eye, and blows some of the smoke out of the way so he can see the man. He exhales some fouls smelling substance, and opens his mouth to speak.
"Kadash sees much that is strange to one man or another". "Desert dwellers find the sea strange"."One who has lived in a city his entire life finds milking a cow strange". "Kadash can be more specific, but finds that coin sharpens his memory". "Are you buying artifacts or stories"?
Knowledge: Local or Nature
The man is smoking some mixture of Lotus Blossom.
Knowledge Local
Wild
Barnabas murmurs in Mirian's ear "Hmmm, he's smoking Lotus Blossom...very cultured."
Releasing the beautiful pirate, Barnabas steps up next to Demetrio and gives Kadash a respectful bow , before crouching before the strange man "We seek stories, O wise Kadash. Of this city and most importantly of the city below; to which we seek entrance. We could trade in hard coin, or a promise of what is found beneath..." he says quietly, so that only those nearby could hear.
Persuade
Wild
"There is much value in stories, Wise One." He then flashes a single gold coin. "Much value indeed."
"By 'strange' we mean 'evil.' We worry for a friend who we fear may have been dragged down there for a dark purpose. In essence, we search for evidence of -- a necromancer," Demetrio finishes in a whisper.
Mirian had wondered if the mystic had actually been awake. She was on the verge of making a wise crack before the man spoke. Luckily she’d kept her mouth shut. She follows the conversation for a while before stepping in.
”Do you delve into the catacombs yourself?” Mirian asks. ”We are capable people. If we were to know a way into the catacombs who knows what artifacts we might find. Artifacts that can find their way into your shop.”
The old man moving very sprightly snags the gold coin, and smoothly places it in his leather pouch.
"Ah" "A gold mark deserves a story, if a more recent one, rather than an old one". "On a day much as today, but completely different, a fat man with more money than brains walked into a shrouded stall". "He made a deal there for an item that fascinated him in a most unhealthy way". "Days later the man followed this trinket into a place where the living fear to tread". "The man has not been seen again".
"So my question to you...if such a man can find a way...then should you not also be able to do so"?
He then turns his gaze to Mirian, and his smoke narrowed eyes widen a bit at her appearance. "Well then". "Since you ask so nicely". "I might be persuaded to show you a way to where darkness dwells, but this information is not so cheap". "Still for some reason you have earned my trust". "For a kiss from a pretty girl, and a promise of my pick from what you find...the information can be yours".
"Is that so? What you are asking for is valuable as well and comes at a price. You're going to have to give a hint that you possess the information we need."
"That's enough for me", she says and walks up to the man and plants a small kiss on his mouth.
As the old man tells his story, you all can tell Hakketh is muttering to himself something about 'I knew it' and 'no one ever listens to the sorcerer.' He does perk up when he sees Mirian kissing the old man to gain the information needed to enter the crypts.
"A deal sealed with a kiss. Now tell us where we can find this entrance, please."
The man simply raises an eyebrow at Mirian, then lifts his sleeve to show some obviously above his station bracelets, as proof that he indeed trades in ware from the crypts.
As Mirian goes to kiss the old man, she gets more than she bargained for, as he grabs her with two spindly but powerful arms, and extends the kiss. At first the taste of burning lotus, and some unidentified spices assail her taste buds, the something more...A slight tingle, then coldness...
Mirian
Your lips are numb, and you can't feel anything in them.
With a kackle the man draws away and sits once again on his floating carpet. "Indeed sealed with a kiss, and something more". "You will be fine my dear, as long as you return here before sunset tomorrow, with the item I seek". "If not I fear that you shall pay the price of not fulfilling your promise to Kadash".
"You seek the tomb of Ikhtanabu Xul". "What you do with his dagger is of no concern to Kadash, but in his burial chamber you will find a book, with a blood red cover...an eye stitched onto the cover". "This you shall return to me...and another kiss shall free you from this geas".
The old man then reaches into a large pot behind him and withdraws a live pigeon. He holds it close to his lips, speaks a few words under his breath, then in one motion breaks the birds neck. To everyone's surprise the bird hops up onto the counter, and flaps his wings and takes to flight.
"This bird will lead you to your destination". "Remember return to me before darkness tomorrow, and I shall uphold my side of the bargain". "If not...well then I will have had a pleasant kiss from a beautiful woman before she joins those in the crypts".
Notice and Knowledge Religion: Success
Hakketh> Notice success only required to read the spoiler
As the party leaves to follow the bird, a symbol is noticed on the shrouded tent next to Kadash's stall. It is the normal seal of Yadar and the keepers a small strange symbol...A sure sign of affiliation with Set.
The bird flies away from the square, down the same street that you ambushed the priests the night before. It stops from time to time at each intersection, and waits for the party to catch up, no matter what speed they travel.
Finally after several twists and turns the bird alights upon a signpost advertising, prosthetic limbs and devices. After sitting there a minute and cooing the party arrives. Once Mirian is close the bird seems to draw in upon itself and turn to dust, the matter drifting down from the sign it was perched upon, till nothing is left but the skeleton of the bird, which perches eerily on the sign. A sudden breeze sends it reeling to the ground, where the bones go scattering in all directions.
You're up....
When Demetrio sees what the old man has done to Mirian, he grips his staff tightly and has to fight the urge to strike the old man dead. But he reins in his temper - barely.
"Do not make a scene," he advises harshly as his eyes drift toward the armed guards. "What's done is done."
He glares at the old man, regardless, and can't help but add in a dangerous voice, "We would have dealt fair."
As the group leaves, Demetrio finally recognized the odd symbol.
A Set worshipper, he thought angrily. Should have known. But he says nothing.
"We must follow the bird. We've no time to waste."
***
Once the bird had crumbled away, Demetrio sighed.
"Sorcery - always leads to a bad end," he said quietly while glancing sadly at Hakketh. He cleared his throat and then spoke up. "Come. Nothing gained by waiting."
[dice=K. Religion]1d4
[dice=Wild]1d6
[dice=Ace]1d6
When Demetrio sees what the old man has done to Mirian, he grips his staff tightly and has to fight the urge to strike the old man dead. But he reins in his temper - barely.
"Do not make a scene," he advises harshly as his eyes drift toward the armed guards. "What's done is done."
He glares at the old man, regardless, and can't help but add in a dangerous voice, "We would have dealt fair."
As the group leaves, Demetrio finally recognized the odd symbol.
A Set worshipper, he thought angrily. Should have known. But he says nothing.
"We must follow the bird. We've no time to waste."
***
Once the bird had crumbled away, Demetrio sighed.
"Sorcery - always leads to a bad end," he said quietly while glancing sadly at Hakketh. He cleared his throat and then spoke up. "Come. Nothing gained by waiting."
[dice=Notice]1d6
[dice=Wild]1d6
Hakketh makes a mental note of the location of the tent bearing the mark of his hated foe. I will be back for whomever is hiding in that tent but first things first.
Hakketh looks around carefully before finally entering the store.
After Kadash's performance, Barnabas lays a hand on Mirian's shoulder "Don't worry, lass, we'll get back in plenty of time..."
Following the bird, he's amazed by it transformation and disintegration "Very nice trick !" he says shaking his head.
Looking at the sign, then the shop, he looks for a way around back.
Notice
Wild
Mirian jerks back and staggers after the kiss. She puts her hands to her lips to check her senses. Nothing. ”What did you do?!”, she exclaims then kicks the man between the legs. After having a moment to abreact Mirian collects herself and calms down. ”Be ready when we return. If you fail to deliver on our deal then you won’t recover from the next kick”, she tells the mystic and turns to follow the bird.
After Kadash's performance, Barnabas lays a hand on Mirian's shoulder "Don't worry, lass, we'll get back in plenty of time..."
"I'm not worried. It's he who should worry", Mirian says through clenched teeth.
The man is able to dodge the kick for the most part.
Barnabas> There is no alley directly beside the store, but you familiar enough with the layout of this area, that you know there is most likely a back entrance, if you can find your way through the maze to find it. This would require a successful Knowledge: Local roll.
Hakketh> The windows of the shop are dusty, and as the door is opened, a chime goes off somewhere within the shop. The shop is cluttered with a selection of wooden legs on the right wall, and a selection of wooden arms on the right. There are also displays of fingers, toes, feet, and even a tray of painted and unpainted eyes on a table in the middle of the room. Large baskets hold traditional peg legs, canes, and crutches, and a rack hangs from the ceiling with several eye patches. The room smells of sawdust, and paint.
From the back you see what looks to be a very short man emerge...until you realize he has no legs, and is pushing himself forward on a small wheeled platform. The man looks him up and down carefully wiping his hands on a stained rag.
"I'm Kaleed". "Welcome to Spare Parts". "I would bow, but as you can see I am somewhat limited when it comes to that". "Are you planning on loosing a limb, or are you shopping for someone else"?
"Neither. We are interested in delving deeper and were directed here under the assumption that this shop could accommodate that need. Do you represent this shop?"
Septimilius stands beside Hakketh in the shop. Giving a friendly smile, he nods at the man, agreeing with Mirian’s words.
Hakketh nods along as Mirian talks.
Knowledge Local
Wild
"I think there's a way in through.....the back..." Barnabas says softly as he realizes the other have already entered the shop.
Smiling ruefully, he follows the other into the interesting prosthetic shop, poking at this fake appendage, picking up an impressively articulated hand and holding it up for closer examination.
All the while, managing to keep tabs on the conversation and especially the shopkeeper.
Notice
Wild
"Ah" "Another group who wishes to use my hypothetical backdoor". "It would be dangerous to have such an opening in one's shop, and enchantments to both secure it and alarm it would not be cheap". "What would you propose to do to compensate me for the use of such a door if it were to exist"?... "And how did you come by the rumor that such a door existed"?
The ready smile the man wore upon entry has been replaced by a greedy calculating look.
”Let’s just say that a little bird told us” says and leans casually against the counter. ”The caretaker of such an entrance would have boarded it up for good, unless there was a profit to be made. I take it that you don’t delve through the catacombs yourself, but rather require helping hands to do so. As luck would have it there’s five pairs of helping hands standing here in your shop.”
"Ah". "Be still my heart". "How can I say no to such a pretty face, and such a honey'd voice...especially one with a speech impediment". "I think we can work something out". "In many of the tombs of the rich, the eyes are replaced with semi-precious stones". "Find me one with a tigers eye in it, and bring it to me". "Is this a deal"?
So finally into the crypts I'll need Marching order, Light sources, and any special tactics or preperations before descending. Also, how do you intend to find the items you seek?
Mirian gazes down the staircase. "We are going to need a few torches. Would you be able to assist with that?"
"Hakketh, tell us where to go and I'll lead you there. What do you know about ghouls, by the way?" Mirian says once the group has decended down the stairs and out of earshot of the merchant.
Mirian grimaces as the smell assaults her nostrils. ”Do you have some cloth and some water?”
”Greyfeather, I have a shield. Perhaps I should go first. Keep the torches high so I can see,” he says looking at the others. He props his mace on his shoulder, waiting for the others to light the torches. ”Ghouls can paralyze.”
Mirian gazes down the staircase. "We are going to need a few torches. Would you be able to assist with that?"
"Hakketh, tell us where to go and I'll lead you there. What do you know about ghouls, by the way?" Mirian says once the group has decended down the stairs and out of earshot of the merchant.
"Down and inwards...we should be able to tell when we get close." Hakketh takes a position at the back of the group, holding a torch. His dog keeps close to him.
Demetrio gripped his staff tightly.
"I'll take the torch."
”Greyfeather, I have a shield. Perhaps I should go first. Keep the torches high so I can see,” he says looking at the others. He props his mace on his shoulder, waiting for the others to light the torches. ”Ghouls can paralyze.”
"If you insist", Mirian says with a smile and gestures for Septimilius to take the lead. "How about you? Are you any good with those knives or should I cover the rear should someone sneak up behind us?" she asks Barnabas.
Barnabas had been peering into the darkness of the catacombs, then turned at Mirian direct question.
"I'm a fair hand with the knives. but better at keeping to the shadows...I'll follow a slight distance, to take any sneaking up on us unawares."
The Shopkeeper provides the party with 6-torches. "Remember to light a new one before the old one goes out". "It is difficult to strike a flame in the complete darkness". "I wish you success, and hope you find another way out of the crypts". "Too much business is...well...bad for business".
"Oh". "And don't forget my payment"..."I won't".
Septimilius - Shield and weapon out
Mirian - Torch and weapon out
Demetrio - Torch & Weapon out
Hakeeth - Torch out
Dog - Teeth out
Barnabus - 20' to the rear, knives at ready.
If there are any other preparations your group wished to make now is the last chance to speak up before descending into the Labyrinth depths of the city crypts.
As the group descends the passage narrows, and grows more dank. The flickering of the three torches, plays games with the shadows, and during the first minutes of the descent, the group jumps an many shadow creatures. Except for the occasional drip of water, and the distant scuttling of tiny feet, all is silent. Finally Septimilius arrives at the wooden panel that seals the entrance tunnel from the crypts. As he pushes it aside, and steps out, the stench of rot worsens. He looks back over his shoulder, and sees that they have stepped out of a Vertical sarcophagus into a tunnel at the junction of a three way intersection.
The tunnel in front of him reveals a staircase leading downward. The passage also heads east and west. The east tunnel heads slightly upwards, and seems more clear of cobwebs, and dust. The Tunnel to the west has only a small path in the middle of it that is mostly clear of obstructions.
You are in the crypts.
Septimilius - Shield and weapon out
Mirian - Torch and weapon out
Demetrio - Torch & Weapon out
Hakeeth - Torch out
Dog - Teeth out
Barnabus - 20' to the rear, knives at ready.
Mirian caughts and exhales heavily as the even more potent stench of the grave assails her. ”Who died?” she asks and giggles slightly clearly appreciating her own pun. She holds her torch to illuminate the three exits. ”Which way? Up, down or sideways?”
If there are any other preparations your group wished to make now is the last chance to speak up before descending into the Labyrinth depths of the city crypts.
”Unless someone has a better idea,” Septimilius says in a whisper, ”let’s go down....wait which direction is the temple from the shop? We should head that way, right?” He looks to the rocky ceiling as if trying to trace their steps above ground and figure out their bearing in relation to the temple.
Mirian looks at stairs thoughtfully. "We have just entered. It would not be far off to think that these two passages move around the edge of the catacombs", she says and points her torch at the left and right passage. Then she points down the stairs. "This should take us further into the catacombs. A sorcerer should enjoy a somewhat higher status, so his tomb should lie somewhere down here. Unless he was shamed for some reason. Do any of you know anything about him?"
"As a bounty hunter you should be able to track, right? See any signs of anyone passing through here?" she asks and looks down at the floor searching for tracks in the dust.
”I can do some tracking, but I mostly find guys by asking around, questioning people. That sort of thing. It goes a long way in Tarantia,” Septimilius says, bending down to look for tracks. He turns to look over his shoulder and smiles at Mirian. ”I like to think I can be persuasive.”
Demetrio keeps an eye out for danger.
=9
Except for the evidence of more travel to the eastern tunnel, and less to the west. The tunnel downward also shows a limited amount of travel as well, but nobody is able to detect anything more recent.
Am I to assume then that the party is headed downward?
Septimilius> The twists and turns of your way here don't allow you to remember where you are in reference to the square of the Peacock. Do you mean the direction of the Temple, or of the entrance to the Catacombs, which are on opposite sides of the square?
Demetrio> You detect the scent of a burning torch from down the stairway, carried on the breeze, so you assume that someone went down that way in the last day in order for the smell to linger.
All> A survival success might give you an idea of which direction might be the square of the peacock...at least from where you are right now.
"I think someone might have come from those stairs recently. You can faintly smell old smoke if you take a moment."
Barnabas slowly follows the others, alert for sounds or sights of any followers, eyes wide as the group descends deeper and deeper.
As they stop to decide the route to take, he presses into the shadows, alert and readdy
Notice
Wild
Notice Ace
Wild Ace
Stealth
Wild