I haven't gotten through them that much yet, at least the big book with the letter 'D' on it as this letter fell out. It seems that someone else was doing research into Delvehaven before us. They give the names of 6 individuals that might know something, but most are dead or gone it seems. There is a reference to Cugny's Wedding, another book I assume, and Grave Tallow, whatever that is. It seems there is more leads or work than answers actually.
Caldazar turns to Pollux "Any of these names familiar?"
Giving the note to Pollux, Tal continues to read the book with the D on it seeing if there is anything else of interest or note in its pages or in the writing.
Surprised by Tal's gesture, and perhaps a bit wary of strange bits of paper the vagabond in yellow reads the note carefully.
Staring off into space while the Erinyes slowly eats Cal's cloak, words from the note rattle and connect in Pollux's brain. Castor sits on his shoulder and whispers in the vagabonds ear.
Tal just glances occasionally at Pollux over the top of the book wondering what esoteric knowledge is contained in that head of his. He is hoping it is more than just the recipe for the rat's favorite soup.
Check the first: Darghentu Vheed is an easy one. He was the lord mayor of westcrown before the current one. Disappeared under mysterious circumstances. You met some of his victims in the vault.
Check the Second: Bisby is something of a local pathfinder hero. HE is only one of two survivors into the Mwangi expanse said to have returned with wild tales and a single artifact from a lost city inhabited by canniballistic gorillas and terrifying jungle demons. Ailyn confirms this information and adds that what little they know of his fate in absalom is that he was in fact sealed inside the lodge when they locked it down.
Check the Third: Delvehaven is a place surrounded by rumors. Pollux knows that the previous lord mayor along with a number of chelaxian pathfinders loyal to Thrune attempted to reopen the lodge in order to pilfer its secrets for the benefit of the empire. Unfortunately all the puppet pathfinders were killed attempting to do so and as a result the lord mayor ordered the lodge sealed and locked. If they could not have its secrets then no one would.
Check the 4th: There really is little to say not already known to the group here.
Check the 5th: Ilnerik Sivanshin disappeared shortly before Aroden died and was the only other survivor of Bisby's tragic expedition. Rumor holds that he held some artifact of importance to the lodge and they were searching for him before Aroden died.
Check the 6th: A traitor pathfinder who sided with those against thrune. Obviously they failed. Ailyn is alarmed to learn the sisters may have gotten a hold of him and notes that if you can recover the ashes so she can return them to absalom for a proper burial she will reward you.
Father's Bulwark: Just one of many small armies that attempted to stop the rise of thrune. And died. Badly.
Sister's of Eiseth: A group of asmodean nuns said to emulate the first Erinyes so that they might become ERinyes themselves upon death. They're a defunct faction of the church in Cheliax where they thrive in Isger ironically enough. There's still a small coven of them in westcrowns ruins. Father took you there once to point and laugh. He sprouted a crossbow bolt from his shoulder.
Loremaster Liriam: You don't know much about him but Ailyn says anyone with that title among the pathfinders likely would have known everything about the cache of artifacts in the lodge. The letter details the poem you have may be a code. Ailyn thinks it may be as well.
Cugny's Wedding: The poem you have. Someone would have to make a DC30 linguistics or 20 Perform (oratory or sing) to learn more.
Luccas and Bloodsport: You happen to know of a semi-legal gladiator ring at the edge of Westcrown's ruins run by a scion of House Luccas. An interesting place where combatants fight by summoning creatures into the arena to slaughter one another. Since no creature actually dies it circumvents the city's ban on gladiatorial events.
Oh wow! NOPE! Someone shut that thing up.
Trevor starts examining the wands and scrolls
[dice=Spellcraft Wand #1,Guidance]1d20+7
[dice= Spellcraft Wand #2,Guidance]1d20+7
[dice=Spellcraft Scroll #1,Guidance]1d20+7
[dice=Spellcraft Scroll #2]1d20+7
[dice=Spellcraft Scroll #3]1d20+7
Wand 1: Break Enchamtne (8 Charges)
Wand 2: Unknown. Aura is AbjurationScroll1: Unknown. radiates a powerful aura of conjuration
Scroll2: Unknown. Conjuration.
Scroll3: A Scroll of Scrying.
Hmm...So it seems that the Sisters and Lucca are the best choices right now.
This wand of breaking enchantments is quite useful. The other wand is unknown and the scrolls are also unknown unless Poxonus can figure them out.
Trevor pulls over the peom of Cugney's Wedding. I have no skill with performing or languages, Perhaps our Pathfinder friend here can translate, or since you three were involved in Cheliax theatre, however reluctantly, you could ask Rohbal for aid.
Oooo! Pick-up sticks!
Pollux secrets the wands in his pockets before attempting to wrap his mind around the unknown scroll.
"Robhal! It seems like we have't seen him in months!"
<squeek...>
"Yes Castor, must remember to bring the head. Maybe he can get it a job. It projects surprisingly well considering its lack of lungs!"
That sounds somehow...this word just popped into my head, awesomesauce. They can say such classic lines as 'Alas poor devil, I knew her well, Robhal!
Tal listens intently to Pollux elaborate on the information that he has gleaned in his years. Of particular interest to Tal is the Sister and the gladiatorial arena. The names of the Pathfinders is lost on him as names can be changed or altered. So we have a bunch of dead or missing people that know about Delvehaven but only rumors where they or their remains might be. We have a talking, or screaming, head that I can't understand, a poem that is said to hide cypher in it, and a puzzle box that is so intricate that it took 2 weeks to solve. I don't know about the rest of you but I want some answers instead of just questions. I know little to nothing about most of this stuff so I will rely on all of you for guidance. However, it seems that the straightforward of all of these leads is the Sisters. We head over there and claim the body by whatever means necessary. After that we take on this Bloodsport. I would prefer it to be live combat and not this magic stuff but at least it might be interesting.
Do we want to involve Robahl or do you think we can handle this poem thing ourselves. It can't be that hard right? We after all are acclaimed actors now.
Tal takes a look at the poem and attempt to read it out loud hoping that he can aid another in figuring it out.
Aid perform
Instead he reads it like a book with no dramatic pause or rhythm, typical of his performance during the play as well.
Trevor turns his attention to the silver box and opens it.
[ooc](Hmm this could work.... Trevor w/ guidance & fortune sings lead with Caldazar and Tal speak-sinking the counterpoint. (Having Castor sqeek the high notes probably misses the whole aid part of aid another, and Pollux will be laughing the bass line to maintain the Fortune Hex on Trevor. So Trevor +2skill+1guidance+2Tal+2cal means +7 with 2 chances to roll a 13. The odds are not horrible.
Or we can rent a bard who is young and needs the money.)As Trevor finishes to absolute silence. Pollux speaks "Robahl. Plus he needs to find the head a job."
After the lacluster performance by Trevor Tal cringes a bit. You know, unless Caldazar can do some inspiring work perhaps we should ask Robahl to help out. I am jsut leery of getting to many people involved. As it is I stick on in a crowd. From now on I might need some help from the resistance group here to make purchases for me. The armor I think I can pull off as an upgrade to the theatrical armor I was wearing. It makes for a more impressive torturer anyways.
Any chance you Ailyn can read the peom for us?
Finally turning to look directly at the shrieking but muted head, Tal muses aloud. How long do you think its been in the box? If its been in there a long time, and from the state of the Knot we saw it was, and since it has survived this long without a body, maybe it knows a thing or two about what we are dealing with?
"A while I would imagine... long enough for what it knows to be thoroughly not current."
Might as well ask.
Caldazar, any chance you reading the peom to see if you can the cypher that is referenced? You might have the best chance of us all. Might want to put on you make up and perfume again though to channel Krona's essence.
Or run your hands through Tal's silky locks.
Tal looks at Trevor with deadly thoughts, He touches these locks I am taking my vengenace out of your hide. There be none of that going on around here with me. That play was unnatural enough the way it was, don't be bringing into real life now.
Taking a breath to calm himself Tal resumes his train of thought from before. Well Trevor, what direction do you want to take? Like I said I am more for the straightforward approach with the Sisters or this gladiatorial pit. The rest seems like a long shot until we can get this cypher figured out.
Let us attempt to 'convince' the sisters to hand over the remains. Seems the most straightforward attempt
Just making sure that Tal understands what his definition is of convincing the Sisters. Do you mean to give them a chance to peaceably hand over the ashes or are we doing the smash and grab method? I am willing to give you a chance Caldazar if you want. I just want to know ahead of time what to expect.
Speak first while being prepped for force sounds reasonable.
Then that sounds like I be up front with Caldazar. The silent but deadly partner ready to jump in front if he gives the signal. The question is what should be the signal. Some word I would think that he can say as to not alert the others.
Loach
What? How is he suppose to use that?
Trevor shrugs. Or express disappointment that they can't spare some time to allow Krona to commune with his ancestors.
The scroll is a scroll of heal.
Inside the box are four candles. Ailyn recognizes them immediately as grave candles items that allow you to question the dead so long as they're lit near the remains.
After several moments of screaming into the gag the head stops and spits out the gag and stares sourly ahead at nothing.
Scroll of Heal, very useful. I would like that if nobody minds. The candles can be used to talk to any of the dead pathfinders.
Treasure
Scroll of Heal
Gravecandles(4)
"Hmmm this appears to be a recipe for some kind of gumbo....Of wait it was upside down!"
Tal breathes a bit easier when Trevor mentions the candles. That will make the job a bit easier then. I was thinking that with all of the pathfinders missing or dead that we were left without any means of finding information that easily. We still have a lot of work ahead of us but now there is a glimmer of hope. No one said this was going to be easy and if this is what it takes to allow Lily to have a walk around the city at night I am all for it.
Finally noticing that the head has stopped screaming even though the gag is out Tal claps Caldaza on the back.Nice job there. We will have to remember that socks work well on it if it starts screaming again.
As it seems that Pollux and Cldazar are discussion things of magical nature Tal lets them figure things out for themselves not really caring what they decide. Most of the time Tal could care less about such discussions when it comes to items he can't use. He figures they know better than he does and is happy to not worry about it. Instead, he returns back to the possible cypher trying to figure it out. Puzzles appeal to Tal as it gives him an outlet for his mind to work. All too often people think of him as just an armored door carrier and not a thinking human being. Tal will prove them wrong eventually... Caldazar, do you still have that head piece from Robahl? If so can I try it on as I read this thing again?
The second scroll is a remove disease.
Know local to find Robahl preferably or one of the other actors that are friendly to us.
Hey guys, if it is alright with you I am going to step out and see if I can't find Robahl and bring him this poem.. Before Tal goes he copies the poem down so he doesn't loose the original. Ay one want to join me? If not i will take one of the others here that may know their way around town.
I'll head out with you. Always wanted to get a look at that theatre before it burns to the ground in some tragic accident.
Tal has a fair idea of who is in the group by now.
So I have trevor and Tal going to visit the coven of asmodean assass-I mean nuns.
What are pollux and caldazar doing? Following?
I think one of the npc's is a blacksmith and a potential fighter candidate. I'll take a look back at the first book and get back to you.
In the meantime.
Arriving at the Limehouse Tal and Trevor are greeted by the roars of art being made.
"NO NO NO NOOOO!!! PROJECT! PROJECT GODS DAMN YOU! ARE YOU ACTING OR ARE YOU MUMBLING!"
Robahl, redfaced and in his usual mood seems to be tearing into a young actress whose make up already seems smeared from tears. Another young actor looks equally nervous next to her.
The limehouse is clear except for the trio and for the hunchback special fx guy who is busy sweeping the floors and gives you a polite smile and nod as you enter but says nothing.
Trevor looks around. Having just heard about the Six-Fold trial insead of witnessing the slaughter disguised as art, he lets Tal take the lead.
Pollux is spending quality time with his new body-less friend.
The vagabond spends the day getting under foot and giving the profanity screaming severed devil-head the cooks tour. Pollux constantly talks to the head treating it's profanity laced diatribes as reasonable conversation. He talks about the play and conditions in Westcrown/Cheliax.
The tea party is particularly memorable. Pollux acting as mother to Castor and a severed devil-head likely makes several of the children muse on how lovely Katapesh is this time of year.