Tabby ponders his words
a brothel you say, that may be our way in she says with a smile.
Kedrick bows his head We have received the information from the diviner. The captain appears to be in over his head with this mistress. We are not the only group interested in him. I believe someone has set him up. Ragar and I are going to trail him the next few days. Do you have any specific orders for us?
Ragar sits in the common room awaiting the return of Sweet. He peers around to examine the clientele.
Perception:
As the stranger speaks, Rupert maintains a careful, intent gaze as the cogs in his mind turn. Based on what he'd seen earlier, he tries to mentally place possible entrances for the dock. The brothel explains the extra activity. The docks may be a useful escape route. "Who's in charge of this operation? Are they affiliated with any of the other local organizations, or are they a self-contained entity? It's apparent that they're not associated with the Calistrians, if what you say is true."
"One of the few things I have been unable to find out is whose in charge. All that is known is that whomever he or she is, she must be well connected to have not been shut down already. They are definitely not truly associated with the Calistrians, that's for sure."
"No specific orders, but within three days time, the one we have chosen to take the place of this captain will be arriving in the city. We want him on the Council as quickly as possible"
Kedrick bows his head and thumbs the hilt of his bonded knife. Understood.
Kedrick stands and heads over to the mirror. He spends the next few minutes removing his current disguise. Bye, bye Sweet. He chuckles to himself. Wait until Ragar gets a load of this. I wonder what he is going to think.
After completely removing the disguise, he cleans up the mess and heads down stairs. Kedrick walks straight over to the half orc and sits down. May I speak to you upstairs sir?
Rupert smiles coldly. "Good; that should give us some legwork to do. I was beginning to fear this job would be over before we had any fun." Leaning forward and lowering his voice a notch, he asks, "Though I wonder how deep your own knife is buried into this matter. Do you have maps or other documents, or any contacts within the orphanage? Information on schedules, lists of notable patrons, names of anyone in the chain-of-command or any other idea how their organization is set up? Even any stray tidbit of gossip or miniscule detail would be helpful at this stage."
Ragar stands to his full height and stares down at the human.
And who might you be? I am awaiting the return of my companion, but she is upstairs as well.
It is in regards to your companion Sweet. Please come now.
Kedrick motions to Ragar with his hand and starts up the stairs. To ensure his credibility, he lifts his shirt revealling the blood knife.
Ragar's eyes grow wide at the mention of Sweet, and he is about to draw his axe, then he sees the knife. He hurries up the stairs behind the stranger.
Kedrick opens Sweet's door and walks into the room. After letting Ragar in and closing the door, he introduces himself. I am Kedrick. He reaches up to shake the hand of the massive half orc. I was recruited by the Blood Knives as a spy. One of my gifts is the art of disguise. I have been playing the part of Sweet for the past few weeks. He stops to allow Ragar to process. I have spoken to Cassandra. We have three days to bring the captain down.
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Wow! That is interesting...to think that I actually...ahhhh...you know...whatever. Ok, Kedrick, now that you are unmasked, let us get after this captain. Do you need to disguise us again?
Kendrick smiles at Ragar's reaction. It has surely put me in some interesting situations in the past.
He strokes his bearded chin as he thinks. I think your idea was the best. I'll trail the captain while you trail me. Let's get going.. Kendrick throws his pack over his shoulder and heads out the door with the large Half Orc.
Once they hit the streets, he looks around to make sure no one is watching or following them.
Perception:
Kedrick leans over and whispers to Ragar before casting message and speeding up to get ahead of Ragar about 50 feet. Keep an eye out big guy.
Ragar nods and smiles at Kedrick. As he walks away, he tries out the message by whispering.
Just testing this out...don't lose the quarry. I will not lose you.
Perception:
Roger.
"I can give you the layouts of some of the rooms within, but I will need a day before I have the information. How detailed do you want? I know nobody on the inside, but that does not mean I can not find somebody inside to aid you. That too will take some time, say an extra three days beyond the first?" He pauses, thinking.
"While I do not know of any exact names, it is said some of the highest ranking officials make use of this foul place. They will not like it should it get shut down, but I do not believe they will make too big a deal about it, should it become known what kind of activities took place within."
At first, you see nor hear anything useful. After about twenty minutes of wandering, however, you come across a youth who is able to direct you to the tavern your target likes to frequent. As Kedrik steps inside and looks around, its easy to spot your mark. He is sitting alone, with a large bowl of stew in front of him, a full tankard and several empty ones strewn about his table. He looks well off as well, more so than a captain of the guard should be, but not so much as to truly stand out. Your trained eye picks out the difference easily though.
Kedrick finds a table in the tavern which offers good visual access to the captain and orders a pint of Luglurch Ale. He looks around for anything out of the ordinary.
Perception:
When the barmaid returns with his mug, he asks about the special. Good evening miss. How are you on this fine evening? Kedrick flashes a charming smiles as he looks kindly into his server's eyes.
What would you recommend from the menu?
Ragar should be coming in soon.
Rupert frowns, tsking. "That's a very generous offer, but I feel that my sense of professionalism simply wouldn't allow for that; I wasn't recruited to outsource all of my labor." As he talks, he leans back, drawing out his Blood Knife, and begins to dig some dirt out from under his fingernails with the tip. His eyes flit up to Kyrani's and then back to their liaison. "That said, er, Matthius is it? That said, you sound like you have quite a bit to offer in this plot, and since you're already offering to do practically all the work for us, perhaps you'd be interested in coming in on this as a partner? I'm sure our organization would be most pleased to welcome a man of your apparent means to join us in attaining our ends."
Ragar strolls nonchalantly into the tavern, and he heads to the bar so as not to give away his association with Kedrick. He feigns a yawn and whispers into his hand while he waits for the bartender to return with his ale without turning around.
He looks drunk. I think that we should just wait for him to leave and then follow, unless you have a better plan. I would just as soon dispose of him on the way home, then our job is done.
If necessary I might be able to work my in through the brothel. pick up a few things here and there. perhaps coerce a few people to loosen up a bit if you get my meaning.
"I offer you my help because I am one of the few who can bypass their guards and defenses. No amount of stealth, sweet words, or shown skin will get you much past the front desk. Even normal magicks will fail to gain you much information. Believe me, many have tried and all have failed. It is one of the main reasons why an awful lot of people seem to think there is much more going on inside than even what I told you. Why else would they rely on such heavy protections?? Magickal or otherwise"
"It could be a front for all manner of unpleasant dealings. Or perhaps it's a misdirection for something going on somewhere else. Or maybe they just like their privacy. Since you insist that you're our only way in, I suppose we have no choice. Though I'm curious about these methods of yours that are so much more effective than every other trick. What is it that you can do to get in that no one else can? You said yourself that you don't have anyone on the inside."
"I practice a special form of magick that is all but unknown, and is there for hard to protect against." He says simply.
Well it would seem we have no choice but the question remains How do we get in. your magic may help you how about us.
I really, really don't like this situation. But, if anything goes wrong at this stage, at least we can pull out with minimal trouble for our part.
Sighing, Rupert agrees. "If we must, we must. We must get in, and to get in we must rely on you. We are hostage to your methods, and I don't care for it in the least, but there it is. What do you need from us while we wait?"
He smiles "Why, help me of course. I do not have anybody on the inside, but I believe we may be able to get somebody in to assist us in a minimal fashion. I'm guessing the half-elf will be perfect there. Beyond that, extra eyes are always useful."
Kedrick turns his face away from the captain and soundlessly mouths to Ragar: We can't kill him. We need to follow him to gain information.
You realize that you definitely can't kill him at least until the Blood Knife who'll replace him arrives, and even then it's probably not the best of ideas
We will just hold up here until he makes a move. Keep an eye out for others watching him or for a mysterious looking woman.
Again, Ragnar raises his hand to cover a yawn, and whispers into his hand.
Ok, but nothing says we cannot abduct him?
Not yet. Me need information. Something greater is at work and we need to know what or whom before our guy takes his place.
He smiles "Why, help me of course. I do not have anybody on the inside, but I believe we may be able to get somebody in to assist us in a minimal fashion. I'm guessing the half-elf will be perfect there. Beyond that, extra eyes are always useful."
Tabby give a raised eyebrow to this I might be perfect for what, I mean I know I can seem to be near perfect and all, but really? Or perhaps you think it best that I utilize my special training.
"I've already started keeping eyes on the place; I can aid with the surveillance." Turning eyes back toward Tabby, Rupert smirks. "You've been dying for some undercover work, haven't you Tabby? Looks like it's finally your chance. Just try to remember the mission while you're rolling in the hay, won't you?"
After about a twenty minutes of watching your mark, a rather attractive young lady takes a sit across from him. She's quite obviously not fiendish in appearance, though you both know how easy that could be to disguise.
As soon as she sits, the good captain perks up and its clear he isn't nearly as drunk as he seems.
Mathius smiles at you both."Wonderful. We need to head over to my shop however. I have some things I need there. We'll pick an unsuspecting victim and let the lovely Tabby loose on him"
Kedrick focuses in on the two attempting to read their lips.
Perception:
Ragar will simply cassually glance at them occassionally, leaving Kedrick to discern the communication.
Kedrick is able to make out some of the words spoken, and they seem to be be speaking about some sort of business arrangement. You aren't sure if this is something guard related, or something to do with what your investigating.
Then their food arrives and its not longer possible to read their lips, at least for the time being.
Rupert slides his chair back, standing. "Lead the way," he says, gesturing toward the door. He performs one more quick sweep to make sure they aren't being watched.
At some point in the conversation (when it appears the most heated), Kedrick calls upon his bloodline and attempts to read the captains thoughts.
Captain's thoughts This dumb b*@@$ has no idea what she's in for. I can't wait to tell the boss she fell for our ploy
I will follow the lead of Kedrick, as before, tracking him.
The young lady eventually leaves, but before your mark leaves, a large man sits down at his table, and the good captain stays put.
The man has a red tinge to his skin. It could be a trick of the light, but you doubt it.
"The schedule has been moved up. Time to strike tonight. With us behind you, you will have your wish"
Over the course of several weeks, the two of you uncover enough information and evidence to link the good captain to his fiendish mistress. You're able to use what you found out to cause him to abandon his spot on the council. Two days later, you come across him in one of the side streets and when he confronts you the two of you put him down, for good. That night, you both are summoned and brought back to Absalom, job well done.
After a day of preparations, you and Mathius are able to infiltrate the orphanage, in a manner of speaking. Mathius turns out to be a powerful mirror mage, able to look, act through and even move between mirrors and objects made mostly or entirely of glass. Manipulating some of the mirrors and glass in the main meeting room, he is able to cause a perfect set up for Rupert to carry out his true mission. Later that night, you are you called back to the Shadowed Dragon, where you are congratulated on your first successful kill as a Blood Knife
Ragar follows Kedrick through the portal back to the Inn in Absalom.
Kedrick proved slippery, but a good ally.
Mom...I'm home!
Kedrick follows Ragar through the portal. You did good work Ragar. Hopefully the boss will have another mission for us. Kedrick thumbs the red gem on his blood dagger.
Ragar looks back over his shoulder at his companion.
You as well, Kedrick. As well as we have done, I do not doubt they will have something for us.
Rupert looks up from his drink as Ragar and Kedrick appear from the portal room. He quirks his eyebrow in wry amusement. "Have a nice trip? You must be quite relaxed after that extensive vacation you must have been on."
We were successful. And how went your assignment?