"Planning in the absence of information is unwise. I would prefer you concentrate your research on whether it is possible to sever the link between the creature and its invokers in a way that does not require their deaths, and how we might determine how many individuals were actually involved in the summoning."
Once away from Baveksh, Windle murmurs to the priest, "My apologies, Frater Kolnikov, for not speaking out sooner. I trust no one with that book...but I mistrust you and the rest of the Lady's clergy here least."
"No need for apologies, Mr. Thetra. And while your mistrust is duly noted, I most certainly am not fond of leaving such a valuable treasure with one such as Baveksh. He takes this situation far too lightly for my taste. Nevertheless, if he actually does have some ability in deciphering the tome, then maybe there's the possibility of finding another way to end this creature without having to resort to such sordid means that has presented itself to us," he says without much conviction. "We shall see."
Windle walks silently next to Iozef for several minutes, lost in thought, before speaking quietly. "I am wondering what we should tell our chance companions about what we have learned. Did you know any of them before the Mayor commissioned us?"
She nods. "If the city is still here tomorrow or the next day, there will be time to find someone to blame. When people are no longer afraid for their lives, they will become angry about their losses, and if there is any chance the Mayor has been caught in his own web, I'm sure your 'friend' will help us expose him." She smiles aside at Valiard slyly. "The three things that motivate everyone: life, prosperity, and love. We fought to save our lives; now the Mayor tempts us to go back with the promise of coin. What of the third? If you deliver what the elf-woman wants, what will she owe you? Or if she becomes mayor, what favors could she offer the merchant who becomes her lover? Is she your prize, or are you hers?"
Valiard is quiet for a few moments as the rain continues to drum on the roof of the tent. In the nearest corner one of the seams, thoroughly soaked, begins to leak, and a bead of water gathers slowly, before dropping to the floor of the tent.
"I guess I hadn't really thought about it. I was simply curious to see what the councilwoman had to say...but she really has nothing that I want or need. She hasn't offered me anything, and I haven't asked for anything. I guess I was acting as a concerned citizen, or something like it."
"You speak of love like it is a commodity, and in this town I would not dare dispute you. Too many people are just scrabbling to get by in this town. Even the richest people in this town are grasping, greedy and barely think beyond how the next deal will get them ahead of their competitors and neighbors. They would sell their own daughters and sons for the chance to make a beneficial deal...No, I can barely trust my neighbors in this place, to love someone in this place...I would be afraid, no, certain that I was being used to climb the ladder."
"I am happy now with my life here on the Hill. But I think that I can see a time when I will no longer be happy here, but bitter, grasping and used up...perhaps when this threat is dealt with..."
Windle walks silently next to Iozef for several minutes, lost in thought, before speaking quietly. "I am wondering what we should tell our chance companions about what we have learned. Did you know any of them before the Mayor commissioned us?"
Iozef slows down before coming to a complete stop as he ponders that same thought. "Initially I fully intended to tell them but I must confess, I've wondered that myself. As far as what I know of our companions, I know nothing of Grigor. What I know of Valiard is that he's an accomplished apothecary, nothing more. And as far as the fortune-teller is concerned, I've only heard stories of her. And apparently most of them true. Strange that one. Yet, in the same sense, extraordinary. I've never met anyone who seems as if they've no idea what's going on, yet, everything around them is under their control. It's truly unnerving. If ever there is one who dares to intrude upon her mind..." He shakes his head at the thought of how one's mind could snap at attempting such. "Forgive me, where was I? Oh yes, on telling the others. I think not. We will let them know that it is imperative that we find the remaining cult members that still live. Why? Because finding them will aide us in defeating this 'thing'. There is no deception in that. If deception is warranted, then you will have to attempt such. I fear I am not the most talented deceiver. I believe in your line of work it comes naturally. And in case you may not have noticed, I have a slight tendency to speak my mind." He looks at Windle as if saying, "It's true. I really do." "Anyway, if nothing more is learned from the tome that results in a differing measure to destroy this creature, then and only then do we reveal what must be done. Of course, that is only after we have found them. Agreed?"
Mireza watches Valiard closely as he speaks. When his voice has trailed off, a few moments of silence pass; then she reaches out hesitantly to touch her fingers against the back of his hand briefly, an action obviously intended to be comforting but with a timidity which betrays she is copying a gesture she has seen others employ rather than doing what comes naturally to her. "It still exists, Apothecary. Love. Even in Carrion Hill. I am not sure I know what it is, but if it means ... desiring another person without consideration for the benefits possessing them would provide, then it still exists. They all come to me, seeking love, and while there are many eager to catch influence or riches in their bed, there are still those who ache for another as poor and powerless as themselves." She looks away. "You think poorly of those who use it to gain what they want ... or need. But when your purse is empty, when you have neither coin nor power nor three hundred pounds of cloves nor the freedom to go where you wish and do what you will ... then you must use the only commodity you have, even if it is another's desire."
Iozef and Windle appear get back in the tent. Valiard and Mireza are deep in conversation.
A young boy runs past you, mentioning something about getting Grigor. Soon after, the Crow shows up. Mayor Heggry is looking at the two scholar as though saying "Well?"
Grigor looks pale and haunted.
The inquisitor strokes his chin, reflecting, before nodding once, sharply. "Agreed. However, I am concerned that when we apprehend the remaining three, we will need an extraordinarily safe place to keep them; I'll not insult your intelligence by explaining why. Our first step must in any case be to locate them." He walks the rest of the way in silence, unless Iozef has anything else to say.
****
"The details of the summoning and the capabilities of the creature were not to be found in our initial review. It is therefore imperative that we find the remaining 'Keepers' to question them, and preferably before the creature does. It does appear to be intelligent, and after what happened to Marshan and I expect it to seek revenge on those who sought to bind it."
The inquisitor strokes his chin, reflecting, before nodding once, sharply. "Agreed. However, I am concerned that when we apprehend the remaining three, we will need an extraordinarily safe place to keep them; I'll not insult your intelligence by explaining why. Our first step must in any case be to locate them." He walks the rest of the way in silence, unless Iozef has anything else to say.
Iozef nods in agreement and continues the rest of the way in silence as well.
"The details of the summoning and the capabilities of the creature were not to be found in our initial review. It is therefore imperative that we find the remaining 'Keepers' to question them, and preferably before the creature does. It does appear to be intelligent, and after what happened to Marshan and I expect it to seek revenge on those who sought to bind it."
Unable to add anything to Windle's statement, "That indeed sums it up, Mayor. Have you any idea where they may be located?"
The Loony Bin, Grigor said stonily.
And I mean that on many different levels. One of those sods is running our House of Nutters... lets pay him a visit
Valiard does not pull his hand away at Mireza's touch, but it is hard to say if he noticed it.
Did she just touch my hand?
Valiard nods at Mireza's words. "My mind understands...I am not certain my heart does. But perhaps I am too much of an idealist. I will try to keep my eyes open to what is around me."
The Loony Bin, Grigor said stonily.
And I mean that on many different levels. One of those sods is running our House of Nutters... lets pay him a visit
"I think that is as good idea as any Grigor." Valiard turns to the Mayor.
"Sir, if your friend Myre is involved, warning him may be the worst thing that you could do, for yourself and the city. Impartiality and distance will protect you from implication, and honestly, it just makes sense that you have investigators go see him without warning, that way if he is involved, he doesn't have the chance to cover up the evidence...or kill more people."
"If he is your friend," Mireza addresses the Mayor directly, "perhaps we should find him first. To protect him. If the monster should turn on him next...." She trails off, feigning concern, then appeals plaintively to Heggry, her eyes pleading. "Where can we find him, Mayor?"
Until the very last minutes, where you heard a Crow mention that the house was one of the residence of an influent merchant, a friend of the mayor.
Crove Asylum is located at the bottom of the Tangle, on the eastern side of town. The building is the only one made of stone in this part of town. A neoclassical Ustalan design, with obvious Chelish inspirations, it stands low, with a single floor, but wide, his north and south wings extending far through the park surrounding it.
The gate is unmanned but locked and you see no orderlies or patients in the courtyard. The rain seems to have slowed down, but the grey clouds seem to congregate around the asylum, almost disappearing in its dark grey walls, as if swallowed by the gargoyles adorning its walls.
Very few windows can be seen from where you stand, and they are all high perched, narrow, and covered with a grid, definitely designed to keep things in, not out...
From the gate, a straight path leads to the main central entrance.
"Well this looks inviting. I cannot imagine why we were not met at the gate. The tourism through this place must be astounding. They should sell tickets."
Valiard looks around at the grounds of the Asylum, his eyes taking in the sweep of grass, trees and garden beds.
Bugger this for a lark....
Grigor strides up to the front gate like a thunderstorm, and shakes on it violently.
Open up in the Name of the City of Carrion Hill - City Watch!.
Before you left, Mayor Heggry is obviously startled by the name of Myre: "That- That can't, CAN'T be him. No... No, it must be someone else in his family. No... He's been a good friend and a supporter of my campaign. No..." Mireza slowly unfolds the man: "He has a house in the Crown, and his business in The Filth. The great middenstone vathouse. You can't miss it. But please, it mustn't be him!"
You leave the mayor quite in shock...
Before leaving Grigor leans close and hisses in the mayors ear, speaking softly but with sharpness.
It is your friend if street rumour is anything to go my Mayor. I owe you much but I very much hope I don't end up coming for you when this is all sorted out.
Heggry grabs the Crow and whispers in his ear.
Sense Motive +11 / + 4 for Human
Mireza leans against the gate, pressing her face between the bars to look for any sign of a response to Grigor's shout. "They don't like your song, Crow," she smiles. "But the nest is still standing, so we arrived before their ancient lord. When the bough breaks, they'll twitter all right. Do you think this gate will keep them in, all the men too dangerous for prison, when the house is cracked open like an eggshell?" She turns her back to the asylum. "Do we want to fight their monster and the inmates, too? Wouldn't we rather catch up to it elsewhere, in less infested surroundings? The Mayor's influential friend... if we save his life and his money, will the Mayor not be glad of it? Or if the Mayor would rather his 'friend' take his testimony to the grave, is that not worth more to us as well than the contents of a madhouse?"
Something in what you say Fortune Teller.
He gives the gates a final shake.
They'll keep... and I'll get in even if I have to kick those bastard gates down to do it.
Iozef stares at Mireza through narrowed eyes, pondering her words. "Madam Mireza is right. Let us visit Myre's home." Iozef suggests as he immediately turns and heads towards the man's home.
You make your way around The Tangle and walk down to The Filth. As you do so, the rain intensifies and visibility is reduced by the curtains of water. The Filth sprawls at the foot of Carrion Hill, home of the poorest of its citizens and of the foulest of its industries. Among them, middenstone vats are a famous example, dropping their stench in the air and their sluice in the river.
Myre's middenstone operation is located on the northern edge of the Filth, in a long building called “Rupman’s Vats.”
From your quick exploration, you figure the following: Rupman’s vat is a 40-foot-high but single-story building looming over the river’s edge. The walls are constructed of middenstone around a wooden frame. Even doors are of middenstone, and all external doors are locked. Three sluice gates connect to the river, and entry via one of the three sluice gates seems possible; Furthermore, three chimneys rise above each sluice gate as well, but these are narrow and seem filled with noxious smoke.
The area around the Vats is narrow and you can safely approach or observe without being noticed.
Looks like we have an opportunity to slip in unnoticed with all the close quarters... quiet as you can to the doors and I'll see what I can do about those.
Grigor then slinks among the byways of the building to the front door, trying the handle quietly.
.
Grigor finds the door locked. The stench of the vat is almost overtaking. Inside, it must be incapacitating. Makes you wonder about the working conditions of the poor souls who can't find any other work.
Grigor fishes out his lockpicks and, kneeling, sets to work.
"I wonder if they made the roof out of middenstone too, since everything else seems to be made from it."
Valiard looks sideways at Grigor. Not bad...
"Grigor, don't you think that you should knock first rather than breaking in? And since when do crows pick locks to break in...I though you all just kicked in the door."
"I am starting to feel guilty. Here we are, standing in the street, breaking in to a business..."
Windle not-quite smiles. "Do not concern yourself. We have the law and the right on our side; who will challenge us?"
Mireza leans against the outer wall, pressing Valiard's sachet to her nose and mouth, although it seems to have lost some potency in the intervening hours. "Why does everywhere we go smell so bad?" she complains.
I am the law, Grigor growled low voiced, muttering in frustration, still looking about...
So much for a quiet entry and surprise... I'll have to knock.
"I have a terrible idea Mireza...you are going to love it. I think that I am going to go check out that sluice gate over there. It doesn't look like too much...stuff...is coming out of it, and we might be able to get in over there. I am going to check it out if you care to join me."
Valiard waits for Mireza's response before walking back down Flower street to the corner of the building and ducking into the alleyway between it and the ramshackle skeleton of a warehouse. The alley descends slightly as it gets closer to the river bank.
"I would've knocked initially, Mr. Vachkov. But that's irrelevant at this point." A curious look forms as he notices Valiard leave. "Where is he going?" He asks in general. "No matter." Iozef moves to the door and knocks.
Mireza cocks a quizzical eyebrow but smiles and follows Valiard down the alley, trailing her fingers against the rough surface of the middenstone structure. "It's made of bones and dead bugs," she observes, looking up at the mauve walls. "What sort of people think to build a city out of death?"
As he now notices Mireza head out in the same direction as Valiard, "Alright, now where is she going?" He looks to Windle then turns to look back at Mireza walking away. Turning back to Windle with a firm look of understanding, "Do they not realize that this is not the proper time for sex? Can't they wait for a more convenient time?" He asks as a matter of fact as he turns his eyes back to the fading Mireza. Quickly turning his attention back to the door, Iozef knocks a bit louder. "I know they hear me," he mumbles with a slight frustration in his voice at the door. "It's rude to ignore one's knock." He finishes his mumbled rant as he straightens his vest while he continues to wait.
Hells - I can't getting in with these..., he puts the picks away, tucking the thick bundle inside his shirt and armour.
What the hells is the Appocrathy up to?
"Frater Kolnikov, we are speaking here of an individual who conjured forth one of the elder evils so as to learn great and terrible secrets. A little rudeness would not rank highly among his many sins. As for the apothecary and the--" His friendly and open expression slips a bit for just a moment. "--fortune teller, perhaps they have found another entrance. Let us see."
"You know, I never realized just how smelly this town was. I mean, really! I am not certain that its a city of death, so much as a city of excrement." Valiard says, holding his nose against the smell of effluvium.
Valiard looks at the sluice gates for a moment, then turns to Mireza. "Those might work, but I don't relish having to climb up them to get inside. Do you think that we might be able to convince the Crow to make the climb and open the door from the inside for us?" Valiard finishes with a grin, still holding his nose, but then he gags as a bit of the stench gets to the back of his throat.
Aside from the smell, this looks like fun...skulking through a building that I cannot see the interior of...what are they hiding in there? I am almost itching to know. It has to be reasonably dark inside...there don't seem to be any real windows...yeah...
He stands still, his mind racing, staring at the gate. "So what do you think?"
Grigor uses the most powerful weapon at his disposal... and simply knocked hard at the front door.