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Perplexed, Kegan asks "A week? Why would she wait that long?"
With a mischievous grin, he takes his hat off as he enters the building. Then he adjusts his flaming red hair so that his pointed ears are clearly visible. I wonder what she thinks of genie kin?
Brushing some cat hair off his sleeve, he says "Time to meet the woman!" This could be fun!
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Zot would reflect on the situation, overhearing what the children had to say about their time to recover. It wasn't all too odd to take a week or so to recover from a simple cold. What his primary concern was why the kids were sick in the first place, and to what ailment plagued the home.
Though what really caught Zot's eye was that of the Black cat with rather entrancing green eyes. Where many other cats wandered off as they often do, this one seemed particularly interested in him and the other Pathfinders. Perhaps the kitten just wanted some attention? All too many times working in a kitchen leftovers would be left out to a trough and Zot enjoyed the company it sometimes brought.
Taking note of Kegan as he went to work, Zot would turn his attention to the kids and cats. "Why aren't you all a true spectacle," Zot would say softly towards the cats though mostly towards the black cat with green eyes "Why so troubled? No need to hide.". Zot would attempt to lower himself slowly to the ground, one leg standing with the other knee flat on the floor, hand outstretched rubbing his fingers together in the hopes of catching one of the cat's attention.
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Bumi will also notice the cat's intense look as well, and when Zot moves closer, the black cat will casually stand up and smoothly avoid him. Even though he's fairly certain the cat can hear (and understand) him, it is consciously choosing to not reply.
Mere moments after Zot's catatonic attempt at communication, the front door slams open, revealing a standing there. Gilga Baltwin glares at you all, pointing a wooden mixing spoon at Bumi and Kegan in particular.
"Hey! This is a home for sick children, not a social club or petting zoo! Get away from those kids, you filthy Dwarf and you too...weird-elf-thing!"
The children you were speaking with scatter with a "We'll go play out back, Auntie!"
To Zot, she looks down semi-disapprovingly, "And you should know better than to get down on the ground like that, little one - it's dirty and you could get sick!"
To Einn and Steve, her voice takes on a slightly more 'normal' (if still quite rude) tone - "And you two, what do you want? Why are you bringing this circus act to my home?!"
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Weird elf-link thing? Circus act? How very rude of her, doesn't she realize I am a descendent of an elemental lord?
Kegan's hair seems to develop a slight glow as he glares at Auntie Baltwin.
In a crisp, clear voice he announces "Health Inspectors. We need to inspect the premises and verify that all health code procedures and regulations are being followed!"
Stepping up to her, he demands "Are you the one in charge of these premises?"
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Bumi will look on confused at Zot's interaction with the cat.
Zot would smile back at Bumi, "What, you don't speak with the kin of the land to which you've shared company with?"
Shrugging he'd take note of the cats obvious yet uncharacteristically cool avoidance. "Besides, not trying catch anyone. Just have a small kit-cat chit-chat" Zot would say playfully, the cat's odd behavior peaking Zot's interest.
Abruptly as Gilga Baltwin stormed into the room with her Wooden ladle Zot would listen to her every word. Both surprised and entertained, he would think playfully to himself "I wonder if Gilga realizes how much of a bad idea it would be to threaten his fellow pathfinders."
Hoping to assist Kegan while still trying to keep an eye on the cat Zot would add with as much of a youthful disposition as he could muster, "Sorry Auntie Baltwin, rumor has it that some of the kids are getting sick too often. I'm sure it is just a misunderstanding. I'm sure we could simply help with the treatment of some of the children if you could help us discover what was ailing the other small ones so often."
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(Modifiers hidden behind GM's screen)
(Modifiers hidden behind GM's screen)
Auntie Baltwin takes a step back under Kegan's fiery glare, face almost seeming to go a little bit pale by comparison to her original outburst.
"Oh, well of course I have time if you're inspectors. Please, come right in, and mind the cats...and you," to Bumi, "make sure you wipe your feet and don't touch anything with those dirty hands." She mutters to herself as she holds the door open for all of you,
Once inside, she takes a small dish and offers it to Zot. In it is some brown powdery-like substance. "Here you go deary. Sprinkle a little of this and the cats will come and play with you. Just not Pickles - he's touchy about most people." Her eyes flash to the black cat that is now perched on the kitchen counter, still watching all of you with an intent glare.
Looking around, you notice that the ground floor is rather clean and well-kept, with some children playing with toys, building blocks, or cats. There is a ground-floor dormitory for the children with a few more beds than there are occupants, but you see a cat-proof wooden divider going upstairs where the sounds of coughs and sniffles can be heard.
"Welcome to Auntie Baltwin's Home for Recovery. This is mainly an orphanage for children who've lost their parents to mishap...or murderous adventurers like the Pathfinders or the street gangs or the Aspis or the Crusaders or the Sczarni families or, well, so many other things in this cruel, cruel world. I also take care of sick children and keep them upstairs in their own rooms so they can get better without risking the others. Feel free to look around all you'd like, but make sure you wash up" (her eyes flash to Bumi) "if you're going to go upstairs, and don't let any of the cats up there either!"
The kitchen is where the neatness ends. Several stoves have an array of soups, poultices, and other things simmering at once, and several dark brown bottles are arrayed on a shelf that even an adult would need a stepladder to reach (although no such ladder is present).
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Kegan complements her on the tidiness of the main room and dormitory. He does raise an eyebrow at the chaos that is her kitchen, but makes no comment. I was beginning to wonder. The place had looked much too neat! I wonder if she forbids children to come in here?
At her comment about keeping the children upstairs, he asks "Are all of the children upstairs your charges, or do you treat other children as well? Do you give aid to any who may need it?"
After washing his hands, he carefully checks that no cats get past him as he goes through the gate. He then goes up the stairs two at a time. Once at the top of the stairs, he follows the sounds of the coughing.
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Einn would walk around the kitchen as the others are starting to get settled in being the strong silent type to this point. She would lean over gently the stoves sniffing at the mixtures that are simmering on the stove. Scritching a random cat without noticing while walking around, and observing the kitchen while waiting her turn to wash her hands before following up the stairs.
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"All my little ones, yes. I can take in sick children from elsewhere too, but nobody has brought any poor sick dears here who weren't orphans in years."
The upstairs is surprisingly sterile and tidy. Each of the little rooms has one to two children in it, separated by cloth dividers. The smell of medicinal herbs, poultices, and chicken soup permeates the air.
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Before the others would move their way upstairs, Zot would gladly take the substance for the cats while curiously casting Purify Food and Drink by means of a small prayer to Desna. Finishing the spell, Zot would step away and see if "Pickles" would take interest. Making a quick glance towards the front cat door, Zot would then turn his interest towards the other Pathfinders as they moved upstairs.
Taking note of what the others had discovered Zot would find all the information unsettling. Between mildly addictive cat nip, watered down medical supplies, and the odd cat there wasn't much that was putting Zot's mind at ease.
Zot would reflect on the medical supplies provided by the Silver Crusade, and know full well that there was enough supplies currently provided and in sent frequently enough that watering down the drugs wouldn't be necessary.
Returning Kegan's inquiry while insuring Auntie wasn't around, "There is more than enough medicine here to care for any sickened children, and I know the Silver Crusade provides it in enough frequency. At this point all I can do is assume the worst."
Zot would reflect on his own findings from before, "When researching her actions, there were a select few who mentioned that she has informants drop off bags of coin to her though said individuals do not stay for very long." Zot would sigh frustrated.
Turning to Steve, Zot would ask softly so as not to raise too much suspicion, "Steve did you find anything odd about Pickles?"
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Kegan ponders for a moment what Zot had said, then pulls out the package of medicine he had been given and looks at it.
Is it time to bluff some more, or take a more aggressive stance and make accusations? I suppose we could just feed the children here the full strength medicine but I really do not feel qualified to properly administer it. No, too much medicine is a bad thing. Best to allow someone trained in this care for these children.
Time for action!
We were told to deliver the medicine, so that is what we will do. Then we inquire about why she has diluted it so badly and report back.
We are supposed to cooperate. I will ask for a better plan or leave to act on mine. I'm just as willing to follow if given a workable plan!
As soon as Zot and Steve have finished their whispered conversation, Kegan will stride up to them and ask "Do either of you object to me delivering the medicine and asking her about why she diluted it? It is time to act, and confronting her is the best plan I have."
"Give me a better plan or allow me to act on this one!" Kegan beseeches you.
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Einn would look over towards Auntie and ask politely. "Are there any others in the area that also look after little ones? Possibly something that is the area that is being shared or picked up from other wee ones in the market?"
Einn would walk over towards a window and look for specific places that she has heard about specifically Master Trebb Bonto's before quietly looking towards the rest of the party. "Perhaps it would not hurt to ask around some of the neighbors, if its something localized small critters are sometimes known to pass on things, and it may not just be wee ones and cats." She looks over to them hoping that they may pick up she's referring to folks of a more older human persuasion.
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Bumi is happy to sit back as a target of Auntie Baldwin's ire/racism while the others explore, he'll make sure to stay within her vision but go off to touch things and/or speak with kids, quite possibly while singing very off-tune in Dwarvish. He figures the others can get a good picture to report back to Zarta if the need doesn't arise to do more.
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Auntie Baltwin does not join the party upstairs, but rather stays focused on keeping an eye on Bumi and the larger number of children on the ground floor.
Zot - profession cook works fine in this case. It appears that her catnip is mainly used to keep the cats more inclined to stay downstairs and not try to go upstairs where the sick children are. You do not detect anything harmful or poisonous.
(modifiers hidden)
Einn - all that information was handled before the party arrived here.
"Oh no, dearie, just me around here. Other than the temples with their religious indoctrinations, no one else around here cares about the poor dears like I do."
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We are supposed to cooperate. I will ask for a better plan or leave to act on mine. I'm just as willing to follow if given a workable plan!..."Give me a better plan or allow me to act on this one!" Kegan beseeches you.
Zot would nod, knowing that at this point we have exhausted our immediate options. "Interrogation at this point may be our best course of action. We know she is diluting the medication. We could attempt administering the medication though I will admit my healing is by Desna's blessing more times than my own handiwork."
Zot would reflect on the children around him and sigh heavily, "I don't care the level of severity, but no children should have to suffer longer than is necessary."
Turning to the others, Zot would approve of Kegan's course of action. "We have the proof we need to press the matter, do any of you have a better or alternate plan?"
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"Right, let's get to it then!" Kegan says as he bounds towards the stairs.
Leaping down them, he stops at the gate. Once again, he carefully makes sure no cats slip past him as he goes through the gate.
Looking around on the ground floor, he finds Auntie Baltwin and the rest of the party. He waits for Zot to catch up.
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Kegan holds the package of medicine under his arm, adjusting it so that the emblem of the Silver Crusade is clearly visible to Auntie Baltwin.
"We are almost done here, just a few questions I would like to get answers to before we deliver this to you." he says, indicating the package.
"Why are you using diluted medicine for the children upstairs? Surely the deliveries are sufficient where such methods are not required!"
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My isn't Kegan the impulsive one! Zot would mindfully chuckle to himself. Reaching into his belt pouch, Zot would casually pull out a few leaves of Mentha and begin to rub them together, the cool smell filling the air and hopefully easing whatever stagnant air was likely apparent in the sick children's room.
Whispering aloud towards the children, Zot would speak a prayer to Desna in helping each child find their way along their path, and to bless Kegan and any who would aid him good fortune in the coming interrogation.
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Auntie Baltwin leans against a table in the kitchen, looking over the assembled group...
(modifiers hidden)
(modifiers hidden)
"Well...you see..." she glances up at the brown bottles up on the high shelf, "I have a little bit of a...well...an old lady living all alone with over a dozen children and cats...I need to drink a little bit to keep my nerves calm and all that, every now and again...the temple sends medicine and food, but nothing else for poor old Auntie."
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Zot would take note of the others as they walked down the stairs. Following in line he would listen in on the conversation. Taking note that the older woman had been side-stepping Kegan's direct question somewhat.
Shaking his head, Zot would press the matter further. "Auntie, we need more direct answers. If we do not leave satisfied that these children are getting the full strength of these medications and are in good health then you risk the aid entirely."
Zot didn't feel well about the situation, and given all the evidence he has found so far he'd attempt to get a good hunch of what is going on. Thankful for Bumi's aid in keeping the which occupied, Zot would place his hand upon Bumi's shoulder and grant upon Bumi a use of a Bit of Luck
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"Most days you need it if you want to make it through the day in this house. These children are killing me!”
To Kegan, "Well, sometimes selling a little bit of it to afford some bubbly and, well, you know...But I use my medicinal expertise to make the medicine left still work just fine - just takes a few more days than normal."
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Zot would shake his head disapprovingly. "The task of caring for children is a tough one indeed, though thinning the medication to afford comfort while prolonging the struggles of those under your care undermines every selfless intent you present to us."
Motioning to the other children Zot would emphasize on the merit of her efforts, "You do a great service for these children. I must ask you, if they truly cause you so much stress what prompted you to start this service in the first place? Perhaps we can help you find the harmony you desire."
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Bumi is ready to either fight this woman for shirking her responsibilities or report back to his higher up on what all people have seen, but has nothing further to really discuss with her, though he will follow the lead of the party (especially since most of them seem to be better with words than he is.)
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"I sell parts of it for coin so I can afford drink...look, if you just tell the temple, I'm sure they'll send someone to work with me to figure out something, right?"
GM Note: You are fairly certain at this juncture that delivering the medicine and reporting that there *is* in fact a problem with Auntie Baltwin is sufficient to complete your mission for Ollysta.
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GM Note: You are fairly certain...is sufficient to complete your mission for Ollysta.
Not would note to himself that she has admitted to the problem at hand and will proceed to make their report. A shame though one that seems to be on it's way to being remedied.
"Auntie, thank you for granting us this time with you and your services here. We shall report directly and see about getting you the necessary aid you and the children need." Nodding towards her and Pickles he would turn his attention to the others.
"Let us report back to Ollysta, I am certain she will be eager to get this situation resolved promptly. Agreed?" Hopefully taking the time to gather the information regarding Auntie didn't delay them too long. After this it would be on to Dremdhet Salhar in the Wise Quarter.
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Einn nods in agreement, holding the door open for her other companions.
"The Wise Quarter is the next location, I have a feeling that when we get back if the rest are like this one it is going to be an interesting story to be sure."
After walking a little ways down the street. "Have any of you been around the Garundi or into Osirion before? Anything that we know of these agreements usually entail? Hopefully not anything that we were supposed to bring ahead of time by tradition."
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Einn - Your inquiries return nothing special - individual nobles/houses have their own methods of dealing with outsiders now that the Ruby Prince has opened up Osirion to explorers and archaeologists and Pathfinders.
~~~~~
Once you travel to the Wise Quarter;
You make their way to the rich estate of Grand Councilmember Dremdhet Salhar, and are greeted by a guard who is expecting them as they reach the tall, wrought-iron gate. Once you are inside, a servant tells you that Salhar is not present, called away on important Council business, but his most trusted advisor is available to negotiate any business you may require. The servant explains this while leading you down well-decorated hallways, past expansive rooms.
After a few minutes, you arrive at a simple study near the end of a long hallway. Inside , a tan-skinned old man sits behind a desk flipping through pages in a large tome. Scraps of paper jut from the book marking over two dozen different places. As you approach the open door, the wise sage silently gestures you into the study with one thin hand,
while closing the tome with the other after finishing what he was reading. Once inside, he addresses you:
"Good day to you, Pathfinders. I am Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage, advisor to Master Salhar. I understand you were sent here to discuss archaeological permissions. Knowing this was coming, I spoke with Master Salhar at length on the subject and have this to say.
“Since Osirion was reopened to exploration a decade ago, adventurers, historians, and treasure-seekers flock to my country by the hundreds, perhaps thousands. While most families with ancestral burial vaults maintain guards and keep their sites out of the hands of casual thieves, not all families have the wealth or power to restrict everyone, and as we all know, not every defense is perfectly secure. Unscrupulous tomb robbers and maligned merchant organizations cause Osirion to bleed relics into the Inner Sea—something the descendents of Ancient Osirion cannot afford. We Osiriani have thousands of years of rich history coursing through our veins, and while that power has been out of focus in recent years, we are content to wait, knowing our enemies will wear themselves down. As they fall into arrogance, folly, or greed, we wait for our return to power, knowing we bear the riches of our ancestors at our feet.
“Master Salhar remains impressed by the Pathfinder Society, orating in their favor a handful of times in front of Absalom’s Grand Council, in fact. Due to previous relationships between him and the Society, Master Salhar has agreed to grant permission to the Pathfinder Society to explore his family’s vaults below Sothis. The only thing he requires is that you retrieve the map of the vaults from his own vault here. The servant will lead you to the basement and show you the room.”
The Sapphire Sage’s eyes twinkle as he smirks knowingly, then he turns back to reading his book as though he had never been disturbed.
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After leaving Amenopheus’ study, the servant brings you back through the spacious estate, leading you down sturdy stone steps into the cool basement. Down a hallway, after a couple turns, your group ends up at a plain wooden door. The servant opens the door, gesturing to the room with a bow, and waits silently for you to enter.
(When ready to proceed, type *)