K'nyaz shakes his head at the question, "No, moy studies have focus in other schools. I avoided spells of Ellusion or Yenchantmient, they are tools of guile and deceit. If he is have spellbook, I can look to see if can use what is in it."
As Keeya goes to scout, K'nyaz sends Voroan with her with a simple gesture and only a few words in the language they share.
Keeya rolled to the side to put space between her and the group should he attack again, and popped her other knife, readying it when the man surrendered,
"I told ya nobody sells me!" Putting her dagger up she reached down to the man, and carelessly removed her dagger from his side, cleaning the blood she put it away in a sheath along her belt, removing a fresh knife and setting it up in her wrist sheath.
"Don't kill him? Aroden! Talon what kin' a person do you thin' I am?"
She looks at Taize and smiles, "I'm fine Taize I don' thin' he had a chance to do us much harm before I did him harm. Kin' of embarrassin' to go down like that."
She tosses them the ropes she slipped out of "Make sure he can't use his hands, or speak his words"
Keeya slipped away into the shadows, very slowly scouting out the building.
Taize sighs and bandages the man. He's more valuable alive.
Talon thinks carefully to himself, scowling just a little bit. Granted, what she had revealed to him was more useful than just saying she was a priest - not every practitioner of magic was capable of the same power. Though he was thinking more about the advantages of someone capable of using lightning and storms. Easier for her to hit enemies wearing metal, he supposed.
"I'd go with any abilities that will give us an edge in battle. Anything that makes it harder for them to hurt us or easier for us to hurt them should be your priority, but if you feel like you can finish someone off with something a bit stronger, that's up to your own judgment. Also, don't forget to search that guy while you're tying him up," Talon speaks up quietly, glancing at K'Nyaz.
"If that spell was of either of those schools, then that was far from a tool of guile and deceit - by the hells, it took us all out in a single burst. I would love to be able to do that and win a fight before it even began." The tiefling was a rather curious person. Aside from the thick accent for someone apparently proficient in so many languages, his hunch-backed appearance, and his reluctant to be touched, there was now his belief in the different uses of magic.
"Look, I'm no spellcaster, but I've known a couple in my time. What I know about it is that magic is pretty much a tool and a weapon like any hammer or sword. You've got to have the right spell for the right job, and in this instance, that rat-loving jerk, he had the best spell to combat us. Don't look at a dagger and discard it just cause a sword deals more damage, as Keeya can certainly tell you." Best analogy he could come up with in this situation. But the time for lecturing was pretty much over for now, Talon waiting for Keeya to return.
Keeya look around in the darkness, thankful that her unique parentage grants her the ability to see in the dark. Paying attention and looking for any clues or other people but also looking for the Rat that ran off.
"I can learn the spell, if is available. Are some I refuse to cast outright, Niecromancy and Yenchantmient. I yam just not like to use Ellusion. Magic can be like weapon, but you are compare it incorrectly. Is not like sword and dagger, is like sword, and how you are use magic is how you are use sword. Some can be use to stab man in back, or slit throat in alley, other can be use for face man as equal. If this man choose uses that are effective, but not with honor, I yam not willinG' lose moy honor just for more power. That path lead to corruption." He sounds as if the explanation is almost a mantra he has repeated over a long time.
He keeps it civil, but adds what he considers an end to his side of the conversation, "I will concede, I yam not tell you how you choose to stab man with sword. You not tell me how I yam use moy 'sword' of arcana."
Talon thought I was going to kill him. I can't believe that. I mean, if he died when I attacked fine. But killing a surrendered opponent? I do have some honor. Not that the slime wouldn't of deserved it. 'Sell me'?. Scum, Scum. Maybe I should of Killed him. No... its fine, hes harmless now, and im sure if he tries to cast they'll end him. He can't be feeling to well after that dagger. Still though, what kind of person do they think I am?
She continues to slowly and quietly investigate the the darkened building.
Plutivarch just whimpers and keeps his head down as Talon threatens him. Yelping in pain when Keeya draws out the dagger.
Keeya sneaks throughout the abandoned tavern and finds out that it is very empty and except for a few small areas below, covered in thick layers of dust.
Keeya sneaks slowly into the below areas.
Keeya heads back to the room with the rest of her party.
"Nothing else here. I am wondering if that information broker didn't sell us out to this guy?" She avoids making eye contact with Talon.
"Keeya, this guy is meeting with his friends. As in, he told us that they would be here soon. So no, the broker's information is good," Talon spoke. "Can you and Taize keep a lookout for any company coming this way? I'm going to have a little talk with this guy," He told them, glaring at the sorcerer. "Kay, if you would, go ahead and identify those potions? Actually," He added, fishing the ring that they got from the Thassilonian paradox box, handing that over as well - he'd forgotten about it completely. "If you could, identify this as well. Found it in this box before you actually arrived."[b]
[b]"Now then," Talon spoke, looking down at the captured man, tugging his gag down. "I'm going to start asking questions, and you're going to give me straight and completely honest answers. If you don't, things are going to get a little...messy," He spoke, cracking his knuckles and looming over him.
"First of all, who are your friends coming? How many of them are there going to be? What's your business with them? Second, did you happen to turn over a woman to them like you did with us? Long curly black hair, thin, half-Varisian, probably wearing black leather pants and boots and a red top and gloves, favors a scimitar?"
As Talon begins to question the prisoner, K'nyaz eagerly inspects the vials, and subsequently the ring. All the while he keeps an eye on the preceedings, fairly certain that the threats are just to get the man to talk. He's distracted during the start, but gets better focus as he progresses, getting into the swing of things.
Taize mooves to a spot where she can observe the entry and waits.
"IF you want, I could talk to him." She lingers on the word 'talk'.
Taize stays out of the discussion, still maintaining her watch on the doorway in. I'd better keep an eye out. The last thing we need is his friends coming in and surprising us while we're debating what to do with him and them.
Plutivarch looks up as Talon threatens him, nodding and when the gag is removed he adds, "Anything, I'll tell you anything, just please don't hurt me."
"My friends that should be coming are the Aspis Consortium. I'm certain they'd pay handsomely for a group such as you. I haven't turned anyone over to them, you were to be the first. I was waiting for Pathfinders to show up and investigate."
Knoledge (Local): DC 12
The Aspis Consortium is a merchant trading group with numerous interests. There are rumors that they trade weapons, aren't above trading weapons to both sides of a conflict, and even generating conflicts to drum up business. They aren't known to be particularly hostile to the Pathfinders. Magnimar is known to have a regional headquarters.
The Aspis Consortium. Talon had heard a little about the group while working in Serpent's Run. Weapons dealer that would drum up business by creating hostility between groups and then selling to both sides. It was strange, though - he didn't think that they had any grudges against the Pathfinders. So why would they pay for any? More to the point, how did they know Pathfinders would come here?
"Why do they want Pathfinders? When are they scheduled to be here? How did you know that we would be coming here to investigate?"
Still monitoring the doorway, Taize comments "Perhaps it has something to do with our task. Either the item or the woman."
"Why would they want Pathfinders? Why *wouldn't* they want you? Information, blackmail, and ransom all come to mind." He closes his eyes for a few seconds and continues, "My pet is delivering the note as we speak, they're certain to come here quickly after that." He giggles, "Knowing you were coming? I knew you'd be here eventually, there's a mystery in town and Pathfinders, it's like flies and honey. The disappearances were nicely convenient for spreading the slavers rumor. Then, I just had to sit back here and wait until I saw Pathfinders show up."
"Let me know when ya want me to fallet him alive Talon. I learned so many thins' about keepin' people alive with out their skin in Absalom. Until then I am goin' to keep my eyes out for his frien's. I have no problem spilling MORE blood today."
Keeya grinned to herself. Then pulled out her masterwork dagger, looked it over for a while admiring it, smiling at it. before loading it into one of her wrist sheaths.
Keeya's attempt to scare the wizard into giving up more information was purely unnecessary, but he understood she was only trying to help. Knowing that his associates were coming soon certainly was good information - as was the hint about the disappearances. "So, there are no slavers, but people are still disappearing off the streets. What do you know about that? Is that the efforts of your associates, or would they happen to know more?"
"So, no slavers, that's good. No explanation for the disappearances, that's bad.
He looks up at Talon and says, "Plenty of disappearances, but I have no idea what is causing them, it's definitely not Nidalese slavers." He giggles for a bit at your confusion and annoyance, but after a while, he stops giggling and starts to frown.
Keeya walked back into the room, "I was just thinkin'." She bit her lip for a moment pondering what she was about to say. "When his friens get here... he's gonna be a liability. He can warn 'em, or givaway our position or attack us. We need ta consider how we are gonna handle him, an' fast. I'd en' it now but theres a bounty for 'em alive." She glares at the man, looking him up and down.
"I'm gonna go back to watch."
Keeya walks to one of the windows. Removes enough boards to give herself a place to shoot from while obscuring most of her body. She draws her bow and kneels down in front of the window. Readying an arrow she stairs out into the dark with her darkvision and she waits for movement.
" Alrigh' you sons of b+#*~es come out and play. "
Talon figures that he's wrung out as much useful information out of the man as he can, pulling off one of his metal gauntlets and flexing his fingers. Really, only one option to ensure that the guy wouldn't be alerting his allies. The option that came from cracking his bare fist against the man's skull.
x2=10 NL damage.
Once he's out cold, Talon puts the man's gag right back on him, putting him into the corner for the moment. "So, we can stay and wait for the Aspis guys to come around, ambush them and interrogate them for why they want Pathfinders and if they know what happened to Natalya. Or we can get out of here right now." Shame that K'nyaz didn't like illusion spells - a disguise spell to imitate the old bastard would be good right now.
Keeya rubs her eyes and yawns. She lowers her arm and rubs her shoulder. "I'm gettin' sore o'er here... Jus' how slow ARE these guys. "
She thought for a minute, not really knowing anything about this Aspis Consortium. "He said he hadn't sold anyone yet. Now Imagine this.. Imagine you are in a less than legal organization. Woul' you come to somethin' that seemed so suspicious based on the off chance someone with no credibilities claimed to o' captured some pathfinders?" She frowned for a moment.
"I wouldn't"
"I say we drag 'em down to the city watch an' collect our reward. Mayhaps sleep in a nice comfy bed and try 'n dig up some fresh leads in the morn." She put her arrow back in her quiver.
"An' if nothin' else the watch migh' even 'ave some information on this group, and they may or not have information on our missin' gal."
He explains what he learned about the potion and ring, adding that with another day he should have the other potions figured out. During the whole questioning process, he watched Talon and Keeya closely, ensuring that the violence they kept suggesting was mostly empty threats to get the man talking.
After the wait, he nods in agreement with the young woman, "If he hyad these Consortium trust, they sure would be here by now. I think man just hope for easy payday, maybe not know what is doing. We should turn him to authority, then get sleep. Is late, and maybe fresh mind help us in morning."
Taize nods. "That's a reasonable plan. His allies do not seem to be coming. Should we wait for his familar?"
"I'll Makea a deal, We see any rats i'll bullseye 'em!" Keeya added impatiently.
Talon thinks things over, taking everyone's suggestions in stride as he contemplates the right course of action. "Kay's right. We should just haul this piece of garbage over to the Arvensoar and get some rest. I think that perhaps tomorrow, we should investigate the disappearances more closely. Maybe even look for the Tower Girls and see if they can't help us find their missing member. They're looking for her as well, so maybe they know more about why she vanished, or at least where she was last seen."
Since there appears to be no one else coming, Talon hauls the sorcerer on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, ready to head off to the Arvensoar to deposit him with the guard. "By the way, do any of you guys have lodging already set up? If you don't, I have a small apartment you can bunk in for the night. You'll have to sleep on a bedroll on the floor, but it's free at least."
"Yeah... I guess I can stay with ya Talon... It'll save me some coin..." Keeya eyes Talon very suspiciously!
Keeya leans over to Taize as they walk and whispers to her.
"Careful Taize, I've 'eard this one before. 2 Gold Pieces says 3 to 4 'ours from now he 'spills' somethin' on our bedrolls but fortunately he'll allow us to stay in his bed for the night. Or somehin' similar. Or maybe it's real cold but he only has the one blanket, and 'offers' to share."
She nods then glances back at Talon suspiciously.
You hoist the unconscious lump called Plutivarch over your shoulder and your little troupe heads off to the Arvensoar. When you arrive, the desk clerk, who is thankfully not the same one Keeya flirted with, sees the body and when told who he is, shepherds you immediately into the presence of Officer Kasadei.
"I see you captured Plutivarch, we're much obliged that you captured this scum, here's your 100gp reward." She hands you a small pouch with the coins in it and continues, "He's been very annoying, always trying to stir up trouble at our expense, the city will be more peaceful with him behind bars."
Offhandedly she adds, "By the way, did you ever track down the person you're looking for? I believe it was Natalya, right? We've found most of the people who've disappeared recently, but not her, I was curious to see if you've had any luck."
Talon had been all set to just dump the criminal with the authorities and split - dividing the pouch of coins to the group, 25 gold pieces to each of them - before blinking and looking over at Kasadei. "You found the missing people?" He asked, very curious now. "What happened to them? Where did you find them?" This might just be the break they needed to find the woman.
"seems weird to be on this side of the law." Keeya notes as she counts her money in front of everyone not paying attention to the conversation going on.
When Talon offers a place to stay, K'nyaz seems uncertain and a little surprised, "Does not lodge of Pathfinder's offer place for staying while assigned here?"
When they hear of the missing people being found, K'nyaz stays silent, as Talon asks all the questions he considers relevant.
She replies, "Well, after we confirmed that the Nidalese slaver rumor was just that, a rumor, we investigated all of the people who were reported missing. We are very happy to report that most had returned or weren't actually missing."
She shuffles a few papers and continues, "In a city this size there are always a few people who go missing for various reasons, nefarious or not, and the few who are still missing aren't too large a number."
Shrugging she says, "And until we see proof that there is something more going on, we've declared the investigation over."
Adding in a very matter of fact tone, "With people like your friend, Natalya, who are part of the gang world, we aren't too surprised when some go missing. I'd wager that the Tower Girls got a hold of her and made her disappear."
"Then maybe someone needs ta go talk to these 'tower girls' an' see wha' they know." Keeya said matching the woman's tone before placing her hands on her hips.
She suddenly yawned, and embarrassed tried to cover her mouth quickly, she turned away from the group until her yawn ended, "um... Maybe we shoul' ge' some sleep first though. "
Talon has to frown at the almost callous way the woman declares the entire investigation over like that. Granted, the majority of the missing people were found, but that was no reason not to actually look for the common link between them. "If it was just a few people that would have been overlooked anyways, I don't think that these rumors about the disappearances would have spread so fast. I mean, granted, it's great that they're back and all, but where did they go? What happened to them?" He voiced his concerns, before returning to the matter at hand. It was late, but Keeya's comment about the Tower Girls made him realize something.
"I know it's late, but we've pretty much exhausted all of the leads we've found so far. Our only choice at this point if the disappearances have been cleared up is to seek out the Tower Girls. You wouldn't know how we could contact them?" He was hedging his bets that she would at least know the general area that the gang worked in, being an officer - the watch surely kept tabs on the gangs to make sure they didn't get out of hand.
probably not to much
While exhausted the suspicious way the investigation was announced over did not slip past Keeya. They are probably all in on it Talon... Can't trust the Authorities you know.. she thought to herself, I'll tell 'em when we get to his apartment I guess.
Keeya shifted impatiently from one foot the other.
"I wonder if.." Keeya decided it was best to say nothing than finish that thought.
K'nyaz is somewhat confused by the dismissal of the supposed problem. Instead of addressing the guard, he asks Talon, being the one taking the lead on things, "Where they were that someone thought them missinG'? Were they all vanish at same spot in city, or all of sudden people all over are just vanish, then reappear?"
Officer Kasadei looks at the party for a moment as if thinking about what to tell them, she shrugs, making up her mind and then explains, "Many of those who had disappeared were not vagrants, but rather were gainfully employed merchants, fishermen, shopkeepers, and laborers. In many cases, they were found days or weeks after they vanished, living as homeless wretches in the city slums. Those who were questioned proved to have amnesia and had no idea of where they had been during their disappearance. They seemed none the worse for wear other than their amnesia and the effects of their deplorable living conditions. I'm baffled as to what may have caused the amnesia, but since most victims seem to have returned safe and whole otherwise, the watch leadership has declared the spate of vanishings to be a closed case."
She lowers her voice and confides, "I'm worried that whatever's been going on in these cases, the city has not seen the last of it, and if you can figure out what's been causing hard-working citizens to abandon their lives and become amnesiac vagrants, I'll see to it that you get a 1,000 gp reward."
She adds, "Lord-Mayor Haldmeer has offered a 500gp reward for each victim returned that is still missing as well as information about what caused the disappearances."
"As for the Tower Girls' location, that could be a problem - tracking down any of the Sczarni gangs. It's tricky normally, but as far as I know, the Tower Girls recently changed their headquarters. No informants have yet been able to update the city watch as to their new headquarters, but a few months back, the Tower Girls had a falling out with another Sczarni gang, the Wreckwash Blades. For several weeks after that, rumor was that the Tower Girls were slumming it in an abandoned warehouse in Underbridge that they shared with a disreputable local by the name of Fenster the Blight - he may know where the Tower Girls are located now."