It's a Paizo brand LotR Lothlorien cloak!
When you do return upstairs, you find the Dire Corgi panting happily at your return. Also two of the dire rats have been stripped of their choicest meat.
Also also, Amara is still itchy as hell.
Amara looks at the rest of the party.
"Alright, since we're no longer in immediate peril, I need to let you know that I just can't scratch this f*+*ing itch since we fought those awful vomit creatures. The ones we fought before we fought the shit creatures. Hells, this place is awful..."
Amara shakes her head.
"Anyway, I'd really rather not have contracted some sort of disease from those things. Anybody got anything they can do or know someone who can check it out?"
"Hi boy! Oh uh and no.....not me at least....Septima what about you? Got any magics that can help us here?" Alexis approaches Amara and looks at her inquisitively.
"out of curiosity where does it itch in particular?"
"An itch?" Septima wrinkles her nose before going over to Amara.
"Let me see what I can do. Shall I?"
She holds her hands out, waiting for Amara to show her the infected area.
"So... guys, speaking of incessant itches and the need to scratch them, we should talk loot. How are we splitting stuff up? I mean, we're all in it together, so we could give stuff to who can use it, sell what we don't need, and then give gold to the rest for..." She looks at Ramon. "Further projects and upgrades. But we should figure out now if we're doing it as a giant party pool or splitting amongst ourselves."
"All grimples are infested with gremlin lice. Whenever a warm-blooded creature comes in physical contact with a grimple, there is a 25% chance it contracts gremlin lice. 1d4 rounds later, the creature begins to itch. The itch proves so distracting that for the duration of the infestation, the individual takes a –1 penalty on all concentration and initiative checks. Fortunately, these annoying parasites cannot live long on non-gremlins, and only survive for 24 hours. Submersion in water or exposure to freezing temperatures also kills a gremlin lice infestation."
"And on a related note..."
Mira whisks the stealthcloak on before pointing dramatically at Amara.
"You've got lice. Give it a day, you'll be fine. Or just jump in some water."
Alexis flinched as the cloak is taken away.
"Mira! Be careful that's a Elvish cloak! Well specifically a cloak of Elvin kind. It's magic, don't damage it! I mean it should help you be more stealthy so I would have suggested it go to you anyway....Honestly anything that helps with my magic works for me....want the cloak do resistance Septima? Alexis glances at the stuff, not exactly interested in anything aside from the scrolls, which she already procured. I guess so can take gold we get from selling stuff as my share...would let me buy supplies.
Septima purses her lips, showing little interest in the loot as well. "Anything that can keep me from dying. I can't really afford to be picky in life threatening situations."
"Not dying!? Then we have a gift for you!" Alexis grabs the cloak of resistance Amara took off and gives it to Septima.
"One cloak of making you more.....resistant! Should help you survive more!"
The way back toward the bridge remained uneventful, which was especially nice considering nothing anyone did seemed to deter the two hundred pound Corgi from following them through the streets.
Rexus greeted you with a muted enthusiasm. "Hello friends! And, well hello to the new beastie. I trust the excursion was fruitful?" The gregarious sorcerer looks around, nervously watching for Dottari. After a confused stare at the dog, he locks eyes on the coffer beneath Amara's arm.
"In more ways than one. Found some important looking papers and a whole lot of bodily fluids."
Amara holds up a hand.
"Don't ask. I need to take a bath."
She hands the box to Mira and begins the search for a suitable bath.
Alexis Walks up to a table,looking at Rexus.
"This is Aspex, he is our new friend. Isn't that right buddy!" Alexis makes embarrising kissy faces at the large animal. Alexis then turns back to Rexus.
"But now is the time for buisness! Here are the papers!" Alexis pulls the blank book that had all the papers in it out and sets them on the table She neatly stacks the papers together, making careful note not to mix them up.
"They seem to be in 3 languages. Now I can understand the first two, unfortunately my celestial isn't too hot.. . as of right now at least. Luckily our friend gremlin can understand Celestial so if you want I could begin transcribing these immidiatly" Honestly, Alexis seems Way too interested in doing boring paperwork.
"As for the rest of the stuff in the box, basically just treasure. Nothing major, outside of three statuettes of ravens."
She pulls one out. "They were a key, and they look cool, dunno if they do anything else yet."
"Ah yes, this cipher, Strix, Celestial, elven, and some crosstranslating to boot. Without the key it will take weeks to decode. Luckily I think I can crack it! I suppose now I know why my mother insisted I learn how to do so! However, this is not quite the place in the open. I've arranged for an old friend to ferry us across the river, since the guard will be watching the toll bridge after curfew. Amara I'm sure you can bathe in the bunkroom at the coffeehouse. Laria has a nice washroom there. "
Rexus gathers the documents, trying to contain his glee, and beckons you all toward the river, out of sight of the Dottari watching the bridge.
Alexis gathers up her things and follows.
"Sounds good. We'll give the loot one more once-over to make sure we didn't miss anything once we get there."
Mira follows along as well.
A hooded figure leans on a post smoking a pipe as you approach the ferry. "Bit late for a stroll eh mates?" It's a male voice with a light growl to it. The glow of the pipe shows an ashen grey fur on his face and the gleam of a rather toothy grin.
Rexus nearly jumps out of his skin. "ah.. wha- um... H-hello?"
Amara moves between the group and the figure but continues walking.
"Is it?"
She asks flatly, barely looking at the man and resting a hand on Ramón as she continues her casual pace.
Alexis is gonna attempt a perception to see if she recognizes the guy at all. Or see any details in particular.
Septima keeps behind Amara like a smart cookie, following Alexis' idea and inspecting the man.
You see by the glimmer of the moonlight on the water that he is a Catfolk, and not likely native to here. The scarlet bone pin on his coat marks him as a foreign captain. Bit brazen of him, given the last of Thrune's proclamations. you think. A solid white rapier hangs at his right hip, and his left paw holds the pipe. Doubtful he means to draw on you it would seem.
Rexus has pretty well stopped, trying to peer through the darkness to see the hooded Catkin.
Alexis raises and eyebrow and approaches the captain.
"Indeed my feline friend.....a bit late for captains from foreign lands to be loitering around no? Seems like we are both breaking some rules here" Alexis smirks at the man, attempting to act like one of those coy Heroine's from the spy books she loves.
Mira looks from the cat to Alexis and back to the cat.
"Amara. Get me my popcorn. I have a feeling that I'm going to need it."
Gremlin sniffs at the air and stops firm. "You sadistic old bastard, give these ladies a break. It's been a long day."
After an indignant ahem from Rexus, he repeats "Ladies." with an impudent grin.
Mira looks over at Rexus next. "Sorry. It seems our pet cat doesn't count you as anything but a hanger-on. Just bear with it for now, please?"
"Well if it isn't the little Gremlin what tried to sink me!" The hood falls away to reveal the toothy grin of the ashy colored catfolk sailor. "Good eye, lass." He flicks the bone. "Reminds me of a bone I have to pick with ol' Barzie. Speaking of which, I got a message that a group of gals might share the sentiment and have a way to prove it. I assume that'd be you? Allow me to introduce myself, Captain Tikkle Ashcoat, at your service." He bows with an exaggerated flourish and kisses the back of Alexis' hand.
"Anyway, next patrol comes around soon. Everyone in! More chat later I suppose."
Tikkle indicated a longboat, probably from a ship moored off the coast.
Rexus rubbed the back of his neck. "Quite... Erm, sorry everyone, this is indeed the contact I was supposed to meet. I just wasn't expecting himself." Rexus seems exceedingly embarrassed.
Alexis nods.
"Works for me, rather deal with this fine gentleman than the Thrune Goon Gang, what say the rest of you? Plus, I always wanted to sail!" Alexis chuckles to herself giddily as she adjust her bag on her shoulder and nods to gremlin to follow.
"...Good. I was wondering who would have told him about us other than you, and was about to start trying to figure out who to sap."
Mira is ready to follow now as well.
Amara shrugs and relaxes her stance.
"Fair enough. Let's go."
Septima is still cringing from Alexis' display, but manages to nod silently.
"Unfortunately I can't bring you to the Wildcat tonight. I'm just contracted to get you across the river safe. Perhaps soon, though. I'll be back in Kintargo in a few weeks, after some business in the Shackles."
The Longboat is large enough for the six of you easily, with Gremlin nervously curled up in one of your laps. It has no oars, however, only a small black sail adorned with a single white pinion. Just as you may be thinking that the sail would never propel the boat at that size or in this still air, Tikkle blows into it, and a magical wind seeems to drive the boat forward smoothly and silently. After a moment, the incorrigible dog splashes into the river and paddles silently behind.
Tikkle, wrought with silent mirth over the dogged pursuit of your companion, guides the boat expertly around the lantern light of the watch along the Yollubis. The boat drifts lazily downriver and gradually across.
Near the other shore, he speaks up a bit to Septima. "I don't mean to pry, milady, but, would you perhaps be of the House Gallus?"
Septima jumps at the question, her attention previously on the water. She rubs her signet ring self consciously. "Yes, I am. Maria is,"
"was my mother."
Mira will just pet Gremlin.
Because if the cat is not in her lap, she will sleight of hand it into her lap.
Gremlin's claws slowly relax, leaving little pricks in Mira's breetches and thighs.
You didn't see Tikkle use any sort of verbal or typical somatic component, and thus surmise that the sail must be a wonderous item. Perhaps the feather comes from a magical beast?
A deep sadness alights in Tikkle's eyes. "I'm so sorry. You favor her countenance. She was a kind person, and had the loveliest smile. I'm sure it would suit you to try it on sometime." he said with a wink.
A smile does not magically appear, but Tikkle does manage to pull some pink cheeks out of Septima's surprised expression.
She coughs behind her hand. "You're very kind, sir." She says simply.
Tikkle looks as if he's about to continue, when the boat bumps against the dock. A sneering, nasaly voice sounds from the shadow. "Well if it isn't old Asscoat the water cat! I'm gonna get me a payday bringin' you in I am!" A greasy looking guardsman steps closer, he wears a silver officer's pendant.
Tikkle rolls his eyes and signals you all to stay out of the guard's lantern light. He jumps to the dock, Rapier already in hand. "That's Captain Asscoat to you, Bosh."
The guardsman charged the feline with a morningstar:
Bosh was clearly experienced, but the lithe captain made him look like a rookie, tapping the attack to the side.
with a flick of the wrist, Tikkle sent the morningstar clattering to the dock. No sooner had Bosh reached for it than another strike lanced forth.
And was dodged for the sloppy strike it was.
The glistening Rapier sinks deep into Bosh's thigh, and something within the blade set forth a magical explosion of cold. The leg , snap frozen by the burst, shatters on impact with the dock. The moan of pain is quickly quieted as he rolls from the edge into the river.
"This is the part where you swear everlasting vengeance! Don't you read?" Tikkle calls after him. "Guess he was busy trying to swim. Oops." He offers a helping hand to all getting out of the boat. "Time to go, ladies and gents. I'll be seen downriver to keep attention away from you, but you should make it to Laria's fine. I hope to see you again soon." With a flourish and an exaggerated bow, he hopped back into the longboat and coxed the sail onward.
Alexis raises an eyebrow and makes quick notes on the weapon and it's abilities. She also made note of the guards name and such, better to keep that in mind.
"So this is our stop? Alexis looks out to check if there is any sign of that guard. When content she turns back to the captain. "If you would permit a question, where did you get your hands on such a powerful magical rapier?"
Tikkle answers even as he floats away. "Plucked it from my own belly after the previous owner had no use for it. I'll let you look it over sometime!"
Alexis was nods as she watches him float away. Defiantly something she needs to do.
"Well then....Anyone think that captain may be more than just a sailor? Or am I just paranoid?"
"He's certainly something... But as for what, I don't know."
"He's..." Hum. "Well, we should keep him in mind for if there's dirty work to be done."