"I grew up in a small community outside of Sasserine, out in the jungle. I grew up there, and learned how to live with nature. I would always be walking through the jungle learning new things and finding new things." Ismaire can't help but smile as she talks. "One day I found a newly hatched egg, but there was no mother around. I waited for until sunset but no mother showed up. I could not let this poor creature be killed in the night. So I took him home with me, and I raised him. With the help of the elder, I raised Cormag and he has become one of my closest friends. Though he can be a bit rowdy at times, he will listen to me." Ismaire takes the tart and smiles with gratitude. "Would you all like to meet him?"
Tessa finishes her food and listens to Ismaire's story. She leans back in her chair, pushing it back on two legs and asks curiously, "So Cormag is what, a tiger? lion?"
"Cormag is a deinonychus, and if you do not know what that is, I don't blame you. He is quite the magnificent beast, but he can be a little violent sometimes. You have no idea how hard it was to get him into the city without chasing after people." Ismaire takes a bite of the tart and smiles at how good it tastes.
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you eat, you talk, you laugh... and you begin to know Ismaire.
But at some point of the evening, Bedu notices something.
There is a scrap of parchment in his pocket, and he does not remember having put anything like that in his pockets.
As he takes a look at it, it is clear is not something he forgot in his pants. Looks like somebody on the street was able to put it there unnoticed before he entered the mansion tonight.
Bedu unravels the note and then shows it around.
"Someone who can kill Islaran has little to fear from me. On a professional level I am sorry that they know we are coming and must realise we will hasten into their trap. This is as dangerous as baiting a cobra," smiles the chubby halfling as he eats a final candy.
"My mother promised I would come to a sticky end and look she is right. The platter is empty. Ha!"
"Dynnno-whatacus""
Tessa raises an eyebrow and shrugs, "Nope, can't say that I know what one of them is. I might recognize it on sight though, I've spent some time in the arena squaring off against odd violent creatures. I'd love to meet him," A slight pause is added before " he's friendly right?"
To Bedu, "Hmmm. Interesting. I suppose this is intidimidation then? Do they know who they are messing with here? Do you they think we can get locked away in a flooded dungeon on an island full of undead and come home to be scared away by a note?"
Tessa's looks over at Ismaire, hoping she knows what she's signing on for.
"But you know, it was nothing. We were fine. Except the witch. She uh, anyway, shall we be off?"
Erick let's out a bark of laughter. "Idiots. Anyone stupid enough to send such a note deserves to be put out of business permanently."
Erick eyes Tessa. "She is fine, and was uninjured by our misadventure. She has simply shown more reason and logic than we have." Then he gives a wolf like grin. "Then again, I've always had issues with people telling me to keep my nose out of their immoral business."
Bedu's kind words, and the strange events of the night - the new companion and her amazing companion, the note in Bedu's pocket, the gentle ribbing of his companions and the ongoing Smelly Fishballs joke - lighten Gavin's mood a bit.
As Tessa poses her question, Gavin answers with one of his own. "If we go tonight, we may have surprise, but could bring ourselves a fight - not that I'm not spoiling for one. If we go tomorrow, during business hours, we may be able to scope out the business itself, and get an idea of numbers, layout, and such, before we pick a fight. How should we approach the Taxidermist's Hall?"
"If we are absolutely sure the local watch is subborned, and the Taxidermist's Hall is involved, then there's no need to go by day. We cannot count on the local constabulary, ergo, we must take on the mantle of the Law and deal with the crooks ourselves. As such, given their practice of murdering, pillaging, and burning down business that don't pay, there is no dishonor in treating them as what they are, pure vermin that needs to be dealt with. You don't call on vermin by day with the local law, you light a torch in the middle of the night and stomp it flat as it tries to scurry for the corners."
Ismaire watches the party discuss what to do about the Taxidermist's hall and listens intently. "I now see what each of you have to offer, and how determined you each are to see these goals accomplished. This new news does not sway me in my original decision. I shall help you, and if our adventures lead to even more then I will stay with you." Ismaire takes a deep breath and relaxes. "Do not worry Tessa, he is friendly... As long as you don't try to attack him."
"Or steal his food... or tease him..." Erick adds under his breath. "Or smell like raw meat or fish..."
Tessa shakes her head, "Duly noted, thank you."
Tessa leans in and looks around, lowering her voice to a whisper for no apparent reason. After eying each member of the party she squints her eyes slightly and says, "It's settled. We go tonight then."
Gavin nods, and pushes his plate away. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pray to Cayden Cailean for our success tonight."
"If we are leaving tonight, I will go make sure Cormag will be calmed down and ready." Ismaire gets up and heads towards the door outside. Before she opens the door to head outside, she turns to Tessa. "I will make sure he won't eat any of you." Ismaire heads outside to get Cormag ready.
Erick will make the rounds of a few different alchemist's shops to buy the raw materials he needs for replacement powder. He'll also stop by a few forges to pick up some lead scrap to melt down into new shot rounds.
Tessa looks to Erick, "Honestly if he needs to sample one of us or take a bite out of someone, I would think Erick would be the best to fit that bill."
Tessa turns to Erick and winks with her left eye. "He's tough as nails, he can handle it."
Bedu asks to sleep here and rest at Lavinia's. His equipment is already bought and he knows how comfortable the beds are. He spends any waking hours hanging around Kora, chatting and helping the time pass.
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The day after the dinner you rest and prepare to investigate the Taxidermist Guildhall at night.
As expected, doors and windows are closed this time of the night.
The main door is at the northeastern corner, near the street but by circling the building you find out there is another door on the back.
Bedu takes a look out for anyone watching, then puts a hooked sivelbar in the lock and tries to unlock the Hall backdoor very carefully.
He whispers, "watch for guards around outside before we enter."
Bedu shrugs at the lock and steps back.
Tessa keeps an eye out and whispers, "Bedu, I didn't know you possessed these talents? You've been keeping this hidden the entire time, have you? Good man!?"
Bedu smiles at Tessa for moment, "Shadowshore has many talented people crewing it and one or two may have helped me soon."
Glad of the brief respite, Bedu returns to the task with a number three flickhook.
The muttered words may be Katapeshi but everyone gets the frustration and expletives. The little man is getting redder and redder in the face when there is an audible click.
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After a few attempts the door finally gives up and clicks, as you shyly open the door you are confronted with dozens of stuffed animals. Parrots, monkeys bats, but also monstrous centipede and what appears to be a Wyrmling black dragon.
On a desk there is a bell and a note that says "Ring for service" even though the shop is clearly not open for business at this hour.
Ismaire motions for everyone to come a bit closer so everyone can hear her whisper. "I will stay outside with Cormag while the rest of you go in. I cannot leave him alone out in the streets. If we brought him in he would make too much noise and might try to attack something inside of the building."
Gavin takes a look at the dinosaur. Other than the occasional traveling zoo, Comag is the first he's ever really seen, and the only one out in the open, not caged. On one hand, Gavin is worried about not having additional backup, but on the other hand, looking at the strange reptilian creature standing patiently next to Ismaire, Gavin's happy that Cormag will have a handler with him.
"If you hear sound of conflict, make your way inside. And bring Comag."
Bedu quickly slips in.
Erick watches Bedu struggling with the lock, but doesn't point out to the man that they have some skeleton keys. He will point it out if they need to get into something in a hurry. No reason not to let the man show off his new talents when it's not time critical.
He does snort at the druid. "I doubt your companion will make more noise than I shall. I'm wearing enough metal to act as an anchor." He lets the stealthier people go in first, and follows up the rear.
Tessa leans in to whisper to Ismaire, "He's got the personality of an anchor too. Don't worry though, he means well."
Tessa winks to the druid and considers patting Comag but thinks better of it. She slips her rapier into her hand, hiding it quite well from sight.
Gavin goes behind Tessa, in front of Erick, in order to reach anyone that needs the help.
Tessa looks around and seeing or sensing no danger she moves into the hallway. She looks back and whispers, "Corridor, several doorways. Going to check left first."
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the door squeaks a little as you open what it seems to be some sort of laboratory.
You find several dead animals, a vast collection of blades and barrels of stuff you'd rather not investigate further.
As you take a look around you clearly hear a sound to the east. Like someone is moving on a bed. Seems like whoever is working here is also sleeping here and may be now aware of your presence.