The ring goes missing, and 3 weeks later they both die in a fiery explosion, and the very next day the brother shows up? No, nothing suspicious about that. And then after a week here, he starts stealing from the vault as soon as has a falling out with the sister and leaves. No, nothing suspicious about that either. "Did anything unusualy happen on the 27th? Perhaps the will being read?" Erick asks in as nonchalant a voice as he can manage.
Tessa doesn't want to interrupt Erick's line of questioning as it seems to be relevant to the cause. She sips her tea and enjoys the offered sweets. At an opportune time she adds, "Don't you worry now. If he wasn't smart enough to get out of town, we'll track him down for sure. Sounds like between Bedu and Gavin we have a little insight and leverage we can make use of.
She nods in an affirmative manner and looks over to her employer. "Sooooooo. What would you have us do with him when we locate him? Are you more interested in reclaiming your family fortune, taking him to the law or bringing him back to you?"
Kutsya accepts both her pay and refreshment a nod and an attempt at a smile. "Thank you, Lady. I've learned never to turn down free food."
She listens carefully to Erick's questions, and to Lady Vanderboren's answers. She wasn't stupid, but such matters of intrigue were beyond her. Subtlety had never been her strong suit -- she preferred to attack her problems head on.
"I live in the Azure District," she said. "But I can't say I really know anyone there. Outside of family. If any of them are even in port." Kutsya blinks as she realizes she's gone off on a tangent. "But I'm happy to go with you while you're asking around if you like -- though most people don't. Like, that is." She blinks again. Talking is hard. "Or I can go back and study. Master Kratzenklau always has plenty of exercises for me to do."
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"My first concern is to my brother, I would like to have him delivered to me. As long as his transgressions are towards me I don't feel the need to involve the law in a family quarrel.
I do hope I am the only one who have been wronged, I would like to see if my brother can be redeemed but if he really became a criminal I guess I will have no choice but to deliver him to the law.
My family fortune comes second but by all means, if you ever find it bring it back to me, I would add a good share of it to your compensation."
Erick will make sure the kids got the promised jobs, then ask them to recommend more kids who could use some work. Once he has 4-5 trustworthy ones that are recommended by his old squad, he'll send them out with descriptions of the brother and his girlfriend, to see if they can find him around the city. He'll also detail a couple to watch the girlfriend to see if they can see anyone visiting her. He'll give them very firm instructions to be discreet and not push it, they are to look not touch, and if anyone starts looking at them too much, leave and send a different kid.
While they are working on that, Erick himself will go check out the building Bedu told them about with the star on it. He'll also go to the city records office to see who owns the building Bedu pointed out, and also to look up in the records office if anyone has a registered mark for the compass sign.
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The building in the market district is a pretty anonymous building.
There is no name on it or anything. Just the 8 pointed star you already saw and there is no doubt about it. It is exactly the same star.
From the city records you learn that the building is owned by a man called Feldus Selvant. The building is registered as a social club.
There is a suspicious lack of details around the purpose of the building, but on the other hand seems like a legitimate activity.
Gavin smiles at Kutsya. "Of course, you're welcome to accompany any question asking! You know the lay of streets better than I, and if I get into trouble, I'd be happy to have you around."
Gavin will spend a couple of days gathering info with diplomacy, canvassing taverns in the Azure district as well as other places that it may seem toughs and roughnecks will hang out - obvious areas with gang activity, the docks, gambling houses, etc.
Kutsya, Tessa, or any other PCs are welcome accompany as well for the diplomacy checks for finding the brother. If they make checks, Gavin will aid another as appropriate.
Erick tends to be a loner. He won't invite anyone, nor follow anyone, but, he also won't do more than roll his eyes if someone goes with him with or without asking.
Tessa will gladly take up searching with Gavin as a pair or group if others want to join. She would deem it smart to partner with those that know more about the symbol or such and she will gladly do the talking for them if they do not want to. She will spend the time searching (mixed with a fair bit of carousing of course) and attempting to solicit and gather information from across town (given the time).
While attempting to gather inforamtion for her employer, she is also going to take the opportunity to see if she can dig up any information on the murderer she has nicknamed 'Bald Kraken'. She will follow any leads that the group uncovers. If presented with information on both that leads her in two different directions, well uh, I'll need to think about which to pursue.
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A few people remember seeying someone who fits the description of Vanthus at taverns here, often in the company of a woman named Brissa Santos, a notorious pickpocket turned semi-legitimate artist who's had her fair share of brushes with the law. No one seems to have seen any of the two lately though.
You have some contacts with some big lodges of the order in Avistan and Garundi. If there is an Order of the tome outpost in Sasserine or even just another Order of the tome member it is not obvious and has never made itself known to you during the last year.
Erick will, using his newfound wealth, begin setting aside some gold to open a chapter house. He'll need a few thousand GP to do so, so probably will dedicate 50% of his money toward it for now.
Did he find any records about his own parent's holdings?
Bedu spends his new found wealth as he moves around from the Vanderboren home. He chats to the locals as he looks out for a good shirt of chain, and some arcane scrolls.
Eventually with or without prompting, the little Katapeshi finds the non-descript star on that building. He goes up to the door and knocks.
Should nothing happen, Bedu heads off for the Azure District and spends a happy few hours in and out the taverns, swopping tales, drinking and casually asking after the missing brother, Vanthus.
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Looks like your father has been executed by the great admiralty for supporting acts of piracy and treason.
Is heavily implied that your father was somehow involved with Cheliax and the Chelish privateers that eventually defeated the admiralty.
You approach the building with the star and knock at that door.
A man no older than 25 opens the door and looks at you. He doesn't seems rude but he doesn't greet you in any way. As a matter of fact the first few moments are filled with kind of an awkward silence as he seem to expect something from you. You can notice the distinct moment when he realizes that you don't belong there as he places himself between you and the entrance and asks
"Can I help you with something?"
From my understanding, the Admiralty was the group that was isolating the city. Therefore, after the breaking of the blockade, the city was freed and the Cheliax treated as liberators. So, were any laws set up for retrieving property that was stolen by the Admiralty?
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Not exactly. The city was certainly happy to be freed from the admiralty, but Cheliax was no friend of Sasserine.
Quite the contrary, everybody expected that Cheliax would just be the next oppressor.
When the city was free of the Admiralty control many noble houses took the occasion to consolidate their power and put the city under a new rule (now known as the Dawn council) but by that time your family was no more, your manor was bought off and you were nothing but a kid living in Shadowshore, with no power to reclaim your family legacy.
To this day probably nobody knows that you are the scion of a once minor noble house. But even though the Cheliax privateers caused Sasserine independence, you are not sure that being recognized as the son of a Cheliax supporter would do you much good except around the Cheliax Embassy.
In that case, Erick will stop in at the Cheliax embassy to send a missive to his mentor. He'll also ask if there are any declassified records regarding his family. It's been over 10 years, if his father was working with the Cheliax, that should be declassified by now. If his father was working with them, then there's not much recourse for Erick, nor is there any revenge to be had, as his parents brought it on themselves.
Kutsya is nonplussed at Gavin's offer. "Thank you. I didn't -- thank you. I must consult with Master Kratzenklau, to make sure he doesn't have anything else for me to do. But I would be happy to accompany you on your investigations." She pauses. "I hope I don't overly...disturb...your contacts."
Hearing the name of Brissa Santos, a notorious pickpocket turned semi-legitimate artist come up in their carousing, Gavin turns to his drinking companions. "Kutsya, Tessa, do you know if this artist Santos has a studio? What is she known for, besides being a criminal? Does she paint, sculpt, or do something else?"
"I am here as emissary from my mistress, Lady Vanderboren. She has just laid claim to the title, following the unforeseen deaths of her parents. Your sigil is prominently displayed in the Vanderboren vault and so I am sure she would like to make acquaintance with such important family friends. I am Bedu, her servant and explorer from Katapeshi, and perfectly willing to pass on any message you have for Lady Lavinia Vanderboren."
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Brissa Santos used to be a vivacious woman, in youth a notorious pickpocket who, after several brushes with the law, turned her attention to art. She became quite a decent paintert and many of her paintings graces many of the inns and taverns in Sasserine's Azure and Merchant districts, yet the sedentary life of an artist left the woman wanting more. She started to hang out with Vanthus several months ago and since then, Brissa seems to be returning to her old criminal habits.
Her family is not that innocent too as they seems to be tied to an infamous consortium of pirates called the crimson fleet.
She doesn't have a studio, she usually live and works in inns all across the Azure and merchant district, usually paying with her paintings or stolen gold.
Despite that, she doesn't seems to be in any of her usual inns
When you reach for Lavinia to translate the text, you find her deeply immersed into those papers and half a dozen other books.
As Kora introduces you to her, she raises her head and smiles.
"Kutsya, good to see you. I was trying to translate this papers and I do believe it is Sylvan. And it seems to be my mother journal. I'm considering picking up sylvan as a language, It is time to learn something new, and besides, my mother seem to use sylvan quite extensively, I would like to be able to read those without asking for help or needing to cross-reference every single word."
As you use your power, the language magically starts to make sense to you.
It describes the voyages of Larissa Vanderboren south of the Amedio region, towards a place called The Isle of Dread (detailed in the images above).
You also learn about the eight-pointed star. Looks like both Lavinia's parents were agents of an organization called the Seekers.
Judging by the papers they have both been inducted in the organization upon reaching 23 years of age and it's how Lavinia's parents met.
Lavinia was supposed to enter the organization herself when she came of age, unfortunately, Lavinia's 23rd birthday will be in 3 months. Too late for her parents to induct her into the Seekers.
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Hearing the man Vanderboren the man is a little shocked, then he saddens as if he was feeling sorry.
"I understand..." he murmurs.
"I will have to inform some of my superiors that a servant of Lavinia Vanderboren have come to visit. I think one of our representatives will come visit Vanderboren's Manor to offer our condolences and inform the lady about her parents involvement with us.
The attendant seems on the point of courteously send you away when he stops and asks.
"You said you are a Katapesh explorer mr. Bedu?"
"I shall inform My Lady that someone from ..... this place will come. Alas the gods did not see fit to provide me with a name for you, could you give we the water to let my desert of a brain flower?"
Acting up more than a little bit, but keen to learn more of the place and whatever these people do Bedu starts to gesticulate as he talks, "Yes, I came here to seek my fortune. But Sasserine must be just the beginning when there are sights such as the chimera, cyclops and kraken which you have been lucky enough to see. Presently I am a humble storyteller, but this layer of flesh hides the heart of a traveller eager to see beyond the horizon. I speak too much! Apologies for such a terrible waste of your time, but you have plucked at my soul like the Roc plucks a cow for its nest!"
Bedu calms and the large smile is firmly back in place again.
Tessa tries not to be frustrated about not uncovering any information, but it continues to be a problem.
At some point I'm going to need to get some help with this or I'm going to lose track of him. I know he's been through here, it's just a matter of finding the first clue.
Tessa doesn't recognize the name. "Sorry, doesn't ring a bell. She doesn't run around in my circles up north I suppose! Buutttttt I bet we can start doing some dirt digging on her. Do you want to split up and cover the territory faster or work on this from a different angle altogether?"
After leaving the embassy, Erick will go check in with his new squad to see if any have had any luck tracking down rumors for him. All will get a copper and a meal.
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"The name is Adrian Miomar. I'll make sure we meet again sir.
By then I'll promise I will be moe talkative" Says smiling.
"Give Lady Vanderboren my best regards"
Ardian salutes you bowing his hea a little and enters the building closing the door behind him.
When you recall your little helpers, most of them returns empty-handed.
A couple though tells you about an half-elf who says he knows where Vanthus is hiding and would be able to tell you... for a price.
His name is Shefton Rosk and he lives in azure district near the Dredger's guild
All the kids get an extra copper, since someone came back with usable information. The two that got the info get an extra treet, a piece of candy.
Erick then admonishes them to not do anything dangerous, and not to flash the coins around. Those with parents are to share, those without are to find a safe place to store their coins. If they need help finding someone, Erick will help them find a local who's trustworthy.
Beyond that, Erick's done for the day, and returns to the house to meet up and trade information.
Gavin heads back to his parents' apartment and drops off 50 gold to his mother and father for the rent on a new apartment, and then heads on to Vanderboren manor.
When everyone is assembled together, Gavin shares what he has learned. "Vanderboren - the lord, not our employer - has been spending time lately with one Brissa Santos, a pickpocket turned artist turned criminal again. She is a pretty successful artist - her work decorates the walls of many of the inns and taverns across the Azure and Merchant districts. You've probably seen her work, actually. You know - sunsets over the sea and sunsets over ships at port and sunsets and sunsets and more sunsets. Such sunny subject matter - pun totally intended - belies her past a bit. She's a criminal that comes from criminals - pirates in fact."
"She has unfortunately dropped out of sight recently, but I had an idea - instead of gathering information, perhaps we could spread it, specifically misinformation - ok, lies - and draw her and perhaps Vanthus out? I say we start hitting taverns where her artwork hangs on the walls, and have a very loud conversation among ourselves where we say that the reason that she's disappeared is because she's gone straight and a lot of people are about to go down. Someone in those establishments where she has lived and worked probably knows Brissa - and she's not going to let such slanderous accusations slide. Such slander could have very real and harmful repercussions for her. Then, as we leave, we simply say we're headed on to wherever we're headed next, the next tavern or inn down the line. I bet within hours she catches up to us. Unless, of course, someone else has had better luck at locating Vanthus than I."
Erick nods. "I may have a lead on where they are hiding, in addition. I have a lead on a half-elf called Shefton Rosk who claims to know where the missing Venderboren heir is, and is willing to disclose such for money. He lives in the azure district near the Dredger's Guild. Of course, it's equally likely that this is a trap, or a basement rat chase. But it's worth following up on." He takes a sip of water, and continues. "I also stopped by the records office, and looked up what is on file for the building Bedu indicated. It's owned by Feldus Selvant, and it's registered as a social club. Beyond that, there's nothing on file. No tax records, no construction plans, nothing. You know how the city records office is. It takes money and contacts to keep something out of the official records."
"I read through Lady Vandoren's mother's journal. She and her husband were members of a group called The Seekers -- that star is their symbol. So that must be who the building belongs to. They were explorers, taking trips to dangerous, exotic areas."Kutsya nods and mumbles to herself. "She did all her writings in Sylvan...quite a silly language, if you ask me."
Kutsya listens as Gavin and Erick recount the last few days.
"Sounds like the choice is between setting a trap or walking into one. I like whichever one is quicker. Not that I didn't enjoy walking around with you, Gavin," Kutsya sighs. "I just don't know how you can stand being so nice to everybody all the time."
"Then I met with a man in the Seekers building and he will be talking to our Lady to offer his condolences for her parents. The man may be helpful if we ever need to travel then. But for now I would like to find Shefton."
Bedu finishes another orange and spits out the pulp onto a bowl delicately. Then he wipes his fingers with water provided by Kora.
Tessa whistles. She pulls out her new rapier and twirls it around over and over on her wrist.
It appears that my covert activities of my own search have interfered with my ability to take on as much work as the others have.
"Y'all been pretty busy. Wellllll I went ahead and picked up a new blade with our new-found riches. I'd say THAT was time well spent, eh? It took some tough negotiating on my part, but in the end I helped him see it was for a just cause."
Tessa hops up on top of the table, placing her bottom clearly in a location where it was not intended to be. She leans against the back of a chair and picks up a sweet and begins to chew on it. She kicks her feet up on the table, pushing away a few plates in the process.
She chews her sweet and speaks with food in her mouth as she talks. "So. Excellent work done by all. We have multiple avenues we can take, what about dividing and conquering? Erick, Kutsya and I can check out this building that we think may be the hiding place while Bedu and Gavin work on setting the trap?"
From her mannerisms one could never tell she was raised as minor noble. In her mind, those days are decades past.
Gavin sits down at the table and listens while the others discuss their findings, suddenly realizing that a day of carousing and buying drinks has left him ravenous. Saying a quick benediction to the drunk god, and smiling to himself as his copper cup fills with a mild lager, the young Chel grabs a mince-meat pie and tears into it, propping his legs up on a nearby chair and smiling beween bites.
When Tessa finishes speaking, Gavin turns to her and washing down the last bit of pie with his lager, the young man wipes his hand across mouth. "While I love my idea of setting a trap, why go around the wine cellar when you can go through it? I say we follow Bonestihl's lead, and if nothing turns up, then we set a trap. Plus, I, well... don't really want to split from our three best warriors while setting a trap for pirates. No offense, Bedu - if it came to it, you and I can take a licking like the greatest gladiators, I'm sure of it!"
Smiling at the dwarf as she awkardly compliments him, Gavin raises his cup in a toast. "Ah, my dear Kutsya, manners you see - they are the glue that holds society together." Finishing the last of his drink, Gavin leans back in his chair and closes his eyes, content for the moment with life, the multiverse, and everyone around him. "And lager of course - it helps as well!"
Erick grimaces at Tessa's display, and then reaches out and kicks the chair she's leaning her back against out from under her. "Be as careless as you want, but do it on your own table, not our employer's table. If you want to sit on top of the table, we can rent a room from some two-bit tavern down by the docks." He growls in an annoyed voice. "Easy to treat other people's property like garbage, but try to show some respect for the woman who's putting a roof over your head and the gold in your pocket for your shiny new blade, at the very least."
Turning back to everyone else, he nods. "I agree, I hate going in understrength if I can help it. Baiting the girl will take days, and there's no reason we can't start getting things in place for it while we walk into a trap to get more information. If we end up not needing the information, we can always abort the baiting of the girl."
She was not expecting the chair to be kicked out from behind her. She loses her balance, nearly falling off the table. In a not so gracious maneuver she grasps the edge of the table and slips off onto the ground in an attempt to not land flat on her back.
She shoots Erick a dirty look and says, "That was quite unnecessary. She's not here and I was just relaxin' a bit. Take it easy Bonestihl, would you? I think that's a bit extreme. What's your problem?"
As she picks herself up and puts her blade away, she pulls out a chair and is seated. She positions her body away from the rude man and shrugs. She contributes to the conversation by adding, "I suppose that works just as fine. I'm very curious about what Bedu found with these Seeker's. It seems entirely too much of a coincidence and I don't think we should disregard that angle."
"If you intend to bully us, Erick, then either you or I will leave now. Do not mistreat anyone else here. I have had enough of you childishness. It stops. You may not like us but Tessa is doing no harm. You are. Decide now. Play nice or leave. You may not like her attitude but yours stinks. Like a pig pen. I can see that you are used to fighting and bullying but we do not need that. You are no better than Soller Vark if you try to embarrass, ridicule and hurt us. I give you ten seconds to decide then I leave. I do not work with people who bully and threaten. Gavin may not be able to do without you, so perhaps my leaving would be for the best."
The halfling stands square on and is hands rest on his hips, or at least some of them hips. His smile is gone and his face is clear. Not violent, not angry, just certain that this behaviour cannot continue.
Erick looks at Bedu. "I'm not bullying her, Mr. Bedu. And I never said I disliked anyone here. What I do dislike is someone showing zero respect for the person who's hired us. Treating their property, which they are nice enough to let us use, as if it were something from a two-bit tavern is insulting to her, and it cheapens us. It turns us from professionals into a bunch of worthless hired muscle, like Soller Vark. Ms. Steele has, so far, ignored any attempt I've made at politely reigning her in. When someone doesn't respond to politeness, I see no reason to continue being polite." He looks around at the room. "Am I the only one who understands that we are all now a team, in the eyes of our employer, and in the eyes of those who may potentially hire us in the future? Put yourself in the place of a potential employer in the future. You have heard rumors of two groups who may be worth hiring to fix a problem. One group is professional, competent, and get's the job done with a minimum of fuss and damage. The other gets drunk in your house, dances on your tables, and has a penchant for burning down houses. Now, which are you going to want to hire? As I said, if Ms. Steele wants to act like she does, we can rent a room in a two-bit tavern by the docks, nobody will care one way or the other if she's walking on the tables or staggering around drunk. But her behavior in this house reflects on all of us. And when polite discourse doesn't work, and lord knows I've been polite thus far, unless you can remember me being not polite previously to any of you, then quite often rudeness makes a point that no amount of civilized discourse can."
Tessa looks over at Bedu while he speaks. A thin smile appears on her lips and she issues him a polite nod of her head when he completes his remark. "Why thank you my friend, I appreciate your sentiments. I do not wish you see you leave."
As Erick speaks her smile slowly fades away. Still facing away from him she takes a deep breath trying not to get worked up.
If Ms. Steele wants to act like she does, we can rent a room in a two-bit tavern by the docks, nobody will care one way or the other if she's walking on the tables or staggering around drunk.
Alright, I've had enough of this!
Tessa stands from her chair and immediately approaches Erick. She walks directly up to where he is (seated? standing?) and looks him in the eye.
Look Bonestihl, let's get something straight. I have not insulted our employer nor in anyway performed in appropriate in front of her. I get it you think you're better than us. That's fine, think what you like. The only way another group of people are going to hear about what I do when we are alone in a room together is if you go off running your mouth talking about me behind my back. If the Lady makes a comment that my behavior is inappropriate I'll adjust it accordingly, until then I do believe you don't own me or anyone else here and we're free to act as we see fit."
Tessa takes her finger and puts it on Erick's chest. "You're almost sending off our wise friend over there which I do not believe to be in the best interest of our team. If you re so worried about reputation of the team, perhaps you should consider taking a closer look at yourself first.
Tessa pushes firmly with her finger into Erick's chest. "I do not answer to you and will let your slights pass as they don't bother me. But if you feel the need to talk down or insult other members of this party then I feel we're going to need to step outside."
She pulls her finger back and says dryly, "We wouldn't want to make a mess in our employers room, now would we?"
Erick shrugs. "If everyone feels that way, then do as you want. If our reputation precedes us, I'll simply leave this group before my reputation is ruined. I'm not going to fight you, Ms. Steele. It's childish to do so. I see talking sense to you is pointless, either by being polite or being rude, you will do what you will do, and you don't care about the consequences, neither to you nor anyone else. I suggest we all reflect on what that means in a companion. I've spoken my fill. If anyone wants me to leave, I will. Just remember, tales of how we comport ourselves will get out, if you don't think so, you've never spent more than 10 minutes with the servants, you know, the people who bring the food in for us? And scuff marks on the table and broken dishes are usually blamed on those servants, not the fool who sat on the table with her boots."
Erick then stands up and walks out.
As he walks away Bedu continues speaking. "I do not care for bad treatment of any woman. And you never apologize just treat her with arrogance and rudeness. Now childish pranks are too far."
Bedu follows the man, hips and belly jiggling, "you have a problem. You talk. Do not insult. Do not hurt. Stop looking at her and look in that mirror by the door. I do not say these things for fun. Now leave or start behaving better. How would you feel if one of your children did what you do?
The little manling walks back in and simply states to Tessa, "he is wrong. but you caused this. He is a serious man and your jokes to do not help him."
Then he smiles, his appetite restored and calls Kora for a plate of sweetmeats and a small drink.
Gavin watches the altercation between Erick and Tessa at first with a little bemusement, but as it begins to escalate, the young man gets nervous at the direction that things are heading. If I ever am going to lead my father's congregation, I'll have to learn to mediate disputes.
Gavin stands nervously and clears his throat, stepping towards the two and trying to talk over their escalating voices. "Erm, I ah, well my god doesn't have a whole lot to say about marriage, but he does have some wisdom to offer: you see, when a marriage goes bad, it is rarely solely the fault of any one individual in it. I think, well, jobs are a lot like marriages - sometimes you even spend more time with coworkers than you do with spouses! Anyways, see, I uhhhh think you two both could learn a little from each other. Tessa, Erick is well, as Bedu says a serious man. But he is right about our comportment in our employer's house, in my opinion. Perhaps you could tread a little lightly around the manor? And Erick, people won't ever listen to the message if they don't like the messenger. You simply have to be more diplomatic in the way you say things. Leaders know when to offer a smile and when to offer a kick - bullies only know the kick. Anyways, um, perhaps a little more consideration - on the part of both of you - would go a long ways towards smoothing any ruffled feathers?"
Gavin looks sheepishly around the room as Erick storms out. Red-faced and shrugging, the Chel shrugs and says, "regardless of the messenger, Erick's lead is solid - I think we should pursue it tomorrow,"
Erick looks at Bedu as the little man bundles after him, and he hears Gavin's speech from outside as well as Badu's simultaneously. "If she'll try to act more like an adult, I'll try to be more diplomatic with her in the future, Mr. Bedu. Those who act like adults, I treat like adults. Those who act like children, I treat like children. It's my opinion that people act the way they want to be treated. You prefer to talk things out, I talk things out with you. Same with the boy." He nods at the doorway, obviously referencing Gavin. "Ms. Kutsuya prefers to be blunt and direct, which is usually more my own style. I can honey my words, but it's something I do when there's a good reason for doing it. Placating a childish whim is not a good reason." He chuckles, shaking his head. "And if one of my kids got up on the table, I'd do the same thing. If one kicked the chair out and berated Ms. Steele for being too childish, I'd probably buy them an ice cream. I try not to be hypocritical. If it's something I'd do, I can't very well yell at kids for doing it. In any event, Mr. Bedu. I will endeavor to treat Ms. Steele with some more diplomacy when she's annoying. In exchange, I would hope that she can comport herself with some more decorum. If the diplomacy doesn't work, I'll revert back to treating her like a spoiled child." He stretches, cracking joints. "I will see you all in the morning."
Erick will come back later, after everyone has left, and spend a few hours polishing the table with wax, to buff out any damage done by Tessa.
He is wrong. but you caused this. He is a serious man and your jokes to do not help him."
Tessa, Erick is well, as Bedu says a serious man. But he is right about our comportment in our employer's house, in my opinion. Perhaps you could tread a little lightly around the manor?
Tessa listens to both the men giving her advice. She blows out an exasperated breath and nods, "Yeah, yeah. I got it. I'll try to show more respect around him. He needs to lighten up though, I can only take so much of this heaviness in one sitting."
She chooses to ignore the childish swipe in Erick's parting comments.
"regardless of the messenger, Erick's lead is solid - I think we should pursue it tomorrow,"
Tessa nods. "I'm in agreement. Shall we meet back up here in the morning to regroup then?"
Bedu nods to Tessa and passes her a date. "Thank you, Tessa. That is all I ask."
The halfling eventually heads back to Shadowshore and spends an hour or two in the Hakeswill chatting with the locals. He asks one or two of the ones who are tapped into the Azure District about Shefton or if there is someone he could talk to about the man.
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The next morning when you assemble, Erick receives a visit. One of the children he uses as informants tells him that Shefton Rosk is now at the empty grave. A tavern near his house in the Azure district.
Bedu passes the information on about Shefton to the rest and heads off with the gang.
Erick gives the child a couple of coppers, and tells them to get a couple of the other kids and keep a watch from a couple of blocks away, if Erick and pals don't come out of the tavern in an hour, they're to let the Lady of the House know.