Psalm leans forward to see past Hack as he takes his seat. With a clearer view he notes that all of his assumptions about 'Fin' were woefully ignorant. Fin is a woman. Oops. He scooches closer recalculating his previous manner.
Psalm looks up sheepishly when Luna mentions the worms.
Quint locates Lindaer and wanders the aisle that he's in, pretending not to notice him, until he gets himself into a position where only one guard is in sight. Quint places himself between Lindear and the guard, then picks up the nearest item from the shelf, a gleaming brass lantern. He holds up the lantern, pretending to inspect it as he catches Lindaer's eye. After a moment, he shakes his head as if to say "no, this isn't what I need", but his expressive eyes, which only Lindaer can see, are locked on him, and widen in a warning that can mean only one thing: danger. He hopes Lindaer will take the hint that it is not a good idea to show Galador the jewelry. Quint then places the lantern gently back where he found it, and turns away and makes his way to the exit, shaking his head as if disappointed at failing to find what he was looking for.
Jun looks up when Quint enters the store, but quickly lowers his head, as if he was only curious about who entered, but having satisfied that curiousity, went back to his work.
-- The Bloody Dagger --
Fin smiles at Luna's faded whisper indicating there might be some unsavory characters present inside the Dagger's common room. At the mention of 'the worms,' though, her countenance changes drastically, becoming very serious. "Songs? No. Stories, a few, none good. Why, what do you know about it?" She asks, moving her rabbit from the stool next to her to the bartop, and then takes a small sip of whatever hot beverage she's drinking. At that same moment a hot mug of tea is placed upon the counter in front of Psalm Nackle with nothing more than a curt nod by the barkeep.
-- Inside Galador's Goods --
Lindaer nods, a nod so small as to be barely even perceptible, but Quint is certain it is to indicate that he knows exactly what Quint's secret message was supposed to imply. Thankfully at the very moment their message was being exchanged, coins and gear were trading places between Galador and his weather-beaten customer. Having procured whatever gear it was he needed, the thick-bearded human heads out The Good's front door and out into the street, sparing barely a look for the other customers that all came in of a sudden. Galador, before the door even latches back into place, pulled by a length of springing metal, welcomes all the new patrons. "Welcome all, if there is anything I can help you find, or questions I can answer, please ask. I am Galador." Having said so, Galador does not leave the shop's main counter, but stays behind, sliding a small cabinet door from behind the counter and pulling out a large ledger book, he goes about making some tally marks in various places. Clearly Galador is a very organized person, as it appears he is updating his inventory immediately upon selling some of his goods.
Nikeisha nodded pleasantly to the storekeeper. "Hello. We've been doing some work in the area, recently, and were wondering about getting some better equipment. I was especially thinking about getting some healing potions and the like, and we've been told you have the best selection in town."
Jun watches Quint leave, then picks up something from the nearest shelf, pats his belt as if looking for his money pouch, then sighs, sets it back down, then heads out.
Outside, Jun will look for Quint and (assuming that he isn't hiding) will approach him and say "did you get the book?"
Making sure the two of them are well out of sight and earshot of Galador's shop. No, but I found Grugiz! He's bound, gagged and unconscious in the room upstairs! Clearly, Galador is up to no good, and he's more dangerous than we expected. I had to get a message to Lindaer before he showed Galador any of Arthug's jewelry. If he did recognize it, that could have been very bad.
Galador looks at Nikeisha and says, "Yes, I have such things, but they carry a rather significant cost. I'd need to see the requisite coin first, before even retrieving them from their locked containers."
Psalm leans over, noting her apprehension, "Perhaps such stories should be shared with a discerning audience in a more private venue."
Great now who sounds like he's tossing pick up lines.
Smiling, Nikeisha opened her money pouch for the shopkeep to see. It was enough to show she had coin and was worth dealing with, if not enough to be amazing. "I'm afraid I've only got about 40gp on me right now, but I'm just finding out prices right now. If you have what we need I can speak to the rest of my group. Obviously, leave the potions where they are for now - but can you tell me the prices?"
"Do you think you can get him out if you had a distraction?" asks Jun.
The window up there doesn't open. I'd have to break it to get him out that way. Also, I don't think I could carry him... not climbing down from the roof, anyway. Besides, we should gather the others before trying anything.
Hack continues to listen carefully, as he motions to the bartender for a second ale.
|
Lindaer chewed on his lip as he thought. A prisoner was being kept here. They had to get that goblin, and that log book. Both might well contain vital clues. The question was, how best to go about getting it? And that is when the idea hit him. What they needed was a distraction. And what better distraction than Hack? He’d need to tell everyone the plan. But it was simple, or so he thought. Hack acts the role of a bararian in a high end shop. Perhaps...yes, that could work. Claiming one of these jewels was a family heirloom. Get Galador away from the counter to see it. Then Quint gets up stairs. But how could he make sure he wasn’t seen?
Lindaer walked forward. ”Excuse me, gentlemen. I am on a mission from the church. I need to procure three positions of invisibility. Would one be sold here, and if so how much would it cost?”
He hoped Jun would play along with not knowing him.
Get Quint the potion. Bring Hack over. Quint drinks a potion and gets the goblin. Both drink potions to get out. He’d need to get the money from the group, but it just might work!
== The Bloody Dagger --
Luna nods in a somber manner. "Yes, regrettably there have been many sad stories in regards to the worms. I do however have some potentially good news about them, however as my friend says, this may be discussed better in a more private setting, away from prying ears." she finishes with a whisper. "Do they have any private dining rooms in a place such as this?" she asks while looking around with a sour look on her face.
Psalm watches the half-elf for any sign trying to get a feel for her mind on the matter.
While he waits for Lindaer and Nikeisha to emerge, Quint begins to look around, noting the number and location of any windows around the shop and its upper floors, along with corresponding locations from which one could watch without drawing attention. He also checks to see if there are business hours posted anywhere near the door. When the shop closes, we'll want to keep track of Galador's location.
--Galador's Goods--
Galador looks at Nikeisha's meager wealth and scoffs. "Forty gold isn't going to get you even the most common of magic goods. My potions of healing are hard to procure and sell for sixty gold, each."
--The Bloody Dagger--
Findelye laughed, a good hearty chuckle, which Psalm very much believed to be good-natured. The charismatic half-elf also gave the burly barkeep a look with quirked brow that caused him to laugh as well. "There's no parlor at the Dagger friends. What you see is all you get. If you'd prefer to retire to my place, that is certainly a possibility." She pointed at Luna, Psalm, and Hack. "Will all three of you be coming along?" She asked as she gathered up her grey rabbit, and swallowed the last of her hot beverage.
--Blueblossom Haven: Findelye's House--
After a brief walk down the street, the group approached a well constructed and well maintained two story house with clear glass shuttered windows, a furnished porch, and a thick oak and iron front door. As you approached the threshold Findelye said, "Please wait here just a moment. I wasn't expecting guests today. Give me just a moment to tidy up the place." Then unlocked her door and moved inside, shutting the door behind her. In the brief glimpse offered by the open door, those with a viewpoint to see inside noticed that the main living space just inside the door had plush cushioned furniture, expensive rugs, and gilt lamps and lanterns. They also noticed that the place didn't appear to need any tidying up. Less than a minute later, Findelye opened her front door wide, and waved the group in, pointing at a plush couch or two plush armchairs, and said: "Please, have a seat. Let's hear your good news about the worms."
No sooner did each of you cross the threshold than you felt a wave of something penetrate your body and mind.
Nikeisha smiled. "That's just my personal wealth. I simply want you to see that you're not dealing with a pauper. As I said, if you have the goods we need, my groups funds will cover what you need." She nodded to the purse. "We'll also need more basic equipment - ropes, lamps and oil, things of that nature. I can see you have plenty of the basics. I don't suppose you offer discounts for bulk purchases?"
Psalm turns his hood up to cover his head in the drizzle. Pulling his cloak tight around him.
"Certainly we can wait we intended no imposition." He responds as she asks them to wait. When she is gone he looks to the others. "She seems nice enough but we have seen more than our share of unnatural of late."
Bazzle enters looks around and comments absently in the polite way someone regards another's personal space. "You've a cozy space here." He removes his damp cloak
He sits in one of the chairs and regards their hostess.
Upon seeing the nice, large house and then even more so upon seeing the expensive furniture inside the house, Luna becomes very suspicious. And she said she was a ... bard or something like that, and was hanging out in a dump like the 'Bloody Dagger' when she is apparently quite well to do? But seeing no easy way to get out of walking in and still wanting to 'investigate' Findleye, she walks on in shaking the water off her boots and clothes.
--Galador's Goods--
"I assure you m'lady, that I can procure just about anything given enough time. As it stands, I have some healing potions to sell, and, as you can see," the tall half-elf waves a hand in a wide arc indicating the entirety of his massive storefront, "mundane adventuring equipment I have aplenty. As for discounts, the answer is no. My prices are set so as to be competitive within the entirety of Byrthelm; to discount them further would leave me a pauper. Now, is there anything specific I can interest you in at the moment? Or shall I leave you to your browsing?"
--Findelye's House--
Upon passing the threshold of Findelye's house, Psalm, Hack, and Luna all find themselves utterly compelled to relate the truth to the beautiful half-elf. In fact, each of them realizes the very idea of telling Findelye any falsehoods is repugnant to them. Surely the truth is always better than lies. Thus it is when Findelye crosses the room to sit in a tall stool that sits at a counter adjoining the living room to her kitchen, and asks her first question, of Hack, Luna and Psalm look at each other in a bit of confusion. Hack? Why him? "You are, no doubt, an expatriate Highlander, tell me first, your name, if you please? Then, please, tell me everything you know about the worms that have been plaguing the countryside."
Psalm furrows his brow. He looks not overly hostile toward Fin. "Away from prying eyes or rather where you could compel us to speak." He leans back still wanting answers. "I doubt you are likewise compelled."
He shifts in his stool to regard Hack.
"A spellcasting focus," Nikeisha replied while sighing internally. She knew full well the man was over charging and didn't really want to buy anything, but...well, a back up focus would be useful if anyone ever managed to take her staff. Most of her spellcasting didn't really require one, but...
"A staff is quite obvious," she explained with a smile, "And it is a wise person who is prepared. If someone were to take it I'd like something to use as a back up. A ring, perhaps? Something small and easy to overlook."
Hopefully the others would finish before she spent all her money.
Hack paces back and forth and details the defeat of the worms.
We found them and we killed them, as well as their spawn. We now seek the creator of such evil.
--Galador's Goods--
"Yes, of course." Galador says, and then nods almost imperceptibly to one of his well armed guards. The guard retrieves a long metal lock box from high on a shelf behind the shop's counter, and places it on the counter. Galador pulls a key ring from his pocket and unlocks the box, then opens it to reveal a row of strangely shaped and colored crystals, and a orbs. "The foci you see here range in price from ten to thirty-five gold pieces. If you find one you like, let me know. If you'd like to test them out, obviously, I would prefer you cast any destructive magic outside the shop."
--Findelye's House--
Fin smiles an impish grin and says, "You didn't tell me your name?" Then she turns to Psalm and says, in perfectly articulated Gnomish:
After that she pulls Arien, her rabbit, out of the pocket in her bag where she's poked her head, and places her on the counter that divides her living room from her kitchen. Turning to Luna, she speaks in beautifully lyrical Elvish and says:
Psalm nods and in gnomish responds.
Psalm continues in common, "I am Sprout Whymsle Bluetongue Psalm Nackle of Ravenroost. If we have been coy with information it is only because of the seriousness of the matter. A seriousness you noted yourself otherwise we would still be bellied up at the Bloody Dagger."
When Fin looks to Luna Psalm does not look up to act like he understands Elvish and instead looks to the rabbit and holds out his hand in friendly manner inviting the rabbit to smell his hand.
Nikeisha perused the foci with an eagerness she didn't have to fake. Some of them were quite pretty, after all. To continue delaying, and to get more information, she said, "Several fine examples. Do you use any of these styles yourself?"
When Findleye speaks in gnomish & Psalm responds, Luna looks back and forth between them in a slightly confused manner. Then when Findleye speaks to her, she smiles and nods. "Since you comment on Hack not giving his name, I shall introduce myself properly. My name is Bellaluna Liaqurelle, Daughter of Amra, Daughter of Malgath, Daughter of Denoniel, Daughter of Aldellion, Daughter of the Great Amren himself." as she gives a half-curtsy. "As to the worms themselves ... "
--Galador's Goods--
Galador looks at Nikeisha and matter of factly says, "No." Which is, obviously, neither an admission or denial that he casts arcane magic.
--Findelye's House--
Arien, Findelye's rabbit hops down and over to Psalm with zero trepidation, and even hops up into his lap to allow the gnome to rub her soft fur. Findelye looks at the gnome and says, in Common, "The naming habits of gnomes never ceases to amaze me. I am Findelye, called Silvertongue, Sender of the Republic, but you can just call me Fin. And, you are right, the plague of worms was, and may remain, serious, but, if, as Hack says, you all vanquished the worms, perhaps far less serious than just a few days ago."
Turning then to Luna she bows her head slightly, and says, again in Common, "My lady, you do my house honor by your presence, and I appreciate your..." She pauses for a moment, then continues, "honesty. I do wonder though, why such beasts would suddenly appear, and how, if they were capable of becoming so prolific, so quickly, whether they are truly vanquished, or if we are just waiting to hear signs of their reappearance. To wit, how can you be sure that the worms will not, in fact, reappear?"
Quint peeks across the street at the door to Galadors, then turns back to Jun, running his hand through his greasy hair. I wonder what's taking them so long.
Jun drums his fingers on the handle of his Katana, clearly in thought.
"Well, we have a few options, but it all depends on the Goblin. If we go get the city guard, they can 'rescue' him and we should be able to talk them into letting us talk to him to see what he knows. We could go surround the building and then confront him about what he has upstairs and try to work into a position of power, then leverage that power to get him to give up his compatriots. Finally, we could go get the rest of our group and *force* him to surrender. Either of the latter two options would likely involve open hostilities. What are your thoughts?"
I think Galador was the one who sent the guards we met. I think he's much more powerful and dangerous than we thought, and he's probably in league with whoever is responsible for the worms! That's why I went in to warn Lindaer off. I think we need to gather all of our friends and get them up to speed before we try anything.
Psalm rubs the rabbit behind the ears and speaks softly to it in the language of rabbits. "Well you are friendly one."
Psalm looks up at Fin trying to figure how much to trust Fin. "You are a sender for the Republic. So you likely have been close to news on matters here and likely aware of Senator Akassa's efforts to get aid. Do you solely work for the Republic or do you do freelance as well."
He pauses and scratches the chin of the rabbit. But gauges Fin for any response. He speaks again to the rabbit. "Have you met the worms your friend and we are talking about. Big rainbow things very strange. Did your friend meet them before."
Psalm looks quizical a moment clearly running ideas around. This honesty spell is a dickens. The Goblins said that Fin paid them. So its possible this one is mixed up in this. She is either working with who ever is mixed up in this. Or worse the Republic didn't help because this is their own strange project.
"To answer your question. I am not sure we can say . . ." Hmm can't lie I can speak in generalities. "the trouble here about is over. Since we dealt with the worms there is group of goblins, dock workers that have turned up missing. I wonder how that could be mixed up in all this."
"I know I would feel better if Hack were here. Let me go and see if I can round them up and get them here. Gather up the group when they come out. I'm working on a plan." Spinning on his feet, Jun turns and heads back to The Bloody Dagger.
Ok, I'll wait here and bring the others if they ever come out.
--Findelye's House--
Luna makes a questioning face. "You ask how we can be sure? Surely one such as yourself knows that in life there are only two things we can be certain of? Taxes and death? And with magic being what it is we can't even be certain of death anymore! So I cannot say with absolute certainty that the worms will not 'reappear', but we did kill the mother queen that seemed to be birthing them, so I'm relatively certain that they shall not be reappearing from that source at the very least."