Hmph...complex stuff.
Hack moves towards the door, squats, takes out his axe and works to sharpen the blade with a whetstone.
Psalm nods at Jun. "Forgive me if I am compelled to put aside pleasantries. Though for future consideration you never did share a price for your silence."
He gathers his things says good bye to the rabbit and makes to join the others.
Nikeisha watched, adding only, "Gold or a job seems reasonable."
Luna turns to Fin, "I apologise, but our group needs to discuss some things please. I suspect someone" as she raises an eyebrow looking directly at Fin, her actions suggesting that she suspects it may be Fin herself, "has been watching and/or listening to our group by magical means. Still this discussion must at least be attempted to have in private. Unless you can help us and provide some means of privacy from such magics?"
Luna then turns to the rest of the group, "Everyone, be warned that Findelye here, has some sort of spell actively going that does not allow us to lie to her. As such, some of us may have shared more information then we really wanted to, but, there is no use in crying over spilt milk as the saying goes. Let us leave this place so we can discuss - hopefully in private - what each of us has found out."
Hack stands, sheathes his axe, and as he is about to leave with Luna, turns back to the woman.
Your kindness is fake, as is your person.
He cracks his knuckles.
I do not like being played a fool with magic.
He turns on his heel and follows Luna out.
Psalm chuckles as the others make their way out.
We're leaving already? Quint thinks to himself. He follows, overcome by the feeling that there is more going on than he is aware of.
"Unfortunately, I can't say much of anything further, as the current situation requires both delicacy and secrecy. I'm sure a person in your situation understands. I would be more than happy to discuss things when next we talk?" Jun offers.
--Findelye's House--
Listening to many of her guests, with whom she has shared both knowledge and food, openly bad mouth her because of her attempts to force truth in their exchange, changes Fin's demeanor from joyful to sour in a flash. "Listen, adventurers" she says that word with more than a bit of condescending sarcasm, "you are currently dealing with a number of forces beyond your comprehension. Don't forget that you sought out! You came to me seeking information, and I have shared it, as much as I could, and at no cost. You'd best be careful who you cross, or you're all likely to find yourselves in chains and stocks. Akassa's reach pales in comparison to many of those who pay for my talents. I have offered to be your ally. An offer that will not be made again." After having said her piece, she walks to the door holding it open to usher everyone out. As her male counterpart, the half-elf minstrel who came seeking to gather his friends, mentions speaking again, she says, "If you would come and seek my conversation again, it best come with hard coin, or not at all."
Psalm turns to regard Fin, "Hmmm. Well as a dealer of information I see that you are terribly capable of swinging that information in the reporting. Something that I do not doubt serves you well in your precarious political dealings. Now lets be honest . . . I mean you be honest I'm forced to be so. You offered a great deal of overwhelming information and for that you have my deep thanks. But you also pointed out that at some point in the future you might sell information which we have shared to dangerous folks which strains our 'friendship' as far as I can tell. But in your words you are an not an enemy but not our bestest friend. Again you shared information you did not offer to be an ally. As for returning and needing coin. I had already asked for a price so I figured perhaps wrongly that your pleasantries were part of getting the information from us. If that wounds you I would like to say that I was sorry but my apology would lack if I shared my whole mind. For what you have shared thank you."
--The threshold of Findelye's House--
Though the mood of much of the group is sour, the weather is actually beginning to cheer up. The wind has died considerably, and there are actually peeks of sun coming through breaks in the clouds. One such radiant beam hits Fin full in the eye as she looks out to wave good-bye to her recent guests. After listening to Psalms truthful, if no less harsh, final words, the charismatic half-elf minstrel slash information dealer, says, "You act as if every piece of information is worth a static price. Information, my dear Psalm, is not something one can place, nice and neat, upon a menu. Some information is worth a person's life." She pauses for a moment letting the implied threat soak up the air. "And what price can a person put upon their life?" She does not wait for an answer, but, after watching the last member of the party leave, closes shut her door, and then closes tight the curtains on her windows.
When the group is sufficiently far away that they can be reasonably sure that Findelye is not easedropping, at least not by mundane means, Quint speaks up. What was that all about?
"Our wizard Arguth or whatever his name was." Psalms frustration showing, He looks around also to be wary of eavesdropping, "Did have a boss. And that boss is powerful. Apparently he was working his experiments under the requests of the Arcane Order. How closely or whether it was a particularly small faction of the Order but they apparently set him up here. Galador apparently was tasked with getting him supplies. Fin it seems is a player on all sides. Like I said most obviously her own. She is a sender. She shared that our efforts have messed up the Order's experiments. Though a case could be made we cleaned up their mess. Things sort of fell out from there. She is ethier playing at being miffed or she doesn't really get that the hanging threat that she might sell information about us doesn't warm this gnome all that much. Its a pity as she mentioned that there was another faction that might be quite happy with us. That follow up question might be more costly in the future." He sighs not terribly happy with how things have turned out, "What did you learn? We have been in formed Galador is dangerous so I am glad to see you all back in one piece."
I didn't find the ledger, (Nikeisha definitely saw it, but hasn't said anything about it yet) but it sounds like Findelye told us what we were hoping to learn from it. I did figure out that Galador was dangerous, when I found Grugiz gagged and tied up in his attic!
Psalm does a double take. "Grugiz. I thought we rescued Grugiz."
Apparently, he not only got himself recaptured, but he was such a hurry to do it that he beat us back to town. Quint says, in an annoyed tone.
"Grugiz captured? Oh my. Well, Grugiz did leave the tavern some time before we did, so I am not at all surprised he beat us back to town, though he does seem to have gotten himself captured quite quickly. Strange that ... . Well, as Psalm says, according to Findelye, Galador and his guards are very powerful and NOT to be crossed if we value our lives. So I am glad to see you all unscathed."
"As to Grugiz and Galador's ledger, it would be nice to rescue Grugiz and get that ledger, but I don't think we are ready for such a task at this time."
"And based on the information that Findelye had about our group, she either has some very good spies, or someone in the group is somehow feeding her the information, though I seriously doubt that, or she or someone she has access to, is watching and/or listening to us by magical means. I strongly suspect the latter. When I suggested this possibility she did not bother to refute it, which in itself proves nothing, but it does make me suspect her all the more since she so openly admitted to being in this for her own benefits, and basically working for anyone who would give her what she wanted."
"Also, Findelye warned us that the people in the Arcane Order that were conducting these experiments are NOT happy with us, and may be seeking retribution in some form or other."
Luna then turns towards Psalm, "Now Psalm, what was this you said about 'another faction that might be quite happy with us'? I either do not recall that, didn't hear it, or didn't understand it that way. Perhaps it was my mistake. Could you please refresh my memory or clarify what you are referring to?"
As the group walked back to Galador's shop, Jun explained the tactical situation, and then said "As I see it we have two options: brute force or trickery. While the former is pretty self-explanatory, the latter would require some work; we would need a sufficiently huge distraction that would then allow our second-story team to go and rescue both the Goblin and the Journal, should it be laying about. I am open to thoughts in regards to either route."
As the group walked back to Galador's shop, Jun explained the tactical situation, and then said "As I see it we have two options: brute force or trickery. While the former is pretty self-explanatory, the latter would require some work; we would need a sufficiently huge distraction that would then allow our second-story team to go and rescue both the Goblin and the Journal, should it be laying about. I am open to thoughts in regards to either route."
Quint takes a few quickened steps, getting in front of Jun, and turns to face him, stopping and blocking his way. Wait. He says, holding up a hand. We should talk about this. Grugiz said he would never come back here. We rescued him and his once already, and gave them gold and rations to aid them in their journey away from here. There's no way more of Galador's men found him again and brought him back here so quickly. He must have come right back here after leaving us. Quint pauses a moment to allow the implications to sink in, then continues in a grim tone. At the very least, he lied to us. If we really are being spied upon, this could be an elaborate trap.
Clearly, we can't trust Grugiz, and we don't owe him anything. We also have to assume that Galador now knows everything Grugiz does about us. Grugiz is on the third story, and all we really know about Galador is that going in there is dangerous, so why are we doing it?
"As to Grugiz and Galador's ledger, it would be nice to rescue Grugiz and get that ledger, but I don't think we are ready for such a task at this time."
"this could be an elaborate trap."
Luna then turns towards Psalm, "Now Psalm, what was this you said about 'another faction that might be quite happy with us'? I either do not recall that, didn't hear it, or didn't understand it that way. Perhaps it was my mistake. Could you please refresh my memory or clarify what you are referring to?"
Psalm looks back up, "Just that while we had screwed up the Arcane Order's experiment that there were others like Senator Akassa that who we served well."
"We need to resolve how we want to move. Rescue or leave Grugiz to his fate." Psalm taps his chin, "She said the mayor was loyal to the Republic and tried to do right by the people. We may want to spill the whole story to the mayor maybe even the priestess. We can assuming we don't stir up trouble in either location let them no we are frustrated and washing our hands of the Republic political intrigues and injustices. Might throw them off as we then try to return and inform the Senator of our progress."
I am ready for a fight, but telling the mayor seems like the best way now.
Jun stopped his stride abruptly as he listened to the tone and leanings of the group. Listening to everyone speak, he held his tongue while he gathered his thoughts. Facing them evenly, Jun said "The problem, as I see it, is one of immediacy. If we go back and report our findings to the authorities, we have at the very least allowed those who hide in the shadows to get away with their deeds. I would imagine that the goblin being held upstairs is not long for this world. Given the rather ruthless nature of our opponents, he is likely going to die poorly. I know that some of you" Jun looks directly at the Luna as he speaks "seem to be fine with that, but I find that I am not. I do not want to live a long life only to be haunted by the fact that I could have acted to save a life, but instead chose to turn away; I leave it to each of you to decide whether you are fine with such feelings. While the local authorities may help us, they may just as likely to decide to have us arrested to protect their co-conspirators. I trust very little that is organic to this situation, and that is why I'm talking to you now. I have set my resolve to rescuing the Goblin or dying in the attempt, not because I think the Goblin's life is worth mine, but both because I have the ability and capacity to act, and because I want to deny those we oppose another victory."
Jun pauses and then begins pacing as he speaks "Make no mistake my friends, they are winning. We have come late to a game they have been playing for months, if not years. We're having to play Catch up, even while they proceed at their own pace with whatever machinations they are pursuing."
"I have no need or desire to force any of you to come; Perhaps I'm just being selfish, or expecting things to go my way. With that being said, however, I know that this will be a great deal more successful with your help. So, what say you?"
... Jun looks directly at the Luna as he speaks ...
... "seem to be fine with that, but I find that I am not. I do not want to live a long life only to be haunted by the fact that I could have acted to save a life, but instead chose to turn away; ...
Luna looks haughtily at Jun, "Well! As much as I wish we could rescue Grugiz, his life is not worth losing my life over his! To be clear, if we can come up with a reasonable plan, or the right opportunity should arise, then yes, we should rescue him. But from what I have gathered, right now it would be certain death for us - and , I will not do for a lowly goblin!"
Quint visibly rolls his large, expressive gnome eyes.
Psalm looks up at Jun. "I can't say your wrong. But you assume Grugiz is not aware that he was involved with dangerous folk doing despicable things. At some point people reap what they sow." Psalm looks around to the others that went to Galador's "Do we know how the goblin was recaptured? I mean did he go back to Galador with information hoping he could end the hunt for his life. . . .who's to say that some of what Fin and those in the Arcane Order who might be frustrated with us haven't learned some of that information from the Goblin."
"Did you all interact with Galador. Did he seem on to you?"
not sure why everyone thinks we will die if we try to rescue the gobo. Just gotta be a bit sneaky, right?
Luna looks at Psalm, "You make a good point Psalm. Grugiz is NOT an innocent party in these events. When one gets involved with the wrong people, bad things may well happen to one, and one should be prepared to accept those things as consequences of their decisions. Such a one should also not expect for others who are innocent, to come risk their lives for them in a rescue attempt. Hopefully we can come up with a REASONABLY SAFE plan to be heroes and rescue him anyways."
"And what if it's just a Goblin with a notched ear that his goons captured, who assumed that when he said 'That's not me' he was lying? Furthermore, would you say 'delivering someone food and water' means 'being willing to accept that people are going to hunt you, kidnap you, and kill you?' because that is the extent of his 'evil deeds'. He took a job that ended up being for the wrong people. He finished the job, and they decided to clean up loose ends. Unless, of course, you all have more information than I do."
"Hard to say if Galador was on to us, but I shouldn't think so. He seemed perfectly happy to let us be while he chatted with another customer." Nikeisha shrugged. "Honestly, I'd rather rescue the Goblin, but if we're gonna do it we need to keep out arses intact. No point in swapping one of us for him, that ain't gonna help."
"And what if it's just a Goblin with a notched ear that his goons captured, who assumed that when he said 'That's not me' he was lying? Furthermore, would you say 'delivering someone food and water' means 'being willing to accept that people are going to hunt you, kidnap you, and kill you?' because that is the extent of his 'evil deeds'. He took a job that ended up being for the wrong people. He finished the job, and they decided to clean up loose ends. Unless, of course, you all have more information than I do."
I assumed that meant that he got a good look, and that (at least barring an elaborate disguise, illusion magic, or some other intentional deception), there was no mistaking that he was looking at the same goblin they met the previous day.
2) Go to the mayor and say nothing, instead, collecting the reward that was promised, as he has, no doubt at this point, received word that everything you told him is true. This way you let Camatil decide how best to investigate these matters. Your task is accomplished, and you can return to Akassa with heads held high. Perhaps once you get your return audience with the senator from Midvale Province, you can tell her some of the things you heard about the Arcane Order, and go from there.
"These plans aren't mutually exclusive. The mayor may wish to aid and seek the rescue of Grugiz."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |