"Only thing I found out is that the Arcane Order has people on...a side? That's not the nations? Nothin' you couldn't guess from that little fight."
"I do have some small skill in cartography and the necessary tools. I could replenish my supplies and use that as a reason to check out this Skiara's Sketchbook business. Would anyone want to come with me? You know, two heads are better than one."
"I would be happy to go with you."
"Luna do you know anything of this Aranon Ethalion? Is it something the elves have a view on?"
"Luna do you know anything of this Aranon Ethalion? Is it something the elves have a view on?"
"We need to speak to some elves who would be willing to talk about history that elves want hidden, preferably someone old enough to remember the Dragon War."
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"Well, that's interesting. I wonder...."
Jun shakes his head to clear it, then continues
"Okay, I think I have enough of an idea of what is going on to make a timeline, which should give us at least an idea of what our enemies, who need a name, by the way, have been up to."
Jun pulls several pieces of paper out of his notebook and lays them on the table in a specific order, showing a written timeline.
"So roughly a year ago, based on what I have been able to piece together, our foes began to move. I don't know the inciting event yet, but it had to be a trigger of some import to the people involved in this conspiracy, which includes most of the races and nations in the world, and involves people that have something to do with an Ancient Elven legend that no one appears to know anything about - which is a contradiction, but I digress; I can't say for sure what their exact first moves were, but I do know that this group is massive; they have people involved in the Elven Nation, the Dwarven Nation, and the Republic, as well as the Arcane Order. As an aside, I can't even begin to imagine how they're communicating with each other, except through the stuff that is being shipped to many places, including your...."
Jun quickly turns and stares intently at Luna. "I need to know everything there is to know about this monastery, including who founded it, and where they get their support from, but we'll set that aside for now."
Returning to his timeline, Jun says "I don't think, however, that the group is monolithic, however; if I had to guess, I'd say that they don't have a plan, but likely more something like a prophesy that they're trying to make come true. My reasoning is two-fold: first, the sheer number of people that this will take to work is too large to be all under the direct supervision of a single figure, and two, they are doing multiple disparate things at once; hidden magical experiements, destabilizing trade in the Republic, forcing the Dwarves to only deal with the shipping company they directly control, which is staffed almost exclusively with Half-Elves."
Jun continues to pace as he says "The one thing that I'm not sure of is who attacked the warehouse this evening, and how they fit into the bigger picture. Are they an enemy of the cult, a faction within the cult, or something else? Does anyone have anything to share about them?"
Well, that sounds 'bout right. I have a connection with a member...the guy giving me my guard duties. Maybe we could capture him and squeeze him for info?
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Well, that sounds 'bout right. I have a connection with a member...the guy giving me my guard duties. Maybe we could capture him and squeeze him for info?
"Your time has indeed been fruitful but I can't say I don't see how there isn't a plan. I mean they have taken power positions in aged institutions that alone is evidence of strategy and given the nature of those institutions they were setting people in place prior to getting things rolling. We are dealing with an organization that worships a monster of 5 heads. So it is fully possible that is how they act. Seemingly disparate but in the end a single enterprise. Or a command structure that has 5 (or more) seemingly distinct leaders."
Psalm takes a moment. "I have once . . . had experience with Drow." He holds up a hand palm out slowing the incoming questions. "Not direct. No. I stumbled into a meeting. I was in a cave in the mountains near our circle. I small group of orcs and drow speaking. Odd. Whether or not it has any import to our present conspiracy I could never say with any certainty. I digress perhaps a tangent."
Psalm thinks a moment. "Well at the same time the warehouse was attacked other sites were attacked as well as their puppet Senator spring from prison. So the attack was part of their distraction. Having been there for the attack. I noted that the warehouse guards were surprisingly unhelpful. The melted with resistance. So given the nature of the rather massive conspiracy we see. It is not out of possibility the warehouse soldiers were ready to abandon post or that the attackers were familiar enough with the nature of the guards that they would flee in a crisis." He shrugs, "I mean that's why investigating the other targets is so crucial. I mean they could have hit targets they were familiar with for strategic regions, they are just that careful, or they accomplished multiple goals with the strikes. By hitting several sites sure they drew out the attention of the guard and overwhelmed their resources leaving the prison vulnerable. But they could also have destroyed evidence at each of those sites that linked to the larger conspiracy AND used it as a distraction for the prison break. Worse might it be some mixture of the two."
He taps his chin thinking. "I don't think we will ever get a full picture of this down to the letter. Also we must ready ourselves to not be believed. This is an outlandish conspiracy. I mean its easy to explain bad guys hit a bunch of sites to free bad guy from prison. But this goes far beyond that. There are many and rightly so in the Republic which that will be leary of the massive doubt this will put in the institutions of government."
"We should write what we know down," Nikeisha said after a moment. "I know we're sending all this to our lady patron, but I don't trust her to act for the city's advantage if we...disappear. I trust her to act to her own advantage, and right now I'm hoping it's to the city's too, but I'd like some insurance. If this all goes wrong I'd like someone else to pick it up."
"Forgive me, I may have misspoken: I think that the better way to describe it would be a goal. This group of people - by the way, does anyone have a handy name for them that we can use? - have a goal in mind, and it likely involves this ancient Elven figure."
"But it's neither here nor there. What's important is that these people have an agenda they are willing to destroy nations for, and that is someone that you do not tangle with lightly. Unfortunately, they are not leaving us with much of a choice."
When Hack speaks up, Jun thinks about his suggestion for a moment, then says "He is a known quantity, and someone that we can interrogate easily, but he'll probably only know who his boss is. I think it might be a better idea to watch him and see how he operates first. I'm curious to his reaction to the events of this evening."
This group of people - by the way, does anyone have a handy name for them that we can use?
Quint looks up from the papers he has been poring over. Which ones? The Kraiulans or the Ethalionites?
Listening intently as she looks around at the group, Luna nods thoughtfully. "I agree with all that's being said here, though I've never heard of this supposed ancient mythological Elven figure. I suspect that is some created story to throw others off from the truth of the investigation. I do like Quint's suggestions for group names, simple and obvious. And I still think Psalm and I should go check around this shop with writer's supplies, but yes, it would also be useful to find everything we can about the monastery. I'll see what I can do."
I do like Quint's suggestions for group names, simple and obvious.
Quint looks confused at this. Well, that's what I would expect them to call themselves. As for us... maybe we should use something a little less obvious? If someone overhears us... or worse... Quint's eyes wander toward the corners of the room, as if he might spot the disembodied eye of some arcane spy... it might be better if we were using a name only we would recognize.
Quint considers the two symbols, thinking about the types of codes a thieving crew might use to refer to them discreetly. Both symbols are sort of star-shaped, but the Ethalion one has straight points, while the Krauila ones are curved. If we call 'em straights and curls among ourselves, to anyone listening, it will just sound like we're talking about hair styles.
Quint then turns to Nikeisha. As for writing things down... well, if you know something that you don't want someone to know that you know, writing it down seems like the last thing you'd want to do. Quint holds up the stack of papers he's been rifling through. I mean, just look at all of this! After giving the point half a moment to sink in, Quint adds, We should avoid writing down any notes, and if we do need to, we should burn 'em when we're done with 'em. In my experience, crews that don't usually end up resting... Quint catches himself using the thieves' slang for incarceration, having momentarily forgotten who he's talking to, then quickly covers with ...in the care of either a physicker or an undertaker.
"Well we have our work cut out. I will go with you Luna to the scribe shop. I think Nikeisha and I will also look into old elves. Though I think we should also look into all the targets of the distraction attacks. Perhaps we should come up with a shopping list. . . or it might be wise that no one group go to all the sites. They might know something is up."
I will head back to my employer and report back later.
Hack will visit his employer, apologize for not adequately protecting the shipment, and explain the details of the attack.
Do you have any idea who attacked the shipment? If not, maybe your bosses do? I am just not a fan of being ambushed.
After trying to gather as much information that he can about who was responsible for the attack and the organization, Hack inquires about the next job.
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Jun stops the others from leaving and says "Before we go any further, I think we should have a discussion about setting up some safehouses. While I believe that this place is secure for now, nothing lasts forever, and I think that we should each look at getting a hideaway set up that the others do not know about. Also, I am looking into getting us a new base of operations, but I wanted to put that idea into everyone's head: that we're, to use a nautical term, in the wind. Our only advantage right now is each other and that our enemies do not know who we are. Once we become a problem for them, we'll need to have contingencies in place to move our operation."
"As for our next moves, I think we should each be thinking of a password that we can share with a single person in the group; that way, we can avoid imposters. I would also like each of you to come up with a good idea for a place that we can leave messages for each other in case we can't meet in person, and we'll share those at our next meeting. As for our investigations, I'd like each of us to continue gathering what information we can, so that we can hopefully have more leads for next time."
With that, Jun burns his timeline in the fireplace and prepares his plans.
He then collects as much of the documentation as he can, and puts it into his satchel.
Jun returns to the warehouse and tries to find anyone from Diamond Imports, with his satchel full of paperwork.
If there is no one there, he will try to find his former boss and leave her a message that he has some of the paperwork from the warehouse that he managed to save.
Assuming that he can get his job (or something like it) back, Jun will actually keep his head down during the day, and at night will find someone to train him in the art of using thieve's tools.
Jun will also get a box wagon and pair of horses together. He'll specifically look for an older wagon and older horses, so that he can better blend into the background . Jun will stock it with a two week supply of food, as well as camping supplies for 10 (bedrolls, backpacks, dark cloaks, waterskins, and flint and steel).
Jun's goal is to be able to leave the city at a moment's notice.
Let me know how much money this is going to cost me and I'll spend it.
Quint fans out the blueprints on the table. Standing over them, he looks down on them as if imagining himself standing on a higher roof overlooking them. On one of them he spots a distinctive window placement that he recognizes. He's seen that building before! He slips a worn and faded map of Rydwyrna from his pack and marks the location. It's very close to the castle.
Quint considers the location of the building that was attacked, the one that was apparently owned by the Shepherds, or the Ethalionites, or both. It, too, was disturbingly close to Castle Redwood. As he considers the area, he remembers the battle, and his subsequent rooftop chase. He realizes that another of the blueprints matches a building he saw in his pursuit. He examines the map, identifying the location of that building, and marks it as well. He's surprised to find that it's almost exactly the same distance from the castle as the first!
On a hunch, Quint carefully draws a circle centered on the castle that passes through the location of each building, and a line connecting the two. The line passes even closer to the castle, but not through the center of the circle.
He then studies the arc of the circle between the two points, imagining each building as if he was following that path across rooftops from one to the other. Exactly in the middle of this path, he identifies a third building that matches one of the blueprints. The fact that the third building is equidistant between the first two can't be a coincidence, and Quint quickly measures that distance and marks off locations on the other end of the circle that are the same distance. He's left with five points, all equally spaced along the circumference of the circle, and sure enough, once he has a location, he is fairly certain that there is a building in each that matches one of the blueprints. He lays the blueprints out in a circular pattern with his map at the center (where Castle Redwood would be), and stands over it as if looking down on the buildings from atop the castle.
By now, the others may have started to wonder what he's up to, but he ignores any questioning looks that he receives until this point. These five buildings are laid out in a circle around the castle... Quint says, continuing to look down at the map. He then considers the line he drew between the first two buildings he identified. Or... The line connects two non-adjacent points at 72 degrees from one another. Quint proceeds to draw similar lines connecting each other set of non-adjacent points, ...or a five-pointed star.
Over the next week, Quint investigates the buildings under the assumption that they are owned by the Kraiulans, assigning orphans to surveil them constantly as he moves from one to another and tracks some of the people he sees coming and going. As usual, the owl, unbeknownst to Quint, is always somewhere in the area as well, watching, and giving him the opportunity to see and hear things that he couldn't get close enough to see/hear for himself.
Psalm watches Quint work and offers a few questions that Quint in his insistence ignores. About the 3rd point on the map. Psalm looks up with a smile. "He's on to something."
"I think Jun your theory has to adjust for the level of patience we are seeing her. I mean. How likely even over a year are they not only able to accomplish but to lay themselves out on a map like this. Given money setting up 5 fronts or business that can work with them and for them. But to lay them out mathmatically."
"You're not wrong my gnome friend. You're not wrong. It appears, though as if this patient group is swiftly running out of patience. I do fear things are progressing at a pace that may make our investigation pointless before long. It may be that this five headed dragon shows its heads before we can truly discover any of them." Jun says, tapping a finger on his chin as he looks at Quint's disturbing revelation of the five points of interest surrounding Castle Redwood. The half-elf then lets out a long and loud yawn, stretching his arms high. "I think we should all go and get some rest, inasmuch as we are able. Quint, I do believe you are the best person among us to hold onto the sending stone, and the magic amulet of scrying protection. Perhaps you can discover who is on the other end of that stone, without them discovering you! Hack, you should take the chest of gems and coins, for now. Until we can decide anything better to do with it. I don't yet trust Thjorvar or his staff completely. Perhaps find a hidden place in your chambers to stash it." As Jun shews people out of his room so that he can get some much needed shut-eye, he says, "After we break our fast in the morning, perhaps we'll have more solid plans to further our investigation specifics." Then he waves everyone out of his door, and closes it.
Hack makes good on Jun's suggestion, and he takes the chest of gems and coins.
Where to hide it...where to hide it?
--Rydwyrna, Various Locales, Week of Ilsa 22 to Brunhild 3--
Another week of trudging around in Rydwyrna’s streets to do Akassa’s dirty work passed rather quickly. Much of that trudging was done in the rain, now that the wet winter season has fully descended upon the continent,. No doubt the Racamere is either fully frozen over, or soon will be. As with every other winter, orc raiders moved further and further south, forcing the Republic to send out more and more troops to aid her southern cities and villages. It seems that Byrthelm’s concern for the d’rak increases exponentially the closer their war parties get to the capital. Scuttlebutt about town, though, says this year’s raiding parties are bigger, and attacking more frequently. A rumor backed up by the sparse and paltry showing at the parade to celebrate the end of the Nine Years War on Freedom day. The Order’s regiments marched along Republic Way as they have every year before, broken up by decorated merchant wagons tossing trinkets to the children, and Senator’s waving slowly and precisely from their luxurious carriages. All told, though the full parade took less than an hour, and whole battalions of soldiers were noticeably missing. Thankfully, the day of the parade was free of rain, and the cobbled stone of Republic Way kept mud from being spattered about. Still, the mood of this year’s parade seemed more somber than before.
Like a bolt of dark-haired lightning, Akassa sat in the back room of Thjorvar’s kitchen on the morning of Brunhild 2, Vikaday. Beautiful and secret, she sat cloaked in darkness and silence. She waited while everyone had a seat around her, as they had before, over three weeks ago now. Quint sat last, looking over his shoulders for Jun to show up. Quint’s knowledge, though not technically incriminating, it wasn’t illegal to own property in the city, no matter how mathematically arranged the property might be to any others, was powerful and dangerous. It wasn’t something he’d share lightly, especially not with someone who flat out told the group they shouldn’t trust her. Looking around Akassa shook her head deep in the hood of her rain soaked cloak and said, ”where’s Jun? Has he no tidings to share?”
Not sure, mi'Lady. I've not seen him since a couple days ago when some underlings took him to his boss.
"You're not wrong my gnome friend. You're not wrong. It appears, though as if this patient group is swiftly running out of patience. I do fear things are progressing at a pace that may make our investigation pointless before long. It may be that this five headed dragon shows its heads before we can truly discover any of them." Jun says, tapping a finger on his chin as he looks at Quint's disturbing revelation of the five points of interest surrounding Castle Redwood. The half-elf then lets out a long and loud yawn, stretching his arms high. "I think we should all go and get some rest, inasmuch as we are able. Quint, I do believe you are the best person among us to hold onto the sending stone, and the magic amulet of scrying protection. Perhaps you can discover who is on the other end of that stone, without them discovering you! Hack, you should take the chest of gems and coins, for now. Until we can decide anything better to do with it. I don't yet trust Thjorvar or his staff completely. Perhaps find a hidden place in your chambers to stash it." As Jun shews people out of his room so that he can get some much needed shut-eye, he says, "After we break our fast in the morning, perhaps we'll have more solid plans to further our investigation specifics." Then he waves everyone out of his door, and closes it.
Psalm thinks a long moment, "Perhaps we need to look at this another way. Our opponents have gone to great length to pull their asset out of custody. Is this a value to them, were they afraid of something, was this part of the plan, what else has gone on that is on the surface unrelated? Did they just expose their hand in rescuing/removing their politician from the board?"
In addition to the other investigations of the week Psalm pulls aside their contact at the Pegasus. "I need to get a message to Senator Akassa. We need more reports. We need a bigger picture, reports from other provinces, troop movements and what need is pushing such matters. Any and all info. We are not sure what we are looking for so we need as much as we can get."
After the investigations resolve and the team gathers again. Psalm gives a run down of the rather boring results. "The only thing we ran across was that Diamond imports was supplying the herbalist."
"And they killed my friend, because she warned me about the Enchanter." Nikeisha leaned on her staff, pale by her standards, and trembling. Her knuckles were white as the wood creaked in her grip. "Means they might know about me, at the least."
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Luna looks around. "I'm not sure Senator. I have not seen him today."
That Jun is neither present, nor accounted for, clearly does not sit well with the Senator of Midvale. Tension crinkles her beautiful face before she says, "Ill tidings." That is all she says, at first, then, after a moment of awkward pause, she continues. "What have your investigations discovered?" Akassa's azure eyes grasp each member of the party individually, coaxing each to share with her something of value.
In addition to the other investigations of the week Psalm pulls aside their contact at the Pegasus. "I need to get a message to Senator Akassa. We need more reports. We need a bigger picture, reports from other provinces, troop movements and what need is pushing such matters. Any and all info. We are not sure what we are looking for so we need as much as we can get."
After the investigations resolve and the team gathers again. Psalm gives a run down of the rather boring results. "The only thing we ran across was that Diamond imports was supplying the herbalist."
Psalm looks concerned when the Senator mentions Jun, "It is ill news. He had packed a wagon. A bug out buggy." Psalm chuckles darkly at the phrase. "If things became dangerous. Perhaps we should check if he needed it. I can't imagine him leaving without notice."
Quint works for a moment at a stitch in his shift sleeve, eventually pulling loose a piece of thread. Only once the short length of thread is removed is it clear that it doesn't quite match the rest of the garment, neither in the color nor the stitching pattern. He had previously opened the seam, creating a small concealed pocket. From this hidden space, he slips a small scrap of folded paper. He holds the paper hesitantly as he begins to explain.
The attacks last week, when Enwelros was freed... the targets were not arbitrary. At least one of the locations was owned by the Ethalionites... the group that uses the four-pointed star symbol. Our investigations had already led us there, and we were surveilling the place when it happened. The attackers were Kraiulans--one of them was wearing the five-pointed star as a holy symbol. We joined the fight, and in the confusion, we were able to get our hands on some evidence.
Quint looks down at the paper in his hand, still folded so that what's written on it can't be seen.
The two groups seem to be at war with one another. The Ethalionites had maps--blueprints, really--of several buildings around the city. I managed to identify the buildings. Each was near the site of an attack that day, but that's not the most disturbing thing about their locations. They form a perfect five-pointed star, with Castle Redwood at the center. We believe these buildings to be owned by the Kraiulans.
He looks down at the paper again, rubbing it between his fingers before finally holding it out to the Senator. Five names are written on it.
These are the owners.
Grewalt Harcey
Pengali Brightsword
Neladrie Scarborne
Edmund Morquafëa
Ellas Fuinësicil
Psalm tilts his head. "That's a lot to chew. So sects of a cult are warring in our midst. Or branches of the same group are operating in seeming opposition?"
"Or two separate cults have opposing goals, although that does sound like something from a Bard's tale." Nikeisha rubbed her eyes. The young woman looked a lot more tired than she had before. "So, what now? I'm biased, but I want to destroy the ratson bastards in the Arcane Order, whoever they work for." She rubbed her eyes, and considered. "I'd like to work on getting a list of names within the Order, the Enchanters closest lackeys and friends. If we can remove them, somehow, that should weaken whatever group has a hold on the Arcane. And being able to trust the Spellslingers would save us trouble."
At first the amount and depth of information that Psalm, Nikeisha, and Quint give to Akassa makes her appear dumbfounded. She stammers and stutters over her words for a moment. "I'm sorry, Diamond Imports? The herbalist? Which herbalist? Enchanter? Arcane Order? Ethalionites? Kraiulans? You've gone too far afield and lost me entirely? If you don't mind, slow down, backtrack, start from the beginning. How and why have your investigations lead you to these people and areas?" Then taking Quint's offered piece of paper, she reads the names, and her face, normally pale of color anyway, blanches completely, becoming almost transparent. "Are you saying that these five people are part of this treachery? This rebellion? All of those people are trusted commanders in the Orders of the Republic and " She exclaims, overly excitedly, then takes a moment, a deep breath, pulls close the deep cowl of her drying cloak, composing herself. Then she whispers, barely audibly. "If that is the case, perhaps Elise's plan is not so ill-advised or extraordinary after all... The raven-haired Senator's voice trails off at the end, as her eyes go vacant, thinking about something perhaps far off, perhaps not so.
What'd ya say, Ma'am? Is there already a plan to handle these problems?
"Hmmm, what's that Hack? Plans, yes, well, these events have us considering anything and everything that will maintain the order and integrity of the Republic of Byrthelm. Our Seneschal, Elise, is no different. When the Senate convenes our next legislative session on Aldelday of next week, the time will be upon us to act in an official capacity." She pauses for a moment, and is most definitely contemplating something. Then she brings her attention back to the here and now. "I'm still waiting to hear how in the wide world of Eafphqu you gathered all this information? Please, if you would, enlighten me to your investigations? I'll need something solid to go on before I go around throwing accusations at upstanding members of the military and government just because they share an elven heritage."
Without warning Quint feels a slight vibration in the hidden pouch in his shirt, subtlely reaching in, he grabs the Sending Stone, and feels it hum against his fingers. Immediately he hears a female voice in his head that drips with a lilting elven accent. "We're meeting tonight, usual time, usual place, but a different room; Zutir knows which. The grasp constricts. Avoid followers. Bring the amulet." Then the voice ceases. Knowing the full nature of the magical stone, Quint knows he has but a brief moment to send a reply... But should he? Surely whomever is on the other end of the stone won't recognize his voice. Maybe not replying at all is what she's used to? Maybe just a short affirmation of some kind, to let the sender know the message was received? Argh! Never has such a small decision loomed so large!
In addition, Psalm, who went to check on the nags, wagon, and supplies that Jun purchased and has waiting in Thjorvar's stables out back, comes back shaking his head with dreadful worry. He sits back down and says, "The bug out buggy is still there. I worry for Jun's safety. He should be here!"
Sorry, Ma'am. I can tell you that while I continue to guard Diamond deliveries, I recently saw Jun taken to his boss upon demand of others.
Quint runs his finger along the stone's smooth surface. As he does so, he clears his throat audibly, in a deep, descending tone. While doing so reveals no identifiable voice, he hopes that it will sound like an acknowledgement to anyone expecting one on the other end. It's the type of thing one might do to acknowledge a message without letting on to those around them that they were doing so. After all, whoever was supposed to have the stone could plausibly receive the message while in the presence of someone not trusted with such secrets. If no reply was expected, this throat, clearing could also be taken as involuntary--still confirming the presence of someone on this end to the sender, but not sounding as if it was intended to do so.
Once he feels the stone's magic fade, he gives it another moment to be certain, then pulls the stone from his pocket. We might be able to provide the proof you need. I just received a message on this. It's a sending stone that we captured along with the blueprints. They're meeting tonight, but the person the message was intended for was supposed to know when and where. Wherever it is, there are multiple rooms where the meeting could take place, and someone named "Zutir" is supposed to know which one. If we can identify this "Zutir" or find a way to locate the other stone, I suspect you'll be able to get all the evidence you could want.