Garan offers some words of consolation, quietly, to Blacklock.
"Those terms are indeed insufferable. But you say you could hold out during a siege for 2 years? That is rather impressive. Most cities I've visited would be hard-pressed to last a season."
Dakovya smiles, overhearing Garan's comment "Blacklock possesses a certain knack with logistics management often so rare with veterans."
Blacklock responds, grabbing the wad of papers with a fist "I don't know what your game is here, Dak. I'll take your "terms" to the baron, where I'm sure they'll find a home in the latrine...see you in a few years."
And with that, the parley is over. You are escorted back to the wicket by Andoran soldiers.
So, night is upon you. Do you guys want to hit the hay or try something mischievous?
Virgil whispers (in between heavenly sips of tea) to the others.
So, what have we learned, thus far?
Noya whispers to Lucky Ben
"I think some special pickled eggs would get rid of them for about a week without raise a eye brows too much.
Just need some air spores to be added to give it an extra kick."
Grinning devilishly "Argith's alchemy shop, or Viaren's apothecary probably has something like that. I'll get them extra drunk while you prepare...man's gotta be truly loaded to down a pickled egg." he puts on his apron for the night and starts delivering the drinks and hosting the other patrons.
The general mood of the tavern isn't as lively as it might usually be, there seems to be a general air of uncertainty about the siege.
Noya replies
"Oh I can bet on the stink they'll be causing with their peers and superiors. Heck I bet if they get called into their captains office and they let a stinker rip he'll likely some things like say "What in the 9 hells did you guys eat, it smells like something crawled in here and died."
And I bet they are going to keep fire sources away from them for a while."
"Now where is Viaren's apothecary, as I'll be betting they have a guard at the alchemy shop since alchemists can make a number of mischievous items."
He informs you they are just around the corner, right next door to each other anyways.
Garan meets up with the group at the inn after his brief interaction at parley.
He nods at Noya's plan, hiding a small grin with the back of his hand. To Virgil he says:
"That guard captain, Blacklock, is a confident sort. He's upset that the Andoran government sends troops against the Baron, naturally. I am not sure that he's gone over to the Chells - but he didn't like the appearance of hostility towards those of the former nobility. I thought to play on my own upbringing, but I can only say that I managed to avoid annoying the man, rather than befriending him."
Viaren's apothecary, the Black Candle and Argith's Alchemy Shop are right next door on the west side of town. You can't help but notice the tremendous commotion at the alchemy shop, as barrel after barrel is loaded onto one of the Baron's bright red transports. A small regiment of guard holds a perimeter around the alchemy shop, and a sign has been posted "Closed until further notice, due to siege efforts".
In contrast the Black Candle is dim lighted and inviting, this musky evening.
Virgil quietly sips his tea.
He listens to Garan's accounting with a nod.
Well, it seems that he is a loyalist; both to the Baron and to Andor. Perhaps, Noya or Nysha can attempt to find the good Captain's weak spot? the Mesmerist whispers to the group.
It might raise suspicion if several known associated people start showing interest in captain blacklock, unless we openly act in the name of Lord Augustana. IN fact, if he is so loyalist, perhaps a visit from lord Justing might be in order.
Noya's contact Lucky Ben would willingly inform you, if asked, that Blacklock's house is on the corner of Dusk Lane and Mine Cart Road. He often takes a few drinks at the Conquerer's Blade with his men before retiring to his residence around 10 pm. Back in the shadows, away from the Baron's agents, Ben offers his own assessment "...Blacklock doesn't care about anything but duty. I don't think we could have a finer defender of Piren's Bluff...but he's also an ass for not seeing the threat the Baron and Cheliax poses. I expected him to do something when the Asmodean temple went up. I was truly shocked he did not."
Noya will go to Viaren's apothecary alone, while keeping appearance of being a maid on an errand.
Aside from the commotion next door, the Black Candle is a squat building sitting at the middle of Dawn Lane. Ivy covers much of its walls and partially blocks several diamond-shaped stained glass windows. Near the front entrance, a large iron arm thrusts up from the ground, its palm facing the sky. A black candle nestles in the palm, a bright flame dancing on its wick.
As you push open the door a string of bells jingle loudly, and at the chain's end dangles a sprig of mistletoe wrapped in yellow ribbon. You spy who must be Viaren near the counter, a raven haired half-elven beauty with green eyes and pale skin. The shop is reminiscent of a travelling gypsy's wagon, which seems to serve as her residence in addition to the business.
"Oh, a customer? I haven't seen you before, have I?"
Nysha, Blacklock stays with the Baron inside the keep during the day, but as mentioned takes some drinks at the Conqueror's Blade (a bar almost solely visited by keep guard and militiamen) around this time. In an hour or so he will likely go to his house (across the street from apothecary and alchemist), if Lucky Ben's info is accurate.
If you want to get close, you'd probably have to meet him at the Blade or catch him on the street between there and his house.
Virgil whispers to the group, So, other than our good Captain; are there any other apparent avenues for anarchy?
"The General mentioned the symbol worn by those who remain loyal to Andoran. I haven't had a change to scout around with a discreet eye. Perhaps now would be a good time? And perhaps Nysha could try to fraternize with the guards and militia at the Conqueror's blade? I'm afraid revealing my noble blood may make it harder for me to socialize with the common soldiers at this point."
Virgil smiles; his white-straight teeth revealing his heritage.
I am a bit curious about the happenings at the Alchemist shop. Seems an immediate curiosity.
"Yes, it would be good to know more about what goes on there. I'll see what I can do to locate some friends to put a burr in the Baron's saddle."
Garan will return to the apothercary's shop if open, seeking out possible contacts in the Andoran "resistance".
Virgil points at each member present, recasting Message.
Remember, attempt to stay within 140' of myself for this method of communication to work. he whispers.
Virgil then follows Garan outside. He peers boredly at the activity across the way at the Alchemist Shop.
Smiling at anyone wandering by, the gentleman sauters over to be nosey...
Noya replies to Viaren
"Nice to meet you, I'm Atoli, my Master Naran's Maid.
We just arrived here a few a hours ago."
Noya, you would need to make up a story as to why you need those particular spores, if you intend to deceive her. Heal could be used to identify some of the pharmaceutical-like herbal preparations she has on display, but most are labeled (there are poisons, healing kits, alchemy preperations, etc...everything from PHB). I'd also allow survival, nature, or arcana.
She responds "Oh, that's terrible, now they will lock you in here until the siege is over no doubt...what bad luck! Master Naran, you say? Another Cheliaxian noble perhaps?"
Garan, you meet Noya there at the apothecary along with Viaren, the shop's owner. Noya seems to be pretending to be someone else, though, chatting it up. As you walk through the door, you too hear the jingling of bells and note the sprig of mistletoe wrapped in yellow ribbon above the door.
Virgil, you count 5 militiamen and 2 keep guarding a loaded wagon. The shop owner, a scarred and pockmarked 17 or 18 year old boy, seems to be happily supplying them with barrels of something. The barrels are only labeled with a red diamond. "That's ten! 10 more a week, every week, no problem!" he says, shaking one of the keep guard's hands. "The baron is pleased with your efforts, Argith. You're going to get rich from all this." the guard returns, signalling his men to move out. They load up lazily atop the barrels, broadswords in hand, bouncing down the cobble streets towards the keep. Only 2 of them stay behind.
Garan comes inside and nods towards Noya and the woman he sees.
"Ah, Atoli! Good to see you. I finished up my tasks early so Master Naran sent me over to check on things."
To Viaran:
"Quite a nice shop you have here. Do you mind if I have a look around while you two ladies conduct your business?"
And perhaps Nysha could try to fraternize with the guards and militia at the Conqueror's blade?
Garan's words sounds reasonable to young Nysha. As Garan escorts Virgil outside, Nysha acts as if the elf have just relieve from her bodyguarding duties to Lord Justin.
She then acts relaxed and asks for a beer. Looking for any group of soldiers near her in order to spy their conversation.
Approaching the mark...err...shop owner, Virgil stares at him with his mesmerizing blue eyes.
Showing his perfect white teeth--his heritage apparent-- his dark green hand clapping the lad on his shoulder.
So, word is that you got more of that stuff for sale?
Noya,Garan:
"Oh another servant? This Naran must be some important fellow. Feel at ease, sir. What trouble exactly was it your master was having?
Travel pains?" Viaren responds.
Nysha:
Besides the two undercover agents in the Dead Well, the only guard you see are in the nearby watchtowers. The mentioned Conquerer's Blade is the last big house before the keep walking south, 4-5 houses down.
Virgil:
"Oh, you've heard that sir? No, it's not true at all. The fact is I'm closed for any business now-" a shout from inside cuts him off:
"Argith...the hells are you, I've filtered it twice now you say I chant thrice? Or filter thrice chant twice? Godamnit..." a crash is heard and a flash of light illuminates the smoky windows, you catch a glimpse of what looks like 3 more men inside toiling away at something.
Ok. Nysha goes the conqueror's blade to see what she finds there.
Nysha:
A stone building looms over the surrounding homes and shops, rivaled only by the temple across the street. A peaked roof sports a massive chimney merrily exhaling clouds of smoke heavy with the pleasant odor of roasting meat. Fiendish suits of armor stand guard next to the wide entrance of a place that a wooden sign over the door names “The Conqueror’s Blade.”
Inside, except for a few luscious barmaids and handsome yet aging man, everyone is in uniform. The largest group of them is engaged in a dice game around a large table. The handsome old man, whose Chelish fashion sense is about as old as he is, seems to have slicked back his black hair with some kind of wax, and motions to you "Please come in, come in. You are most welcome. I am the one and only Rhaspar, what can I do for you?" You get more than one hard stare down from the crowd.
Desperately clutching the boys arm, the suddenly pale-looking 1/2 orc whispers close to his ear.
But I needs it. I wants it. My...I can't hold it off much longer!
Virgil:
"Good lord, whatever for? I'm sorry but the Baron has taken every drop of my fire, and I'm struggling to make enough for him as it is. Unless you've got the talents to assist creating more I'm afraid you'll have to wait. Perhaps we could negotiate a contract post-siege? Who did you say you were?"
More shouts from inside "...idiot, snuff that blaze or we'll all be meeting our pact with Asmodeus tonight!" and more banging and clanging.
To Viaran:
"I'm looking to buy some air spores, as I use them for baking breads and cakes for Master Naran, as he dislikes chelish yeast. That and they are useful when Master Naran decides to go "spelunking" as he calls it"
"Intriguing, I suppose I'll leave the culinary arts to the expert." she shrugs and smiles, in a moment returning with a small pouch "I cultivated these spores on the western face of the 3rd Aspodell myself. I'm afraid I'll have to mark up the price somewhat because of the siege, I have no idea when I'll be able to get out there again. I'm asking 30 gold."
Virgil shakes the kids hand vigorously.
Thank you. I shall return...
The strange gentleman exits the establishment.
Virgil whispers, It seems the good Baron is stocking up on (what may be) Alchemist's fire.
Garan whispers back, after briefly turning away from the shop owner:
"Interesting. I wonder where he's storing it? Could make our job all the quicker."
Garan then turns around again, casually viewing items on the shelves and speaking so others can ehar:
"Our master can be demanding sometimes. But now that we're going to be cooped up during this blasted siege, we might as well see to his comfort. He's not bad to work for, really. Not like the some older nobles, trying to cling too hard to past traditions."
Noya/Garan:
Quieter she responds to Garan, sounding somewhat exasperated "Yeah...clinging so hard they make deals with Asmodeus...like our 'brave' Baron..." as she bags the crystalline air spores. "Oh excuse me, It's hardly the time for politics...or is it?" she looks at you both questioningly.
Virgil:
You can still see the loaded wagon make its way towards the keep. Also, being so close gave you a better look at the barrels themselves. They were actually just protective casks lined with wool. Inside, the 'fire' substance was actually stored within a large, fragile, spherical clay cask.
Virgil relays the information.
Well, if there's nothing further we could advance to the next day?
Garan speaks very quietly to the shopkeeper.
"You know, politics are one of my favorite subjects. Especially if I can find a fellow friend of liberty."
"On that topic, I think that those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves..."
Garan, go ahead and roll a diplomacy check with Viaren to represent similar chatter for a few minutes, the result of which will determine how much she spills the beans. Also, I think you might be the only PC able to make a history check on the clay casks Virgil observed.
Over a few minutes, you realize you and Viaren are definitely on the same page, united against the Baron. The juiciest bit of info she has is along the lines of "...he thinks he has hidden agents throughout the town, but I can spot them. I know he is up to something necromantic, his agents have been purchasing countless herbs and concoctions which preserve the dead. Were someone interested in taking him down I would be willing to provide a number of poisons."
Nysha acts as if she were somewhat tired and ignores the stares.
"Please come in, come in. You are most welcome. I am the one and only Rhaspar, what can I do for you?"
Do you have something that makes me forget for a moment that I'm between an exigent old-fashioned loyalist andorian noble and a sieging army?
He seems to think intently for a few moments before snapping his fingers "'The Bricklaying Whore'. 2 part rum, 2 part Aspodell hills wine, 1 part vodka, flavored with sassafras all in a shot glass dropped into stout ale. Guaranteed to cause the permanent loss of 20,000 words of vocabulary in your lexicon." he whips up the brew and presents it pride, some of the guard turn their heads raising an eyebrow watching your next move, others still more interested in their little game.
Noya pays the 30 gp
"So the ""good" baron is up to something unnatural...
And poisons can be detected with magic, I find natural and out of the crate ideas can be harder to figure out."