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Cleo enjoys the talks, being sympathetic, offering any advice she can think that will help.
"Sandpoint has a lumber mill, one that just lost their foreman. Someone with experience and the obvious will to not give up might be more important to them at the moment than anything else." she offers as a suggestion. "We'll be heading back there before two long, I can stop by to see if you are interested in travelling back with us?"
"I don't know anything about scour, but it looks worse than me giving up pie, which lasted all of two days. she sighs at the memory, and gives the poor woman a hug. "I... I'd apologize to your tumbler friend. Even if the fight was a mutal thing, which they usually are, it will clear up your part of the bad blood. Admit the rest, and ask, don't beg, just ask if you can work with them again. Worst they can do is be asses about it and you can know you were the better person. Best would be you are working at something you love again."
Hmmm... tarnished reputation, here I take it? So someplace different could let you start brand new, right? I happen to know about a tribe of goblins- Yes Goblin! DON'T look at me like that.- they are trying to live with their neighbor, Sandpoint, without any more bloodshed. A smart dwarf who knows hard life lessons and with little else to lose could be good for them, and they could be good for you. I could introduce you if you want."
A person with skill and know-how can go far even if they are missing a hand. I've heard of grippers that can be used for a missing hand. Not good for fine work of course, but can certainly help if you need to hold something.
Attimo thinks about it for no more than two seconds, but then agrees with Cleo. He'd make the trip if there was work in Sandpoint. Travelling with Cleo sounds like a good choice, since he can't afford travelling expenses, and she seems to be a really good person.
Marta groans like a school kid being told to take out the trash, but she agrees to give it a shot. The worst that could happen would be nothing at all.
Cleo is suspicious about Farnum, but she can't tell for sure if he's telling the truth or not. Farnum scoffs at the idea of helping goblins, and goes on a rant about why goblins are such annoying pests. He's interested in the concept of a gripper, and says he'll look into it.
Janis grabs Ivona's chin between his fingers. I'm going to be here long enough to wipe that smirk off your face. Janis lets go and sits down on the bed. "Now, let's talk how much pain you two are willing to take, and what it will cost me.[/b] With that the basic negotiations start.
Janis and the ladies talk about everything they're comfortable with, what Janis wants, and the according price. Janis has several desires that do cost extra, plus having two girls, but the prices are designed for labourers, not aristocrats. Therefore even after everything is agreed, Janis only ends up paying 6 silver per hour.
Janis spends most of the day with the girls, sometimes coming down for bit of music or some food briefly before returning with the girls upstairs. Seven hours later Janis sits down next to Wabbit.
After enjoying the halfling musicians music and conversations for a while Wabbit sits down with his drink when to enjoy their next set. Out of the corner of his eye he notices Irlana Slipstream bored and asks her to join him for a drink and enjoy the music together.
Of course he'll pay her for her time as expected if she is enjoyable company, even if he does not avail himself of the full array of services offered here.
Wabbit is quite picky with that aspect of his life....and the buxom voluptuous girls are not his type. But he'll happily spend time with Irlana if she wants to share drinks and listen to good music with him. And while drinking together see if he can glean any useful info.
And what the heck... after listening to the music for a couple of hours... He'll get a nice long massage from Irlana.
And after all that will meet up with Janis to compare notes
@fox see pm
Back at the house, Cleo will cook up the fish in butter and garlic, along with whatever vegetables they have on hand. She'll talk and laugh with her friends, new and old while she does so and hopefully have a lovely dinner with them.
Then a nap before hunting a Justice, hoping Wabbit and Janis don't get into too much trouble before meeting up with them.
Janis spends most of the day with the girls, sometimes coming down for bit of music or some food briefly before returning with the girls upstairs. Seven hours later Janis sits down next to Wabbit.
I trust you had a good time AND treated the girls well Still inwardly cringing for the "how much pain you're willing to take" comment :(
Shall we rejoin the others at the mansion to start trailing the Justice? We can always make another visit here another day when the mill workers get off appropriate term from work and see what secrets they spill over drinks
The rogue and the rogueish paladin can compare notes on what they learned on the way back to the rest of the Cobbled Shield
I had quite a bit of fun. As for treating them well, I didn't do anything that wasn't agreed to. And no, I think we should stay. They're dangerous. Sooner we start on them, the better.
Alright more wine music and women it is. This fact-finding trip could get very expensive. I wonder how likely it is that we can get reimbursed for this business expense by the Watch. Maybe if we'd brought Saila we'd have a better chance of reimbursement.
Given our prior relationship, I'd say that would make us LESS likely to get reimbursed.
Given our prior relationship, I'd say that would make us LESS likely to get reimbursed.
Understood. I'll just put in for MY expenses ;)
Janis laughs and motions for some drinks to be brought over. That would probably be for the best.
Janis finishes his time with Ivana and Lilis feeling relaxed and refreshed. They thank him genuinely and hope to see him again some time.
Irlana is quite the quick-witted flirt, and both she and Wabbit have great fun bantering with each other. She's more than happy to dance, chat, and drink together. After several drinks, she's willing to talk a bit more about her past clients. Wabbit guides her towards saw mills, and she talks about a group of mill workers that are really close.
"They're not like an actual family, mind you, but they work so closely day and night that they all call each other brothers. Even the woman are called brothers. It's pretty funny, and sweet. I suppose it's kind of like here. I'd call all the other ladies here my sisters. They're family to me.
Oh! You wouldn't believe some of the stuff they've asked to do. Listen, I get a lot of strange requests, but the Seven Sawmill group ask for the craziest things. Most of them we have to say no to, because it's pretty violent, and we don't want bruises if we're working, you know? But yeah, they're one of the weirder groups we get. They should be coming in pretty soon. We see at least one of them every night, except Oathdays. They have some awful night meetings each week. I think it's really cruel to hold a meeting in the night, only to work the next morning."
Later, Irlana gives Wabbit a very nice (and clothed) hour-long massage. This is one of her specialties, and Wabbit feels amazing by the end of it.
these night meetings. Are they the same night every week? Geez if I had to go to those meetings I'd at least want to know ahead of time, so I could get extra sleep the night before
True true. Nothing worse than a late night and having to get up at the crack of noon.
"Noon? Oh that's generous! These guys are back to work at sunrise. Sunrise to sunset, sunrise to sunset, six days a week. It's awful! No wonder people come here on their off-time, and I don't blame em one bit. Yeah the meetings are every Oathday. That's why I don't see them those days. Did you know we get even more clients on Oathdays than any other day? There's a surprising number of them who ask for nun roleplay hahaha."
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Cleo makes a fantastic dinner with the help of Ameiko, Amaya, ... and Aggah. Amaya finds the goblin to be absolutely hilarious, while Ameiko is still not sold on the idea that a goblin should really have a knife. Aggah has taken an interest in cooking, since she's discovered that cooked meat tastes way better than raw. For now, Cleo has her set up to chop vegetables, which disgusts Aggah. "No. Aggah don't chop veggys, Aggah don't eat that stuff. Veggys smell like yuck. What's taters? Yuck."
By the end of it, the women have made a giant pot of spicy beef and noodle soup, a collection of roasted carrots, potatoes, turnips, and beef, a salad of salted pickled cabbage, and a big bowl of brown rice.
Both Ameiko and Amaya notice that they share similar habits of where to put things, how to serve food, and when to clean up. This is particularly concerning to Ameiko, who's slowly realizing how much of an influence her father had on her.
Furnok gets to do the dishes, while Brelin is left to her own devices. She's clearly not doing well, and is isolating herself while dealing herself cards from her harrow deck. She eats some dinner, but isn't very hungry.
The sun begins to set, which means Ironbriar will be off work soon. Before the group gets ready to set out, there's a knock on the door.
Laughing at the young one's delight at her friend, the halfling hears the door, and goest to answer it, wiping her hands on the apron she has on at the moment. "You two are back early?" she starts to say, thinking it is Wabbit and Janis.
Haha, I bet. Nothing better than corrupting a nun who's body is made for sinning. Janis eyes Wabbit. Let's go get some more drinks.
"Noon? Oh that's generous! These guys are back to work at sunrise. Sunrise to sunset, sunrise to sunset, six days a week. It's awful! No wonder people come here on their off-time, and I don't blame em one bit. Yeah the meetings are every Oathday. That's why I don't see them those days. Did you know we get even more clients on Oathdays than any other day? There's a surprising number of them who ask for nun roleplay hahaha."
A group of three men walk into the Courtesan and the Unicorn. Each of them looks sweaty and tired. Two of them still have remnants of sawdust on their clothes.
"Oh look there, speak of the devil. Hey Bill! Hi gents! Hard work today?"The three men walk over to Irlana, Wabbit, and Janis. They smile and the non-sawdust one says "Hey Irlana, yeah long day. Got through it talking about how we're looking forward to seeing you."
Irlana giggles and replies "Oh thank you, that's so sweet. I actually have a client right now, sorry. There's lots of other girls here though."
The one who's been talking turns to look at Wabbit and Janis. He's a Chelish man, in his thirties or so. He has short red hair, very similar in colour to Cleo's. He also sports a goatee of the same colour. He extends his hand and says "Hello sir, sorry to interrupt you. I'm Bill."
I smile gently. Nice to meet you, pull up a seat, I'll get you a drink. Janis motions for more drinks to be brought over.
Furnok finds out that he really hates doing dishes and has Bacon lick them clean and then gives a quick rinse before putting them back.
I have enough trouble with blood and other gunk on my hands. No sense getting them wrinkled.
Oink!
Instead of Janis and Wabbit greeting Cleo, behind the door stands a young Varisian woman. Her dark hair rolls just past her shoulders and her blue-green eyes sparkle with intellectual fires. She wear night blue clothes trimmed with silver and feathery silver boots that rise above her knees. A deep blue cloak speckled with constellations hangs flowingly off her shoulders, its hood drawn back. Bits of tattoos are visible in the few places her skin is exposed, and the tattoo of a partially blooming lotus is fully visible on her left cheek.
I do not believe we are early, nor, indeed, back, thus I must surmise you were expecting others. the woman says, her voice young and slightly high-pitched, but precise and enunciated as someone who worked hard to eliminate an accent. My name is Andreste Velletti and I am wondering if you might spare me a few minutes of your time. I bear information which may be of relevance to your investigations, and it seems your investigations might intersect with a particular interest of mine.
Something stirs within the hood of her cloak, and, briefly, a squirrel's head pokes out from behind her right ear, before returning back into the hood's folds, apparently uninterested in the conversation.
The halfling's eyes widen at seeing not-wabbit, then narrow since she's learned suspicion through these last weeks. But then the squirrel's head pops out.
It doesn't listen so she turns her focus back to the woman with a sheepish look "Sorry, my manners got the best of me there. My name is Cleo."
she considers the person at the greetings, then says "This isn't my house, so one moment please while I ask the owner if it was okay if we let you in to talk. Otherwise, we can find a place close by."
She doesn't ask Amaya though. Second thoughts crept in her brain as she walked back. Instead, she slips off the apron and dons the breastplate. "A young woman has some information about the murders. I believe her, but since we already had one firey explosion, so Furnok and Aggah would you come with me to talk with her somewhere close. Brelin seems down so would you two mind keeping an eye on her?"
As long as everyone is okay with the idea, she'll reopen the door, armed and armored, but with everything sheathed. "Sorry, I think it just might be better to talk somewhere else. Bad things have been happening to buildings lately." she gives a tired smile.
While Cleo is deciding, dressing, and discussing inside the building, Andreste has a quiet conversation of her own with Skrate regarding rudeness. When Cleo returns, the squirrel sits on Andreste's shoulder.
Waiting for the interaction between gnome and squirrel to reach its natural conclusion, thereafter Andreste once again speaks. There are several nearby restaurants and cafes. It seems you have already had supper, so perhaps an evening tea or libation is in order. I would have you choose to help allay your fears of ambush, although if I may suggest, we should choose a fairly secluded portion of whichever establishment you prefer, given the nature of the crimes you are investigating.
Furnok hears the newcomer from his position in the kitchen and is quite suspicious considering all the trouble they have been having beforehand and so lurks near the door until Cleo calls him out.
HmmMm...Sure I can escort ya.
Bacon lurks in the shadows, eyeing the tasty looking squirrel.
Cleo beams at the lovely rodent "" she curtsies low in deep respect to him "" then she realized she is leaving the person whose shoulder the great Skrate is riding on out of the conversation, as well as her friends so repeats the introductions.
"Tea would be lovely. I'm not a local, but I think I saw a place just a little that ways." she'll lead or be led to someplace that works, order something with lots of honey, and some pickles for Aggah. Then sits and waits for their visitor to start.
I smile gently. Nice to meet you, pull up a seat, I'll get you a drink. Janis motions for more drinks to be brought over.
have a seat Bill. The more the merrier. Long day at work?
Andreste nods, following along to the place of Cleo's choosing, finding a place less likely to have eavesdroppers or onlookers observing their conversation. Just before they enter the building, Skrate jumps out of her hood and climbs the building's side, finding a perch on the roof.
Skrate isn't much of a tea-drinker, but he makes a serviceable look-out. Andreste offers by way of explanation for the familiar's behavior.
Once seated and tea ordered, Andreste rolls back the sleeve covering the upper portion of her left arm. A tattoo of a seven pointed star surrounded by a broken black circle with intermittent symbols and a completed red circle adorns her skin there. It is my understanding that a similar image has been carved into the victims you have uncovered.
She sees the emotions playing over your faces, and although she isn't an expert at reading them, even she can see alarm spreading. This symbol was known in ancient times as The Sihedron. It was the Symbol of Rule of the ancient empire called Thassilon. Its arms, and these symbols displayed around them in certain depictions, represented the Seven Virtues of Just Rule, as postulated by the Wise Emperor Xin.
They also represented the seven schools of magic popular in Xin's time, as well as the seven Lord Regents of the Nations of Thassilon. These lords in time turned upon Xin, shattering and dividing both the Sihedron and the Empire. For centuries, they ruled over these lands, until the tragedy of Earthfall destroyed the lands and plunged them into The Age of Darkness. During the intervening centuries of their rule after betraying Xin and before the Empire's destruction, the Runelords perverted the Virtues of Rule, succumbing to dark vices and epitomizing Sins in a manner fit to make even a demon jealous.
This knowledge has largely fallen into the fog of history and legend, the ruins of their civilization surrounding us, yet shrouded in mystery. I have struggled to study and understand Xin's vision and its corruption for nearly eight years and still much of that knowledge eludes me.
Which brings us to your investigation. The Sihedron being carved into the bodies of the victims is part of a ritual designed to draw the souls of the sinful into repositories called Runewells, rather than allow them to pass to Pharasma's judgement. What the purpose of these repositories are, I have yet to divine, but given the use of evil souls in the creation of demons and devils, I cannot imagine the accumulation of masses of such souls being beneficial to Varisia, to say the least.
Cleo stiffens at the rune being displayed but manages to sip her tea instead of yell, what the heavens! She listens. "A runwell... we found one of those things under Sandpoint. Mr. Haladin said it was a minor one if that means anything to you. The murders happened after we poured vats of holy water into it though. Still... it gives us one more reason to put an end to them. "
Andreste frowns slightly, eyes reflecting the search for memories and betraying the excitement of a Runewell so very close by. I am unsure if blessed waters would be sufficient to destroy a Runewell's power. However, perhaps a minor Runewell could be used to siphon souls away from a greater one farther away, and with Sandpoint's Runewell destroyed or suppressed, those committing these murders moved into the area.... she sighs, shaking her head. I don't have enough data to do more than make suppositions, educated guesses, as it were, I'm afraid.
"We had to exhaust it first, according to the book Haladin found. Summoning these creatures and destroying them until there were no more" Cleo fills in the details she is remembering "It seems like so long ago... too much has happened in such a short time." the little halfling sighs, suddenly looking very tired.
"Well, thank you Miss Velletti, and you as well Sir Skrate, for the information and the company." she starts to get up.
We would like to be of further assistance. Andreste blurts out, just a hint of her Varisian accent slipping out. As I mentioned, I have been studying this civilization for the past eight years. While my knowledge is incomplete, it is extensive.
She regains her composure, turning the sleeve of her garment back over the tattoo. I will be staying at the Jade Grasshopper. Please let me know whichever way you decide. I have, of course, interrupted the expected return of your companions. I'm sure you'll wish to discuss the matter with them.
One last bit of information that may be useful to your investigations. Different Runewells are keyed to different Sins. There may be a link among the victims which is being overlooked.. Andreste offers as you rise.
"Oh!" Cleo exclaims having misunderstood "You want to help find the killers. I didn't realize..." she stops and thinks "We've got no reason to distrust you, even less than the last person to join with us in the hunt for answers... and you have a squirrel... so yes, okay." a beaming smile "Welcome. Um... I have a feeling our friends will be out late tonight, do you want to meet us at the house for breakfast?"
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Andreste's posture become visibly more relaxed. "Oh, thank the Gods! When Investigator Jullus first consulted me about your case, I had natural reservations as well." her voice is less measured and controlled, more vibrato. "Between the explosion in uptown and finding out your companions spent the entire afternoon with the Silks, I thought your group might have been a bit too much like the last gang I signed with."
She takes in a sharp breath and slows herself down, regaining a measure of control over her timbre. "Then, I discovered your activities among the Pinchers. I spoke with Attimo and Marta. This led me to Bevallu Zimantiu. After speaking with them, and her, I knew you were not cut from the same rough cloth as the Tower Girls. I knew I had to, at the very least, offer my knowledge in person."
She clears her throat, and realizing how rambling she was just then, blushes slightly. "Ahem. Yes, breakfast sounds lovely."
"I am... okay... Who... I think. I follow. Some of that." Cleo looks perplexed "The explosion was bad, which is why Furnok here looks rather untrusting of you. Intelligent people who seems to know everything usually don't just pop up and offer to help us often."
"But oh well, helping people is worth the risk. In the morning then. I'll make waffles, do you like waffles?" you get the sudden feeling this question is a test, a serious Test. :)
"Aside from nuts, I think waffles may be Skrate's favorite food..." I like them with berries and cream. Perhaps I should procure some cream in the morning before our arrival? It is also good at taking the bitter out of coffee. If your friends are out late, they may require coffee with breakfast. "Yes. Yes, I like waffles." she puts her hand over her mouth and nods.
Cleo nodded sagely, giving a grin, she'll wave good night and head back to the house.
Cleo, Furnok, and their companions head back to the Kaijitsu house, while Andreste goes to bed at the Energetic Eye, a rowdy but pleasant inn located in Beacon's Point.
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Bill and his companions pull up chairs to sit with Janis, Wabbit, and Irlana. Bill says "Yeah, sunrise to set, you know? We all work at a sawmill, down on the isle. I work on the wheels most of the time, while my brothers here are on the saws. So what about you? What do you two do?"
He thanks Irlana when she brings out the drinks, and clinks his mug with everyone else's.
Hmm..Considering lust is a sin, perhaps we should be checking in on our friends. Never know if this sin magic is up to something here.
"I can watch Brelin and the sisters if you want to go find them." Cleo doesn't really want to visit the Silks.
Well, my father would refer to me as a wastrel, Janis chuckles. But he doesn't understand what hard work it is keeping the beautiful women of this city pleased. Why, I barely get enough sleep. Janis laughs at his own joke.
Don't worry Cleo, we'll get you a blindfold.
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Cleo gives Furnok a look, one of the glares her mom has perfected long ago and Cleo is just now trying to develop.
"I will stay here, please and thank you. I do appreciate the offer though." she doesn't appreciate, nope not one bit.
Bill and his companions pull up chairs to sit with Janis, Wabbit, and Irlana. Bill says "Yeah, sunrise to set, you know? We all work at a sawmill, down on the isle. I work on the wheels most of the time, while my brothers here are on the saws. So what about you? What do you two do?"
clinks glasses...
I'm new to the city. Sometimes I guard caravans. Not quite sure what I'll end up doing now that I'm here....I'll figure something out. Always do. Any recommendations? or just anything at all I should know about the city? My new friend Janis here has been rather occupied all day so hasn't filled me in very well. Not that I blame him...priorities right? Wabbit says with a laugh