Tatya browses over the apothecary's front garden, pondering the ends to which it could be turned in the proper hands and considering what she could cultivate if she had time and a stable homebase. With a sigh, she makes sure that Sir Balin's dead son's holy symbol is prominently displayed on her breast and, setting a demure look on her false face, enters the establishment.
Opening the doorway, a bell rings and the inside of the shop has numerous shelves filled with a variety of small jars containing a variety of alchemical substances, as well as alchemical equipment itself. A moment after the bell rings, a man comes from the back room, removing thick gloves that he carefully sets aside as he approaches the counter. "How can I help you, miss?"
Greetings," "Margoleine" smiles. "Master Valen, I presume? My party is just recently arrived in town, and at the inn they directed me here when I inquired about medicinal herbs and supplies."
Jonas allows his passage back to the inn to weave and wend back past the brothel that he spied earlier... merely to gauge whether the den of iniquity hides itself during the day.
Passing by the next day, he notices his view from the alley that the sign itself has been removed, the door and window shutters closed. Moving around the block, the pottery shop side of the building is open, pretty curtains with a floral design covering the windows yet his wares not showcased. The sign above the doorway identifies it as the Cracked Vase.
Skorm headed back to the town, thinking upon what he saw. He decided to find the local blacksmith Morthos had mentioned the previous day,- hoping to trade in one of his daggers for something enchanted.
Greetings," "Margoleine" smiles. "Master Valen, I presume? My party is just recently arrived in town, and at the inn they directed me here when I inquired about medicinal herbs and supplies."
"I am. Hmm, if you're looking for some general herbs, we have these over here..." Valen begins showing Morgoleine around the shop, displaying his own knowledge of plants and herbs as well as how they can be used to help cure disease and illness.
As he talks shop with the priestess, his eyes seem to occasionally wander. Realizing he's been caught looking, he quickly brings up the symbol, "Your pendant, it's very beautiful. The color compliments you well. Usually you only see those on Knights of the Allerion, or on those who've done a great service for the temple. Is there a story behind it?"
When his gaze strays to the symbol, his voice betrays some worry as he catches sight of it.
With a more thorough examination of the stock, you can tell Arsenic is freely available for purchase already processed, a sign on the front stating 'rat killer'.
The following poisons could have the materials purchased here to craft with little to no suspicion being cast. Belladonna, Bloodroot, Blue Whinnis, Malyass Root Paste, Nitharit, Oil of Taggit, Sassone Leaf Residue, Terinav Root.
Skorm headed back to the town, thinking upon what he saw. He decided to find the local blacksmith Morthos had mentioned the previous day,- hoping to trade in one of his daggers for something enchanted.
Making his way to Lucan's shop, he's greeted by the middle aged swordsmith. "Greetings, sir. What can Lucan do for you today?" A quick discussion reveals that Lucan does not have a magical dagger in stock as this time, but he is more than happy to inform him that Regis, owner of Third Eye Oddities, has been known to enchant some of his blades for customers.
As he talks shop with the priestess, his eyes seem to occasionally wander. Realizing he's been caught looking, he quickly brings up the symbol, "Your pendant, it's very beautiful. The color compliments you well. Usually you only see those on Knights of the Allerion, or on those who've done a great service for the temple. Is there a story behind it?"
She looks down at the holy symbol with a smile, as if its presence had escaped her mind. "This is the only thing I have which was my father's. He and my mother died when I was very young, and I have little memory of them. I have been told he was a great man, though; it would not surprise me to know that his deeds had come to the attention of the temple."
Changing the subject from what is clearly a sensitive topic, she goes on, "I was just admiring your front garden, Master Valen, and resolving that if ever I have a stable home again I should grow something like it. Unfortunately, at the moment, I am tasked with the traveling life and keeping my companions in good health. Our journey here forced me to use several of the concoctions I brought prepared, and I am hoping that you have the stock to resupply me. My employer rarely sleeps, so full is his mind with thoughts of business, and finds need for a mild soporific."
She looks down at the holy symbol with a smile, as if its presence had escaped her mind. "This is the only thing I have which was my father's. He and my mother died when I was very young, and I have little memory of them. I have been told he was a great man, though; it would not surprise me to know that his deeds had come to the attention of the temple."
"I'm sorry to hear that. You have my condolences." He seems genuinely upset at Margoleine's words.
Changing the subject from what is clearly a sensitive topic, she goes on, "I was just admiring your front garden, Master Valen, and resolving that if ever I have a stable home again I should grow something like it. Unfortunately, at the moment, I am tasked with the traveling life and keeping my companions in good health. Our journey here forced me to use several of the concoctions I brought prepared, and I am hoping that you have the stock to resupply me. My employer rarely sleeps, so full is his mind with thoughts of business, and finds need for a mild soporific."
"Now that is something I am able to help with. Please, let me show you a few choice ingredients." Valen leads you to various materials, seemingly impressed as you rifle through various plants, identifying the leaves with little wilt to them or particularly potent varieties. "You seem to be a skilled herbalist. And obviously your taste in gardens is superb. I do know of a few ways to help extend the lives of plants while traveling, and could probably rig up a few cart side boxes to grow plants in. Assuming you're traveling by wagon of course. Not the best for a variety, but if you need so much for your employer, it would help to grow your own while traveling."
Smirking another lever with which to prise apart at the seams Jonas puts halt to his plans to return to the inn and instead moves towards the Cracked Vase. Placing his best and most innocent expression upon his face, he earnestly enters the shop and begins to browse whatever wares are on display.
Jonas enters the shop to find, of all things, a large muscular half-orc managing the counter. As you enter, he looks up from a book he's reading through, removing spectacles as he does, and greets you, "Welcome. Are you looking for anything particular?" He places the book under the counter after marking his page.
While looking about the shop, you notice a prominent symbol to Iomedae behind the counter in a clearly visible location for all to see. The shop clearly sells a variety of claywork objects, ranging from pots and vases to a variety of clay objects of art. From the layers of dust on several of the objects, it doesn't look like the shop is cleaned very often, nor does the merchandise move quickly.
"You seem to be a skilled herbalist. And obviously your taste in gardens is superb. I do know of a few ways to help extend the lives of plants while traveling, and could probably rig up a few cart side boxes to grow plants in. Assuming you're traveling by wagon of course. Not the best for a variety, but if you need so much for your employer, it would help to grow your own while traveling."
"Margoleine" furrows her brow in "thought." "We arrived on foot," she muses, "but I believe their purpose is to purchase goods for resale; it is entirely possible we might have a wagon to carry their wares when we depart. I will raise the question with my employer, Master Valen, and might well return for your advice; thank you." With a smile, she takes her leave, supplies in hand, to return to the inn.
Skorm headed back to the town, thinking upon what he saw. He decided to find the local blacksmith Morthos had mentioned the previous day,- hoping to trade in one of his daggers for something enchanted.Making his way to Lucan's shop, he's greeted by the middle aged swordsmith. "Greetings, sir. What can Lucan do for you today?" A quick discussion reveals that Lucan does not have a magical dagger in stock as this time, but he is more than happy to inform him that Regis, owner of Third Eye Oddities, has been known to enchant some of his blades for customers.
Skorm politely thanked the swordsmith for his assistance and asked for directions to Regis' establishment. He then makes a beeline for it, looking at the shop, its owner and its wares for some time before getting into any serious discussion with Regis.
After the warning about the innkeeper, Aedorn decides it best to lay low for a bit and take advantage of having the room to himself to take a nap, catching up on missed sleep the night before.
Tatya returns to the group's suite at the inn and looks disappointed to find only "Terrick" in the sitting room. "Oh. Has Bostarg not yet returned?"
Looking off toward the window from his seat, "No. Knowing Bostarg, he has probably spent most of the day converting the lead priest to Asmodeus by now... without the fool even knowing it. If his words were equivalent to that of a sword, one would not know one was dead until it was too late." He states as a matter of fact. Then turning his attention to the disguised Tatya, "Have you managed to accomplish what you set out to do?"
She tosses a sizeable packet down onto the table in reply. "I have the raw materials with which to resupply my store, but these rooms are poorly suited to serve as an alchemical lab. I would prefer greater privacy and fewer chances of interruption."
"You seem to be a skilled herbalist. And obviously your taste in gardens is superb. I do know of a few ways to help extend the lives of plants while traveling, and could probably rig up a few cart side boxes to grow plants in. Assuming you're traveling by wagon of course. Not the best for a variety, but if you need so much for your employer, it would help to grow your own while traveling.""Margoleine" furrows her brow in "thought." "We arrived on foot," she muses, "but I believe their purpose is to purchase goods for resale; it is entirely possible we might have a wagon to carry their wares when we depart. I will raise the question with my employer, Master Valen, and might well return for your advice; thank you." With a smile, she takes her leave, supplies in hand, to return to the inn.
"Please, feel free to stop back at any time, always nice to speak with one knowledgeable in herbs."
Keeping his smirk inwardly contained, Jonas makes a show of inspecting the wares with honest interest. To the half-orc he replies "Not really, I am new to town and wished to see what is on offer." blithely scanning the shelves and pottery with vague interest before taking his leave of the shop. Heading back to the inn when he is done.
Excellent... perhaps it is time for my brother to see the whores...
The half-orc keeps an eye on Jonas while in the shop, not offering much in the way of conversation. You make your way back to the Inn without incident.
Third Eye Oddities
Skorm, directions given by Lucan, leads him to Third Eye Oddities, a strange little shop as you approach. Thick curtains in the windows hide the store's wares, while the sign bears an image of three eyes arranged in a triangle, the name arranged around the eyes to match.
Entering the shop, a bell signals your arrival. As your eyes adjust to the dimness of the shop, you see shelves lined with a variety of objects, old jars, small statuettes, vases, tables, pictures, and a variety of other objects.
As you stare, suddenly a sound surrounds the shop, As you search for the source, a halfling appears behind the previously vacant counter, yet seeming to stand at a great height, his eyes near level with your own. His feet disappear behind the counter.
Tatya racks her brain trying to think of any phenomena that might explain the chapel's 'singing saints': whether an actual heavenly presence, a resident ghost or outsider, or some sort of arcane trickery to enhance the fame and prestige of Balentyne. She also tries to remember if she's read anything about the history of Balentyne's chapel that might deal with their past appearances of the apparition or whence it might have originated.
Tatya frowns. "Seventy years ago, a cardinal in the Inheritor's sheep-pen named Tadhg summoned outsiders from the good-aligned planes to fill his choirloft and protect his flock. They called him the 'Singing Saint.' The text I read didn't specify his location, but if what you say is true, it must have been here at Balentyne. The old fool is long dead, of course, but apparently his summoned songbirds still roost in the chapel. Their presence could be problematic."
"Maybe we should burn it down first." Morthos responds nonchalantly. As he just now remembers information he was needing to share, he changes the subject. "Careful with the barkeep, you two. He is watching closer than I care for. As I was speaking to him earlier, he seemed wary. He may need to be dealt with if he acts upon his suspicions. Let us hope he is not so foolish."
As he's been pondering Tatya's predicament, "I do not know this town well enough to know where you can obtain such privacy. You will more than likely have to settle with working here. Unless," he looks to Bostarg, "you know of a place where Tatya can work with little disturbance?"
"I would certainly prefer a location with fewer potential distractions. My work suffers interruptions poorly and tends to leave lingering aromas and stains. By the way," she informs "Jonas," "if anyone should ask, you have trouble sleeping and require me to steep medicinal doses to ease your business-addled mind into rest. The herbalist has a great deal of arsenic mixed up as rat poison, should we desire it, although it would be best to purchase it under another guise if we need it before the end; in the face of widespread sickening and death, they will undoubtedly remember who recently claimed a rodent infestation."
Skorm looked around the shop with a careful and appraising eye before eventually approaching Regis with a smile.
The name's Skorm. Lucan said you might be able to enchant my dagger; a backup weapon that has saved my life on quite a few occasions. If you are willing, lets talk price...
Seeing that his grand entrance was not met with the reactions he had hoped, Regis calmly waits while Skorm browses the shop. When he eventually comes to the counter, he returns Alazandaru's smile. "I have been know to offer my improvements on some of Aldencross's fine weaponry. I suppose I could offer such services...for a price of course. Please allow me to take a look."
"Hmm, yes I see. I require a well made base to work my enchantments upon, and this will definitely do for that. It will take me two days to weave the enchantments necessary, have to align the energies latent in the metal, then begin the bonding process. Well, all that and such, you don't appear to be interested in talking shop. I'll need 100 platinum down and 100 upon completion when you pick it up. Standard deal. Agree?"
Skorm nodded agreement with little fuss, handed over the dagger over with the required coinage.
My thanks.
Returning to the tavern, Skorm joined the conversations later that day.
The dwarves are let in every day by the guards with little fuss or fanfare... And I also acquired their leader's notes, made a copy and slipped them back. Here...
19 Pharast 4712Crenellations marked on top of eastern gatehouse need to be replaced. Marked 4 and 17 on my map.
Test out stones in the eastern gatehouse with the damnable cauldrons. Mark ones that need reinforced. Have Gran do for spilling his ale on my map.
Replace marked timbers in eastern gatehouse and reinforce while mortar sets.
two stone blocks 2' x 4' x 2'
three hundred pounds of sand
100 pounds limestone
10 gallons oil
raw timber
several other building materialsExamine winches and consider what needs to be fixed there today. Examine bridges across the Tyburn (This is the river separating Balentyne from the north).
Assuming the Dwarves are here this evening, i'll try to acquire this map and make a quick copy.
"So are we to assume the guises of dwarves? And what are we to do with this information?" he asks as he looks upon the notes, attempting to come up with an answer himself.
Skorm shrugged.
I'm hoping the map along with the notes will reveal exploitable weaknesses. But yes; i'm also pointing out that its another option to enter the place itself.
"Yes, he is most unworthy of that blade. I must have it." He loses himself in thought on the matter for just a moment before continuing. "If any of you need something fashioned by the smith, tell me now. Otherwise, I shall invent something." He looks to the others, awaiting any requests.
"Have we nothing we could break and ask him to fix?" she asks. "A spare weapon or the like? It ought to be de rigueur to ask for a written receipt if we were to leave our belongings in his possession. I will see about taking a constitutional to the outskirts of town," she agrees. "I am already known as an herbalist; it would not be unusual for a healer to go out in search of local plants and berries that might be of use." She pauses. "I wore the witch-hunter's holy symbol to the apothecary shop today, and he recognized it as unique to the Knights of the Allerion. I told him it was a gift to my late father in gratitude for some service to the temple. What lies we are forced to tell it would be well to share, lest we provoke suspicion by contradicting each other."
Alazandaru added little to Bostarg's recap.
I'll keep an eye out for an opportunity to acquire the map then... Where is this blade of Lucan's kept? I can attempt to acquire it if you wish, Morthos.
Morthos's eyes light up at the idea. "Yes, that would be most fantastic. But it may be quite difficult. The actual smithy is located behind the main building. Once you are there, you will notice on one wall, a display covered by a cloth. Behind the cloth is the sword. My question is: How do we go about securing it? We can easily switch out the weapon for one of my own, if necessary, so as to keep the guise of a weapon still behind it. A distraction, perhaps?" He looks off, wondering how it is they could possibly go about it.
"I could probably make the swap quietly enough...that is if I can reach it. You said it was up on a wall or something?"
Morthos looks to Bostarg, "Broad daylight would be perfect. None would expect such to occur during the daylight hours."
Turning his attention to Aedorn, "Yes. It hangs on the wall, behind a piece of cloth. You would have difficulty reaching it, Aedorn. And while I do not doubt your prowess based on recent experience, the weapon is quite large for you. Plus, a swap of weapons is also required in which you would have to already possess before we arrive. That is obviously out of the question."
Taking his longsword, "Here, Alazandaru, take this and use it as its replacement. It would now appear I am lacking in sufficient weaponry." A slight, malicious grin forms. "We now have our reason for being there and you shall get your handwriting, Bostarg." He then ponders anything else that may need covering. Unable to think of anything, "Is there anything else? If not, I say we move now."
As Margoleine, Tatya will return to the common room below and inquire about outlying farmsteads under the pretense of planning a nature walk: In which direction might they lie? Are any abandoned? Any local hermits or aging widowers living alone in the country whose absence might not be immediately noticed?
Alazandaru will search the room first.
A search of Barnabus's room uncovers the standard fare one would expect of a dwarven stonemason. A few changes of clothes, a couple finer than the others for when negotiating a deal, a few personal items, a lockbox (presumably for the dwarves wages), and a map of Balentyne along with his workers diary and notes.
The map itself is quite detailed, listing the entirety of the keep as well as notations on what changes he plans to make. A half hour of work would make a usable copy but the sheer detail spent requires a finer touch.
Going through the notes you find a variety of receipts and work orders signed by members of the keep, specifically Lord Thomas Havelyn and Captain Barhold.
Alazandaru made a beeline for Bostarg, enquiring as to his alias' whereabouts if he could not be found.
Having spent some time making casual inquiries about the outlying farms in the common room, "Margoleine" returns to the suite upstairs to impart what she has learned.
"There's a crazy old widow who lives some six miles from town," she reports proudly. "Lived alone for ten years and visited only once a month when she receives supplies; her bitterness and growing dementia have driven away any friends she used to have. If we can eliminate her, the property could serve our purpose." She pulls a face. "I suppose now I'll actually have to go out and tramp through their wretched countryside to keep up appearances."