Round 5, Initiative 16
Weapon Equipped = Pistol
Bullets (including Blackpowder doses) = 21/30
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +1 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +3 Damage: +0
Seeing as his companions seem to be getting the creature under control he turns his eyes elsewhere to make sure there was no other threat present.
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As Brask swings hard with the flat of his blade and Femi heals his companions, Kalem manages to tie up their struggling opponent.
With the crisis over, Mykhail searches and finds nothing in the room they hadn't seen before. Returning to the half-eaten body Mykhail opens the mangled satchel he saw earlier only to discover it empty, though the front flap does have the initials N.C. stitched into it. Curiously, there is a boot sitting with the remains completely unharmed despite the condition of everything else. Where the other boot is, is a mystery.
"Femi, this weird healing feels odd, but it does the trick."
He slaps his back in appreciation.
"Should we let the missus upstairs know of the occupants we found? We never did a description of who we're looking for down here."
He turns to look at his captive.
"Your croc'll will be fine. Anything to say for yourself? Name?"
"I don't think that will be necessary Kalem." Mykhail says gravely as he turns to the group holding up the satchel."This is either our missing person or someone stole it from him. In any case it's empty. We should bury his remains and then decide what we will do about them." He said looking at the unconscious Croc. and tied up bird creature.
"Should we finish exploring down here before heading back up?
"Femi, this weird healing feels odd, but it does the trick."
He slaps his back in appreciation.
Femi looks a little nervous. "Yeah, one of my cousins taught me that spell. Not the best of characters on a good day. Though we were family, I'd still not turn my back on him in comfort you know what I mean? Still, it's a useful little spell in a scrape."
"Should we finish exploring down here before heading back up?
"Yes, let's!"
Femi looks to Elias to refresh the light on his staff and follows the others down the stairs.
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As Femi walks toward the back room four sets of eyes stare back at him, glittering in the light from his staff. They make no noise, at least none that can be heard over the screeching of the woman tied up behind him.
One set of eyes moves forward, stepping into the light and Femi can see that it is very similar to the creature he just helped subdue. She wears strange clothes and her blade is drawn, but she makes no move to attack.
"Wh-what have you done to her?" She asks, nodding behind the bald man.
Femi is surprised, and shows it.
"Uh... Oh. Hello. We really didn't expect you down here."
He collects himself and tries to answer confidently.
"She's fine. She attacked us and we subdued her, tied her up, but she's OK. Not sure about her pet though - that was a tougher fight, and, er, I fear the worst."
"Who are you? What are you doing down here? My name is Femi, and we were sent down to see what happened to the prior occupant by the owner of this place."
Brask will heft his weapon, sliding it back into its scabbard before tiredly sauntering over to catch up with the group.
"Hey Femi, did you have any... Oh... I guess the feathered gal isn't the one we're looking for then." When he spots the creatures much like the one they just finished fighting, he looks more concerned than afraid.
When asked, he sighs. "The white croc-thing attacked me when I was looking around so I stabbed it. The girl took offense I guess and tried to attack us so I had to conk her on the head a little." he answers. "Sorry about the crocodile. Was a little sloppy of me but I didn't wanna get eaten."
"I'm not much of a healer, but you're welcome to treat the beast as long as it doesn't come after us again."
Kalem realizes unless someone intervenes, the creature will likely bleed out. And with so many more of these bird folk lurking, he'd rather patch the thing up than risk their ire.
Elias frowns quietly in the back as the others discuss what to do about the enormous Crocodile in Calistrias pool.
"If it is to live, it must be moved. This place was once a temple to my lady. By our efforts, I hope it shall be again. This means that others need not fear for their lives, to worship at her feet. Calistria has never been one to deny supplicants, only those who turn their backs on her."
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"Kill it." Says the crow woman. "And..." She looks briefly to the three feathered humanoids cowering behind her and shrugs. "and kill the one who attacked you too."
There's a collective gasp behind her, and for her own part she looks resigned, in as much as a crow person can anyway. "They are both a danger to everyone they meet. Leave us once you're done. We will leave here after you and you won't see us again."
Kalem raises an eyebrow, and looks to see what his captive's response to this declaration is. He was all for getting rid of a problem, but he was curious to what had transpired here. What he wanted now...was information.
"Could I ask your purpose in being down here? And if you'd be so kind, a name?"
"Exactly. On whose authority would you have us slay this woman? She's dangerous to be sure, but still - who are you?"
Femi doesn't like being ordered around by total strangers.
Mykhail's brows furrowed when another of the crow creatures told them to finish off one of their own. He stays silent while he tries to figure out what the motive of these creatures are.
"I suggest you tell us the truth, we don't like being lied to" He said sternly
Brask will spread his arms in a gesture of being unarmed and being peaceful.
"Hey there guys, let's try to avoid any further fighting." he says. "I'm tired and I just want to know why she attacked us. I mean, if she's a problem for you all then shouldn't you be the ones to handle it?"
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The woman raises her sword, almost as though to fight off the deluge of questions directed her way. She seems ready to flee when Mykhail makes his threat. Cowed, she hangs her head in shame and begins to explain herself.
"Chough, that's her name. She...she is my sister, and the single worst thing to happen to us since we found her, but that's not saying much."
He sword falls to the ground with a clack, though the noise does little to cover her sobs. It takes all four Tengu women to tell you their pitiful tale, each taking turns as they console one another.
They were a family of thieves operating out of Riddleport who had finally run the course of their good luck. A bounty on their heads and a looming prison sentence inspired Korva, the eldest, to hire Nan Camerivos to smuggle them out of the city and as far away as possible.
They had come to Laria's basement hideout under the false pretense that Nan was smuggling Varisian scarves and skirts. The solution was only a temporary one, but Nan's contact in Kintargo was incarcerated shortly after they arrived and they spent weeks waiting below the coffee house praying for a rescue.
Nan had returned to the hungry Tengu many times, but always with worse news. Growing increasingly tired of their poor lot in life, and increasingly hungry, the sisters became more and more desperate. When Nan came to the basement a few days ago, it was to tell them that he could do no more, and that they were on their own. When he turned to leave, condemning them to life in the basement or imprisonment, the sisters lashed out and knocked him unconscious.
"Of course, as always, it was Chough that made things worse, always Chough." The youngest Tengu, Maggie, cries. At this point the story takes another turn. Chough was not a Tengu, but the sisters had not known that when they adopted her. Dire Corbies and Tengu had many similarities at birth, but as she grew, the Corby became more and more aggressive. It was because of her murderous habits that the sisters had been forced to finally flee Riddleport, but the killings hadn't stopped there.
Newly arrive in their Kintargo home, Chough had discovered the albino in the water and was somehow able to tame it. As she and her sisters wasted away beneath the coffeehouse, splitting meager meals stolen from Laria's goods, Chough became increasingly aggressive, and with nothing to kill, she turned on her sisters.
It was gradual, the first death looked like an accident, might have even been one. Soña had gotten into a fight with the Corby and an unlikely blow had left her bleeding out on the floor. Chough fed the body of her sister to the crocodile, and apologized to the ones still living, but two more would be killed in similar fashion before the day of Nan's beating.
Having knocked Nan unconscious, Korva sat in conference with the remaining Tengu sisters, attempting to work out a plan of escape. Unknown to her, Chough was strangling the man to death in the next room and he too was dropped before the maw of the increasingly bloodthirsty albino.
"We just want to stop starving, to stop worrying." Treep mutters at the end of their tale of woe. Korva nods and pats her sister on the back. "We could easily live comfortably off of our skills, but we have no way of knowing what's upstairs. We could be in the basement of a Hellknight base for all I know, Nan never did tell us exactly where we were." She shakes her head and looks at each of you in turn.
"So what now? Will you let us go? Will you let her go?"
"Or will you turn us in?" Asks Jay angrily.
Brask looks to his comrades. "Men... we can't force them out there. That was a horrible thing to have to go through. It does explain what happened to Nan, though. I think... maybe we can help each other out? I don't think we need to turn you all in. Let's work something out."
"Brask here is right, I think. You don't seem a bad lot, just stuck with bad circumstances." he laughs, "Oh, we've all been there!"
"Look, I think I've some rations here in my bag. Not had a steady roof over my head this last little while either." He fishes out a flask of water and four days rations, breaking it up for each of them. Can't chat amicably on an empty stomach!
”Nan is a friend of the owner of this place, so there may need to be some reckoning, but I don’t see why it can’t be laid at the feet of that one we have tied up. Let’s just leave you out of his murder shall we?”
”So what will you do with your freedom? We may be able to help you out with work, but we’ll not have any murdering going on. We’re good, er, honest, folk.”
Kalem nods as he listens to their tale. A lot of bad circumstance, a lot of of sticking with family for better or worse. Kalem's attitude improves immensely.
Kalem takes off his pack and digs out a few days worth of rations and, cautiously and with clear intent, brings them over for the Tengu sisters to eat. If they act scared or tense, he'll simply leave it halfway for them to take later.
"You've been through a lot. I'm sure we can work something out. We need to let the proprietor know what's going on, but I can certainly tell you that no harm will come to you unless you attack first."
Kalem turns to Chough in question, wondering how she feels about her "sisters" attitude towards her.
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Korva's beak sits open in shock as her sisters wait for her reply. She looks on the verge of breaking down again when she nods finally. She nods one more time, as though convincing herself that the offer is real.
"If you mean it, if you really think we could help you out, then yes." Her shoulders relax visibly now that she knows she has something of a future that doesn't involve going hungry.
"Just tell me what you need done. We are in your debt, thank you, all of you."
She shows you around the rest of the last room, offering everything but her and her sisters personal belongings to the Silver Ravens.
This includes the contents of Nan's satchel containing 72 gp and a holy symbol of Abadar (worth 150gp). There's also a box of fine Varisian silks (worth 400 gp) that should be easy enough to sell.
Unless stopped, Korva kills the bleeding crocodile, but defers to your judgement on the fate of her adopted sister. Cutting open its belly, she retrieves a boot and places it next to the one Mykhail found earlier. "Nan said these were magical once."
As a free action, the wearer can click her heels together to grant herself a +5 competence bonus on Acrobatics checks made to move through threatened squares or to move through an enemy's space without provoking attacks of opportunity for up to 10 rounds per day. The rounds need not be consecutive. Furthermore, anytime the wearer of the boots successfully moves though the space of an enemy without provoking an attack of opportunity, she gains a +21 bonus on attack rolls against that enemy until the end of her turn.
Mykhail nods his thanks to Korva for retrieving the other boot from the croc. Before turning to his party."I believe Nan's belongings should go to Laria unless she has no interest in them."
He looks around until he spots an old sheet which he carries over to the remains and wraps the body, placing the satchel and boots with it.
"I agree with Femi, we shall leave Chough to the tender mercy of Laria, as for the rest I am sorry you have suffered such hardships that could have been prevented. I am sure the lady of this establishment can help you out with finding work until we can take care of Barzillai and his outrageous ways."
Weapon Equipped = Staff
Crossbow Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +0 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0
toppling spell: 5 (Caster Level 2 + 4 Int)
Arcane Reservoir (su): 4/5 (+1 DC or caster level as free action)
Spells (Caster Level 2, Concentration +6)
Special: (5/7) Force Missile*
Zero (14) (2/3) Dancing Lights
Zero (14): (4) Acid Splash, Daze, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Spark
First (15): (3/4) Feather Fall, Infernal Healing, Magic Missile (w/Topple Feat)*
* +1 Caster Level, +1 damage
"Hey, thank you, that's very gracious of you. You're good people."
He looks over the boots after casting detect magic
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"These are some fine boots. Tap the heels together and you've got a better chance to slip past your opponents attacks." he goes on to describe the boots in great detail to any who listen.
Mykhail nods his thanks to Korva for retrieving the other boot from the croc. Before turning to his party."I believe Nan's belongings should go to Laria unless she has no interest in them."
Femi stops picking over the boots and has the good grace to look guilty. "Oh, good call Mykhail. Good call! Absolutely these should go to Laria. Very excellent idea." He casts Prestidigitation on the boots to clear them of any, uh, remains and other filth.
"Well, I think the silver ravens lost a contact, but we got this place to work out of, and the Tengu too, if they're willing to work with us." Brask offers. "The government outside isn't treating us too well either, but we can at least move about without drawing too much attention yet. Tell me what you all prefer to eat, and I'll go pick some up."
Kalem thinks about the items they've gathered and voices his opinion.
"I think we should use everything we are able to. Money is well and all good, but as we have these items unless there is something specific we're after, I think we should make use of it all. For instance..."
Kalem picks out a few items.
"...Femi, you could definitely make use of these bracers. Never know when you'll get into fist fight after all. And this elven cloak is sure to help during a quiet intrusion, either helping someone less sneaky, or ensuring the stealth of an adept one."
He looks at Korva.
"Would you mind if I ask what you're capable of? You mentioned you were a family of thieves. What kind of work are you proficient with. We come from all walks of life here, and if we knew what you're best at we'll be able to task you something you'll do well in."
"I think we should use everything we are able to. Money is well and all good, but as we have these items unless there is something specific we're after, I think we should make use of it all. For instance..."
Kalem picks out a few items.
"...Femi, you could definitely make use of these bracers. Never know when you'll get into fist fight after all. And this elven cloak is sure to help during a quiet intrusion, either helping someone less sneaky, or ensuring the stealth of an adept one."
"I agree with your general thought, and it is a very fine robe, but not everything has value to us. I plan to start casting my own armor spell if we're going to keep getting into scrapes like this. My spell is four times better than these bracers - and the cash will help me buy some things I've been eyeing - or Brask's armor."
"That said, this is a very fine cloak. Can no one use it?"
"I have no use for the cloak so I leave that up for you to decide what to be done with it, I agree it should be sold so that we all may buy better equipment in the near future, preferably before we decide to take on any more fights. I have a feeling that things are only going to be getting tougher from here on."
If the discussion for what to do with everything is in order Mykhail turns back to the remains of Nan and picks it and his belongings up.
"Would someone be so kind as to provide me with a light source so that we can put this poor man to rest?"
Kalem pulls out the torch he had lent Femi, before it was retuned to him.
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"I'm sorry to say it," The usually chipper halfling says as she wipes her eyes and looks at the Corby who had passed out from exertion. "but I don't see how we can keep her alive."
She wipes her eyes again and Rexus, who had followed you all down, hands her a hankercheif. She had cried when told about Nan's death, and again when she heard of the trials the sisters had lived through. She felt guilty that they had starved beneath her feat and brought down a veritable feast for the Tengu who were all gorging themselves quietly in the back.
"We can turn her loose, but she'll probably kill. We can turn her in, and they'll probably kill her, but in anycase, she knows what's below my coffee house. That makes her a pretty big security risk for me and all of you."
Rexus nods his agreement. "Speaking of which, we need to discuss more formally what direction we intend for our little organization to take, When we're all finished up here, we'll discuss it."
In response to Mykhail, Laria goes into the back room where you fought the Corby and she comes put with a stack of torches. She places them in places along the walls, low enough for a halfling to reach on her toes, and lights each one, eventually leaving the entire Wasp's Nest lit.
She says a few tearful words, holding onto his satchel as she does and when she's done she asks that you all help transport his body, and Choughs, to the river in the evening. She offers to cover the bribes necessary for traveling after curfew.
"I'm sorry to say it," The usually chipper halfling says as she wipes her eyes and looks at the Corby who had passed out from exertion. "but I don't see how we can keep her alive."
She wipes her eyes again and Rexus, who had followed you all down, hands her a hankercheif. She had cried when told about Nan's death, and again when she heard of the trials the sisters had lived through. She felt guilty that they had starved beneath her feat and brought down a veritable feast for the Tengu who were all gorging themselves quietly in the back.
"We can turn her loose, but she'll probably kill. We can turn her in, and they'll probably kill her, but in any case, she knows what's below my coffee house. That makes her a pretty big security risk for me and all of you."
Femi nods and looks at Brask, ”Would you do the honors? I’m so bad with my dagger, I don’t know that I’d kill her cleanly.” he shrugs, displeased with the planned action, but understanding the need. If no one else kills her, he’ll take out his dagger and try.
Rexus nods his agreement. ”Speaking of which, we need to discuss more formally what direction we intend for our little organization to take, When we're all finished up here, we'll discuss it."
”Agreed. I think gathering the political will is the right way to go, but I’m open to other ideas. Riots and marches seem dangerous, though we should still do something public from time to time to gather supporters. We could try to blackmail our opponents, but I suspect they’re better at that sort of underhanded maneuvering than we are.”
”Say, can we get some furniture down here and clean the place up a bit?” he casts Prestidigitation and idly cleans this corner and that as they chat. ”This is a great spell, but this is a large space and I can only clean a tiny bit at a time. We’re going to need supplies.”
Brask will look down at the captive and then back at Femi. "I'll do it," Brask says, "But I'd not feel comfortable doing this in front of you all. Can I have some privacy?"
If the rest of the group gives him at least a modicum of privacy (even if it's just turning away) He'll kneel down, flip the Corby on her belly, and as he hooks his arm around her throat he whispers "I'm sorry." into her ear. Then he tightens his grip, choking her until she goes limp. Once she is unconscious or dead, he gives a sharp pull, breaking her neck to be sure.
Once that matter is over and done with, Brask stands, rubbing at his eyes as he does so . He resumes participating in the conversation.
"If we're talking about how we fight them, I'd prefer we do it politically. We need to convince others that what Thrune's doing is wrong, not just risk lives standing up to him directly... Though I will tell you I'm not a clever man, so I'd like it if you guys helped keep me thinking in the right direction. I do agree some acts need to be done in the public eye to show we're not going to back down."
Kalem has mixed feelings about this. He understands the need for secrecy, and that Chough was a loose end that needed tying. But secrecy has a way of biting you in the ass when you aren't looking. How long until he became one himself? This organization had his firm allegiance as long as they stood the best chance to free his wrongfully imprisoned mother. But if she was free, would they take a chance on him now that he got what he wanted?
Kalem rubbed his tired face, trying to get his mind back to the current matters.
Whatever the future held, he would have to survive the present first.
Elias nods to Brask in cold approval over the slaying of the mad Tengu.
"I agree that any revolution must have both popular and politically viable support. The current Tyrant is a madman. He will not relinquish power without bloodshed, of that you can be certain. But...the bloodshed can be minimized. Make the city more viable, profitable, and useful as an independant, self-governing state, than as some kind of slave-vassal holding of cheliax, and we might be able to throw off the shackles without bringing the army down on top of the innocent populace."
Elias walks back down the pier to the statue, staring up at it. He speaks softly, almost as if to himself. "Popular support, political weight. We must make our name respected. Make our ideals into the ideals of the merchant classes, and the nobility, as well as the common folk. Then we shall have the freedom to move against the Tyrant. A razored dagger held in a velvet glove."
Mykhail offers a prayer for Nan in his mothers native tongue and offers what little comfort he could provide to the distraught Laria. When Rexus brings up their next point of action Mykhail doesn't need much time to think about it.
"Right now Kintargo needs to know that there are people out there willing to fight with and for them. We need to gain their trust and backing if we are to come out on top. We secure their loyalty, we will be one step closer to bringing justice to the people."
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"Exellent!" Rexus claps his hands excitedly. "It seems we're all in agreement, the influence and loyalty of the people are our backbone in this revolution. Now that we've got a direction we need to start making a name for ourselves, without calling too much attention to ourselves of course."
He frowns as he thinks. "I'm afraid I'll be largely useless for the next few weeks as I attempt to decipher those transcripts we found. I recall Mykhail mentioning gangs in Red Roof, but thats all I've got."
Laria looks up from where she's standing and pats Rexus on the back. "I think I can help there. I have my ear to the ground pretty frequently and even when I don't rumors make their way easily to the doors of my coffeehouse. I'll keep you in the loop if I hear anything exciting."
She smiles for the first time this evening as she presses Nan's boots into Mykhail's hands. "Keep these. Youll make better use of them than I will, I'm sure." She turns back to Femi and walks him to the room you fought Chough in, "All of the furniture in here is for your use. I'd offer you more but it would be suspicious to bring in anything else. The coffee house is quite popular, so I can't really spare anything from upstairs." She says proudly as she leads the way back to the rest of the group.
"So, Silver Ravens, what's next?"
Of course the Ravens are not just your special teams or your treasury, you'll need to build a reputation around Kintargo too. Mykhail has heard of one rumor that you may want to act one, and you can always spend a day Gathering information for more rumors or leads to help give you an upper hand against the ruling faction.
"Well the heart of any movement is its people. I think we need to prioritize gaining more support for our cause, maybe even folk with a particular specialty."
Kale thinks about bringing up a rescue mission, but perhaps it was a bit too early for that. For now he believed a strong base would see them through to the end.
"I agree Kalem, good call. We need more members, and we should obtain some peddlers if we can to help support ourselves. Running a revolution is likely to be an expensive undertaking, and we should try to get some folks in place who can help finance it."
He looks to the others for ideas.
"I agree... But, peddling's not gonna get us much money." Brask replies. "Can't we take money from Thrune somehow?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Mykhail is speechless when Laria tell's him that he should keep Nan's boots. "Thank you, I will take good care of them." He said with a small smile before turning back to the matter at hand.
He looks thoughtful then he nods in agreement with what the others are saying. "It will be hard to make a stand without money and members. Good call, we should secure funds to make sure that we can keep this operation going."
Mykhail can't believe he'd almost forgotten about what he'd heard during the protest. It seemed so long ago now.
"I say once we get ourselves situated we should head to Red Roof, might be dangerous but we'll probably meet some supporters for our cause."
"There were a few merchants who thanked us during the protest." Brask adds, thinking. "I think after Thrunes response, they should be willing to support us... In small ways, at least."
He checks his numbers, frowning. Still a ways away from plate armor.
"I will be glad for when I can afford something sturdier to wear. My ribs are still sore from that hit I took at the protest."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Kalem agrees to the counter proposal. It would be good for the sisters to get out and flex their strengths, and would make them feel like they're earning their keep.
"What are you aiming for Brask?"
Kalem listens as Brask his intentions for his first purchase. He swiftly plucks his share that had been divided and places it in Brask's hands. The amount is a flat 700 gp.
"Here. Should be enough now, eh?"
If Brask tries to protest Kalem will shake his head.
"Us front-liners need to stick together, and with the rebellion going underway, my best chance for my goals in influence, not money. And it'd be good to have a sturdy friend at my back in the middle of combat. You can pay me back later."
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x1
Laria and Rexus leave you to get the nest set up how you'd like. Laria closes down the coffeehouse for the night and works in bribing the guards and promises to focus her efforts on recruiting more supporters through out the week. Rexus returns to the dottari you turned the dogs over to and collect your reward. He returns with about six gold pieces and places them in the lock box you found the documents in.
"It's small, but this can serve as the official Ravens Treasury for now!" He looks very excited and very tired.
"Tomorrow you should sell everything you aren't using, Laria knows a couple trustworthy fences."
The grim work of depositing the bodies in the river is done without hassle, the guards who pocketed money from Laria even spend a few minutes talking with her and placing breakfast orders for the next morning. When the sun rises all seems normal in Kintargo.
You're should be able to secure a wand somewhere but the only obvious choice is the Church of Asmodeus. While probably still a safe place to go for now, it may be in your best interest to find a less...evil church.
Then there's the matter of the gangs in Red Roof, how do you intend to approach that?
Brask goes out to see if he can find the best protection money can buy: platemail. He'll accept Kalems donation, with a promise to repay in both cash and battlefield support.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I have needs of some minor magics, though they will have a great effect for me. And of course there is the wand."
"Does anyone have any suggestions?"
- Traveler’s Any-tool (250)
This is mostly for my tattooing, but of course it's very flexible.
- Ioun Torch heightened to be cast as a 5th level spell (7th level caster) (475gp)
This will overcome the spells Darkness and Deeper Darkness I think, but let me know if you disagree. Femi likes light and curses the dark. :)
- - -
Later, when shopping is over, perhaps over dinner, Femi brings up the Red Roof gangs. "Look, it's our city right? If Thrune isn't willing to control the local gangs, maybe we should. It's a great way to gain support from the common people, but it's also the right thing to do I think."
A concerned look crosses his face, "If we can handle it. I don't know much about them - we should investigate a bit before blundering in I think. Maybe spend tonight asking around at the local bars and pubs - wherever people gather?"
Elias nods "The investigation is a good idea. If they can be redeemed, access to a gang of people with a functional disregard for the city authorities could be useful to us. If they can't be redeemed, we need to make sure the locals know it was us that removed the troublemakers. Either path means making sure we're noticed in the area before-hand."
"Let us remember to tread lightly. We may have to answer to who are bedfellows are if we live to see what lies after the revolution."
"But..." Kalem adds, "I agree, we should investigate the group before deciding a course of action. Information is a currency on par or greater than coin."
Kalem turns to Femi.
"These silver raven figurines will help with covert messages, and a wand of healing will definitely be useful. As for other options....I suggest something that may aid in hiding in plain sight, or perhaps escaping at high speed. I'm sure our success won't come uninterrupted and a bit of preparation would be useful at such times."
"OH! A wand such as you describe would be incredibly useful you are so correct. I'm not as sure about the running away though - it would take several moments to cast on everyone - time we could spend on actual running."
"But illusions? Brilliant! I'm embarrassed I didn't think of such a scheme myself." he looks to his new friends, "If no one is opposed, I'll look into it, and take the expense from our next distribution. If I'm not mistaken, it'll be the same cost as the wand we just bought with as many charges of course."
"Illusions, both personal and external, could be a great deal of use. I myself count on them from time to time. The kind of magic that might help us flee a fight like that? It would take too long to apply in the heat of combat, I think."
Mykhail grinned "That would be useful indeed. Good thinking Kalem." He pat the Tiefling on the shoulder amicably. "As for gathering more information on the Red Roof Ruffians I think I might know a few places to start our investigation."
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Femi recalls a bank not far from the Opera House run by a cleric of Abadar, and while it's not exactly a well known place to purchase the healing arts he's heard a few lesser nobles discuss picking up potions or wands their dealings there. While Brask and Mykhail find what they are looking for at a local armorer, Femi succesfully procures the party a wand and easily finds an any tool among the merchants out during the day.
With the city under martial law and the restlessness of its citizens the Thrunes are keeping an eye on higher level spell casting, he doesn't quite yet have the pull needed to purchase his higtened spell without some suspicion.
Laria overhears the discussion at dinner about potentially recruiting the Red Jills and shakes her head. "I heard of these mugging going on and it always seems to be when the dottari are looking the other way." She goes on to discuss everything she's heard and between her and Mykhail they narrow down that the gang must operate somewhere to the east of the district near Temple Hill though the exact location is still a mystery.
Brask returns hours later, looking like an altogether different man. Gone is his scale mail, and instead is a hulking man in plate armor. His falchion is missing too, instead a broad rounded steel shield is slung on his back, and a scabbard for a curved sword on his hip.
He gives his shoulders a roll, making the armor plats scrape as he adjusts to the new gear. "I'm back." he said, still fiddling with the straps for his gauntlets. The armor looks to be made of thick, blackened steel, with intricate etched lines of vines and ivy trimming the plates that shine like its true steel colors. The armor looks to add great weight and mass to Brask's already impressive figure.
"Okay so while I was there I got to thinking. I had been seen a lot with my lion armor and falchion during the protest and thought I should try to not get recognized as easily. Considering how fast we were getting hurt, I thought I should step it up and put myself in the front line. The shield and sword aren't too bad; I'm still going to be in the thick of it."