"Perhaps we should abscond with the body and put it on ice so we can refresh his face in your memory later."
He turns back to the owner nearby.
"Madam? I will have Mickey P send someone for the corpse if you are OK with that. After our initial investigation, I'm sure you would prefer to have the body gone as soon as possible. We will preserve the corpse for later need, and return or dispose of it as you require as well once the job is completed to your satisfaction."
Tola nods, "That is acceptable, it has been here this long another day or two will not matter. The initial Cleric cast a spell to preserve the corpse though I do not know when it will wear off.
Take your time here as you wish. You may see yourselves out. I trust that you will not abscond with anything as you are here to retrieve no steal artifacts". With a tight smile and a curt nod, she leave sthe group alone in the room.
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The body is brought to Dev's shop. Further inspection away from the presence of the client reveals the follwing:
While the corpse is dressed in rags these rags were once a silk courtiers outfit. They are stained and faded beyond repair and the style is a bit dated. One clearly defined symbol the corpses tattooed hands and appears to be a rough, round objects held between two stylized hands.
A message is sent to Mickey P. with the amount of the job and the location where it is to be performed. Thereafter, the group heads to the Fallen District via lifts and stairs. The sunlight of the upper city dims the lower the group gets and disappears entirely as the sun begins to set upon your arrival in the District.
Fallen Is in Lower Dura at the very bottom of Sharn. Bounded to the south by the cliffs leading down to the Dagger River, the district looks like a ruin at first glance, devastated and abandoned. Huge chunks of stone are scattered around the outerstreets. Statues of the gods look down upon passersby, but they have shattered features or missing limbs.
Many buildings and bridges have collapsed, and the surviving buildings are marred and damaged in various ways. Feral children chase rats in the alleys while filthy men huddle around open fires in the middle of the streets.
Pink eye looks at his friends and says sorry I was not more help. I am only an expert in my own faith and not the faith or religions of others. I will see if I might extend my knowledge in the future and Pink Eye follows along saying we need to investigate the temple first and see if we might learn more of the symbol we found and the information however small we have
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Most of the temples of the Silver Flame are built to serve as fortresses, and Blackstone Church is no exception. There are a fey nicks in the thick walls of the church but, overall it is still in excellent condition... at least from the outside. Within, it is dark and empty. Once it was doubtless filled with hundreds of parishioners, with offerings and faith. But these things were stripped away long ago, and today the church is filled with dust and shadows with the exception of a lone candle flickering on a dark dais. The shadows dance casting eerie dancing images along the walls.
Waving at the long candle, Gauntlet sounds tired.
"A sad position for a place so dedicated to fighting evil. Look around and see if there is anything that might help, otherwise we can head out and start searching for living people to talk to."
<It seems this place has known better times...> Carefully, EE inspects the temple's entrance for possible traps, ambushes or other dangers.
Before approaching, he handles a pair of cans to Gauntlet. <Some repairing oil. Let's hope you don't need it.> He then produces a third, labeled "Sunburst Yellow", which he shakes firmly for one minute before using it as a spray all over his face, leaving it all yellow. <Let me have a look>
As EE peers into the darkness just beneath the altar, with its back to you all, is a figure that appears to be kneeling in prayer.
Gauntlet approaches the figure to speak, but keeps his distance.
"Greetings. Respectfully, we were wondering if we could speak with you? We are new here in Fallen and are looking for something. As a fellow citizen of Sharn, I was hoping we could speak peacefully. Are you a priest or petitioner of the Silver Flame?"
The figure stand and removes her hood, she is a half-elf wearing a silver arrowhead that glitters on a chain around her throat. Though young-and alone, she radiates an aura of peace and comfort.
"I can assist you travelers, I am Faela caretaker and sometimes defender of this Church".
Frank, not interested in staying in this district any longer than needed, takes the direct approach "Nice to meet you, Faela. Notice anyone stealing bits of- er- rubble and sneaking around?"
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"Frankie here cuts right to the chase sometimes. But it's nice to meet ya. I'm Dev, and this here's General Gauntlet, Frank, Electric Eye, Madam Zabeth, Kana, Meridian, and Pink-Eye." Dev finishes the list ticking people off on his fingers and pointing at folks, and nearly runs out of breath.
"We travel in big groups--safer that way, especially when you're in our line o' work. Seems like people keep trying to off us, ya know? But I guess that's cost of doin' business. And most of us managed to keep more or less one step ahead of everybody so far though. Now'adays we're just trying to recover stolen goods, and supposedly the group of folks we're looking to catch up with's based down here. Anyone come to mind?."
Gauntlet nods when introduced, but glares a bit at Dev with the 'General' Gauntlet jibe.
"Greetings Faela. The group we are looking for that Dev mentioned is here in Fallen somewhere. You have dealings with Tola? She is the one who sent us. And I'm no General: I endeavor to help focus this group's general direction sometimes. Nothing more. It is kind of like the idea of herding cats: An interesting diversion, but generally a futile waste of time in the end I am afraid. Still...I try."
EE turns his yellow head to Gauntlet at the hearing of his last statement.
"Yes, larger groups are a wise move in this place. Enough here know me that I am rarely troubled for I aid all in need.
I fear I have met no one named Tola before.
The Fallen is littered with rubble, some of it perhaps at one time was valuable art.
With respect to the group you speak of, perhaps you mean the 'ravers'. The ravers are the saddest and most dangerous creatures in this area. They're more like animals than people.
There are those that say the ravers are possessed by angry spirits but I haven't seen any proof of it so far. I think that their ancestors were simply driven mad by the disaster.
It's hard to imagine one of them leaving the district. They hardly ever come out of their territory, and when they do, they usually fight the first thing they see. Did you notice any details about these thieves? There's at least half a dozen tribes out there, and I'll need to narrow it down to point you in the right direction".
"Mmm, sounds like somebody is taking advantage of them folks, maybe. Dangerous stuff. Play the dog long enough, he'll bite ya...maybe."
Frank looks to Zabeth.
"Um, Zabeth, it sounds like Faela would like to see the guy. Would you like to show her?"
Without waiting for any kind of response, Frank turns to look straight at Faela to the exclusion of his shape-shifting teammate.
Having the man's face still fresh in her mind, Zabeth quickly morphs into his likeness.
Pink eye and Tenzo hang in back and try to discern what manner of place of worship this is in comparison to the church he has been to for Balinor. Stones and buildings seem a bit confining for a god to Pink eye.
Again amazed by Madam Skoata's ability, Gauntlet turns back to look at the cleric holding his hand out to the changeling.
"The one who set off a trap and died looked like this. His clothing was ragged, he was dirty, and he was covered in scabs and Aberrant tattoos. Our understanding is that the group looking for the piece was 'Guided by the wisdom of the past'. Whatever that means in this context."
EE is amazaed at the possibilities he's seeing for this kind of identification. <I would call it... Identikit Portrait!>
Pink-Eye finds this Temple dark and on the verge of collapse next to the open air Temple dedicated to Balinor within the Skysedge Park District of the City above. The flame flickering within the Church makes the effect that much more striking. This one small Church is a single flame within the ruins of this District a visual metaphor of its existence.
The woman's eyes widen as Zabeth changes form she is silent for a moment and observes Zabeth's new form, "I've only Seen one, maybe two Stone Keepers before.
I believe they live in old Colrac Hall. They're unusually sophisticated for ravers - some of them may actually be able to speak. I have heard about them gathering chunk’s of stone — it's where they get their name.
I suppose it could have something to do with a statue but that is mere speculation".
<Do you mean they're usually not able to speak? Aren't they human? Do they suffer some kind of brain degeneration?> EE's data storage units start to emit a buzzing sound, cooling fans at top speed, at the prospect of new information.
Frank nods. "Stone keepers. They sound well named. They're keeping some stone that isn't theirs. Do you know which way to find them?"
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"See, right to the chase," Dev says with a smile, gesturing with his thumb in the direction of Frank.
Gauntlet would smile here if his face allowed it.
"Excellent news. Colrac Hall? How many of them are there? Could we bargain with them at all? I'm sure it would be futile, but it never hurts to check our options."
shall we go visit these stone keepers? Pink Eye says walking forward to the conversation
Frank nods and loads his crossbow. "Lead on, if you know the way. Think I should send B to scout it out?"
Gauntlet nods at Frank.
"Yes. Please bring forth Broulnindre. It cannot hurt our situation and her unique perspective on things is often refreshing. I also think the larger our group is, the less likely we will be interfered with."
Frank finds a corner clear of dust and debris where he has some space. As he gestures and intones, a glowing white point appears and grows into a curved line, doubling back to trace out a crescent moon. Two more crescents appear like the first, overlapping with it to form something like a bent triangle inside a circle with smaller triangles at the corners.
A silver haze forms above the center of the symbol on the church floor. It slowly condenses into the shape of a familiar three foot tall creature.
Suddenly Broulnindre steps out of the haze, which dissipates immediately. The glowing symbol on the floor fades almost as quickly.
Broulnindre blinks as her eyes adjust to the dark church, her scales twinkle in the shifting light as Frank picks his crossbow back up.
She stretches her hand high to wave as she unreasonably cheerfuly greets her summoner. "Hoi! Vot hyu need, Franky?"
Frank smiles. "We have a dangerous mission for you, B. I'm sending you to scout out a place called 'Colrac Hall'..."
After acquiring directions to the place, Frank casts Unfetter on her so that she can scout farther than she used to.
Broulnindre seems extra excited at the mention of danger, and memorizes the route to the place on the first try. After a spell and a nod from Frank, Broulnindre takes to the air and flies off to Colrac Hall.
"While they are Human, whatever happened during the Fall has warped their sensibilities. Many folk of the Lower Dura state that they are possessed by spirits of the restless dead who perhaps communicate in some old gutteral language most who speak the common tongue find unintelligible".
Gauntlet's amazing mind for maps identifies where Colrac Hall and Faela confirms that is indeed the location, "It is deep in Raver territory and they will attack on sight".
B flies off towards the Hall as the rest of the group slowly moves out towards that position as well. Her darkvision makes navigation easy though this place is quite dark and she simply feels despair moving through the wreckage, almost as if what happened here left a pall behind.
Close to Dagger Cliffs, B sees a raiding party moving silently through the ruins, her vantage makes them easy to spot, a ground group may well have been taken by surprise.
They fail to notice her and she continues to follow Gauntlet's directions to the Hall. From the outside it is fairly unremarkable. The manor is a solid square of red granite distinguished by a still ummarred crest above the door.
What is remarkable is the three floors of the circular glass spire that protrude from the center of the manor. It looks like a massive arrow pierced the place ruining most of the northern section of the building but leaving the rest fairly intact.
Dark as it is outside, it appears even darker within. The vast front doors are off the hinges and a long entry hall beckons visitors forward. Perhaps becksons is too strong a statement though in referring to this dingy, smashed structure.
Dev will note, in the time while B scouts ahead, the bare nature of the fortress.
"So, I'm not much for religions, but I thought I'd see more Silver, here. And maybe a few more flames. Y'all have any plans to rebuild? Or redecorate? Ya know, I've got a line on Silver myself, and I've been known to work at a more than fair rate for the right causes. It's a deep deep personal flaw, or so I keep hearing from my business manager, he says with a wink aimed at Faela
Frank smirks as Dev tries to get friendly with Faela.
Frank stops suddenly, saying "Hold on." for a few moments to share Broulnindre's eyes.
After being transfixed briefly and then snapping to attention, he adds "looks like there are raiders ahead. I'll let you know when we get closer to where B saw them. Or maybe I should recall B? I keep forgetting how well her eyes pierce the darkness."
At the mention of raiders, Gauntlet summons his flat-black falcata mindblade, the edges seeming to absorb light as it moves.
"Can we get more details Frank? How many are there? Do they hold the high ground? Stay alert ladies and gentlemen."
Gauntlet immediately scans the surrounding area for enemies and other dangers.
Frank smirks as Gauntlet looks for threads within their immediate surroundings.
"Just four guys, at a crossroads. About a ten minute walk from here. I can bring B back when we get a little closer. I think she'll land at the hall soon..."
Frank casts Light on the bolt loaded in his crossbow as they continue on.