"Whatever god of creepiness made the kenku to mimic voices must have been awfully proud of their creation." grumbles Ellena, taking quick care of her wound.
She leaves the interrogation to Talliree, instead rifling through the pockets of the fallen corvids and composing the bodies in a dignified position. She overcame squeamishness quite some time ago, but she never got really used to the aftermath of violence.
"It is indeed a little creepy... Ok, now let's hear it!"
Not entirely convinced that the battle is over, Mitchell is content to let the others handle the talking for now. He drops to one knee, and holding his holy symbol tightly in one hand applies holy energy to help close his recent wound.
Talliree just stands next to Tania with her naked sword across her shoulders and flexes to hint at what will come if the Kenku are not quick in showing the way.
If the kenku's eyes could widen, they would, but it clearly attempts to shrink away from Talliree's display of muscles.
Bird-like hands raised in supplication, it speaks, it's voice that of a womain in pain, anguish even, "Please , please don't hurt me..."
Then when the feared blow does not come, it straightens and says , it's voice a deep orchish accent, "Xanathar sends its regards."
The other kenku decides to add it's own contribution, in a thin, nasally voice, "Tie up the pretty boy in the back room!", followed by "Follow the yellow signs in the sewers."
Holding up one scaled hand, as if remembering something, it then says in a man's scratchy voice, "No time to loot the place. Just get him to the boss"
They then clam up, the wounded one breathing heavily, both clearly beaten and cowed.
Ellena, each of the kenku possess a shortsword and a shortbow. Each also has a pendant in the shape of a circle with ten spokes radiating out from its circumference. Nothing else though.
Also, with the brief chaos of the combat, you'd failed to notice the drag marks and trails of blood on the floor, all leading to one of the corners
of the warehouse where the corpses of a dozen men lay where they were tossed, presumably by the kenku.
Talliree's scowl grows more ominous as she listens to kenku talk.
"Now, you're going to answer my questions," she growls when they've finished. "Did you hurt any of those people you mimicked? Just shake your head yes or no."
The half-elf waits impatiently for the answer before asking another question.
"Can you draw what the people who did look like?"
Just a note, Mr. Whisker's, Talliree's pet mouse, is riding in the folds of scarf around Talliree's neck. I didn't think this was the time to pull him out.
"Writing would be great too." Hob digs around in his back before holding up a piece of chalk. "Or at least draw the sewer sign."
Tania, seeing that Talliree seems to have the Kenkus well in hand, walks over to the body and examines them to look for clues and signs of what befell them.
Ellena scratches her head while twirling the pendant between her fingers. She's not too keen on checking out the pile of corpses, so she feels slightly relieved as Tania takes over that part.
"Where is also a good question." she says, to nobody in particular, pocketing a bow and a blade.
Mitchell rises from his position of giving thanks and healing and listens with a squint to the weird bird men talk trying to determine if they are being honest or lying to lull the group into a trap.
Insight
Upon hearing something about a back room he heads in that direction his head bowed in concentration.
Talliree continues to question the wounded kenku, but realizes that the creature is actually quite surprised it's still alive...it probably wouldn't have extended you he same courtesy. She feels that despite the language barrier...it is being truthful.
When she asks for more information, it merely shrugs and speaks, it's voice that of a panicked man, desperation in his voice "I've got nothing I tells ya, look in my pouch….there's noth<gurk>No!<Argh>Ahhhhhh…..<groan>"
The uninjured kenku twitters at the one speaking, sounding angry, but the wounded one squawks back, angrier.
It cocks its head to one side as Ellena's comment reaches it. Nodding, it points towards the backroom, just as Mitchell begins to move that way.
The other bird-man angrily chastises it for its 'helping'.
Both kenku ignore the chalk offered by Hob.
Mitchell was unable to discern the birdman's truthfulness.
A bit removed from all that, Tania finds that ,though the bodies were dumped unceremoniously, they were grouped according to allegiance. Upon the closest group, five men, all bear the winged snake of the local Zhent cabal. Among the other group, one has the same symbol as the kenku pendants inscribed upon his palm.
Hob peers at the door. "It could be trapped..." He hums "No looks pretty safe." He reaches forward and opens the door to the backroom.
Seeing that she wasn't really getting anywhere with this, Talliree sighs and looks to the others.
"Think we can let them go, or should I knock them out," she asks.
Tania scratches her head, thinking if she's seen that sign before.
Across the room, she shouts to her companions: "What's that sign they're wearing? Some kind of gang, cult?"
The wounded kenku enthusiastically nods at Telliree's first idea, then seems to notice Hob and Mitchell's approach to the back room under the stairs. It begins to shake its head, repeating "Follow the yellow signs in the sewers." and pointing more carefully to the area to the left of the of the back room.
Hearing Tania's shout it turns its head and utters again "Xanathar sends its regards"
The other kenku is again vocally displeased with this additional assistance.
As Hob approaches the door to the back room, he sees that the door is hanging loosely from its hinges and he's assailed by the stench of sour fish and vinegar as he peers in. Inside he sees a collection of discarded ropes ,canvas tarpaulins, and splintered wood from smashed barrels. From under one tarpaulin he can hear the sound of ragged breathing.
Tania sees that all of the second group are human....all seven of them.
Ellena pockets the pendant. "Ah, this backroom. Makes sense, actually. And it sounds like this pendants are related to the Xanathar guild. This mimickry is far more useful than I gave them credit for."
Seeing Hob go for the backdoor, she moves closer to him and nocks an arrow in her recently acquired shortbow.
Tania replies to Ellena: You recognize the sign, Ellena?" as she moves through the corpses, counting how many carry the sign and compare it to the Kenkus', wondering if the Kenkus took the signs from the corpses or if they're all carrying the same sign.
"Not at all." Ellena replies cheerfully. "But when you asked, Shorty here said that he sends his regards. If that's not a clue, I'm a wool merchant."
"Hi my names Hob. Volo asked us to come look for you... at least I hope its you." The halfling says in a calm voice before pulling away the tarp. "We're quite nice over all!"
The tarp stirs as Hob pulls on it, and the figure beneath tosses it aside.
Revealed is a disheveled but very handsome man, sitting among the ruin of a number of barrels. Strewn about him is the contents: pickled fish.
With a rueful smile and a quick brush of his hair, the man inclines his head respectfully to Hob, "Greetings and well met, Hob. Ranear Neverember, at your service. " he says, his voice cultured and urbane, "Volo you say? A fine friend, indeed. Speaking of friends, is Floon about, I feared the worst when that other group attacked!" he asks, his face unabashed in his worry for his friend.
Seeing that the others aren't really answering her question, she looks to the Kenku and takes her sword from her shoulders to rest the tip of the scabbard on the ground as she sits on her heels to look them in the eye.
"Now, I've got one more question for the two of ya. If I let ya go, would you be willing to find some honest work?"
Seeing their quarry uncovered and seemingly uninjured...save his pride... Mitchell turns his attention to Talliree's question.
"Neither. We should bind them and then turn them over to the watch to meet out their deserved justice. They are thieves, kidnappers, and perhaps murders and must receive their just rewards".
Mitchell begins to look about for a way to secure the thieves.
"If you wish to keep watch over them I shall find the nearest member of the watch and turn these miscreants over to their care".
"Do we have to get the watch involved," Talli wheedles, "They don't like me when they recognize me."
Ellena's eye twinkle as she hears the prestigious name being dropped.
"I won't go against it if you want to, Coins, but I'm with Swords on that. I don't think the Watch is going to be thrilled at the prospect of interfering with hostilities between the Black Network and the Xanathar Guild. They were just doing what they had to to earn a crust, and those who they attacked were far from innocents. Mostly. Also, these three have flunked a mission, I don't think they'll be too keen on doing illicit business here again. We cut them free, we save the community some prisoner expenses."
Hob helps the man up "We should probably find Floon but it's nice that we got to help you. Were the other group that attacked these Kenkus, what exactly happened?"
"It is not our lot in life to serve as judge and jury. By releasing them you are doing just that. What if they run off and kill someones child? Could you live with that. At least if we turn them over to the authorities we will have done what we can to ensure they are properly dealt with".
Mitchell looks for something to tie them up with, and proceeds to do so with the others help or not.
"And besides that do you intend to just leave the corpses here to rot? I'm sure someone can associate us with this place... do you want to deal with that trouble. If you don't want to present a face to the watch... I'm eager and willing to do so... Wise decisions...
"I shall deliver them myself to the watch. You can stay here, or tell me where and when to meet you afterwards but I will not suffer to allow criminals back on the street if I can do something else".
Talliree now finds herself in a dilemma. She had a feeling that these little birds would hurt someone if she let them go, but she really didn't want to get the watch involved. She didn't want to kill them out of hand either. Worse, Mitchell knew exactly what strings to pull, damn him. She wouldn't be alright if she learned they'd killed a child before or after she let them go.
"You know, the watch is just as likely to bust us for trespassing, breaking and entering, and assault with deadly weapons and spells, right," she asks Mitchell before turning her eyes to Tania.
"What do you think? Should we let him take them to the guard or should we handle this ourselves," she asks her friend.
Ellena opens her arms in acceptance. "Coins has a point. Just maybe put in a good word, mention they surrendered. We 've nothing incriminating on us, so we should get off easily. I mean, unless they decide that we are responsible for that pile of corpses. As it stands, I have no strong feelings one way or the other."
She then smiles at Neverember. Now that's something I could have some feelings towards. Greed is a feeling, right?
"Talli, you know I can't stand the Watch. You're playing loaded dice, but Mitch knows... Mitch also knows that the Watch wouldn't recognize Justice if Tyr Himself struck'em with His stump! All said, I don't care much, but I'm not going to stick around and wait for them. And it seems we have a clear idea of where to go next, but I'm not so clear. Do you think the Kenkus speak their minds or do they repeat what they've heard? They sound more like parrots to me..."
Renaer murmurs to Hob as he also follows the discussion about the kengu's date with interest. "After Floon and I left the tavern, these individuals," he says , indicating the Zhent henchmen, " accosted us and brought us here. While they were huddled , whispering, these others ," now indicating the Xanathar thugs and birdmen , " came from the back and a pitched fight broke out. I managed to slip my bindings and hid where you found me. It looks like the took Floon….but I'm sure they were looking for me."
Tania moves over to where Raenar is and listens, then says: "Where the Kenkus working with these guys?" and she points to the second pile of corpses, then adds: "I wonder why only the Kenkus survived..."
"Probably got left to take the fall," Talliree guesses before looking at the kenku and giving them an apologetic shrug.
"Sorry, guess today ain't your lucky day," she says before knocking them all out.
Renaer turns to Tania and responds, "Indeed, they were. Excellent fighters , from what I saw....before I hid myself away , that is." he says , with a self-deprecating smile.
It's relatively easy to knock out the bound bird-men, though the wounded one does give Talliree a look that could only be interpreted as Really?
As it slumps to the floor, the doors to the warehouse are swung open and in strides an Officer of the Watch, with a dozen very grizzled looking Watchmen.
"Stand fast! " he says loudly, striding quickly up the the group.
Stopping about 10 feet away, he looks at the scene, taking in the two piles of dead men and the unconscious kenku, "What have we here? See, I told you Sergeant, I should have left that surveillance team on this warehouse!"
The Sergeant nods, then with a few quick commands, has a few of the Watchmen check out the dead bodies, and take a look up stairs.
"Now then," the officer says, "I am Captain "
"Staget." Renaer says, stepping out from behind Tania and Hob, "Captain Staget, we meet again. How are the Docks?"
Briefly nonplussed, the Captain recovers quickly, giving Renaer a sharp salute, "Ah, Sir, A pleasure, as always. Ah, the Docks...they always present a challenge , Sir!"
The Sergeant approaches and mutters in the Captain's ear. Captain Staget nods, then addresses Renaer and the party, "Looks like the Zhents and Xanathar's thugs are at each others throats again. " he says succinctly, seemingly pleased at the outcome, 12 problems he doesn't have to deal with anymore.
"Them, I understand....always in each other's business, but who are all of you and why are you here?" he ask, hands on hips, giving each of the party the once over for the first time.
Thankfully, he doesn't seem to recognize any of you, or if he does, Renaer's presence is stopping him from acting out.
When the watch busts into the warehouse, Talliree immediately drops her sword, still in its scabbard, and throws her hands up in a gesture of surrender, all while glaring at Mitchell.
Finding out that Renaer is a high enough up the food chain to elicit a sir from a watch captain is enough to get Talliree's attention and give the man a look of shocked disbelief for a moment before she closes her mouth with a click.
She's almost grateful when Captain Staget begins to question them. This she understands.
"Ah, we were asked to find a missing person and out trail led here. I think he's still missing. I got a bit distracted with the bad, little birdies here," she says with a pleasant smile, or at least what she hopes is a pleasant smile. She chuckles a little, but stops when she realizes Captain Staget isn't having any of it. A small mouse pokes his head up over her shoulder from his little nest in the hood of Talli's cloak.
"Now may not be a good time Mr. Whiskers," she whispers to the mouse.
Tania is somewhat frustrated by Talli's decision to knock the Kenkus out before their roles in the death of the Xanatharians has been clarified.
When the Watch barges in, she tries to stay out of their minds, while not obviously hiding or seeming threatening, just in order to continue her current investigation.
She looks at the injuries sustained by the dead Xanatharians and Zhents to see if any could have been produced by some of the specific weapons carried by the Kenkus, hoping to determine whether the Xanatharians had been betrayed by their own in the end, or just plain unlucky.
Finally, she palms a symbol from one of the Xanatharians for future reference and use.
Mitchell walks back into the room.
"Ah! Glad to see you friends. We were just getting ready to fetch you gentlemen to apprehend these suspect individuals". He then gives Talliree a glare as he notices the helpless creatures have been bludgeoned.
"I am Sir Mitchell Cloudkeep, and these individuals and myself had been tasked with finding a missing person". He nods at Ranear.
"We were able to track down his companion, but as of yet am still on the trail of the man we are seeking. We only recently arrived, and were able to subdue the culprits, and were on the way to fetch you and report these corpses and deliver the bound individuals when you so fortuitously stopped by".
He then smiles and steps forward offering his hand, and letting his holy symbol be displayed. "I must say as always your timing is impeccable".
Ellena opens her mouth to speak, but Talliree and Mitchell are quicker than she is. Instead, she just smiles amiably, doing her best to look innocent.
Seeing Tania and Mitchell's displeasure at her actions, Talli at least has the good graces to blush with embarrassment and step back from the conversation between the guards and Mitchell. She keeps shuffling back until she can sneak outside and climb up into a nook between the roof and the building.
As Talliree curls up in the shadows, she pulls out the remains of a pastry in a waxed cloth rag and gives a large crumb to Mr. Whiskers before taking a small bite of it.
"I think I did something bad again, Mr. Whiskers," she softly says. "All I was doin' was tryin' to avoid a mess, an' they didn't want to let them go. Figured knocking them out would be the next best thing. Guess I was wrong."
The Captain listens to Talliree's explanation, lips pursed as he looks down at the unconsious kenku. Mitchell's arrival and demeanour seems to capture the good Captain's attention, and he turns to listen carefully to the paladin's tale.
He takes Mitchells offered hand and delivers a firm grip and shake, before smiling at his compliment. Then, he looks sideways at Renaer , who nods.
Satisfied, the Captain claps his hands together loudly, "Well , though this is all highly irregular, I can see that whatever contravening of the law that may have happened here was done so in a noble purpose. I wish you luck in finding your missing person. Sergeant!"
The Sergeant hurries over and hands the Captain a piece of parchment. The Captain hands it to Mitchell, "This is the Code Legal of Waterdeep. Read it. Follow it. Keep the blood off of the streets." he says, touching a finger to the side of his nose.
He gives Renaer another very sharp salute and leads his troop out of the warehouse, the two kenku hoisted onto the shoulders of two of his men.
Renaer turns and watches them go, then back to the party, "Now what? I know the Xanathar's came from the back of the warehouse...perhaps that is where they took Floon", he looks around , "Where did your half-elf friend go?"
Another few small bites of the pastry and a couple more crumbs to Mr. Whiskers later, Talliree notices the guards leaving, and wonders if she should go back? She didn't want to waste time, but she was more than a little afraid what the others would have to say about her actions.
"They're not bad folks, really," she tells herself before eating the last of the pastry in a single bite. "Even Ellena's not that bad, though it can be fun to tease her."
She looks down at the little gray mouse that was busily nibbling away while perched on her chest.
"You seem happy at least."
"She's around." replies curtly Tania to Renaer about Talli's wereabouts, frustrated by the impossibility of knowing who did what to whom.
"Right. So not much left here I guess, unless we wish to give the place a proper toss?" she says looking around at her companions.
"Should we get moving or should we try to find the lost treasure of the Kenkus? Oh, Renaer, you think the Zhents and the Xan were fighting over turf, or over you or Floon?"
"I believe we will go to the sewers and trace the signs, m'lord." answers Ellena, looking around for the suddenly missing Talliree. "It might be an unhealthy environment, so unless you are confident in your pugnacious skills..."
About ten minutes after the guard leave, Talliree pulls the hood of her cloak up and tries to sneak back into the warehouse. Her foot catches on a crate, though, and she falls on her face after climbing through a window with a moderately soft thwump. Mr. Whiskers tumbles away from her for a another few feet before scurrying around to check on her.
"Ooooooow. That was my best nose," she mutters while laying facedown on the floor.
Renaer turns to Tania and Ellena and smiles, "Though my adventuring days are long past, I think I can stand the noxious airs of the sewer for my good friend, Floon. "
He takes a few steps and fetches a short sword from one of the dead thugs. He takes a few practice swings before belting it around his waist.
He returns, a thoughtful look on his face, addressing Tania, "As for whether these miscreants were fighting over Floon or I....I do believe it was I they were seeking. "
He sighs, then continues, "The Zhentarim thinks that my father emezzled a large amount of gold while he was Open Lord, and that he hid the dragons somewhere in the city. They think they can find it by using an artifact called the Stone of Colorr, which was in the hands of the Xanathar Guild until re·cently. Apparently, someone stole it. The Zhents thought I knew something about all of this, but I don't. My father and I haven't spoken in years."
"And so , the Xanathar's attack , obviously thinking I might know where this Stone of Colorr might be...but poor Floon was snatched instead. A sad state of affairs..."
"Oh, there she is." mentions Tania as Talli makes her entrance.
She listens to Renaer, unconvinced he knows nothing.
Then asks again: "Do we take the time to search this place or are we on the fast clock?"
"I think I'd like a moment to take care of my wounds." suggests Ellena, pointing to where her side was pierced by an arrow. "Maybe you unharmed folks can look at the place in the meantime? Though judging from the kenkus' poor equipment, I doubt they were swimming in gold."
"Per-Fect!" replies Tania and she starts searching the place methodically. "Talli, a hand?"
"I'm comin'," Talli says as she picks herself off the floor and scoops up Mr. Whiskers from where the mouse had tumbled onto the floor. Mr. Whiskers scurried up her sleeve and back into his little nest. Talliree is quick to join Tania in her search of the warehouse. The young half-elf sniffles and tries to get the itch from her impact-reddened nose as she helps Tania look around.
"Tania," Talli begins to ask quietly once they are away from the others, "did I do something bad, with the birdmen?"