You are about halfway to the courthouse when you all see a small bird flying towards you. It seems agitated and speaks in a jumble of languages including Common but its words are so hurried and jumbled that it comes out as gibberish
Diplomacy
”Calm down little bird. What are you trying to tell us?
"Calm down little bird and speak common so we can help."
The gnoll watches the bird? fly toward the group. It sounds as if it is actually speaking, although a bit nonsensical.
Anyone else seeing a f@@~ing talking bird?
Izora tries to recall if she's heard of anything like this, seemingly not too fazed by the talking bird
Navir and Izora you recognise the creature as a nosoi pyschopomp. These are tiny outsiders that are often used as magical familiars. They have damage reduction except against adamantine. They are immune to death effects, disease and poison. They also have resistance to electricity and cold. They also have a song ability that can fascinate living or undead creatures within 60 feet.
The bird calms down at Rhade and Navir's words and takes a breath.
"My name is Qasin, I am a friend of Ptemenib, a priest of Pharasma. He was at the auction earlier and told me that he had seen an agent of the Silver Chain at the auction so he decided to follow him. However the agent saw him and led him into an ambush and now he has been captured by the gang. I was unable to really help. I remembered your bravery at the attack at the auction so hoped I would find you so I could request your aid.
The Silver Chain is one of the oldest criminal organisations in Wati. They are grave robbers, although they don't traffic in mumia."
”Can you lead us to your friend? There might still be time to save him if we rush...”
"Oh this sounds like a rushing type mission so my crutches may be an issue."
Navir casts fins to feat turning his merfolk tail into a pair of legs. "For a while, I can hustle a little more freely." Then he puts his crutches away.
Audi scratches his chin.
Ptemenib, a priest of Pharasma? I happen to be fond of those types. Lead on weird talking bird!
Vernon rocks back on his heels when he hears the news. "One of the grave robber gangs kidnapped a Priest? Stupid, Stupid, Stupid! I would say what were they thinking, but.... obviously not. Well, they ain't undead, but my chain doesn't discriminate! Where are they? We'll find your priest and bring him back. Does the temple want any of the gang members alive for questioning?"
"They took him to the old brickworks, I'm not sure how many of them there are."
Izora half-whispers to the group "What is mumia? Our feathered guide made it sound important"
Rhade, you know that mumia is an illegal drug made by boiling down the remains of ancient mummies.
Qasin leads you to the ancient brickworks (see map on right of Slide 3). It is clearly rundown although there are some faint signs that it is being used.
Rhade had considered volunteering but that damned off was even stealthier than Rhade was. Life was full of surprises!
Vernon glanced around as Canetor directed everyone to hold. He knew that he wasn't particularly stealthy, especially in the armor that he wore.
Audi watches as the 1/2 orc begins to go off to scout ahead. The gnoll looks at the remaining group.
Had a fella that liked to scout off by himself in my last party. We called him This Time?...hahahahaha!
Canetor and Vernon you can see the closest area appears to have once been an old office which has been abandoned, although there are a set of stairs that seem to lead underground.
In the larger area further to the west there are 6 human figures that look like they are members of the Silver Chain. They have not spotted you so far.
"Why did they call him 'This Time'?"
The gnoll chuckles.
As in will he not return This Time?
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"Running in and yelling at people as worked so far. What me to start a dialogue that will likely lead to a fight?"
Canetor you cannot see any sign of a prisoner.
"Running in and yelling at people as worked so far. What me to start a dialogue that will likely lead to a fight?"
”That sounds like a plan. We can follow you in and see what happens.”
Audi follows Navir into the fire! The gnoll seems extremely excited by this decision...
Vernon readies his chain and lets the more diplomatic folk take the lead.
Izora follows
"Hey you all, I heard that there may be someone here that wants to leave and I just grew some legs, so I can escort him for you."
One of the members of the Silver Chain calls out:
"What ate you doing here, leave now or we will kill you."
"Well that's not great negotiating. We are leaving with the prisoner so I guess it is a FIGHT."
Naivr booms the word fight. Inspiring his allies.
Rhade flings a blob of acid at the closest unattended enemy.
RTA with IC
Damage plus
sneak attack
Hearing the rather foolish choice, and Navir's encouragement, Vernon charges in with his chain reaching out....
Navier runs up and stabs at one of the people. "The Hand does not stand for kidnappers."
Ra Khefr moves across and strikes the nearest smuggler, almost dropping him in one blow.
From his vantage point Canetor peppers a second smuggler with arrows.
Rhade burns a third smuggler with acid. Meanwhile Vernon moves up to a fourth smuggler while Navir strikes the same one with his longspear.
Angered by this attack on them the silver chain attack.
One of them tries to attack Vernon
The one by Ra-Khefer tries to attack him
The acid burnt one fires a crossbow at Rhade
Two more fire hand crossbows at Canetor
Audi doubles moves closer.