Aikaterine will let the others deal with the shopkeeper. Meanwhile, she delves into the various ingredients available. She hopes to see if what she has seen in the past can be manufactured here, and that such ingredients are on display.
"We are trying to find out what we can about a half-orc named Hermione. We know that she has had contacts with people here on Euboea, so we are asking around at likely alchemical suppliers. Do you know her?"
Kyronai isn't the most charismatic shadowy emo-witch, nor is he very good at reading people. He does his best, but he is relying on his companions to evaluate the shopkeeper's reply.
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Cyrene hovers in the background like a shadowy emo-witch and watches the man closely.
You spot many ingredients that could be used to create many of the chemicals you have found during your adventure. Some are on display while some are just a card that reads the name of the item and instructions to ask the clerk for more information.
"Herminone? Yes, she's walked in here a few times. Good customer, she typically orders in bulk, probably has a big family. Are you friends of hers?"
This man seems very honest.
"Yup," she simply states to the air. Obviously to the shopkeeper, this would answer some questions she had asked before entering into his shop and is directed to her companions. He most certainly did sell everything they were looking for. The party can see it in her eyes. Aikaterine's hand toys at the official badge within her cloak and she wonders if this is a time for a more "will of the gods" approach.
"No," Kyronai replies to the shopkeeper with a glance at Aikaterine.
"Unfortunately, Hermione has passed away. It turns out that she was using the art of alchemy to harm and kill a large number of people, and we have been asked to find out more information. Specifically, how it was done, who else was hurt by her actions, and if she was working with or for anyone else."
After the shopkeeper has a chance to react to this news, Kyronai describes the various mutations and hazards the group has encountered while following Hermione's trail, asking if the shopkeeper knows how Hermione could have done those things, or where she could get what she needed to do so.
The man deflates a little bit. "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. She seemed so nice. I don't know how much I can help but I can write up a list of ingredients she typically ordered." He quickly jots down a long list of ingredients before handing it to Kyronai. "Most of these are pretty innocuous. She told me that she was a brewer so some of these ingredients made sense, but I suppose that was a lie." Looking over the list, while there are a lot of unfamiliar ingredients, the rest checks out with what you have found previously.
Kyronai nods in commiseration. "Many of the people we have talked to have also said that she seemed nice. Part of our investigation is find out what drove her to these drastic lengths. Do you know of any other contacts she had in the area? Do you know, perhaps, where she stayed when she travelled here?"
The man walks out from behind the counter and over to the windows to shutter them. "Look, you didn't hear this from me. While I don't know what Hermione was into, but it's very likely that she was a part of this group that call themselves the Prometheans. They're still just a rumor, but word is they are angry at the gods and think that they're still selfish with too much power and that they don't care about mortals despite their claims to. Seems to me though they're just unhappy with their lot in life and want someone to blame. If they are real, there is a bar downtown called The Eris where you might find more. It's a real seedy place. I would be very careful."
Aikaterine, listening in thinks of what she knows of the Prometheans as well as The Eris, or the location of town it is located in.
"Most interesting both in their erroneous beliefs, as well as their choice of a namesake. I can see the logic in their choosing the firestealer as their Patron."
Kyronai stares at the man while he processes this new information. He glances at the others inviting any further questions.
Then he'll thank the man and confer with the party out of the shop.
You have never heard of this particular group though though anti-god groups have existed for as long as mortals have existed. The Eris though is well known in these parts so finding it should be easy.
Stepping away from the counter as they go to leave, she takes in a breath and mentions, "Very interesting, Varocles. I have never heard of them. I'm wondering, and maybe you all know better than I, what is the position we are to take as representatives of the gods on these men and women? Are we to end them? Should we take some time to pray for guidance as to what the Gods would want us to do?"
Cyrene steps outside with the rest and keeps her voice down.
"Lady Artemis will fight with her family if it came to conflict. I do not doubt that, but while these Prometheans leave her and nature alone the Hunt would have little part to play." Her smooth skin wrinkles into a frown. "If the beasts are their doing though... then my sisters and I would have words with them. Pointed words."
"If the Prometheans have set themselves up as some sort of anti-Olympian revolutionaries, then I'd have been bound by my service to Poseidon to fight them anyways, but our additional responsibilities to Zeus seems to only add to our need to combat their goals."
Kyronai nods in agreement.
"With all due respect to Varocles and his path in life, each of us must assess our personal level of devotion to the gods. However, as contracted agents of Olympus on this specific task, investigating this group is clearly our responsibility. If they are causing or have caused the mutations we've encountered, our responsibility is even clearer."
"I too am in agreement. Amphitryon?" she looks to the half-elf witch's brother.
Amphitryon shrugged. ”We’re under contract. We’re getting paid. That is reason enough to kill the Prometheans.” The mercenary said. ”Lets go see what more we can learn about them. I have a feeling that this won’t be easy. If someone wants to challenge the Gods, then chances are that whomever is behind it has the strength to realistically pull it off. Our focus should be on fact finding, lest we get in over our heads.”
"Given what we've already faced so far, I'd say they are well equipped. We almost lost you earlier," she replies to those who almost or were knocked out. "I have a feeling a powerful alchemist is behind all of this, or a darn good wizard."
Finding the Eris is easy enough as it is the only bar downtown. You also notice that this part of Chalcis is a little more rundown than the rest of the city so a seedy bar fits right in here. A few unhoused citizens ask for money from you but you are otherwise un-accosted as you make your way there.
Unless someone objects, the party goes in and tries to find an open table.
Aikaterine boldly strolls in first and will identify a table that is empty with enough seats for all of them to manage. It probably isn't every day that the tavern would see such a fine example of an elf in such grand array and armor. Capable and eye-catching, she moves to sit down in a proper, but in a breezy fashion, as though the people in the Eris cannot slow her down as she navigates through them.
Varocles will be sure to cast purfiy food and drink at times, to ensure the party stays safe.
Entering the tavern, the group notices a stark difference from the bars that they are used to. The place is dimly lit and the patrons are all dirty and/or ill. Other than a few leers/rude whistles at the womenfolk, no one pays you any mind, especially the barkeep.
Cyrene makes no effort to hide her weaponry and ignores the whistling - men are pigs and Artemis knows the best way to deal with them. Pigs are for slaughter after-all.
On the other hand that isn't 'civilised' so she avoids doing anything drastic. Yet.
As the group sits down at the table, and then is summarily ignored, Kyronai comments, "This place is surprisingly unwelcoming for being the only bar in the area. Do we want to sit and listen -- perhaps see if anyone approaches us -- or should we be more obvious and ask about these Prometheans?"
"A good question. We're not really experts on intelligence gathering. I think that the best idea would be to listen in and see if anyone is suspicious. And if so? Follow him out and shake him down for intel." The mercenary offered.
"I don't understand half of what you just said Amph, but any idea that likely involves grabbing some ale doesn't seem like a bad path forward to me."
If there is a particularly attractive person whistling at her, she will respond with a flash of a smile, but otherwise, she continues onward. As the barkeep still doesn't serve them, she clears her throat as if to summon him. If he continues to ignore her, she will move to the bar.
"Drinks?"
No one inside is particularly attractive, most are average to below average in that department. The bartender ignores Aika's subtle request so she walks up to him. He looks up from washing a glass to face her. "You sure you and your friends are in the right place? I think there has to be a place in the better part of town. We don't serve any fancy imported wines here."
"A full bar in one of the largest cities on the island doesn't serve their customers. What...you dislike making money? Seems a stupid business model..."
Cyrene does her best to vanish in the gloom and listen for whispers.
"In the same way that a full bar uptown wouldn't serve anyone in here, I have the same right. Besides knowing your type, you'd order something and then refuse to pay because it didn't meet your standards. You big money types are always trying to tell us hardworking regular folk what to do. The gods give you everything already, stop trying to take what little the rest of us get." The bartender then sighs as he puts four full mugs in front of Aika. "That'll be one gold. Looks like one of your friends had some sense and left."
No one is paying any real attention to the group so you are easily able to drop out of sight. You do hear a few whispers about a meeting of some sort in the basement and you are also easily able to spot the alcove where the stairs to said basement are.
Varocles butts in, "might I get a nip of the local brew please? Nothing too fancy for a mariner such as me."
She briefly looks back as one of her friends seems to have left. Naturally, it is Cyrene, but the bartender's eyes weren't skilled enough to recognize her hiding. Playing along, she huffs. "What have the gods given me but a life of anguish, despair, and tragedy?" she replies with some hidden venom in her tone, as if he has offended her. "Was I blessed when my mother was taken by the sea? Was I blessed when my husband was stolen away in battle? When I was unable in my long life to have children? A manless woman is someone given a death sentence. Keep your damn blessings. I've worked hard. I've taken what I earned by my own hand. Wealth comes to those who have the guts to do what is necessary..."
Most of the things stated she stated are true. Just her perception of them is off and is a lie. Even the venomousness she felt at the time is drudged from a real place that she once had to contend with. Meanwhile, in her head, she begs forgiveness of the gods for her words.
She defies him and sets down three copper pieces. It is a compromise between the copper the ale should have cost her and what he demanded. It is still overpaying. In defiance, she will drink it in front of him in an almost seductive way, perhaps adding to the defiance in her eyes. Her hopes are that by reviewing her travel companions once more, her attitude unbecoming of a woman, and her personality all speak to the fact that they are not people apart from these here.
The dark elf takes advantage of the show Aikaterine is putting on and moves slowly towards the alcove and the stairs.
Amphitryon sat at the table with a smirk on his face. He was enjoying the scene. He had been called many things in his life, the majority of them unflattering. But an uptown type? That was a new one! His smirk became a smile as Aik spoke. When she was done, he added:
”All that she has said is true. Like her I’ve earned what I have. You see, I kill for money. Legally, of course.” He added, holding up his hands in mock platitude and with a grin on his face. ”But there is no war happening here, so I, for one, am just here to drink until I no longer can afford to be uptown, the next job comes along, or I get bored.” He finished with a laugh. ”Hey, how about I buy a drink, and you tell me what’s up and about here? Got any tips on where a hired spear could earn a few, so I can keep the good life going?” He figured that the best they could do was keep attention firmly on themselves so Cyrene could move freely.
Everyone's eyes are on Aika's dramatic display as the bartender sighs. "Alright, alright. You should work at the Amphitheater. I get it and I apologize. Maybe your life wasn't all grandeur." The bartender replies before taking the coppers. "Unfortunately no one here has the kind of money to hire on a mercenary. Most of the people here can barely keep themselves fed and I just charge them enough so I don't find myself in the same predicament. Like I said, you look like you can afford the good stuff, so why come here? It couldn't be the ambience?" He says with a smirk.
Everyone is far to distracted by Aika's display to notice you so you easily make it to the alcove and the stairs. The door seems unlocked but you also don't hear anything coming from the other side.
There are three half-orcs that you can make out as well as a single dwarven woman amongst the patrons. The rest are humans as well as a few halflings. There seem to be no other elves here.
"Matter of convenience. We were coming from a nearby shop and saw your tavern. Simple." She answers in a similar smirk. "Look. We've gotten off on the wrong foot. How about we buy your friends a drink and just go back to our business." "They aren't being particularly open about being Prometheans."
"In fact, for me, it IS the ambiance! These are exactly my sort of people."
Cyrene opens the door silently and slips through to the other side before slowly drawing her shortsword.
"Alright, that sounds fair." The bartender replies as he starts pouring drinks for everyone there who in turn give a solid cheer for the party.
You easily slip inside and while you notice the usual casks of mead and bottles of other alcohol, you also notice a large table with some chairs around it.
Thankfully, ale is the way to anyone's heart among the common folk. She will gladly help hand them out, offering little greetings to each one as they come up.
You find some some papers, one of which has details on the spartan keep where you met this group. A few others have what seem to be filled with names of victims followed by the name of a specific deity that has wronged them somehow.
Cyrene collects the papers and folds them inside her tunic before casting a last look around and then making her careful way out of the basement once again.
The general mood lightens up as people imbibe alcohol and people start talking. No one seems to notice when Cyrene appears next to the group.