"We didn't come here intending violence. We are investigating, but it is clear Poseidon is not pleased about something, and both Varocles and I are servants of him, so what do you expect. If you are innocent and Poseidon spares you, we have no intention of harming you, but we will do his will. As for the Prometheans...how do you contact them, how long will it take, and do you do it in person, or by marking something and they come to you?"
"I leave a note for them at the bar, the Garrison. They know where I live, so they'll come by to see me by the end of the day."
Hearing her allies silence, she presses the deal. "Fine. But I'm going with you." She will watch him write the note too. When she can find a moment alone with her team, she asks them, "So what will we do if they do come? Are we coming to blows? Have the gods told you they want the Prometheans dead? Because as far as I know, Callie said that we are to keep a low profile and just find out who H was. Here we are about to start something," she then clarifies, "but also I agree that Poseidon did lead us here...What do you think?"
Conscious of sounding pedantic, Kyronai presses his earlier point.
"We don't know exactly why Poseidon guided Varocles here. I've been assuming that it was to gather more information, but only Varocles is privy to what he asked his patron."
Kyronai turns to speak directly to the dwarven cleric. "But if it has always been your intention to kill this man, I would think you would have shared your intentions with us well before now.
"Also keep in mind," Kyronai again returns his attention to the entire group, "that we may already have lost the opportunity to maintain a low profile after our run in at the warehouse.
"I say that we let Pietro and Aikaterine summon the Prometheans, and we decide what we need to do once we encounter them."
”I agree with my brother. I would just add, that for all of my joking, if Varocles could use our help, then it is incumbent on us to help as we can.” After a moment’s thought he added ”Perhaps Cyrene could report back for us. To make sure that what we have learned so far can be reported and if we are on the wrong track then she can always send word back.”
Cyrene silently nods which is no surprise since she does everything silently. Almost like magic, she disappears to report back.
You supervise Pietro's note and it simply reads: "To thank you for your aid, I have information for you. I will be at my home." The pair of you head back to The Garrison and drop the note off with the barkeep before heading back to the rest of the group.
After about an hour, Aika and Pietro come back and the group waits. It is a few more hours before you hear a knock on the door. Pietro nods and starts to talk to the door to open it.
Aikaterine will not be in the building upon their return. She waits outside around the corner and listens for the knock on the door. When she hears it, she casts a spell for armor and then moves up and around the building to approach the doorway. By the time the others answer, she will be approaching the person's flank, but at a distance.
Varocles is ready.
Aika disappears while the rest stand ready as the young man opens the door to reveal a pair of people standing there. A man and woman, both of middle age with dark hair and ruddy complexions. "You said you have information, Pietro? Wait, why are these armed mercenaries here? Did they put you up to this?" The male asks, panic clear in his voice.
"We did put him up to this. We have information for you. Please come in."
"Just don't hurt us or the boy please." The pair walk into the home with very cautiously as Pietro closes the door behind them.
Aikaterine will move swiftly up to the doorway as the couple go in and will linger outside, listening in. It is out here she will make sure no one else is coming along to support these Prometheans.
"I have no wish to hurt anybody here and now.
"You are with The Prometheans, correct? What... are The Prometheans?"
"Yes we are. The Prometheans are dedicated to helping our fellow Grecian. Especially when it's a problem that the gods have caused. We just look out for our own." The woman replies. "Is there a problem with that?"
Varocles frowns and grips his weapon, "you can belay that crap about the gods causing problems!"
Kyronai tenses up and makes a placating motion to Varocles.
"How far are The Prometheans willing to go to solve a problem? Is violence an option?"
Amphitryon sighed as the man had the gall to insult the Gods. It was beyond folly. "Varocles." He whispered. "Poseidon would not want you to resort to violence before we know all of the information. These people don't seem bright enough to be behind any of this, right?"
Aikaterine steps in behind the group, showing her presence and that there is no escape now.
"Your compatriots have harmed many people. Messing with alchemy and causing bears and boars to grow to terrifying sizes which massacred entire villages. Why? What did you have to gain from it?"
"I only speak the truth. Violence? Against who? None of us have the inclination or ability to directly stand against them. If anyone claiming to be one of us has tried, then we don't know anything about it. We are about helping each other because if not, who will help us." The man replies before listening to Aika's tale. "I believe you that someone has done these things, but it wasn't one of us. I admit, I have heard word of some extreme ideas from some of our members, but I doubt any of them have the ambition to do anything like what you're saying. Where did this happen?"
"Details? Oh...he wants details...how about our most recent encounter? Since this couldn't possibly happen by the hands of prometheans...A village on the island of Euboea was destroyed around the time of Thesmophoria by a massive boar, 15 feet in height (or she will describe how tall it was). We killed it ourselves with the might of the gods and set fire to its vile body between Chalcis and Eretria. One of the victims was witnessed by patrons of the Thirsty Gorgon who saw the injured come into town and can attest to our truth. Those of the destroyed village still remain there, crushed and gored by the beast. A magic lingered over the place, not divine auras of the gods. This was the work of a spellcaster that caused this destruction."
She gestures in the general direction of the keep they all met at, far far away.
"This same magic was found at a keep, halfway between Sparta and Argos. It was a Spartan garrison where a necromancer named Dr. Ravendrax magically overtook the minds and bodies of the soldiers there and used them for his own necromantic desires. The goal was to create a monster and to experiment on people to find a way to overcome the gods with what he found. Low and behold, what do we find? A giant golem made of the bodies of the Spartans with alchemy and you guessed it, the same magic. We overcame him by the power of the gods. There, we found a connection to a friend and ally of his, a Promethean also, who went by the name of Hermoine who was working for the same organization he was. This can all be attested to by the word of a solitary survivor we saved in the keep who is in the care of the gods."
She gestures toward the general direction of the village they found Hermoine at.
"This ally of the doctor's we followed to a village where we were set upon by, low and behold, you guessed it, massive freaking bears! The same size as the boar. We defeated them by the will of the gods and by their power. You know what? We tracked this 'H' to her lair and tried to speak with her. She drank a potion and became huge as well and tried to kill us without provocation...But wait, there is more! Back to the island...you remember? With the boar that killed a village? It turns out that this same girl had gone there 3 weeks earlier and connected with a group called...the Prometheans...who were aligned with her and the doctor. And wouldn't you know it? She was working for them to find a power to overcome the gods as well."
She rubs her cheek with irritation, "Boy...it's like all roads lead to you Prometheans. You say your goal is to help your fellow man, but why can't you do that normally and yet still worship the gods? No...in truth, your organization exists to destroy the gods, dupe people into bringing wrath upon themselves by turning from the gods, and using that to fuel your ranks. You are just as connected as those others."
"That...I believe you. And it sounds horrifying. I can't imagine what it is like to deal with such atrocities. We help our fellow Grecian because we can't depend on anyone else. True, sometimes the gods are benign and occasionally benevolent. But too often they are still petty and spiteful. Listen, we will help you in any way we can, but just because some claim our cause does not mean that they represent us. Prometheus brought fire to mortals, he didn't try to burn down Olympus."
"If you don't want to follow the gods, that's your choice. The thing created can't say to its creator that it's not being fair. They made you and have right over you. They are above us, whether you like it or not. I've lived a lot longer than you two infant human Greeks. I've lived a life in dedication to the gods and I say what you are doing is folly...utter folly. In my long life, the gods have punished me for many things, but their punishments drove me back to them when I, in my complacency and habit to dissipate passion toward them, turn away. You humans, with everything you experience in this short life, you think you know everything. Fine. Make your decision, but know that the gods are still over you, and if they wish to, they may consider you cursed-a blight to a life, and you may catch their eye in wrath."
She lets that sink in for a moment before continuing.
Every person you proselytize to, like a disease, you are infecting with this wrath. To some...like you most reasonable sorts, you may not seek violence. To others, you are just as responsible for the evils of Dr. Ravendrax because your words motivated him. You can help each other out all you want, but what happens when your sins harm those around you? As Prometheans, if you want to not be cursed, to not offend the gods, say at your meetings that you honor the gods. Say that any actions against them is not supported in your organization. It is the lack of this that is enticing others to turn against them, because right now, your message is 'we don't need them if we have each other'."
"Yes, they gave us life. Parents also give us life, but if you saw an abusive or uncaring one you wouldn't tell the child to keep honoring them would you? But we will do as you ask and continue to everyone that we don't support violence or actions against the gods. Now are we done? Or are you going to kill us in service to the gods, like many before you?" If unimpeded, the pair leave.
Kyronai waves his hand to the door, inviting the two Prometheans to leave.
After, when he can speak when they are no longer in front of Pietro: "I think we should return to Athens."
Only with Kyronai gesturing for them to leave does she step aside and beckon them to leave.
"It's interesting, because you try to paint this image that you aren't against the gods, but your every word comes out seeming like you despise them. Very interesting. Get out of here." she commands as she moves.
To Varocles, she nods.
"Pietro, I know you honor your new friends for helping you with your arm, but be careful. Seek repentance with Poseidon and give offerings. Do not align yourself with these fools or you may regret it. You pulled a fish from the depths that Poseidon treasured. He humbled you. Give him honor for it. How much worse will your punishment be by his hand if you side with these god-haters?"
She gives him a look to think over his choices. The elf then turns to head out herself and awaits her party to lead the way.
Amphitryon was alright with the outcome. He wasn’t being paid to kill these people, so why bloody his spear? Their words were against those who were more than capable of defending their own honor. Still, he waited to see how Varocles would act, knowing that the dwarf likely had a very different outlook.
Pietro just silently nods. The group takes their leave and heads back to the Frisky Satyr and are taken back to Athens without incident. The next day, you report back and Callie greets you. "You lot have been gone for longer than expected mission parameters. Did something go wrong?"
"Mission parameters had us finding the source we found connected to Dr. Ravendrax. We were successful in this. In fact, so much so, that the very moment we arrived in town, we were attacked." She will lay out the interaction with the bears and how their attacker had been identified and tracked down. "In defense, and unsure it was our target, we tracked her down and found her in a similar fashion manipulating life energy through alchemy. We figured it was implied that you'd want us to either bring her in for questioning or deal with whatever evils she was up to but were determined to peaceably talk to her. Instead, she refused to parlay with us, took a suicidal concoction of an alchemical mixture, and exploded upon us rather than give us any hint. Through investigation and speaking with locals there, we learned where she had been, and again, following logic, we figured you'd want us to investigate, particularly while the trail was hot."
She then explains their path to the island, the boar, and how it had a similar connection to the Prometheans. She explains a full debrief until the moment they got back on the ship, leaving out the experience with the thugs and the sword.
"I sincerely hope we have not overstepped ourselves and the quality of our venture will produce good information for you for a change," she mentions, as when she had first met her, she was not particularly pleased with the job done before Aikaterine had joined, or just the men in general...
Kyronai remains silent, satisfied with Aikaterine's explanation. If there's anything he's dissatisfied about, Callie is not the person he wants to raise his concerns to, as he is not particularly pleased with her conduct as a field liaison.
"I see." Callie responds quickly jotting down notes in an effort to get down as much information as possible. "Well you are right to assume that we would want to bring her in, but sometimes these things cannot be helped. The fact that this group are this organized is surprising and troubling. Well we will take this information and try to learn more, but get some R and R for now. You have done a good job. You will get your payment by the end of the day. Do you have any questions?"
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"More of a comment...It seems that either my ability to detect lies absolutely is horrible, or that it seems that many people in the Promethean group seem innocent when they explain their position, or mostly innocent. Other than Hermoine and Dr. Ravendrax, they seem to want to benefit society and are almost confused that we are asking them about the violent behavior of these other two. Almost like the Promethean group is a dead end. But Poseidon guided us to a follower, and we have this list of potential new recruits here. My question then, I guess, is what the hell is going on? Could we get some explanation as to if and why they want these people destroyed? I'm getting quite sick of threatening children and idiots..." She raises a finger, showing she isn't done, "And then might I ask, what is with your Captain? Does he work for you or not? I had the understanding that he worked for you, but when we had to go to these various other places, he charged us money, to which we will be asking for recompense, naturally."
"Sometimes organizations have subgroups that act independent of one another. So it is entirely probable that some of these people are innocent. And off the record, while they are trying, the gods and those who work for them are not perfect. And there are still those who remember the dark times when the gods were petty and cruel. However, innocent or not, we have to find out what their endgame is and to stop it. Obviously threatening innocents are bad for public relations and you run the risk of radicalizing those that would otherwise be nonviolent so please be cautious.
As far as Poseidon is concerned, you would have to ask him. As far as the Captain goes, he is a contracted worker. He is paid for work within the confines of his contract. Anything outside of that is his discretion especially if it interferes with any other jobs he might have. We will reimburse you and if you wish, we can terminate his employment if you feel he has been unprofessional. One more thing though, have you obtained any other evidence other than this list? You mentioned this Hermione taking an alchemical concoction? Was there any left for a sample to analyze?"
Almost as if offended, Aika jokingly gasps and produces the collected vat of Hermoine's mixture.
"Is this enough of a sample, do you think?" It is clear she had collected a lot. Whatever documentation or notes she had would be handed over as well.
"If I recalled my alchemy from younger years, I would have already probably figured out exactly what is in it and what it was supposed to do. Alas, it's been...well...it's been a long time."
She gestures vaguely and then asks, "So why contract out? Surely you can have your own troops capable to spare and manage a ship? It was...well, not what I expected. I felt like I was being extorted to do the work of the gods. He even wanted us to do errands for him for the ride. Are you poor? Are things in disarray?" she asks, looking around the room at the bustle of the office, curious as to why the gods couldn't have their own driver.
"Yes, thank you. Do not worry, we have top researchers here and we will get to the bottom of this." Callie replies handing it over to a passing intern. "It is simple, really. Many people, sailors included, love their independence and balk at being tied down. We do have plenty of funds, so again, I apologize for his behavior. If you feel it was severe enough, his contract will be terminated."
Amphitryon smirked as he watched Aik tear the boatman apart with her tongue. His father had always warned him that an intelligent woman was far more dangerous than the sharpest of swords, and she was proving him right. He really didn’t care how far she took it. For while he didn’t hold any real ill-will towards the man, he had no warm feelings either. He was curious to see how far she would take it.
"I don't think a firing is necessary. I think you need to explain to him that he takes us where we need to go no matter what, and you repay him when we get here. He just wants to be paid. There is no need to destroy a man's livelihood. If he's not on board with being a ferryman for us, get someone else. I don't want to have to argue with a captain every time the gods need me to go somewhere...which is what happened in this instance."
Kyronai accepts the reimbursement of 2,000 gold with a nod.
"It's worth noting that Captain Argus was reliable when he was meeting the terms of his contract. And when we needed to go Eretria, he loaned us a vessel and a sailor to get there. It wasn't until we asked him to go to an additional destination that he started asking for additional compensation. The price was high, but he was more than professional throughout."
Turning to Amphitryon, Varocles, and Aikaterine, Kyronai brings up the gilded gladius the party had so much trouble obtaining: "There's also the matter of his family's sword that we acquired. I'm fine with just giving it to him, because to do otherwise feels exploitative. Perhaps in return for a favor in the future, but I may be outvoted regarding that."
”Giving…?” Amphitryon said, and then shook his head. ”You always were soft hearted. If you think that he could be trusted for a favor, then I suppose that could be done.” He looked to his companions to see there thoughts on the matter.
"Seeing that you were recompensed, I don't mind giving the man his sword back. Though I think it still was despicable to send us against such foes for a ship ride."
"I'm still upset that we ever got our eyes on the stupid sword. Of what value a Roman piece of garbage like that?"
"Fair enough, we will negotiate a new contract with him to possibly bring him on as a full employee. Oh yes, I almost forgot I was given this for you, Kyronai. An owl dropped it off. In any event, take some time off for rest and you will be contacted when we know more." Callie responds before fishing out a note for the elf-witch.
[i]"The Unwearying One wishes to meet with you as soon as possible with a proposal in room A001."[/b]
Any misgivings he's had about the sword are forgotten as Kyronai reads the note. Should he be worried or intrigued? Only one way to find out.
"I have an appointment," he says quietly before he leaves the room, leaving Captain Argus' family sword with the others. He heads to room A001.
"Have fun."
Aikaterine will do just that. With her newfound money, she will find some place to relax in relative luxury and entertainment and await for the word from the organization. If no Kyronai doesn't intend to take the sword back to the Captain, she will. If he asks her any questions, she will simply answer "Does it matter? You have it now...and your payment. Let whatever ill favor in our last transaction, that may or may not have between us, be resolved."
"I see. Well thank you in any case. Let it be said that I do listen to a lady's words, so it shall be." The Captain responds.
Kyronai opens to door to room A001 and enters it to see what can only be described as a study or a mini library as every wall has a bookshelf in front. Sitting at the lone plain brown desk is Athena, goddess of war, wisdom, and knowledge. On a perch nearby an owl rests and hoots as you enter, almost announcing the witch in its own way. The goddess puts down the book she was reading and makes eye contact. Though her garb is much more librarian or school teacher at the moment as opposed to a military leader or soldier, it is definitely Athena.
"Please sit down. When I was told that the company had hired some new adventurers, I had assumed that you were all lumbering oafs interested in nothing more than wine, women, and song. After all, you do work for my father. Imagine my surprise when I find out that at least one of you is an academic. I am aware of one of the females in your group is also a student of the arcane, but I am not sure I fully trust her. So I have a proposition for you. I offer to be your patron, with all the divine gifts that it entails. In exchange, I will have assignments for you which of course will not interfere any other assignments you might have. And of course, you keep me posted on the details of any and all missions you are assigned to. Do we have an accord?"
After Athena states her proposal, Kyronai is silent for a long moment while he considers her offer. His silence is not meant to be disrespectful, but it is somewhat of a test. Will she grow impatient, or will she give him the room he needs to work out his thoughts? Will she be surprised that he doesn't answer right away, or is his silence expected?
Kyronai considers Athena's statement about her initiatives not interfering with Zeus' assignments. He believes her, but he also wonders why she is taking a direct interest. He doesn't know of any rivalries she may have in Olympus, except perhaps Ares, but the God of War doesn't have any involvement in their work as far as he can tell. And of course, there is the consideration of whether or not agreeing would be beneficial to him.
Finally, he speaks: "I already have a patron, an entity that associates with shadow. I made the association when I was learning my arts from my mother, who is also a beneficiary of this entity. To my knowledge, they have not asked anything of me in return for their gifts, although they are admittedly a mystery. I'm assuming that your patronage would replace theirs?"
If the answer to Kyronai's question is 'yes,' then he follows up with another question: "What reason would I have to abandon my current patronage for yours? No disrespect is intended. I am not trying to haggle for power, merely trying to understand what my path should be."
"That she is. I would very much like a good sparring session. But when I get back from my next job." He nods in kind.
Athena is unsurprisingly patient at Kyronai thinks it over. "Well, in my experience those who ask for nothing will eventually ask for too much. There is always a catch and yes I would be your new patron. I fully expect you to take your time and to way all of your options. If you did not, I would not want to be your patron anyway. The boons from having a goddess as a patron are many and frankly superior to any from an unknown mysterious patron."
Kyronai stands. "Very well. Thank you for the offer. I will have my answer for you tomorrow."