Almost instantly brightened, she seems to enjoy the prospect of heading to Thebes. "Then off we go. I'll bring you something beautiful to wear," she half-jokes, seeing that Callie likely doesn't have time to wear anything other than what she does at work. "Perhaps some people I know can aid us..."
With that, she will send a message to their captain. When they are ready, she will head to the dock.
”Thebes, eh? Known for their bread, honey cake, fruit, beer and dried fish if I’m not mistaken.” He muttered to himself. He wasn’t as excited about their cuisine as he was for Delphi, but he figured that there should be plenty to sample. ”Well, this should be interesting. Let us be off.” He said, loud and clear. He had a good feeling about this trip. Head over, talk to a demigod, sample the locals tastes, and head back. What could go wrong?
The trip to Thebes is an uneventful one. After a few days you arrive. While not the bustling metropolis like Athens or even Sparta, Thebes is no small village. There is a very large citadel with soldiers patrolling the grounds, a very likely building for the god of war. There is also a modest tavern known as The House of the Great as well as a bevy of smaller shops. There are even stands that happen to sell all the food that a certain Shadow Warrior mentioned.
After a short, but potentially dangerous ship ride, she gives thanks to Poseidon for the safe travels and uneventful dangers.
"Well...shall we be about business directly or enjoyment?"
Weary from the journey, Kyronai opines, "It would probably be wise to get a feel for the city before we put forth any requests."
He indicates The House of the Great. "That seems a likely venue."
They all go in, grab a table, and order a beverage!
Aikaterine follows the others and will enjoy a small amount of whatever food they have inside. She wishes to save her appetite for the food on the street that is far more similar to what Amph was wanting, but also doesn't want to drink anything on an empty stomach. For drink, she orders a nice, strong drink. The rogue will keep her elven ears open for anything that would possibly be a discussion on the various gods, if not about their target.
When they are at their private table, she will look to Kyronai.
"Can I cast a spell on you? It should help you see and hear the rumors of the city while we all sit here in comfort.It should save us time."
It was one of the spells she learned on their break. If he approves, she casts Ears of the City quietly and directs him how to use it if he doesn't already know. Here in the bar, Kyronai can use the magic in the spell to ask the whole of the city for rumors about Prometheans, the gods they are after, local troubles connected to large beasts/people magically enhanced, etc.; all while enjoying their drinks.
When they are at their private table, she will look to Kyronai.
"Can I cast a spell on you? It should help you see and hear the rumors of the city while we all sit here in comfort.It should save us time."
It was one of the spells she learned on their break. If he approves, she casts Ears of the City quietly and directs him how to use it if he doesn't already know. Here in the bar, Kyronai can use the magic in the spell to ask the whole of the city for rumors about Prometheans, the gods they are after, local troubles connected to large beasts/people magically enhanced, etc.
Kyronai listen attentively as Aikaterine explains the spell. He feels fairly comfortable at a table surrounded by his comrades, so he gives his approval.
; all while enjoying their drinks.
The group settles in and the faire is simple yet well done. You nosh on a plate of small bits of cured meats, cheeses, and fruits. You are also served a cheap yet satisfyingly sweet wine except for Aika who orders a fairly strong cocktail. For the most part, the group doesn't hear anything of note from the crowded tavern.
The erstwhile shadow mage sees a group of soldiers in his mind sitting down in a corner table. They seem worried as they order their drinks. You hear something about The Lord of War being missing for a few days. One of them offhandedly mentions that perhaps they should take some time off then before he is chastised by his friend for being an idiot as it might be considered desertion and they both know what would happen if/when Ares returned. That vision fades away as it is replaced by another one where an older couple come in, visible scared though you do not find out why as they do not speak and eat their meal in silence. You do notice that the husband is sporting a black eye. Your other questions seemingly go unanswered however.
Your quiet evening is interrupted by the sound of a very audible slap. You turn to see a young couple, the young man holding his very red cheek who is being run down verbally by his girlfriend. "Have you no shame?! How could you sleep with my best friend?" She asks in still in shock. "It just happened!? I don't even know what came over me. I thought you appreciated honesty." Is his reply, to which the young lady just storms out and everyone goes back to their business while the young man sulks.
To Aikaterine, the discussion in the bar is nothing more than a standard drama that arises when alcohol and passions meet. The subject matter is a bit spicier than she's used to though. A best friend? That's low. In any case, she pops a piece of meat and cheese in her mouth and washes it down with a sip of her drink.
She waits for Kyronai to reveal what he has learned from the whole of the city's rumors both past and present on the subject matter she guided him in.
The sensations, at first, are overwhelming. Kyronai can't make out what visions are right in front of him and which are farther away. Every sound is extremely loud all at once. But feeling his goblet in his hand, the witch takes a drink. The wine gives him something to concentrate on while his senses adjust.
The rumors and conversations from the area flow past his eyes and ears, but with Aikaterine's spell, he is able to listen to (and then forget) them all, but the important bits remain.
"That couple over here," Kyronai begins after the spell has worn off, "they've seen something which has scared them. Something which may be relevant to why we're here.
"Also, Ares is unexpectedly missing. He has been gone for a few days."
He takes another sip of his wine.
As the party is talking, your conversation is interrupted as a small gang of thugs burst into the tavern. There seem to be six in total armed with clubs and crossbows. "Your money or your life!" Their leader exclaims. Everyone else seems scared except for the party. After a very brief encounter where they do not land a single blow on you, they are taken out. The rest of the place breathes a sigh of relief. The bartender walks up thank you personally. "We're glad you lot were here. That is the third robbery this week. Drinks are on the house as long as you're here! As thanks I will see about helping you on your stay here in whatever way I can."
After handling such beasts as a giant bear and boar, it is no contest for simple thugs to be handled. She doesn't even mind the disrupting event itself; anything to help the locals.
"We appreciate the hospitality. A nice room for me, please. I'm unsure if we'll be staying here, but in case we do, it wouldn't hurt to have the room set in order. Pardon the intrusion though, if this was your third robbery this week, are you sure someone hasn't set their will against you? Did you piss someone off? Curse the gods?"
She thinks concerning Kyronai's words about the couple there who may have something to fear. Perhaps this was it? Is this robbery somehow connected to their quest?
"I'm guessing the local authorities have not been helpful against the ruffians?"
"No, it's been like this all over town. Everyone has seemingly lost their minds lately. Thebes has never been a safe haven or anything, but it has never been this bad. People are getting mugged just on their way to the markets. If I didn't know any better, I would say that someone's been whispering into people's ears to cause chaos and pain. The guards are mostly concerned with watching the citadel and up until recently that was fine. There weren't a whole lot of patrols on the streets and even less nowadays. If anything, I'd say the gods stopped caring about Thebes honestly. Of course, I'll make sure you folks get however many rooms you need."
"Tell us about the citadel. Why are the guards so concerned with it?"
"Well that is where all our military and government is. So if something does happen, we have people to protect us. They're just unconcerned with the day to day stuff. They send out a few to patrol to make sure things aren't too bad and like I said, that is typically enough. And from what I hear, there is supposed to be someone important staying there but I have no idea who."
Her tone is motherly and kind, full of queen-like grace; like someone who knows the pain of hardship and the abandonment of the gods to bring about testings of faith in them. A little bit of encouragement goes a long way.
"These villains now have our attention, which hopefully will lead us to the root cause of their repeated thievery, but if they had not stormed in now, you would continue to be blighted. See how it is all connected? Their torment, and that of the people of this city, have now brought about your salvation, and by servants and agents of the gods might I add." She flashes her hidden badge. "So do not feel abandoned. Trust in them and have your hope rekindled. So...you feel people are just losing their minds, hmm? Interesting."
"By chance, do you know that couple seated over there?" she asks, concerning the ones that Kyronai pointed out with his spell (not the cheating couple).
"I feel like people truly are losing their minds. First, the spouse who stormed out and who had done the unspeakable, acting like it was no big deal, and that they though the other would want honesty. And now these ruffians repeatedly doing crime on the same location. It's not logical. I wonder if they were originally criminals? Perhaps something is affecting the local area?"
To Kyronai, she leans in and whispers, "Detect for magics in the area. I have reason to believe people are being enchanted, by chemical or magic."
To Kyronai, she leans in and whispers, "Detect for magics in the area. I have reason to believe people are being enchanted, by chemical or magic."
Kyronai nods and does as Aikaterine has requested.
Varocles will assist in scanning for magical auras.
"I will take your word for it I suppose." Both Varocles and Kyronai and conclude that while dim, there is an overwhelming aura of enchantment on the adulterous young man as well as each of the unconscious thugs on the ground that you previously dispatched though the auras seem to be fading.
"There is an enchantment on many people. The man over there and these troublemakers. It's fading from them, however."
Kyronai stands. "I'm going to go talk to the elders I spoke of earlier."
He approaches the table with the elderly couple.
"Hello. My name is Kyronai. This is my first time in Thebes. Is everything all right? I noticed you have an injury," the witch indicates the man's black eye. "I could heal it for you, if you like."
Upon this information being revealed, she looks to Amphitryon and the others.
"Well...looks like nefarious deeds are happening here." Her comment indicating they are about to pummel someone's face.
"Now as a bartender, you hear gossip aplenty. What are some locations that these ruffians, and this couple here might have visited together at one point?"
"You are a kind young man, thank you. We were mugged while taking our nightly walk. They took what little money we had. The streets these days are getting dangerous, like all these young'uns have lost their minds." The wife replies. "Thebes used to be a decent place, but not anymore."
"Honestly I couldn't tell you. There are thugs like this all over the city now, and if you mean the young couple, I've never seen them in here before. You think they have something in common?"
Kyronai cautiously places his hand on the man's face and casts cure light wounds.
"You say this behavior is only from the young? Never the old? I wonder what else they may have in common. How long ago was Thebes a 'decent place?'"
"Even if us elders wanted to, we couldn't. My hip's been bothering me for a good decade now." The husband replies. "Things got really bad a few weeks ago, I suppose."
"Well, I'm not sure what to think," she answers the bartender with honesty. "We just came in here for a drink and snack. However, it is clear that the will of the gods has us here for this reason. If you aren't sure whether there is something that stands out as common, we'll figure it out." She smiles kindly. "Again, thank you for the room."
She will take her drink and head back to the Amph and will sit in a manner next to him so as to be flirtingly close, but what she's really trying to do is to listen to Kyronai's conversation at the distant couple's table, even reading their lips.
Kyronai makes a motion inviting himself to sit at their table. After they acquiesce, he sits and asks, "A few weeks ago? What do you supposed happened a few weeks ago?"
The elder couple will sit with the party. "Honestly, we couldn't tell you. All I know is something started going on in the citadel so maybe something happened before that?"
"What makes you guess that something might have happened before?" she asks with a curious tone.
"Well the guards have been on high alert, more than usual. And they usually don't do that unless something has already happened."
"Well...maybe we should poke around and ask some of these guards in here. I guess that's my cue." she will quietly cast a spell. The sound of the tavern drowns it out, and some 40ft away, one of the guards may very well experience a feeling of friendliness toward the mage, despite her not presenting herself yet. Then, she will go flirt with the guards and try to find out some information about what has been going on in the local area, particularly in regards to the citadel and issues within the past few weeks. It is amazing how easily she can slide in ways to guide the conversation to complaining about work, as well as how many free drinks she can get purchased for her.
Both guards seem to regard Aika warmly while one especially so as she is bought all the drinks she can ever want. "Well we got a very important person at the citadel. Well, actually, if you can keep a secret, we had one until he went missing." He says in hushed tones as his coworker sighs. "You shouldn't have told her that, even if she is pretty. Anyways, that is why we had to take most of our men off the streets. Just don't tell anyone else, we don't want to start a panic."
"It's fine...I'm just making idle communication. Besides. I'm something of an adventurer myself. If you lost someone, I might be able to help get them back without your superiors knowing they are gone. Who was it?"
"Well it's the god of war himself, Ares. He came here to give us tactics training. But then one day he disappeared, we came into the war room and found just his cloak and sword. But if you did find out where he went, that would save our hides."
Whispering now, she replies, "Have you by chance seen Eris, Zagreus, or Orpheus recently?"
The guard looks at Aika a bit perplexed. "No, why would any of them be here?"
"It doesn't matter. Me and my friends will look into this for you" she whispers back. "One final question. If we were to start looking for Ares, where do you think we should go to best do that? After all, we are not locals."
After they answer her, she will try to change the subject back to her hedonistic desires in entertaining herself. She particularly enjoys the openness of her charmed guard.
"Now, to more enjoyment and drinks, with our minds more positively engaged."
She will celebrate with them for a while in idle conversation and good company. Then, she will return to her table to explain what she found.
"Well, I suppose I could get you into the citadel and you could take a look around? I can get you some badges so no one asks any questions." The charmed guard replies to which his friend sighs audibly.
"Yes! Do that." she waves dismissively at his sighing friend. "It'll be alright, don't worry. You're going to go along with it too if you want us to help you out. We'll wait here for you to return with some badges. Better done here than on site, eh?"
Sensing how the wind was blowing, Kyronai turns back to the elderly couple.
"Well, it sounds like we'll be investigating what's going on in Thebes. If there's anyone we should be wary of, that would be good to know."
The elderly couple both shake their head. The rest of the day passes uneventfully. The guards and the other patrons take their leave and as promised, the party is given rooms free of charge.
The next day, Aika's new guard friend comes back and hands everyone a small badge identical to the one he is wearing. He then leads everyone to the citadel and inside with no issues. "I guess you can start in the war room which is where he was last seen." The war room is on the second floor and is an average size room, roughly twenty feet by twenty feet. The majority of the room is taken up by a large round wooden table covered in maps. The only other items of note here are a large greatsword and a well made cloak, both lying on the ground.
Aikaterine naturally goes to the reading material over the weaponry. She wants to view the maps and see what he was researching before going missing.
"Let's make sure we look for signs of magic and foul play here as well."
Kyronai uses detect magic to examine the cloak and greatsword. He also looks around for any indication of something happening in the room that would cause these two items to be discarded on the floor.
Most of maps are of the land of Egypt. There are some reports of scouts/spies found from there lurking about the borders. There are also various strategies written out but most are crossed out.
Both the cloak and the greatsword are magical and you can tell that they have very blindingly powerful enchantments on them but nothing unusual. However, you notice that there is a goblet on the table whose liquid glows brightly as well. It also smells sweet like honey...
"He was looking at Egypt. It's hard to tell why. He was formulating a strategy, but struggling to do so it seems."
She will look at the crossed-out ideas to see what he was considering doing.
"The safest place around. You can't fight in here, this is the War Room!"
"Maybe there wasn't any fighting going on," Kyronai mutters as he moves closer to the goblet, waiting for his spell to reveal the type of magic used.
"The magic emanating from this goblet implies some sort of trickery."
Most of the crossed out ideas are names of various tactical maneuvers with some being diagrams that are also crossed out. The word "Amateurs" is written on many of them.
There is most definitely some necromancy and some other sort of magic that you can't quite identify. Though looking at it, it does seem familiar. You remember a similar looking liquid at Hermione's hideout.
"It's strange. It looks as though he was perhaps developing strategies for his troops here, or perhaps preparing an assault? I can't be sure. Whatever the case, he didn't feel the idea would work--writing amateurs next to each one. Perhaps his troops were underdeveloped for what he had in mind?" She then looks up to Kyronai. "What did you find? What sort of trickery?"