Mender starts looking at the thing that is clearly the heart of the matter: the paintings.
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Gorum sniffs out foul play in the small food pantry, which seems to have been taken over by brooding rats. Its hard to say how long its been since it was stocked properly.
Giu meanwhile looks for a journal that never turns up, finding only an odd pamphlet for a novel new traveling shoe shining wagon. 'Let the shine come to you' is the thumbsup wielding gnome's little motto.
Io and Mender peruse the workspace, but only turn up works that seem quickly abandoned. All are studies of flame, however.
Finally Gilbert tugs free a bundle of papers that survived the stuffed out fire, everything else being crumbly ash: half a letter, and a charcoal sketch.
"…by informed patrons of the arts such as Doril Cire
and Tiega Gos. Thus, with great pleasure, I invite you to
display your works at the Ironheart Gallery for a period
of no less than three months so that Mulmasterites can
embrace your genius and we can further engender an
interest in true artistry.
Yours in admiration, Jurina Plem."
Covered in sooty smudges, this charcoal drawing depicts a
hastily drawn neighborhood. A large building in the center of
this image is awash in flames but, upon closer inspection, the
flames are constrained by the edges of the building, as if the
building is adorned by a representation of the flames rather than
consumed by them.
The words "Azak Throm," followed by a question mark, appear
at the edge of the page.
What have you got, Gilbert? Gio seems frustrated at his own lack of progress, but curiously peers at Gilbert's find.
"This mortal sure liked fire." said Mender after looking at his fourth crumpled or burning painting.
Giuseppe nods, Perhaps too much, eh?
Two names and a place, that's something to go on. Does any of it mean anything to anyone?
"Take a look at this! What do you make of it??"
The mercenary holds out the papers he rescued from the fireplace for all to see.
Giuseppe shrugs, Dis Jurina Plem at di Ironheart Gallery is perhaps someone dat can point us in the right direction to find di artist, eh?
EDIT:
"It's interesting that the supposed red wizard's name has come up again. Perhaps we should visit him next."
Oh right! I knew di name sounded familiar!
Shae, who had been keeping a watch at the door, takes a peek at the paper.
The red wizard again? Usually, when a name comes up more than once, its not a coincidence. Let's go check it out.
She hefts her staff, and takes one more cursory look around the room before heading to the door.
Giu, Ironheart Gallery sounds familiar, mentioned from certain nobility you've been attempting to integrate yourself with. Its some kind of display hall for arms and armor, or an art gallery...you aren't quite sure. You are sure its here in Mulmaster however. Jurina Plem is presumably some kind of manager there, but Doril Cire (mentioned in the same manner as Tiega Gos) is wholly unfamiliar.
Sha, you recognize the building in the charcoal mural as a warehouse in the Zhent Ghettos near their black market. The Zhent Ghettos are a dangerous place full of refugees from Phlan who are heavily taxed and exploited...a good place to disappear if you need to.
Mender, you also remember someone mentioned the Red Wizard's residence being near the Thayan Embassy.
Shae gazes out toward the street.
That building, it's a warehouse in the Zhent Ghetos. Close to the Black Market. I've had to delve in there more than once to catch a mark. I have a contact there (background feature) if we need some more info. Perhaps it's worth checking out.
Gio frowns, Ironheart Gallery... I do believe that it is in di city. We can check it out, though I agree with Mender and Shae, two mentions of dis Red Wizard is more than coincidence. Let us find di Thayan!
"So it seems we have three different avenues of investigation. Does anyone have a preference as to where we start?"
It’s late. We could maybe check this Zhent ghetto now. Or we could retire for the night and check the gallery and the Thayan tomorrow. Or all of it? Time is of the essence so perhaps we press on.
"The slums at night might be dangerous but I am game if you all are!"
You make your way across the city, towards the slums...a great wall binds the Zhent Ghettos from the rest of Mulmaster, and outsiders stick out like a sore thumb. Still, business (or more importantly, coin) is welcome.
The wood of the massive warehouse has gone gray with age. Many of the roof's shingles have peeled away, and its walls lean ominously inward...
Within, hucksters haggle in nearly a dozen languages over goods of dubious quality and origin in a number of ramshackle stalls. The caged fowl of a vendor cluck as they are roughly handled. A journeyman blacksmith grinds an edge onto a rustmarked blade.
At the far end of the marketplace, one gray wall of the building interior has been painted with a mural that reaches to the sagging rafters. At a distance, the small details are not visible, but huge whorls of vividly painted flame bring color to the dingy interior of the market.
The party is quickly surrounded. Dirty faced children mostly raise their little baubles and street meats up into your faces shouting forgotten names for currency like 'fanders', 'spanners', 'thumbs', and 'fangs'.
Mender gives a copper piece to each child - enough for a meal, but not enough to get them killed for the money.
Before they got to the ghetto, Io changed his cloak to look more appropriate for the area (dingy and worn). Keeping his pockets closed and watching for sneaky little fingers, he tries to move closer to those brightly painted flames, being discrete about it all.
Gorum does his best to shew away the young ones while keeping an eye on his own belongings.
”Strange, the warehouse looks as if it’s walls are on fire and we pulled the drawing out of fire. We need a closer look.” he then starts moving closer to the warehouse.
One of the children happily reaches out to accept Menders coin, but is slapped away by an older teen "Nitwit...they're with the Watch, or Hawks more like it...don't owe em nothin'!" he spits. However, others are more willing to accept.
Gorum and Io, you notice that the mood of people tends to change as you get closer and closer to the mural. In fact, nearer to the mural, there are small shrines of candles and blackened kindling set out on tables by the merchants whose stalls sit beneath the massive painting. When not helping buyers, they stare up at the rendering of a city in flames with a slack-jawed expression of wonder...one strikingly in resemblance to Kata. Their eyes weave back and forth over the incredibly minute details.
The city, that bears striking similarities to Mulmaster, burns with a small detailed fire consuming each building. People spill out into the streets wrapped in flames but the exacting details of their faces reveal a look of ecstasy. Even the waves washing against the piers are ablaze.
You overhear a few excited merchants motioning in your direction "Haha, you see Khalid...already the mural is bringing change to our fare here, these the first of many to be sure! ...isn't it splendid?" then louder "Yes! Friends! Welcome, you are most welcome indeed. Come, oil your nosegay with Fasha's incenses and extractions!" the peddler merrily beckons, the strong odor of his clumpy little scented sandalwoods his ally.
Shae eyes the mural with distrust, pulling her cloak around her.
We should find someone who knows more about this. I have a bad feeling that the forest the Wave wasn’t an isolated incident...
Shae, many of the merchants below the mural are actually quite excited to talk of it, including Fasha the incense peddler "Ah yes, a beautiful gift, isn't it? Rare that such grace finds its way into our Ghettos...and who wouldn't like to see the city ablaze like that?" he stops a moment confused "...er...what was I saying? Ah yes...but who could have done such a remarkable work? The paint was still wet this morning, the entire 'scape done overnight by a master it seems."
Khalid, the merchant's apprentice or banker pipes up "I think it was a team of three...I stayed late that evening and saw the paint-spattered man and the Thayan. Later that wealthy-looking man..." *shrugs* "Probably some way to make them even more money off us...but it is quite fabulous, I concede."
"If by fabulous you mean: will enthrall weak minded mortals to commit murder, then yes, I would have to agree with you." said Mender, much more severely than perhaps he intended.
Sage eyes the painting dubiously.
As strange as it may seem, that mural should either be destroyed or covered up. We suspect a similar work of art caused a massive fire earlier.
Gilbert keeps a watch on the street, and the people milling about as the others speak to the merchants near the mural. He looks over his shoulder more than once to glimpse the painting.
Io looks as closely as he can at the painting - he'll go right up to it if the merchants allow it. It's just a painting of the town on fire, not sure why people are so entranced by it.
Gio looks at the merchants, thinking that they almost seem entranced like Kata...
Shaking his head, as if clearing the cobwebs, Well, two comments of di Thayan...
Can any of you sense if there is anything magicked about dis mural?
I did not ask the Healing Hand this day to bless me with the ability to detect magical auras, the half elf replies to the query.
At Shae's comment, the two merchants furiously shake their head "No, no, no...don't say these thing. Here we have been shunned and neglected too long, we deserve this magnificent thing." he shakes his head a few more moments before adding "Besides, this was a costly thing I think...I heard the wealthy-looking man say he would 'pay completely to see you realize your vision'. We can not afford to be so lax with wealth here in the Ghettos...no, no, no."
Another worker steps forward "Is true...before painting, none would ever invite me to their home for a formal dinner. But since painting, the Thayan has been working with me as special partner. Me, a peddler in the gutter!" his eyes gaze across the mural reflecting the fires inside "'tis a boon, this work."
"...and who would not wish to see waves of flame lick the piers, just so?" one muses.
Giuseppe leans in to Gorum, I would not be surprised to see this area go up in flames within a few days...
Then addressing the merchants, Do you know di name of dis rich man?
"Sorry, you said the word partner, but I heard the word patsy instead; or perhaps you prefer the term fall guy. Right now there is a weak-minded young woman who sits in jail after burning down a bar while staring at a picture just like this one."
"The rich man, no...I did not recognize that one. But as a patron of the arts, he is likely known to some gallerys in town. The Thayan though, he said his name was Azak Throm. He's come back a few times, always with the same questions..." he says, almost more to himself, perhaps realizing its suspicious nature for the first time.
Then at Menders cocked and loaded statement the two merchants look to each other for a while and their eyes narrow "Are you with the Watch? Hawks maybe? You did not come for Fasha's incense and extractions...?"
"We are with neither the watch nor the hawks, whatever that is. We are actually trying to find the perpetrators of the crime to prevent further tragedies. I do not want what happened earlier to happen here."
"Hmm...I see. The Hawks are the secret police...the Council's informant ring, para-militants skilled in subterfuge and sabotage. I suppose if you were one of the Hawks, you wouldn't tell me..." he rubs his chin in thought, eyes widening at the prospect. But he shakes his head free of the notion "...I don't see how a painting could do something like that. Were it magicks, surely the Cloaks would've already put a stop to it. I seen 'em cut a man for mendin' rope..."
My thanks, good sir! We will check at the Galleries! May your wares ever sell, and your purse be full! Giuseppe rests his hand on Mender's shoulder, gesturing with his head away.
Are you looking to shop? I do not think we have much more to find here, unless you have the ability to sense any enchantments here...
Gio tries to gauge the time, but since it is past dark, he quickly gives up, Do you think the wizard is still awake?
"Listen mortal, and take heed: That painting is not the boon that you believe it to be. Nothing in life is free, and if something seems too good to be true, it is." Mender turns and follows Giuseppe.
At his question, Mender answers "If he isn't, he soon will be."
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Giuseppe turns to Mender after they are a block away from the mural, Mender, has anyone ever told you that you are a scary guy?
Starting at the sound Giuseppe's voice, Gilbert shakes himself and turns away from the mural and focuses back on his comrades.
The warrior prepares to leave, but cannot help but turn back for a final look at the painting.
The artist sure knew fire...." he mumbles as they leave the ghetto
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"It is my understanding that mortals are often afraid of the truth, but in Mount Celestia it is taught that to attempt to obfuscate the truth is to shame yourself before the Gods. Such things do not stand."
Gilbert, you've made flaming bolts before. They always have to be a bit longer than standard so the boiling pitch is offset from the flight groove and the risers a tad. Otherwise the crossbow is badly damaged.
Gazing at the painting though, it occurs to you that perhaps there is a way for the bolts to self-ignite, therefore negating the need for the heavier, less accurate and longer bolts.
You get inspired with an idea for a bolt head covered with sealed alchemists fire, who when exiting the risers gets scratched by a tiny spike...thus exposing the substance to air and igniting it in flight. You aren't really sure if it would work, and aren't particularly eager to try it...but hmm, fascinating.
Gorum has been standing nearby watching move of these interactions with his arms crossed over his impressive chest. When Gio mentions the neighborhood catching fire theory, he merely shakes his head with an "I don't doubt it" look.
Compared to the Ghettos, the quiet neighborhood near the Thayan embassy is palatial. Here street rubbish is replaced with bright flowers, their shy petals only partly retracted in the starlight. Instead of street children, here you have a pair of lip-locked lovers under a fancy shop's awning. The smell of untreated, festering, open wounds is instead a summer breeze blowing through the jasmine of your minds.
The incense merchant directed you to this modest residence, and nothing about the tiny yard surrounded by a low, iron fence particularly screams 'filthy necromancer'...but perhaps that's just what the Thayans would have you believe. Dancing candlelight in the windows makes it seem someone is home...
Io looks around, to see if there is a way to peep inside or if there is an open window to eavesdrop through.
Mender holds a moment to see what the others do.