Edelmira nods. ”This tail is my most pressing concern, as I agree that it is the most likely reason Ms. Farkin was eliminated. And in such a case, this would also connect them to the divs. I think we should try to corner the mysterious figure sending out the tails as soon as possible. If it is our mastermind, we may be able to save ourselves a great deal of difficulty down the line. If it is just someone of a more mercenary bent, we might be able to flip them and get useful intel.”
Kort nods, glad that his plan is thought useful by others. When the party is ready to go, he will cast extended Invisibility on Elen.
Kort could eat, as he had a small breakfast and is ready to go when others are.
Muri hears nothing in his companions' deliberations which prompt objection. There are many avenues, not all clear to him, but that's why you trot through the fog. To emerge on the other side, with clearer eyes.
"So long as we can make it back to meet with the Chief, I'm good with the plan. Didn't Sir Meir want to speak with us, before we departed?"
The halfling finds the organizational aspect of lording to be a bit of a psychic bit and bridle, and he can't wait to pursue a known quarry.
Elen nods in concurrence with the accordance.
”I’ll say in public ‘Oh, I think I’ll pass on lunch and meditate for awhile’ or something, we will retire to our rooms. You’ll make me invisible Major Kort, then everyone we will trickle out and reconvene in the lobby – those visible will leave and I’ll see what falls out behind.” She leans over to address Underfoot. ”Unless of course Lady Underfoot thinks that is splitting the herd too much.”
Seems like the party heads over to Savories for to start, with an Elen trailer, assuming Underfoot approves.
When you get to the restaurant, you find it closed (it’s around 3pm). The kitchen is almost certainly busy preparing the night’s meals if you want to pound on the door to try and raise someone. You’d also know from past experience that while you can sometimes get in at lunch, dinner reservations are usually booked a week or more in advance. It’s a popular place.
What is more interesting though is a tall man with a red leather bird mask running along the rooftops. He too is keeping the party in sight, and he’s much harder to spot - even considering his head-gear!
You have a few minutes of invisibility remaining. What do you do?
- - -
Elen runs ahead to whisper in the Major's ear, "It's me. The usual pre-teen suspect, plus a tall man with a leather bird mask -- he runs across the rooftops."
She conceals herself nearby anticipating the end of the spell, where she can just blend into a crowd as if come from the Inn having finished meditating, looking to rejoin her companions.
Or something less subtle depending on what happens.
Anselm nods at the plan, adding an additional tidbit. "You said they'd gone back to the Marksman's Inn, didn't you? Perhaps I should go there in disguise. See if the waifs return to give the man a report. I shan't do much. Just observe quietly. What do you say?"
Assuming no serious disagreement, Anselm assumes the appearance of a young, scruffy man in decent but rather drab artisan's attire. As usual, he blends actual physical costume pieces with the magic of his wig.
A prayer gives him skill at reading lips. Another gives him the air of man with no particular scruples.
”Bird mask?” Kort questions it, but believes it. ”I would like to see that for myself.”
And Kort will keep an birds eye out for bird mask, puzzled by the choice of mask.
Perception
They all look fairly bored, even the storyteller.
- - -
Major Kort eyes the rooftops, but the man Elen saw is no longer visible up there. The mask could be that of a healer, though those usually aren't red. Elen describes a very unusual mask and it doesn't neatly fit into any religious or affiliation musings of the Major.
He also spots the sly street urchin Elen noticed loitering a few doors down, but keeping his eye on the group. Elen still has a couple minutes of invisibility, or she can return and walk up to the group if you prefer.
Currently most of you are standing in front of Savories.
Elen rejoins the group subtly.
"Oh, there you all are! Are you finished? Am I too -- oh -- I see it's not open! Shall we try the Marksman? Perhaps they have an early supper?"
Anselm bellies up to the bar. "Pint, please, if you will."
As he awaits his ale, he gazes at the spy and toys with the relic on his right index finger. Enchantment silently snakes out at his prey.
(fail, though he does have a bonus, just not +6)
Your eyes touch for a moment, and he smiles without knowing why...
He is 'friendly'.
- - -
"Cheers, mister. Buy you and yours a pint? Just got paid and have a hole in my pocket. Name's Clem. What you call yourself?"
Anselm keeps up the charade for now, not wanting to set off the man's companions. Still, he tries to wheedle out of the man who he works for and how a humble artisan like himself might be of service.
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Edelmira dabs at the corners of her mouth with a napkin. ”Hmm, I might have other plans, Elen. I could send for someone in my place, if you need help filling the table.”
She’s asking if you think she should come as The Night Swan or as herself.
"I'm Grammell. Do I know you? I feel like we've met before."
Thanks for the Dip. I'll let you know when/if you need another. :)
- - -
Oh, and Elen would know they do have food at the Marksman. A full service pub, along with bad greasy food - but hot and quick!
Anselm shrugs. "Grammell, then. Cheers. Can't say as we've met, though you know what they say. Yanmass. Big city, small town. What ya drinking, there?"
He gestures at an empty chair, silently asking permission to sit. "You look like a man with things going on. I'll be honest. I've a problem with one of my... customers. Heard you're a man who can do things for the right price. I don't have much in the way of gold, but maybe I can repay a favor elsewise."
He gives a friendly, humble look to the other men while he begins assessing whether they generally mean ill in life.
"Marksman, it is!" Kamari is happy to dine before trying to unravel the mysteries of Savories. Also, it will offer the chance to catch up events while using a cricket of course.
Kort nods stiffly, and agrees to the Marksman. He orders some butter, with bread on the side and keeps an eye out for things that don't make sense. And then he orders a bit of red wine.
Sense Motive
Perception
”Hmm, I might have other plans, Elen. I could send for someone in my place, if you need help filling the table.”
”Oh, that would be lovely, thank you Lady Edelmira. Perhaps you yourself can join us some other time!”
She orders the lobster roll and tries to make small talk. Act casual.
"So, how about those non magical illusions on display at the Cult of the Twilight Child ceremonies?"
Unfortunately, no one has ever told Elen that she is not good at the small talk.
"Grammell, then. Cheers. Can't say as we've met, though you know what they say. Yanmass. Big city, small town. What ya drinking, there?”
”Quite.” he mumbles into his tall glass only half paying attention. ”It’s some sort of tomato juice with pepper.” From his look it’s not what he wants to be drinking, but he has a sip and doesn’t grimace.
He gestures at an empty chair, silently asking permission to sit. ”You look like a man with things going on. I'll be honest. I've a problem with one of my... customers. Heard you're a man who can do things for the right price. I don't have much in the way of gold, but maybe I can repay a favor elsewise.”
He grunts approval, which makes a few eyebrows raise among the others at the table, but they say nothing. ”Is that what you heard?” he looks genuinely curious. ”So what’s this job of yours then?” he adds simply.
- - -The party comes slouching into the Marksman.
- - -
Elen orders the lobster roll, and the barman chuckles. ”Nothing that fancy here your ladyship. Just simple grub. We do a good liver and onions though.” He gives the Major his butter and bread.
Kort keeps his cool and keeps his eyes on the situation at large, and is ready to act if needed.
Edelmira takes her leave and, much quicker this time, changes to her guise as The Night Swan. She heads to the Marksman on her own and taking a different route.
Elen tries to hide her disgust at the offer of liver and onions.
"No thank you, I will just have an olive and some bread, please."
"Yes, I mean, the optical angle and all of the display was very simple yet effective."
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As the others arrive, they see the disguised Anselm chatting with the man Elen had earlier identified. A number of others seem to be gathered nearby.
"Well, Grammell, sir, it has to do with a nobleman named Earl Yander Merkondus. Me and mine did good work for him, and haven't received payment. In fact, he refused to pay, even though you'd be hard pressed to find any flaw with our work. A lord like him... Well, I don't know how we could get him to pay. I thought you might be able to help. It's not right for fine folk to leave honest artisans unpaid."
At 8th level, you can deliver a stirring speech condemning the mistakes of those in power and calling for reform, causing the target of your rhetoric to be affected by charm person with a caster level equal to your inquisitor level and a save DC of 10 + 1/2 your inquisitor level + your Wisdom modifier. You may use this ability a number of times per day equal to your Wisdom modifier.
Kamari orders an ale and a sausage with onions and tries to catch up with the various conversations while enjoying a familiar meal.
After receiving her food and drink, she'll wind up the cricket and let it chirp away. She holds her ale in front of her mouth in case there are any lip-readers observing as she asks about any tails. Assuming she is brought up to date, she racks her brain about a bird masked roof runner.
Underfoot only sneezes when Elen addresses the malinois, the dog sensing that her work is only going to become more complicated herding a thinning flock, as Betony makes its way to the Marksman.
Muri keeps his eyes peeled, to be sure, but he knows he travels with much more paranoid vigilant nobility than he, so only cocks his head when a bird mask is whispered about. He even considers confronting their youthful stalker, but figures he'll only make the unseen organization change the boy's face for another, making it more difficult to know when they're followed.
Arriving at the Marksman, Muri avails himself of the liver, accepting its serving, then lowering it to floor, where Underfoot enjoys it for a fraction of a second, before licking the plate clean. The halfling enjoys a shepherd's pie himself.
Swinging his calves over the seat of his chair, Muri addresses the table. "Soooo. What are we thinking? A cult using illusions... probably evil? Will we have to fight our way into their upper ranks? I don't think we have the time to join them, and ascend high enough among them to discover the truth behind the Child?"
"No thank you, I will just have an olive and some bread, please."
The barman gets a small bowl and throws a handful of olives in it and another substantial chunk of bread.
"Well, Grammell, sir, it has to do with a nobleman named Earl Yander Merkondus. Me and mine did good work for him, and haven't received payment. In fact, he refused to pay, even though you'd be hard pressed to find any flaw with our work. A lord like him... Well, I don't know how we could get him to pay. I thought you might be able to help. It's not right for fine folk to leave honest artisans unpaid."
There’s a flicker of recognition in his eyes which he poorly hides. ”I don’t know the man.” he lies badly, but continues honestly, ”but I can look into it for you I suppose. I’ll take 20% of any recovered sum. Not negotiable.”
vs DC 20
The second charmed man looks rather more concerned about getting his cash and he quips from the next table over, ”What about that Grammell? He paid up yet?”
”Shaddup Cardello.” Grammell growls at the man who does as he’s told but doesn't look happy about it.
Grammell turns back to you, eyeing you more warily. He looks to the well dressed woman…
… who just shakes her head at the moment.
He looks back to Anselm, ”I think it’s time you ran along now. Find me here tomorrow and you’ll be sorted.”
Kamari racks her brains to think of a rooftop masked runner, but nothing comes to mind.
The cricket is rewound and continues to chirp away, helping to hide your conversation from eavesdroppers. I assume you're also keeping your voices low.
Kort would have shared the info about the masked roofwalker (which is why he spoke of it aloud, sorry for being unclear).
With the gig being up, Kort leaves the area and will convene with the party in a safe and quiet spot.
"Well, almost. Now what?" Kort asks.
Anselm gives a relieved, almost surprised look. "Oh, that's grand. Twenty percent sounds seems fair. I'll leave you alone. Ah, but I'd love to make the acquaintance of your companions here. If you lot are helping, I'd love to know the name of those I should thank."
Without pause, he turns to his other new friend, pressing his luck. "You're Cardello, eh. Well met. Who're your friends here?"
The 'artisan' toys with his ring again as he plies Cardello for information.
He looks to the well dressed woman…
"Oh, do stay, we have tea cakes and coffee coming..." Elen says to the Major as he gets up to leave.
Elen curiously yet briefly espies the well dressed woman.
Is that Apparels of Flimp?
The Night Swan walks about the Marksman slowly, not saying a word and making no indication she knows the rest of the party. She knows that should she be needed, she will know. She plays it as though she is just a mysterious figure looking for something or someone here.
Anselm gives a relieved, almost surprised look. "Oh, that's grand. Twenty percent sounds seems fair. I'll leave you alone. Ah, but I'd love to make the acquaintance of your companions here. If you lot are helping, I'd love to know the name of those I should thank."
Without pause, he turns to his other new friend, pressing his luck. "You're Cardello, eh. Well met. Who're your friends here?"
Cardello knee jerks an introduction to Viaria, the woman at his table before Grammell quiets him again with a command. He turns to Anselm speaking, ”Now look friend, we’ll sort this out tomorrow. I’ll see you then.”
He looks uneasy, and probably a bit confused, as he waits for you to leave.
The 'artisan' toys with his ring again as he plies Cardello for information.
You can go ahead and try that if you linger further - though that’ll be an obvious disobeying of Grammell who’s asked you twice now to leave. If you try a little blather as cover, please make a Diplomacy check.
Oh, and the other ‘fellow’ is a woman, Viaria according to Cardello, sorry if I wasn’t clear in my earlier post. She’s the one who favors the halberd I think, while Cardello has a heavy flail (and they’re both wearing half-plate).
Though Elen notes the fine clothes, she’s not sure exactly which designer produced them, likely someone local and someone with skill. The woman is probably not nobility though, or if she is, she’s very minor as Elen is unaware of her.
The Night Swan strides the bar, and aside from the looks she gets here and there, she sees nothing untoward. Of the looks she does get, she figures most or all of it is just the usual.
"Oh, sorry. Good afternoon to you all." Anselm tries to look embarrassed and backs away. His ring gets a rest for now.
Registering the location of his compatriots, he nonetheless departs the inn. Finding a private spot nearby, he attempts to assume the appearance of Sir Dratavis before re-entering and joining them. He tries to avoid notice by the two charmed fellows, who might be confused by their friendly feeling toward this new gentleman.
"Friends, I've made a new friend this morning. Well, two for a few hours. Sewed a bit of mischief among them."
Once he's made sure his back is turned to Grammell and his associates, Anselm gives an account of his time at the inn.
Elen waits to see what is going to happen and how Anselm will react to Grammell's insistence that they part ways.
Pretending to be bored she ignores the presence of the Night Swan and sticks toothpicks into her olives to depict knights on for legged olivebeast-back jousting over a piece of bread.
If Anselm in fact departs, she will stay behind to eavesdrop on Grammell, his companions and the well dressed lady.
She looks at Kamari covering her mouth with some bread. "I don't suppose they make crickets that amplify sounds, do they?"
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She looks at Kamari covering her mouth with some bread. "I don't suppose they make crickets that amplify sounds, do they?"
"Probably miniature dogs or owls for that job," Kamari offers with a grin.
She pulls out her frog and winds it up while waiting for the action to unwind.
Kort salutes Anslem's progress, feeling that it's a good start. But it's also getting late the butter supper is getting to him.
"What do we do now?"
Sir Meir Dratavis enters the pub and joins the party. Near as Elen can figure, and she did happen to look their way at the time, Grammell and his companions don’t react to his presence. They were huddled together and chatted a while quietly after Anselm left them, before leaving the pub abruptly some time after Meir entered - though as I said, he didn’t seem to be the reason.
What next, as the Major asks? You can rest and head out to the Caravanserai in the morning, which is I think where you were headed next. But the world is your oyster if you have other plans. You do have a meeting tonight with the Priest as well, if you still plan to go.
"Sir Meir" takes out a familiar sketchbook and begins sketching images of Grammell and his crew.
"I'm certain the man is working for the Earl, but I've no idea who the posh woman is. If you'll allow me to pray over dinner...?"
He beseeches Shelyn for insight, attempting to disguise the prayer as a blessing of the meal (and hoping the frog disguises its particulars).
He shares what he learns before suggesting further action.
Kort gives Anselm his space, allowing his ears to do the work of many, and hoping for good returns.
He stands stiffly, as if unable to truly relax without a book or cup in his hands.
Elen inches her little jousting olivebeast-back olive knights closer to each other, separated by a tilt of narrow bread.
The observation ended, The Night Swan heads back outside and finds a quiet secluded place to change back.
Edelmira rejoins the group. ”Sorry to keep you all waiting. I do think we should not miss our meeting with the priest tonight.” The displeased curl of her lip indicates her personal feelings on the matter. But politeness and decorum must be maintained as of yet.
"I agree with Edelmira. Our meeting might give us more to work with, when we return to engage the cult." Muri passes the rest of the pie to Underfoot, before leaving enough coin for the meal, and stretching his legs while waiting for the others to head out. He listens respectfully to the others at the table, as the plans unfold.
None know much about him. He’s an out of towner, staying at the Marksman and generally keeping very much to himself. He pays his bills, though doesn’t tip particularly well. He also appears to be the leader of a small band, but what they do other than sit around is anyone’s guess.
Once or twice maybe, here in the Marksman.
She’s known as Ebla Hightune. She also keeps to herself, but she’s a sharp one.
The party has a light supper before heading over to the church of Abadar to meet with Chief Enumerator Abrun Palliettor. I’ll get to that scene next. I want to give you an opportunity to chat if you wish, either in the Marksman or on the walk over.
The faux Meir shares what he's learned. "There isn't much gossip about Ebla Hightune, but perhaps we can find out more about her using other means... I doubt it's urgent, but if these folk are connected to Miss Farkin's death, that may make our rival the ultimate culprit."
He nods at Edelmira and Muri and rises when others are ready. "We have some time to investigate this further, though perhaps doing so sooner than later would help us get ahead of the conspiracy."
Edelmira nods. ”I agree that sooner is better than later. I just also think that missing such an important appointment may draw undue attention, perhaps even alert our enemies that we are onto them.”
With a girlish grin, Kamari packs up her duo of mechanical animals. She thanks the cricket and frog for their service of obfuscation and amusement to pass the time respectively. She then joins the others to make sure they don't miss their appointment.
Elen joins the others.
Kort listens intently to the reports from Anslem's unseen ears.
"Ah. Yes. I see," Kort says stiffly, but not truly having all the pieces in front of him. "I think Edelmira has the right of this, focusing on the Priestess tonight is the right course of action in these uncertain times."