With a heroic effort, Dani's magic allows Devon to burst out of the restraining chain. "Jack! Flank the undead with me!" the champion says. Once the doctor is in position, he goes to town!
The Doc follows orders and sets to work!
"Slip away now!" Dani says to Devon, using her spell to help free him when once again he would be restrained.
Dani casts heroism on Devon, helping give him a little boost.
Between Devon and Jack, the second excorion falls! The Skinner dodges away from Dora's spike, but it still grazes her. Knowing she has nowhere to run, the Skinner fully commits to the attack, hacking at Devon with her cleaver! Devon stands firm in the face of her attacks, bolstered by Dani's lingering song!
Devon hacks and slashes at the Skinner, but she parries his strikes!
As Dani's song begins to fade, she casts haste on Devon Jack, hoping to speed him up enough to help turn the tide on this disgusting woman.
Dora fires a barrage of arcane force at the Skinner.
With only a single target Jack moves to flank her and sets to work.
Jack stabs the Skinner twice, then Dora knocks her out with a barrage of magic missiles!
"We should tie her up quickly. Is she still alive? She deserves to stand trial for these horrors she has inflicted." Dora says moving around to check the room for any further evidence.
"I'll ensure that she doesn't die." Jack promises. "I can keep her unconscious for twenty minutes at least if we want to explore this level quickly, or we can get her locked up now and return again, perhaps in the morning?"
Devon uses his magic belt to haul the massive woman out of the blood pool so she does not choke on it. ”Whew! What a fight! Let’s tie her up and finish searching this level. We don’t want any of her accomplices to escape!”
"WELL DONE!" Dani exclciams, excited that they were able to finish her off without getting knocked down. She dashes up to Devon and jumps into his arms, adrenalin driving her to ignore the horrors that could have been. She smooches his face several times rapidly and says "You were amazing!! You are so brave!"
After he lets her back down, she bounces from foot to foot and waves the others. "C'mon! Let's get to it! EDGEWATCH!" she calls loudly bounding onward.
Dora can't help but smile at Dani's contagious optimism and watches her embrace Devon with joy. Not able to resist, Dora gives Jack a smile and one armed-hug in congratulations.
"This has to be our best achievement so far! We're making more of a difference that the Sergeant ever thought we did on that sorry day we were all put in this division. Wouldn't you say?"
Dora follows closely behind everyone, feeling a little more content with the day, able to bury her earlier feelings from earlier after their most recent triumph.
Devon holds Dani against him and returns the kisses. ”I couldn’t have done it without you, honey. That color spell saved my life!” He lowers his voice and whispers in Dani’s ear.
You head to the southeast to check out the room there. Blood, filthy rags, and smeared excrement fill the corners of this rectangular chamber where the flagstone floor tiles meet the wall. Chained to the walls in varying states of duress are ten naked humanoid captives, some forced to stand with their hands shackled above their heads, others down low with all four limbs chained to the walls’ bottommost bricks.
The prisoners—those still with their wits about them, at least—stifle sighs of relief. A starving middle‐aged half-orc man named Jinby, with one eye swollen shut and deep lacerations all over his face, addresses you and speaks for the prisoners. He is exhausted from the unspeakable torments the cultists have subjected him to over the past week but can, in time, explain how he came to this place.
The story is a simple one: Jinby owed a lot of money to people, a gang called the Washboard Dogs. He had saved up a sizable installment to pay the gang members, but when he met them at the appointed time and place—beneath a particular footbridge in the Docks—the gangsters ambushed him, took the money, and beat him unconscious. When he came to, he was tied up in this chamber with the other prisoners. If you ask the other prisoners for their stories, they offer similar accounts of walking through dangerous areas of Docks District before being ambushed and beaten, then waking here.
Jinby tearfully begs you to release him and the other prisoners and immediately escort them out of the Catacombs.
Dan is so overcome by emotion that she doesn't think she hears Devon correctly at first. Surely he didn't actually say that, did he? I mean. She really liked him a lot, a whole lot. And they were really getting to know each other quite well.
But that?
Dani returns Devon's words with a big squeezing hug where she buries her head into the crook of his neck so she doesn't need to look him in the eyes. Because, well, she just couldn't right now.
"Yes! Me too! You!" she eventually says kissing him once on the lips once before spinning off away from Devon and Jack to
give Dora Dora a look that screams WE NEED TO TALK LATER but she says aloud "Onward! Let us press onward!"
Dani assists healing those that she can, soothing their minds with what magic she has left and treating wounds on others. Once all of the prisoners are free, she helps the party escort them all from the catacombs. Once the last person is freed, they return once more to reclaim any of the treasure and items that were were recovered before they finish for the night.
She pulls Devon aside and whispers something to him before bidding Jack good night and grabbing Dora's arm to walk her home.
To Devon she says "Honey. I'm so exhausted from today, I just need to sleep. Let's talk in the morning, okay?"
She pecks a kiss on his cheek with a smile and dashes off to join Dora.
Back at her room, she paces endlessly and is visibly restless. She decides after a short while, "I'm going to stay with Devon tonight. Are you okay here by yourself? I'll see you in the morning."
She goes into her room and closes a door behind her. Dora can hear some things shuffling about and Dani emerges with a bag of slung over her shoulder. "I might be back, so if you hear noise later, don't be alarmed it's just me."
She bids Dora goodnight and slips out into the night.
Dani doesn't go to see Devon, seeking out Cass so she can stop making decisions and let someone else be strong.
Dora works efficiently alongside Jack, Devon and Dani throughout the rest of the catacombs and ensures she meticulously documents all evidence that they find. She does her best not to think of what is happening in front of them, not allowing herself to dwell on their findings yet. She is incredibly quiet throughout, only replying to a direct question where needed.
Upon finishing for the evening, Dora stands around with Jack whilst Dani says goodbye to Devon. "So I'm staying at Dani's for a little while, we moved all my stuff there. Thanks for letting me stay with you the other evening while I got my stuff together! Its much appreciated - now you can have your peace and quiet to tuck into a good book again. At least your neighbours won't get the wrong ideas anymore!" She says trying to make a joke. "I need to go sleep well tonight I think. I wonder if we'll get some time off soon based on the work we just did." She muses.
As Dani dashes over to Dora and Jack, Dora takes her arm calling a good-bye back over her shoulder and they walk off in the dark towards Dani's apartment.
"Well Im glad that is done." Dora says with a heavy sigh. "I don't think it can get worse than that." She shakes her head and clears her throat, remembering Dani had said to bury these bad thoughts deep earlier.
Quickly changing the subject so as not to disappoint her friend, Dora moves to a more contentious topic."WHAT was that about earlier? You and Devon?" Dora bursts out as they are just a few steps away, unable to hold in her curiosity any longer.
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You continue your clockwise sweep of the sanctum's lower level. In the next room, thick rivulets of sticky dried blood coat every inch of the twisted altar at the head of a diamond-shaped worship chamber. The altar itself consists of a large humanoid statue of stone cloaked in flowing robes and wearing a one-eyed mask. In one hand, the figure wields a short sword; in its other, incongruously, is a wicked shaving razor, which is made of metal and ivory and looks to have been placed in the statue’s otherwise empty hand.
"Norgorber," Devon says. "In his aspect as the Skinsaw Man. Vile."
The next room is a simple bedchamber with a bed, empty bookshelf, and low table. This is the Skinner's quarters. The Skinner keeps nothing of interest or value in this room except for two mementos from her former life as Wrent Dicaspiron, the local friendly butcher, which she keeps in a small wooden box under her bed. The first item is her meat cleaver, which has rusted from neglect but could be restored to working order with time and care. The second is her wedding ring, a simple band worth its weight in silver.
Dozens upon dozens of flayed, cured human hides and scalps are piled on every surface of the next room and hang from innumerable chains attached to the ceiling. The odors of salt, lime, and sulfur combine to assault the senses, creating a truly nauseating effect. Adding to the horrific ambiance of the chamber is the music—a warbling, pulsing dirge with an indiscernible melody—which emanates at a deafening volume from a trumpet-shaped device positioned on a small table near the room’s center.
A fiendish-looking halfling woman is here, sewing new armor and masks for the Skinsaw cultists. While at first the tiefling seems inclined to attack, once she learns that the Skinner has been defeated, she is amenable to surrender. Once cuffed or otherwise immobilized, as long as there is some loud music playing, the seamstress willingly communicates—via writing, if necessary, though she can read lips as well— what she knows about the Skinner’s various plots.
The tiefling gives her name as Mobana. She knows that the Skinner has been hoarding gold for some unknown purpose, and she was laundering the possessions of the cult’s victims through the Copper Hand and another gang called the Washboard Dogs based out of the Docks (the same group that has been kidnapping victims for the cult). Interestingly, for most of the cult’s existence until recently, the money laundered through these gangs wasn’t going back into the cult’s coffers; instead, it was going to someone else, though Mobana doesn’t know to whom.
Mobana also doesn’t know where the Skinner acquired powerful technology like dig‑widgets and a vaultbreaker ooze. However, she can confirm that the Skinner provided the Copper Hand with these tools for their bank robbery.
An obvious question regarding all the murders is “Why?” Beyond the usual reasons that worshippers of Father Skinsaw give for their rampant bloodlust, Mobana muses that the Skinner’s orchestrated murder sprees had a larger purpose. A serial murderer—or an entire cult of them—on the loose looks bad for Absalom’s organized police forces, Mobana suggests. Maybe the killings were an effort to sow discord among the citizenry.
On this last point, Mobana expounds upon her theory and says it might have something to do with the Skinner’s mysterious associates: three other powerful worshippers of Norgorber who, with the Skinner, call themselves the Twilight Four. Of course, Mobana doesn’t know anything about the true identities of the rest of the Four. She was able to glean as much as she has only because of her close proximity to the Skinner, who would occasionally give herself away with half‑mad murmurs or while talking in her sleep.
If asked why she is providing all of this information, Mobana shrugs. “What choice do I have?” she says. “I’m as good as dead now anyway, especially if you put me in jail.” Mobana doesn’t bother expanding on this; it is clear that the Skinner’s associates are at least as dangerous as the butcher herself, and that they likely have friends in high‑enough places to put Mobana’s life in danger now that her boss has been arrested.
The final room is the cult's vault. Boxes, bags, and stacks of coins from all over the Inner Sea region cover a low stone table in the center of this long chamber. Shelves built into the underside of the table are likewise filled with valuable coinage. Dozens of stacks of expensive clothing lie clumsily folded on the floor like an afterthought, with bits of jewelry here and there showing that whoever organized this room did so with little care.
With no records of prior ownership, all of the valuables in this room must be entered into the Graycloaks’ evidence lockers; the bounty for all this evidence comes out to 100 gp for the party.
With the Skinner and her cultists defeated, you can finish escorting the surviving victims out of the horrific sanctum. The Graycloaks are eventually able to assist in dealing with any surviving cultists and dismantling the grim temple while those you rescued in the Catacombs recover from their wounds.
Tomorrow morning, you can report back to Lieutenant Lavarsus!
Dani is taken by Mobana's story. The amount of information they just uncovered is staggering and leads to a MUCH bigger problem then the Skinner. "Oh... I don't even know what to say! The further we reach into in eliminating who we think is behind the Copper Hand, the more we end up pulling this string of finding out that this is a massive organized effort!"
"I'm a bit concerned Mobana's assumption that they have friends in "high places". This could mean they could have someone in a position of power in some respected position that is going to prove difficult for us, I would imagine."
Still, she tries to keep it together and stay positive. "Right. We will take it one piece at a time. We'll stay together, figure this thing out and make Absalom safe again. We're Edgewatch, the cityu needs us! We must get to the bottom of this and we need to do it quickly!"
Dani assists the others in transporting Mobana and the Skinner into custody, but she's particularly interested in returning to ensure they clean out her vault and turn over these items to the Greycloaks. When they are rewarded with ONE HUNDRED GOLD, Dani's eyes dance wildly in thought.
Back at her room, she paces endlessly and is visibly restless. She talks more or less nonstop and can't seem to relax even though she's tired.
She decides after awhile, "I... I need to go. I'm going to see Devon tonight. Are you okay here by yourself? I'll see you in the morning."
She goes into her room and closes the door behind her. Dora can hear some things shuffling about and Dani emerges a short while later with a bag of slung over her shoulder. "I might be back, so if you hear noise later, don't be alarmed it's just me coming home. I'll try not wake you. Sleep well!"
She bids Dora goodnight and quickly slips out into the night.
"Thanks Jack, I appreciate it." Dora replies, putting a thankful hand on his shoulder.
Dora's look says it all when Dani reveals Devon's intimate words.
"He said what? You're right, there is no way that after three weeks, anybody should be saying that. It was probably just in the heat of the moment, you did save his life in there." Dora says, trying to reason away the fact.
"Whatexactly did you say back, did you say "I love you too" or did you just say "me too" because that is a big difference."
Dora starts trying to make dinner from the scraps that they have in the apartment, given that nobody has made the time to pick up any food on their way home. Giving up hastily, and realising Dani has a lot of pent up stress, she is about to suggest they go out again to grab a bite, but Dani beats her to it to say that she is going to visit Devon.
"Maybe it's not a great idea if you go see Devon tonight?" Dora says, voicing her concern and putting down the kitchen knife. "You really don't want to encourage this craziness do you? Not until you know each other better even if the marriage isn't getting annulled?" Realising that Dani was a stubborn woman, she changes tack. "I guess you could always talk about it tonight together. One to One."
Dora continues to make a small quick vegetable soup for herself as Dani gets ready to go and as her friend emerges from her room again, Dora sits back down on the comfy pillows with a sigh, consigned to the fact there is no way to sway the bard. "Just be careful okay. I'll see you in the morning."
Dora spends the rest of her evening mulling over what they found out today and trying to get her thoughts down in some organised fashion on paper. He brain whirrs at a hundred miles per hour.
Where to even start with this all. It could be the docks for this other criminal group, but if there is someone higher up, maybe I just have to go speak to my Uncle to see if he's heard anything....probably too drastic at this step, he's unlikely to help me now anyway.
Giving up after a couple hours of going round and round in circles, she instead settles down to write a letter to her sister which she intends to send tomorrow, and then get stuck into a good book to distract herself from her never-ending thoughts. She eventually falls asleep curled up whilst reading, the book open in her hands on the cushions in the main room, failing to make it into bed.
Dear Bea
It's been three weeks since I wrote and still no word from you, there's only so long I can wait until I give up checking. I've moved in with a friend and colleague, she's lovely. I've attached the address on a card to this letter, so make sure you write.
Work is ridiculously hard to say the least. I can't elaborate but I think we're onto something big. I'm wavering on the point of wanting to transfer to a different role in the Town Guard if a space comes up, but I don't think I can leave my new colleagues behind.
It's lonely out here, but I'm still happier than I ever would be with Uncle. I hope you understand.
With all my love, and shortening patience,
Theodora
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Left to his own devices for the evening Jack goes shopping. He starts off at a number of clothes shops, and picks up a wide variety of items. A blood red waistcoat, a silver fob watch and chain. Black trousers, slightly worn, a pair of old, but still impressive boots with silver piping down the side and reinforced toes of dark metal. Velvet gloves in the same blood red as his waistcoat and finally a jacket of deep green, so deep that it appears black with only the subtlest hint of color in the correct light. He also purchases, from a shop catering to street performers, a number of cosmetics.
Purchases made, he is on his way home when he passes a music shop. Hearing the melody being played within the Doctor stops to enter the shop and listen, eventually emerging with a number of pieces of sheet music. For much of the early evening he sits with his cello, working carefully through some of the new music. One, a funeral piece with a strange, sprightly top line gives the dhampir some pause and he eventually nods to himself, as though having made a decision.Then he places his cello carefully on its stand and prepares for his night out. The man who emerges from the apartment, doing so by a convenient window and so down to the street is very different from the suave, but reserved and rather cold Doctor Maturin.
He makes his way to the House of Planes and is pleased to see that no-one recognises him, before introducing himself as Morgorth, a name he took from the prequel to The King of Small Bracelets. He moves swiftly into the Abyss, where he renews his acquaintance with Molly Crimson, making the link between himself and Pestilence - although he establishes them as 'colleagues', a suitably vague term that might mean anything. Then Morgorth goes hunting, moving from room to room and leaving behind memories of a man dressed in vivid red, but little else remarkable about him. Men and women both take a second glance and Morgorth is considering whether he might dine with one of them that night when a familiar scent catches at his sensitive nose and the night takes a much more interesting turn...
Danaestra Folsamir and the assassin Cass... It doesn’t take long for his sharp mind to unpick the workings of the relationship and Morgorth abandons his plans in favor of observation and settles in to watch the couple, idly flirting with a scantily dressed 'angel' who has come to the House in little more than feathers and golden body paint.
"I know what you are." The angel whispers to him, hot breath on his cold skin. "They say that your kiss if pleasure beyond anything a mortal can experience… I want it. I want you to feed on me, take my angelic blood." Unwilling to refuse such a tempting invitation Morgorth draws the lithe body into his lap and tilts her head back, exposing the gold-dusted neck and the tempting throb of her veins.
”You’ll be mine.” Morgorth responds, ”If you submit to me, if I take your blood, you’re mine. Is that what you want little angel? Do you want to fall? Do you want to dance for the damned?” The breathy gasp, and the way she trembles under his fingers is invitation enough and Morgorth swoops in. As he draws on his new thrall he keeps golden eyes focused on the assassin and her pet across the room.
Power and punishment, Agent Folsamir. Power and punishment…
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"Uhm. I said. Me too. I didn't say it back, I just couldn't. Do I love him? I have no idea if I love him. He's so sweet and everything..." She buries her head in hands before biting her nails anxiously.
Dani visits the House of Planes for two distinct reasons. First, there is a level of anonymity there that she's not found elsewhere. Here she isn't Agent Daenestra Folsamir, she's known only as "The Pet". Secondly, this is the prearranged meeting place between The Pet and her mistress, Cass Hamish.
The Pet changes before delving down into the House of Planes, pulling her outfit out of her back and changing into the black leathers that Cass likes her to wear. She slides into her laced, knee high black leather boots before dutifully affixing her leather collar. Once ready, she seeks out Cass and finds her sipping a cocktail in a large lounge chair. Dropping her bag to the ground, she gets down on all fours and asks permission to climb into Cass's lap.
Once given, she quickly slides in and buries her head in Cass's neck and lets her do what she will as she tries to unwind from the extremely stressful day she's just had.
She's not here to look at or reflect on how others are interacting, none of that interests her right now. This is all about her mistress getting what she want and not having to make decisions and being punished as she deserved. Her eyes flit across the man in red doing things to an angel, but it doesn't even warrant a second thought as Cass begins to speak to her and she quickly loses interest in what the other deviants in the House of Planes are doing.
Eventually Cass rises and drags Dani along with her out of sight, finding a more secluded place to deal with her pet.
The next morning, you report back to Lieutenant Lavarsus for a thorough debriefing of your escapades in the Catacombs. "Huh. You've actually done some good work, rookies. I won't go as far as to say I'm impressed, but I will be adding some commendations to your report. After all, you've not only made the city safer, but you've made the Edgewatch look good in the process! The arrest of the Skinner is a big win! Both the Graycloaks and I are gonna make sure the people know what you've done, give 'em something to get their tongues wagging!
"Take some time to yourselves. The other Edgewatch agents have been able to hold down the Precipice Quarter without you, so I think you've earned some time off. Report back when you're ready and we'll see where to go from here. Dismissed!"
As the group are leaving the Edgewatch precinct Jack takes Dani aside for a moment. "I feel as though we are not as close as the others in our little group." He says. "I don't know very much about you, and you don't know very much about me. Given our backgrounds I suppose that is understandable but perhaps we should both make an effort to get to know each other a little more. I purchased some music yesterday, there's a duet or two in there and another very interesting piece which I do not really have the skill to play, but I think would sound wonderful if you did. So would you care to come by later? We could have tea, play some music? If it would inconvenience you then please don't feel obliged."
The next morning, reporting into the Lieutenant, Dora greets her colleagues with a tired smile.
"So I see you two had a good night last night?" Dora says to Devon and Dani.
Dani looks at Dora given her comment and then moves to Devon's side, "Oh, we always have such a great time together. I'm just glad he's there to keep me warm at night. He's so sweet." she says, pinching his cheek.
Before Devon can respond, she claps her hands loudly twice and says "SO. Shall we go report in? We don't want to be late? Hmmm? After you dear." she says, motioning Devon onward with a slap on his rear end.
Later after reporting in, Jack surprises Dani with his statement. So much so in fact, she doesn't hide her surprise in her doubletake. ""Why doctor. I had no idea you were into music so. I would love the opportunity to play with you. A duet sounds lovely, in fact! Let's call it a date then!" she says, winking.
”Huh?” Devon asks Dora, then yelps as his wife slaps his butt. ”Oh, uh, right. It’s my pleasure, honey. Let’s not keep the lieutenant waiting!”
***
After the debriefing, he turns to the others. ”So, what should we do with our time off?”
"Well your wife and I are going to play a little music this afternoon." Jack offers. "Perhaps we can do a concert once we've had a chance to practice. If Dani doesn't think I'll embarrass her too much of course! Otherwise... I'm open to suggestions. Having been undercover for so long I'm rather... lacking in the small hobbies department."
--------------------------------
Following the Doctor's directions Dani finds herself outside a neat flat. The old lady on the floor below gave her a wink and a thumbs up, which was a little odd, but on the whole the place seems almost boringly normal. The undercover operative side of her can't help but approve.
The Doctor opens the door and ushers her in. "Welcome to my humble abode Agent... Dani. Can I offer you some tea? I've set up two stands but I wasn't sure if you'd prefer to stand or sit while you play." He bustles around the small kitchen, making a cup of tea to join the biscuits already on the table. "Where would you like to begin? Perhaps one of the duets?"
On their first time through Jack plays much better than Dani, mostly because he's already practised and so the tricky passages are not as complex for him. After a couple of tries the bard gets the hang of the tune and the fiddle takes its rightful place as the lead instrument. After two or three different pieces Jack pulls out another piece and offers it to Dani.
"The Lament of Faustus." He says. "Do you know the story? A man communes with a devil in exchange for great power and makes more and more bargains over time to overcome his rivals. Eventually he ceases his pursuit of power to find that he has lost everyone and everything he cared for. Standard moralistic tripe really, but whoever set this to music has a peculiar kind of genius. I've tried it but it's not for cello really. I thought you'd do a much better job."
And indeed Dani does do a spectacular job, following the complex and rather whimsical melody to remarkable music heights as Jack basks in the music and offers a low and steady accompaniment in contrast to the wonders that the fiddle performs. When she finally finishes the Doctor applauds, a sound that can be heard faintly echoed from below and above.
"That was quite spectacular." Jack says his cheeks flushed with uncomplicated pleasure. "Music has a power unlike anything else, does it not?" Both musicians are aware that they won't top that performance and their session winds its way to and end shortly afterwards. As Dani is leaving Jack puts a hand on her arm.
"Daenestra." He says, suddenly serious. "Faustus got one thing right. We all have demons of our own. How we choose to deal with them is no-ones business but our own, but, speaking as a doctor and as your friend, consider speaking to someone. It can help."
Dani tells Jack she prefers to stand while she plays, sitting still is not really her style "Always be on the move, doctor." she says with a wink.
Dani loses herself in the performance and not only is it displayed by her perfect rendition, but she lets her body's movements sway and move to the music in time to help accent it.
After nailing the performance, she gives a small curtsy and says "I rather enjoyed this time together, Jack. Thank you for thinking of me and thank you for the invitation. We should do this again sometime? Perhaps I can help you work through those difficult sections of Faustus?"
"Music is power, oh yes!" she says, her eyes lighting up. "That's how I feel too!"
""Faustus got one thing right. We all have demons of our own. How we choose to deal with them is no-ones business but our own, but, speaking as a doctor and as your friend, consider speaking to someone. It can help."
Dani blinks, not making the connection. The fact he used her full name was not lost on her either since that's quite unusual. "I'm. I'm sorry Jack, I don't quite understand what you are talking about. Do you think I need to seek assistance for my playing?"
"I would certainly appreciate the help." Jack replies with a smile. "I think I may try and simply embroider the theme, create an accompaniment that's more suited to cello. I don't think I'll ever be able to match that performance."
"Merely some advice." He replies. "The things we have seen, and the little I have heard you tell Dora about your time with the Lotus Guard... it would be remarkable if we did not have demons. Just remember not to close yourself off entirely. You have a man who cares for you deeply and a woman who looks upon you as sister. That is worth cherishing."
Dani looks left and then right as she tries to come to grips with what exactly Jack was talking about. Though she has a fleeting thought of her secret life as Pet, she doesn't linger there for very long. "Indeed I do." she says with a smile. "Thank you for your kind words, Jack. I will take them as guidance from a friend."
She reaches out and places her hand gently on his forearm before picking up her violin case and departing. The entire time she walks alone, she tries to figure out what the hell he is talking about.
Devon spends much of the next week strengthening his faith in Cayden Cailean--by going on a tour of as many of the taverns and pubs in Absalom as possible! He brings Dani and the others along if they are willing and able to keep up with him! The champion spends most of his time in a pleasant state of inebriation.
On one of these drunken nights, Devon has a vision of Cayden himself! The god praises his heroics thus far and urges him to seek ever greater glory in battle. Devon drinks from Cayden's own cup, and feels his body filling with physical might and tactical knowledge. The Accidental God has unlocked the mystery of battle within the champion.
Thenceforth, Devon seems slightly different. He smells faintly of steel and blood no matter how he tries to remove or mask the scent and he appears more muscular than he actually is. But the extra divine power will surely help against the challenges yet to come!
Part 3: All or Nothing
18 Erastus, 4720 AR
After a week of well-deserved downtime, you return to Edgewatch headquarters. Lieutenant Lavarsus meets with you in his office, Sergeant Ollo sitting by his side and sipping a mug of tea.
"You're back, eh? While you were indulging yourselves, the rest of us were working! Captain Runewulf of the Graycloaks and I interrogated the Skinner, and we've learned quite a bit about the Twilight Four! Besides the one you captured, the other Norgorberites go by pseudonyms: the Infector, the Rumormonger, and the Gray Queen. We've also learned the basic aim of the group--they're trying to remove the primarch of Absalom and seize the title for themselves!
"Unfortunately, the Skinner seemed to be the lowest of the bunch. She never met with her fellow cabalists in person and they stopped talking to her since you busted up her little Skinsaw cult."
Lavarsus glances at Ollo, who gives the lieutenant an encouraging nod. He sighs. "In light of this new information, your own investigation seems to have taken on new importance. I've given reports to my own superiors, and word of your doings has reached the bigwigs at the top of Absalom’s law-enforcement agencies. You're being re-assigned!
"Report to Starwatch Keep outside the eastern city gates. Captain Asilia of Gyr will meet you there and give you your new assignments. Dismissed!"
Lavarsus looks down at the paperwork on his desk, refusing to make eye contact as you leave his office. Ollo escorts you out and grins up at you. "The lieutenant may not show it, but he's a big softie! He's probably trying not to cry. We'll miss you here at the precinct, but you've definitely earned this promotion! Don't forget about where you got your start, though, okay? And feel free to visit any time."
Dora spends her week voraciously reading through the day and having a whale of a time in the evening trialling many different establishments with Devon and the others. Her excuse is that she needs to know more of the "average 'normal person's' day" in Absalom if she is to help keep order, but secretly, or not so secretly, she just wants to have some fun and forget about her family worries.
Dora can't help but talk about the books she is reading all week, inspired by all the new information she is learning and will talk about it all at length when out with her friends, whether they are all interested or not.
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"Sergeant Ollo, thank you for showing faith in our abilities. Clearly you must have had some sway of the Lieutenant as he would not have agreed to this without some encouragement. We will absolutely come and visit, we always have use of the wardrobe here anyway, its second to none!" Dora says, trying to compliment the precinct in someway, not coming up with anything better in the mean time.
Upon leaving the precinct, Dora whips around in excitement. "Did you hear that? Do you think this re-assignment counts as a promotion? I'm sure it does!" She says at speed. She can't refrain from jumping up with excitement and hugging all three of the agents out in the street, squeezing tightly.
The primarch of Absalom, Lord Gyr of House Gixx, had served from 4660 AR until 4716 AR, when he mysteriously went missing. Last year, the city transferred his authority to Wynsal Starborn, who is now the Acting Primarch. Starborn is a retired captain of the First Guard. Starborn was named Siege Lord in 4717 AR by the High Council during the Fiendflesh Siege of Absalom, wherein he released any of the city's slaves from servitude in exchange for their help in defense of the city, drawing the ire of the city's slavers. The Grand Council subsequently ended the Flesh Tax and abolished slavery in the city. Most recently, Starborn sealed the deal for the Precipice Quarter to become the site of the 4720 AR Radiant Festival and formed a committee to oversee its success.
Jack's week is spent quietly. He practises music, with Dani if she is willing, transposes a accompaniment for Faustus, and attends some medical lectures at his alma mater hospital.
Morgorth's night are spent in the House of Planes reveling in discrete debauchery. His new thrall makes herself useful by introducing a married couple to him and Morgorth can soon be found accompanied by his three 'outsiders', an 'angel', a 'succubus' and a tall and strapping 'axiomite'. Having three thralls allows him to feed regularly without endangering any of them and by the time Jack returns to the briefing he looks healthier than he has done in weeks.
Morgorth keeps an eye out for Cass and her pet whenever he is at the House. Exactly why would be hard to say - his feelings on the subject are complicated at best, but he does so regardless.
Upon leaving the precinct, Dora whips around in excitement. "Did you hear that? Do you think this re-assignment counts as a promotion? I'm sure it does!" She says at speed. She can't refrain from jumping up with excitement and hugging all three of the agents out in the street, squeezing tightly.
"The sargeant said it was a promotion." Jack points out, "It will certainly come with more responsibility. Maybe they'll even give us a regular salary now? It is well deserved though, especially for you Dora - to have joined the force with no experience and to have achieved as much as you have, it is a remarkable achievement. I'm sure your parents will be very proud."
Dora bristles at Jack's remark, and the joy on her face abruptly vanishes. "I'm sure that they will." She says shortly, but unconvincingly.
Quickly changing the subject, Dora passes on all the information she knows about the current Primarch. "Look, if they succeed at these supposed goals, then this city is going to erupt into chaos. Starborn has been a great success for Absalom, so we really need to put an end to this."
"We're moving on up in the world! Drinks are on me tonight!" Devon says, unnecessarily. Drinks are always on Devon.
"Let's go to Starwatch Keep and find out where our next adventure will take us!"
The interjurisdictional Starwatch enforces city-wide laws passed by the Grand Council, conducts internal investigations into other guard precincts, and assists against sieges that threaten Absalom. Their purview at once encapsulates all of Absalom as well as only small parts of it. When a crime threatens a single civil district, it’s left to that district’s own guards to resolve, but as soon as the danger spills onto the streets that divide one quarter from another, the Starwatch intervenes.
All members of the Starwatch are required to live in the isolated Starwatch Keep outside the city walls; to access the city proper, they must commute through the Postern Gate. Thus, Starwatch officers strive to maintain good relations with the Post Guard in order to avoid bureaucratic hang-ups or travel delays. The Starwatch recruits new members from each of the city’s different district guards, and on rare occasions adventurers or mercenaries deemed worthy are granted honorary status within the organization.
Beyond Starwatch Keep—an imposing cliff-top castle overlooking the Bay of Kortos from just beyond the city’s eastern wall—rays of morning sun cast amber light over the city of Absalom below. Even in this stone-lined waiting room, the sounds of gulls and shouting sailors drift up from the docks. An eager blond gnome in a gray suit approaches from the keep. “You’re the Edgewatch officers who took down the Skinner? I’m Officer Cadet Tova Frostrun. Can I shake your hands? What you’ve done for the city can never be repaid, and we all owe a debt of gratitude. You’re the talk of the keep.” After a few moments of enthusiastic shaking and pats on the back, he continues. “Captain Asilia is waiting for you. Follow me.”
Tova leads you past a few officers training with crossbows in the yard and up inside the keep’s main fortifications to a large office on the keep’s second floor. The spotless chamber is appointed with teak furniture that looks scarcely used. Several narrow windows look down onto the city below. A stern-looking human woman with a shock of white hair and an impressive tricorn sits behind a broad, imposing desk, but she stands as you enter.
"Welcome to Starwatch Keep. I am Captain Asilia of Gyr, leader of Starwatch and commander of the warship Hurricane Wings. Please, have a seat." She gestures to the room's comfortable chairs.
Asilia looks each of you up and down with her piercing gaze, then smiles in approval. “Agents, I will keep this brief. Your investigation takes priority over any formal affairs, so I thank you for taking the time to meet me here. You’ve shown that you can get results, and that is vital in this hectic time. I must admit, this matter with the so-called ‘Twilight Four’ you’ve unearthed frightens me. Religious fanatics hardly recognize jurisdictional lines, and if their plot does truly endanger the entirety of Absalom, it’s of the utmost importance that you be allowed to follow your investigation with minimal bureaucratic impediment. To that end, I have been granted permission to offer you honorary positions as special Starwatch agents. This will be on top of your promotions within the Edgewatch—I’m sure that dunderhead Lavarsus ‘forgot’ to inform you of your promotion to the rank of officer cadet, damn his pride.” She scowls.
“From now on,” she continues, “you will report to me first and foremost, and you will be given access to any Starwatch resources you need for your investigation. Your stipend will increase to accommodate higher-security living quarters in the city for you and yours, and your first order of business will be to hunt down the remaining members of the Twilight Four and bring them to justice.
“This is all contingent on your acceptance, of course. Granted, I’m not used to taking no for an answer and, honestly, I’ve already filled out the paperwork.” She retrieves four badges from her desk drawer, each with a silver emblem shaped like a flaming star, and places them before you. “What do you say?”
"Well since you've already filled out the paperwork Captain, it would be churlish to refuse." Jack replies with a completely straight face. It's hard to tell if he's joking or not...
He does take a badge however. "What are your medical facilities like Captain? I would be happy to offer my assistance in that regard if it would be of use to you."
With Dora, Dani tries to take the opportunity to get to know her a little better, specifically about her past. Her family seems to be a big part of that, so she spends a fair bit of time asking about the various family members and listening intently as Dora shares information with her. She also shares her loving of shopping and happily skips about buying more that she ought to, being quite liberal with her coin.
With Devon, they drink. And celebrate. And get to know each other. As a fellow Caydenite, Dani has absolutely no qualms about drinking herself into a drunken stupor every night. In fact, on one such occasion when Devone explains how Cayden has strengthened him, Dani bets Devon that she could easily commit herself to Cayden in ways she hasn't before.
And so she does.
Dani officially becomes a priestess of The Lucky Drunk, promoting the values of freedom. And ale. Lots and lots of ale! They celebrate together by continuing their Absalom-wide tavern and pub crawl each evening.
So consumed with happiness is she during her week, that only a single night does she feel the calling to slip away into the House of Planes as Pet. The laughter and joy of her new husband, her companionship with Dora and her musical indulgences with Jack, all drive away the pain of her past. On that one night however, Dani makes an excuse to slip away down into the House of Planes to take on the role of Pet.
"It would be my honor to accept this position, Captain Asilia of Gyr! My fellow agents and I won't let you down, ma'am. We're dedicated to rooting out these other three members and bringing down this dastardly organization! Thank you for the opportunity." Dani says excitedly.
"Officer Cadet Frostrun can show you the facilities later," Captain Asilia says to Jack.
“Now, then, your first priority is the Twilight Four case, and I expect that nothing will distract you from performing your duties. You will report regularly to me, and I will make myself available to answer any questions you might have as you progress. Use me as a resource to help you help Absalom.
“I expect my officers to do what needs to be done to catch criminals, as long as doing so doesn’t endanger the public. As Starwatch agents, you’ll no longer need to acquire permission from other watch factions to pursue your investigation in their districts. Your badges represent your increased authority, and presenting them in the right situations might open all sorts of doors for you.
"You are not above the law, nor are you superior to other officers, per se. Starwatch tries to stay out of the day-to-day business of the district watches and focus on the bigger picture. That said, district officers tend to help out when they can... as long as we ask politely. Keeping that in mind, however, I’ll encourage you to pursue your investigation on your own and not rely overly on the aid of district watches, since I can’t promise the efficacy—or even good will—of these factions."
The captain glances down and shuffles some papers on her desk. "I read in your report that the Twilight Four are somehow in cahoots with a small street gang based out of the Docks district called the Washboard Dogs. As soon as you are ready to continue you investigation, I urge you to travel to the Docks and use your investigative skills to find the Washboard Dogs and question them. If you need help figuring out their first steps, I suggest you go to the Harbor Guard’s headquarters, Crestwatch, and speak with their resident gang expert, Lilea Helweather."
Devon winces at the mention of Lilea's name.
"We are absolutely not the take the type to get distracted Captain. We did have a lead on the Washboard Dogs, that was our planned first step before we came here." Dora says, trying not to let the Captain think they have no idea what they are doing. "We will absolutely speak with Agent Helweather and work with her on best possible approaches, rather than just assuming a direct raid."
"Thank you again Captain, we much appreciate this opportunity." Dora says, waiting to be dismissed.
After they are dismissed, Dora whispers to Dani, "What's up with Devon in there? Is this going to be difficult with Helweather? He didn't seem happy at her name - perhaps you are best to talk to him about that?"
Insisting that they head towards a private workroom, Dora tries to set up a plan.
"So what approach shall we take with Lilea? What do we need to know? We don't want to talk about our current assignment with others, just in case they have friends in all the wrong places. We should have a 'cover case'."
"A wise precaution." Jack says, nodding in agreement. "Close to the truth is likely best, we are following up on leads from our raid on the Skinner. We have some tenuous connections to other organised crime in the city and we are following leads to try and take down as many gangs as possible based on this one raid? I believe the legal term is a 'class action'?" He shrugs, it's been a long time since he took a law case.
"Either way we should avoid mentioning the Twilight Four and try to give our raids an obvious causality so that a casual onlooker will assume our motives, rather than investigating them."
"I have no idea. I assume he has a history with Lilea from his previous time in the Harbor Guard. I'll have a word with him to make sure it will fine. I'm sure we can work through it." Dani assures Dora.
Before regrouping with the others, Dani pulls Devon aside. "Hey. This thing with Lilea? What's going on? Did you two have some history together before? Is this going to be a problem? Do I need to kick her ass?"
"I agree, well thought out Dora. We could also pace this away from the Skinner as that is still tied to the Twilight Four. Perhaps we could say we're looking for information on the Graveraker?"
Devon grimaces. ”Yeah, there’s some history there. We had a thing, but, uh, it didn’t end well. Let’s hope she lets bygones be bygones.”
"But Dani, is there not a possibility that this Graveraker is linked to this? Or am I seeing ghosts where there are none?"
Dani nods, unable to suppress her frown. It only lasts the blink of an eye before she flashes a grin. "It'll be fine. Everything is fine." she gives him a big hug and joins the others.
---
Dani thinks and nods to Dora, "True. It could still play a part. Maybe we need to take it even further away yet?"
Dora leans back in her chair and takes a moment to think about the legal cases she has read before.
"How about, we say something about movement of contraband between gangs that are working across the whole of Absalom. That way we can investigate without anyone questioning our authority." She suggests, looking satisfied at her idea. "Anyone an expert on contraband of any sorts? Don't say if you were actually involved in it please!" She says, trying to joke.