"If the tengu wish for me to perform any funerary rites for Nan, Chough, or their sisters, I'd be more than willing to provide that service. Or if they prefer a priest of a different religion, I can assist in locating one. ...Also, what are the tengu's names? I can't keep just calling them the tengu, now can I?"
Chance keeps up the translation, though he still feels unwell. After repeating everyone else’s comments and questions, he adds, “Where were you trying to get away to? You weren’t planning to stay in Kintargo, were you? It may not be the best time to relocate here.”
"I... guess I could help with that too." he says with regards to Vitalis's offer, not quite sure what to say. These poor people. They were just trying to get through and now they're likely going to end up caught in the crossfire.
"If the tengu wish for me to perform any funerary rites for Nan, Chough, or their sisters, I'd be more than willing to provide that service. Or if they prefer a priest of a different religion, I can assist in locating one.
The tengu shakes her head. ”That’s very kind of you, but isn’t necessary. Her memory is what’s important, not what happens to the lifeless body.”
...Also, what are the tengu's names? I can't keep just calling them the tengu, now can I?"
The kukri-wielding tengu who speaks Varisian points to herself. ”Korva Fushi.” She points to the tengu who was previously bawling her eyes out. ”Treep Fushi.” Then to the last two. ”Jay Fushi. Maggie Fushi.”
Chance keeps up the translation, though he still feels unwell. After repeating everyone else’s comments and questions, he adds, “Where were you trying to get away to? You weren’t planning to stay in Kintargo, were you? It may not be the best time to relocate here.”
Korva looks at Chance in confusion. ”What? Why?”
Laria steps in. ”Uh…Nan actually arrived with his ‘textiles’ a little before the whole Night of Ashes and Lord-Mayor Inquisitor debacle; I think it took so long to smuggle the Fushis to safety because everything bad started happening right after they arrived.” Laria then addresses the tengu in Varisian and explains the recent circumstances in Kintargo. Korva looks surprised as she relays that information to her sisters in Tengu. The tengu then deliberate for a bit before Korva turns back to the group. ”If things are like that here, then we’d be best off going elsewhere. With the alligator gone we’re good to get out of town through the sewer entrance near that statue.”
Laria looks the PCs in the eye and says ”A group of sneaky, displaced people who work so well together that they managed to get the jump on you? I’d say they’d be useful for, oh I don’t know, assisting in a rebellion against tyranny? They even look like ravens, don’t you think?”
Night falls, and the PCs find themselves in the coffeehouse’s upstairs—where Rexus has been working on the documents from the livery—when Laria comes up with a tray of fresh pastries. ”Help yourselves.” She says with a smile.
Once the PCs get comfortable, Laria sits down herself. ”Now, I do have some…Rexus.”
“What?” The noble responds without looking up from the documents in his lap.
”First off, you need to eat.” Laria shoves a danish into the Victorcora’s hand. ”And second, you need to pay attention; this is important.”
Rexus looks up, takes a bite out of the danish, and motions for Laria to continue.
Laria clears her throat. ”Now, I do have some understanding and experience in running a…less than legal organization with some success from leading the local chapter of the Bellflower Network. So, I’ve set up a bit of a…dummy’s guide, shall we say, in how to run the Silver Ravens.
“First, you need to rally and recruit. Tracking down supporters and allies of your cause will allow the rebellion to grow. Taking actions to help the downtrodden and to seek outspoken dissidents for support are two possibilities. Asking around town for possible leads to establishing your reputation will go a long way—but Kintargo’s a big city; don’t expect to find leads in one day
”Second, you have to secure a stronghold. The Wasp’s Nest, first off, is used by me to help with the Bellflower Network; I’ll eventually need to use it again. Similarly, the nest just won’t be big enough to hold the entire organization eventually. You guys have to find a bigger, stronger, and more defensible hideout. Similarly, it would be a good idea to secure the support of other factions within the city, both the legal—like the Order of the Torrent—and the less-than-legal—like the underground Milanite faith, the Rose of Kintargo.
“Once you’ve established yourself in Kintargo, you need to look toward the more powerful and those outside the city in other parts of Ravounel. Getting cozy with the aristocrats of both Kintargo and beyond will assist in establishing a control network. Additionally, once the rebellion moves to take back the city, we need to make sure that the Chelish Heartland won’t—or can’t—lend its assistance to the Inquisitor.
“Now for the big part: taking back the city. Once the rebellion has enough clout, we need to move directly against Thrune. High-profile missions, be they assassinations of key government members, operations to rescue important political prisoners, or open opposition against church or state—such as an attempt to retake the Kintargo Opera House from Barzillai Thrune—will essentially force Thrune to deal with the rebellion, and once the Silver Ravens take this step, there is no turning back. Be sure of your abilities before you take this step, because doing so at the wrong time will lead to a bloodbath.
“Now, there’s planning for the safety and security of Kintargo into the future. But…that’s not really important right now. Don’t get me wrong, this is certainly something we need to think about, but with Kintargo as it is currently, thinking about how to care for this city will just be pointless optimism. Focus on Thrune; we’ll deal with the aftermath once we get there.
“Now, how do we want to do this?”
"Wait, we can help each other," Jisara says in response. "People like you and me, we live on the outside of human society. They ignore and underestimate us. You've already shown that you're clever and well-coordinated, and I think you'd be an enormous help to our organization. In return, we can keep you safe, both from the authorities here and anyone who might be pursuing you. Please, consider staying with us and helping our mission."
"Wait, we can help each other," Jisara says in response. "People like you and me, we live on the outside of human society. They ignore and underestimate us. You've already shown that you're clever and well-coordinated, and I think you'd be an enormous help to our organization. In return, we can keep you safe, both from the authorities here and anyone who might be pursuing you. Please, consider staying with us and helping our mission."
There are two crates of fine embroidered Varisian clothing in the room where the tengu were.
Vitalis appraises the clothing and comments, "Too bad I am proscribed from donning these garments. They are beautiful. In better times I would have gladly purchased an outfit from Nan."
The kukri-wielding tengu who speaks Varisian points to herself. "Korva Fushi." She points to the tengu who was previously bawling her eyes out. "Treep Fushi." Then to the last two. "Jay Fushi. Maggie Fushi."
"Nice to meet you, Korva, Treep, Jay, and Maggie. I'm Vitalis." says Vitalis, knowing they don't understand him well but still wanting to be polite.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur. The PCs spent most of the time recovering from the situation that occurred in the Wasp’s Nest.
As the chores wind down, Vitalis finds a quiet moment to quickly scrawl a letter to Lictor Octavio Sabinus.
Dear Honorable Lictor Octavio Sabinus.
All is well and I am eager to take up my duties as an armiger. However, I must inform you the recent events in Aria Park have delayed my return to Citadel Vaull. I will be attending to some personal business that I cannot go into details with at this time. I remain within the city but am unsure where the next days will take me. Please know that wherever I go, I will uphold the tenets of the Order and represent you well. You can communicate with me by returning this raven to the Long Roads Coffeehouse and the proprietor Laria will know how to find me.
P.S.
I am proud to declare that I defeated my first devil. Although it was a lowly lemure, it is a step towards preparing myself for the Hellknight test once I have sufficiently proved myself.
Yours Truly,
Vitalis Tanessen
He activates his silver raven wondrous figurine, gives the note to the bird, and sends it on its way to the Citadel.
Afterwards, Vitalis spends most of his remaining time aiding and chatting with Rexus, finding the company of another noble refreshing. Once Laria comes up, he gratefully eats the pastry and listens closely to what she has to say.
"High-profile missions, be they assassinations of key government members, operations to rescue important political prisoners, or open opposition against church or state—such as an attempt to retake the Kintargo Opera House from Barzillai Thrune—will essentially force Thrune to deal with the rebellion, and once the Silver Ravens take this step, there is no turning back."
Vitalis frowns, "Assassinations. I don't like the sound of that...
But we aren't ready for these big steps yet anyway. For now, I'm more comfortable assisting with the small steps of securing the organization. Just tell me where I am needed most."
Chance suddenly looks a little green.
“Urk! Ohhhhhh... excuse me for a minute, I gotta go see a dog about a man! I mean I gotta dog a man about the sea! I mean, I think I’m gonna... !”
The gnome hustles off to next room, where the party fought the alligator. Laria, Jisara, Rigel, Vitalis, and the Fushis hear the sound of his retching echoing faintly through the caverns.
Rigel translates Jisara's words and adds, "We could certainly use all the help we can get, from the looks of things."
Rigel translates Jisara's words and adds, "We could certainly use all the help we can get, from the looks of things."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+4+1
[dice=Diplomacy, Hero Point]1d20+4+1
Korva listens to Rigel and holds up a single talon. She converses with her sisters in Tengu for a couple of minutes then turns back to the acrobat. ”If you keep the issue with Chough and Nan quiet, we’d be glad to help!”
*
Afterwards, Vitalis spends most of his remaining time aiding and chatting with Rexus, finding the company of another noble refreshing. Once Laria comes up, he gratefully eats the pastry and listens closely to what she has to say.
Rexus largely ignores the paladin—not for any malicious or upsetting reason, but because he is so engrossed in decoding and translating the documents that were recovered from the livery.
*
Just tell me where I am needed most.[/quote
”Well, that one’s kinda up to you. I have a bit of an idea where to look—the buildings that burned down on the Night of Ashes, for example—but you need to figure out yourselves where the town needs you.”Rexus swallows his mouthful of danish. ”Decoding these documents are going to take some time, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask around and help folks where the dottari can’t or won’t; that’ll help spread the good word of the Silver Ravens.”
the buildings that burned down on the Night of Ashes, for example
the buildings that burned down on the Night of Ashes, for example
"I have a bit of an idea where to look—the buildings that burned down on the Night of Ashes, for example."
"If I recall correctly, the buildings that burned down were the Victocora Estate, the Silver Star (a music store), and the Thrashing Badger (a tavern). Why don't we check out these places next? Maybe we'll gather some additional information along the way."
"That makes sense to me," Jisara says, scribbling into a small notebook. "We're closest to the Victocora Estate, should we start there?"
"That makes sense to me," Jisara says, scribbling into a small notebook. "We're closest to the Victocora Estate, should we start there?"
"Woah woah woah!" Laria interrupts. "You are not going anywhere tonight! You had to fight devils, a hungry alligator, and an angry, buff crow. You are to rest and we'll get ambitious in the morning."
Jisara looks surprised for a moment, then laughs. "I didn't mean tonight, no. I just assumed we were spending the night here."
*
*
*
At about the early part of the afternoon, a number of individuals show up to the coffeehouse, asking about helping Vitalis in any way that they can as thanks for the paladin’s efforts to silence the anarchists at Aria Park two days ago.
Critical Success You greatly assist Rexus’s efforts, reducing the time required to fully decode the documents by 2 weeks (netting three weeks’ worth of decoding for that one week).
Success As a critical success, except you reduce the time required to fully decode the documents by 1 week.
Critical Failure You significantly set back the decoding process. Increase the amount of time required to fully decode the documents by 1 week (meaning Rexus effectively gets no progress done on the documents).
Chance slowly munches on a pastry, taking small bites until he is certain his digestion has returned to normal, but shoves another into his pocket for later.
"Much as I'd like to stay back and help Rexus," he says reluctantly, "I don't know any of the languages that are used in this code he's trying to decipher. If someone else would be more useful to him, I'd be happy to help investigate the remains of buildings destroyed on the Night of Ashes. Maybe we should dispose of our ill- no, our fair-gotten gains before we start, and buy additional equipment?"
The gnome finishes eating his pastry and, clearly feeling better, hooks another and takes a less restrained bite. "Also, maybe we should get the Fushi sisters to help us run down whatever rumors are going around about the truth behind what happened on the Night of Ashes, or what happened at the protest."
Soon after the first PC wakes up, Rexus meets up with them—noticeable bags under his eyes—and hands them some pieces of parchment.
”These were among the documents. They’re scrolls. I figured you could use them better than I.”
The scrolls are of the following 2nd-level spells: misdirection, pass without trace (heightened to 2nd level), and undetectable alignment.
"Maybe we should dispose of our ill- no, our fair-gotten gains before we start, and buy additional equipment?"
"That's fine with me. But it won't require all four of us to accomplish that task. Perhaps, I'll gather some information while someone sells and see what the current mood is like among the populace. The day after we can explore the fires."
As Thatch tries to steal Jisara's food from her plate, she pushes his head back under the table before replying to Chance. "I only speak some of the languages used in the cipher, but I still have an eye for, well, deciphering. Selling off the items we've recovered can only help us. We're dangerously low on liquid assets, and the sooner we rid of ourselves of incriminating evidence, the better. If everyone else is otherwise occupied, I could also check in with some of my underground contacts about some alternative sources of funding." At this last one, she shrugs, bites off a piece of bacon, and places a small chunk of meat in Thatch's questing paws.
”I hear that bodyguard of the Inquisitor’s, that woman Nox, is half devil. She’s too ugly to be just human, that’s for sure!”
As Chance and Vitalis search the ruins of the Victocora estate, they find nothing worth salvaging, not even corpses—though officially, all those who died as a result of the fires were given proper (though Asmodean) funeral rites before being cremated, so finding no corpses isn’t a surprise.
Though, at least there were ruins for him to search in the estate’s case; the Thrashing Badger was a tavern that resided on Yolubilis Harbor, so when the building was burned down it burned straight through the boardwalk itself! The ruins of the Thrashing Badger resides at the bottom of the Yolubilis River, far from accessible to the paladin and bard.
The site of the Silver Star is now a sinkhole filled with scorched rubble—the building collapsed into the sewers below when it burned. Through thorough searching, however, Chance and Vitalis manage to find an iron coffer that miraculously survived the fire! Inside are several items that they bring back to the other PCs to identify: a wand of 1st-level heal, a scroll of 2nd-level restore senses, a scroll of 3rd-level remove disease, and four minor healing potions.
“Looks like Thrune’s bringing public excruciations to Kintargo, and the Citizens' Group seems to be managing them. I can’t imagine that’ll increase his popularity around these parts, even if the criminals he punishes deserve it. This ‘doghousing’ thing sounds particularly frightening!”
"Well that turned out to be less exciting than I hoped. There's got to be more to this."
Day 2-7: Gather rumors with a +4 bonus, maybe? Helping Rexus would take an entire week, and I would want to do at least one Gather Rumors, so I guess I can do it later.
“I hear the dottari guard towers are so full of prisoners now they’re keeping those they arrest in warehouses. My cousin even said they’re putting prisoners to work in places like Sallix Salt Works.”
“Clenchjaw’s tavern has gone bad. I used to love drinking there; it was always a nice place to relax. Since the Night of Ashes, though, the place is crowded and talk about politics has exploded—as has the number of brawls. We got enough fighting on the streets these days. Whatever’s causing these brawls at Clenchjaw’s has ruined one of the last places we have to escape the violence. Just a matter of time before the new government shuts the place down, I guess.”
“The Thrashing Badger burned down a few nights ago. They’re saying it was another bar fight gone too far, but they’re just a bunch of drunk old professors and barristers… Seems like a lot of places are burning down lately, between this, the Silver Star, and the Victocora estate.”
* * *
“The Thrashing Badger burned down a few nights ago. They’re saying it was another bar fight gone too far, but they’re just a bunch of drunk old professors and barristers… Seems like a lot of places are burning down lately, between this, the Silver Star, and the Victocora estate.”
"Hmmm. Not what I was inquiring about... I may need to try again."
"Sounds like, Clenchjaws might be the next place to 'burn down'. It may be worth hitting up before that happens."
* * *
*
At one point during the week, while the PCs are winding down for the day, they are approached by Rexus.
”So, I got some decoding done and the results are actually pretty interesting. So some Kintargans venerate a pantheon of deities known as the Hands of Silver, who stand for opposing tyranny and defending the common folk. Apparently, the original Silver Ravens were the ones who started worshiping this particular pantheon of gods and brought their worship down to the common Kintargans. The Silver Ravens actually seem to be the progenitor of Kintargo’s primarily anti-Thrune mindset, and that affect on the people outlasted even their disappearance, as evident by the fact that the Hands of Silver are still worshiped today. I know it’s not much, but it’s something, and I thought I’d let you know.”
*
Eventually, while spending some time in the Wasp’s Nest, Jisara actually notices something strange with the statue of Calistria: there seems to be a hidden compartment on the statue. With some help from the more athletically-inclined PCs (to swim out to the statue), they find a hidden drawer that might have once contained scrolls that have since been ruined by water damage. What remains inside the drawer is a gold holy symbol of Calistria worth 10 gp and a +1 whip.
*
*
"Sounds like, Clenchjaws might be the next place to 'burn down'. It may be worth hitting up before that happens."
The PCs follow up on a lead that they received, so they make their way to Clenchjaw’s.
Just a short walk from the Yolubilis Harbor side of Bleakbridge is the tavern known as Clenchjaw’s: a rather quaint place that has a rather convenient location. Standing behind the bar is a very well-built Garundi man with a chiseled physique.
The tavern is amidst chaos—a couple dozen patrons in various degrees of inebriation. The crowd is so loud that you have to raise your voice (but not necessarily yell) for the other PCs to even hear you. The bartender is far from “working frantically,” but is definitely being kept busy by the patrons’ orders.
Jisara nods. "I agree. The reports of forced labor at the Salt Works are of interest as well."
Later, as the contents of the statue's compartment are brought out to her, the tiefling claps her hands together in glee once she realizes the magical nature of the whip. "Worship of her might be banned, but I'll be damned if Calistria doesn't know how to provide revenge to the worthy. One of you could use the whip as is, certainly, but I can also transfer its magic to one of your favored weapons. Just need a day to work with them."
"Since we want to find out what's going on here, shall we observe for a bit?"
Vitalis approaches the bar. Once he gets the bartender's attention, he tosses 4 cp on the counter and shouts. "Four ales please. We'd like a table. Do we seat ourselves?"
The bartender shouts back. ”Seat yourselves; I’ll get someone over to ya in a sec!”
*
After a few minutes, the bartender approaches the PCs’ table with their order. ”Four Boulderhead bocks; there ya go. Anything else I can do for ya? We don’t usually get…” She eyes Vitalis for a bit. ”Uh…folks from the Greens ‘round these parts.”
Chance grits his teeth as they walk into Clenchjaw's, trying to look tough - or at least disturbing enough for people to leave him alone. Rexus wasn't the first Chelaxian he had encountered who confused gnomes with halflings, and even with Chance's odd coloration he had been forced into some unpleasant conversations with self-proclaimed bounty hunters looking for escaped halfling slaves.
Then he remembers he isn't walking into the place alone, and relaxes just a bit. "So what are we looking for?" he asks once they make their way to a table. "Someone who seems a bit too interested in the candles and oil lamps?"
Jisara drums her fingers on the table while they wait, then pulls her mug over to herself. "The place is called Clenchjaw's because it's got a very strict rule of 'no politics,' and it's always had a reputation for being a relatively quiet place for folks to get a drink. Suddenly, the place is having nightly brawls over politics."
She takes a sip, makes a face, then sets the mug back down. "So I think we're looking for whoever is stirring up trouble here. Could be more 'concerned citizens.'"
"Four Boulderhead bocks; there ya go. Anything else I can do for ya? We don’t usually get…” She eyes Vitalis for a bit. ”Uh…folks from the Greens ‘round these parts."
Vitalis places a gold coin in the bartender's palm. "Yes, good sir. We're hungry. Bring us whatever meals that'll get us. And worry not, my friend. I'm not here to cause any trouble. Actually, if I'm not being too forward, we're hoping to help keep your place open. Between the fires and the Lord-Mayor's proclamations, there aren't many good places to get a quality meal or drink in the Silver City anymore. Word on the street is that this place has gotten rowdier than usual and it won't be long before the government takes notice. Any idea why?"
"So what are we looking for?"
"I'm not exactly sure. We're going mostly off of hearsay. I guess just keep your eyes and ears open."
Rigel walks into the tavern, trying to be as nonchalant as possible, although it's evident he doesn't have as much practice as he would like. "Still, it's the lead we've got. I've brought a *ahem* change of clothes just in case."
He takes a seat and waits for the bartender's response to Vitalis.
"Four Boulderhead bocks; there ya go. Anything else I can do for ya? We don’t usually get…” She eyes Vitalis for a bit. ”Uh…folks from the Greens ‘round these parts."Vitalis places a gold coin in the bartender's palm. "Yes, good sir. We're hungry. Bring us whatever meals that'll get us. And worry not, my friend. I'm not here to cause any trouble. Actually, if I'm not being too forward, we're hoping to help keep your place open. Between the fires and the Lord-Mayor's proclamations, there aren't many good places to get a quality meal or drink in the Silver City anymore. Word on the street is that this place has gotten rowdier than usual and it won't be long before the government takes notice. Any idea why?"
The bartender is mildly surprised at Vitalis’s forwardness with his cash—even if it’s relatively little.
”Well, uh, I’m Rinston, by the way, but most folks call me Clenchjaw. And business tends to start boomin’ when your competition takes a dive into the wharf.” Clenchjaw realizes what he just said and quickly adds ”The Thrashin’ Badger, I mean. Not talking about a gent plungin’ in the Yolubilis or anythin’. I don’t really mind—more business is more money—but I just—“
“’Ey Clenchjaw! More over ‘ere!”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m comin’! Anyway, it seems like things get too crazy when it nears closin’ time. Usually I’m good about keepin’ an eye on the store, but it always seems to start when I’m not lookin’ or when I’m takin’ a break or whatever. I’ve gone through three chairs and a table already…”
“Rinston, could you take care of the customers at the bar?”
“Yeah, I’m on it. Sorry folks, gotta run.”
Clenchjaw turns heel and returns to the bar.
"Well, it sounds like things get more exciting near closing. Seems we have some time on our hands. Might as well get comfortable."
Vitalis leans back in his chair and takes a big swig of ale. He keeps his other hand over his belt pouch in case any cutpurse thinks to get too handsy with the noble.
Chance spins a particular silver coin on the table in front of him. It comes up tails a dozen times in row before he puts it back in his pocket with a grin.
"Watching and waiting I can do." He pulls a small book and a stub of colored chalk from his pack, flips the book open to a blank page, and starts sketching the people sitting at the bar. "Soooo, any theories about what's causing people to start fighting every night near closing time? Other than the service? I'm wondering if someone might be magically encouraging the customers here to let loose. Do you think I could get away with casting a minor spell, given all the noise?"
"Do you think I could get away with casting a minor spell, given all the noise?"
"I bet you could get away with it, but if you need a diversion, I don't mind drawing attention to myself."
"The din is such that normal conversation requires us to all but shout," Jisara replies to Chance. "I think you could get away with it, as long as it's nothing flashy."
"And no, no theories yet. Trying to keep an open mind."
Vitalis will just wait until the bar closes or something happens. If he gets the opportunity, he'll make small talk with some of the other patrons.
Vitalis easily gets information out of the various drunken patrons of Clenchjaw’s. Apparently near closing time there are some odd occurrences—people seeing old rivals in the crowded room, hearing whispered insults in their ear, and so on. It seems that the patrons are too inebriated to properly question just how strange these occurrences are.
V in Blue square
The PCs loiter around at Clenchjaw’s for some time with the only interesting thing happening is Clenchjaw himself throwing someone out for getting too political or making overt advances on one of his barmaids. At around 5:00, however, one of the patrons stands up suddenly, shouts ”Assh*le!!!” and decks the person right next to him! The victim does not take kindly to this and chucks a mug at his attacker, misses, and hits another patron, who in turn mistakenly punches the person immediately behind them. This violence escalates in a matter of seconds until the entire room has erupted into chaos! All while Clenchjaw sits in the corner, leaning back in a chair, and sleeping!
One patron (Red), drenched in alcohol while glass sticks to his hair, grabs Chance by the hair! ”Did ya think I wouldn’t fight back, ya f*cking slip?!” Meanwhile, another patron (Blue) jumps to his feet and turns to Jisara. ”The f*ck did you just say to me, c*nt?!”
Round 1
==============
Chance
Jisara
Rigel
Vitalis
Red
Blue
???
Clenchjaw {unconscious}
Event
==============
"Keep your hands off of him!"
Vitalis steps beside Chance and swings a few punches at the man threatening him.