Having been silent for a while now, Nyxra steps next to Jessibel. "I can go with you. If nothing else, you might need some muscle to back you up if this search attracts the wrong sort of attention."
The Raven shrugs uncomfortably. He doesn't want Jessibel in danger, but he can't tell her to leave, either. "Just make sure to keep your mask on. Then the Magpie can always disappear when convenient." At least part of her motivations seem to be in line with what Alexius would claim if it ever came up. "Just let me know if this starts to feel like too much for you."
"Splitting up sounds good. There must be some undesirables about the city that keep eyes on the comings and goings of the upper class. Someone must know where Nox is. It is not as if we permanently harmed her. I am sure Thrune is unhappy with what happened under the museum, but why would Nox go into hiding? Probably just licking her wounds in the opera house. Could start by asking the transients around there."
Three of the Ravens begin their more active search for the Fushi sisters, each one taking the lead where they feel most comfortable.
In Jarvis End, near the Kintargo Opera House, Nyxra begins questioning the locals. Though initially they seem intimidated by the elf woman, they quickly get over it and share that there haven't been many tengu in the neighborhood. That being said, one mentions an elderly woman called Faris, who supposedly saw some. Finding Faris takes a few hours longer, but ultimately she reveals that she saw a trio of tengu talking with an Asmodean near Aria Park - just outside the Opera House.
Jessi arrives at Carlissa's with her fellows. After introductions, the four begin inquiring with Carlissa's informants, as the lady herself hasn't heard of any of the Fushi sisters. Focusing their efforts on Redroof, they eventually come up with a fairly solid lead - four tengu were seen spending time outside of the Fantasmagorium on Toilday. By the time they get that information, however, the skies have already turned dark. Though curfew isn't in effect yet, people are already rushing to get home and finish their business.
Aisling and the newest member of the Ravens, by contrast, go out to inquire after Nox, though this they do more carefully, alongside Crispin and Aspexia Doria.
Aisling, Lemma, and the two Dorias take some time to inquire surreptitiously after Nox's whereabouts. Though they find fortune in an especially chatty Asmodean acolyte, it swiftly becomes clear that she knows very little about the matter.
"Oh, the High Inquisitor and his pet don't visit the Cathedral very often. He has very important business to do, after all - this chaotic mess doesn't run itself! No, he's spent most of his time governing the city. I haven't seen him or his pet for, oh, two weeks? That was when he was last in services." She peers inquiringly at Aisling, before grinning. "I was going to ask when you'd last come, but well, I see you're a servant of Iomedae - one of the good ones. We don't have any so-called Reclamation going on here, after all."
Jessibel seems frustrated by the limited info the group has gained. She points out that the number of tengu spotted by Carli's contacts matches the actual number of Fushi sisters, and that three speaking with an Asmodean might mean that one was arrested and the others are seeking her release.
"We can stay at my place in Villegre tonight," she sighs as she tries to puzzle things out. "Maybe send a raven back to the Wasp Nest that we ran out of time."
Feeling frustrated at their lack of progress, Nyxra accepts Jessibel's offer with a sullen grumble.
"...the longer this goes on, the more I'm convinced they're in deep trouble. Still, we're going to have to pay a trip to this Fantasmagorium."
Aisling rolls her eyes at the mention of teh Reclaramation. "Not all of us want to burn it all down to build from the ashes. But I heard Nox was at the Fantasmagoricum, is she not there any more?"
"Well that was a waste of time. I should have kept my beak shut and stayed out of the way of you two." The Raven says, plopping down into a chair. It had been clear that his attempts to gather information about the Fushi sisters was not working - Nyxra and Jessibel would have been better off without him. He would rather spend the night searching for the missing team, but the other Ravens were not as experienced as he in the art of jumping from rooftop to rooftop in the dark. "Maybe one of you should take the lead tomorrow."
Once darkness has fallen, Jessibel casts a prestidigitation spell and colors her magical raven figurine black like a real bird. She writes a simple letter for Laria and the others back at the Wasp Nest: "Party ran late. Staying at pretty girl's pad for the night."
Figuring that's vague but with enough details for her friends to puzzle out, Jessi looses the figurine into the night sky.
The teen's smile falters just a bit when a thought strikes her out of the blue: What if the others think 'pretty girl' refers to Vantine? Probably not a big deal, since her friend's apartment is only a block or two away. Then another thought jumps unbidden into her head.
Hey--where is Vantine? I haven't noticed her around the Wasp Nest the last couple of days....
Nyxra finds a quiet spot in Jessibel's apartment and settles in for the night.
"...dammit..." She growls in annoyance.
Vantine doesn't come back to the Wasp's Nest for four days, and when she does it's to return her raven figurine. When she explains the reason for her absence and the token's return, she seems a bit sad she will no longer be seeing (most) of the other members of the little resistance group, but shows almost no regret about leaving the resistance. Instead she is excited for her new project.
"My mother needs me to help with her business too badly for me to refuse her. Besides she knows what I've been doing with you, and she's not happy at all about it. I think she's probably right really. Everyone's just going to end up getting killed if you keep this up."
At this, Vantine stops for a moment, as if she's realized she's committed some sort of faux pas.
"That's not a prediction or anything, and I hope it doesn't happen of course. It's just my feeling about it all after how things have gone recently."
"Anyway, I will be moving to Magnimar where I will be mother's buyer for art, antiques, and collectibles! And the arts and theater haven't been shut down of course. I expect to leave the day after tomorrow."
Jessibel is shocked at Vantine's goodbye. She tries to talk her friend out of leaving, but she understands completely: If her own family knew exactly what she'd been doing over the past few weeks, she'd almost certainly be ordered back to the family villa and maybe even chained to a desk to do boring paperwork for the rest of her days.
Though Vantine'd been sort of a rival at times, she'd also been a friend to Jessi. Whereas Carlissa instilled a sense of measure and responsibility in her (while still having an occasionally wicked sense of humor), Vantine was more fun and spontaneous.
Fighting back tears, the young bard seizes Vantine in an embrace and wishes her well in Magnimar. After admitting that she's heard the Varisian city is a wondrous place and that Vantine should enjoy her new life there, Jessi sniffles, "Family comes first. I wish you only the best!"
Laria pats Vantine's hand. "It's alright, Vantine. I thought she might, erm, object to your escapades. I don't think we have no hope, but if you two want to get out of the city, I won't stop you."
Rexus bows graciously. "I hope we meet again, Miss Roubanis, but if we do not, know that I am most pleased to have met you in the first place."
Aisling gives a slighlty crooked smile at Vantine's words. "If I wanted a safe life I woulnd't be a priestess of Iomedae in Cheliax." She gives the changeling a hug. "Goodbue. Be well."
Lemma is around, but stays clear, when Vantine comes to say her farewells. She's listening in though, and afterwards just has to ask.
"So that puff pastry was one of your group, and actually did useful things?"
She rolls her eyes in disapproval.
"I'd say you're lucky she ducked out when she did, not that you should've expected anything else. That kind of soft and fluffy falls apart when things get tough."
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"Vantine did well by us." Laria says firmly, shooting Lemma a brief glare. "Even if she doesn't feel able to continue, she's a good friend. So kindly hold yourself back until you have proven yourself able to deal with things when they get tough."
Jessibel is stunned into silence when Lemma badmouths the departing Vantine. Maybe I was wrong to bring her back here without consulting the others.
She's grateful when Laria sticks up for their departing friend.
Never insult a puff pastry in front of a baker known for making them...especially this one!
Another troubling thought also lends to the young bard's silence: I'm the group's puff pastry now....
Nyxra pointedly steps up to Lemma with a glare in her eyes. "Vantine helped us faithfully and well. I'm not going to blame her for looking out for her family--and neither would anyone else in her position."
"She deserves better than that."
Lemma puts up her hands and withdraws the comment. She hardly seems intimidated though.
"My apologies, I spoke out of turn. Just an observation based on my own experiences."
Laria waves her apology away, sighing. "It isn't your fault... just irritating, is all."
The next week flies by as the merchants continue earning gold for the Ravens, which are building up quite a nest egg at this point. The rest of the Ravens continue spreading goodwill amongst the citizenry, and they seem to be doing quite well, with Laria's help.
Meanwhile, Vendelfek takes it upon himself to spread lies about where the Ravens are, who they are, what they're doing, and whether they exist. Even the most suspicious members of the CCG seem disinclined to think that the Ravens are a threat at this point, and to their supporters, they are little more than an ideal.
However, on the last day of Calistril, Laria arrives in the Wasp's Nest with news - and a piece of paper. "Look. Our glorious new mayor has issued another proclamation." She hands the paper to the first Raven to take an interest in it.
Rexus' brow furrows. "Admittedly, the Hellknights have never been popular here in Kintargo... but to unilaterally disband an order, without consulting with the others? I doubt many will be pleased, especially since he's awarding his cronies with more power and authority."
Crispin Doria, who is also in the Wasp's Nest, reporting on the extra profits he's donating, takes a look, before paling. "The Order of the Torrent doesn't even disrupt the order of things here! They just rescue kidnapped people!"
Nyxra blinks in confusion. "Wait--Thrune's turning his pettiness on Hellknights now?"
Jessibel glances at the paper, frowning over its contents as she tries to recall what she's heard about this particular Hellknight order. Eventually, however, boredom sets in and she challenges Lemma to a bit of sparring since her regular opponents are still missing. Her form's not terrible, but it's too choreographed to do much damage unless she gets lucky and hits a foe's artery.
Lemma uses an unusual blade, which means she has an unusual style of using it. Its hilt is most similar to Aisling's sword, but with a much more slender blade, even more slender than Jessi's past its midpoint. It is quite long, silvered, and ends in a particularly fine, needle-like point.
Lemma uses it it two-handed, and keeps the point forward at all times, even going so far as to parry by shifting the base of the blade and hilt to block, so the point is never directed away from its target.
Lemma demonstrates excellent precision with her point control, but she is hardly a finesse fighter, tending to search out small openings in her opponent's guard, and punching furiously at them. By the end of the session, the two of them have proven to be about evenly matched. Of course Lemma sticks a cork from a bottle onto the point of her sword, so to avoid murdering Jessi.
The Order isn't exactly popular in Kintargo, but neither are they especially reviled - most of the freedom-loving citizens find all Hellknights distasteful, but even they acknowledge that the Order of the Torrent is made up of well-intentioned and genuinely good-hearted people.
The Order of the Rack does not have that regard.
"So it seems," Rexus says with a nod, "though I'm not sure why he would bother. The Order of the Torrent is essentially a nonentity in local politics - they're too focused on their mission, and haven't ever been especially numerous."
Laria grunts. "To allow him and his crony Order to get more power. Just because they never bothered doesn't mean that the Order of the Torrent couldn't have had an impact on the city. The Order of the Rack will have no such compunctions."
Still perspiring a bit from her sparring with Lemma, Jessibel approaches Nyxra, Laria, and Rexus. "I've heard good things about the Order of the Torrent...well, good for Hellknights, anyways. They specialize in rescuing abducted citizens of the empire. Well intentioned...again, at least as far as Hellknights go."
After complimenting Lemma for her swordsmanship and asking for a closer look at the tiefling's hella-cool weapon, Jessi has another revelation.
"Hey--do you suppose Thrune outlawed the Order of the Torrent because he fears they might be looking into the disappearances on the Night of Ashes? Do you think we might--eventually--be able to recruit them to our cause?"
Lemma smirks at the speculation.
"The reason is clear. Barzillai Thrune brought his own people with him. Whether any local person or group is trustworthy or not doesn't matter. He only wants his very own holding any influence or power because he can be assured they will follow his orders whatever they are. Locals might not bend laws to carry out his will, or might enforce laws impartially. He can't have that sort of thing because he'd gain no advantage."
The Raven is unsure how to feel about Vantine's departure. On one hand, he shouldn't care that much. Allies would come and go, he shouldn't be so unhappy that she is leaving. At least she is leaving of her own volition and not in a box, right? She is a distraction, anyways...
The Raven watches the sparring with some amusement. Jessibel is observant. And skilled with a blade. Maybe I am worrying about her too much. "Plate-clad clerics are a nigh unstoppable force." The Raven says, nodding towards Aisling. The Raven feared few things. Dropping into a darkened alley only to come face to face with a Hellknight is one of those things. "And Hellknights usually set up in stone buildings, if not in outright fortresses. If the Order of the Torrent were to prove unloyal or uncontrollable, trying to remove them from the city could cost Thrune dozens of soldiers for every Hellknight they take down. Cost him dearly and make him look incompetent. Maybe Thrune thinks this is the best time to move against them, thinks they are vulnerable right now for some reason. I am usure if it is wise for us to have dealings with the Hellknights. Their kind are... above our paygrade." The Raven crosses his arms over his chest, a rare gesture of insecurity from the braggart.
"...that's not a bad idea." Nyxra nods.
"That being said, we'll have to feel them out first--make sure they'll be willing to even work with us in the first place."
"Certainly, we wouldn't want to directly oppose the Hellknights of the Rack at this point in time." Rexus nods. "But..." He looks uncomfortable for a moment.
Laria looks at him. "You have an idea."
"Well, no, not really. I was just thinking that Thrune made the Order of the Torrent his enemy with this proclamation. Now they're guaranteed to oppose him, if they manage to hold on. Like Nyxra says, I think we should try to figure out whether the Order of the Torrent might be willing to work with us. Although," he admits, "I have not the faintest idea where they might be, given the current situation."
"Well, where's the order's stronghold?" Jessi asks. "All Hellknight orders have a stronghold, right? So chances are any survivors of Thrune's purge are either hiding out near that...or as far away from it as they can get."
"Citadel Vaull, but I doubt they're there any more. I think they've been in hiding since Thrune took over, honestly." Laria scratches her chin. "We may have to start asking around, but right now it's probably a bit risky. I'd bet the dottari and the CCG are keeping their ears to the ground when it comes to people asking after the Order."
Before anyone else can speak, there's sounds of newcomers arriving through the cistern. "We're back!" A familiar voice caws - Maggie Fushi. "It was quite an adventure and-" The Fushi sisters enter the room, before stopping.
Korva gestures at her sister, silencing her. "What's wrong?" She asks. The others swiftly fill the sisters in, and the tengu look grave.
"Huh. And why do we want to ally with them?" Maggie flicks her head irritably. "Hellknights are a~+$*~%s."
"Because we need the allies, you dope." Jay swats her back. "Even if they're stuck up sticks in the mud, I don't think we'd recruit anyone who'd try to arrest us."
"We could look for them the old fashioned way. Do Hellknights have friends or relatives or is that sort of thing only for lesser people than them?"
The Raven lets out a long sigh and shakes his head. "Well, the best place to start looking for someone is the last place they were seen, even if they're not there now." Hellknights would be powerful allies. If they can be trusted.
"As for you ladies, where have you been these past weeks?" He turns on the Fushi sisters.
"Hm..." Laria scratches her chin. "I admit, I've never thought to look into that sort of thing, Lemma. They probably do - and unlike the larger orders, I think most of the Order of the Torrent comes from around here."
Maggie looks away at the Raven's question, uncharacteristically hesitant. Korva speaks up for all of them. "We got into a dispute with some thugs - not the CCG!" She hastens to add. "They were probably remnants of the Red Jills. They thought we were members of the River Talons, squabbling broke out..." She trails off with a sigh.
"Long story short, we got embroiled in what could've been the start of a gang war, if the dottari hadn't intervened. As we had caught their attention, we stayed sort of on the run for the past couple weeks." Jay finishes.
"I didn't want to risk dragging the guard back here after asking around about the Fantasmagorium, especially when I thought you might go visit." Korva says.
"That was wise." Rexus says gravely, his expression shadowed.
Korva nods. "I thought so too."
Jessibel's just happy to see the Fushi Sisters alive and well. She offers to spar a bit with with Jay and Treep if/when they're up for it.
"So... If I were running the operation against the Order of the Torrent, I'd make sure eyes were kept on Citadel Vaull and any other places members congregate, maybe pick up stragglers. Since the Order is used to operating in the open, it might not have systems for clandestine communication in place for these kinds of situations."
"Anyone not swept up right away would probably go into hiding, but they would also cut off from other members of the Order. I'd expect them to wait until they think it's safe to creep back, then try to reconnect with fellow members trying to do the same. So, I'd keep a presence there on the lowdown to wait them out and nab them as well."
"Elementary stuff, so what we should expect if we go to any known locations like the citadel."
"On the other hand, trying to find anyone through family and friends means we need at least one name of a Hellknight to get started. Do we have that?"
"So...Citadel Vaull. That would be in the Castle District, most likely?" The bard guesses the Hellknight headquarters is in the city district she knows the least about.
Asilign's first thought on Thrune vs the Hellknights is to let them fight it out, but she does realise that letting the mayor get even *more* power is a really bad idea. She's releived to see the Fushi sisters. "Sounds like you had the right idea to lead them away. It's good to see you again though."
"Hm... Just the lictor, Octavio Sabinus." Laria replies to Lemma. "But asking about him seems like the riskiest one to ask after. Nevertheless, I don't think we have any other choices."
"Yes, Lady Jessibel." Rexus nods. "Citadel Vaull is just outside the Castle proper... but I'm not sure going there would be wise."
The flesh around Korva's eyes wrinkle at Aisling. "Thanks, Lady. We're survivors, so we'll stick around as long as you don't kick us out." Jay nods and the silent Threep winks in agreement.
"Sabinus?" Jessibel echoes, certain she's heard that name before.
She's based out of the Tooth and Nail, in Old Kintargo.
"Yeah...yeah...," Jessibel murmurs as she forces her brain to dig deep. "YES! I met a Setrona Sabinus last year when I started to get serious about maybe training as a singer and actress. She's even shorter than me--I think--but has a big, brash personality that more than compensates. I think Giveni at the Three-Legged Devil may have mentioned her once or twice as well. She's even more critical of the government than he is, if I'm remembering her correctly. Anyhow, she owns an old tavern in Old Kintargo called...um...the Tooth and Nail."
The bard frowns before concluding, "Setrona didn't really encourage me to pursue the arts. I don't think she saw my innate talents...or maybe she just didn't like me much."
After a couple moments of silence, the bard blurts out, "The Tooth and Nail is a loooooong walk from here--pretty much the full length of the city."
Aisling frowns a bit. "It sounds like we have a good idea about what *not* to do next, but no clear picture about our next actual move."
Laria wriggles her hand. "If it's the Tooth and Nail, I don't think that there'll be many Thrune loyalists there. It's... probably safe enough to ask after her family or the like. Like Jessibel said, she's probably a natural ally - even if you think it's too risky to talk to her about her cousin in the open, she'd be a good sort to work with us in some capacity."
Rexus shrugs slightly. "If we want to investigate the Hellknights, which I think is a good idea, then she is the most reliable lead we have. If we'd rather wait, there're other matters we could turn our attention to - the running of the rebellion primarily. There's always more to do." He chuckles dryly, though there's not much humor in the sound.
"If anyone we question raises a fuss, dear Eagle, we can always stab them and run away. That has worked well enough for us so far." The Raven would rather do this kind of questioning by himself - or perhaps with Jessibel - precisely because he is so good at running away. But he was not the most trustworthy face. If rabblerousers gather at the Tooth and Nail, some of them may have heard of the good the Ravens are doing, and Lady Eagle is quite the diplomatic presence.
Despite her unwillingness to leave the Wasp's Nest while they've been idle. Lemma is starting to chafe.
"Let's just go, planning to get there earlier, maybe before lunch time in case the place brings in a crowd for that sort of thing. If we're unwelcome we'll just leave. Not everything has to be a big deal."
With that decided, the heroes make their way out into the streets of Kintargo. Now the snows have long since melted, leaving just a chilly and somewhat blustery day. The skies are clear, and the sun warms the streets a little, but it is still a largely unpleasant experience to cross the city - especially Bleakbridge - but they manage to stick to the main thoroughfares, where there's more warmth.
Before they arrive in Old Kintargo, however, they pass by Veritas Plaza , where a large scaffold has been built in the center of the area - a wooden platform nearly 30 feet wide. At the center of this structure stands a small dog-house like structure, festooned with nails. There are already a few dottari armed with halberds and wearing full chainmail watching over the structure, as well as a few morbidly curious souls.
When a poor soul is excruciated via doghousing, he is placed within the nail-studded doghouse—within, the confines prevent one from standing up or lying down, forcing the victim to squat or hunch over to avoid slumping against the spiked walls. Twice a day, at sunset and sunrise, the victim is allowed out of the doghouse to scavenge for scraps of food and water left by the dottari (or, Barzillai Thrune hopes, vindictive citizens), but the victim must contend with two or more feral dogs that have been chained within reach of the food. If the victim isn’t quick, the dogs eat the food and drink the water, but if the victim goes for it, he’ll likely be bitten at least a few times before he’s force to retreat to the doghouse for shelter.