After two hours of walking and several stops to show your papers to Emerald Guards patrols, you arrive at the Ministry of Tithes.
The same scene as yesterday, well-dressed bureaucrats tending to the paperwork piled upon the dozens of desks, which are arranged in orderly fashion around a prominent stone likeness of Belimarius.
Within the shadow of the statue, the same neatly dressed woman sits a the reception desk. You spot the same well-manicured man, not far from the reception.
Seeing you, the receptionist stands up and says The 9o'clok. well on time. Please, follow me.
After escorting you through a maze of corridors she knows at a door, looking the same as any other you crossed except for a number.
Your 9o'clock, Sir she says before letting you in and going back to her desk.
A portly man with thinning hair looks up from behind several stacks of papers, some nearly toppling from the heavy wooden desk upon which they are perched.
I-I understand that y-you’ve made an appointment to s-see me. H-how may I b-be of assistance? he stammers as he hesitantly rises to his feet.
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Lucky leans against Themolin's wooden desk, barely reaching to hold some towers of paper to prevent them from falling over. He throws a look over his shoulder once the receptionist leaves, making sure the door is closed behind them.
"Yeah, we made an appointment. "Lucky" Lucky Waterfield, my very-very-pleasure to meet you-ssu. Before we dive deeper into the details, let me just make sure... this room is private and secure, yes-ssu? The deal we're gonna discuss, it's for your ears only-ssu."
Not really Sir. Nothing is private under the scrutiny of our Lady Bellimarius.
With as much subtlety as he could, Voron gets Lucky's attention on one particular document on Themolin's desk.
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"We'll have to make do, then." With a quick hop, Lucky seats himself on top of the desk, legs hanging lazily to his side. He flips the document pointed out to him by Voron and raises an eyebrow.
"So, is this how it went down; you're minding your merry business when you accidentally catch wind of a guard who cheated Lady Belimarius out of a pretty penny, and now the criminal wants you outta the picture. Do I have that right?", Lucky grins at the accountant with a wink. "Well, I happen to know a guy who can get you outta the picture, outta town, where no dangerous mistakes like these can happen. You understand where I'm going with this, yeah-ssu?"
As Lucky speak through innuendo, Themolin starts to understand why you're here. He starts being nervous but keeps a certain composure.
I... I-I understand. I-I propose to meet y-you today 1 hour before curfew at m-my private warehouse.
He takes back the paper Lucky pointed and adds F-For later.
He gives you the address of his private warehouse.
Marigold stayed at the Inn and enjoyed her time there. Yuleg is in a very good mood as his daughter seems to be in a far better condition than yesterday.
Yuna is also very chatty and ask many question to Marigold. Who she is, who was the elf who take care of her, and many many question about the "outside" world.
She also proudly mention, several times, that she knows about the sewer as well as the back of her hand and know where to found Flitch!
Yuleg answers Marigold question I know some, but it will take a long time to be able to sell that much. If you want the barrels, just throw away the fish. It will be a pain for me, but we will never be able to sell that much quietly quickly.
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When she hears Yuleg’s response, Marigold’s enthusiastic grin freezes on her face.
”Oh, so there was no reason for me to stay behind after all”, she says. ”Wondrous. Thanks for the heads-up”
She is happy to chat with Yuna, telling her about life beyond the city. When the girl mentions Flitch, her ears perk up.
”You don’t say!”, she replies. ”And where would that be? And how do you him?”
Yuna is quite happy to learn the wonder that Marigold have seen in the outside world, even small things!
He and I are friends she says with pink on her cheeks. I found the tunnel leading to Shard Cove during one of my many excursions into the city’s sewers. After Guaril and Flitch approached my father about leaving, I was the one who shared this information with Flitch. When Guaril failed to appear, I start going to the sewers nightly, looking for the ship that Flitch mentioned as coming, so yes, I know where he is and can lead you to him now!
Brillock is certain they will have time to explore the sewers before their new appointment with Themolin.
Even if not fully recovered from her illness, Vurna is quite eager to go back to the sewers and explore them with Marigold.
YES! Of course.
You sneak out of the inn while Vurna's father is busy elsewhere and she leads you to the sewers.
A well-oiled grate leads down into a twisting sewer system. Graffiti covers the walls at every intersection of the labyrinth.
Lucky tries to convince Themolin to give them the papers .
But fails to do so and the man seems even angry that he asked.
Having nothing to do more here, the Pathfinders gets out, having time before their next appointment with Themolin.
Thanks to Vuna's help Marigold doesn't lost herself into the sewers and follows the eager dwarf blindly.
After more or less two hours in it, Vurna leads Marigold to a small sewer maintenance chamber, where someone has set up a humble campsite.
Next to it stand a young man ready to fight but as soon as he sees Vurna he immediately relaxes.
Flitch’s wholesome face is accented by dark hair and a single curl, dangling over his forehead, which he routinely brushes aside.
He smiles at Vurna and says Hi Vurna, glad to see a friendly face again! Who is this lady? pointing his dagger at Marigold.
As soon as Vurna explains who Marigold is, Flitch asks [b]Have you any message for me?[b]
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Marigold raises an eyebrow. No wonder she spends time down here
She looks around to make sure nobody else is nearby. ”Guaril send his best”, she replies softly. ”We’re contacting his clients, like you, to get ready to leave. We sail in a few days”
She frowns at the dank campsite. ”Why aren’t you at your place?”, she adds.
As Marigold starts explaining, she remembers that when Garil gave them the list of people to get, a specific thing was written about Fitch.
On the defensive, Fitch says I don't know any Guaril
Ah! Uncle Guaril! Of course. he says with some relief after Marigold ask about his slippers.
When Uncle left, I was thinking more prudent to abandon my apartment and came here to hi... to wait for his news. he adds.
Then he moves to a small makeshift desk and proudly present some papers.
During my time here, I've done some forged travel papers.
He then gather his small belongings and says No need for me to stay more longer here. Where are you staying?
Brillock, Voron and Lucky gets to the sewer avoiding some Emerald Guard on their way down.
A well-oiled grate leads down into a twisting sewer system. Graffiti covers the walls at every intersection of the labyrinth.
You spot Flitch’s name hidden in the graffiti and markings on the wall, along with a coded message.
Society DC15
You decipher that Flitch is hiding out in the sewers.
You find a low-grade silver shield and 25 sp in loose coins.
My Dad will not mind at all! I know we have an empty room just next to mine! Great right. says Vurna.
As Vurna gets closer to Fitch, and between him and Marigold, the man asks You're not alone? If I left my place, and you already get into it, I don't think your comrades will get back there.
Better go to Vurna's place and put a coded message for them if they gets here.
As you wish Lady! You're the boss. says with a bright smile Fitch.
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As they walk along the labyrithian sewers Voron starts to notice patterns in the graffiti down here. At one point he stops, and approaches the sewer wall squinting at some of the writing. Finally he turns to Lucky and Brillock exclaiming Aha! I found Fitch's name encoded here. It seems that he is hiding out in the sewers.
Soon after, Voron notes a shiny glint amongst the sewer junk. Investigating it further, he looks genuinely surprised and confused as he finds... a silver shield and stash of coins?
How fortuitous... and odd. He remarks, holding up the items for the other two.
As Brillock, Lucky and Voron are in the sewers they hears some voices, they recognize Marigold's voice!
As Vurna is quite happy to get back, alone, to the inn with Fitch she explains to you how to get closer to Arcanium Abjurant through the sewers from where you are.
It takes time, but at least, you don't meet Emerald Guards on your way, just regular vermins!
Once the centerpiece of the city, this wizardry school suffered heavy damaged while Xin-Edasseril stood outside of time. Several ruined columns line the front entrance of the white marble building where vellum banners hide broken stonework.
A newly restored statue in the courtyard.
Beyond these measures, much of the school still lies in disrepair.
Not much people seems to attend the school here, and no Emerald Guards are on site.
Vacant classrooms cover the first floor of the Arcanium Abjurant. A stone staircase leads to a number of modest academic offices on the second floor, each lined with cramped bookshelves, archaic charts, and chalk-filled slates.
In the office, a women is studying some papers.
When you enter, she stands up and welcomes you Welcome to the Arcanium Abjurant I'm Dean Daffrid Chaverly, how can I be of help?
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Voron is eager to meet this client, assuming he'll have an instant rapport with her. He enters the office grinning ear to ear.
Yes, we might have an opportunity for you to see more. For example, the Arcanimirium in Absalom has ample opportunity for you to sow your research. Perhaps along the way we can talk about the work you've been doing here and how it would fit in there. I'm certain they could use more abjuration enthusiasts. Oh! I'm so sorry, we didn't introduce ourselves. I'm Voron Keyphyra and these are my associates in the Pathfinder Society.
He introduces the others present, one by one.
When you talk about getting out, Daffrid smile broadens!
I would love to get out of here! Are you friends of Guaril?
When you confirm it, she adds, When do we depart? I need to make my goodbyes. But first, let me get your payment!
She moves to another door of the room, when she opens it, you hear voices of children and one of a man who says Taffrit! Maffree! Stop! You need to let mummy work.
She turns to you and says, Sorry about that, be right back! she closes the door behind her.
The time she's gone you can take a look at her library or look around.