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In the far distance, a cry of outrage : "How come he gets to sleep in a nice bed?! "
The man graciously accepts the offered coins. "Perhaps there be saints in Kintargo yet."
You manage to make it the rest of the way home without incident by keeping to the shadows.
The next morning, you rise to the chirping of birds outside.
The tent goes up without too much trouble and the fire burns pleasantly. The evening passes uneventfully.
This is the Shrine of Saint Senex
The cart spontaneously returns at dawn, the bleary-eyed driver, grinning widely. "Tis a beautiful mornin. Trustin yall slept well? Ready to head back to town when you are. No rush."
Beorn puts on a pot of coffee over the fire in the morning so everyone gets a boost at least. We should have time for a little coffee before breaking camp.
Gathering herself slowly, Merelda starts stretching from the cold ground... and hating the stiffness in her wound...but not losing out the chance to flaunt her 'assets' in front of Beorn again.
"Ahhhh...oh yeah that's gooood. Beard-boy? Can you help me up good Sir? The cold ground has left me stiff and cold...
She then takes a closer look at the spire in the distance, narrowing her eyes as a memory kicks in.
"I believe that's the Shrine of Saint Senex over there, correct? I've heard it is not dedicated to a deity but instead to the centuries-dead Senex, an oracle who devoted her life to recovering the drowned dead of Nisroch Bay and the Yolubilis River. Nobility and humility comes in all forms I see. She was probably part elf too..."
"Ahhhh...oh yeah that's gooood. Beard-boy? Can you help me up good Sir? The cold ground has left me stiff and cold..."
"Oh, shut it," Litsy grumbles, massaging her temples. She has bags under her eyes, and the distinct air of someone who has not slept enough and will not feel human again until they've had their morning coffee. Even her repartee lacks creativity. "Those don't come in your form anyway," she adds with a bit more spirit. It doesn't look as effortless as it used to.
"What's Nis- f+*+ing bay and wossname river?"
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The chirping birds outside woke Variel with the realization that he could likely communicate with the group and inform them of how he fared. Pulling free his magical raven he activates it to send a message to Tiny. At home, safe. Will be at bakery later to meet up if need be. Stay safe.
Variel then works on his morning ablutions before heading out to the city and seeing what the news was after yesterday's activities.
Gather Info
Variel was oblivious to the talk int he town so after lunch made his way to Laria's bakery to catch up on what was going on.
Ahem. Yes, rather stiff this morning. Anyways! We can head back for a proper breakfast when we return to town.
Pollux replies to Points as the stranger fails to bring their hair under some kind of control.
"The dead can be quite useful. But too long in the water causes problems. Foot rot, they walk right through their own skin and fall over."
Pollux pulls a clean pigeon skull out of their hair.
"It's sad really."
Beorn helps break camp and then gets back into the carriage for the trip back to town.[/b]
Merelda joins Beorn in the carriage, sitting across from him with a winsome smile.
"The Yolubilis River is the one that runs through Kintargo." replies the man. With a shrug, he assist in tearing down the site and packing up.
Glancing towards Pollux, he shakes his head. "Rather morbid way of looking attit, but not wrong..."
Once all have climbed aboard the carriage, he makes the drive back to Kintargo. As the approaching city comes into view, a line of carriages waiting to enter can be seen. Without a word, the carriage veers to the east, following alongside the towering wall.
"Stay quiet." he grunts as you feel the wagon lurch back towards the walls again. After a few minutes, it slows...and stops.
"Sorry didn't wanna wait inline this morning. Gots a bunchta do." he calls out to an unseen guard, tossing a brown pouch.
The sound of coins jingling, and a grunt being the only reply, and a gate slides open in the wall.
Without further incident, he stops again and opens the carriage door. "Hope yall remember me iffen ya need descreit transport in the future. I will say, more notice is preferred but not required."
Kissing the man gently on the cheek after stepping down from the carriage, Merelda smiles genuinely.
”YOU my good Sir, are a wonder. Please keep up your good works and deeds! Quiet and safe rides, hidden trists, and excellent manners should be appreciated and encouraged!”
Litsy helps the cloaked Sister to get out of the carriage. "Come on. Val should be inside."
Beorn heads in and gets changed into his regular clothes before coming back out? So, what will our next mission be? We could set all the dogs that have been rounded up free and run around the city.
Merelda waves Beorn off.
"We need to start thinking bigger. Make some noise rather than just doing annoying pranks. We just can't cross the line...gain too much attention. That's the sweet spot."
"Who cares about the dogs," Litsy chides in. "How about we free other prisoners from salt mines?"
That might work, although they will no doubt have more guards.
”Salt mine?”
Merelda appears to get distracted, as she contemplates possibilities.
"Prisons where they exploit workers," Litsy explains generously. "Freed one before you came in. I ain't putting on the dress for the next one," she glares at Beorn.
I wouldn't dream of suggesting it. Beorn says innocently.
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At about this time Variel enters the bakery (he was gathering some info in the morning whilst you all were gallivanting around in a carriage), Morning everyone! I tell you I had one of the best night sleeps I have had in a long time. Woke up refreshed and decided to walk around this morning a bit. Did you know that there is a traveling show arriving tomorrow that is supposed to have a pet hydra and a pet manticore? That is what Ernest was saying 4 blocks from here.
Variel keeps the small talk up as he looks around the bakery looking to see if there is anyone else there. It wouldn't do to have more snoops around coming to ask questions. Finding the place empty, assuming so based on prior conversation, Variel asks quietly, Is the Sister recovered and safe below?
Beorn nods. We are just discussing how we will spend our day.
Litsy grits her teeth through Variel's flexing. "Go and pet a manticore then."
"Is the Sister recovered and safe below?"
"Yes, whaddaya think? We wouldn't leave her behind. Anyway, where were you?!"
Smiling mischievously, Merelda nods and makes a weird fingering motion as if scratching an invisible cat in mid-air.
”I would love to pet a manticore! I always felt they and my goddess would get along famously!”
"Why am I not surprised," Litsy mutters. She goes check on the Sister to make sure her small team of Tengus is no longer on the verge of riot.
Well we can go check the salt shop today or tomorrow. Although I would no doubt be recognized right away.
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Litsy grits her teeth through Variel's flexing. "Go and pet a manticore then."
I would but thought that you would find it interesting and want to go with. Why the hostility this morning…I mean more so than usual?
"Yes, whaddaya think? We wouldn't leave her behind. Anyway, where were you?!"
I didn’t know if she needed healing or if you were able to safely inside without people noticing. I was just being thorough. As for myself…after the incident yesterday I was too far away from you all so went down an alleyway to flee the scene. I came across a few thugs attacking a street vendor and helped him. I then spent the night at home and you know the rest.
Perplexed Variel asks Beorn, Why go back to the salt mines? I thought we did everything we needed to there? Did I miss something or did we uncover additional information that warrants us going back?
Merelda I would be happy to have you join Litsy and I to visit the road show tomorrow! I think it would make for a fun day and a way for us to de stress.
Litsy wants to go and see if they are still operating.
The halfling proprietor wanders up to your group, handing out a round of coffees. "I was worried when you didn't return last night, but hopeful all was well."
Glancing over her shoulder, she lowers her voice. "If you're looking for something that needs looking into, the Red Jills have been running amuck I hear. Rumor has it, they seem to only attack citizens that aren't openly aligned with Thrune."
Shaking her head, she adds "In the last couple weeks, it seems they've really stepped up their activities."
"I'm not sure where they call home...but if you happened to locate them and put a stop to their thieving ways..." trailing off, she smiles. "But I trust you likely already have something in the works. The city needs you."
"I tried to talk to Rexus earlier about it, but he's got himself buried in research again. I'll leave you to it. If you need anything, you know where to find me."
Tossing a wink towards Beorn, she scurries back to the kitchen.
Twisting her mouth awkwardly, Merelda thinks for a second, then asks her thought out loud.
“I am assuming the ‘Red Jills’ is a gang or organization of some sort. Correct? Handling this does fit within the perimeter of our needs for helping the city at large. We win the hearts of the people, then even Thrune cannot stand up to all of them.”
"Merelda I would be happy to have you join Litsy and I to visit the road show tomorrow! I think it would make for a fun day and a way for us to de stress."
Variel earns himself a frankly scandalized look from Litsy. "Do you think I'm some f$%@ing kid you can buy a candy apple for? Is that a day out with Gramps and Gran?"
"I didn't get 'nough sleep, that's why, Mister Eiderdown," she downs her cup of black coffee in one gulp, and hands it back to Laria. "Refill, please?"
"If you want to go against the Red Jills, you'll better make sure you're ready to win their hearts by impaling them on a pointy end. They're a gang," her face scrunches up. "Not even that big. Bunch of tight-arses though."
Pollux is quiet on the ride back into the city. Perhaps they find carriage rides agreeable?
Once back "home" in the coffee shop the stranger declines the steaming cup and heads down stairs to check in with Rexus and see if any more walls have fallen down. Castor riding calmly under Pollux's unruly hair.
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You know the Red Jills are a loosely organized band of thieves led by a mysterious figure. The all wear red cloaks to show their affiliation and tend to exclusively target regular citizens. Though you are unaware of the hideouts location.
They are known to specialize in mugging, theft, and generalized bullying.
Offering Tiny a pitying look, Laria nods. "Of course dear. I'll bring you a pot."
Scurrying back to the kitchen, the halfling returns a short while later with a metal pitcher and a tray of pastries. "I imagine you're hungry too." She sets both pitcher and tray on the table in front of tiny.
Hmmm..would we be trying to get The Jills to redirect their efforts towards Thrune or eliminate them entirely?
Litsy's so grateful for the coffee and pastries, she forgets to snap at Laria's compassion. She eagerly eats her way through breakfast. "They don't go for Thrune," she informs Beorn between two mouthfuls of ridiculously sugary scones. "They're muggers, the lot of them. Hides themselves with cloaks and hoods 'coz they think it makes them cool."
She licks her fingers clean. "Not that our activities are a whole lot more recommendable; maybe they just need a change of leadership. We'd have to figure out where they're staying and who's controlling them, though. I think it could be arranged."
Smiling evilly at Litsy and Beorn, Merelda nods as she picks at some food.
"My father always said the best enemy is one you can turn into an ally...or dragon fodder. Yes, let's look into this gang soon. I'm a-quiver with anticipation already! Oh lovely! This tasty pastry is going straight to my hips I'm sure..."
"You can just eat one without f!+!ing it," Litsy mumbles mournfully into her freshly refilled cup of coffee.
Still smiling, she stands and turns to walk away with an obvious maneuvering of hip movements in Beorn’s direction.
“Well…where’s the fun in that?”
Smiling evilly at Litsy and Beorn, Merelda nods as she picks at some food.
"My father always said the best enemy is one you can turn into an ally...or dragon fodder. Yes, let's look into this gang soon. I'm a-quiver with anticipation already! Oh lovely! This tasty pastry is going straight to my hips I'm sure..."
Hmmm..justice if we take them captive and deliver them to the dottari? Shows we will support Kintargo instead of Thrune.
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Variel tries to recall the thugs last night if they were wearing red cloaks or not…
Int
This sounds a lot like the problem I ran into last night. Not sure if it was a coincidence or not but we need to stop these thugs and keep getting the city to support us. We can only do so much without the Will of the people. And Litsy we would be much different than these Jills as we are helping people not mugging them. I seem to recall a group in Westcrown that was the same way. Bastards of Erebus they were called until a group finally ended their threat. The city supported that group and why wouldn’t Kintargo then support us?
How do we go about locating them? Roaming neighborhoods looking for red cloaks? Invisible reconnaissance from the skies? Litsy, you seem to know people, any contacts you can make?
Her voice is a bit distant but understandable as she explores the secret space, Merelda call out from the other area nearby.
"Like any 'infestation', you find out where it nests and eliminate it. Thrune would no doubt do the same to us, if he knew where we are meeting. These 'Jills' are no different! We find where they meet/live and we strike them there at their heart: Decisively...One way or another. Then we make sure the city knows WE did it."
So it looks like we will be scouting them out at least. Unfortunately, I am not very stealthy.
Laria continues to flit around the store, doing her morning routine. Stopping suddenly, as the door swings open. An older couple shuffles in, the din of the street beyond can be heard for a moment before the door slides shut behind them.
The personable halfling hurries them to a table on the opposing side of the room and begins to see to their need.
"Good thing I'm here, eh, big boy?" Litsy replies sarcastically to Beorn. She takes a big breath. "It's been a long time since I've popped up in my own gang anyway. I'll have to see if I can pull a few strings."
I will certainly see if I can get some information on where the Red Jills might lair. Beorn will head out when the group decides to split up(and look for clues)
Taking up the cause a bit more seriously now, Merelda steps back into the light.
"I will peruse the various shops and taverns that I can, and see if I can get any information that way. I can be quite persuasive with the right crowds too...and I don't always need a pole to do it!"
"My father always said the best enemy is one you can turn into an ally...."
"Funny, my father said the exact opposite. The best ally is one you can turn into an enemy. Or the best ally is an enemy? Or the enemy of our ally? Something like that. He was missing most of his skin at the time but you need surprisingly little of that to speak."
Castor and Pollux return to contemplative silence.
None too at ease to return to her gang after what transpired at the Salt Mines, Litsy can only count on her b*+@##+*ting to re-establish her authority and get them to work.
Thankfully, she is frighteningly good at b@$@*%*$ting - having done so for most of her life.
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Not having any of the necessary skills for this endeavor Variel offers to go shopping for the group. I am short some gold here but was wondering if we should pool some resources together and get a wand of healing. If we need to take out these red cloaks you never know when some extra healing will be needed.
Variel will gather the pearls they got from the stables to get them appraised and sell them for the group to see how much they are worth before looking for a wand of healing.