===
When the tiny fey missed its attack on her with its dagger, with fate's favour still on her side , Bel attacked the last pugwampi with her cold iron dagger.
With only one of the gremlins remaining to put up a fight, Polly opts to try and make her compatriots jobs easier by blinding the cruel creature with a ray of blinding magic.
Saria looks visibly worried as she watches her panicked half-elven companion running at the remaining pugwampi armed with a plate. "Eskander, please, I understand how you must be feeling, but try to stay back - I'm sure we will bring down the remaining pugwampi in no time at all. You might end up hurting yourself."
"Bel, I'm guessing by your change of weapons and accompanying results" Saria gestures at the fallen creature " that the dagger you're using is made of cold iron?" She drops her crossbow and draws her longspear. "I'm not really strong enough to use this as an effective weapon, but I'll use it to try an steer it towards your attacks"
The pugwampi takes a blast of Polly's magic to the face, leaving it wide open to both Bel and Mallory who hack the crazy creature to pieces.
The library door bursts open as Koriah leaps in with her akyls twirling and ready to fight. Heidmarch is two steps behind her, but looks nonplussed.
"Ugh. Pugwampi. Damn, that means I missed a trap on the box!" [/b]The half-elf says relaxing her fighting stance. She frowns, "This mess is on me, Cap'n."
"Don't come down so hard on yourself dear. I missed the trap too, as did they," Sheila motions to the group around the table. "This is not evidence you or we are failures, but that the Thassilonian's were very advanced. Tell me," She asks while turning to the recruits, "Did it contain anything more interesting than some gremlins?"
Zadira pulls the pouch and the dagger out of her pocket.
This is what was in the box.
She examines them herself before handing them over though, curious.
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Glad to have helped dispatch the last of the pugwampi, and upon the library door bursting open with their host and the master pathfinder rushing into the room, Bel took out a cleaning rag from the side pocket of her pack and began to clean off her weapons (after retrieving the rapier from where she had dropped it). Placing her weapons away, Bel looked at Zadira who had taken something from the puzzle box during the fight. With a raised ebony brow, Bel studied the Aasimar, unvoiced questions moving around her head. Least she handed it over to Captain Heidmarch. Don't go judging her, Bel. Zadira was the one working the puzzle box and taking the risks. She was the closest to it. Still...
Bel was curious about the items, and wished to look at it/them, yet waited for the Captain and Koriah Azmeren to inspect them first.
Bel, briefly glanced at Saria, Mallory and Polly, and uttered quietly lest she disturb their hosts, "We worked well together," genuinely appreciating their efforts to put an end to the harbingers of ill luck.
Then Bel turned her attention to the matter of the items found inside the puzzle box; waiting to hear what the Captain or Koriah had to say.
Polly quite literally jumped into the air as the last gremlin was defeated by her newest friends. "Yes! We did it! I was scared for a bit when the critters kept resisting our magic and attacks but we managed it all the same and now their all..."
Polly's jubilance was quickly cut off when she realizes that one of the gremlins had essentially become a bloody mess not two feet away from her. The young gnome had been in a fight or two in her time and had seen death but she still found it difficult to stomach all the same even in matters of self-defense.
Deliberately turning away from the corpse, Polly forces herself to focus on the paradox box along with the others, trying to see if she missed something about it that could offer some kind of clues.
Eskander's breathing slows, trying to calm down. He sheepishly places the silver service on the closest table and crosses to where he dropped his pencil and journal. Yes, that was quite unexpected, and I for one, left my spear by the door, perhaps I need a dagger or somesuch. he begins sketching the dead pugwumpi and the paradox box while absently talking to the others, We did handle that pretty well, I must say.
Looking to Koriah, Tell us again, where did this come from? I'm very curious as to its provenance. Interesting that a Thassilonian trap box had fey entangled in it, but I do suppose it was a good manifestation of security that they were in there. Do you suppose the dagger is magical? Of strange origin? Perhaps it is a ritual item... as if he realizes his mouth is running ahead of him he pauses, swallows and readdresses Captain Heidmarch.
You did say there was a task you were looking for help with? And we seem to be good at least opening things. What can you share?
Saria smiles back at Bel "Well, I didn't really do anything useful! But I agree, I think we work well together!"
She then looks at Eskander, still worried about her companion's mental state. Seeing him change so swiftly from his panicked state to that of a scholar deeply focused on his research startles her a bit.
Still a bit worried, but not knowing how best to approach her colleague, she decides to instead join Polly in examining the box.
"How exactly do these things work? How did those things stay trapped manage to survive while trapped in the box?"
She takes a look at the box as well, wondering if there might be anything else still inside.
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"It must have been trapped to summon them," Koriah answers Saria. "I am not prepared for the sort of spell that would show me magical auras, but the dagger is well-constructed. I would assume at a glance it's purpose," The Thassilonian expert tells Eskander, "Is less ritualistic and more simply for show, since the box was found in a cairn near the Fogscar Mountains. I would like to take some sketches myself," She says as she takes out a notebook and charcoal pencil. Captain Heidmarch agrees with Koriah, fetching her own supplies.
The senior Society members quickly take notes about the event and the box's contents. Bruos arrives a few minutes after the scuffle bearing a broom, dustpan, and a wand. He uses a combination of elbow grease and magic to clean the mess left behind by the pugwampi. By the time Koriah and Captain Heidmarch finish updating their notes, the Dwarf has restored the library to its preferred state.
Koriah packs her things and gives Captain Heidmarch a half-hug on her way out the door. "Ah, we might just be able to start our business," She says before motioning for everyone to take a seat. She places the box's contents on the table. A bronze ring engraved with a bird's wing, the masterwork silver dagger, and three garnets.
"You took the risk, you can reap the rewards. The way you handled yourselves tells me that your reputations are well-deserved, so I have no doubt you will be able to help with the task at hand."
She withdraws a small scroll from her sleeve and unfurls it. There is a sketch of a human woman with curly dark hair and Varisian features. "Her name is Natalya Vancaskerkin, and she was an informant for the Society. Her choice. She seemed to want something better than doing cat burglary for the Sczarni, and she was on the verge of discovering something she thought might be huge, something that sounded Thassilonian. We were to meet three days ago so she could relate more details, but she never showed for the meeting. At first I was not concerned, but as we dug deeper we became more concerned. Our network of contacts has no sign of her, but we were hearing reports that the Sczarni were looking for her as well. I'm afraid she recovered the item and absconded with it, which is why her criminal associates are also looking for her.
"I need her disappearance investigated. Discreetly. Try and find her, and find what the item was her crew might have found. Recover it for me and I will pay you each 500 gold. Double if you can recover Natalya and bring her to me alive."
Zadira smiles that they are going to let them have what was in the box, but is a little worried that there are only 5 things, and 6 of them. She didn't want to start off on the wrong foot with the group, but she also had a sneaking suspicion that the ring was magical... she had only a small magical talent herself, and no way to discern magical auras, but there are always tricks.
She waited a polite amount of time to see if anyone else was going to choose first, and when no one did, she walked forward and picked up the ring, looking at it with an appraiser's eye
Although what she really wanted to know she tested by placing it on a finger that it didn't fit. A magical ring would adjust. A non-magical one would not. She waited to see which it would be.
...
Tuning back into the conversation, she realized that they were being hired for a job...
Double, eh?
Alive will be the goal then. she says.
What information can you give us? What was this discovery about, or where was she looking? Who was on her crew? Does she have any family you know of? Where was she from?
"Before Zadira worked on swapping the runes on the stone box, I had opportunity to cast a spell and study it for magical auras. I found two distinct auras cast by a journeyman crafter. The glows were of abjuration and conjugation magic."
With the contents of the box's contents laid out on the table before them, Bel took the opportunity to see if she could uncover more, now having the time to do so (since earlier her attention had been diverted by the surprising pugwampi).
"Let me cast my spell again and see what I can discern on these two items..."
Bel studied each item (first the bronze ring engraved with a bird's wing and then the the masterwork silver dagger) with a fixed concentration.
Not discovering much from her cursory look over the paradox box, Polly tries her hand at least solving the mystery of the strange bronze ring they just found with the aid of her magic.
Saria nods at Zadira's reply, but with nothing to add to her questions, she joins Polly's and Bel's efforts in identifying the ring.
Eskander will studiously copy down anything anyone says about the two items after drawing sketches of them in his journal They are old indeed, wait why is it quiet here, what's happening.. slightly distracted from the conversation, then he slowly turns his focus to what's being actually said in the room, taking the parchment from Mallory's hand for just a moment and then returning it to her, So, I'm not sure exactly where my family is right now... Izabelia, do you have family in the city here? Given the time of year our caravan would be on its way to Janderhoff if I'm remembering right. But we could ask around for her certainly, and probably avoid any unwanted attention? But if she's crossed her family, that could make her difficult to find- if she's not crossed her own family, she may be hiding out with her blood-kin, if we can find them. That's good thinking there boy... and he shakes his head slightly at the last.
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Polly's magically altered Perception detects the faintest of transmutation auras, but something in the glow does not quite give her an understanding of the spell. When Saria remarks on how similar the magic is to a feather fall spell, she realizes that is exactly what the ring is for, protecting the wearer in the event they should fall a great distance.
"I'm afraid when she came to us she favored protecting her identity. Perhaps I should have been insistent on vetting her fully. The Sczarni crew she runs with, or ran with perhaps, are known as the Tower Girls," replies Captain Heidmarch in response to Zadira's query.
She stands up. "I can give you the name of someone who she employed as a sort of liason when making contact with the Society. He goes by the moniker, 'The Amazing Zograthy'. I'm afraid that's really all the informationI can give you at the moment. I'm late for an appointmentwith my husband. Please check in whenever you have anything substantial. Thank you."
The Amazibg Zograthy is known in Underworld circles as a middleman for a lot of business between the Sczarni and outsiders, for a price. He can typically be found on Washer's Row, Dockway.
"They're a cat-burglar ring. Second story specialists," The Captain says donning a cloak to protect against the intermittent rain outside. "And he is...an odd duck. Good luck, check in when you have something to report." She heads out the door in a hurry.
As Venture Captain Sheila Heidmarch leaves for an appointment with her husband, Zadira bows and says
Thank you for the information. Pleasure to serve.
After she has gone, she says to the group
Well, someone with a name like "The Amazing Zograthy" doesn't sound very discreet, but that sounds like our best option. Should we try that first, or do you all want to gather more information about him and the tower girls first so we know what we are getting into?
Eskander, having finished with his notes, puts his journal away, and stands, stretching. I don't suspect this Amazing Zograthy will be difficult to locate, Zadira's right. I think we should do some research by talking to people before we just go say hello?
"Getting a better idea of what we are getting into seems the better choice. And, well, we would still need to figure out where to meet this Amazing Zograthy, right? Or, err, is that common knowledge to you all?" Saria looks a bit embarrassed at the rest of the party, as she realizes how little she actually knows about the city.
"I, um, might need a few pointers about the city before we head out" She adds, with a nervous smile.
Okay, there are six of us... should we maybe divide into three teams and collect rumors, then meet up at the inn later, or do you guys think we need to stick together?
"Apologies, my mind was somewhere else for a moment. 'The Amazing Zograthy' is known in Underworld circles as a middleman for a lot of business between the Sczarni and outsiders, for a price. He can typically be found on Washer's Row, Dockway."
Dockway it is. Let's go.
Zadira heads off.
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The streets become more and more crowded the closer the team gets to Beacon's Point. Sailors and laborers throng the streets delivering all manner of cargo and picking up a variety of supplies.
The monument to the Battle of Charda stands near the docks. It is supposed to be a fantastic place to practice hand to hand drills.
Washer's Row is the home of the Sczarni smugglers called the Washwise Wringers.
The rain slows to a drizzle by the time the group can smell the soap and lye of the laundry businesses that make up the neighborhood. Colorful tents and Varisian wagons break up the grays of the rainy day.
At the southern end of Washers' Row, a tattered banner hanging over the entrance to the small side street advertises "Professor Calllivario's Stupendous Exhibition of the Outrageous and Sublime." Beyond this overly exuberant advertisement is a squalid setup consisting of little more than a series of
rundown sideshow booths and carts with assorted games and amusements of the meaner sort. To one side, urchins pitch pennies at lily pads floating in a small, scum-covered fountain while a bored carnie looks on. Nearby, the sound of cats hissing and fighting a rises from behind a cart where a small crowd of ne'er-do-wells has gathered to cheer and place bets. Everywhere lurk faces pinched with suspicion or hunger-expressions worn by carnival workers and visitors alike. This is not the sort of place to be careless with a coin pouch.
Asking the coughing, ancient barker about Zograthy, he points you to a well-patched tent painted in crude mystical symbols. The man standing at the tents eyes you as you approach and launches into his spiel: "The Amazing Zograthy sees all and knows all. A double fist of silver for a turn of the cards or a vision in the crystal; a treble fist of gold for the secrets of the multiverse!"
Pointing toward the docks, Bel remarked, "See there, the Monument to the Battle of Charda. If you want to practice your hand to hand drills, it's the place to go."
For her companions not familiar with the city, Bel added, "Washer's Row is home to the Sczarni smugglers who call themselves the Washwise Wringers."
Everywhere lurk faces pinched with suspicion or hunger-expressions worn by carnival workers and visitors alike. This is not the sort of place to be careless with a coin pouch.
Bel kept her eyes on the people, here. She didn't want her coin pouch to suddenly go missing. Hungry people could do stupid things. She had grown to understand this.
Asking the coughing, ancient barker about Zograthy, he points you to a well-patched tent painted in crude mystical symbols. The man standing at the tents eyes you as you approach and launches into his spiel: "The Amazing Zograthy sees all and knows all. A double fist of silver for a turn of the cards or a vision in the crystal; a treble fist of gold for the secrets of the multiverse!"
"I bet you saw us coming, then, am I right?" smiling at the man before the tent.
"I don't care if you're with the bloody Queen of Korvosa, my services ain't free. So with that in mind, m'dear, what do you wanna know?" The man tells Mallory before holding the tent flap up for Bel and her associates. "Come on, now, let's do business."
This man is very obviously suffering from a serious addiction to Pesh.
Zadira ducks into the tent, wondering what this was going to cost them, and hoping it would be worth it.
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"I don't care if you're with the bloody Queen of Korvosa, my services ain't free. So with that in mind, m'dear, what do you wanna know?" The man tells Mallory before holding the tent flap up for Bel and her associates. "Come on, now, let's do business."
Hearing the surly reply he levelled at Mallory, Bel nodded her head at the man's "invitation" to enter the tent. We'll see how much coin he tries to weasel out of us. As she walked past him, Bel noticed Zograthy's complexion and the tell-tale signs of addiction, having seen it before with those who live on the streets and the darkest holes. The man's addicted to Pesh. He has it bad. Bel didn't know if it would bode well for them - trying to get the information they needed. The man had an itch that needed to be scratched.
As she drew near Zadira, inside the tent, she whispered against the woman's ear, her face deliberately turned away from the man, "He's addicted to Pesh. Be mindful."
Zadira gives Izabelia a subtle nod in thanks.
The man sneers at Mallory but keeps his mouth in check. "Well, if we are all on the same page, let's cut the bull and get to it. You lot came here because you needed to know something, I need your coin for my next hit. So tell me what you need to know and pay the fee, we both end our days happier."
Eskander doesn't have much to add to the conversation, letting those who put themselves forward do the work here. Upon hearing of the man's addiction he gets a sad look in his eyes. Difficult, so many choose poorly, even among our brethren... he meekly adds, We're just looking for someone mate, that's all we need. And you can be about yourself.
"And who are you looking for? For fifty gold I can give you honest and fast answers," Zograthy says with a broken-tooth grin.
Saria follows along with the group, letting them lead the way around the city.
"We are looking for Natalya Vancaskerkin. We were told you sometimes acted as her intermediary and we were hoping you could help us find her"
Zadira fishes around in her pocket and comes up with a gold and a couple of silver pieces. She passes them to Saria, hoping this job was eventually going to put more money in their pockets rather than taking it out.
Bel cringed inwardly as Mallory's direct approach overshadowed her own attempt at subtlety. Not the first time. Least she got results through the force of her threat.
She hated parting with coin, especially when she didn't have much left in the pouch. They needed the information, which would hopefully be profitable down the road.
With Saria and Zadira tossing in their spare coins, Bel removed a gold piece and three silver pieces and handed them to Saria.
Zograthy scratches a small abrasion into the back of his neck and stares at the coin with distant eyes. As soon as it is in the addict's hand, he tells what he knows in the hopes of getting the transaction over with so he can go find his main man.
"Now personally, my money is on the Nidalese slavers snatching people from their beds at night, but thats because I don't trust the Watch none, who would, right? Rumor says they ship them out of some tavern, but who knows? They probably change locations-" He pauses realizing he's both off topic and rambling.
"If you hadn't heard, Natalya went mad. Seems she thinks she should be running the Tower Girls, maybe even head of the Family! So she has a lot of folks looking for her and she's trying to put together a crew out of desperate folks who need some wins in their lives. I'd drop some coin in Underbridge. Find the seediest joint serving liquor and make some friends. Someone will know where you can find Natalya. Probably draw you a map, heh."
Saria gives a small chuckle at Mallory's side comment, but quickly refocuses on the matter at hand.
"Thank you for the tip. Is there anything else you can tell us about Natalya?"
Going to the seediest bar on what sounds like the seediest part of town on this man's suggestion, just so we can pay someone else to maybe point us towards Natalya, doesn't really semm like the soundest plan. But we don't really have any other leads at the moment."
"What do you all think? Should we follow Zograthy's advice?" Saria whispers to her companions.
"Well..." the addict says, extending his hand to ask for just a little more coin for one last tidbit.