Ask me about men who call their axe "ferocious overcompensation", which would normally be just hilarious, but is kind of subpar when that men is your twin brother. Ragnar smirks as he waits for Caroliss to depart for the watch.
Ambriel looks at Krystal in utter horror. She seems appalled and grossed out.
"You mean Zograthy? Certainly not! I know him by reputation only!"
"Thanks for the tips, Captain Heidmarch. We'll take care of this problem for you." Confident of the plan to move forward, Caroliss will lead the way to the city watch.
The group moves southeast from the Lodge grounds to the Arvensoar where the City Watch keeps its headquarters. The rain has tapered off to a fine misty drizzle and the sun threatens to emerge from the clouds before the day ends.
Standing four hundred feet tall, the Arvensoar is easy to navigate to. In addition to being the headquarters for the city watch, the building bristles with defensive artillery and uniformed soldiers.
The Watch lobby is packed with people demanding someone in law enforcement address their problems and concerns. Some people have real problems, others are crackpots. The line moves quickly, despite the throng and soon a bored looking sergeant asks. "Yeah, what can I do for you citizen?" She doesn't even bother to look up from her log book.
While waiting for their turn in line, the Shaonti halfling shaman (face painted and totems present) smiles warmly at all those he passes.
As they get to be next, he quickly pats down his hat, fidgets with his auroch coat and smells his breath.
Quite satisfied with 2 of 3 of those, the Shaonti steps forward at the greeting from the uniformed official.
Anansi the Spider and company--here on behalf the Pathfinder Society--would like to report and/or receive information on a missing Scarni female human named...
The halfling grins.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Krystal quickly shook her head. " Oh no no no. I meant Alara. The way you looked at her made it look like a connection."
---
When they arrived, Krystal took a deep breath and decided to take over negotiations. She brought out her winning smile as she waved a bit.
"Heeeeeey. So we've been looking for someone you might be familiar with. A Natalya Vancaskerkin? We're hoping you've got some info we can use to find her before she gets into any more trouble."
Information concerning her would be very useful in our little asset retrieval mission. Our various employers. He gives a short look at Lady Caroliss, would prefer to not strain the resources of the guard.
We understand that Mrs. Vancaskerskin once belonged, or still belongs to a non legal organization called Tower Girls. Any information on their location would be hugely appreciated. Are there by chance any outstanding bounties on Tower Girl personell? Ragnar adds as he touches his sap.
Ambriel lowers her voice. "Oh! Alara the elf. No, today is the first time I've ever seen her."
Ambriel seems slightly uncomfortable with the subject though. She waits quietly in the Watch lobby, letting others take on the task of asking for help until the big, fat hand of the law inevitably gives them the stiff arm. She's lived in the city long enough to know what's coming.
Caroliss plays along with Gundrun's game, trying to make herself appear as an employer in this situation, given her noble heritage. She does indeed have trappings of nobility.
Regrettably, her silent approach is pretty ineffective when dealing with a bored sergeant that hasn't looked up.
Feeling more than a little bewildered, Alara sits quietly in the lobby and tries to hold still.
It's more difficult than she realizes.
The sergeant scribbles as she mutters, "A nancy spider, uh-huh, have a seat." She sighs and looks up when Krystal intercedes. "Okay, okay, hold on a moment. Hey, Kas?"
A minute later a watchwoman appears. "Kasadei." she says extending her hand. "You got a lead on Vancaskerkin or something?"
Ragnar gives her a polite handshake (polite as in not using his 18STR).
Ragnar
More trying to take her out of your hair. Client. He gives a loot to Caroliss.
Wants to ask her some questions presumably concerning some items. For which she needs to find her. So resources were invested into hired abilities He gives a wave indicating the group.
If she gets off the street, its hardly an issue for you I guess? Any lead, in terms of rough location, numbers or resources of hers or of those tower girls would be useful. We also want to make sure that we are not stepping on your toes, would be awkward if you were planning an operation and then some hired mercenaries who dabble into heroics start things early.
He gives a cuckle
I have been on your side of the equation as far as "heroes" He rolls his eyes. are concerned
Oh, not that I forget, does Magnimar employ bounty hunters? If yes , are there any particularly noteworthy law averse individuals whom you would appreciate being brought in alive? We will not actively look for them, but things can happen.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ambriel thinks clarifying their intent might help.
"We have not intention of harming her. She had been hired to collect some information for our employer, but never delivered it. We simply want to see the transaction completed. This would mean rescuing Ms. Vancaskerkin if she is in trouble."
"Of course if she is wanted by the City Watch, we would meet our obligation as good citizens and turn her over to you after she has delivered the information."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Phew, she doesn't know about her. She let the hulking do the talking for the most part before she added her own piece.
"We think she hangs with the Tower Girls, but that deal went south a few days ago. You notice anything that may have happened with them the past week?"
Kasadei keeps her face blank, nodding occasionally. "Gimme a minute, okay," She says after listening to the discussion so far. She whispers something to the Sergeant and motions with her head towards the office door behind her.
"You can find the bounties board over there, but you might want to focus on one criminal at a time. She's not wanted, just you know, known.
"Now, finding out Natalya is missing? That's news to me. We haven't picked her up for anything, she might..." Kasadei breaks her poker face long enough to bite her lower lip and furrow her brow. "Well, let's just say the Girls had a recent 'falling out' with Wreckwash. They had to move their base, I don't know the fill extent of any violence or reprisals, but...
"Tell you what. You told me something, I passed on something, but I might have a solid lead for you. It's your turn first."
A nancy spider? What is that?
The halfling seems to be deep in thought over some important mystery. He has fallen silent for a time...
When Kasadei enters into the conversation, Anansi the Spider follows it with interest.
When you say the Girls had a recent 'falling out' with Wreckwash; who meant that be?
The shaonti shaman then makes his way forward to whisper
I am new to Magnimar, but if you had a suspect that wasn't able to tell you how he did it; I can help get that information for you?
Krystal pondered what to say that might be deemed acceptable and looked both ways before she spoke. "We think she had a falling out with the Tower Girls. We don't know why but the most we know is it likely happened within the last week."
Interesting, so officially no violence but she suspect something is going to happen?
Look Seargeant, I am just the grunt, and nobody tells me much, but just like you I do have a brain, and just like your's my "higherups" tend to forget about that. He flashes her a comradery grin.
My guess, and it is just a guess, is that Mrs. Vancaskerkin either uncovered an item, or information regarding an item. My next guess is that she wanted to have a little auction for that item, or the information, by spreading the news of her discovery in interested circles. And one of the other interested parties decided to take it by force instead of paying.
Hostilities between her gang and the competing gang may well be caused by that. The earlier we remove that item, or that information, from circulation, the quicker things will quit down.
In a more silent note he drops:
To tell you something you may suspect but do not know. My Name is Ragnar av Gundrun, I hail from Sarkoris, and am specialized in delivering violence against hostile outsiders such as Demon or Devils.Currently 6:0 for me, and the most powerful thing I killed was a Schir. You can verify most of that my inquiring with a mercenary liasion, I was part of the Steel Storm, then joined Star Hawks, I left both of these companies in good standing. He states as if he would say "I am Ragnar the baker".
You may have suspected as much because of the cold Iron and Silver weaponry on me, but now you know. So, is that something?
The Steel Storm is a mostly Sarkorian and mostly Gorrumite mercenary outfit operating in Mendev and neighbouring countries. They have a solid reputation, their contracts include a clause that they get to kill the contract signer if he turns out to be a Baphomet or Deskari worshipper.
The Star Hawks were a fairly new mercenary company founded during one of the Chelish-Andoran incidents, and were hired by Andoran to perform Guerillia operations against Cheliax.
Ambriel remains silent. The only thing she can think of that might be relevant is Zograthy's name. Since they haven't called on him yet, and will be doing so next, she thinks it best not to do anything that might upset the current situation regarding him.
Perhaps we can come back later and try again when we have some things to trade...
Ambriel remains silent. The only thing she can think of that might be relevant is Zograthy's name. Since they haven't called on him yet, and will be doing so next, she thinks it best not to do anything that might upset the current situation regarding him.
Perhaps we can come back later and try again when we have some things to trade...
Looking down at the halfling she says, "To be honest, you kind of give me the creeps. Of course, the best mystical types always give me the creeps, so I'll uh, keep that in mind.
The watchwoman laughs. "Come on, I need something useful, solid. Hunches and guesses don't mean anything, I've got a drawer full of 'em."
Staring at Krystal she says gravely, "She can give me something. Get me an arrest, someone I can get to roll on his boss, I'll get you the guy who would know what's going on with the Tower Girls."
Anansi the Spider smiles widely.
Wreckwash then?
The Shaonti shaman winks.
Dead or alive? Dead cost extra because then Ragnar will need to carry him. But easier to talk to
Caroliss definitely notes the way the sergeant cut herself off. "Do you know where this new base for the Tower Girls is? If you have a prisoner who you want to get to rat out her boss, I'm sure we can help with that."
Given that her last attempt didn't work out so well, the rogue decided to let the others who picked up something she couldn't to try and convince the guard.
"Tell you what, Krystal," Kasadei says directly. "When you truly have something juicy to tell me, when you're really ready to straighten up and fly right, I'll get you the guy who can get you the girl. Come find me." She hands Krystal a bronze chip with a number engraved into it. "Show them that, they'll track me down in a hurry. Good luck, don't go poking any bears you can't get away from." Kasadei turns and walks into the back office.
Alara fidgets in her seat.
"...so, how'd that go?"
Anansi the Spider looks a bit confused.
Is this normal procedures in the sophisticated big city? Now what?
Ambriel shakes her head in puzzlement.
"Maybe for some people? I don't have the slightest idea what just happened."
Krystal crossed her arms in a huff as she walked away from the officers. "She's not with the watch that's for sure. They have no reason to hold her in. Looks like we'll have to pay this Zograthy guy a visit next."
Yeap, Oh my, that officer may be animated by ideals. Ragnar theatralicaly shudders.
To each his own I guess.
Ragnar copies the bounty board into his journal as he leaves.
A still-nonplussed Alara gets up to follow the others.
"Right. Zograthy. No idea who that person is." She mumbles to herself.
Caroliss sighs in frustration, blowing her hair aside. "We knew this was a longshot. Time to follow the next lead."
Ragnar notices a lot of postings are seeking information for missing people on the boards. Certainly more than most larger communities he visited have had.
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 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!"
As they pass nearest to it, Ambriel mentions the monument to the Battle of Charda and it's associated lore.
I noticed something from the bounty boards, far more people then "normal" seem to be missing. I do not currently see any reason to assume this is related to our missing person, but it is something we can keep in mind. He speaks, adressing the group.
Upon hearing Ambriel speak of the battle of Charda, Ragnar offers:
I have trained people for battle before, if anyone wishes for a degree of instruction He looks at Anansi and Ambriel I can offer it. If others wish to spar Looking at Crystal, Alara and Caroliss, I am game as well.
Upon seeing "the amazing Zogarthy", he asks the more magically attuned party members.
You pick up anything actually magical? Oh, that he is probably a fraud does not mean he is not possible useful or dangerous.
Other then that he keeps watch for mundane threats.
Thinking of a business opportunity, he nethertheless walks up to Zogarthy and asks:
Greetings most amazing one! I have heard that you are a most reknowned buyer and seller of extraplanar things! I recently had occassiont to do battle with outsiders, and have acquired some unusual nail clippings as a result of the battle! They are probably of abyssal nature, given that one needs cold iron to cut them. Would you be interested in purchasing them?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Magic doesn't work that way." Ambriel sounds either dismissive or bored with the question.
"People don't possess 'auras' of magic so either way, fraud or no, I would not be able to see anything. If he possesses a divine gift he might be marked by an aura, but it isn't arcane. Magical items typically have auras but he would have to have something of the sort in his possession, and it would still tell me little about him."
"Finally, casting the spell to do any of this would be noticeable to all around, and it is generally considered rude, if not malicious, to poke around at strange people in such a way. Would you accept a random person coming up to you and testing your muscles with pinches and squeezes simply because they were curious?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Anansi the Spider smiles up at the exuberant Bloodrager.
That is what you are for my friend! I tend to allow those with such talents shine a bit brighter.
The Shaonti looks at their quarry with a even wider smile.
Varisians are such colorful folk.
He also approaches him.
Amazing Zograthy! We are most excited to be your guests!
The Shaonti hands him 2 silver coins and enters the tent.
Would depend on how attractive they are. Ragnar states matter of factly, it is indeed not something that would be all that professional.
Before going in he continues:
Showing tests of strength is relatively common in mercenary negotiations, if you dont have any reliable reputation to work with, although raw phyisical strength doesnt mean that much. Also, pinching isnt that accurate, if you want to measure strength you just ask them how much they can lift above their head and then have them prove it.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ambriel rolls her eyes at Ragnar's jabbering. Fortunately her very large irises make it hard to notice she's doing so.
"Uh, a human-sized fist of silver, halfling," grumbles the Amazing Zograthy. Abyssal nails? Huge market for those as an aphrodisiac in Cheliax, come on in my large friend!"
"What question do you have for my Harrow deck, my friend?:
Anansi the Spider just smiles as the halfling offers another 2 silver pieces.
That should keep up your hobby for a few days.
The Shaonti then pauses. He stares at a place in the air just behind the amazing pesh addict.
I believe that if you dig behind your grandfather's shed you will triple that.
The halfling winks before entering the tent.
Aphrodisiac? I am 1/8th Succubus, and not just some Succubus but a fairly powerful one, so its probably true actually.
Thinks Ragnar as he removes some of his own Abyssal Nailclippings (put into an extra fake coinpouch earlier), which do not look much like human fingernails indeed, and places them before Zogarthy for verification.
I for one would welcome a place to sell curios, which one just happens to find as a mercenary specialized in fighting outsiders, and to buy information as I am an out of towner. One of my Clients
He gives a short look at Caroliss
Did Comission a curio from one Natalya Vancaskerkin. Alas
He pauses for dramatic effect,
the fair Lady V. never arrived at the agreed upon meeting place, and client feels that some ill fate may have befallen her, be it a jealous rival, an unfair customer or perhaps some darker fate.
Perhaps we can avail ourselfs of the knowledge of the amazing Zograrthy in this, and your magnificient harrow deck or your excellent knowledge could lead us to her, so that we may uncover the mystery?
The assistance of the Amazing Zograrthy would of course be appropriately rewarded should his information aid in our mission.
"Ah! Secrets, my greatest trade! Well these clippings will turn into a tidy sum in a few days, but I of course need to make sure I can handle expenses until then. I can drop my normal fee of fifty crowns down to the friends and family rate. Just fifteen gold coins and I will tell you what I know of Miss Vancaskerkin quickly and truthfully."
Alara shifts uneasily from foot to foot.
Normally I'm much more on-the-ball than this--but so many new things to see and do...
Anansi the Spider seems to be reconsidering his knowledge of currency's value these days...
Ambriel simply doesn't have that much money.
15 Gold pieces are you out of your effing mind you pimp sized kesh snorting not yet wallstain? Ragnar thinks.
15 Gold pieces is a princely sum, may I propose an alternative agreement? I am all but certain that I will have another set of nail clipping ready if we were to find the fair lady, a set of nail clippings that would be all yours as well.
I would be willing to part with 5 gold coins to keep you covered in the meantime, and provide you with a second set of nail clippings if your information proves correct. Naturally, if it is not correct, then losing 5 gold well, it happens, but 15 would have us return to seek answers and explanations, whereas with 5 we would only return if happy, to bring merchandise.
Ragnar continues, idly moving his right leg under Zogarthy chair and lifting up both the Stool and Zogarthy without any issue, before setting both down.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Alright! But you better not forget you owe me!" the bald human says with a muttered bit of profanity. "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."
"I 'd take up that offer big boy... both the sparring and muscle touching," Krysyltal interjected. "I couldn't tell if you were the kind to want that kind of companionship. Gorum types tend to vary from 'yes' to 'I'll cut ya arm off'. Best be on the safe side in that case."
Once the amazing once dropped that info, Krystal crossed her arms. Trying to get a read on the guy.