5 GP and some nailclippings lost. If we find an alchemist I may as well deliver the rest via nailbomb, but that may be excessive.
Ragnar thinks of the commercial exchange.
Outside to Krystal:
Companionship is fine. Seriously, the only ones who get Succubused quicker then the "AM BARBARIAN TOO ANGRY FOR LOVELIFE"
Ragnars voice drops 2,5 octaves as he impersonates an insanely angry Barbarian to near perfection,
guys are the "I am Sir Hieronymous Cecil Mediumbottom the II, and my most sacred vows demand virginity!".
Ragnar switches up, going about 2 octaves higher then his normal voices and speaks with an incredibly false pompous nasal accent, typically associated with people whose nose is often at the same height as their eyes.
According to some not that heretical scriptures, Gorrum was or is banging Nocticula. Or perhaps Nocticula was or is banging Gorrum, depends on which side you ask. So the "Always Angry ALL THE TIME" crowd is doing it wrong.
With that riveting enrichment of everyone religious knowledge taken care off, a seedy tavern in the underbridge may indeed be an option.
Anansi the Spider is seen quickly taking notes as Ragnar speaks.
For academic purposes, of course.
Once the destination is stamped and approved, the Shaonti also begins to gather any information about the place and person.
"I'll think on that for now." Krystal nodded in response. "I know some places that might help out on where to find her."
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Accompanying the permanent shade from the Irespan is an ever-present smell of rotting sea creatures and paths which stay muddy as no sun touches the decaying slums of Underbridge. Here and there along the streets are gatherings of street kids and ganger-wannabes eyeballing the outsiders.
Krystal drags the others straight to The Friendly Merchant, right at the water's edge. The bartender, and owner, Siov Cassimeel, glances up and gazes with a raised eyebrow at the new arrivals. A group of Shoanti youths finds themselves staring at Anansi from the moment he walks in.
It takes a large portion of the afternoon before the carousing turns into something uesful. Unsurprisingly, few are ready to just trust outsiders asking questions about a woman associated with the Sczarni going missing.
At one point the Shoanti decide they have to find out just what the halfling's deal is. One walks over and in a huff and complains, "You're igniting my blood by mocking our customs, halfling!"
Ragnar moves up to Anansi to show him he has backup and puts his hand on his sap.
He will assist Anansi in any possibly talkative way.
If it was diplomatic, Ragnar will says something among the lines of.
Peace friend, is it not a sign of your cultures strength if strangers adopt yours? A wise man knows how to sperate mockery of adoration. I hail from distant Sarkoris, if a non Sarkorian would genuinely wish to adopt our custom, I would call him friend if he was earnest.
If he goes for a bluff:
He is actually about as big as me, but the spirits gave him a quest to complete while reduced in size. They may have been drunk, I mean in high spirits, but spirits are going to spirit.
If he goes for intimidate:
Ragnar looms tall over the youth. Do you issue a challenge? If yes, we two go outside and our fists shall speak where words have failed. If no, go back to your seat.
Anansi the Spider enters the seedy establishment with his blue eyes on a swivel. The Shaonti halfling sees the young group of fellow Shaonti with a nod.
Ignoring any stares, verbal abuses and taunts, Anansi the Spider begins his approach by going straight to the barkeep.
A round of drinks for the Shaonti lads. They will need it to gather enough courage to test me.
He hands over 3 silver pieces.
Having accidentally spilling all 3 drinks down his own parched Shaonti throat, Anansi the Spider smiles up at the still parched youngsters.
The halfling then motions to Ragnar.
And we have a hulk.
Anansi the Spider then points at a place just behind the lead youth.
Your grandmother does seem a bit bothered by your gambling.
The trio look uneasy with Anansi's obvious native command of their tribal tongue. The Shoanti group's alpha looks startled at the mention of his grandmother potentially watching him play a Varisian gambling game from the grave. "Skull? Apologies sir!" The group makes a quick exit, but a few other sets of eyes are now on the group.
The extra attention accounts for the added time it takes them before someone recognizes Natalya. "Oh, yeah, I seen 'er. O'er by Seacleft," The drunk barfly sketches a quick, crude map. The location is a few short blocks away, but down here in The Shadow, it will be as dark as midnight outside.
Alara swallows nervously. "M-maybe we should get moving..."
Caroliss is nervous as the night wears on in Underbridge. This was NOT where a noblewoman should be at night. "Yes, to Seacleft, then." She takes the map and begins heading to their next lead, conjuring some light to see the way forward.
For Krystal, it was like home to her. She mingled with the patrons alongside with her party. She hadn't visited all of them before, but it was stomping grounds she was more than happy to revisit. After the man drew the man, she patted the man on the back. "Happy drinking luv."
Once the group was together, she handed over the map. "Looks like she's been around here. And I bet this has to be where she's been holed up. Why she's acting like that I've got no clue, but maybe reminding her where we're from'll calm her down."
Seeing Caroliss' discomfort, she shrugged. "Hey, it ain't all that bad. Ya just need to know the right places to be entertained."
Ragnar is reasonable glad to have low light vision on account of the fae side of his family tree.
Krystal, would you like to scout things out ahead? I stick out pretty strongly in these quarters.
Also, nobody is currently paying me murder rates, it could be a case of some artifact wearing her as a hat, so I would prefer to fight non-lethally. Keeps them vengeance cycles in check and stuff. Ragnar taps his sap.
He puts his shield on his left arm, but does not draw his sap yet.
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"You got it!"
Krystal moved ahead of the group, moving stealthily as she searched for anything in particular that may signal where she may be.
Smiling at the departing Shaonti, the shaman smiles.
Tough linage is Shaonti blood.
Once the group leaves to follow-up the next clue, Anansi the Spider walks along as if on a holiday.
[/dice]
At the edge of Underbridge, along the Seacleft itself stands the building reported to be Natalya's current hideout. 'Stands' may not be the right word, as the building more leans heavily against the cleft's edge. Small boulders and piles of scree have accumulated outside the moss covered hovel and a smell of stagnant sewage fills the air.
Seeing no reason to stay on the main street and be visible to whatever, Ragnar tries some stealth as well, becoming one with a neighbouring pillar.
[OOC]Not like any of us it beating that DC even with points in it.[/B]
Ragnar would feel a tug on his shoulder revealing the rogue who appeared beside him.
"Can't see s#!\ in here." Krystal said with gritter breath. "But I'd bet good money on being just the place to hang around if I had to scram."
Anansi the Spider looks at the delipidated shanty with a bit of suspicion in his blue eyes.
Anyone got a few sturdy beams? Place looks like it's gonna drop faster than a stripper.
The Shaonti winks.
He peers into the darkness.
The halfling squints really hard!
.
As Krystal advances, Caroliss draws close to her, hooking an arm through. "Glad you're here to protect me," she says, earnestly.
Upon approach, a trio of Underbridge lowlife types wmerge from a rickety attached shed on the western side of the building. "Private property. You can turn back now," one says as the three draw morningstars from their belts.
We have some business with the Lady, or rather the pint sized Shoanti Shaman looking for the "CHOSEN ONE OF THE SPIRITS" does. Ragnar says, showing that he is heavily armed, but does not have a weapon drawn (yet).
For some spirit related thing, dont f@@&ing ask me if spirit-spirit or booze-spirit the answer is probably "YES", but he is totally certain that SHE is in that building. I am a Grunt just like you, nobody tells me any details.
You may just want to kick this upstairs.
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Krystal smiles warmly at the closeness and lets the noblewoman's hand stay put as she pleases. Unfortunately, it seemed like they missed a few people in the meantime. She winced at Ragnar's attempts of bluffing and decided to try her hand at it.
She wasn't able to do much better managing her bluff and a handsy noblewoman at the same time.
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It seemed Caroliss's worst fears were being realized. She tries to remain cool, straightening her posture and flashing her signet ring, even while she keeps a hand close to Krystal.
"Unlike the muscle here," she says, nodding toward Ragnar, "I know exactly why I'm here, and if I were in your place, I would not want to tell your boss that you turned away a lady of House Kaddren as if she were some common loiterer. Hm?" She raises her eyebrows as she finishes, waiting for the lowlifes to stand aside out of respect for her authority.
Alara's hand slides over the hilt of her katana as she waits...
Anansi the Spider blinks his eyes as the trio of ruffians emerge from the darkness.
Too bad I don't have a Magic Missile handy!
The Shaonti shaman instead smiles at them.
Come into the Light. By chance any of you named Carrieann?
The shaman cast Light.
Better to see you, my pretties.
He winks.
The three have a brief huddle. After they break, one steps forward and the other two go to the shed they emerged from to rattle around. "We gotta be honest with you, m'lady " he says apologetically to Caroliss, "the Boss ain't been right in the head. She's paling around with goblins in there. Guess they come cheaper than us, eh? You coming here with your crazy 'muscle' and some ready to rumble folk tells us she's in over her head. She ain't paying us enough, and she ain't setting up any big scores, so we are off to look for other employment. Watch both above and below if you go in there. Pretty sure them goblins ain't going to want to chat."
The other two emerge with some sacks full of personal possessions, handing one to the speaker. "You ever need a few extra hands, you come on over to The Friendly Merchant and ask for Skinny Lee."
Gobs? The small crazier then me not the big whip loving kind?
He switches to his Bardiche.
Gobs are pretty crazy, and can fight quite courageosly and cleverly. Given the light conditions, if it comes to a fight I will probably start singing a stupid Goblin song, they will be obliged to sing along.
Ragnar grins.
I apologize in advance for what you are about to hear ladies.
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It looked dire for the group, and Krystal instinctively reached for the hilt of the silver knife on her other side. That changed when the mercenaries had a change of heart. To play the part, Krystal relaxed and placed both arms on Caroliss shoulder to show companionship. Once they were out of earshot, she let out a laugh.
"Holy s#!+ That actually worked!" She gave Caroliss a peck on the cheek. "Way to help out there."
As for Ragnar's warning, shockwaves it off. "Doubt I'd be any worse than a weekend at the tavern."
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The Shaonti grins.
Please leave any heads intact.
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Caroliss blushes at the compliment. "Well, it's the oldest trick in the nobleman's book--talking about how important you are. They might've felt differently if they knew I'm pretty much estranged from my family."
"Wait, before we go in, we all need to hold hands. Swear it's worth it." When the circle is complete, Caroliss begins to whisper to her goddess and everyone feels a warm, perhaps sensual glow. "There, you're all part of Calistria's circle now. Expect a little bit of trickery if we need to slice through some goblins!"
The blessings of the savored sting are always welcome in mercenary life! Ragnar says, as he energetically accepts the blessings.
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Happy to be in my more attractive actual shape :)
"You can send Calistria my thanks in your next prayer," Krystal winks.
Ambriel scurries along from place to place with the rest as they talk to people, make bargains, and so forth. THere's no need for her to do anything, which suits her fine.
Alara quietly follows along, grateful that no bloodshed was necessary.
Send in the bloodrager, unless we got mage hand or open/close.
I can boost AC to 19 if I use my shield.
The halfling Shaonti shaman smiles at Ragnar.
Be our guest, be our guest....
Ragnar switches to Shield and Battleaxes, motions a countdown of 10 and opens the door.
The entire floor of this chamber has collapsed into the pool of water five feet below. The earthen walls of this flooded subcellar ooze with foul rivulets, and the smell is abominable. Two oozing sewer pipes protrude through the east wall of this pit just above the level of the sewage. Part of the ceiling above the entrance has collapsed, revealing an attic crawlspace above; a rickety ladder leads up from the water into the crawlspace. A door stands in the far wall across the sludge pit. A wooden plank balanced between both doors makes a precarious bridge between the two doors.
Anansi the Spider winks at Ragnar as the bloodrager preforms butler duty.
Don't worry. The Ancestors promised that you won't need to do that part for much longer.
The halfling then whispers to the Ancestors, asking for Guidance. He then begins searching the plank and area for traps before sending their goat, canary, bloodrager into the mines.
Anansi gets a strong sense that the smells of raw sewage mixed with mold make the muck below a breeding ground for disease. He also notices the ladder leaning against the wall has seen better days. He'd be amazed if anyone, even a halfling, could climb it without it falling apart from the weight. The plank seems sturdy, but is narrow.
Krystal cautiously steps on the plank to test whether it can hold, deeming her test run good enough for her.
"It should hold, but you guys will still need to be careful. Just in case..." She walked over to Anansi and hoisted him up from under his shoulders.
"Today's your lucky day." With a wink, she hoisted the gnome onto her back, letting his arms grip her shoulders as she made her way across.
"Well, doesn't seem too bad so far." Caroliss is the next to go across the narrow plank. She thinks she can cross as long as nothing comes to break her concentration.
Ragnar takes out his rope, fixes it to something on his side, then throws it over to Krystal and makes a "tying" motion.
Assuming she fixes it somewhere, he switches his weapons to his Bardiche and cautiously steps on the plank, using the rope as a railing and extra security if things go south. Which they probably will.
Blyad He curses in Abyssal.
Just as Ragnar starts to wobble on the board, with Caroliss halfway across and Krystal and Anansi on the narrow platform beside the door opposite the entrance, a bulbous green head emerges from one of the pipes. A goblin wriggles out and guffaws as Ragnar spills into the muck. Another emerges from the other pipe and together they begin singing a song eloquently describing the sublime joys of slurping fresh intestines strait from a human's stomach, calling the rest of their band to dinner.
Anansi the Spider seems less than please at the abrupt passage across the plank!
No one tosses a halfling!
The Shaonti shaman presses down his clothing and straightens his hat before giving Krystal a thumbs up.
He turns a smiles at the goblins appearance.
Table for 5 please!
As Ragnar does not look presentable, on account of literally being in deep s~$*, his drawback activates and his will save get a -1, -2 vs Fear.
@GM am I standing in the s#@# or swimming?
Goblins slurp, pretty loud
but do taste like spoiled trout
Goblins are quite dumb fails
will bleed out on Ragnars nails!