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Initial post.
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The hillside provides a clear view of spires and vaulted rooftops that pierce the sky, bleeding lines of ink where the sun is blocked. Verdant trees and mosaic earthy red rooftops fade as grey clouds start to cast long shadows on the city of Karcau. Turning around, a simple cobbled pathway winds through shade trees to a small, two-story house. The steep, darkly slated roof sits above carved bargeboard and high cross gables. The windows are narrow and leaded, in arched frames. The entry is strangely grand, with a pair of pointed turrets flanking the thick, iron-shod doors.
A shadow disappears from the window and moments later the doors open. An older servant with a widow's peak, hair combed back and falling to shoulder length, surveys the group with a stoic gaze. "Welcome to Miregrold Manor. You must be the agents the Captain is expecting. This way please," he says, opening the door further, hinge creaking.
Ornate walnut is featured predominantly inside. Wood panels line the walls, framing carved appliques and faces both angelic and grotesque. Robust rails and thickly carved spindles surround wooden stairs that connect ruby red carpet.
Stepping through an archway to an adjacent room, the man turns and sways his arm towards several cushioned chairs. "Please wait here in the lounge while I alert the Captain of your arrival."
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Karcau had been good to Manfri.
The studded leather he had stolen from Beaky and hardwood club in his right fist did bring him some comfort. A bell tolling from within the cathedral of Pharasma reminded him it was time to find a job.
Employment was surprisingly plentiful among the shady taverns and speakeasies along Karcau’s dockway, provided mutual respect could be tested and maintained between the parties. It helped that Manfri insisted on his independence, and was willing to do … anything … if the price was right.
Between Sarineth and Rova, the Varisian had earned enough to upgrade his gear, but more importantly had learned the tricks and truths of the dockway’s underworld, to the point that he was ready for a major upgrade.
The Sczarni with the azlanti compass had been too loud, too proud and too open about his mission in town. The coin he shed as he held court in the Vaping Vamp left a number of sharps literally licking their lips – until Manfri warned them off with a stare:
"Manfri, at your service."
From there it was a simple matter to join the pale arcanist, middle-aged warpriest and waifish shepherd on the Manor grounds, to await the arrival of the local Venture-Captain.
"If our ‘explore, report, cooperate’ is strong, I am sure we can earn ourselves a sizeable side score."
"Manfri, at your service."
From there it was a simple matter to join the pale arcanist, middle-aged warpriest and waifish shepherd on the Manor grounds, to await the arrival of the local Venture-Captain.
"If our ‘explore, report, cooperate’ is strong, I am sure we can earn ourselves a sizeable side score."
"Chuufa here," the disheveled, unruly haired adolescent caws out while pulling along a fully-bridled and Pack-bearing, Dark-Wooled Sheep next to him. "And this be Leandrie. She carry's stuff; makes a good pillow too."
"Maybe this Lodge'll finally has Hair-loss Scroll; they never have any at Absalom.", Chuufa grumbles at tad bit before suddenly brightening up in his facial expressions. "We gets good side-score, we can gets Hairless spell Scroll?"
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“You mean for Leandrie, right?”
Manfri is keen to get off on the right foot with his new companions.
“‘Cause if we work hard enough to earn a good side-score … Man! You can get anything you want.”
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"So you're from the City at The Center of the World, Chuufa?"
Surprise crosses the ranger's features. "I wouldn't have thought there'd be much call for sheep herds in the city."
"Or are you from the farmlands outside the city walls, the ... Cairnlands(?) are they called?"
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Marvelous! The team is nearly full convened!
The boisterous and jovial voice belongs to a dapper looking, but rather pale man in a top hat and otherwise dressed as if he's headed to something very official. He does not look ready too rough it anywhere.
I am Sebastian, and I make the magics dance! Sometimes bodies too, but only after they don't belong to anyone anymore.
He grins sheepishly. While the air of his speech is warm, his gaze is someone detached. He doesn't really catch eye-contact with anyone, but more-so seems to look "through" them. It's a little unnerving for some.
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Manfri's eyes settle on Sebastian's for less than a moment. How do I address him? M'Lord? Master? Ser?
"Doctor, do you know much about Karcau? I confess to being a recent transplant from Varisia, and have only experienced a few of the dockside wine bars and bootleg casinos to date."
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He places one finger on his chin and makes a curious expression while looking off in the distance.
Doctor? Marvelous, but no! I am no doctor. Though when they fail I have another body to use! No matter. Karcau is a cultural hub of Ustalav. It is a city for performers! Opera. Theatre. Orchestras. Perhaps you noticed understudies performing in the plazas as you came here today? It's never very polished. That's why you have to pay for the real shows!
He turns back to Manfri and smiles as he reports all of this.
Oh, and if you don't like the swarms of flies that arrive when it's warmer, you can blame Graidmere Swamp, which lies just North of the city. Aristocrats retreat into their veils and nets to avoid them.
He looks back and forth between Manfri and Chuufa.
Apologies, that is all I can say about this place.
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“Not at all, doc … Sebastian. You shed more light on the topic than e'er I could have gleaned alone.”
I am no doctor. Though when they fail I have another body to use!
At the magician’s second reference to coffin-cheating, Manfri’s gauntleted right finger traces Desna’s Wings in one continuous line over his heart.
He attempts to change the subject. “Opera! Of course! That will be the shrieking devil-speech strangled out by understudies in the Square.”
“It and the theatre are too Chel-posh for me. Though the occasional mummer’s concert, farce or even puppet show still bring a smile to my face.”
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Puppet show! I do puppets sometimes... but more on that later.
He winks.
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Manfri micro-grimaces before his inclining his head in Bam’s direction.
“How fares the Good Fight this sky-night, War Smith?”
Not sure it’s me you’re going to have trouble with, Professor.
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"Good. You are here. Velcome to Karcau lodge. I am Venture-Captain Basla Kallstoff," comes a sudden voice. A lean Ustalavic noblewoman with raven hair that shines like the silk in her dress stands underneath the archway. "Journey here, it good? Norzern Ustalav can be enchanting if you know zere to look. Please, have seat," as she motions to the combination of chairs and sofa.
"Divan, drinks for our guests," she commands as the servant steps out.
"Humble apologies. We are... renovating... so our hospitality is limited. Zat includes ze Society's reputation here in Ustalav. Zis is why you are here. Ze constable has requested our help and I intend to give it. My predecessor dug very deep hole so I suspect zis is just the beginning. A prisoner has escaped custody and his re-capture requires discretion. Are you familiar with ze Lopper, ze Mosswater Marauder, or ze Piper of Illmarsh?" Not waiting for a response, she continues.
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"Norzern Ustalav can be enchanting if you know zere to look.”
“I think it’s the company that makes or breaks the experience, M'Lady.”
Manfri bows graciously to the others as he takes possession of an overstuffed chair, and signals the servant. “A local merlot if you have one, my good man.”
“A prisoner has escaped custody and his re-capture requires discretion.”
The ranger nods once and waits patiently for the Venture-Captain to continue.
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Bam does her best to sit comfortably in her breastplate. Sure, it's a little restrictive, but like she's told her kids a million times: it's better to have your layers than wish you did. Of course, that usually applied to jackets instead of armor, but the principle's the same.
She's not the chattiest person, and she often gets restless when she's doing nothing. Like waiting. She keeps half an ear on the conversation as she pulls out a handkerchief to polish her warhammer, occasionally flicking a disapproving glance at Sebastian's flippant references to what may be a *very* compromising hobby. Finally, she can't take the innuendo any more. With all the finesse of a blunderbuss, she blurts: "Sebastian, it sure sounds like you're being flippantly nonchalant about playing with carrion." She's trying to shock him into making eye contact; it's hard to pin someone with an iron gaze if they won't look you in the eye.
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Manfri suddenly finds a woodlouse crawling between his feet worthy of intense study.
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Oh no! I take my carrionettes very seriously! They are a choice tool in a tight spot! He flashes her a smile that is all teeth. It seems he's not picking up on the subtle objections to his practices.
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==Knowledge Checks==
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Venture-Captain Basla continues, "Terrible murderers, ze were. Well known across Ustalav. Sometimes infamy can inspire, as in zis case. Ze prisoner zat escaped was duplicating zese. He was to be moved, but his cell was empty when zey came for him." Pausing to raise her wine glass, Basla holds it up in front of her, apparently studying the color in the light, contemplating. Taking a sip as if to signal she's made her decision, she adds, "Constable Kreso does not wish zis to get out. It could cause fear, panic. Find him and return him, ideally alive, and if he had help escaping."
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I am only familiar with the Splatterman. And if you know anything about him you all know that you need to keep your name close when he's around.
He then turns to the VC.
I'm sorry, I didn't catch the prisoner's name? How long ago was it that he escaped?
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”So you want this man captured discreetly and brought here.”
Manfri smiles internally as he recalls Riddleport gendarmes asking the following questions about him.
“Occupation? Last known local address? Any known associates? Places he liked to frequent?”
“You mean for Leandrie, right?”
Manfri is keen to get off on the right foot with his new companions.
“‘Cause if we work hard enough to earn a good side-score … Man! You can get anything you want.”
Chuufa was about to gainsay Manfri's initial presumptions as the "disguised-as-a-Shepherd-lad" Tengu was going to reach into Leandrie's fully-stuffed packsaddle to pull out the shears that was expressedly used to trim away any excess wool before pausing as the implications of the Varisian Ranger's innocently reasonable query finally sinks into Chuufa's bird-brained head.
"That sounds like good idea!", Chuufa exclaims happily as he breaks out into a wide grin to Manfri. "You smart- you should be Leader! Then Chuufa sure to gets good score and lots of hairless scrolls then- some for Leandrie too.". Glancing over at the dark-wooled Sheep of burden, the disguised Tengu then adds, "But not lose all wool-hair though, then Leandrie can't be good pillow then."
"So you're from the City at The Center of the World, Chuufa?"
Surprise crosses the ranger's features. "I wouldn't have thought there'd be much call for sheep herds in the city."
"Or are you from the farmlands outside the city walls, the ... Cairnlands(?) are they called?"
Waving off any concerns that Manfri may have had, Chuufa replies off-handedly, "Naaw, was from Shackles sea but now Chuufa stays at Absalom Lodge mostly; good place to refill pack but not so good if you need hairless scrolls. Plenty of heal sticks though- that's all they give out to us."
Pausing to pat down and smooth out Leandrie's wool, Chuufa adds, "Not have herd- just Leandrie; she carrys Chuufa's stuff and be good pillow sometimes too. Has to drag on her bridle though... she be stubborn a lot when in danger. That's when I give lotsa jinxes so she not gets so hard to move."
Oh, and if you don't like the swarms of flies that arrive when it's warmer, you can blame Graidmere Swamp, which lies just North of the city. Aristocrats retreat into their veils and nets to avoid them.
He looks back and forth between Manfri and Chuufa.
Apologies, that is all I can say about this place.
Puppet show! I do puppets sometimes... but more on that later.
He winks.
The Not-Doctor seemed smart too, even talked like he smart with lots of culture; he clearly was a local here in Karcau- or at least very at-home with the environs- and was sharply-dressed with that fancy Top-hat too. At least that was what the disguised Tengu thought- but he himself only had just a mere cap, albeit one that made him look human and small, so what would Chuufa know about fanciness and culture?
"Then it good that it be cold now...", Chuufa remarks with a shrug before gleefully going on to the far more interesting topics of puppetry, "But Chuufa likes to see puppets! Can they sing lots and dance really good? Even with strings?"
She's not the chattiest person, and she often gets restless when she's doing nothing. Like waiting. She keeps half an ear on the conversation as she pulls out a handkerchief to polish her warhammer, occasionally flicking a disapproving glance at Sebastian's flippant references to what may be a *very* compromising hobby. Finally, she can't take the innuendo any more. With all the finesse of a blunderbuss, she blurts: "Sebastian, it sure sounds like you're being flippantly nonchalant about playing with carrion." She's trying to shock him into making eye contact; it's hard to pin someone with an iron gaze if they won't look you in the eye.Oh no! I take my carrionettes very seriously! They are a choice tool in a tight spot! He flashes her a smile that is all teeth. It seems he's not picking up on the subtle objections to his practices.
Chuufa, likewise not really understanding what the Older Dwarf Lady with Warhammer was being so angry about with Not-Doctor Puppeteer [they probably a couple? Ladies like their sharp-dressed men though], so he decided to help smooth things out between them by saying, "Chuufa can smells carrion when they nearby- those and bad injuries too... but they have to be really bad injury. Or just plain dead."
"Humble apologies. We are... renovating... so our hospitality is limited. Zat includes ze Society's reputation here in Ustalav. Zis is why you are here. Ze constable has requested our help and I intend to give it. My predecessor dug very deep hole so I suspect zis is just the beginning. A prisoner has escaped custody and his re-capture requires discretion. Are you familiar with ze Lopper, ze Mosswater Marauder, or ze Piper of Illmarsh?" Not waiting for a response, she continues.Venture-Captain Basla continues, "Terrible murderers, ze were. Well known across Ustalav. Sometimes infamy can inspire, as in zis case. Ze prisoner zat escaped was duplicating zese. He was to be moved, but his cell was empty when zey came for him." Pausing to raise her wine glass, Basla holds it up in front of her, apparently studying the color in the light, contemplating. Taking a sip as if to signal she's made her decision, she adds, "Constable Kreso does not wish zis to get out. It could cause fear, panic. Find him and return him, ideally alive, and if he had help escaping."
Shaking his head in a negative response about some of Ustalav's more infamous inmates, Chuufa is content to let both Manfri and Sebastian take the lead on questioning Venture-Captain Basla since they were smart and/or cultured and clearly knew what they were doing though the disguised Tengu does ask at one point, "Who he kill and how he kill with?"
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Oh no! I take my carrionettes very seriously! They are a choice tool in a tight spot! He flashes her a smile that is all teeth. It seems he's not picking up on the subtle objections to his practices.
Bam gives Sebastian an impeccably executed "Stern Mom Look". Hm. I'm going to have to keep an eye on that boy. How do these kids get it into their heads that they won't get burned playing with fire? *Really!* Exasperated, she's grateful for the distraction of the briefing.
She makes a mental note to ask Sebastian about Splatterman later. Allowing the boys to begin the asking of questions, she tests them surreptitiously. Not bad. Good questions. But why didn't anyone ask the most obvious ones? "We'll need a description of the individual, as well as a run-down of what has been done so far to locate him."
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"Leandrie … not lose all wool-hair though, then Leandrie can't be good pillow then."
“Hmm, that’s a good point, well said.”
I’ve gotta be missing a key component of this conversation …
Though from a life spent travelling with a Varisian caravan, Manfri decides, It’s probably best that I don’t know.
"… Was from Shackles sea but now Chuufa stays at Absalom Lodge mostly; good place to refill pack ... Plenty of heal sticks though- that's all they give out to us."
“I’ve heard that.”
Or so Manfri would have you believe.
“The Magnimar Lodge is no different.”
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"You should speak to Constable Kreso. He said ze recalcitrant prisoner offered very little information; he was being moved to asylum for further questioning. I'm sure he can tell you what information he did get. You can find him at the garrison across from Blaispear Plaza."
...
"Returning him here is fine. Might be best keeping him out of town. We can always bring the Constable here."
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Well then, let us be off to see the Constable! Sebastian proclaims with jubiliation.
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“Blaispear Plaza? Yeah, I know it. Large square in the center of town.”
Manfri puts down his glass, equips his shield and hefts his pack. “I am with you, Sebastian.”
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One corner of Bam's mouth quirks downward. Hm. Not much information here. Waste of time. Sighing inwardly, she heaves herself upright and shoos the team toward the door. "All right boys, we're wasting daylight. Let's move. Manfri, lead the way. I'll bring up the rear." And keep an eye on that Sebastian. Oooo, his mother must've had her hands full with that one. Can't imagine what I would've done. Damn kid, turning us gray before our time.
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Venture-Captain Basla wishes the group good hunting.
The sun has sunken low beneath the clouds, a blend of orange and reds contrasting against opaque grey-blue clouds. As the party descends the hilltop to the heart of Karcau, the wind picks up, bringing a cooler breeze and setting the branches of trees in motion. A slight rumbling is heard in the distance. The base of the hill ends a few hundred feet away from the first building. Canals dance like rivers of fire, illuminating a maze of arches, towers, and balconies.
Before the cold eyes of the Cloisoi Theater’s innumerable angels stand two dozen ornate granite pedestals. From these columns the posturing bronzes of Sinaria’s greatest heroes consider their beneficiaries, noble figures like Coalise, who lured the Graidemere Serpent to its doom; Jayde the Winged Warrior; the twins Guitad and Maidce standing against the morlock hordes; the Desnan priest, Adterly; and Silversong, the steed of the exiled poet Carmain Rowles. Amid these personalities also rest several vacant pedestals, waiting for future heroes. A haunting melody travels through the plaza.
Opposite the theater side of the plaza is a weathered facade with a heavy wooden sign swaying below a post via two eyelets. Faded white text reading the Department of Constables and Investigators is recessed and painted on it. The party enters a large area with two tables setup to receive the public. To the right are a trio of barred doors. A partition wall separates the room from the rest of the building.
The floor creaks as you fill the room. "Salud! One moment!" comes from behind the partition. Moments later, a stout man with an eye patch comes into view. "It's late. What brings you in?"
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“Bună seara, şef.”
Manfri’s tone is calm but all-business. “Lady Kallstoff sent us to speak with Constable Kreso, on an urgent matter related to ... community safety.”
Chuufa, are you really bringing your sheep into a Nick?
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Constable Kreso's face wrinkles a bit and then motions the group in. "Lady Kallstoff? Very good. Please, have a seat. I am Kreso," he says as he moves around the room, looking out windows and eventually closing the door. "Let's get to it then. And who might all of you be?" he asks, extending his hand to shake with each introduction. Walking over to the cells, he proceeds, "Over the last few months Karcau has experienced several brutal murders. At first, they seemed unrelated. This is a city, after all, and unfortunate events do happen. But then the third was undeniable. The victim's name was found written in blood at the scene of the crime for what could have passed as a fatal accident. It didn't take long to find inspiration for the previous murders to confirm that there was a copycat killer on the loose. To be honest, we struggled to find a serious lead. It wasn't until this last that we got lucky and caught the monster in the act. We brought him back here for interrogation... but didn't learn much. No one could identify him. No name, no one had seen his face before... At least he wasn't from around here... and the bastard couldn't be persuaded to either,"[b] he says, smashing his fist into the palm of his other hand. He retrieves some paperwork from a drawer and tosses them on the nearest table. [b]"Here's a sketch of what he looked like, and some of the crime scenes.
He was held here, in this cell. He barely moved. He just sat there, cross-legged, staring outward. Until he was just... gone,". Kreso retrieves a set of keys and opens the door to the cells. "Feel free to take a look around. We couldn't find anything. After that, I've kept the others away for fear of outside help."
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The cell is rather spartan. Rough cut limestone tiles. A simple bed that's seen better days. A dented chamber pot in the corner. Streaks of dark browns and reds mixed with the mottling of patina covers the walls and floor.
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Before the boys could muss everything up, Bam hustles to the entrance of the cell, filling the doorway so no one can get past as she looks over the walls, ceiling, floor, and whatever else there is to see in there.
She squints harder at the floor. "What's it with the fancy stonework in the middle of the floor?" She points it out to the group.
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“And who might all of you be?”
“Manfri, wanderer of Desna’s Trails.”
The ranger waits patiently for Bam to conduct her search. Once she gives the others an opportunity, he saunters over to confirm her observations.
“Could it be some kind of ‘key’ for opening a secret egress inside the cell?”
Manfri gets out the way. “Chuufa, did you bring your thiev… engineer’s tools?”
“Can you see any mechanical device that warrants disabling?”
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"... And who might all of you be?"
Ah!
Activating on the cue, Sebastian removes his top hat and bows in a sweeping gesture before returning it to his head.
I am Sebastian! Puppet salesman. But today I'm here to help with the escaped murderer!
When the sketch comes out he seems a little over-excited.
Marvelous! I hope you pay the sketch artist well. I particularly like the fright he put in the victim's face. Say... have you checked on the sketch artist? They might be a little too into this! Anyway, onto business...
He maintains the grin plastered to his face throughout all of this.
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Later...
"What's it with the fancy stonework in the middle of the floor?" She points it out to the group.
He claps his hands together in jubilation.
Excellent find Bam! You bring so much value to this team!
Manfri gets out the way. “Chuufa, did you bring your thiev… engineer’s tools?”
Yes, we should let Chuufa at it with picks, but first I wonder if the last escapee left a trap behind!
Well, I won't be finding it!
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Oh my word what is he on? Bam does that eyes-wide-as-the-head-rotates-slowly-to-look-at-someone-acting-weird thing at Sebastian. Probably not mushrooms, at least not the ones my boys found. Blinking away the distracting thoughts, she forces her mind to the present so she can note Constable Kreso's response to her observation.
Chuufa, are you really bringing your sheep into a Nick?
Seeing that Manfri, Sebastian, and even Bam are ready to head off to see the constable, Chuufa dutifully follows along with Leandrie in tow - after all both the Party Leader and the Not-Doctor, and even the Stern Older Warhammer-Lady, all seem to agree upon this very course of action.
Introducing himself and his Sheep-of-Burden as "Me, Chuufa, and this be Leandrie- she carries stuff. Makes good head-rest too." to the Hard-Bitten Constable at the Department with a wide grin on his face, not at all dissimilar to the esteemed Puppeteer Salesman.
She squints harder at the floor. "What's it with the fancy stonework in the middle of the floor?" She points it out to the group.He claps his hands together in jubilation.
Excellent find Bam! You bring so much value to this team!
Once she gives the others an opportunity, he saunters over to confirm her observations.
“Could it be some kind of ‘key’ for opening a secret egress inside the cell?”
Manfri gets out the way. “Chuufa, did you bring your thiev… engineer’s tools?”
Yes, we should let Chuufa at it with picks, but first I wonder if the last escapee left a trap behind!
Well, I won't be finding it!
Taking out his 'Engineering' tools in question, Chuufa goes scrambling up nearest to the fancy floorside stonework in question with a happy squawk of "Chuufa got tools! Chuufa not need tools all the time- but Chuufa glad to have them."
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Manfri stands at parade rest beside the tethered Leandrie, seemingly guarding the ewe while her master works.
If Leandrie has an ‘accident’ witnessed by someone having business in the Watch Station, the ranger shrugs and grins.
“They can keep that for free. It’s just sooo good for the garden.”
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Getting to work, Sebastian and Chuufa circle the singular cobblestone piece, eyeing it at various heights, before shifting to trying to open it.
Unable to get a finger hold, Chuufa is forced to use his tools to pry it up. Once it's up a couple of inches, others are able to assist, carrying a 3' diameter solid stone cover to reveal an earthen tunnel that drops down about 20'. Trickling water can be heard below as eau de Leandrie starts to rise.
"Ce puii mei?" crys Constable Kreso in astonishment. "asta a fost mereu acolo?"
Moving closer, Kreso peers down the hole and sighs. "Karcau is built atop an underground lake".
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"Ce puii mei? Asta a fost mereu acolo?"
“Don’t know about chickens, but in the name of all that's Woolly, I’d say this tunnel has existed since at least the time that your prisoner was admitted.”
“Lumos!”
Manfri incants an unnecessary command word, before drawing an ioun torch from a belt pouch and flicking it into orbit around his head. He then peers down the vertical opening.
“The shaft has been hewn straight and smooth. It breaks through into what may be a natural cave complex.”
“See there!”
The ranger points downward. “Salt stalactites naturally build up in excavations such as these. The ones that have fallen to the bottom appear to have been broken off recently.”
“I can rig a rope and grappling hook to drop down the required twenty feet, but did you want to hook up Leandrie‘s harness first, Chuufa?”
The Strong Man rubs his jaw. “It might take both Bam and I to lower her down safely.”
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Sebastian draws his own ioun torch as Manfri inspects the opening and the new tunnel.
Yes, veeeery interesting.
He squints at the tunnel cover, thinking he should be able to say something about it but coming up blank.
I wonder how this was built under the notes of those running this prison! I suppose we shall find out where it leads! Manfri, do you see any bodies down there?
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"Not from here, Sebastian."
Manfri stutter-gestures both to the left and right down the shaft. "We'll need to get to the bottom in order to see the layout of the horizontal tunnel."
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"Ce puii mei? Asta a fost mereu acolo?"“Don’t know about chickens, but in the name of all that's Woolly, I’d say this tunnel has existed since at least the time that your prisoner was admitted.”
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"You'll want to check all your other cells, just in case. --Yeah, I'll help with Leandrie."
"Da, I think your right," Kreso agrees, moving to check the other cells. He stops when he hears the discussion about Leandrie and moves to start to say something, but then just shakes his head and continues to search the other cells.
...
The tunnel is narrow, forcing the descended to move further in to make room for the next. The air is damp and brushes against the walls give superficial scrapes. Manfri's ioun torch flickers against against a brick wall at the end of the cave. Several bricks have been removed in the middle, revealing the sewer system behind it.
Loose bricks wobble as the party tries to step over. Debris rolls down; some roll past the floor and plop into the sewer water, casting ripples.
The ground is slick with sea moss, causing the occasional step to slide unexpectedly. After moving forward several hundred feat, the sewer becomes alive with the buzzing of wings.
If Leandrie has an ‘accident’ witnessed by someone having business in the Watch Station, the ranger shrugs and grins.
“They can keep that for free. It’s just sooo good for the garden.”
Getting to work, Sebastian and Chuufa circle the singular cobblestone piece, eyeing it at various heights, before shifting to trying to open it.
Unable to get a finger hold, Chuufa is forced to use his tools to pry it up. Once it's up a couple of inches, others are able to assist, carrying a 3' diameter solid stone cover to reveal an earthen tunnel that drops down about 20'. Trickling water can be heard below as eau de Leandrie starts to rise.
"No traps- just heavy to open!", Chuufa happily exclaims after gaining just the assistance he needs to pry the stony covering open.
“I can rig a rope and grappling hook to drop down the required twenty feet, but did you want to hook up Leandrie‘s harness first, Chuufa?”
The Strong Man rubs his jaw. “It might take both Bam and I to lower her down safely.”
Grimly, Bam turns to Constable Kreso. "You'll want to check all your other cells, just in case. --Yeah, I'll help with Leandrie." While the sheep is fetched, she sighs inwardly.
"Da, I think your right," Kreso agrees, moving to check the other cells. He stops when he hears the discussion about Leandrie and moves to start to say something, but then just shakes his head and continues to search the other cells.
Excitedly scurrying over towards the tethered sheep, Chuufa animatedly remarks aloud, "Sounds like good idea, Leader Man and Hammer Dame! Leandrie sure to go down with us," as the adolescent-appearing Shepherdly 'Avianoid' in Disguise then proceeds to rummage through Leandrie's Pack-saddle once he reaches by his Sheep's side [neatly sidestepping past her 'accidental contributions' to the cell-block]. "Chuufa be sure to avenge Leandrie if she dies just like First Leandrie! Got that bad wolf real good too for First Leandrie..."
Digging out a torch from the Pack-saddle, Chuufa lights it aflame with strike or three from his flint and steel before he leans over to set Leandrie's impromptu fertilizer-material on fire. "Since it all be stone here, it's better to burn away all this; sometimes magickers do stuff to make smell go away faster...", the Youthfully Rambunctious Lad eagerly explains as he helps to get Leandrie ready for Manfri and Bam to lower down into the yawning chasm of the secret sewer opening.
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“It wouldn’t be a Pathfinder mission without a sewer, now would it, Chuufa?”
After the effort of getting everyone safely down into the disgusting undercity, Manfri attempts to lighten the mood … Until the buzzing of wings is heard.
“Guessing that’s a bat swarm.” The ranger draws an acid flask.
“Got any good spells for dealing with them, Sebastian?”