"It is our way to pay and be paid for blood. Completion of your mission will bring honor enough to our Lord, pious one." The priest says to Weon as he is being carried to his bed chamber by Vela.
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After you receive your items and payment, the mantis calls to Vela outside. He asks that she assist him to his chambers as he is tired. Vela looks over the group sternly and does as asked. Knowledge:Local/Diplomacy DC 12 for Rrriiip:
You make some subtle inquiries as to the ware bouts of the Grippli tracker. It takes you a while to find a sober man, who tells you that he saw him heading north just before the festival kicked off in the city. He had his net and trident with him like he always does. Those of you wanting to shop for goods now that you have cash: There are basic goods here as found in the Core Rulebook and most Martial weapons. There are few firearms and exotic weapons are well exotic with the exception of the sawtooth sabres. I will roll for availability on Magical Items, the more special the more likely you will have to commission them and have them made.
Kayla:
You feel strangely welcome, and not in any ominous way. You perceive no threats. "Yes, please come in child. This is no punishment I assure you." The Priest calls from inside, still too weak to stand.
Vela peeks in to check on the Priest, then returns to watching the door. Than the Priest speaks. "I had a vision when the offering was accepted by our lord. I came in here to commune with his agents, but he reached out to me himself! I believe you are all here for a purpose. As tradition dictates, you are all now official Mantis in training, and no longer mere recruits. As such I have been preparing gifts for all of you on this day" He looks at KaylaYou are not a Mantis, and never will be, but I have seen that you are a great warrior and asset. As such you will be shown favor as well." The Mantis removes a tapestry on the wall revealing several large weapon racks. "Now, those marked for death is serious. Our lord rarely chooses targets like this, he rather mortals do the choosing themselves. I would be hesitant to send you to dispatch them, if I wasn't so sure. I am sure. Surer than anything I have ever been. Our lord wants these people dead and you must be his instrument. I am sending you on this mission, and I must offer payment as our lord demands. I will send word to the Vernai that I have done so. They will not deny me once they know of my convictions." "You are free to claim these men and women when ever you see fit, however I suggest you start with Rrriiip, the Grippli tracker. He was here just before you arrived and should be the easiest to find." The priest pulls out a coffer and hands you all coinage. 3,000 gold each in Ilzamagorti printed coins. "Half now, half when the job is done with proof of death. Standard Red Mantis contract."
Gorek Zsuma:
An orc pirate that frequents the shores of Mediogalti. Before today he was seen as a friend to the Mantis providing slaves and other illicit goods. Tsavo Ren:
A new recruit within the blood watch that went missing a few months ago. Apparently what ever he has been up too in that time has not pleased the lord of assassins. Sinful Red:
A madam that offers her services in the Shackles. Rrrriiip:
A Gripplis tracker that lives in the Mediogalti Jungle. He has offered services to the Red Mantis in the past. Yoki:
A tribal leader of Monkey Goblins that was seen as little more than a nuisance until today. Lady Nya Van Collik:
Recently hired the Red Mantis for a job. A native of Nidal, but you recall her mentioning visiting Sargava before her return home. The Priest falls out of his trance almost literally and needs to brace himself on the altar to avoid falling down. "I...I was communing with our lord!" He seems surprised, but blissful about the ordeal. "I had no idea he would come to me himself. Help me to a chair, that experience took a lot out of me."
Kayla:
I...I don't know if I can hide here for long. They are looking for me. I know! I will give you this, I have saved it for a very long time, hidden from my masters. I don't need it because I am about to leave this island. If you still chose to kill me so be it, I am done being a slave! He gives you a very old map. It depicts a pirate hideout along the coast on a small island north east of the Crimson Citadel. There are words on it, but it is not in a language you recognize. The half-orc runs down the alley. The Mantis of the Pagoda leads you into a tower in the center of town. It is dripping with thick blood and long red and green flags of Mediogalti hang from it. This is an older building, it looks like part of a ruin that the rest of the city was built around. Inside there are pews facing an altar. A winding staircase is hidden behind the altar by a long canvas with a depiction of the Red Mantis on it. The priest walks to the altar and cuts his hand. He spreads the blood on the altar and goes into a trance for a moment. The Priest begins to speak in a strange language.
Language Infernal: The following are marked for death by my unholy decree :Gorek Zsuma, Tsavo Ren, Sinful Red, Rrrriiip, Yoki, and Lady Nya Van Collik.
The Mantis of the Pagoda places the relic on the altar on the pagoda and begins to chant. The rest of the city is dead quiet. Kayla:
The worried Half-orc puts a finger to his lips as a sign of quiet when the Priest is chanting. When he is done and the noise level rises he responds.Pa please! I... I will do anything. I know a boat, I can take you too if you want. When the priest stops chanting a Red Mantis appears out of the chest, and suddenly it is caught up in a swarm of Red Mantis that sweep the area, leaving as suddenly as they arrived. We are blessed this year! The Priest calls out with joy! Knowledge Religion DC 25 or Worshiper of Achaekek:
This response to the offering is rare. It suggests that the Red Mantis organization will grow, but this is typically at the price of one of the Vernai or even the Blood Mistress herself dieing or exiled. The city bursts into music and dance. Red buckets of pigs blood are poored on the streets. Children play with paper and stick shaped mantis. The priest stands in the pagoda with his eyes closed for a short period of time. Then he opens his eyes and looks at the group. Come with me, we have much to discuss. He looks a bit more solemn then when he was giving his chants.
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