I noticed you've run a few new recruitments! It really seems like Golarion inspires you a lot.
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Ah man, maybe do a weekly check in. How are you doing?
sigh Yeah I think we might.
Work has gotten ridiculous lately. My posting rate is going to slow down I think.
She pokes her head in the cabin to see how Draflo is. Be wary, I think someone be looking to make a play fer our little secrets she says shortly. Put up some alarm spells and detect magic and see invisible if ye can. Xiakon, put up a blessing if ye can and then go around asking where exactly Rabbis said he was going and when he left. Then she strides over towards the tug boats. What be the meaning of this ya lugs! There be no reason to block us from the sea! she yells.
Queshem tears up the note and shoves the pieces in her pocket. We're headin' back Xiakon, now, don't have to run, but step quick like, yeah?
Queshem feels queasy as she stares at the message. She casts Detect Magic on it and, if she finds nothing untoward, pops it open while shusing Xiakon.
Queshem sighs and pats Thasha on the back. I'm glad to have ye aboard Thasha and that be a fact. Didn't mean to put ye in a situation where ye'd have to choose. Queshem goes back upstairs and tries to calm matters somewhat. Ain't that there's trouble, I just got a lead on our quarry and it'd be better to move fast rather'n stock up. Start getting us ready to push off and I'll go with Xiakon to find Rabbis. Keep any riff raff off 'cause they'll just slow us don. Did Rabbis say where he'd be? Post a guard on me cabin though, Drafo'll be inside goin' over some things.
Hey those two things aren't anything to apologize for!
Queshem plops down heavily beside Thasha. The whole thing were a thrust and I parried. Problem bein' she knows I were ready fer it and the pretense between us be gone. But it were a subtle thing Thasha. I wouldn't worry about it. She gives the tiefling a pat. None of us heard what Starra said to ye, but... she lowers her voice to commiserate in a more private fashion It weren't an easy thing to hear I take it? And ye weren't expectin' Zadei to take her side?
Hope everything is okay.
Ya know... Queshem says carefully, not wanting to invalidate the feelings of the obviously emotionaly fragile Thasha as she moved towards her voice. I don't think anyone aboard noticed anything other'n Draflo and me.
Queshem, having barely held off the formidable Pirate Lord frowns as she tips her hand even more by rejecting Thasha. Starra made Thasha choose between us and her, and when Thasha tried to avoid it, made the choice for her. It take a harsh woman to treat a mate that way. Queshem gives Draflo a frank look before moving to follow the heart broken tiefling below. Starra be closer to a foe now than a friend Draflo, I think we need to be taking our leave of Quent fer a spell. Tell Tound and Parcell to keep up the watch, those on duty will be rewarded fer vigilance. Before heading down, Queshem sighs and pauses for a few minutes to give Thasha at least a little time alone. She descends and calls out Thasha, ye feel good to talk?
Hah I think I be a better tale teller than Thasha Queshem snorts ye don't want me to sing at all though, Abadar knows so it evens out in 'er favour. Her brow furrows as she goes on As fer what happened truth be told I don't like to speak o' it either, what we saw in Beachcomber.... it weren't right. A whole town of people spiked in blood to serve Gnarea's madness. Queshem's voice goes harsh My own village got ripped apart when I were young so Gods know it pains me to see it happen. It be coarse murderous insanity. She comes out of the bad memories, both old and new, with a sigh. So There must be justice of course and I do plan to pursue it. And Abadar knows I'm going to get me ship back. But I won't move heaven and earth to satisfy the desire. I've seen what such singular obsession does too many times. And I got plenty other things to do to make the Shackles safer fer trade. The deal ye made with Slipcove be glorious and I hope it'll be an inspiration to others in how much more money can be made more easier by honest dealin' rather'n piracy and raidin' and hell it be easier work to boot. So first thing I'll be doing is going back to Bag Island to make sure everything there be on the up and up. Gnarea didn't leave any... witnesses.. that I can ask fer me quarry but I got a lead here in Quent that might lead to where he be. And then I got to hope that he don't move on and I'm not just chasing his tail. If I can know fer certain what he be [i]doing[i] then I might be be able to go to where he's going rather than run behind the bastard.
Celebration? Queshem grins Then let's do it under the sky rather'n my cramped cabin. This be a place fer the serious stuff. She stands up and motions for the door out to be opened and ushers everyone out. Then she strides out herself and calls for a keg to be opened and for all the crew close by to leave their duties behind for a spell. She arranges for the chairs in the cabin to be brought out for the guests of honour to sit or stand near Starra's bottle of wine at hand while everyone else gets to pull from the keg. This be a tale fer Starra, who, Queshem raises her mug at the Pirate Lord Let me remind ye is the reason any of us been getting paid the last little while. So while I know most of ye've heard this one before and some of ye lived the bloody thing I'll ask ye to keep yer pie holes shut if yer bored or get tossed overboard.... and then she begins to relay the tale of the crew of the Second Wind on Bag Island. Just like the first time she told the tale leaves out any mention of the mysterious woman who had witnessed the results of Gnarea's bloody sacrifice and ends the tale with Gnarea getting dragged into the depths of Abbadon by his own summons. She also molds the story to be less motivational and more of a pirate's yarn. She only sips her glass when she gets thirsty during the long tale.
Queshem doesn't hand a mug to Draflo. She's been sickly lately and the wine be not good fer her sadly. she takes a swig of her own mug though.
Queshem sends someone out to bring back mugs for everyone as she nods at Starra's question. Yeah. Ain't one to stay on land for long fer one thing and fer another got unfinished business to take care of. I already told ye what my purpose in the Shackles be and I were hoping to drop by Bag Island to see how it be recovering in alliance with ye. I don't remember if I told ye how I were the victim of a mutiny. I've got some scales to balance with the bastard who did it, a man who were my First Mate.
Queshem sighs, Well it won't be much fer regalin' as what happened on Bag Island weren't... pleasant. But certainly, come on in. Draflo, Polos, yer persepctives will be good to have for this. Ye coming in Thasha? It'd be a squeeze but we've had more in there before.
Don't mind at all. Queshem responds noting Starra repeating herself which was something out of character for the no nonsense Pirate lord. This whole thing was really. Polos, my brother, would be real interested in chattin' with Zadei 'bout all that fine armor and weaponry I know that. Come on up. I'll give ye a tour first and then we can talk in the cabin. Hope it's not too humble for ye.
Queshem waves at the group. The three looked formidable and with Thasha she could see the swashbuckling adventurers Starra's crew had been. Emphasis on the had. Hail Lord Starra, yer welcome aboard with never a doubt. To what do we owe this pleasure? Draflo! Polos! Get the cabin ready for guests! She shouts. Code for hide the things Pronto!
Well we just concluded a valuable deal o'er Bag Island that was mutually profitable fer the both of us. Why would she do any o' that to a valuable business partner? I intend to keep that ruse going. Queshem points out. Now, if she's going to tip her hand that there be more goin' on then that, then we'll deal with that when that comes. I can play dumb real well if need be.
Well I only want to hide 'em while Starra's around, so, bag of holding, under the floorboards. Ye need a break anyway Draflo. Food and sleep keep the mind fresh yeah? Though we need to worry 'bout trying to keep ourselves from bein' scryed any thoughts on that? Queshem sighs when the topic of conversation changes Truth be told I'm worried 'bout her. She's a big girl though, and I've got to trust she can keep herself safe.
Well take a break for a spell 'cause I got another puzzle for ye. Queshem says, plopping down beside her trusted friend. Starra wants to meet and she wants to do it here. I figger she's going to try and find out as much as she can and I don't want her to know about all the little mysterious bits o' loot that we've been accumulatin'. Would sticking them in a bag of holding be enough to prevent any sort o' magical snoopin? From what I know the bag has its own aura that don't care about what be in it.
Queshem checks in on Draflo. How ye gettin' on with that blasted book? shes asks referring to Gnarea's diary. If it's too much we can just burn it and be done with it.
In truth Queshem had been so wrapped up in trying to keep ahead of secret cults and chasing Magner and Raffles that the she had not given any thought to the new reality of the second phase of her actual goal now that she was a known quantity in the Shackles it made perfect sense for her to have actual known allies working for her in the open.. Ye want me to allow ye to be an agent of mine? Here I were expecting ye to ask fer a mansion in Quent. Queshem grins. I mean I remember the first thing ye asking me fer was this whole damned ship! Compared to that ye dedicating yerself to helping me ain't a hard thing to agree to at all. Now that I think about it, I think Bag Island would be a great place. Ye'll fit well with their hatred of slavery and she can't help but grimace at his stump. They can't deny all ye did fer the island. She lays her hand on one of the ex slaves still strong arm. Ye've payed me back many times over Rabbis. In many ways. Don't ever think ye haven't. Ye want to do this. Ye do it as yer own choice of yer own will for what we're trying to achieve here. Not out of obligation to me.
Quehsem nods, it was hard to see Rabbis's physical form reduced, but, he was as calm as ever, and that counted for way more to her. More than worthy Rabbis, just let me know what it is that ye wish.
Shrugging Queshem turns around and makes her way back to the ship. Whatever stooge was spying on her might not even know who they might have been spying on behalf of let alone anything that would be of use to her. She had hoped that all of her questions at the temple would be answered but quite a few of them had been. She had a name for one, and a possible plan. She makes her way back to the ship and makes sure that the crew's pay is taken care of. A fairly generous one considering the hardship they had gone through and very generous when bonuses are taken into account for those who had come inland with her as well as for Parcell's Graspers.
Queshem apparently had a knack for impressing Calistrians and she didn't really know how to take that. She took a sip of the offered drink and nodded. I know I ain't orthodox that be true and as fer following yer Lady, well, I will be sailing out to get back at someone who did me wrong so maybe that'll get me her blessing at least for the next little while. She accepts the warning seriously. This woman who might be Vienne certainly knows me face and it only be this cult's paranoia or her own desire to keep secrets that'll keep the cult from knowin' that I be involved. Other than that ye are the only one who knows how much it is that I know so she shrugs If ye like me enough to give me some cover then I'll be in yer debt. She takes a deep breath. It's harder to hit a movin' target in any case so I think I better get movin'. It were a pleasure to make yer acquaintance High Priestess. May yer dealings be fair and profitable.
I saw him dragged into Abbadon. Most likely dead o'course but that don't mean he won't come back some how. Queshem says in response to Gnarea's presumed status. Putting the token away she grins again at Deindarra figures out that she's not revealing everything. Ah yar, I ain't told ye the best parts yet. Tell ye what... If ye keep secret that I know more about this secret cult then they want anyone to know then I'll tell ye all about it when I've dealt with 'em. Fair? As a gesture of good will I can give ye copies of the 'peace' deal Rampore offered Slipcove and the counter offer that were rejected.
Queshem smile wide Our foes High Priestess? Have I convinced ye to join my side already. That would be welcome. Either way if yer right 'bout who she be then I saw her in Gnarea's lair. Before his madness were even revealed. She was standing there unbothered by everything Gnarea had done. Or was doing. She said Gnarea had been rejected from something and that he would not be reconsidered and what he was doing would not supplant them. Then she saw me and said "And yet already at hand is a tool to use against you Gnarea. How quickly the god provides." Then she said to me "Sailor, you serve a higher purpose today. As do I." I don't think she be servin' Besmara any more yah? But ye want to know what Gnarea had done. Let me tell ye. And she relays what happened since her crew arrived at Beachcomber till when the portal exploded. She keeps the tale as short and simple as possible even though it really is neither.
Queshem tips her a wink. Ah well, I be having some rumours but I would no feel right giving ye anything less than absolutely certain I'm sure ye understand. Then she says So one last thing I guess... a bit of a game. I'll describe a woman to ye. If ye can tell me who she be then I'll tell you something about her. Assuming Deindarra is interested Queshem describes the woman she saw in Gnarea's lair.
Queshem can't help but feel disappointed. She had thought she'd find answers to all her questions but it turned out that she knew more about whatever the heck was going on then the woman in front of her. She holds her hand out to take the disc back and casually drops another potential bombshell. Warl, in exchange for the breakthrough I've given ye, perhaps you can tell me about Jannum Rathmiller.
Quehsem gives a wry grin. I think this be serious based on what I saw in Gnarea's chamber. Do ye want to know what happened there? Cut through the rumour and the like? There be something I kept to myself that I have a question on. I'll tell ye if ye tell me what this mean. Queshem takes out the green disc with the stylized eye, trimmed in red with the image of a skinking island on the other side.
Queshem winces, follower hidden in plain sight fit the description of Starra pretty much exactly, especially given what Thasha had said about how the former pirate captain's behaviour had changed. I saw it another time on a ship headed towards Schenzhu Bay, and finally scattered about as decoration in Starra's home. Not prominently displayed, but not hidden either. That be a fine way to signal to other secret followers of her true allegiance I do think. Whatever be happenin' it's reached its tendrils out not only to Bag Island, but to Schenzhu, and Quent as well. She fixes Dindreann with a frank look, which coming from Queshem is very frank indeed. I ain't done with secrets. Are ye up fer some more? On the assumption that Diendrann is interested Queshem says. I know we be playin' a fun game here of tradin' secrets, which be pleasin' to both Abadar and Calistria I think, but another thing our gods be having in common be their fondness for this little world of ours. Both fought the Rough Beast in their own way to chain it in the Dead Vault if I do recall correctly. Whatever be happenin' feels similar to me 'specially considerin' what Gnarea almost did. I can tell ye more of what I've seen but I have to know afore I do. Will ye protect me by keepin' quiet what I know? Will ye aid in foilin' whatever plans be comin' out of the Eye?
One place I saw 'em were in Gnarea's notes... liberated from the remains of Beachcomber. Queshem says I'll tell ye the other two if ye tell me what those rumours be and who be involved. Queshem cocks her head to the side. I think many people be chasin' whatever this be. The kind o' people I figger I'll need to protect myself from
Hey I'm going on vacation starting tomorrow for about five days so any posting will be real sporadic until the 16th or so! LIke I said on discor I'm also starting a new job on the 22nd. I have NO idea what that'll do to my posting rate but at least for a while it'll be slow for sure as I figure out how much free time I will have. Might even be more as the commute is shorter but we will see.
No she says with a grimace Reason bein I ain't tired of living. Yer telling me this thing be mixed up with the endless hurricane?
Sorry to disappoint ye. They say tell stories far better'n than I draw. Queshem says as she traces out as best she can the runes decorating the bronze box and Starra's home. She gives the paper to Dindreann. I can tell ye where I've found these if ye tell me what the bloody hell it represent.
Are the runes on Starra and the box the same as the sytlized eye on the disc she found on the loot from Gnarea?
I been finding that which secrets I choose to share, and which I choose to keep buried be making far more of a difference then where I choose to aim the bolts from me crossbow. Queshem says matter of factly. I were wondering if I can draw something for ye, and then if ye could tell me more of it.
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