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Quintus frowns at Kehl's comment, "I don't much care for the people, yes, but their works of art are almost without parallel. I'd only rank those of Taldor higher, but, and it pains me to admit this, only slightly. The passage of time has not been kind to this place." The bard's eyes narrow as he listens more closely to the sound of screaming in the wind. "That's... unnerving. Before we investigate more closely, now might be a good time to use this potion, yes?" He pulls out the potion of protection from evil for any takers. "Howling screams coming from a well in a ruined keep just reeks of evil to me."
Judging the kobolds to be of no threat, Quintus relaxes slightly. "Our apologies for acting in violence and slaying your clansmen. We don't interact with your kind much if at all, and only assumed the worst when you reached for your weapons. In hindsight, I suppose your reaction was only natural to assume we were intruders with hostile intent. Perhaps our getting rid of this weak Fire Speaker might allow us to look beyond past hostilities." It feels odd trying to reason with creatures the group was only recently trying to slaughter, but... well... there it is.
"Before we leave in peace, is there anything of note you can tell us about this place? Where does that door lead to?" Quintus points to the double doors across the room.
Quintus sneers at the pitiful creatures. Technically the kobold was right... the group of Pathfinders attacked first, but kobolds are notoriously evil creatures. Plus they're ugly. Justification enough! "We were after the sword your skulk friend was carrying. Where does the river under the well lead to? Who was he?"
Quintus brushes the dirt off his fine clothes as best as he can. "I swear to Calistria, if one more thing hits me with a color spray, I'm going to shove my rapier through its face!" Realizing he said this little outburst aloud, he gives everyone a sheepish grin, "Er... sorry. So... what now? Anyone have a spare katana?"
Quintus reads the translation aloud to everyone. "Well this is interesting. I wonder if this," Quintus points to the corpse in the first cell, "was the ambassador mentioned in the note. If so, why would he be imprisoned? The incivility of the Qadirans knows no bounds. Does that also mean these trade agreements were with someone invading Absalom? This is quite a political dilemma."
Once the sounds of combat have died down for a few seconds, Quintus carefully opens his eyes. "I think it's dead..."
"The blindness should only be temporary. I've heard stories of these, mostly about adventurers traveling deep underground. I'm surprised one was so close to the surface." Quintus rummages around in his pack and pulls out the potion of cure light wounds he was holding. "If anyone is still injured I have one of these potions." While waiting for everyone to recover their sight, Quintus takes a quick look around the room and checks to see if any magical items might be hiding around .
As someone steps out of the room Quintus realizes that it's Kehl and that he's uninjured before using the wand. "What are you doing?! You're not hurt! Gah... out of my way!" After hearing Dasiji call out, Quintus realizes that it might be difficult to escape from a creature one can't see. He takes a quick look where the ranger is in the room before closing his eyes and shoving past Kehl. "If I walk out of this disfigured in any way, you're paying for my hat of disguise!" Quintus moves to where Dasiji was standing before activating his wand to heal him.
"In places like these, it's always worth a little look to find something hidden. At least by someone good at finding things! I could always check for magical items, but until we find something we can talk to, that's about all I'm useful for." Quintus puts his rapier away and continues following the group.
"Remember, that Qadiran wanted us to find trade agreements. Though if you want to tell him they were eaten by an ooze or something, I won't stop you. Whoever made the agreements probably don't even remember them... but those Qadirans need to pinch every gold..." Quintus stops abruptly as the beetles charge, reaching for his rapier.
Quintus nods at Dasiji's thinking. "Though it's always nice to have a pretty, presentable face up front for a good first impression," at this he flashes a cheeky grin, "It's more important to keep said face pretty. You have no idea how long it took to clean up all the grime from my little nap in the street the other day." As they approach the ruins, Quintus begins to cast detect magic to see if any lingering auras were around until he sees Irijaya do the same. Not used to having another caster with the group, he stands back and quirks an eyebrow at the oracle. Just as he's about to ask what she found, the sickly Pathfinder approaches the group, causing Quintus to recoil in fear of catching whatever seems to be afflicting her.
But after Zedril asks her what happened, Quintus reaches for his new whip and shouts to his companions, "Stay back! She's not what she seems... I heard her say she wants to... eat... us!"
Before meeting the group the next morning, Quintus ventures into the city's theater district to find a shop specializing in stage fighting equipment. With the gold rewarded from his first foray into Pathfinder work, he finds a whip of exceptional quality. Afterwards, he uses his Taldan connections to procure a wand of healing magic. Then, finally ready, he heads to meet his companions.
"Just be careful with these Qadirans. Though it seems as if you reached an agreement - quite skillfully, I might add - no doubt he's scheming to twist your words to his advantage." Quintus then grins at the mention of the encounter at the Paracountess' estate. "At least with the Chelish you know where you stand. Now, if you'd all excuse me, I have some matters to attend to. I look forward to our adventuring together tomorrow." Now... where did those girls get off to...
Quintus barely manages to hide his disdain and clenches his jaw as the Trade Prince speaks with the group. Taldor and Qadira have a strained relationship, to say the least, with a current uneasy truce following a half-century of war. Many historical plays have been written about the conflict, and despite Quintus's fascination with Keleshite works of art, he still holds a prejudice against those from Qadira. Thankfully, Dasiji does the talking, allowing Quintus to fume silently.
Quintus gives the man an amused smirk, "Ah, yes... one doesn't need the quaint Andoran notion of freedom for all undeserving people to understand the dangers of the undead. If we come across any monsters of the type, we'll be dealing with them as a favor to us. Still, we appreciate the warning. This rumor seems to have spread fairly quickly."
It takes several seconds to recognize the somewhat-finely dressed man, but Quintus lets out an amused chuckle when he sees Dasiji. "Haha... a more well-dressed Mwangi the world has never seen! Going for the plant look, are we?" Quintus grins as he teases his fellow Pathfinder. --- After the Venture Captain leaves, Quintus smiles and raises an eyebrow at Kehl's request. "I don't know if even my sweet-talking would be enough to find a pretty girl for you. I know... I know. I can set aside my deep humility an give it a try, at least, but I won't promise anything. But first..." Quintus looks over his two new companions, his gaze lingering on the beautiful Vudrani woman before he gives each a slight bow. "It seems as if we'll be undertaking this expedition together. Quintus Valorian, pleased to make your acquaintance."
Quintus listens to Amari Li with a faint smile, eager to begin actual adventures to mysterious locations instead of running errands all day. "A story fitting for the stage, if I may say so myself. No doubt, restoring this treasure would bring honor to your family; and earning the favor of a beautiful woman, which I say with all respect due to someone of your rank and position of Venture Captain, is only added incentive to aid in this effort." Judging by the extravagant festival, proving himself to the Venture Captain would surely go far in boosting his reputation.
Ha! Dress my best? Those Tians wouldn't know good dress if it stepped on their sandal-wearing toes! Plum wine, however... Quintus grabs his most garishly-colored Taldan doublet and overtunic, hoping to stand out above the vivid kimono sure to be found at a Tian festival. Arriving somewhat late, the bard barely glances at anyone as he flashes his invitation. Only after grabbing a glass of plum wine does he begin to casually stroll through the crowd looking for the Venture Captain.
With the plain-looking man on the ground and the halfling occupied, Quintus shouts to his friends, "Keep an eye on the shifty fellow on the ground!" before turning to the female caster. He moves within reach and adopts a quirky fighting stance that one might call foppish, but his aim is true as he lunges with his rapier, wounding the caster. He taunts her with a smirk, "Ha! Best follow your friend's example and yield, lest you feel my blade again!"
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