Tilos Deverin, NPC's page

"Tonight, then?" Tilos' eyebrows raise in surprise as he pushes himself back from the table. "Very well, I'll need to move quickly then. Your tickets will be ready for you at the door tonight, so you'll have a few hours yet. May Desna smile upon your efforts."

The young nobleman and his bodyguard both slip out the door, leaving your group at the table and drawing curious glances from the other patrons.

"So we are agreed then, to investigate Minvandu under cover of one of their shows? I don't think I need to warn to be cautious. I'll handle to purchasing of the tickets, is tomorrow evening too soon?"

"I agree with Nathalion, if investigating Minvandu is what you think best I won't gainsay you, but a degree of subtlety is called for, if you get into a fight with his guards it could easily blow back on my family. Purchasing tickets...that's not a bad idea at all though."

After a few minutes, the young man returns with a few sheafs of parchment, some candles, and a quill with inkwell. Settling back into his spot, he glances around at all of you, expression concerned but hopeful. "Any thoughts about all this? I'm open to any and all suggestions."

When Gaziq hands him the stack of research notes, Tilos frowns and flips through them, eyes blankly staring as the bizarre script and seeking out the occasional formulaic diagram. Handing them back, the nobleman shakes his head. "I'm afraid I don't understand, though that is becoming a familiar refrain today, it seems. What is this, and what does it mean?"

But more importantly, the Beast House's shady dealings appear to go well beyond what you know. And there seems to be no love lost between you and Minvandu. What more can you tell us about him?"

"Basaalee Minvandu is an arrogant brute and a sadist, but also very cunning, and even charming when he wants to be. He used to just manage bull fights, training bulls and matadors for events at the Serpent's Run arena, but I guess he got tired of that and now he's collecting genuine monsters--and the types of people who volunteer to fight them." Tilos' voice is heated and starts to grow overly loud before he catches himself. Taking a breath, the young man continues. "He has a knack for avoiding legal trouble--my father and the Church of Desna have called for him to be investigated multiple times over the years--but he has a talent for twisting the letter of the law to shield his activities, and he appears to have ties to the Order of the Nail. At the very least, they've intervened on his behalf at least twice that I can recall."

Tilos' jaw tightens. "When I heard he was looking for investors, I thought perhaps my coin could buy me enough leverage to shed some light on what's going on in there, but the bastard's keeping me at arm's length. It's not entirely unlikely that he's involved, or at least knows something about what's going on. I'll write you that letter, we can try to get you in first thing in the morning." Pushing back from his chair, Tilos strides over to Gasson and the older man hustles into a side room. Kya detaches herself from the wall and follows.

You have a minute or two to discuss things amongst yourselves if you like.

"Where's the site a tha warehouse? Been needin' to stop in with some folks thereabouts."

Tilos shrugs, "Where else? In Underbridge, in the shadow of the Irespan." He reaches into the breast pocket of his vest and withdraws a small note, proffering it to Raleign. Written upon it is an address. "At the time, a shipping company called the Swift Dolphin Coster had just gone out of business. They maintained a string of warehouses down there, which the city sold to them very cheaply during one of their halfhearted attempts to clean up the district. Seems Orizir claimed one for his little cult's rituals, and I'm sure in the years since they've been home to all manner of desperate, criminal, or verminous inhabitants."

"But they had a creature in the sewers that was doped to the point of insensibility, and we think that there is a connection between the alchemy behind the 'dog-monsters' and the drugs that were used for this...If you gave us a letter of introduction for the Beast House, preferably one with stern language, we might be able to enter peaceably and look around."

Tilos shifts uncomfortably. "It's an open secret that poisons--and to a much lesser extent, drugs--are briskly traded in the cities underworld, and I can't say I would be terribly surprised to learn that Minvandu was using something to keep his monsters docile, but it would surprise me to learn that he hadn't concocted some sort of exemption or other legal shield like he always seems to. Still, what does this have to do with artificial dog-things hunting goblins in the sewers?"

I'm assuming you explained about the alchemical zombies and chimera-hounds, let me know if you avoid mentioning anything specific or all of it.

Your explanations only seem to puzzle the young nobleman more. "A goblin hamlet in the sewers...and their arsonist leader was robbed? Of what? And you had dealings with the little monsters? And just what in blazes is a homunculus?"

"Perhaps not a well known threat, but a wizard's familiar, poses the threat."

Tilos chuckles at this. "No disrespect to your craft, Nathalion, but are we to suspect that some wizard's pet cat or raven is the source of my family's recent woes? It's been so long since Orizir was defeated, such an animal would be long dead by now."

The young man's mouth opens and closes a few times as he glances from face to face, expression puzzled. "...I can't decide if you're putting me on. Alright then, I'll go first."

Glancing conspiratorially around the room Tilos leans in. "After Father mentioned that wizard, Orizir, I pressed him for more information but he was reluctant. Apparently the mage was a conjurer and enchanter of some skill, and as charismatic as any sorcerer. He built a small cult in the city, maybe a dozen people, and every rumor names different merchants and lords as members. Orizir was captured in the shrine he'd build beneath an old warehouse by the docks. His trial was swift and he was imprisoned in the Hells. Father says he received a discreet letter from the warden some years ago that the mage died down there."

Tilos leans back in his chair and sighs. "To be sure, I finagled an appointment with the Lord Banker of Abadar and paid for a few minor divinations. 'Yes' and 'no' type stuff for the most part. They were quite emphatic that the wizard was dead, and yet "a familiar threat still stalks House Deverin". Damnably unhelpful for how much it cost, if you ask me."

As the afternoon wears on and the main room begins to slowly fill up with patrons, the front door swings open and Tilos Deverin steps in, the bodyguard Kya close behind. The young man smiles and chats lightly with several people as he makes his way over the the large table where he first hired you, but once he sits down his expression grows somber.

As Kya resumes her previous spot leaned up against the wall to watch the room, the young nobleman sighs. "Well, I've had an expensive and vexing day, I hope yours has been more productive."

Tilos grimaces and glances at his father, who gazes calmly at Raleigh for a long moment before inclining his head. Clearing his throat, Tilos says softly. "Selli--Selliriyen--isn't human, no whatever what he may look like. He's an angel of some sort, a servant of the Empyreal Lord Black Butterfly. Selli is a...bodyguard, of sorts. I think that's enough for you, Mister Raleigh. It's not possible that Selli has been mind controlled."

Tilos chuckles as he reaches the top of the stairs"Selli? He's an old friend of father's, he's been working here for years, since I was a child. He doesn't just garden, he does odd jobs around the house and generally keeps things running."

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

As the two of you step out onto the sunny balcony Tilos goes over to the well-dressed but elderly man dozing in his comfy chair and gently shakes him awake. "Father, sorry to disturb you but one of the people who helped us at the Honey Hut is here, he and his friends want written permission to investigate on our behalf."

"Something official, yes, I believe I can get father to sign off on that, follow me." Leading you up the stairs, the young man speaks over his shoulder to you. "You might have seen him out on the balcony, the sunlight lifts his spirits. He might pretend to be hard of hearing but don't fall for it, he thinks its funny to make people yell."

???: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"Ah, hello, is everything well? Irin mentioned that you had a matter to discuss with me but wouldn't tell him what it is..."

"Not at the Honey Hut, no. I started that project around the same time he got the drain-pump contract, we've interacted a few times in the last several months but have been working separately."

Tilos stands and gives you a nod. "You as well. Are you all headed to Tian Lung?"

"By the way, you said you heard the saboteur? Did they speak? Can you tell us what they sounded like?"

Frowning in concentration as he remembers, Tilos draws out each word slowly. "Yes...they were invisible, like I said, but fast. I heard them creeping along on the second floor, but when I tried to confront them they just giggled--a hissy, high-pitched sort of sound--and then rushed up the wall and out a window. A halfling perhaps? I do not know, but their step was light. It was then I smelled the smoke, and saw my employees sprawled out on the floor below."

Sliding back his chair he stands as well. "Alright, I'll return to home and ask my father if our family has any secret enemies, though I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. Shall we meet back here tomorrow to compare notes?"

It's an ingested substance that carries a slightly vinegary flavor." She pauses. "It was definitely not an accident."

Tilos gets very still for a moment, and his knuckles are white on the arms of his chair. "They were drugged. And they would have gotten me as well if I hadn't been upstairs at the time, one of the cranes was jammed and I wan't to get it working again before lunch. Damn them, whoever they are."

"Is Oil of Taggit sold openly here in Magnimar? Who would be selling it?"

"I don't know, perhaps--" Tilos starts, when over by the wall the woman clears her throat significantly. Giving her a nod, the nobleman says softly, "Go ahead Kya"

Pronounced "KEE-uh"

"No one ascends to power without stepping on a few toes... If nothing else, there would be feelings of jealousy from those who have great aspirations, but not the talent to achieve them." Nathalion lectures the young noble. Nathalion is quite a young man himself. "I'm afraid I must ask you about the Beast House. You seem embarrassed about it. Perhaps it is the shady connection we are seeking."

"That may be so, but if mere jealousy is our assumed motive then I don't see how that helps us." his chin juts out proudly. "My family doesn't pinch pennies, and we're not ostentatious the way some of the others are. We're not in anyone's way."

When you bring up the Beast House the young man grimaces. "Ach, it's not--look, what you need to understand--ugh, Minvandu's just enjoys his job way to much. And I hate admitting it but he gulled me, the contract's signed and legal and it's well written. So I'm stuck with him for now, and I don't care to be reminded of it. That's all."

"You know anybody that might want ya outta their way? Someone who's business ya mighta meddled with? Got a funny feeling the behavior that sends a man into a fire to rescue people ain't just a single, spur a the moment idea."

"I'm not certain I take your meaning on the last part. As for who might want me 'out of the way'...no, I can't think of anyone. We don't really make political enemies, that's a deliberate policy of my father's. Maybe a creditor? Someone we've lent money too?" His tone makes it clear he finds that unlikely, but he's trying to be helpful.

"Who else practices bee keeping in town?"

Tilos' chest swells with pride. "No one! That's the main reason I backed the venture--when Aral came to me with his proposition I thought it was perfect! A fully self-contained honey-producing center, it was a very promising idea!"

"Do you have any other business interests in town?"

"Oh certainly, quite a few, though I don't manage all of them. There's of course the Fancy Reeflclaw here, a few warehouses down in Dockway, Tian Lung Fireworks, and," he gives a small, embarrassed cough. "the Beast House, though that was more a spur-of-the moment thing when I visited with Kaleb a few months ago."

"It would be very helpful if you could provide us a full accounting of what you remember about yesterday. And, out of curiosity, do you have any connection to Zilderban? Personal, financial, or otherwise?"

"Yes, yes of course. I have had dealings with Zilderban, he has a knack for building mechanical devices that can do the work of many men! But he's a bit of a prima donna, I'm afraid, so our relationship is strictly financial. I believe he's currently under contract with the city for some sort of water-drainage pump, the idea is to reclaim some flooded section of the old sewers..." Pausing in thought for a moment, the nobleman brightens. "You'd have to check with Gasson, but Zilderban often stays here." he gestures to an impeccably dressed older man behind the service counter.

He drops his voice again, as though afraid of being overheard. "There is another thing--while the Watch priest was tending to my employees yesterday, they all complained of an unpleasant, oily taste in their mouths and of fierce headaches. Does that mean anything? Or is it relatively normal for smoke inhalation?"

"First I have some questions for you sir. Might narrow things down a whole lot."

Tilos turns and surveys you warily but also...amused? "Ah, yes, you are Mister Blanc, correct? Watchknight Umael mentioned you. She says you're sharp and brave but impertinent and bordering on arrogant. It seems you've caused her some frustration in the past?" He adjusts his chair to better face you all. "Very well, what sort of questions?"

Are you looking for more beekeepers?"

The question clearly catches his interest and his voice takes on an urgent tone. "Are you a beekeeper as well? Desna smiles indeed! The smoke killed almost all my normal bees and two-thirds of the larger stock. All but one of the queens is dead, if you could save her it'd save us a lot of time and--ow!"

Suddenly jerking back and sliding his chair away from the table, he ducks down to peer beneath and gasps as he finds himself face-to-face with Zyxl, still mostly under the blanket.

"Oh! Hello there, I, uh, think I remember a shuffling cloak from yesterday." Popping his head back above the table, expression a trifle concerned. "Is it, um...safe to pet?"

Nodding at the chorus of affirmatives, Tilos swallows audibly and his grin turns a little foolish as Ceinwyn doesn't break eye contact. "Er, haha, what? That is, yes! A job! Haha."

Taking a moment for a breath, he glances around the table at everyone else. "No, nothing shady, well I don't think so anyway. I want to hire you to help me get to the bottom of whatever in the Nine Hells happened yesterday, because I'm at a complete loss." For a moment, he looks a little bit afraid, but he hides it well.

"I don't see any reason to assume, or my family, aren't still in danger so I'm turning to you. Yes, Sir Maru, you are strangers to me, but you're strangers who came to the assistance of me and mine for no other reason than that we were in need. My father also says that the best thing we can do is to help those who want to help, so I've decided to trust you." Leaning back in his chair, he frowns. "Problem is, I don't have the faintest notion of where to start."

"Good afternoon! I'm glad to see you're all here, as quite frankly I owe you my life--as do four of my employees." Reaching into his coat Tilos withdraws a large pouch and sets it on the table with a clink of coins. "This is for you, it should come out to five hundred gold sails each."

Leaning forward conspiratorially, the young man looks you all in the eye. "If you're up for it, I would like to offer you all a job."

"Oh, of course! Naturally if you've already got a place, by all means! That said, I would appreciate it if you would all meet me at the Reefclaw tomorrow at noon so I can more properly express my thanks." The young man attempts another grin through the swelling on his face and neck, but his body language conveys both anger and weariness. "For now though, I should return home and get myself tended to. I'll send word to Gasson that any of you who want a room are welcome to it, no charge. Until tomorrow." With a stiff bow, Tilos turns and walks to the gate.

"I need to go home and reassure my mother and lord father that I'm alright, but I'd like to thank you all properly. My family owns the Fancy Reefclaw, if you're willing I'd be happy to put you all up there at no charge for a while!" Tilos Deverin smiles warmly, but he looks pale and drawn and exhausted.

"Somebody glued your front door shut. Tried to burn the place down with you inside..."

Looking back at you, face grim and tight with anger, "I know." Then he walks over to the priest who is waving a small jar under the chins of the unconscious humans.

"I don't suppose you saw who it was?"

The young man shakes his head. "No, but I heard them. They were invisible. A moment please, I'll return."

"Next time, I think I would much rather be the dashing rescuer," he offers with a pained grin. Climbing slowly and carefully to his feet, he steps over to Ceinwynn and places his hands on her shoulders. "I'm extremely grateful for your timely arrival. That goes for all of you as well!" he continues with a gesture to you.

"But first I have to see to my people, please don't go anywhere!"