I'll take the Sunrise District, it'll give me a chance to see how the animals we released are fairing in the park and the Druids of the Park seem to glean much knowledge of that area.
Anders' face darkens considerably at Lavinia's mention of her brother's violence toward her.
"I will take Azure district, and see what I can find there."
EDIT: I will take 20 on the Gather Info check, for a 23.
"Ill take the Cudgel District."
Eldin’s countenance darkens at the mention of Lavinia’s brother striking her. “A brother may be able to get away with hitting his sister as a child – but he loses that privilege as a man. If he wishes to act like a spoilt child I’ve a good mind to take him over my knee when we find him, an teach him some humility.”
The cleric sighs. “At any rate, I will inquire around the Merchant district. Of the city, I know this area best, and it may be that Vanthus has been using his acquired gold to fund some mercantile venture … although I fear it may be Shadowshore that we find word of him – does anyone wish to volunteer for that part, or shall we go together. Whatever we decide, lets meet at the inn tonight to discuss our findings – I think these inquiries may take us all day.
“And Harven, that ring you wear is indeed a great boon from Fharlanghn! Use it well.”
Terin marches through the Sunrise district with great purpose, making a beeline for the park maintained by the Knowlern family. The minor druids tending to the sanctuary inform him not only are the animals which have chosen not to return to the jungle doing well, but also the smuggling trade of exotics has fallen off as of late. Of Vanthus, they know nothing.
On his way back to the inn, however, he spies a bedraggled, shifty looking half-elf in an alley, beckoning Terin into the darkness with dirty hands.
None of the merchants in the Azure district remembers seeing Vanthus, but a few tavern patrons comment to Anders that they remember seeing him carousing with a confidence woman named Brissa Santos, who had of late exchanged crime for art.
Laying low and wandering the streets of the Cudgel district, Harven hears the following:
“There is definitely more going on with the Church of the Whirling Fury than meets the eye.”
“Rudy lives over by the House of Violets; he swears to me he can hear them fighting all the time. Stupid drunk.”
Greasing more than a few eager palms with minor bribes, Eldin repeatedly “discovers” that Vanthus is living with his sister at Vanderboren manor. One inquiry finally does yield something useful, however, in that a fishmonger remembers Vanthus was headed to Shadowshore recently, to hire a boat.
“Psst. Over here.”
“Cmon, cmon, hurry it up!
You look like a man with a purpose. State yours, good or ill?
The strange man beckons again. He seems legitimate, but downright strange.
"Good! Good, good, good, good, good!"
"We're friends, you and I. Come, come."
The man definitely has elven features about him, but it's difficult to determine much else under the layer of filth coating him, not to mention you are reluctant to get much closer, as he bears an odor like a rotting pile of fish. Oblivious to his own stench, the leans in close and whispers to Terin with a velvety voice that carries an odor of wet dog hair, "I really like your shoes."
The unusual man gesticulates wildly with one hand, enthusiastically squeezing the crotch of his pants with the other.
“No. No wait. Wait, wait, wait. There was something else. Yes. Vanthus! You seek Vanthus. “
“Don’t deny it. I know. I know, I know."
"He’s a jackass. Kicked me out! Like he’s some secret super criminal in his hideout. Pfft!”
You narrowly avoid the spittle flying from the mans lips at this last outburst.
“He stepped in poop once. Just wiped it off. Gross.”
"You'll never find him in the city. Never, never, never, never. Vanthus has gone underground. Gone underground. That means hiding out."
“I can take you there. I can. Can, can, can. Ha ha, moooo!”
“What do I want? Why don’t you ask? Ask me. Ask me, ask me, ask me. No? Ok, fine”
The man pouts briefly, then continues without waiting for you to answer.
“Can you believe he kicked me out? One little request! I did EVERYTHING for the Lotus, but when I want something, it’s…….Noooooooo! I get the boot! Ha ha, the boot. Or not.”
The man wipes away grubby tear streaks with his even filthier hands.
“You work for his sister. Bring me her shoes. Ohhh yeah. Nothing new.”
The man takes a long, deep sniff of the air around him, cuddling an imaginary shoe with the free hand.
“Just one pair. Vanthus wouldn’t. Jackass. Bring me the shoes. Here, tomorrow. I’ll take you right to him.”
The man laughs maniacally, then runs off into the darkened alley, leaving only the stench of his passing to convince you then peculiar event occurred at all.
After the "gentleman" leaves, Terin finds a nice spot in the alley to empty his stomach contents. Afterwards he shifts into beast form and makes his way back to the Vanderboren estate with his beast-form's enhanced speed to report all he has gleaned to the other members of his group and also to Lavinia (although he tries to convey the creepiness with as little of the disgusting details as possible).
"What a strange man, Terin. I'd ask why you didn't shift to beast form and eat him, but I'm sure I already know the answer."
Greasing more than a few eager palms with minor bribes, Eldin repeatedly “discovers” that Vanthus is living with his sister at Vanderboren manor. One inquiry finally does yield something useful, however, in that a fishmonger remembers Vanthus was headed to Shadowshore recently, to hire a boat.
"Thankyou citizen, Fharlanghn's blessings on you and your catch," Eldin thanks the man. "I do not suppose you know where in Shadowshore he might have procured this vessel?"
Upon receiving any answer, Eldin returns to meet the others.
Once everyone has gathered again.. "I hope you guys had more luck than I did. All I found out was a few random rumours. Nothing that sounds like it has anything to with Vanthus unfortunately."
“I heard a rumour – and it seemed reliable enough – that Vanthus was recently seen in Shadowshore, buying a boat. A trip over there might be in good order. Terin, what is it, you look rather pale?”
After Terin tells his tale …
“Er …. The lady’s … shoes you say? Well … perhaps we should see what we can discover in Shadowshore first. But it would seem … that perhaps Vanthus has fallen in with – or is funding - these Lotus Dragons we have heard about? Perhaps that is another avenue for our investigation. There is a rumour that the Lotus Dragons are somehow affiliated with a noble family … perhaps this connection is in fact Vanthus?”
As disgusting as it is I would have to say that we may indeed need to procure a.......shoe...from Ms. Vanderboren. Also please believe me when I say that the stench of this man makes most vagrants smell like a fine wine and the sweetest perfume. If someone could prepare a spell, just a minor Prestidigitation mind you, to clean the worst of the odiferous emanations from him, it will make our possible......forced aquaintance? somewhat easier to stomach. This man expects to meet tomorrow so we really have little time to follow other leads if we still decide to use this....creature. Much as it pains me, I think we need to keep the meeting and use this resource.
"I could make him an illusory pair of shoes. Or perhaps we could merely convince him to give us the information we want, for his continued health (if you could call that health)."
“Let’s see what we can find in Shadowshore first. I say we head there this afternoon, perhaps stop in to see our new friend Davrick at “Ship-shapes”; we need to pay him for working on the Low Tide anyway, and he might have heard something. Even if not, we can hit some of the local taverns tonight and ask about. Worse comes to worst, we buy a woman’s shoe in the morning and hand it over to the beggar – I am loathe to give him one of the ladies actual shoes. I shudder to think what he might do with it.”
“I am loathe to give him one of the ladies actual shoes. I shudder to think what he might do with it.”
"Eldin and I are as one on this particular issue."
“Indeed. Apart from the dishonour and inconvenience to the lady, shoes are a boon given to the sentient races by Fharlanghn. I don’t like to think of them being … mistreated in such a way.”
"I do not suppose you know where in Shadowshore he might have procured this vessel?"
The man isn't positive, but suggests you try "It still floats" first, as there are only so many reputable places to purchase small watercraft in Shadowshore.
“Alright, unless anyone has any objections or other business, lets head over to Shadowshore. We’ll start at this “It Still Floats” that my informant mentioned, drop by and talk to Davrick at “Ship Shapes” and then hit the bars if we need further information – if anyone’s hip pockets and livers can handle that after last night’s drinking session.”
You travel in Sassarine’s smallest district in the early evening. As the oppressive heat of the day is finally releasing its smothering grasp upon the city, it would be a pleasant affair, were you anywhere else. The watch is all but non-existent here, and you clutch your purse strings a little tighter as you travel through the slums of Sassarine, avoiding the places where raw sewage runs freely towards the sea.
You arrive at a ramshackle wattle and daub building with a shingle out front displaying a pitiable rendition of an ogre floating on a log, using a goblin as a fishing lure.
There appear to be no customers about, and as you step inside the surprisingly tidy shop’s interior, you can see a thickset, balding dwarven man polishing a ship’s bell.
Upon questioning him regarding Vanthus’ recent purchase, he replies emphatically,
“Purchased? Stole is more like! That idiot and his hothead friend practically extorted a boat outta me. Lotus at their beck and call, what could I do? They had all kinds of exact dimensions too, as if they were trying to squeeze it somewhere. I told them where they could squeeze that boat into, let me tell you!”
The dwarf chuckles mirthlessly a bit, then continues glumly.
“They were pretty excited about something. Had lamps, oil, and ropes; portaged the whole lot back towards the Merchant District. I hope they choke on the lot of them.”
“Now unless you’re buying something. GET OUT. Do come back again.”
"Hey mates! Boat is coming along great. We just finished stripping her down, what a chore that was! Not a bad little ship under all that rot, as it turns out."
“My brother was a little vexed at first, but between returning me to the straight and narrow, and you lot getting the Lotus off our backs, we’re squared up nicely.”
“I started to ask around a little about the Lotus for you, though I had to stop once they roughed me up a little.” Davrick rolls up his sleeve, displaying several new bruises proudly.
“Oh well, I wanted to concentrate on the boat anyhow. I did learn two things you might be interested in, though: Vark is still in town somewhere, skulking about the docks as I hear it. Also, the Lotus has big backers. Definitely one or more of the noble families.”
Davrick wishes the party well and returns cheerily to refitting the Low Tide.
The party manages to locate some decent ale at a place called "Fishlip's." Folk in Shadowshore seem reluctant to speak about the Lotus openly, though you do hear a rehash of what you already know during some friendly dice games with the hard-bitten men and women of the Notched Axe and Black Shield mercenary companies before staggering back to your rooms in the Noble District in the wee hours of the morning.
“Actually, our business is with Vanthus,” replies Eldin grimly. “Perhaps when we find him we can recoup some of your out of pocket expenses from him? Or even get back your boat? … of course it would help if we had a better idea of where to find him… Or what his friend looks like?”
As they leave the shop, Eldin suggests to his companions, “It sounds like Vanthus wanted a boat that would fit into smuggler tunnels or something … anyone know of anything like that near the city?”
“Fine work on the boat Davrick. We would hate to see you out of pocket because of us … here is 20 gold pieces for your trouble. And thanks for the information on Vark … best to stay away from that Lotus crowd from now on eh? Fharlanghn watch over you.”
“I started to ask around a little about the Lotus for you, though I had to stop once they roughed me up a little.” Davrick rolls up his sleeve, displaying several new bruises proudly.
Davrick may be surprised at the concern Anders shows for him, but upon display of the new bruises and his relating the tale of how he got them, Anders's plainly expresses respect and concern.
"I'm very proud of you for your new commitment to a more honest lifestyle, friend Davrick. But please have a care when dealing with dangerous characters such as these Lotus Dragons. It would weigh heavily on me indeed if you were to pay too dearly for standing up to them. Be wary when dealing with such as these. They clearly have little remorse and less value for the lives of others. Do let us know if they give you or your brother any further troubles."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
of course it would help if we had a better idea of where to find him… Or what his friend looks like?
The little man leans in closer.
“Are…ye… “The were headed towards the Merchant District.”
"The other one be Penkus. Careful around that one, quite a temper . Word is he gets testy after a nip. Threatened to cut out me eyes and stuff them down me knickers, so I could watch him kick me arse!"
Panchi provides you with a rough description of both men.
"Hard to tell for sure, big folk all look alike."
“Fine work on the boat Davrick. We would hate to see you out of pocket because of us … here is 20 gold pieces for your trouble. And thanks for the information on Vark … best to stay away from that Lotus crowd from now on eh? Fharlanghn watch over you.”
“Oiy mate, your money’s no good here, no more o’ that! I’ll see that it goes into the boat though. Much obliged.”
"I'm very proud of you for your new commitment to a more honest lifestyle, friend Davrick. But please have a care when dealing with dangerous characters such as these Lotus Dragons. It would weigh heavily on me indeed if you were to pay too dearly for standing up to them. Be wary when dealing with such as these. They clearly have little remorse and less value for the lives of others. Do let us know if they give you or your brother any further troubles."
Davrick isn’t sure what to make of Anders heartfelt gesture at first, but then breaks into a broad smile and gives him a hearty slap on the back.
“Those poor slobs don’t know what they’ve got coming to them, with you lot on the job.”
"I'll send word via that saucy lil' lass when the ship is fit for viewing."
I'll toss in half happily. 10gp from Terin.
More or less you are all at the inn now, sleeping off the effects of a full day in the Sassarine sun followed by much beer swilling.
“Alright,” says Eldin to the assembled group over breakfast at the inn’s common room, as he tucks into a generous helping of eggs and toast, “here’s the situation as I see it;
“We know Vanthus has purchased a boat, to very specific dimensions; we suspect he’s affiliated with the Lotus Dragons, who are involved in smuggling amongst other things. This leads me to believe that his boat has been built to be used within smuggler’s tunnels – does anyone know of anything like that anywhere in or near the city?
“We also known that he’s been most recently seen in Shadowshore and the Merchant District, and that he has been in the company of a man named Penkus.
“We also have Terin’s foot fetishist friend who claims to know where he is.
“The way I see it, we can either ask around further – probably within the Merchant District – as to the whereabouts of Vanthus, Penkus, and / or the Lotus Dragons … which may garner results, but may also draw unwanted attention to ourselves.
“The other option is to take a shoe along – or not – and meet Terin’s friend. What say you all?”
DC 15 Knowledge (local):
“Alright,” says Eldin to the assembled group over breakfast at the inn’s common room, as he tucks into a generous helping of eggs and toast, “here’s the situation as I see it;
“We know Vanthus has purchased a boat, to very specific dimensions; we suspect he’s affiliated with the Lotus Dragons, who are involved in smuggling amongst other things. This leads me to believe that his boat has been built to be used within smuggler’s tunnels – does anyone know of anything like that anywhere in or near the city?
“We also known that he’s been most recently seen in Shadowshore and the Merchant District, and that he has been in the company of a man named Penkus.
“We also have Terin’s foot fetishist friend who claims to know where he is.
“The way I see it, we can either ask around further – probably within the Merchant District – as to the whereabouts of Vanthus, Penkus, and / or the Lotus Dragons … which may garner results, but may also draw unwanted attention to ourselves.
“The other option is to take a shoe along – or not – and meet Terin’s friend. What say you all?”
Harven sits there quietly listening to it all and nodding silently. He is willing to go along with whatever the group decides to do. He is still getting used to these big folk, they seem so large and boisterous.
"I too think we should still try to see what we can uncover without the help of this low character. We know Vanthus 'rented' a boat and never returned it. He specifically requested a boat capable of 'squeezing places, which likely means he was trying to fit the boat someplace small. It stands to reason that in a port as old as Sasserine, there are hidden tunnels caves or waterways somewhere. The question then becomes, how do we find these tunnels? And what would Vanthus be looking for there?"
"Perhaps there are some older maps of the city in one of the archives that might indicate tunnels of some kind. Though whether we can afford any kind of sage advice or reference probably depends on where we go."
"Anyway, if we must deal with this Rosk, I say we just buy a woman's shoe for him. Maybe we can even find one of Sasserine's professionals to put it on, for a silver or two, just to make sure it has that 'worn' quality he's looking doubtless looking for."
"Maybe we can even find one of Sasserine's professionals to put it on, for a silver or two, just to make sure it has that 'worn' quality he's looking doubtless looking for."
"That, or we convince Harven to put the shoe on for a bit, and leave that as a gift for Rosk's nostrils"
"That, or we convince Harven to put the shoe on for a bit, and leave that as a gift for Rosk's nostrils"
“Along the lines I was thinking Anders, in regards to the tunnels … I am sure that during the reign of the Sea Princes many such places must have been established in or around the city … although if anything, narrowing the selection down may prove a problem. Consider too, that these hypothetical “smugglers caves” may not even be near the city, but in any number of hidden coves up and down the coast from here…”
The cleric sighs. “I wish I knew more of this city. I have lived here, on and off, for many years now, but have been so busy travelling the jungle that I am not terribly familiar with the city that I call home. Well, unless any of you know something that I do not, perhaps it would not hurt to talk to Rosk … and again we are in agreement Anders, we shall buy a woman’s shoe, perhaps similar in appearance to ones that the Lady is known to wear, and attempt to, erm, authenticise it – begging Harven’s pardon of course.”