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Indo dashes in front of Skittle and tosses a sunrod across the room, illuminating the northeastern corner, which appears to have some sort of mold or fungus growing in it.
Knowledge (dungeoneering) check DC 15 (trained only):
The light also shines across the room, revealing a horrible creature lurking in the shadows of the southwestern corner of the room. This glistening, wormlike monster has a body as long as a man is tall, dark orange with a pale underbelly, with four tentacles a little longer than human forearms on either side of its hairy goblinoid face. It has feral yellow eyes, a flat blue nose, and yellow teeth. The tentacles are segmented, as is the body itself, but two strong humanoid arms also stick out from the snake-like body. It wears blood-red leather armor over its torso and carries a sword and shield in its humanoid arms.
Anyone who studied the statues in the previous room:
Bedu watches the sunrod land and the moss.
Indo grips the pommel of his sword and flattens himself against the wall. Look at Skittle, he rolls his eyes in the direction of the many-armed thing.
"Bosom companions, that slime has an evil and cold way of harm."
Bedu searches his mind for anymore information on the mold and its possible harm. He almost misses the start of the action.
Skittle steps to his left, toward the opposite end of the X-shaped room from whatever is lurking in the dark, and quietly slips into the shadows himself. He quietly moves to a position across the opening from Indo so as to place himself in a flanking position if anything moves toward the party. While doing so, he also keeps an eye toward the end of the room he crosses, in case anything else is lurking there among the moss and mold.
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It’s been a long day: first chasing Samir at Barge End, then tracking him to his sanctum in the catacombs and fighting his flaming skeleton, and finally exploring the ruins beneath the excavation site. Perhaps retiring and regaining your strength would be the wise thing to do, and returning to the catacombs on the morrow.
You back out of the cold room, hopefully before the creature detected you, and retreat back to the snake-men’s chamber. A quick shimmy up the rope takes you back to the goblins’ guard-post, and then its back through the tunnels and up the ramp to the abandoned warehouse. You step through the hole in the wall, into the alleyway, blinking in the last rays of the setting sun slanting between the buildings.
A handsome man with shifty eyes leans against the wall of one of the lumberyards. As you step into the alley, he approaches and asks if he can talk with you for a moment. He wears dark blue, almost black, studded leather armor and carries a rapier and dagger at his belt. His black hair is cropped close to his head, and he has a neat mustache.
"Quite recently, an item was stolen from me, an amulet. I have spent nearly every waking hour since then attempting to recover it. It has been impossibly hard work and the law has been no assistance, but I have finally tracked the thief to this area. I cannot claim to regret that he is believed to be dead. Unfortunately, he died in the catacombs beneath our feet. I can only assume that the amulet – my amulet – still lies with his rotting corpse, or in the possession of his killers, who are rumored to be excavating an ancient ruin beneath the city."
"I am no adventurer, and have no wish to explore these catacombs or ruins. It is my understanding, however, that you are currently engaged in the exploration of those same ruins. I will gladly pay more than the amulet’s actual value to have it returned to my possession. Say…200 gold ranis?"
Bedu smiles wide at the dark clothed man. "You have my attention," looks about, "-our attention, Oh Generous One."
A sidelong long wink at Indo and Pindara later, "but tell us of yourself, your name and business, please."
Warming to the subject, Bedu places an arm around the shoulders of Lotus, "this here is an expert finder among other things, I am sure that she would wish to know more of the amulet, its shape and form and beauty perhaps, please."
Then Bedu waves over at Liet and Skittle, "And these enjoy a good story, just as I, Bedu the Barber, do. So why do you need the amulet? Is it a treasure beyond compare that holds the secret map to the Treasure Tomb of the Great Uladai? or maybe it was made as a key to unlock the vault of the Rani? or perhaps it was a gift to your wife that you handed over to another after a night of mad passion?"
"Well?"
Lotus hangs back far enough for Bedu to forget to include her, but she doesn't fail to hear the mention of 200 gold ranis. By the gods!!! This guy must be loaded and/or stupid. Now did he tell us his name already? No, I don't think he did. Come on Bedu, ask his name. She inches closer to make sure she misses nothing of the conversation.
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The man smiles back at Bedu and sketches a small bow. "My name is Tanish. Pleased to make your acquaintance. As to my business, I have already stated it: recovering this amulet, an heirloom of sorts. It is my property, and was wrongfully stolen from me."
He turns his attention to Lotus. "As to its description, it is round, gold with silver accents, and with eight points around the outside edge. The front bears an inscription and four simple glyphs, while the back is studded with odd-shaped protrusions."
"So what do you worthies say? Have you seen it? Will you recover it for me?"
Lotus would blush if that was visible on her tanned face when Tanish turns his attention on her. She blurts out a reply: That sounds beautiful and worth a lot. I envy the woman who gets to wear it. Her gaze shifts to Bedu, almost urging Bedu to accept the commission. What possible consequences can doing this have? Other then earning 200 rani and the gratitude of this handsome Tanish...
<Question directed at Tanish>
"Do you recall the inscription and glyphs upon this amulet? Just so we know we have the precise amulet you're looking for. People don't pay for bringing the wrong stuff."
Indo folds his arms and leans against the nearest wall. Perhaps Bedu will know something more of this amulet now that he has a description, he thinks to himself, and then we will know its true value.
Slightly incredulous at the conversation, Skittle turns to Indo and whispers, "No shortage of work in this town, is there?"
"Thank you Tanish. I shall look out for the amulet and if found then you. However will you be waiting here day by day for us to return?"
Bedu turns away then casually adds, "one thing I will of course need to know if the item is magical. And what powers it may have then. Just in case some nefarious soul down below is wearing your amulet and against the idea of handing it back."
Pindara stands slightly behind Bedu, just off to one side. She eyes Tanish warily throughout the conversation, her lip curling a bit at Lotus' perceived fawning. In a voice which is perhaps slightly more harsh than she intended, she interjects, "And just what language is the inscription written in?"
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"My dear woman," Tanish answers Pindara, "I have no idea what language the inscription is in. If I knew that, I'd know what it says."
Pindara:
Turning his attention back to Bedu, Tanish gives a small chuckle. "No, I won't be waiting here. You can leave word for me at the Leaning Tree tavern. It's just around the corner."
"As for magic, I believe the amulet does have some sort of magical property, though I confess that is beyond my area of expertise. I have no idea of its powers, if any, but they surely cannot be strong. It is certainly not a weapon of any kind."
He claps his hands suddenly. "Well, then! It is agreed. I hope to hear from you soon. I bid you all a good evening." With that, he turns and walks away.
When their newest sponsor is out of sight and Lotus is done fantasizing about getting closer, a lot closer, to him she turns to the group and exclaims: By the gods, 200 RANI!!! Imagine what you can do with that. The look in her eye reveals that she is already spending the money.
She shakes off her dreams of beautiful clothing and a clean place to live. Bedu, where to next?
"Rest. Recuperate. Return. How does that sound to everyone?"
Skittle is happy to sack out at Bedu's, or just stay up drinking.
"Of course, my friends, it would be wise if we stayed together at my home. So that nothing untoward happens to anyone of us. Indo has promised to watch over my sleep."
"It is refreshing to have such a wonderful person looking after me."
"So unless you have a home to go to, please on my mother's favourite carpet seller I say, stay with me."
I appreciate your kind offer, master Bedu. My rituals require a measure of rest, but I will be on guard when I am not asleep or engaged in my studies.
"Then I shall watch for you."
Bedu claps the man heartily on the back. "Indo, life is sweet, isn't it?"
Then as the dwarf walks on he whispers as much to himself, "of course my beauty may be a little impaired. Ah like the Rani's Golden Lion weighing down my shoulder."
"I'm afraid I don't understand the language the inscription is written in," Tanish answers with a shrug. "But I believe the glyphs represent the four cardinal directions. In any case, I doubt you'll confuse it with another amulet. My description was quite precise."
Being used to the alleys as a place to sleep Lotus dumps her bags in the corner and makes herself comfortable against them. From her sitting position she makes sure she can observe anything that approaches her. The streets have taught the young woman much.
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Here's the breakdown of accommodations:
At Bedu's: Bedu, Indo, Lotus, and Skittle
Pindara is staying in her home (a small room behind her shop)
Liet: There is an inn just down the street from Bedu's called The Sleeping Lizard. You can get a spot on the common room floor for 7 sp (including breakfast), or a private room (with breakfast) for 15 sp.
Cheaper accommodations can be found in The River's Mud, the tavern next door: a place on the floor for 2 sp.
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At Bedu's Parlour of Delights:
You all bed down on the carpets and cushions provided for you by Bedu, and easily drop into a deep sleep after the excitements and exertions of the day.
Perception (sound) check DC 30 (DC 20 for Indo, on watch):
Liet and Pindara:
You, too, quickly succumb to exhaustion when you reach your lodgings, and fall into deep sleeps as well.
Bedu and his small meal of bread, cheese and honey soon fall into a deep sleep, filled with strange snakes and burning skeletons.
Lotus is sound asleep on the nice fluffly cushions provided by Bedu.
Skittle snores away when he's not on watch.
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Liet and Pindara:
At Bedu's Parlour of Delights:
Perception (sound) check DC 15 (DC 5 for Indo, on watch):
Lotus hasn't had such a comfortable place to sleep in a long time so she is not interupted in her sleep by any sound.
The dwarf rolls over on his mat and snuggles into the wall, with a small grin of comfort.