Garth will accompany the group to the Harrow reading. If the half-orc is going scouting, the other group will need an experienced swordsman with them in case of trouble.
The guard scratches his chin as he repliesSergeant Verik Vancaskerkin is not brilliant by any stretch of the imagination, but he has always been opportunistic. I wouldn't be sup prized if he used his friends from before he was a guard to help him fly up the ranks the way he did.. If they think they are in danger, maybe they called in the favors? or another group offered him more?
Arius
Those going to Zellara's to do a reading: I'll play out a reading tonight when I get home, what question would you like asked?
Those going to the shop to scout:
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The shop is located at 22 Stirge Street. You get there at about mid-day, and see a decent size line in the shop, it seems that the poor are getting meat from the shop for free and this is a known occurrence, for as you watch, one of the workers puts a sign in the window stating Today's Free cuts gone. A sign bearing the image of a fat, smiling cow hangs above the entrance to this shop. Inside, a long counter runs over half the room’s width, beyond which a door stands ajar. A low bench sits against the east wall, while to the north a marble-topped table displays remnants of cuts of meat before a wide, grimy window. A few flies crawl and circle in the air above the meat.
Anju picks through the few scraps of meat she has left in her pouch to feed Tikaani. Looks like I'm running out low and I probably want buy some food for myself as well" she thinks to herself. Anju would like to go out scouting with Keth in hopes of finding a resolution to the problem at hand quickly. But first she'll go to the shop to replenish her supplies.
Needless to say, when Anju gets to the shop she's not too thrilled with the site before her. Shuffling through the peasants she makes her way to the counter. Trying her best to be charming given the situation she asks the grimey butcher if he has any decent cuts of meat. Seeming rather unaffected he displays the best of the fly ridden pieces he has left over.
"Ick...I guess I'll take that" Anju says as she takes the meat.
After the shop incident Anju will tag along with the recon group.
Arius says, "The Field Marshal has said that she'll accept the troops back if they help to quell the riots, so we can offer him amnesty, albeit with demotion. For the reading, I suggest asking Zellara about the likely outcome of a diplomatic approach to Verik. Any other ideas?"
"Also, shall we meet again at a place close to All the World's Meats, say at dinnertime? I know a good tavern nearby."
Those harrowing:
Those at the shop
"I prefer asking the gods for oracles to this Harrowing business. Usually, you have only one symbolic message to interpret rather than nine."
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The man behind the counter gives Anju a handful of scraps and indicates that that is all that they have left. You do notice that he is well built for a butcher. While this is happening the rest of the group listens to the poor mutter saying that this meat being free is the only meat that they can afford, and when 'the witch' gets used to her power, they'll be lucky to afford these free handouts.
Anju politely asks the Butcher
"Excuse me good sir but you look rather solid for your profession, were you in the guard by any chance?"
The shop is located at 22 Stirge Street. You get there at about mid-day, and see a decent size line in the shop, it seems that the poor are getting meat from the shop for free and this is a known occurrence, for as you watch, one of the workers puts a sign in the window stating Today's Free cuts gone. A sign bearing the image of a fat, smiling cow hangs above the entrance to this shop. Inside, a long counter runs over half the room’s width, beyond which a door stands ajar. A low bench sits against the east wall, while to the north a marble-topped table displays remnants of cuts of meat before a wide, grimy window. A few flies crawl and circle in the air above the meat.
Keth let Anju work her way through the line to see what she could...he moved around outside looking for other ways of entry...a back door...windows...possible watchers? were there others besided them looking on? Guards hanging back? what about a rooftop entry? all of this the Half-Orc took in....
Several times in his trip around the block Keth moves within earshot of any group of folks and pauses idly looking at a sign or down the street in the opposite direction to hear whats being said....
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"Well could that have been any more cryptic? I suppose it gave us some ideas to mull over, but nothing substantial. I agree with Branham, one straight answer is much better than a bunch of quarter answers."
Elizabeth takes another look at the cards in Arius' hands and thinks that maybe they're not as powerful as she first thought.
" So let's head out to the rendezvous and see what the others have discovered."
"I still think that it's valuable that we know--or at least, have reason to suspect--that Verik is a pawn. But of whom?"
"You place too much trust in the cards, brother."
"But if I had to guess, I'd say the Queen or one of her agents. Verik is creating a faction in the guard. If Field Marshal Kroft fails to suppress it quickly, the Guard will lose prestige, giving the Queen an excuse to "reform" it."
"Nonsense! The Field Marshal reports to Her Majesty now. What would she have to gain?"
"'Her Majesty'? Are you her partisan now--for a few coins and some kind words? Don't let her beauty deceive you into giving her unmerited trust."
Arius purses his lips, visibly annoyed.
Keth:
Anju:
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The butcher takes a step back and looks at you inquisitively. If I were in the guard, I'd be out beating on defenseless, scared rioters, not chopping meat off of pigs and cows for a living
I guess you are right. I'm sorry for asking, I'd best be going now.
Anju leaves the store and looks around for Keth outside.
you overhear several of the patrons asking each other what it is that the men once their daily allotment of meat is gone, for they arn't seen in the shop much after hours. you hear one passerby scoff and say ask for some 'special cuts' and you'll find out
Keth puzzles over that last part and continues his way around looking for back entrances still....
when he finishes his circuit he moves near Anju and leans down to adjust his boot saying loud enough for her to hear, but waiting until there's no other ears around..."There's some joking among the folk about what their source of meat is...and some mention of the 'special cuts', sounds a bit odd to my thinking. Also someone mentioned not a lot of activity going on at night."
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you overhear several of the patrons asking each other what it is that the men once their daily allotment of meat is gone, for they arn't seen in the shop much after hours. you hear one passerby scoff and say ask for some 'special cuts' and you'll find out
Keth puzzles over that last part and continues his way around looking for back entrances still....
when he finishes his circuit he moves near Anju and leans down to adjust his boot saying loud enough for her to hear, but waiting until there's no other ears around..."There's some joking among the folk about what their source of meat is...and some mention of the 'special cuts', sounds a bit odd to my thinking. Also someone mentioned not a lot of activity going on at night."
Anju whispers back "Rather odd indeed. Guess I won't be eating anything from there anytime soon! I must say, the environment in there was rather peculiar, if the meat is not coming from the regular source I wonder what's behind all this."
Anju takes some of the meat scraps out of her bag and puts them in front of Tikaani's keen nose.
"What do you make of this boy?"
Anju whispers back "Rather odd indeed. Guess I won't be eating anything from there anytime soon! I must say, the environment in there was rather peculiar, if the meat is not coming from the regular source I wonder what's behind all this."
Anju takes some of the meat scraps out of her bag and puts them in front of Tikaani's keen nose.
"What do you make of this boy?"
Sniffs the meat that has been put in front of him
Thewolf cannot pick out one type of animal, as you got the bottem of the barrel, so it was saturated in the blood of all the meat above it
Thewolf cannot pick out one type of animal, as you got the bottem of the barrel, so it was saturated in the blood of all the meat above it
at about this time the rest of the party meets up with you
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Elizabeth sees the others approaching the rendezvous and gives them a nod. Once together she asks whether they found anything important. She then relates the details of the Harrow reading, sounding slightly skeptical as she does so.
"So it appears that Vancaskerin is possibly a pawn of a greater power. It also seems from what you relate about the butcher's shop that something may be not quite right with their produce. How does everyone want to handle this? Should we just all enter the shop and confront them, or should we come back at nightfall and try to sneak in and have a look around?"
She looks expectntly around the group, waiting to see who goes for which option as an exercise to judge their character.
"I say use stealth."
"agreed, where things look suspicious, it doesnt mean they are in the wrong. I didnt notice a back way in, but that doesnt mean there isnt one..."
Arius rubs his eyes.
"If we decide to sneak in, let's please try not to kill anyone unless he's obviously a monster."
"I'd like to save the guardsmen if we can. The city needs them to quell the riots, and even if that were irrelevant to you, unnecessary deaths will likely reduce both our monetary reward and the Field Marshal's goodwill."
"I want to avoid unnecessary death too, but talk is not always the best answer. Talking with Lamm was a waste of time until we subdued him."
"I can promise, I do not want to see any uneccessary deaths as well...Ill take point on this"
once he knows the group has no isues with proceeding, Keth, with but a glance over his shoulder once, begins to stalk across the street and make one last circuit after saying "Ill be back in about 20 minutes" this time getting a little closer looking for an alternate way into the shop. Lighting for the evening ...where the shadows should be....how best to approach the building. He knows that most butchers should have a place where hunters or cattlemen would bring larger haunches of meat, rather than the front door....
"Little to do but to wait."
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All: map Blue entrances are windows, white are doors
Keth: you see the building is two floors, the first has the main entrance, and an entrance on the side through the fence.
Keth returns from his trip around the block and moves up to his allies, "Ok three doorways, one is the front...one the side on the otherside of the fence, in what looks to be a muddy yard, last one is the cart house, there should be a door in from their...a few windows there as well."
"My suggestion is go in the cart house."
"I'll keep watch if you ladies want to go get better dressed for the evening " he let out a low chuckle at his slight joke.
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Elizabeth gives Keth a withering stare.
"I think that I am quite well dressed for the evening thank you, just maybe not for the particular job we have on this evening."
Turning to Anju she says, "I think that it may be prudent for us to divest ourselves of this attire and slip into something a little more... suited to the job at hand. Wouldn't you agree?"
Turning to the others she proclaims, "We shall return momentarily. Feel free to amuse yourselves while we are gone." With that, she takes Anju's hand and leads her away from the others, making sure to put some sway into her hips as she goes.
To Anju:
"Now my dear I have nothing on me at this time so I am going to have to return to my apartment and get some things. If we are going to be using the Fortune Teller's home as a base I think is be prudent for me to store some things there. So, we shall make a stop at my place while I change and of course you may change there yourself. Then, we shall go to the witch's home and deposit my belongings. And finally we shal return to the men, poor simple beings that they are. I feel it will be up to us to make sure that they do themselves no harm and to lead them as to the correct course of action from time to time. Although of course it must seem as though they are making the suggestions themselves of course."
She gives Anju a wink, drops her hand and leads her through the streets to her apartment, where she quickly changes into a figure hugging black suit, Caress sitting at her hip and a small black spell pouch sitting next to a larger pouch. She then hurriedly packs a small bag with some more belongings. She makes sure to check out Anju's figure as she is changing, raising an eybrow at her travel stained appearance, but appreciating the fine curves of her elven form.
Once they are done, they then returns to Zellara's and deposits her things. Once done, they head off to meet up with the men.
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Elizabeth and Anju return to the meeting place near the Butcher's Shop.
Elizabeth looks markedly different than the imaculate upper class vixen that you have previously seen. She is wearing a figure hugging black body suit and her hair is tied back securly in a pony tail instead of hanging free. Caress rests easily on her left hip and her hand is never far from the Fine Kukri. On her right is a large pouch strapped to her thigh and another smaller pouch with two compartments next to it. A black backpack sits snuggly at her back.
"Well what are you all staring at, it's like you haven't seen two beautiful women before." She smirks and winks at Anju.
"Well let's get this over with so we can all be home to bed."
"The carriage house you said Keth. Lead on then."
Arius stares at the two woman as they approach until Branahm pointedly clears his throat.
"Right. Keth and Elizabeth, I'm willing to follow your lead on this. You did a better job sneaking up on us than we did on Lamm."
"As for anything that I can provide for magical support, I don't have any spells that can enhance your physical abilities, but I can magically communicate in a whisper at a distance. Elizabeth, I'm sure that you're familiar with Elgarth's Cantrip of Remote Conversation, but...."
For those of you not changing:
About 20 minutes after Elizabeth and Anju leave, you see 2 more men whom appear out of place enter through the main door and close it firmly.
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"Elizabeth, I'm sure that you're familiar with Elgarth's Cantrip of Remote Conversation, but...."
"I am familiar with the principles, although I do not have that particular spell in my repotoire."
She turns to Keth. "Let us be off then my brawny friend, to see what we can see."With that, she turns and heads off towards the Cart House. After a moment, you loose sight of her as she fades into the surrounding shadows and is gone.
Stealth. (1d20+8=25)
She quietly opens the door a crack to peer inside and once noticing the coast is clear, steps through the slim break in the door. Taking in the Cart House at a glance, she hurries towards the doors on the far wall and gives them a try.
Disable Device (Open Lock). (1d20+7=21)
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"Now my dear I have nothing on me at this time so I am going to have to return to my apartment and get some things. If we are going to be using the Fortune Teller's home as a base I think is be prudent for me to store some things there. So, we shall make a stop at my place while I change and of course you may change there yourself. Then, we shall go to the witch's home and deposit my belongings. And finally we shal return to the men, poor simple beings that they are. I feel it will be up to us to make sure that they do themselves no harm and to lead them as to the correct course of action from time to time. Although of course it must seem as though they are making the suggestions themselves of course." She gives Anju a wink, drops her hand and leads her through the streets to her apartment, where she quickly changes into a figure hugging black suit, Caress sitting at her hip and a small black spell pouch sitting next to a larger pouch. She then hurriedly packs a small bag with some more belongings. She makes sure to check out Anju's figure as she is changing, raising an eybrow at her travel stained appearance, but appreciating the fine curves of her elven form. Once they are done, they then returns to Zellara's and deposits her things. Once done, they head off to meet up with the men.
The whole time Anju has been in the city the only abode she has really seen was Zallara's house. Elizabeth's home, although just an apartment, was adorned with books, spell components, and tools of all kinds.
In response to Elizabeth's comment Anju laughs and says "Yes, we do have quite a crew on our hands now don't we! I sure do hope I can make it back to my village soon to attend to my own matters."
Although not purposely watching Elizabeth change, she couldn't help but notice how comfortable the woman was with herself. "She is beautiful, more beautiful than I thought a human could be." Anju thinks to herself.
Anju changes herself back into her leather armor which was beginning to look the worse for wear. After she is done Anju follows Elizabeth out the door and back into the streets.
"I am familiar with the principles, although I do not have that particular spell in my repotoire."
She turns to Keth. "Let us be off then my brawny friend, to see what we can see."
With that, she turns and heads off towards the Cart House. After a moment, you loose sight of her as she fades into the surrounding shadows and is gone.She quietly opens the door a crack to peer inside and once noticing the coast is clear, steps through the slim break in the door. Taking in the Cart House at a glance, she hurries towards the doors on the far wall and gives them a try.
Keth watched the two men walk up after the ladies left, and glanced at Arius to make sure he had noticed it as well...
When Elizabeth and Anju returned and Arius explained the minor magic that would allow communication, he hefted his spear and started off across the street, moving in the shadows. around to the side where the cart house was, as he approached, Elizabeth was quick to move before him and he just eyed her with indiference until she pulled out a set of lockpicks and went to work on the door, he whispered "you are full of suprises", as she finished he said, "allow me" and pulling the shield up on his arm, he moves the spear to be held behind it, and with his right hand, cracked the door as quiet as he could, peeking over the shield, and around the door...he looked into the dimly lit room with his superior vision.....stepping around and squatting as he transferred the spear back into his free hand...looking for signs of any inhabitants, then slowly and quietly made his way over behind the cart....careful to stay out of direct view from the windows...
Arius waits, counting slowly to gauge when he should use Message.
Elizabeth and Keth:
Elizabeth finds both doors unlocked but closed tightly.
The Carthouse is empty except for one cart which looks to have been used for the moving dead animals. It reaks of dried blood.
updated map
Keth could see partly into the next room, and he made a motion to Elizabeth to shut the door quietly, and he came around the cart and made for the wall next to the door, whispering "we need to get everyone together before we go in"
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Elizabeth eases the door closed quietly and waits patiently for Arius' Message. Once it comes, she explains the situation and tell them to come to the main entrance to the Cart House. She then moves over to the main door to meet the rest of the party as they arrive, ushering them inside quickly and quietly.
After casting the spell, Arius relays Elizabeth's instructions. Assuming that his companions are willing to go, Arius and Branahm will cautiously approach the carthouse, trying to avoid making a lot of noise.