If you want to chase dangerous foes into the sewers, that's your plan, not Quicks. She's going to try to stop the the innocent people from getting hurt
Me too , the creeps in the sewers are in my mind the ones who are responsible for the disappearance in the slums
Oh , and thanks for the healing , Sure beats waiting for poultices to do their job
I think it was more a kidnapping than a mugging. Given the equipment of the perp and the fact he came from the sewers , he was certainly not interested in the few CP he could have had from the mugging but more in sapping the beggar and then take him down in the sewers . I might be wrong but if we don't check this now , we won't be able to do so later since the tracks will be gone .
About Kanto , what he does with the beggars is in plain view . I don't think people would call this a disappearance but more a rehabilitation Seems to me at first view she takes neber do well from the slums and then akes them work as useful citizen of the town. I can understand some beggar will be resentful of such practices but it's for their own good. This might be some other thing of course but we should be careful of how we proceed there. Kanto as chef priest of a temple must have powerful friends in town and before we accuse her of anything , we must have proof of it. The situation need investigating in the dock but this can be later
As for the bandits , we'll need to explore the forest to the south but the two other things are more urgent
Eastern part of the forest
thenJuliare thinks a bit and then says
'I have a proposition. We heard of someone giving free healing in the slums. Given what you told me , it's doubtful Elan does so. I propose to search this person since he might give us details about how Kanto persuade the beggars to come in her temple and also if my theories about the disappearances are credible . Hessiah , Brock , you with me ? '
Juliare (and possibly Brock and Hessiah) walks off to see Father Beamus at his small temple i the slums. Father Beamus is actually a lean, youngish man with a slight blond beard. He welcomes you cordially and offers you to partake in some soup. Destitute people sit around noisily eating soup while he talks to you. Part of the temple is made over into a hospital, with some crude bunks for the sick.
As you mention the Temple of the Moon and their work he frowns. He recently had a visitor, a hardened old beggar by name of Narl Gooden, who left the temple of his own accord. He said that he didn't trust the priestess Kanto, that there was something sinister about her and that he didn't trust her promise that they were going "somewhere better, where the grass is green and the air is sweet". He said that he "had been around the block a few times and there just isn't any such place". Beamus sighs and says that it's sad to see people lose hope like that.
Gooden isn't around at the moment, but if you wait around, he might appear, or not. Anyway, you are welcome to make a donation if you please. The temple has no funds of its own.
I also will speak to him of what happened with the sewers creep .
What does he think ? Might this be the source of the disappearances ?
does he know what type of creature this is ?
I also will speak to him of what happened with the sewers creep .
What does he think ? Might this be the source of the disappearances ?
does he know what type of creature this is ?
Father Beamus looks taken aback. He mutters that this is serious and should be reported to the authorities. He doesn't know what creature it may be, but whatever it is it shouldn't be left to roam the city.
'And Father, 'Green grass and sweet air' is when we'll be in paradise. We live in an harsh world and it's better to know it . That doesn"t mean we can't try to leave it better.'
"Father Beamus, I admire a man of faith and would like to make a donation. Pardon the paltry sum."
"But if my fortune turns I'll be sure to come back. The gawds appreciate those who give thanks for the gifts that they receive from them, yes?"
"Now can you tells us more about the temple of the moon. Surely not just theological misunderstanding?"
Beamus looks uncomfortable, wiping his forhead with a none to clean handkerchief. "Well, you see, I don't want this to come across as professional jealousy, seeing we both work the slums, but I feel a little uneasy with the Moon's sudden interest in the poor."
"I'm new in town and all that and I can't say that I know my way around that well, but traditionally the Moon is concerned with preparations for death, with arcane knowledge and deep wisdom, all very honorable pursuits for sure, but they don't tend to concern the welfare of the living in quite the way of Asclepius does."
"This priestess of theirs, Elan Kanto, I don't know very well, but when I tried to approach her concerning the matter, she repulsed me rather brusquely, so I'm afraid I'm still in the dark as to what their plans are. I can only hope that it is for the best of these poor souls. I can only do so much myself."
"And this friend of yours who told you about his misgiving regarding the temple of the moon, what exactly did he tell you? Unless it's part of a confessional."
If the wait for Narl Gooden takes too long and since Hessiah is here , Juliare will go pick up Quick so she has a chance to interview Mr Gooden also .
A warm breeze, seemingly coming from nowhere, seems to blow through Quick's room. When Juliare arrives, it stops and Quick closes all of her windows, grabs her hat, her rope, and her chewing tobacco.
"I changed into my old boots. Wouldn't want to get my nice ones covered in sewer. I've got some sunrods too. What's your plan, big J?"
"And this friend of yours who told you about his misgiving regarding the temple of the moon, what exactly did he tell you? Unless it's part of a confessional."
"Oh, it was pretty much what I told you. There is nothing secret about it; it's just that I don't want to speak ill of other faiths. But when he said that they were sending people away somewhere and I went and asked at the temple and couldn't get a straight answer, then I was a bit worried."
"You could wait around to see if he shows, I'm sure, but I'm not sure he would talk to you. Not a very trusting person, that Narl."
"Of course if you would be interested in inquiring about where the poor souls are going, that would relieve me greatly. As you see, I have my job cut out for me here. I can't really help you, but should you need healing in the future, you're always welcome to partake of the blessings of Asclepius."
What's your plan, big J?"
'You struck Jackpot ! Father Beamus knows a beggar who did leave the temple of the moon. I thought you would like to be there if the beggar comes to the temple ...'
Juliare says escorting Quick to the slums .'Otherwise, Father Beamus is quite concerned about what happened with the sewer guy . My thought was to go see Brondholme to inform him and see if he knows what type of creatures these could be. Also to check if there might be a reward for such bounty.'
As Quick and Juliare (and I guess, Hessiah ) prepare to leave a rather unsavory-looking fellow rises from a table and accosts Quick. He's tall and muscular, kind of Skandik-looking and heavily tattooed, wears a bone ornament in his left ear and a vicious-looking cutlass in his belt.
"You're the halfling girl asking too many questions? I knew I'd find you here. This place is like the sewers: it doesn't matter where you toss it in - everything ends up here sooner or later." He chuckles, apparently pleased with his wit. "You ought to quit asking so many questions. I don't see any good in you poking around a holy lady that's trying to rid the streets of so much filth and vermin. It's entirely likely that some folks might become so upset that you're trying to mess with this business that they might actually wish some harm on you. Do we understand each other?"
"Very interesting. This Narl Gooden fellow also thought something was up with Kanto. That's two terrified beggars against her word, now. I think we should look for this Gooden character if we get a chance. Maybe ask around while we're about. Chances are, if he trusts that we're on his side, he might give us a bit more info as to what he thinks is going on. He also mentioned being shipped out, eh? Well, that fits with the docks scenario. We should take a look down there too. Ask if anyone's seen a bunch of beggars being loaded into a cart or a ship or something. Chatting with Brandholme's a good plan too."
--
Quick makes no signs of backing down in front of the large man. She pushes aside her coat to reveal her two hands, cocked like pistols. "Poor people are not vermin and filth; those that prey off the weak, and use them for their own gains are. People like you, who try to push around those smaller than them. I'd like to see you try, anyway."
Quick's eyes crackle with intensity for a moment and Spark, as a snarling wolf, appears behind the man.
"I'm gonna keep asking questions, I'm gonna keep poking my head where it doesn't belong, and I'm not gonna stop as long as innocent people need help. Now, do we understand each other?"
The proprietor, Treebok, yells at you: "Hey you, take it outside!"
The man glances at Spark and then turns back to Quick. "Well, you've been warned, little girl. Now get out of my way." With that he strides past and leaves the flophouse.
Spark's appearance causes a certain commotion, until Quick does as Treebok says and takes him outside.
So, where to next?
Timefade
There is a little contradiction. One beggar told us they were not allowed to quit but Mr goodent says something else . It might be useful to know what distingishes him from the others.
end timefade
'Guess we'll see go see Brondhome now.' With a smile 'seems you re seen as a BIG danger to the priestress , Quick . Forget what I told you earlier , her set up is more and more fishy to me . And for fish we'll go to the docks after the sewers . Better not to speak to Brondhome of the temple yet , we need to establish a profile first or to have tangible proofs " .
Timefade
"Yes, there must be a way to escape, if Gooden managed it. I'd like to ask him how he did it. It could be important"
End Timefade
With a thought, Quick dismisses Spark, and the bar is once more animal-free.
Quick addresses the shocked crowd, "Sorry everyone! I don't know how that dog got in here! He must have followed that stinky fella in. Boy, could he use some hot water and a shave." Nodding her head at Treebok, she settles back into her chair. "Ok, so we'll hit the sewers, look around, and then hit the docks. Sound good? I could stay up all night after that. I love confrontation, don't you? It just gets me all...charged up! I can feel a tingle through my whole body. I almost wished he woulda tried something."
Tomorrow for the sewers . we still don't know how to hurt these things but we could investigate the docks
Brock would accompany Hessiah and the other to see Father Beamus, Brock stays quite most the time and only comments on the man after they leave.
"Seems that man was scared of something that didn't involve Gods, you think he might be hiding something?
Brock will stay with Hessiah while Juliare goes to pick up Quick so she has a chance to interview Mr Gooden, its better to keep Juliare with one caster and Brock with the other.
When Father Beamus offers healing in the future and the blessings of Asclepius. Brock smiles and thanks him kindly.
Brock would also accompany Quick and Juliare and Hessiah to the bar and when the unsavory-looking fellow rises from the table to accosts Quick Brock puts his hand to his Great Axe willing to wait and see how Quick handles her self. When she makes comment as to the antisapation of a fight Brock gives a harty laugh:
"You are very Bold and Brave, and I will be happy to go to battle with you and Spark, I to was hoping for that man to make a fool of himself and try to harm you, I think you might have hurt him" Brock laughs another loud howl and slaps his hands together,
"While we chat about what we shall do next shouldn't we get some Ale, He have surly earned it this day"
When They sit down to drink and talk Brock looks to Juliare,
"Juliare I think you're right, I too would also like to go to the Sewers Tomorrow me and you have unsettled business with that creature, dont we?"
Yes , I would like to explain some things to him .
The docks seem pretty much alike any other. There aren't many people around, and most walk briskly. Only a drunken sailor saunters, with his arm around a harlot and busy negotiating.
There are several warehouses in diverse states of repair. One looks positively derelict. Some guards in a tower by the pier keep watch at sea, but the area itself in unguarded at this hour.
Hessiah is not paying attention.
As you peer into the derelict warehouse you hear a petulant female voice from a corner: "Why can't you people leave me alone and let a poor little lady get her beauty sleep?"
Excuse us , My Lady , I'm aware it's a frightful imposition on your valuable time but could you find in your infinite goodness time to answer some questions . We would be most grateful .
Quick takes off her hat when she realizes she may be in someone's home. "Didn't mean to scare ya. We were just looking for some missin' people".
The little bag-lady emerging from the warehouse looks a bit tousled, but there is a shrewd glint in her eye. "Oh, I might know something, and I might not. It kind of depends. I don't think very well on an empty stomach."
(This is the point where Hessiah notices that he has had his purse-strings cut. If you had any gold left, it's gone.)
"Gawd damn it! I'll fillet whoever took my cash!"
Hessiah mutters weird words and makes strange gestures.
"I need your help, lady. Someone stole from me. And I am very generous."
The woman turns toward Hessiah: "Oh, I would never steal from such a fine gentleman." She even blushes a little. "It wasn't me for sure, nor anyone I know, but it is a common enough way among the pickpockets her. It was probably someone you bumped into in the street - or perhaps you didn't even notice them. In that case it was someone good. Probably someone from the Little League." (turning to Quick) "No offence meant, lady, but there are some pretty good halfling cutpurses about."
"Anyway (smirking at Hessiah), there are some things going on here that might interest you: Some kind of priest lady and big men with swords use the building next door. Every so often, they bring some people here in chains and hide them in the building. Eventually a ship comes and the people are brought on board. The ship then pulls away."
"I recognized some of the faces of the people being taken onto the ship. They were all beggars who worked the streets. Now I don't suppose you have anything to eat on you? It's been a busy day, and I seem to have clean forgotten to eat." She tries to smooth out some of the wrinkles in her dress in a pathetic attempt at nonchalance.
Quick will move over to the woman, and place in her hand a portion of beef jerky and an apple that she had saved. In addition, she puts a single gold piece in the old woman's hand.
"Thank you very much. You've been very helpful. We're not going to let that priest lady take any more people away."
The lady thanks Quick effusively and winks at Hessiah. "Please drop by at any time. Don't be a stranger."
'Good Lady , when you say 'every so often' , what do you mean ?
And when did they come last ? '
"Well, I'm not always in, you know, so I wouldn't know, but I've seen them here at least once a week, I think. The ship was here last week. I haven't seen them since."
"Thank you very much, dear lady."
Pow-wow time :
We have to decide what we concentrate on now : Bandits, Slavers or Kidnappers. We have to risk losing the trail of the kidnappers to deal with the most important menace to the good citizens of this town , the slavers .
Intercepting the next chain gang seems to me the best way to crack open this ring . Seems we can do observations from here since they didn't react to this good lady . we'll then have plenty of witnesses to the crime and the authorities won't be able to hide what happened.
what's more , Hessiah could ask some questions to one slaver with hs spell . If all aggree , we'll organize ourselves for the night
Hessiah and Quick at either end of the guard and Brock and me in the middle to optimize our advantage of sight .