"Sounds like a plan, Venator. And I'm starting to think... if the gnome is of no help to us, then perhaps Sheriff Hemlock will." Lia taps the sword at her side.
She winces. "And there's still the matter of... well, Zellara."
Andando smiles at the vats of disease. "I wonder what magnitude of sickness that stuff would cause if introduced to a bloodstream?" Andando wonders aloud.
Aerodus walks to the gnome. "All right, gnome. You're going to tell me everything you know about the slave trade, the blackscour, and where your associate, Octavian is. And you will tell me everything. Or else!" He grasps the hilt of his longsword for emphasis.
Lia follows.
"I'd cooperate, if I were you. We're trying to be your friend. You don't want to be our enemy."
They tend to get fed to alligators.
...unfortunately, she comes off as being too nice to really be of help.
"Nah, please don't cooperate with him. I haven't had some decent action today, so a dozen of missing fingernails would make it more... Savory..."
"How were you spreading the blackscour?"
Lia kneels next to the gnome.
"Where was the last shipment of labor headed? Who is Wolfhead?"
having some trouble at home, might be monday before I can post.
She. Wolfhead's a b**ch. It's something, at least. And she works through intermediaries.
"One more thing... we found a brooch in Lamm's lair. It depicts a pseudodragon & an imp, locked in mortal combat. The clasp is broken, and it is incredibly valuable. Is it Wolfhead's? Or someone elses?" Lia's eyes bore into the gnome's.
"Did they already spread the disease?"
Hearing the owner of the brooch, Aerodus stands ramrod straight, eyes wide. 'The Queen of Korvosa?! D****t! We're most likely going to return it to her. In person, no less! And there would be a good chance that she might have heard about me. Can't let them know!' His face returns to normal.
Aerodus roughly grabs the gnome by the collar. He brings his face close to his. He growls out, "Can you arrange a meeting with Wolfhead? Without ratting us out. And... where can we find Octavian? Or is there someone else who knows where he is that you can direct us to?"
Lia looks over at Aerodus, an eyebrow arched.
She definitely notices just how unnerved Aerodus is at the mention of the brooch belonging to the queen of Korvosa. Not that she could blame him; there was always the risk of being mistaken for the ones who stole it...
So, the subject of wealth is a sore one for him, he's disdainful of mages, and now he's panicking at the thought of the queen of Korvosa. I'll have to ask him about it all later, I think...
"Companions. I know we have a weird variety of events happening at the same time, so let's try to keep it simple. The woman told us that we can trust Sheriff Hemlock, so perhaps we should send this slaver in, and bring the children so they would receive proper treatment and be sent to their families, if they have any. I would like to make something for this city, and it may be a while until I can purify this tanks of water, but them do not matter for us much, since we've stopped their operation. I'll need to check with the local church if they are able to purify the water the citizens will be used, otherwise I'll need to help. A warning will have to be given, to prevent them from drinking from the wells until this evil act is erased."
"Once we deal with the imminent threat, we may go after the slave traders.
Sensing his comrades panic, Andando tests it further.
"This sash was a gift to me, from the Queen of Korvosa." he says rubbing the black satin sash wrapped around his waist.
"Yes let's deal with the poison water, don't want some corrupted ale, ruining my evening. Oh and all the innocent peole at risk!" he adds as an after thought.
Lia nods at Venator. "Agreed. One step at a time; we've done a lot here."
She gives Andando a deadpan look. "I'm so happy you're sparing a thought for the innocent folk of Sandpoint, sir."
Returning the deadpan look with an devilish grin, "NO ONE, is innocent." with that he plunges his blades into the sludge and bottles some in a vial for later.
Aerodus looks to Andando with a deadpanned look. He then takes one of his hands off of the gnome's collar and smacks Andando in the back of the head.
He says, "Quit joking around, rogue. As if you know the Queen of Korvosa."
At Venator's suggestion, Aerodus nods. He calls out, "All right, you guys. Get everything we need and let's get to the sheriff and the church. I want to drop off this scum before my hand becomes so tainted, I would need to sever it."
He makes his way to the door, dragging the gnome on the ground, held by his collar. He turns to the children. "Come on. We're getting you out of here." He stands near the door and waits for everyone.
Lia moves to assist Aerodus, keeping one hand on the hilt of her sword.
"I think we should investigate Zellara's cabin as well, once we've finished here." She looks down. "I felt some strange magic while we were there... I at least wish to see if Zellara's spirit haunts that place, and see if I can put it to rest somehow."
She looks at the hatbox under her arm, the one containing Zellara's head. She bites her lip and refocuses on the road.
"Certainly. One last note. Remember what the woman told us, the streets may be full of enemies, so keep your eyes open and protect the children. Let's go!"
Seeing nothing of interest, Aerodus walks out the door, dragging the gnome and the children following (hopefully).
Lia follows suit, remaining with the children.
The party will go to the guardhouse searching for Hemlock.
Evidently, Lia's too focused on the kids to really pay attention to what's going on around her.
Jirani will spring down the street yelling Ho there stop that man. Ocatvian! Octavian! And will do his best to sprint to the spot he saw the man disappear.
Lia looks up from the children.
"Wh--Jirani, where are you going?!"
Hearing Jirani scream out "Octavian", Aerodus growls. He then screams out, "DON'T LET OCTAVIAN ESCAPE, JIRANI!" He joins the chase, the gnome dragging violently on the ground. But not enough to be really hurt.
Catching a glimpse of their quarry, Andando tears off after the cleric.
Lia watches Aerodus & Andando take off after Jirani, looking between the children and her companions with a mixture of concern and frustration.
We have a chance at taking that bastard down--can't just leave the kids here--oh Nethys above what do I do now?
Venator motions for Lia do go. He will stay with the kids.
At Venator's direction, Lia nods. One hand on her sword, she takes off after the others.
"I swear I'll be right back!"