She sighs. "My options are limited, given what the herbalist has available. Arsenic is openly sold to kill vermin; it would weaken but not kill men. The symptoms are similar to cholera so the incident might not even arouse suspicion -- unless we wished to implicate the Desnans in the affair. Alternatively, I could mix up some belladonna which would impair the soldiers' strength but is not lethal. Oil of taggit is a lovely concoction but takes effect more quickly, and all it does is induce unconsciousness. Introduced at the right moment, it could make our incursion into Balentyne far simpler -- but our allies would have to be ready to strike."
She shrugs. "Then there is nothing to do but purchase it, in sufficient quantities. You don't need me for that, simply a story of rat infestation. If you wish to implicate the Desnans, however, we ought to wait until they have a grudge against the Iomedaeans -- or, at the very least, identify who among the Desnans we wish to have known to have rat poison on hand to which he might turn when wronged. In the meantime, I will see to the bloodroot."
When evening approaches, Aedorn changes into a set of comfortable clothes, assumes his alternate identity, and makes his way to the brothel, whistling tunelessly and trying to look natural.
Alazandaru set out to make inquiries as to the location of Captain Varning and when he will return. If pressed, "Skorm" will reluctantly mention he is thinking of changing career and wants to speak to the captain about recruitment.
As Morthos reverts to his "other" self, he heads out looking for his soldier "buddies". Ah yes, I enjoy nothing more than to act like a complete fool for this pathetic town. Morthos thinks to himself sarcastically.
Jonas/Bostarg
Mother Ryanne sends word that she would like a meeting with you about your donation. She invites you to attend sermon on 22 Pharast, and to a meal afterwards to talk.
Jed/Aedorn
You spend the night at the brothel. Over the course of the evening you see many faces come in and out of the business, attempting to find several of them.
Between overheard conversations, attentive observations, and idle pillow talk you manage to acquire the identities of several of the visitors.
- Dugg - One of Captain Barhold's men. Quickly moves to the gambling tables. Gets drunk and loses everything, eventually makes a scene and quickly gets tossed out. You manage to overhear two people talking about how he loses everything almost every week.
- A man named Peat, who you notice stashes a symbol of Desna in his pouch as he comes in. Goes straight to Donnur before disappearing with a girl
- Brie - A local shopkeep, she spends a bit at the tables, mostly spending time drinking at the bar. Eventually speaks with Donnur and heads into back room
- One particular girl, Lir, working at the brothel you find out is a servant at Balentyne during the day. Supplements income working here on off days.
- Franz, one of Captain Varning's men, drinks and partakes of other goods.
Skorm/Alazandaru
Over the course of a few hours, you fail to learn much from the townsfolk about Varning's routes, but from your talks with the soldiers you manage to get enough information to piece together probably dates of departure and return.
Terrick/Morthos
Having a meal with the soldiers you're able to learn that the soldiers use ravens to transport messages to and from distant locations, though they do occasionally send out couriers. The hilly terrain in the area makes mounted travel not as quick as desire which is why the ravens are the primary method. The raven keeper, a man named Mad Martin, is a bit of an oddball.
Tatya
Supplies to make the poison can be purchased at the alchemists shop in Aldencross.
Under the guise of Sister Margoleine, Tatya visits the herbalist once more, seeking a treatment for some disturbing warts her employer's brother Jed has developed....
Returning to the room, Morthos shares what he has learned. "They use ravens as their messengers due to the terrain not being advantageous for horseback. Although, they do tend to use that on occasion. There is one by the name of Mad Martin that is apparently the keeper of the birds. That is all the information I was able to secure from these fools."
"'Mad Martin?'" Tatya repeats, a single questioning eyebrow raised. "Sounds promising. What can not plausibly be blamed on a previously-harmless-seeming eccentric?"
"A cat?" she suggests dryly.
Skorm reports his findings to Bostarg and the others.
Morthos raises an eyebrow at the thought of wasting time to kill birds. "The ravens are of no consequence. I see no purpose in wasting our time and our resources on something other than the fools that reside within the keep. Tatya's poison has proven quite effective for us in the past. Let us not forget what it did to Odenkirk. Tatya and I will travel to this place we've acquired and make what needs to be made." Morthos then turns his attention solely to Tatya. "Gather what you need and let's move. The sooner the better." Morthos then grabs his gear and changes into 'Terrick' as he prepares to leave.
Tatya nods and, with a sigh, resumes the appearance of Sister Margoleine. She places the herbs she purchased inside her cauldron and heads downstairs. Giving out the story that she's going out into the surrounding countryside looking for local herbs and seedpods she can preserve to take home with her to grow, she adds that her employer's guard Terrick is accompanying her to help assuage her fears. "I have never been so near the Watch Wall before," she explains truthfully. "The thought of what might be waiting on the other side, were not Balentyne here to protect the town.... You who are used to living here must think I am silly, but I feel safer with a strong sword-arm at my side."
22 Pharast 4712
Jonas approaches the Aldencross temple for his meeting with Mother Ryanne. Both between his approach and as he enters, he can tell work has been done on the temple. The soldier at the gate wears a well made outfit with nice trim, armor shined. The temple itself is in a similar state. While the priests earlier were indeed working hard cleaning the temple, it's obvious extra work has been done since.
The sermon itself is as expected, praising those who give of themselves to ensure order is maintained and the people protected. Yet the sermon is given with passionate words by Mother Ryanne. Your first time seeing the Iomedaen priestess, she gives an impressive speech. At first she appears rather plain, short cut brown hair and a face one would lose in a crowd. But then as she begins to speak, her passion for Iomedae shines through.
The crowd is enrapture from the moment she begins to speak, enthralling them all in even as simple topic as how they can each provide aid to the temple. Over the next hour her subtle wordplay, descriptive words providing the needed imagery, the church goers seem to feel a strong sense of loyalty, of dedication, of giving. As her sermon comes to an end, and donations are collected, Mother Ryanne moves about the crowd, giving thanks to many of those who have given. As this happens, Brother Ross comes up to you, "If you'd like to follow me, Mother Ryanne will meet with you in one of the private rooms in back. It should only be a few moments."
Following Brother Ross, you are lead to a sitting room, sparsely furnished compared to many but comfortable enough for a temple. Tea and pastrys have been laid out. You are left for a few moments before Mother Ryanne shows up, still in priestly garb. "Welcome, Master Jonas, and thank you for coming."
"That would be a pleasure, Master Jonas. Thank you." Taking a seat, she introduces herself, "As I'm certain you're aware, I'm Mother Ryanne, head of this temple. So I hear that you're a merchant traveling through town. I'm certain you must have some fascinating stories from your travels."
"Ah, the Singing Saints, truly worthy of praise." Settling back in, she begins speaking, "When I first came to Balentyne, I remember hearing them for the first time. Coming into the room, seeing the stony forms of the Iomedaen saints high on the choir walls, a breathtaking view. Especially for such a small church. But then the singing begins."
"Each member of the clergy learns the songs, of course. But in Balentyne they take it a step further, making it an art. So grand even the stone saints above join in, their music resonating with the clergy. It touches the heart. Lord Havelyn, Tacitus, the Captains, even Martin the Ravenkeeper comes to attend the ceremony every Sunday."
Sipping at her tea, you almost see a tear in her eye, "One of things I miss most about becoming matron of this temple is not hearing them sing. But my duties to Iomedae must come first. Which is why any help you can give will help us."
She lets out another sigh, "My duties here in town prevent me from attending services at the fortress aside from a rare occasion. But that does not mean you yourself must be denied it's splendor. I would be happy to send a request on your behalf to attend sermon, perhaps the 1st of Gozran? I would just need an account of who would choose to be attending. And perhaps after we could meet again to discuss it's splendor?"
Over the next few days, our villains set about instilling some dissension between the dominant members of the Iomedaen clergy and the large population of Desnans present in the community. At first the peace seems to be strong in the community, as little effect is apparent. But the sudden appearance of a new member in the church, one who may bring about a few changes seems to begin having some ripples appear. Nothing major at first, the two branches simply preferring the company of fellows a little more strongly. A few glances at each others direction. Talk of the church's future.
The first sign that something is noticeably wrong occurs on the 27th of Pharast. A few of the plants set about in people's minds have begun creeping out in minor form, but a definitive sign of one taking gives a dark hope. When collecting donations for the church, a small broken wooden longsword was found in the box. A heresy against Iomedae. Brother Addis, the one to discover it, made the mistake of exclaiming loudly his discovery, which Mother Ryanne quickly silenced. But the damage had already been done.
A schism had formed within the church. The prayers to the Iomedaens that night told a tale of temperance and peace, of standing firm in the Inheritor's glory but not to set aside others. The words were spoken with conviction, and some were calmed of their anger, at least for a moment. But later, when Desnan prayers were spread, Mother Ryanne was present as she often was, but for the first time in quite a while she did not sit alone, another member of the church at hand if needed. Her words helped to repair some of the damage, but not nearly all of it.
Tatya narrows her eyes as she considers. "You want this distraction near Balentyne itself? Something to draw the men out of the watchtower, or merely to attract their attention? I have no skill at eluding pursuit or covering tracks."
She shrugs. "I'm assuming you want a distraction to the south and west while Alazanadaru climbs up from the south and east to attract the attention of the guards on the south wall away from the river and the tower?"
Tatya summons a glowing, devilish-looking figure between herself and the watchtower and lets it cavort across the countryside.
Morthos keeps an eye out for any wanderers just in case they manage to happen by as Tatya carries out their part of the plan.
As Alazandaru crests the top of the windowsill, his eyes adjust to the darkness within. Two dozen sets of eyes stare at him from around the room, ravens perched everywhere. The first sign of strangeness is that not a single one is caged. His nose assaulted by the smell of bird droppings covering the floor.
Off in a corner rests a man atop a small bed, apparently the tender of the ravens. He seems not to notice the intruder, a loud snore escaping him as Alazandaru pulls himself over the ledge.
MMR P
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Morthos and Tatya stand outside while a dancing figure of light moves about, summoned by Tatya. It's obvious the guards see the light, but don't appear to have yet determined it's source.
"I wish we could set aflame a huge symbol of Asmodeus in one of these fields," Tatya murmurs to Morthos as her glowing marionette cavorts idiotically around the countryside. "That would get the attention of these sheep, put the fear of Hell in them. I suppose that wouldn't be subtle enough for the gnome, however. And we are supposed to be pinning this on Desna. Perhaps a butterfly with fiery wings?" she muses.
Morthos grins slyly. "I like it. Make it so. While I would prefer to burn one of those pathetic buildings down, we'll leave that to the bugbears. Do your very best, dear Tatya," he tells her, a victorious grin about him.
Having dealt with the human, Alazandaru's swift mind began to search for a way to hide the body as well as seal off the window so he could kill the birds without any escaping... He took his time and searched the place; and the man he had just killed, thoroughly.
- padded armor
- iron poker for tending fire (club)
- wooden holy symbol to Iomedae
- key to rookery
- pouch full of bird seed
- signal horn
Throwing the seed found on Martin, Alazandaru easily lures the birdes into cages. The birds are noticeably more timid with the death of Mad Martin, almost seeming to lose something with his death. The slaughter of the birds is an easy task, though with the death of the first they begin to caw.