Hunting Fiends pt5

When last we left our brave and noble heroes, they were on the approach to a larger building even closer to the Rift.

There, the merchant association seems to be a stony facade and a busy place indeed. It's evidentally more of an officious clearinghouse than any kind of trading place.

Which means...bureaucracy.

Again.

What /is/ Oinig doing? What's his goal here? He bbought the title and this location is marked on his map, providing you some kind of itinerary for him.

But you're still /behind/.

Morgan looks to the others "So my lords and ladys we ready to move on and find this guy?"

"All right. So we have to get ahead of this guy." Sasha says to everyone. "Shall we get going? Or do you want to bask in your new titles longer and let him get away?"

"It really is a very shiny title," Kore replies pensively. "I need to be rid of it as soon as we are done. Let's be moving before I violate my vows." There's a bit of shuffling from the tiny Monk and then sheis surveying the building ahead of them. "I can start asking around...?" Not hta that has gone well so far this adventure.

Iskandar grins. "There will be time for basking later!" he winks. "But your point is well taken. We can get back to the task at hand. Only..." he rubs his beard in thought. "Is it really a chase? Or is it more of a hunt? I'd argue our quarry is a creature of habit and agenda, and if we learn enough to understand him, we'll be able to anticipate him. And to capture him in his own terrain."

People are on the move! Vandalheim is a busy place. Lots of smugglers, sure, but no doubt plenty of honest people makign an honest living. You still have the distinct impression you're being observed, however.

Morgan nods "Well I bet he bought a tital so lets becarefull and not start a war here."

Sasha says, "We are also being followed." She says softly to Iskandar."

Hun'rar nods to Morgan "But where does this go? Where does it end? This is a worthy hunt of Gilead demands we do better. Perhaps we need to set some kind of trap." he suggests watching the people.

GAME: Morgan rolls survival: (20)+5: 25

GAME: Kore rolls survival+2: (20)+11+2: 33

GAME: Hun'rar rolls survival: (5)+1: 6

GAME: Iskandar rolls survival: (20)+5: 25

GAME: Sasha rolls survival: (4)+6: 10

GAME: Serraphine rolls Survival: (4)+1: 5

Kore frowns for a second, scanning the people present. Her gaze is always down toward the floor by habit, which seems to suit her fine even if it means she msises most people's faces. The Monk wanders about the room for a time, examining her surroundings in the most casual possible way. Eventually, however, she finds her way back over to the rest of the group. Starting with Sasha. After a quick glance about to be sure no one unexpected can over hear what she tells the party the Monnk murmurs, "The rats. Someone is controlling them. Or talking to them..."

Rats.

Rats are /everywhere/.

It's a city! They are always rats and more rats.

f But the merchant association itself remains approachable, at least.

Morgan thinks "It might be a druid, I was once told they can controll most animals."

Sasha says, "Control or tame?"

Serraphine frowns again and tilts her head to the side. She squints and looks around and then leans over toward the giant hyena next to her, "Did you get your title, girl? Royal Dog and Cookie Tester, right?"

Mayra chuckles and nudges Serraphine's arm.

"/Fi-i-i-i-i-ine." She waffles her head from side to side, "Maybe you should go eat some of them?" She ruffles Mayra's head and looks back to the group. "It could be a witch, or some other nefarious person." She scratches at her chin.

Hun'rar ponders for a moment "Well the rats do point to something different although I am not sure how to take advantage of the fact. Unfortunately I have am not very good with covert operations to fool them. Anyone have some tricks or ideas? Probably some form of druidic magic."

GAME: Morgan casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17

Serraphine blinks and looks around before - meh - she heads up toward the building itself. "I'm going in! THIS IS SILLY! They all know we are standing outside." She gives a fling of an arm and grabs the handle before a fling of the door.

Iskandar grimaces. "Rats?" he repeats. "I suppose every city is infested with them." He tries to spot one out of the corner of his eye. "Our prey is resourceful indeed if he can force such vermin to do his bidding."

Hun'rar shrugs and follows Serraphine up to the door. "Right, not sure this is something we can do anything about at the moment and list time gets us behind."

Sasha says, "Strange. Rats watching us. but...meh. Lets go in."

GAME: Iskandar rolls bluff: (18)+8: 26

The good news is is that this place is busy.

Really busy. So busy that your arrival isn't given a whole lot of heed.

There's lots of people lined up in front of desks, waiting for their turn to talk to one of the clerks, who seems to be taking their papers and their coins, stamping them, and more. This is clearly some sort of customs office of a sort, no doubt. At least here, the feeling of being observed oddly is less palpable, but the occasional rat is no doiubt going to be present. After all, where there's people, there's rats, right?

All manner of people in Vandalheim of all races. THe first clerk to free up from the size of the lines is a shadow elf with an eyepatch and lots of scars.

If you want to try your luck with him, anyway.

There are also numerous other rooms, with numerous files and signed papers being taken /back/ that way. One wonders if what you might want to find is back there...

GAME: Kore rolls Bluff: (11)+0: 11

Iskandar swaggers in, his cloak and cowl leaving him in shadows. It doesn't quite hide a sinister glint in his eye. The look of a pirate, or a brigand, always on the lookout for easy opportunity but not averse to a -little- bit of mayhem if that is what's required. Much like at the titles office he approached someone midway down the line. Iskandar shows him his title, denoting himself a Prince of the Pirate Kingdoms. "What are you bringing through?"

Hun'rar scratches his face and leans over to someone else in the party. "Ok, so what paperwork are we here for? How do we proceed?" he says tapping his fingers on the hilt of his sword.

Kore will watch impassively. Where she a foot and a half taller she'd cut quite the imposing figure. As it is, people largely ignore her as she observes them for any sign of deception or malice. She is very good at noticing details, and it helps that she is almost anonymous by default. She'll use this, rather than be forced to speak.

Serraphine moves into the shortest line. She's... not really sure what she's looking for either. She's been a bit busy thinking about Acleese and Mayra, but, if you're in a place with lines then you stand in line. That's the way it works. She rummages around in her bag of never ending cookies and pulls out dog biscuit shaped one that she bites into. "Wha're wee 'ere fffohr?"

Sasha walks up with Serraphine. "What're we here for?" She says as she NUDGES Serraphine. "Don't talk with your mouth full. it's rude."

Finally, your little crew of Pirate Kingdom Princes and what not reaches the Shadow Elf with one eye. Who looks at Iskandar's paper. Then at him.

"All right," he says. "What'd you bring with you and what're you looking for, and more importantly, how much are you going to pay me to get what you want?"

He's smart, this one, and he seems eager to take a bribe from the weighty coin purses of Alexandrian adventurers.

Serraphine shrugs at the Elf, she does not know aht they're trying to get. "I unno, wat d'ya tink we-" a gesture at them all, "-want?" She frowns and looks around to the others.

GAME: Kore rolls Sense Motive+2: (18)+24+2: 44

Iskandar ticks off on his fingers as he tries to answer the questions in order. "Some refined magicite and a copy of the next week's Skyguard patrol routes in Alexandria," he touches one finger. "We'd like an audience with someone who's got their own airship - a smaller vessel mind you, not one of the big haulers - and reason to be making some trips to Alexandria, without drawing official attention." he ticks off on another finger. Then he smiles. "And we'll give you half again the normal finder's fee, provided it's the right buyer."

Thyrson has left.

Constantin has arrived.

Constantin folds his arms across his chest in the back, listening as others speak. He eyes up the elf, though, as if weighing him.

"Why," begins the shadow elf, "that's all very specific. It seems to me that you're looking for someone specific. "Really specific, actually. Got a name?" He leans back, hands together on his table.

"I bet you have a name."

Kore squints for a second and then finally shakes her head. She's grimacing faintly, her expression one of vague annoyance, but she allows the transaction to proceed. Only after a moment of thought does Kore murmur, "Your word first, sir, that you will keep this in confidence." Those blue eyes are staring down the Elf coldly from across the table. She might be half-Mul, but they have similar features. It might make a notable impression when she finally steps forward and chooses to speak.

Iskandar glances between Mul and half-mul, somehow managing to even make that look shifty. "I'm sure he can be trusted..." the large warrior begins.

Constantin gives a grunt at that, somewhat disbelieving. His face slowly mutates into a scowl.

Serraphine starts pulling out her smaller pouch with some of the gold in it. She seems okay with the idea of paying for this information, "Well of course we know he can't be trusted. He's selling us information, that's kinda the exact opposite. I mean... If we weren'ta ble to buy the information from him, then he wouldn't be selling it to us in the first place."

"...do my eyes deceive? Is this a hobgoblin that makes /sense/?" says the MUl to Serraphine.

"I will, of course, keep confidence, assuming it's not a secret that's vital to Vandalheim city security." Vandalheim's security. Right. "Tell me what it is you want or I can't help you." He spreads his hands.

Iskandar looks briefly at the others before giving a small shrug. "We're looking for Oinig," he finally offers. "We're following in his footsteps, as a matter of fact. And if what we've learned so far is true, he's set himself up quite the smuggling operation. Using Vandalheim titles and a phony Vandalheim merchant's association. And that's only what we've discovered so far, in all of a few hours legwork. Quite careless, really, this Oinig. Especially given all the ties he's created with your fine city..."

"...aw, fuck me. You too?" Wait, /too/?

"This Oinig character is up to his neck in something and whatever it is, I don't want it here in Vandalheim. He came in, yeah, with ... just a second." He gets up and moves towards the back rooms. He's going to find some files, it seems, and indeed he does return with some paperwork.

"A whole bunch of spell reagents, purchased as part of a standing arrangement with Lady Tranir Ammgrash. Name ring any bells? She's a sorceress, lives here in Vandalheim, specializes in that sort of thing."

"As an Inquisitor of the Grey Harp I will be honoured to accept your pledge of good faith," Kore responds in her most severe, earnest tone. She bows her head briefly. "Your assistance is much appreciatedi n this endeavour." The Inquisitor wields her assumed atuthority like a fine blade, letting the man in question speak. "I will see that you are properly compensated. In the mean time, could you provide us directions? We will, of course, need to speak with Lady Ammgrash." She looks between the others present. "And hopefully we can remove this Oinig for you. For both of our sakes."

Constantin focuses on the Mul. "Please enlighten us." He refolds his arms, but keeps his words minimal.

"What they all said." Serraphine scratches at her chin, then frowns, "Maybe we can give you a story? Like... maybe we can say he killed my mom and that's why we're looking. Then if they ask you have answers you can give." She gives a nod and glances at the group, staring at Kore for a moment with a squinty eyed look. Then a nod and a shrug, "Or that."

Sasha puts a finger to her lips to shush Serraphine. She's trusting Kore.

A long look at Kore from the Shadow Elf. A very long look.

"...right," he says after a pause. "Okay. Lady Ammgrash lives.... okay, well, this is a bit weird but she lives in the Vandalheim sewer."

OF COURSE. "There's a well at the bottom of the rift. It's long dried out," and is marked on the map, "but you'll need to go there next and climb down. She's a bit... tethcy."

Iskandar nods in agreement with Kore. "Lady Ammgrash would seem our next stop." He itches to unroll their map and see if one of the marked spots corresponds to her lair. But he resists. Some small part of him worries that they've already revealed too much of what they know. One thing's for sure: Iskandar relishes the moment when they can set aside all subterfuge and give Oinig a good punch in the head.

Constantin grunts. "A sewer." He exhales, then looks at the sky for a moment. "Become an adventurer, they said. Find fame and fortune, they said. They never tell you about how much dust-of--other-people's-shit coats that gold."

"You can purchase charms for keeping yourself clean at a very reasonable rate," Kore suggests mildly. "But yes. I seem to spend a huge amount of time in sewers the last year or two." She frowns faintly at this and then nods, offering the Mul behind the counter an incline of her head. "Thank you. I am sure we will meet again. With your payment." That noted, Kore is going to take the information in question and head toward the door. She merely glances at the marked map. Someone else is welcome to bring it. "The hard part to get used to is really the Otyughs. But those live in Alexandria. I think. Maybe I'll meet their cousins."

"Gotta take your lumps before you can go places, Constantin. Even I went through other people's crap. After a while, you can no longer smell it. Or your sinuses burn out." Sasha says.

Constantin nods. "Oh, when I retire I'm opening a bath house. I'm going to be rich."

Sasha says, "For adventurers in the guild...who survive the sewers."

...and so you go on down through Vandalheim, the merchant association glad to see the back of you.

Down the rift you climb. Numerous stairs and eleavtors are functionally part of this citry but it still takes a while. The map indicates the abandoned well, and yes, you're still being follwoed by rats.

Or different rats watching you as you move? Hard to say.

Kore seems to be ignoring the rats for now, proceeding through the sewers at a confident pace. She'll walk ahead of the group, unconcerned with either the smill or her surroundings. Well. The Monk *did* say this was something she's used to. She's already seen the map, so the woman seems to be content with navigating mostly from memory for the moment. "At least it's somewhere familiar. Sewers tend to be fairly similar," Kore observes as hse proceeds. "I do miss some of the more familiar creatures who live in Alexandria."

"can't have everything." Sasha says as she follows Kore. "Seems you know your way around this sort of thing, Kore. Experience?"

Constantin might complain, but it doesn't seem to stop him at all. He gestures, "We have the attention of the locals, though." And wiggles his fingers at one of the watching rats.

Sasha says, "I didn't think we'd be able to avoid it really. I'm really unable to hide or conceal myself, so a cleric of Althea is bound to draw attention."

Iskandar doesn't look any more pleased than the others at the thought of tromping through sewers. Yet he doesn't comment on it. Instead: "The customs agent mentioned someone else looking for Oinig," he recalls. "I wonder if we have an unkown ally in this endeavor."

Down into the sewers you go, then. It's not fun. These are... this is a HORRIBLE sewers. Alexandria's are positively pristine by comparison. And whilethe path you're taking is relatively sanitizied by comparison. It's just... awful smelling down here. Before too long, you appear to've arrived at a place where others are conducting business. Some sort of underground alechmaical and regant business. CLimbing down the well wasn't difficult to get here, either, but it's going to bea little annoiying to climb back up.

Lady Armmagash is presewnt, it would appear, a tall and slender woman with a third eye in the center of her forehead. Seriously. Her gaze is now on you.

Immediately.

A sharp whistle from her sends all the other people fluttering away, shattering into shards of illusory magic. You're alone here weith her.

She flicks a lock of whtie hair over her shoulder. "I sense you've come for something important. I sense you've come because of Asumit." A black cat skitters up her shoulder and plants itself there, licking a paw.

Sasha looks to the woman...and the black cat, but keeps back. She's definitely not versed in meetings like this. She doesn't know whether to trust this woman or not.

Iskandar stares. "More than just a good guess, I would say," he inclines his head towards Lady Armmagash. "We are indeed here because of Asumit. But more precisely one of his associates. The swkrd

Iskandar stares. "More than just a good guess, I would say," he inclines his head towards Lady Armmagash. "We are indeed here because of Asumit. But more precisely one of his associates. The swordsman Oinig."

"Oh, balls," says Lady Ammagash...

...who then turns and bolts through a veiled door.

Seriously.

The chase is on.

Constantin progressed through the vileness of the sewers looking a little vindicated, or at least as if he was working on his busines plan. Nothing like working out what kind of marble flooring you'd have as your shoulder is scraping something semi-solid on the wall, truly. As Lady Armmagash makes her entrance by subtraction, he makes a formal bow, then opens his mouth to introd-- "Oh, balls." The moment is gone, and he breaks into a run to follow.