Dungeon Adventure Path: Life's Bazaar

[Old Fezziwig]

The interior of the temple is well appointed, spacious, and, perhaps most importantly, dry. Novices in the service of Cuthbert, dressed in blue robes, Cuthbertian crosses hanging from their necks, move through the Church attending to errands. A few commoners are attending to prayers in the main chapel.

Ruphus leads you through this chapel and into a small, modestly decorated sitting room, with dark oak furniture and modest paintings depicting dogmatic, mythological scenes of St. Cuthbert and his acts. A large fire burns in the fire place. As you sit and begin to make yourself comfortable, Ruphus pokes his head out of the room and murmurs something to an acolyte.

Turning to Hu'ka, he shakes his head, "I honestly can't think of who those men were working for; there are a number of gangs and guilds in Cauldron. As for the children, if we knew, we'd have people off retrieving them." He stops and looks thoughtful for a moment, makes a couple of quick gestures with his hand, and utters a small benediction. His bruises and the marks of his struggle look much, much better.

In response to Liandra's questioning, he shrugs again and shakes his head, "I've told you what I personally know, and," he looks at Qoll, "as far as self-defense, I really —"

A small cough interrupts him. The source of the cough is a human acolyte, a fairly attractive young girl, presumably not any older than Ruphus, carrying a bundle of warm blankets. With her is a short and stocky acolyte, presumably dwarven, although he does not wear a beard; he bears a tray laden with some food and beverages — bread, cheese, some fruit, some dried meat, a carafe of warmed wine and a set of nice wine glasses. As they hand out the blankets and food to those who desire them, the dwarf addresses Ruphus, "If'n you don't mind, Ruphus, Jenya would like to see you now."

Ruphus begins to protest slightly, deferring to your company, but the dwarf shakes his head, "Jenya said it would be only a short while."

Hunching his shoulders up in another shrug, Ruphus excuses himself for a moment and heads out of the room. The girl and the dwarf follow directly. You're left alone with your thoughts, your blankets, and the food.

 

[rangerjohn]

Rothgar pulls back his hood upon entering the temple. He then quietly lets the others talk, as they seem to be more comfortable in this situation. When the two acolytes enter, he accepts a blanket really more concerned for his armor than himself and has some fruit while waiting for the servant of the Stern One to return.

 

[Jalon Odessa]

'So... what's our course of action, fellows?', Liandra turns to address her companions.

'I suggest taking the church up on their hospitality tonight, and then paying the orphanage a visit tomorrow morning to see how kindly they view the charity of these Cuthbertians. Something in my mind is still uneasy about this entire story...'

 

[rangerjohn]

Let's try this again

"Agreed something does seems to be afoot. That does sound like a sound plan. Does anyone have anything further to add?" Here he turns to Hu' Kua "you are a native to this city can you shed any light on the situation?" Rothgar then falls to his usual silence as he listens to any replies.

 

[Dog Faced God]

"I agree, Liandra. I think that this gang is probably behind the kidnappings. Why else would they be nervous about priests of Cuthbert visiting the orphanage?" Qoll used a corner of his blanket to clean soot and dirt from his face, hands and arms as he spoke.

[ooc: Have I ever heard of gangs that fit the description of the thugs that were assaulting Ruphus?]

 

[Old Fezziwig]

Qoll: After some deliberation, you seem to think that the thugs who assaulted Ruphus are members of a fairly important guild in Cauldron, but you can't off hand remember the guild's name, if you ever, in fact, heard it. Either way, you do know that the face painting scheme is fairly significant and rather familiar.

 

[Old Fezziwig]

As you discuss what you want to do and how you want to handle things, and before either Geebo or Hu'ka can register an opinion (Carrach seems content to dry off and simply observe), the door opens. Instead of Ruphus, you see a young woman with premature streaks of gray in her rich brown hair. She wears a brown robe with golden trim, the symbol of St. Cuthbert hanging from a chain around her neck. She smiles at your group warmly.

"Good evening. I have spoken with Ruphus and learned of his harrowing ordeal, as well as your remarkable behavior during a tense situation. I'm Jenya, the acting high priest here, and I am in your debt." She examines the room; you can see her taking mental inventory of the food, wine, and blankets, making sure that everyone has enough. Seeing the soot on Qoll's face, she rings a little bell. "Master Eroe, allow me to have a novice bring you a basin of water and a towel so you may clean yourself properly. It will only take a few moments. Perhaps, if you'd all be willing to stay a while longer, you may wish to hear a proposal I have for you."

OOC: Next move will be on Tuesday! So you all know, I'll be posting my actions (or, more appropriately, my reactions) on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday/Sunday (that's two weekday moves and one weekend move). If anyone has any thoughts/questions/comments/complaints, see the OOC thread!

 

[Douane]

Carrach glanced at Liandra in surprise. The little elven female had kept her mind on the one essential point, the peril of those children, through all of this drivel of priests and gangs and else.
He would do well to not underestimate her again.


When the voice of the hight priest Jenya broke into his introspective reverie, Carrach turned and replied to her query:

"That will have to wait. What about the orphanage and the missing children?"

 

[Jalon Odessa]

Liandra stands and courtseys before the approaching acolyte.

'Indeed Jenya, what is it that you would like to discuss?

 

[Old Fezziwig]

In reply to Carrach and Liandra's questions, Jenya smiles politely and gently clears her throat, "The two are not unrelated. As you know, the Church has found itself involved with the situation at the orphanage. I understand that you're working on partial information, and I would be happy to clarify things as best as I can for all of you.

"Three nights ago, four children were kidnapped from the local orphanage — Deakon, Evelyn, Lucinda, and Terrem. They are the most recent victims of a strange series of disappearances and robberies. Now, the Lantern Street Orphanage has two bedchambers for its wards, both located on the second floor, one for girls and one for boys. Two children were taken out of each room and no one (not children or staff) saw anything."

At this point, the door to the room opens and admits two people, a novice with a basin and towel for Qoll and a gnome. The priest thanks the novice and directs her out, and then gestures for the gnome to take a seat and listen.

She continues, "As for the security of the orphanage, the windows are barred and the locks on the doors are of superior quality. The children, of course, are locked into their rooms at night to prevent any sort of mischief — fraternization, pantry exploration, expeditions into town, and so on.

"In light of these events, the Church has publicly vowed to locate the missing children and bring the kidnappers to justice. Although Ruphus was not part of this plan per se, he went to the orphanage to comfort and support the people there — they need to know that even if nothing's been done Cuthbert and his Church are present always, but especially now.

"I have done some work already towards finding these kidnappers, but I am afraid to say that I have encountered some trouble. With the aid of a Cuthbertian relic, the Star of Justice, I have found out the following, which, as with many divinations, tends to confuse things more than it helps."

Reaching into a pocket of her robe, she hands a slip of parchment to the nearest member of your party. In neat, clean, flowing script it reads:

The locks are the key to finding them.
Look beyond the curtain, below the cauldron,
But beware the doors with teeth.
Descend into the malachite 'hold,
Where precious life is bought with gold.
Half a dwarf binds them, but not for long.

"Certainly the first line of the riddle holds an important clue, but what "locks" it refers to, I cannot say. You might want to start with the Lantern Stre— Excuse me, I have breached your good will. I should not be telling you where to go or what to do. In any case, the information I have given you tonight is, naturally, confidential, whether you accept the offer I am about to make or not. The Church and I would like you to find the missing townsfolk (especially the children) and bring their kidnappers to justice. The Church stands ready to offer you 2500 gold for the successful completion of this quest. Please take some time to speak among yourselves and consider this offer." She pauses and then turns to the recently arrived gnome, "And that includes you, Master Scrapfinder. The Church would like to redirect your attentions slightly." She smiles benignly at your group, turns to the tray, pours herself a glass of wine, and waits patiently for your answers.

OOC: That's tonight's move. I'll have more posted on Thursday night. Oh, Sando — your nocturnal activities lately have been as productive as anyone else's have been — you've seen nothing out of the ordinary around the orphanage.

Edit: Fixed some of Jenya's dialogue. The (Acting) High Priest of Cuthbert does not use contractions in speech.