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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 8564537" data-attributes="member: 2012">"Agreed. If Mr. Aceron can tell us something about Waldo's plans or these damnable thieves & assassins, then banishment could be the best choice for his punishment," Custodio says. "Of course, it will depend on the level of his guilt." The Vanquisher cleric pauses. "There is also the issue of his family. While the Acerons aren't a major merchant or noble family, they do have some influence in Old City. If he is banished, Lord Aceron might object. I don't know very much about their family, so I'm not sure how angry Lord Aceron might become if Nathaniel is ostracized.""I wouldn't worry about that too much," Carter suggests. "It's more important to get to the truth and stop the renegade's plans." The halfling butler goes over to check on Lavia who is still sleeping. She seems completely exhausted and has barely stirred."Is she okay?" Custodio askings the man."She is fine. Just tired and a bit overwhelmed. The attack on Oakfirst's old manor really scared her. She's not a warrior, and she was in shock for a while. She's been unable to rest since it happened." He talks in hushed tones. "It's good to see her more serene now." He motions for one of the Lanterns to take her out of the room. "Find a place for her to continue to remain at rest."The Lantern nods and picks up the halfling woman in a bundle of blankets and carries her out of the room and down the hall.Sylemis nods in assent."We will go ahead to sseek the well," Sylemis says before he and Gerey leave. "If you come after uss, finding it could be easier."Florrie returns to the room and whispers something to Falen. He nods in thanks."I can set the Lanterns on this Aceron person," Florrie offers. "We will take him into custody and bring him here. We can do it quickly and quietly.""And the last time we split up -- while I was with Breva and Tim -- the Loyalists and their allies tried to ambush us," Custodio adds. "Plus, they came after Mani while you were divided."Florrie nods. "We'll keep them here, for now.""I'd say go with Gerey and Sylemis before they leave," Carter suggests. "Take them to the edge of the thicket and then decide from there.""While I trust Vinny," Custodio says. "I don't know how much I trust the leaders of the wizard guild. They did send some of their people into the enclave, after all. Maybe they went in to try to kill Waldo and his followers or maybe they're trying to negotiate a peace. I hope they aren't working with the renegade, but there isn't any way to know for sure without asking them.""I vote for the Black Cat," Custodio replies. "Tim?"The large fighter nods in agreement.OOC: T.H. just messaged me through Facebook that he chooses the Black Cat."I agree," Vinny says."As I said, escort Gerey and Sylemis to the edge of the thicket and then if you feel you must divide and conquer, so be it. But be very careful. The Loyalists seem to be everywhere," Carter says."And there is The Dusk," Falen says. "Let's start with the Black Cat and then go to check this magical well out afterwards." Falen seems intrigued by the well.Custodio looks at Akos. "If you want to go with Gerey and Sylemis to look for the well while we confront Mr. Aceron, I'm not going to try to stop you. But if we split up, then we better be sure on a plan."You all head out of the room towards the back of the manor. Gerey is there wiith Sylemis and two Dark Lanterns. Gerey has put on some fine leather armor and is carrying a slim shortblade while the dragori druid simply wears his normal clothes. He holds his staff with both hands and he's added a pouch for his spell components. He is in good spirits.Gerey leads them into the kitchen and then down some sort steps into a large pantry. The Lanterns move a short table away from the northern wall as the Warden of Stormgrove Manor pulls a single stone out of the wall and then reaches in to twist something. The wall shifts back and then slides to the east."So, is the way into your secret passages?" Custodio asks."No, this is just a quick escape tunnel. The way into the Lantern Depths is hidden elsewhere in the manor. As I said, it is not for non-Lanterns. It is much too dangerous without dozens of Lanterns guiding the way. This will get out of Stormgrove without anyone watching being able to see us leave."Gerey leads the ways with one of the Lanterns who lights the way with a dancing lights spell. The other Lantern takes up the rear alongside Custodio. She carries a lit torch and pauses just inside the entrance to the passageway to watch as Florrie closes the secret door behind you. The passageway down is 20 feet of steps before coming to a tight corridor that runs under the grounds of the manor. Tim finds the tight corridor to be a pain. He is forced to stoop and struggle through the passageway with only a few places where he can stand and stretch. This goes on for several minutes until the group ascends a spiral staircase into a small house.The house is obviously a Dark Lantern safehouse. The group finds itself escorted out of a back door, which leads into a narrow alleyway next to an orphanage known as Daybreak House. Gerey lets Tuck and the other Exemplars lead the way out of the alleyway past a tall tower. Eventually you reach the Green Gateway, which stands open but is guards by several Bluffside Elites. Custodio and Vinny go ahead to have the guards let you through quickly and quietly.Morning has ended and many are now heading back to work after having a midday meal. On the other side of the gate, you find that the South Ward is bustle of activity. Merchants are hawking their wares on the streets and several eateries are doing brisk business. However, the mood is still subdued. The citizens are keeping to the main streets unless they have to go to a specific shop or their home. The people of Old City are on edge. When a food cart tips over, several young waifs jump at the noise and take shelter in a nearby shop until they are sure it is safe to come out. Others move to help the food vendor while the Elites at the gate move into investigate what happened. It turns out be nothing... just an old wheel giving out.Gerey and Sylemis turn west towards Spindle's Apothecary, which sits near the eastern edge of the Jade Thicket. The two Lanterns go with them down the side street alongside the tangled trees and shrubs of the old thicket. Creeping vines stretch up the stones of the inner wall next to the thicket, but they are cut away near the top. The four of them quickly disappear into the greenery.Tuck knows the way the Black Cat Tavern. You are soon at a medium-sized building with three floors. The double doors leading into the tavern stand open and the common room is quiet large, full of patrons, and several minstrels playing. The Exemplars are hardly noticed until Big Tim enters the tavern. A few eyes stray towards him, but the tavern doesn't grow silent. Some seem to know who you are and a few glasses are raised in salute. Everyone is enjoying a bounty of food and drink and the staff works hard to keep everyone happy.A very tall and very attractive rakasta woman is making the rounds among the patrons. She is impeccable dressed and her fur is pitch black except for several white splotches on her face and neck. She wears a pristine white eyepatch embroidered with gold thread over her left eye. Silver earrings pierce her tall catlike ear and are connected by a silver chain. Her fingers are adorned with rings of various sorts and when she smiles, you can see that several of her sharp teeth are capped in adamantine.Maiya Raviron, the owner of the Black Cat Tavern.She manages to weave her way through the crowd to you, gracefully. She stands nearly as tall at Big Tim with her eyes being just under the big man's chin. She lets out a quick whistle and the staff clear a large table near the front of the tavern. She leads you to the table and chairs are found for everyone. She even brings out a large chair for Tim."You are such a pretty puppy," she coos to Mutt. She rubs his cheeks and pats the big dog on the head, unworried by the dog's size.She waits until you are all seated. She sits on the edge of tall stool next to the table and whistles again. The minstrels switch to more serene song and the noise in the tavern hushes. A young half-elf with a songbird voice begins singing a breathtaking ballad and all eyes shift to her."Young Nathaniel Aceron is over there at the end of the bar," Maiya says in a low wispy voice so you can hear her clearly but no one else can. "He's a bit waterlogged, but I've been feeding him some free food to keep him from floating away."At the end of the bar is Mr. Aceron. He is dressed in the clothes of a well-to-do aristocrat with too much coin and very little sense of style. He is obviously drunk but he isn't so besotted that he can't turn to watch the waifish half-elven woman sing. He is transfixed by her and forgets his drink and food while she sings. He does have the bearings of a warrior and there is a sword on his hip. If he's wearing any armor, it is under his clothes."I hope you will be diplomatic with him," Maiya insists firmly. "No fighting in my tavern. No exceptions." Her long tail twists around her body as she glances at each of you. "Now, what would you like. We have a wide variety of dishes and spirits," she says a bit louder.</blockquote>

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