[LPF] Distant Relations

[jkason]

The quartet find a dark, quiet place to remove their robes and masks and store them in their packs, then make their way as surreptitiously as possible to the feast hall. It seems the best choice; you don't see a single robe out here in the night, so chances are you'd have drawn far more attention in your cult gear than the anonymity would be worth.

You're soon at the kitchen entrance Inar told you about, just in time to see Genevieve entering to pick up a tray. She notices the lot of you and nods.

"Boar and raven, yes?" she says with a wink. "Wait out back and I'll get right to you,"

It's only about a minute before Inar's large form moves through the back doorway behind the feasthall, accompanied by two others: the small, plump Gratis Dimplecotton you recognize, but the lithe young red-haired woman is new to your experience in town.

"Gratty was just telling me you lot weren't going to make it. Got me worried. So, what's the story?"

GM: I don't know if any of your PC's have met Audra before, but that's who the female is. Figured this gave you guys a better IC reason to restate the what you've found: not only are you reporting to Inar, but helping catch up [MENTION=50177]Artur Hawkwing[/MENTION] for his integration here shortly.

 

[Qik]

Quioan arrives at the back entrance satisfied that the group had not attracted attention. So far, so good. Still need to keep on our toes, however.

When Inar approaches, Quioan eyes his companions: he recognizes Gratis quickly, dismissing him, but his gaze lingers on the woman a moment longer. The elf can't help himself. "I trust that we can expect discretion from your friend here." Once Inar gives her the okay, he continues.

"Well, we've managed make our way into the order as acolytes, and they've come to trust us enough to allow us to keep hold of our own equipment. Which I believe to be noteworthy."

"As far as worthwhile evidence, on the day we met Mr. Dimplecotton, we witnessed the devotees of the Living God extorting numerous local businesses for "protection money" - seems to be a regular thing for them. Beyond that, we have heard rumors of more sinister activities - torture, notably - and seen signs of internal strife, but the only concrete criminal activity that we have witnessed was the extortion. Though it was extensive."

Quioan turns to the others. "Have I forgotten anything?"

OOC: Welcome aboard, Artur! Sorry for the lukewarm welcome - thought it'd be out of character if Quioan just accepted the presence of a total stranger. Don't think the two have met yet.

 

[GlassEye]

Elenka nods a greeting to Inar, Gratis, and the red-haired woman. What is it with all these red-haired women? she wonders as she tucks a strand of her own red hair behind one ear. She shakes her head at Quioan's question of whether he's left anything out.

"No, that's everything. Though there may be a couple of other avenues we could explore for more evidence if it's needed."



[sblock=Actions/OOC]
Move --
Standard --[/sblock][sblock=MiniStats][size=+1]Elenka[/size] Human Summoner 3
Initiative: +2 Perception: +5

AC: 15 (12 touch; 13 flat-footed)
HP: 23 Current: 23
CMB: +3 CMD: 15 Fort: +1 Ref: +3 Will: +5

In Hand:
Spells:
1st level: 4/4 remaining.
Special: Summon Monster 2 4/6

[size=+1]Drevezh'Korol[/size] Eidolon
Initiative: +1 Perception: +0; Darkvision 60 ft.

AC: 15 (11 touch; 14 flat-footed)
HP: 29 Current: 28
CMB: +7 CMD: 18 Fort: +4 Ref: +2 Will: +3

In Hand:
Conditions: In the Other World[/sblock]

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

The red-haired woman standing with Inar and Gratis looks at Quioan as he speaks, then turns her eyes to the red-haired woman speaking. She looks a little downcast at the report she hears. She is around five foot seven, her face calm, aside from the downcast look to her eyes, as if she had heard something she had hoped not to, but knew it would come. She is dressed simply a plain white and brown pants and tunic outfit with a brown belt, accentuating her waist. The sleeves of the tunic end around the elbow, showing both forearms are covered by leather bands. On her left wrist is a white wristband bearing the symbol of Ranocchio in Venza. The forearms and hands seem to be well toned in musculature. She wears simple brown boots, which disappear beneath the loose legs of the pants. As she turns, a few links of a silver chain are visible hanging from her well toned neck. She crosses her arms below her chest. She speaks with a soft, measured voice, though it is far from unpleasant.

My name is Audra, student of Master Halaran the Hearer. And you have no reason to expect anything from me but the utmost discretion.

She turns, her eyes focusing now as the task at hand seems clear, and looks to Inar and Gratis.

It sounds as if things are even further progressed than Master Halaran had feared. As per orders from High Master Brighteyes, I and the skills I possess are at your disposal.

She turns her gaze back to the group a moment, taking in the whole group this time, her eyes lighting on Yoshiki a moment, almost hesitating as if trying to recognize, then she turns back to Inar.

[sblock=oocfoo]Be warned, I love fluff and detail. Anyone who is curious who High Master Brighteyes is or what the wristband is about, here's the link for the Order of the Diamond Heart page on the wiki.

Venzan Order of the Diamond Heart - Living Pathfinder RPG Wiki

Given that he is also a monk, assuming he comes from Venza, there's a chance Yoshiki might have heard of or met Audra before. For the others, likely not. [/sblock]

 

[Qik]

Quioan nods, his lips pursed in mild annoyance. "I have to say, that doesn't explain much." He nods at Inar. "But you're with Inar, which I suppose is good enough for me. And I imagine we may need the help nonetheless."

"The question is: how do we get you on the inside? And with us? There seem to be several shifts of acolytes operating from within, and there's no telling if you'll get assigned with us. Not to mention that when we were first admitted, we were drugged and subsequently incapacitated for several days."

The elf frowned in thought.

 

[jkason]

"Audra's good folk," Inar says to quickly assuage Quioan's fears. "When Gratty said you were stuck inside, I started trying to put together some kind of cavalry in case things got worse. I'd only gotten Audra lined up when you folks showed."

Gratis fidgets nervously as the assembled heroes talk. "I'm not really a freedom fighter, you know," he says meekly. Anna places a calming hand on the halfling's forearm.

"A revolution needs more than men at arms to succeed, Master Dimplecotton," she says with a reassuring tone. "Were it not for your masterful acting, we'd all of us been exposed today." The plump halfling seems to puff up a bit at the compliment. He nods and stands straighter.

Inar frowns and shakes his head sadly at the report.

"If all I needed were a few witnesses, I'd have taken down these motherless dogs myself. 'Fraid that's not enough.

"I told you I got friends in high places; problem is, so's the cult. Only way for my folk to get the upper hand is to have paper evidence of the payoffs I know are happening. Trash the corrupt peers, and my folk can finally push things through."

His gaze falls on Elenka.

"You said something about other avenues? I'm hoping that means you have some ideas about where ledgers or the like might be kept?"

 

[jkason]

GM: FYI, [MENTION=40413]GlassEye[/MENTION] , as of tomorrow's time XP, Elenka will have earned enough to level (I put her at 6003 after tomorrow's time xp adds in). I'd say you might as well go ahead and start working on the updates so you can get it in for approval.

 

[Qik]

Quioan seems to remember something. "Elenka, didn't you say you spotted Tarkan fiddling with a lockbox, or something of the like? Perhaps there's something worthwhile in there."

He pauses thoughtfully, a slight frown on his face. "Either that, or we'll have to try and get upstairs. Not an ideal, but it may be our only options."

 

[deisenhut]

Yoshiki Akita (Human Monk 4)

Yoshiki adds his own observations. "Even the cult's own members seem to be upset by the conditions in there. It is the hand of fear that holds the group together. Fear of what those that run the place will do to them if they don't do as their told. The anonymity of the masks and robes is actually helping them control the people. The best way to take them down may be by trying to spur some kind of uprising from within. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to make any friends in there. Too much fear."

When Quioan suggests going upstairs to obtain some hard evidence, "We really need some gray robes for that though". He turns to Inar. "Is there any way you could acquire some of these gray robes they use? Who supplies them with all these robes? Can some be made?"

[sblock=Ministats]Initiative: +4
AC: 19 Touch 19 Flatfooted 14
HP: 28/28
CMB: +8 CMD: 23 Fort: +4 Reflex: +8 Will: +7 (+2 vs. Enchantment)
Defensive Abilities: Evasion, Deflect Arrows
Speed: 40 ft

Conditions in Effect: None
Elemental Fist: 4/4 remaining
Ki Pool: 5/5 remaining
Expenditures: 50 gp
Additional Equipment: 2 flasks alchemist's fire
[/sblock]

 

[jkason]

Inar shakes his head. "No idea where they get their robes. Figured they made 'em in house, though I guess you lot haven't been turned to tailorin' yet if that's so."

"If all we need is color, that's simple enough to manage," Anna says. She mutters something at once familiar-sounding and impossible to remember, running her hands through her hair, and is suddenly a platinum blonde. Another run with her hands and her normal red coloring has returned.

"It's a simple cantrip, and the color lasts about an hour without a need to be refreshed. I should think our full-fledged wizard here has it in that tome of his," the sorceress says with a playful wink. "Most of them do, I've found."

GM: Elenka and Quioan have no trouble recognizing the obvious Prestigidation cantrip, and you all recall that the barracks had two chests with available replacement robes.