Malvoisin's Savage Tide, Act 1 - There Is No Honor

[Rhun]

Bael certainly wasn't one to mince words, thought Anar, a faint smile on his handsome features. The rogue had hoped to find Vanthus by more mundane means before broaching the subject of the lady's journal. Anar figured a nobleman living in the Azure District would be fairly easy to find. Still, the question had now been asked, and the rogue cocked his head and waited to hear Lavinia's answer to the elf's blunt question.

 

[GwydapLlew]

Chongo stands in the corner, both of his hands folded on the haft of his spear. His dark eyes shift to each speaker in turn. The bosslady's words spoke of forgiveness and redemption, but the squat Olman had spent most of his life with "a rough crowd." If this Vanthus has allied himself with a gang of criminals, more than likely it was by his own choice.

Chongo knew his place; he was a hired thug and nothing more. Let the others decide where to go and what to do; Chongo merely needed to know whom to kill and whom to spare.

 

[stonegod]

Col ate nosily as usual, and as usual seemed a bit distracted during the dinner. But upon hearing "notes from your mother" and "journal", the old man had to mentally replay the conversation in his head.

"What note from her mother? Thar combin'tion? Donna know fer sure who be writ'n it, less Lady V here not be tell'n. But that there journal do be in that carsed vault since before the mum's died. I be think'n that the dastardly brother no be mess'n w'that, as it be in the one chest not to have been plundered."

 

[Malvoisin]

Lavinia did reveal the handwriting in the journal to be her mother's, in post #454 above.

Lavinia gives Bael a hard look, and answers the elf's blunt question in kind. "The journal is a family matter, sir, as I have already stated. As that symbol in the vault evidenced, there is clearly more to the business dealings of my parents than I ever knew. From what I have seen of the journal, it marks the location of some distant, tropical isle and some fierce creatures that inhabit it...these are not some rare monkeys and birds to be sold on the black market. These are gigantic lizards with teeth like sabres, flightless birds the size of horses with beaks curved like a wicked axe, and other unknown things. I truly do not believe the journal pertains to Vanthus' activities, but if I discover otherwise, you'll be the first to know."

 

[GwydapLlew]

"Bosslady wants us to find brother. Does bosslady think brother involved with Nixie?"

His short, clipped speech intrudes on the building tension. Journals, writing, this is unimportant. The bosslady hired them to find her brother, not read diaries.

"Chongo think talkers need to talk and find out where Vanthus hides."

 

[Legildur]

Bael smiles. "Very well milady. 'Twas but a thought I had to make things easier for us."

 

[Malvoisin]

"Bosslady wants us to find brother. Does bosslady think brother involved with Nixie?"

"I suppose it is possible, although there was nothing specific found on the Nixie to link that band of miscreants to Vanthus. Still, if my brother's gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd, it's not too hard to picture the likes of Soller Vark in his circle."


"Do any of you need anything else before you're on your way? If so, do not hesitate to ask."

Okay, I'm presuming everyone is on board for the hunt for Vanthus. Please let me know your plan. If you're going to hit the streets, please let me know with some specificity where you're headed...at least what disctrict(s). Specific locations within districts would be even better. Also, will you split up, or work as one group? Finally, please include relevant skill check mods (Gather Information, etc.) in your posts. Thanks!

 

[hafrogman]

Keoni does his best to not meet Lavinia's eyes while Bael puts forth his rather tactless demand for information. He clears his throat uncomfortably after her response. He turns to face the picture hanging on the wall.

"This is your brother, yes? It is an accurate likeness?"

Turning to the others, he shrugs.

"I suppose we start in the Azure District. You catch more flies with honey, if we seek our man's love, we may find our way to him."

[sblock=ooc]Definately heading for the Azure district, sound like a bit of a hedonist, probably start with the taverns.

Gather Information +2
Diplomacy +2 (wheedling information out of the reluctant)
Bluff +2 (why do I seek him? I owe him money)
Sense Motive +0 (in case they're lying to me)

Senses aura up, keeping eyes peeled for him in the crowds. Spot/Listen +1[/sblock]

 

[stonegod]

The old man wags a piece of some animal at the gathered party. "Taverns do be a good idea, though lets not be forgett'n that the Azure do cater to the baser of a sailor's interest. The Nest, Secret, or the Ride may all turn up a sympathetic ear on the turn of a leg."

[sblock=ooc]This is Kalen's and Anar's time to shine, though Col can come along to assist in Sense Motive (because Anar's ranks are not better than Col's unmodified yet). Brothels would probably be our second hit.

Sense Motive +2 (w/o modification)[/sblock]

 

[Malvoisin]

Keoni does his best to not meet Lavinia's eyes while Bael puts forth his rather tactless demand for information. He clears his throat uncomfortably after her response. He turns to face the picture hanging on the wall.

"This is your brother, yes? It is an accurate likeness?"

Lavinia nods. "It is. Vanthus commissioned that work for himself shortly after returning from his labors on the plantations."