17/11/2020 - Tiff with Talos, Persistent Pastry Puking and Blackmarket Blackmail

## **The Cautious Councillor**

The lack of Elyan’s presence in the morning told everyone all they needed to know about how his date had gone. While they were waiting for the wayward bard to return home and generally snickering immaturely, 3 guards burst through the door, sighted Bayul and marched over to him. ‘The councillor wants to speak with you, now’, they announced. ‘What have you gone ’n’ done now?’, quipped Blagden, earning himself a kick. In the absence of other leads and judging them to be legitimate guards, Bayul agreed to accompany them. The others followed promptly and Kunai left a note for Elyan with the barmaid on the way out. En route, Ash delicately probed the minds of the guards, finding them honest though clearly also tense. He telepathically informed the others of this and they remained alert.

The guards led them into the impressive marble council building, but diverted course to a larger chamber than the office they’d previously met Chan in. Inside, they found Talos waiting, stood on the far side of the cavernous chamber across from a substantial table that stretched the length of the room. The councillor greeted them sternly and bade them sit. He tersely explained how the city had conducted their own investigations of the murder since they informed him of it. He declared that it was extremely suspicious that the group had not reported the body upon finding it. On top of this, the other guild member, Grace, had not been seen for a few days and Kyris’s flat had been pillaged. Bayul protested that upon finding the body the group had been far too busy following the real killer to report the murder. As for Grace, her companion Moira, the Triton, ought to be able to vouch for the fact that she had not been harmed - Chan gestured to a guard to arrange arcane contact with this alibi as soon as possible.

As the conversation progressed, both parties got increasingly frustrated with the other. Protests and evidence given by the party were met with naught but disbelief and Chan grew ever more suspicious at their increasing agitated behaviour. This suspicion ramped up further when the guard returned and whispered in Chan’s ear. He revealed that Moira had in fact not verified their story. At this point, Ash messaged Bayul and said bluntly that we ought to go above board with everything. Bayul nodded in assent and tried to make an accord with Chan that they would be equally level with one another. he was forceful but begrudging in his response. Ash then began to tell their perspective and made the case for them having acted in good faith throughout. The young monk’s story grew in speed and intensity as the story flooded from him, so eager was he to explain and exonerate them. As he finished, breathless and pink in the cheeks, he took a step back. When Talos again rebutted the tale and stated that their conduct was extremely questionable, Kunai could hold his frustrations back no longer. With unrestrained irritation, he declared this all to be completely unproductive time wasting by the councillor, going as far as declaring the entire law enforcement of the city to be incompetent.

The councillor calmly replied that he’d been to see the body and asked the clerics to perform rites of speak with dead. Unfortunately, it turned out that it had already been spoken to - by the party. To Kunai’s continued chuntering and Bayul’s protests that we weren’t as smart as he gave us credit for, he suggested that we thought this would be the best way to cover our own tracks.

At this point, Ash recalled that Elyan had the sending stone that could be used to contact Grace. He petitioned Chan to allow him to leave and find Elyan to allow them to prove their innocence. Blagden offered his services but everyone agreed that was a terrible idea. As Ash made his way out of the chamber swiftly, accompanied by a guard, Chan turned his attention back to his scrutiny. He first grilled them about Leticia and the letters they'd seen and then, receiving little satisfactory evidence, on to the Ioun stone. Bayul told the tale of how they proved it was a fake, involving both the black market dealer, which raised a councillor-y eyebrow, and the cleric of Ioun. This seemed to satisfy him to a degree, though the group hit back with a short interrogation about his allowing of a black market in his city when he knew well of its operations. All sighed in relief as Elyan came through the door with a grin on his face, cutting through the tension immediately, closely followed by Ash and the guard...

The bard had been filled in on the situation by Ash on the way and produced the sending stone from the Bag of Holding with a flourish. Kunai began speaking into it immediately, eager to move proceedings along. ‘Grace, it’s Kunai from the archaeologists guild. We are being interrogated by Councillor Chan. Please confirm that you are well and also where you are.’. Just a couple of seconds of excruciating silence passed before the sound of Grace’s voice emanated from the stone, easing everyone’s nerves. ‘Kunai, I’m staying out of town and am safe for now. There are ghosts here, it’s really cool!’. Overlooking that peculiar final detail, Kunai nodded in satisfaction. ’There, are you satisfied councillor? Now perhaps you can stop wasting our time and start chasing the real criminals!’. Elyan saw the irritation growing on Chan’s face in response before interjecting with a disarming smile. ‘Apologies for my friend’s lack of tact. We promise not to cause you any more trouble for the time we remain in the city’.

‘Very well’, Chan replied begrudgingly. ‘It seems you were at least partially correct. Now, do you have the correspondence you mentioned of your former colleague’s?’. Elyan handed him the letters from Leticia and all were bemused when he pointed out the fairly obvious return address that had been completely forgotten about in the investigation. ‘I assume you have followed this lead…?’. People shifted uncomfortably and then grumbled that they should indeed check out the address specified; the Dockmasters Office. ‘I’ve seen all I need to for now, you may leave’, the councillor stated, somewhat exasperated. ‘Thank you and apologies again, we will be sure to let you know of any further developments’, Elyan intoned with grace as they began to file out.

## **Untactical Chunder**

On the way to the docks Kunai discussed them leaving the laughing candle, though most were uncomfortable with the idea given that they’d just promised to go above-board with Chan. As they passed through the central market district, today packed with edible delights of all forms. While Kunai ranged a little ahead, still seething, Ash and Galdor practically floated towards a stall exuding a delightful aroma of warm pastries. There Ash purchased himself a modest couple of treats, then his eyes widened as Galdor unashamedly asked for 20 for himself. He began to smash them into his mouth barely taking a breath. At around 12 he began to falter and it was all anyone could do to look on as he abruptly bent over and retched up a waterfall of partially digested puff and filo. He then straightened and resumed his feast with gusto. 'Galdor…that is surely enough’, Bayul protested, more confused than anything. He had barely finished the sentence when the unusual simic hybrid once more regurgitated a substantial amount of his food before continuing to pile it in. This repeated itself once more before all of the pastries were polished off. ‘That was magnificent!’, he exclaimed in delight. The stall keeper that had been so pleased to sell over 20 products and see the fruits of his labour enjoyed had long since turned away in disgust. He now grabbed a broom and began to clean up after Galdor, who delicately set an extra gold coin on the stall. ‘Well at least if the councillor had us followed, he will not hear any reports that convince him we are competent’, Bayul put in. Though flippant, this comment nonetheless caused Ash to glance about, though it was difficult to notice if the group was receiving any undue attention seeing as so much of it was indeed due. It was only then that they all realised Kunai had left.

## **Abandon all hope ye who look upon...Norris the Dread!**

As he made his way back towards the laughing candle, Kunai’s keen senses picked up the tell-tale signs of being followed. Being a cool guy, he did not look back, only continued on taking note of his surroundings in greater detail. Noting a suitable spot, he darted suddenly into a jewellery shop leaving barely a trace. He rapidly immersed himself in the shadows of a dark corner close by to a mirror, which provided a vantage point with which to view the street. A few minutes passed without any further evidence and he shifted from his hideout. Opting to avoid any suspicion, he made pleasantries with the shopkeeper on his way out of the door. Upon leaving he took in his surroundings and a mere flicker of an unwarranted glance alerted him to the mysterious stalker once more.

At that point he decided on a change of tactic. Slipping his crossbow behind him and held under his cloak, he walked brazenly back towards the docks. He stared the figure straight in the face as he passed by and saw a tall, blonde human male, clearly talented in the art but young and nervous. ‘Excuse me, I don’t suppose you know the way back to the docks? I couldn’t help but notice you came this way following me.’, Kunai asked him directly. ‘Uhh, yeah this way’, the boy stuttered. Kunai flicked out his knife and flashed the tip for the merest instant to ensure he was understood, and continued ‘I’m going to hive you one opportunity to tell me what this is about’. Going pale, the boy swiftly withdrew a folded piece of paper and handed it to Kunai’ ’There’s going to be a dance in a few evenings and I’ve been told to give you the invite’. ‘Let’s get off the street’, Kunai ordered, dragging him partially into a side-alley before taking the paper. It read: ‘For Norris the Dread, a meeting in 4 days time at the waypoint with 3 of his closest companions’. Kunai’s demeanour at once shifted into a more friendly one. ‘Apologies for intimidation you child, you will soon learn that in this line of work you cannot be too careful.’, at which point he took off back towards the docks.

The rest were milling around in the dockyard as he returned. He flashed the letter, stating briefly ’The in. It seems my friend has hooked me up, albeit with a questionable alias.’. Kunai then fit into the plan that had been made in his absence; Blagden, he and Ash would go to investigate the dock market while Elyan remained with Bayul and Galdor to speak with the dock master. ‘Elyan, good luck’, Ash said while giving him a sympathetic look as he and the rogues departed. Elyan glanced around at Galdor and Bayul, stood waiting expectantly, and noticed that Galdor had not gone completely untouched during his little snack time escapade. ‘Galdor, you might want to clean yourself up a bit’. ‘Oh dear, I’ve messed myself!’, he exclaimed in reply, barely perturbed at the dribble of pastry bile on his otherwise immaculate front. Suddenly a swarm of critters scuttled out from various clothing cavities and consumed the mess in an instant. Bayul turned on his heel and marched after the others without saying a word.

## **Post Office with the Most Office**

As Elyan and Galdor approached the dock master’s office they could see a figure silhouetted inside. ‘Hello there’, Elyan opened pleasantly as he poked his head through the door. The figure turned out to be a burly red-headed man, with a kindly face consisting more of hair than skin. He explained that this was the location many used as a point for post if they had no fixed location, so primarily sailors and travelling merchants. They tried to persuade him that they were seeking out the original sender of the letter in order to pay them for a good deed done in the past. However, the . At least, he had principles until the gold came out. In the end two gold pieces greased the wheels sufficiently well and the dock master explained that the pigeon hole was held by three dock market traders that put in together to hold it, one of whom matched Moira’s description. At that, they thanked him and made a hasty exit to catch up with the others. Elyan’s cloak billowed impeccably gracefully as he ran and, while Galdor’s also flowed in the wind, the enthusiasm of his tentacles flailing like streamers contributed greatly to his own impressive bearing.

## **Tracking the Triton**

Bayul caught up with the others just outside the market, at which point Ash received a message from Elyan confirming suspicions that the letters were almost certainly from Moira. They halted at the edge of the market, aiming to play it cool, while waiting for the others to catch up. Blagden became impatient after a goblin-eternity of waiting (roughly 30 seconds) and scuttled off into the shadows of the market, while Kunai and Ash scanned the vicinity in vain for Moira. Bayul realised the goblin had left and waded inside after him, sighing as he went. Meanwhile, from the corner of his eye Blagden caught sight of a stall of glistening objects on the far side and made a b-line to it. As soon as the vendor was distracted for the merest second he was a ruby ring poorer, through he did not realise it. Even if he had seen, it would have appeared as if the ring had a mind of its own and decided to make its own fate in the world - simply floating away of its own accord. Bayul stomped right past this as it happened, but Blagden was far too cunning and stealthy to be noted by the Loxodon’s impatient sweep of the area.

Once Galdor and Elyan arrived a-billowing, and Blagden had his prize, Ratty was sent to scout for a cluster of merchants matching the descriptions from the dockmaster. It did not take long to scope a tight knot of three table, one empty and the others displaying an array of potions and miscellaneous geodes, respectively. The half orc female, selling the potions, noted them as they approached. ‘Can I help you?’. ‘Hello. Yes actually. I’m looking for some healing potions, and also something a little more exciting if you have anything.’. She had nothing ’normal’ for healing, but with a wry smile said she’d been working on something a little different that would combine his interests. ’This is somewhat experimental - cost you 15 gold if you want one’, she stated waving a glowing red potion in front of him. Elyan immediately treated himself to 3, putting an almighty grin on the seller’s face. ‘Your colleague over there, when might she be back?', Elyan probed, exploiting his new found favour with the alchemist. She was hesitant to reveal anything at first but Elyan persisted.

As they continued to chat, Kunai began casually perusing the geodes at the other stall. The second vendor began glancing back and forth between him and the conversation, apparently not focusing well on either. Under the cover of this subtle ruse Blagden struck again, this time attaining a deep green malachite geode for his collection.

Eventually, worn down by charm, the potion seller admitted that while she knew little of Moira, she had recently changed - dressing nicer and generally acting as if she had a lover. Pushing for more, Bayul revealed to her that it was possible Moira had done something to upset the delicate balance between the blackmarket sellers and the city’s law enforcement, and that the issue would be better for all if resolved quickly. Elyan added the emphasis that this issue was of 'mutual interest’, making up for the Loxodon’s bluntness but not hiding the threat. ‘She may be visiting her tiefling friend. She was called out part way through yesterday afternoon. I honestly don’t know any more.’, she admitted, holding up her hands. Finally, the seller confirmed that the letters were penned in Moira’s handwriting, giving final confirmation to the theory of Leticia.

## **Add to Cart(ography)**

Just as they were leaving, Ash’s interest was piqued by a quaint cartography shop. As Kunai followed him in, the others decided to wait around and instead get in touch with Grace again. Inside, the two saw a huge array of maps, some on display and others rolled up on shelves, showing the city of east shore and wider Taehia across the ages, including back to the pre-Iysgarthian days. A cheerful dwarven woman stood at the counter as Ash approached about finding an up to date map of the island. She was very helpful, revealing that ‘waypoints’ were found halfway between each of the main cities, and selling to him two maps - one modern and one far older, showing the waypoints - for the reasonable price of 52 gold.

Outside, the others began to speculate about the ghosts Grace had mentioned and if this had any connection to the necromantic magics that Goltorah supposedly dabbled in. Seeing no sense in waiting, Elyan sent her an arcane message: ‘Be careful, Moira may be dangerous. We need to meet urgently. Where can we find you?’. As before, the upbeat response came rapidly. 'I know Moira is dangerous, everyone is. I’m at the factories. You said safe right? I’ll meet you at Westgate sunrise tomorrow.’ When Ash and Kunai emerged they set off, aiming to inform Talos Chan of their intentions and getting ready for an early rise!