Sevenport Face, part 3
Log Info
- Title: Sevenport Face, Part 3
- Emitter: Faranmidahn
- Characters: Irshya, Ashes, Sabina, Lysos, Burai
- Place: Sevenport
- Time: Wednesday, September 02, 2020, 6:31 PM
- Summary: Our team of investigators, sans a few, are finishing their meal in the Inn. Sabina attempts to get information from the locals, while Lysos, Ashes and Irshya discuss the merits of dancing everyone to death. Chippen, Ash's centipede familliar, introduces himself to the group to mixed reactions. Sabina elicits some information from an oruch labourer, who says Gerzan pays but is creepy, and doesn't leave his warehouse often. Meal and info gathering complete, the party retires to the same room where everyone except Lysos has a good night's sleep. They take breakfast on the run, despite Irshya's protests and knock on the warehouse door. A strange man answers, agrees to show them to Gerzan, and asks them to wait. The door closes, and the wait...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Irshya 3'0" 35 Lb Goblin Female A small, blue-skinned Goblin in sea-green robes. Ashes 5'11" 177 Lb Hobgoblin Female A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face Sabina 5'4" 130 Lb Human Female Tsuran woman of dark hair and green eyes Lysos 5'6" 105 Lb Human/Tsuran Female Completely black eyes. Kind of creepy. Burai 6'10" 280 Lb Half-Orc Male Brawny half-orc, primal and uncivilized. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Faranmidahn 3'3" 35 Lb Halfling Female Albino Lucht woman in black leather armor with a BIG spider -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The band find themselves in Sevenport, chasing the architect of Ellastra Vornhearst's descent into vampirism and murder.
After some time casing the warehouse where their bunny, a trade fixer named Gerzon, allegedly handles most of his local enterprises, they realize they are drawing eyes and so abscond to the inn to find food, refreshment and shelter. Once there, there is some discussion about the intended path they mean to take toward their goal, and it becomes apparant that they have once again drawn eyes...
The Gobbo is happily chewing through several different dishes, eating as is the world was ending. She eyes the others, but stays quiet for the most part. Aside from the crunching and chewing.
The ashen Arvec Nar is used to drawing eyes when the more common response of ignoring her isn't chosen. She's eating slowly, because she does, and also returns the stares of anyone she can manage to meet the gaze of. Expressionless, except for chewing, she waits for her partner to blink or look away. Occasionally she'll do it first, but only if someone in her periphery seems more attentive.
Bina quiets down as the others chat and eat. She even notes Joro's arrival and grins a bit. Lifting Irshya she gets up and then settles Irshya back down in her seat. "I'll be right back. Don't go eatting all my food. But you can have my sweet potatoes. Ok?" She winks and then moves slowly through the place and then pauses, turning her head to smile at someon at their table. And without speaking or waiting for invitation, settles into a seat across from them. "Hello. Perhaps you can help us, hmm? You seem to have a good eye."
GAME: Sabina rolls diplomacy: (13)+16: 29 GAME: Lysos rolls sense motive+1: (18)+0+1: 19 GAME: Ashes rolls sense motive: (8)+7: 15
Overall, the average mood is indifferent to the party.
Lysos starts to think there might be something to the idea of winning hearts and minds with the power of dance... try to loosen up the crowd a bit to make Sabina's information gathering a bit easier.. but she needs someone to tell her it's not a good idea."
Lysos sits as well, though she has no food before her. She looks a bit tense, though thankfully the lighting's not so bright she can't see thing. And she frowns after looking at a few different faces. Frowns and worries at her lower lip for a bit, before she thumps her hands upon the table, palms down. Then she looks at Ashes. "I think.. I think I'm going to try to liven these folks up a little bit."
Irshya eyes Sabina, her facial expression turning to one of concern. "Be careful.", she says softly. Her eyes follow the taller woman. Though Sabina's sweet potatoes are quickly eaten, the Gobbo watches Sabina intently.
Her eyes flick to Lysos suddenly, and she blinks a few times. "Irshya suggests not doing this. We are trying to avoid attention, are we not?"
Ash nods once in response to Lysos, following up with a thumbs-up gesture. She approves. She sits straighter, her attention on Lysos now. She tries to remember the well-wish she's supposed to use, something about breaking arms. Perhaps kill it? She frowns a little, reaching for her glass. Can she get orange juice at this time? She should say something before too many more seconds go by. Otherwise it will be awkward. Hmm. In monotone she says, "Kill them."
She means well, really.
The table Sabina plunks herself down at is peopled with several sorts who look like they've come from some recipe book for nearly neckless labor. Including the expansively shouldered female Oruch in the eyepatch who fixes the Tarienite with a startled wink. Her muscles barely have time to bunch before the woman's casual airs sets her at more ease, "What'n we do ya for?"
Bina gives them all a brighter smile as she gets a posative response. "Well. You see we'd heard there was gentleman here in town that did good buisness. Named Gerzon? We were hoping to speak to him about expansion and partnerships and the like. Then we realized we didn't really know much about him other then a few good words here and there. Perhaps you folk can give us the real deal? Don't want to get involved with the wrong type of persons."
Lysos tries not to watch Sabina. Maybe she doesn't want to make it continuously obvious that the trickster agent is linked to them. Or maybe she believes that if she doesn't watch, or pay attention, her ill fortune won't spread that far. So instead she looks between Irishya and Ashes.. not quite going cross-eyed. Instead she puts a thumb to her forehead. "I don't want to kill them! I want.. oh." She smiles sheepishly, then sighs. "I don't know, Irishya. We haven't really been super secret, you know. And there's a thing about misdirection.. getting folks focussed on one thing, they forget to be thinking about stuff you don't want them thinking about."
The Gobbo blinks again and stares at Ash. "Erm. Irshya suggests that is not a good thing to attempt. It will definitely draw attention to us. Also it may lead to our capture by guards and have us imprisoned." She eyes Lysos. "No killing. Or dancing." Her eyes flick back to Sabina, her worry and concern growing slightly.
"Oh, him." The Oruch gruffs, then, "He's capable enough. Creeps some people out, but I ain't never seen it, myself." She hamhands a tankard and brings it up for a noisy chugging and a belch before, "Doesn't have ya chasing moonbeams. Tells ya yer gonna get paid fer so much work fer so much pay, by Gods ya get that pay." There's a little shrug and, "Don't see'm a lot, maybe see him come out the warehouse now and then, but mostly he comes in, stays fer a while, then heads off fer.... whatever."
Ashlee thinks for a moment, "I meant 'knock them out dead'." There, much better. She stares encouragingly at Lysos. Which is primarily staring at her and thinking happy thoughts. As Lysos isn't privy to those thoughts, what she receives is Ash's undivided attention, unblinking eyes in the dark sockets of her skull. And a centipede, on top of Ash's head, watching her also. It's waving legs. Perhaps it is directing. Perhaps it wants to eat her, if only it was much larger. It's important to keep centipedes well fed.
"So he pays well and on time. That's good news. Honorable then. Creepy? Well We'll have to watch fro that then. Do you know the best time to catch him? We looked over his warehouse today but never saw anyone go in or out. Hard to believe he's got a growing buisness with no buisness, if you see what I mean." Bina continues to question the workers. "And I guess he doesn't live in his warehouse? Know where we can pay him a visit if not at the buisness?"
"Why would we be arrested for dancing?" Lysos asks, not quite incredulous... but certainly with a note of difficulty of belief. "It's... dancing!" She does momentarily get distracted by Ashes's stare... and though it's hard to pick up on the tsuran sorceress's shifting gaze to the lack of pupils, her eyes do widen a little bit when she finally notices the caterpillar... dancing? Yes, she's definitely interpreting that as dancing. "Beside!" she finally remembers and continues. "I'm pretty sure easting all that food probably attracted a bunch of attention already."
Burai isn't quite so good at not paying overt attention to what Sabina is doing. But he eyes almost everyone in the room just a bit more than is probably the norm for a tavern common room, so he doesn't necessarily draw attention to her.
Irshya glares at Ashes. "Irshya thinks that not helpful either... as it still involves killing." She shakes her head and looks to Lysos. Shaking her head, the Gobbo shrugs. "And dancing, or killing people, would only make things worse."
GAME: Faranmidahn rolls 1d20: (2): 2
"Probably lives somewhere." The Oruch replies, "Maybe he's gotta place in the warehouse. If he's got a long ride, he might not wanna do that too often." she speculates, attention unsnared by the debate occuring over yonderly, "Best bet seems ta be a bit after dawn ta mebbe high noon. Thems the certain times, other'n that, good luck. By appointment, that one, probably."
The Tarien priestess nods and pulls out a few coins and places them on the table. "Thanks for your point of view and information. You and your friends have a round on me and the blessing of Tarien as well." She goes to get up and then pauses. "Anyone else you think we could talk to?" She asks and then stands.
Chippen, Ash's familiar, is indeed dancing. It's one of his many hidden talents. Remembering spells for her is another, as well as being random pieces of jewelry. As the centipede dances, Ash does not. She sits still, drinking her glass of water and watching Lysos. She nods to Irshya, but doesn't say anything.
"I think," Lysos says to Irishya, somewhat accusingly, "That you just don't like dance. Which really is a terrible shame. Just a shame. But!" The black eyed woman leans back in her chair, lacing her fingers behind her head, turning her face up towards the ceiling. "I suppose doing nothing at all is easier. Letting one person do all the work and then profitting from it does seem to be the city person way!"
Burai turns to look at Lysos at that pronouncement. Then he looks at Irshya. "...which on of you would he the city person?" he can't help but ask. "I wouldn't think either of you." He glances between them. "Or both, if you take it to be a compliment," he adds in a rare display of correctness.
There's a rumbly hmmm and the Oruch looks to her pals, several shrugs, then, "Naah, not that I know. Usually a Cap'n of some ship'r other will come by lookin fer loaders ta save time while their crew manages stuff inside the ship. His guys'll load on the carts, then it's up ta us. He usually oversees that. Pretty bossy, but his boys don't bitch about it. Hells, ain't never seen none of his boys come out ta the pub, neither."
Most of the bar seems to be ignoring the adventurers, though some maybe be looking at the ladies, though a couple of souls are eyeing the druid.
Sabina blinks and leans in with a chuckle. "Really? So his boys are here then? Why didn't you say so? Point them out for me and I'll get you another beer for your trouble. Should have just come here and started looking for him. Would have saved myself some time and trouble."
The Gobbo huffs at Lysos and shakes her head. "Irshya not city person. Irshya born in the sea. Is a sea person. But knows well enough not to tempt fate by swimming in front of sharks." Irshya peers at the bug on Ashes head, her eyes going wide, having just noticed it now. "Uh. Uhm. Miss?" She gestures at Ashes. "You have... a big... creepy crawly in your hair.", she faux whispers.
She eyes Sabina as she stands, fidgeting and wiggling in anticipation of the woman's return.
Ash has finished eating. Chippen has finished dancing, descended to the table, and is finishing what she's left of her meal. He lurks at her plate, and nibbles. The ashen Arvec, for her part, keeps looking around. She notes the souls eyeing the druid, and the other ladies. If anyone is looking at her with something other than unease, that escapes her attention. She looks over at Irshya, "He's my familiar, Chippen. He's very friendly. Don't squish him."
Chippen looks up from his meal, beady eyes scanning the large forms surrounding him on the table. The refuge of Ash's sleeve is noted, then he returns to eating.
Sabina nods and then sighs. "Thank you again for your time." She says and then gives them a little wave before heading back over to her table.. that seems to be having issues of some sort or another. "Anything..going on here?" She asks.
"Nope! Nothing going on here. Nothing at all. A whole lot of nothing," Lysos assures Sabina when the luckbringer returns, grinning at her. "Did you find anything out?"
Ash looks up at Sabina, and nods slowly, agreeing with Lysos.
The Gobbo suppresses a shudder at the centipede and shrugs her shoulders. "I wouldn't squish him.", she says. While he is on your head, seems to be the unspoken part. She bounces up immediately and hugs at Sabina's waist. "They wanted to dance and kill people."
"Ahh...okay." Bina says caught off guard. "I'm thinking it's time to retire for the evening, hmm? Get some good sleep and catch them at the wharehouse first thing in the morning. So.. I guess you coudl dance.. but .. no killing anyone. Bad for first impressions." She pets Irshya's head.
"Ok," Ashlee says, tapping the table. Chippen runs away from the plate towards her satchel, hundreds of legs moving well in unsettling unison. He crawls into the bag and out of sight. The Arvec herself stands, without pushing off the table as Lysos did. Her head turns slowly, observing each of her companions. "Whose room am I sharing?"
Irshya nods to Sabina. "Sleep would be nice. Irshya is sleepy after eating all those delicious things." She eyes Ashes a moment, and then takes Sabina's hand with hers. "Irshya is staying with Sabina.", she says softly.
Burai stands up from the table. "I'm not sleeping in an inn," he announces. "If we're going back in the moning anyway, I'll meet you all there."
Bina grins down at Irshya and then nods to Burai. "Then all of the ladies shall share a room? Safer that way."
The night passes without anything untoward. Just a brawl. Ok, two, but the third one didn't count. It was too small. Anyway, the ladies enjoy the ammenities of the inn, which are fairly commendible, after all, airship crews tend to travel a lot and they work as much as the warehouse crews (who deny such sophistry on the flyboys' part). There are artifice means in place to arrange warm baths to soak away sore muscles, reasonay decent quality beds, free from pets, even, and decent soundproofing. For reasons.
Burai's nesting spot for the night is well chosen, and teh stark beauty of the land is painted in sepia silver and the caress of a cool comforting breeze. Breakfast begins being served around dawn, with the expected breakfast fare, tinged with the local game.
In due course, after morning prep, the team is reassembled...
Sabina may or may not notice that Irshya snores. And has a tendency to snuggle up nice and close, a warm spot by the woman's back. But she doesn't move, essentially sleeping like the dead.
She does, however, wake up rather early. The smell of bacon, eggs and other delicious things being cooked has her stomach growling, which wakes her.
"Sabina.", comes a soft whispering. "There's bacon." Another stomach growl. "Irshya hungry."
Bina sighs and chuckles softly as she's woken. "When isn't Irshya hungry?" She asks in a whisper. But she gets up and dressed. Ready for the day and hopefulyl a meeting with the workers of the warehouse or even the dreaded man himself.
Ashlee slept well, through the night and didn't snore. She had a bath when no one was watching. She's once again dressed in her grey clothes and ready to greet the morning. Standing out front of the Inn, squinting up at the sun, she makes a mental note to retrieve her parasol. Lysos does not, in fact, sleep all that well. The darkness may as well be a bright light shining through her eyelids... only the kind that can't be dispelled by burying your head under a pillow, or even just throwing an arm over your closed eyes. But eventually fatigue did over come her. The dawn light beginning to filter in to the room, finally giving her some relief only makes it that much harder to rouse.. but she does. Looking worse the wear, perhaps, but roused, and joining the others for breakfast.
Burai spends most of the night as an owl. At dawn he changes back into his normal shape. Still atop a low building where he roosted for the night he spends some time attuning himself with nature. Then he climbs down and awaits the rest of the party.
GAME: Burai refreshes spells. GAME: Sabina refreshes spells. GAME: Faranmidahn refreshes spells. GAME: Ashes refreshes spells. GAME: Lysos refreshes spells. GAME: Irshya refreshes spells.
Bina eats with the others and then is outside and meeting with them as they gather. "Shall we then?" She asks.
"Yes." Ash says, starting immediately for the warehouse. Lysos gets a sympathetic glance. Perhaps her restlessness woke the Arvec up, perhaps it interferred with her quiely watching other people sleep. She drifts over near her, leans in and suggests, "Cast light on some pennies. Put the pennies on your eyes. Put a blindfold on to keep them there."
Lysos manages a smile at Ashes. "Wish I'd thought of that last night," she admits, "But I'll remember for next time." As breakfast winds down and it becomes time to meet outside, she washes down breakfast with some orange juice. Then she stretches with a few audible pops, and rises from her chair and follows outside. "Yes. We shall." It is a declaration. "I feel like punching someone."
The warehouse in question, like many of it's brothers, is a largely uninspired rectangular structure, with roof sloping to either side along the long axis. Unlike it's brethren, the windows are universally frosted glass, with the suggestion of light within to indicate anything going on.
"Irshya is not usually hungry while asleep. Or while swimming. Or offering blessings to Rada. But finds she is hungry afterwards.", the Gobbo comments to Sabina. Breakfast is had, even if the Gobbo has to have it on the move.
Bina takes note that things are the same as they were the day before and looks to the other and shrugs. She strides up towards the place and when those who wish to join her, do so, she knocks thrice with some force behind each blow so that it can be heard. "Here we go."
GAME: Ashes rolls stealth+3: (4)+11+3: 18
Ashlee chooses to stay out of sight. She makes a great first impression, usually a frightening one that is very memorable. This isn't always advantageous, and can be distracting. The attention usually requires her to say something, and she'd overall, rather not. Finding a nice spot of shade, she lingers in it, staring at Sabina as she knocks. It's not the best of hiding places, but she attempts to look casual. Just your every-day, skull-faced girl, staring hauntingly, nothing to see here.
The Gobbo stands at Sabina's side, reaching up to hold the woman's hand. With her other hand, she slowly feeds herself strips of bacon. Whenever she runs out, she pulls a few more strips from a pouch attached to her belt.
Lysos watches Ashes part from the company to find a place to try and be unnoticeable.. and she hesitates. Perhaps thinking to do the same thing. But there's that urge to punch someone. So she scowls to herself, then follows Sabina and Irshya. Three ladies wouldn't make anyone nervous, right?
The door opens to reveal a strapping, if somewhat surly looking human, possibly Runish. His eyes flicker about the gathering then, a deep, "Yes?"
What little is visible through the door behind him is a hallway that has a doorway to the side that must be the sort of office where one recieves business guests.
Burai joins the others at the door, possibly spoiling the effect. He peers past the man at the hallway with obvious interest. The he turns to Sabina, interested to see what is the next trick she comes up with.
GAME: Ashes rolls perception: (12)+3: 15 GAME: Burai rolls perception: (9)+11: 20 GAME: Irshya rolls perception: (12)+10: 22
Ashlee continues holding up her pole with some practiced leaning. She also glances around. Long, penetrating looks at whatever is in her field of view. The sun makes her squint. The sun is not her friend. She's alert but isn't seeing much.
There are people policing the ground around the different buildings, collecting trash and the like, not so much around this one. Meaning there is trash around this one, mostly a couple old flyers, badly weather damaged and the like.
The Gobbo looks curiously at the man who answers the door, but leaves the talking to Sabina. The bacon isn't going to eat itself, even if it may have, once, eaten others. She crunches happily upon the latest fresh strip to reach her mouth.
Lysos opens her mouth, nearly about to speak... then eyes Sabina. And Irshya, but mostly Sabina. Then she sighs, closes it again. This is a 'follow someone else's lead' moment.
Bina puts on her friendly smile. "Greetings. I am Sabina of Tarien. I was wondering if I could speak to the master of the warehouse. A Mr. Gerzon, please?" She acts as if it's perfectly normal to inquire after the man and with adventurous company beside her.
Burai returns his attention to the man at the door. Then he blinks and looks closer. He glances at Lysos and Irshya, checking if they show a reaction.
The man considers the party again, then stares into the mask, still for a moment, then, "Wait here. Please." and he turns to draw the door closed...
GAME: Burai rolls perception: (8)+11: 19 GAME: Sabina rolls sense motive: (18)+7: 25 GAME: Faranmidahn rolls 1d20: (13): 13
The Gobbo waits for the door to shut, before she peers up at Sabina, eyes wide open. Another strip of bacon is eaten, with careful chewing. She mouths a word to Sabina.
Ash hasn't noticed anything unusual at the door. The only thing that has caught her attention is how carefully the other warehouses clean their grounds. This one, apparently doesn't. Still, there's not much trash. At best a few pamphlets. Curious, she drifts over and collects one. The yard is now slightly tidier, she's helped.
Burai takes a few steps back from the door. "This way," he urges the ladies in a lowered voice. "I don't trust him. He did not draw breath as living beings do. Don't stand so close to the door. And be ready for anything." Burai himself has a thought and glances up at the closest windows.
Bina nods to Irshya and follows Burai's sugjestion. She looks towards the spot Ashes is and waves her over as well. "Best we all be together. I have a feeling we've poked the nest. But at least we know it's a nest now."
GAME: Burai casts Barkskin. Caster Level: 6 DC: 14 GAME: Faranmidahn rolls 1d20+10: (18)+10: 28
The ashen Arvec drifts over towards the group, responding to Sabina's wave. She slips in at the back of the group. A moment to examine the pamphlet before she slips it into her satchel, and brings out a tiny set of scales that is her holy symbol. She holds it concealed in her hand.
Lysos hesitates long enough to be sure Ashes is following as well, then follows after Burai, on the heels of Sabina and Irshya. She will be relieved in the fainter lighting of the interior once inside, no doubt. Though entering the den of what might be a man with hostile intent.. or who might become hostile when he realizes the party's intent.. somewhat counteracts this.
As soon as he returns, and the door opens...
