Sullenly, Jeeves telepahtically spoke the words he'd begun to truly despise, Yes, master, your wish is my command.
His master quickly hushed him and told him something that he'd longed to hear for years, Declan said he wasn't his master. He stopped paying attention for a moment as his mind joyfully wandered to what he might do with his newfound freedom. After a moment, he noticed that his master was still talking, and certainly still seemed to be speaking in his usual tone of unapologetic condescension.
As it sank in that Declan was merely explaining a ruse for them both to act as simple peasants, Jeeves heaved an especially heavy sigh and nodded, Yes, mast--I mean, sure, Bob.
He smiled to himself as he thought, I am at least going to milk this situation for all it's worth.
As the two reentered Laria's office, Jeeves threw his arm over Declan's shoulder and cheerfully said, "I made it. This idiot," he said as he poked Declan in the ribs, "told me the wrong place to meet! I'm Jyvestrix. So how do you know Rexus, here?"
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”I...see. So, you're looking to start a bit of trouble for Thrune? I'm game. If ever this city has been ripe for rebellion, now's the time. The Glorious Revolution should keep that b#@+$ Abrogail busy in the east, and this Barzilai seems...unstable. Weak.”
Rexus clears his throat. ”I agree—people in Kintargo have gotten used to Chelish dominance as an idea, but now its right in front of them, and they can't avoid it. Time to start organizing.”
Laria nods. ”Alright. And who better than you? The Poison Pen doesn't seem to want to break his anonymity. The Rose of Kintargo seems to be laying low. And Emma the Hat—well, she has her boys, and I suppose their as loyal as a person can be, but you're never going to get Aram the breadmaker to follow her.”
“So you guys come to me for what, a place to stay? Hell's, I've got extra beds, and if nothing else I owe it to Rexus' mother—Desna guide her to what comes next.”
Laria knocks back the rest of her coffee. ”But I can do you one better than that—not just a place to sleep, but a place to operate. But first, I have one very important question to ask of you.
“Say you win. I don't care what sort of government you put in place, or who's in charge. I only want to know one thing: what happens to the halflings? What happens to the slaves.” She watches you intently.
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Sullenly, Jeeves telepahtically spoke the words he'd begun to truly despise, Yes, master, your wish is my command.
His master quickly hushed him and told him something that he'd longed to hear for years, Declan said he wasn't his master. He stopped paying attention for a moment as his mind joyfully wandered to what he might do with his newfound freedom. After a moment, he noticed that his master was still talking, and certainly still seemed to be speaking in his usual tone of unapologetic condescension.
As it sank in that Declan was merely explaining a ruse for them both to act as simple peasants, Jeeves heaved an especially heavy sigh and nodded, Yes, mast--I mean, sure, Bob.
He smiled to himself as he thought, I am at least going to milk this situation for all it's worth.
As the two reentered Laria's office, Jeeves threw his arm over Declan's shoulder and cheerfully said, "I made it. This idiot," he said as he poked Declan in the ribs, "told me the wrong place to meet! I'm Jyvestrix. So how do you know Rexus, here?"
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+12
You don't detect any artifice or domination. In fact, you've rarely ever seen anyone as comfortable in their own skin as Laria is in hers.
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Listening closely as Laria and Rexus go back and forth.
"Well, this IS good news, nay... excellent news!" finishing off his cup of coffee before continuing with noticible sarcasm in his voice "Well Laria, so long as you keep makin coffee this good, you can take over the coffee market!" Laughing a bit, before getting quite serious "Let's be honest, the halflings, the slaves... even if we win it will take more than just us to make any lasting changes. With that said however, and I can't say I speak for the rest of us" glaring at Declan "But I'd be willing to bet we would do whatever we can to make things better for everyone, halflings and slaves included."
Sitting back, proping his feet up on a stool. "You mentioned Emma, leave her to me. I'm pretty sure I can get them to join our band of misfits. I may have a few others I can rustle in."
Taking another pull from his flask, his face turning quite grim, then angry. "THAT BASTARD!" Tipping his flask upside down "I'm out of tea... what kind of ingrate denies a man his tea?"
As soon as Lily sits down for the meeting you see her flip her hood back and be more comfortable than she has been. After she finishes her coffee she stands up.
My name is Lily Rivers and the Halflings will get the respect we deserve. Halflings have been put down for too long. I am up for anything that is against Thrune and that damned Church of Asmodeus.
Dyst momentarily raises his cup of tea as a toast to Lily's statement, then drifts back into deciphering the documents while listening intently to the conversation.
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That is good to hear. I hope that...well. That's what we halflings have been doing for a century. Hoping.
“As to my relationship with Rexus,” she continues, ”I barely knew him. His mother, however, helped me in my business. Not the Coffeehouse, but my real business.
“I doubt many of you are familiar with the Bellflower Network—perhaps you, Lily. The Bellflower Network helps smuggle slaves—mostly halflings, but not exclusively—out of Cheliax, mostly to Andoran and Varisia. In the course of that work, I've had dealings with sympathetic nobles and buearocrats, but also thieves, smugglers, black marketers, ships captains, dock workers. Mostly, I deal with the forgotten people—the ones that make the city work, but the ones that the nobles and merchants don't pay much attention to. Which is just the way I—and they—like it.
“Nobles from the Greens come here to drink coffee and tell me how much they like my pastries. And all the while, their missing slaves are sitting in my basement.She chuckles. ”Rexus' mother found that as funny as I did. She was a good woman.
“Anyway, that's all been disrupted. Not just from Thrune—although I'm sure it's a good deal more difficult now, with the Dottari and militia empowered.
“Beneath this building theres a secret complex. I think it was a church to Calistra, once, so we took to calling it the Wasp's Nest. The Bellflower Network expanded it, knocked down some walls. There's a dock down there, and an underground access to the Yolubilis. Smugglers ride in, pick up the cargo, and ride out.
“A friend of mine—Nan, a smuggler, had some cargo he was dropping off—not sure what it was, but I don't question, part of doing business. I know he came in, but I haven't seen him in a few days. I went down there to drop off some food and I heard...laughter. Inhuman. Chilling, really. I was afraid to go down there by myself, and with keeping up appearances and running the shop, I haven't had time to figure out what happened.
“If you go down there, find out if Nan's okay, and deal with whatever might be down there, it's yours. Its secure, there's plenty of room to work with, and who knows, a secret dock could be useful to you folks.
“So, what do you folks say?”
"Oh, another haunted basement? Hmmm... I can't speak for everyone, but that does sound like we should check it out. I'm game. Secret underground base in an old church? That should make for an excellent tale.
As for things like helping out the halflings, uh... sure? I'm kinda new to this whole starting a revolution thing, but that also sounds like a good idea, helping out the slaves and whatnot. These Chelish people and their monsters, they're starting to making life difficult here, and that's not so much fun."
Level 1
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Declan heard what he hoped to hear in his head: Jeeves telling him that he sensed nothing but sincerity from her. With a sigh of relief he dismissed with his ridiculous pretense. He threw back the hood of his cloak, removed his eyepatch, and rotated his ring to reveal it was a signet ring bearing the coat of arms of House Tanessen.
In a regal tone he declared, ”I sense that you can be trusted, and I pray to Cayden Cailean that I am correct, for I am putting my life in your hands. I am Declan of House Tanessen. My family has licked the boots of House Thrune for far too long. There is nothing noble about those tyrants. They have no appreciation for the beauty,” he paused to kiss her hand before continuing, “and culture this fine city has to offer. I will not sit back any longer while that tasteless bastard sullies the good name of Kintargo. I have gone to great lengths to keep my involvement in this rebellion a secret, so that I might use my position of power to secure inside information into House Thrune’s activities. We will see to it that every slave be given freedom and every halfling be given respect!” He punctuated his last statement with a pound to the table, which startled himself. He was as caught off guard by his sudden passion as anyone else.
this damn place is too cold by half, some coffee will be nice
keeping to the back of the group, and continually scanning the crowds for threats, Ragthur goes along with everyone after getting cleaned up and purchasing some new equipment. Thanking Declan for the trade of his old axe and bow for help with purchasing his new wicked tool, Ragthur hopes he's making some new friends. There are so few of them in this world.
after enjoying a delicious cup of coffee, black like his soul, and hearing the story from this new contact, Ragthur anticipates a new conflict on the horizon. no one, not even halflings should be subject to the horrors of slavery. Slavery is against all that is right in this world!! vowing to help these people in any way he can, Rathgur listens to the impassioned speech Declan gives.
I too pledge to help all those that are enslaved and subjugated by this tyrannical rule of the Thrune's
sitting back down, he pours himself another cup of the delicious black liquid. all this hubbub about tea, he chuckles, coffee is where its at
Jeeves rolled his eyes. He would have been impressed by Declan’s little speech if he weren’t living proof of his hipocrisy. And yet he didn’t detect any duplicity. Is the silver-tongued bastard getting better? He couldn’t mean that could he? What’s gotten into him?
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No thanks necessary. It is in my best interest that all of the men and women in my employ are well equipped to handle any threats to my well being, Declan said with a wave of his hand after the visit to one of the many weaponsmiths his family employed to procure the sharpest and best-weighted axe they had.
As a matter of fact, thank you, Mr. Le Barry, for handling the accounts for this new business venture. One hates to handle one’s own money oneself. It is so distasteful.
Turning to Lily, he said, And you, my flower, have the healing touch of an angel. I suspect that will be much needed on the road ahead, so we must ensure that you not overtax your strength. Mr. Le Barry, please see to it that Lily be provided with the funds to procure a wand.
Quite right, kitten, Declan said with a wink to his new playful fey companion, We shall tend to the lady’s concerns in the cellar at once!
I am ever so grateful for your hospitality, missus. or is it miss? Longroads, Declan’s words seemed like an invitation as he bowed to his hostess.
I was growing quite concerned that we’d have to operate out of that gods forsaken hellhole—no offense—that you directed us to, he said quietly to Rexus.
Shall we?
In your employ?!!!f+@#ing nobles, this guy has some nerve......
if you could show us the way into the basement area ma'am, we will take care of everything....
"Dec, you really are a noble, aren't you. Why, if I were a gamblin man... and it just so happens I am, I'd wager that you ain't done a thing for yerself that required getting your hands dirty." Laughing, as he pats Declan on the back "That pompus attitude of yours, at least this party won't be dull. Yes, I do think you and I will be quite good friends. Someone has to keep you in check afterall" Huck's laughter growing into a full belly laugh.
As he collects himself, pulling Bessy from her holster and giving her a good look over. "It's Huck, by the way... Mr. Le Berry was my father, I think anyway. Besides, don't need folks getting the idea I'm some kind of proper, now do we." Laughing again.
"To the basement, and I swear by my pretty little bonnet, if this basement shares the same stench as the last... I'm so using Dec's place to clean up."
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”Of course I am nobility. I should think that was well established by now. To answer your question, of course I’ve dirtied my hands before, but I think you’ll find that I will be better able to protect the lot of you with my hands unsullied. My family has influence on House Thrune—courtesy of the many years of their deference to our Chellish rulers. That said, I don’t see why I should deny you my friendship, Mr...” Declan struggled with such informality, ”Huck,” he finished, with the first smile he’d shown that didn’t seem to have an agenda, as he extended his (gloved) hand.
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Laria leads you down to a basement. It contains crates full of cooking ingredients, sacks of coffee beans, and other business supplies.
Laria approaches the western wall, and opens a secret door.
”It's pretty sound proof down here with the doors shut, so the customers shouldn't have any inkling of whats going on down here when I shut the door behind you. The door is obvious on the other side so you'll be able to let yourselves back out. Do be careful, and when it's cleared let me know.
With an uncomfortable sigh while watching Declan release Jeeves and summon for his demon spawn, he draws Bessy at the ready. "You know, I aint never gonna be comfortable with that. Demon spawn, it's just goes against... nevermind." Collecting himself again...
With a comedic tone, and some added pistol flair
"Shall we go clear the cobwebs from another basement. We shall call ourselves "The Dazzling Basement Sweeps", go on tours all around Kintargo. Charge some kind of heafty fee, cesspools cost extra of course."
Barely able to keep it serious before laughing "Well, I reckon it's time for us to dance, no?"
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Chellish men and women have been brokering their souls with devils for generations. I’ve simply found some loop holes to exploit for free labor. I am evening up the score after the atrocities hell’s denizens have wreaked upon us. Besides, would you rather I send some innocent to their death instead? What kind of psychopath would do that?
Now then, someone lead the way!
"I'll go" Leila steps towards the opening. On the way by, she lets one of her wings stretch out and the leaves almost seem to trace a line down the side of Declan's face.
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This long, damp hallway opens to the southeast into a large reservoir of calm, dark water. A wooden pier extends twenty feet into the water, while another twenty feet out rises the
top half of a statue of a beautiful elven woman. A foul smell, like that of rotting meat, comes from somewhere near the pier. Two holes have been knocked into the northwest walls to provide access to chambers beyond.
Shaking his head at the interaction between Huck and Declan they are like long lost siblings..... nodding to the hostess of the fine establishment, Ragthur throw his cloak back and unhooks his new axe. Giving a wink to Lily, he moves through the doorway into the basement.
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Declan smiled to himself as he felt Leila's wing brush his cheek. This is certainly a friendly group. I am spoiled for choice!
Ugh, why does everywhere we go have to be repulsive? It smells like death down here, Declan whispered as he pulled his scarf up over his mouth and nose. Ms. Longroad said something about hearing inhuman laughter down here, so be wary.
Poor guy
Walking out towards the docks, shifting the light further in as she goes, Leila admires the statue briefly.
”Who is that supposed to be? Laria said church of Calistra? Or is this someone else?”
"Why is it always rotting flesh, why can't this revolution ever take us somewhere fancy, like an abandoned brewry or a brothel... everyone loves a good brothel."
With Bessy in hand, Huck moved into a cover position between Rathgur and Declan.
I will be glad to help out. Let's go
Lily is going to stealth ahead to take a look in the holes opposite from the dock.
Peering info the darkness, Rath feels the anticipation of chaos near
Standing with quite the confused look on his face.
"I swear she was just here... dang nabbit, someone remind me to tie a bell on that halfling!"
Moving to get better cover from the opening to the south.
Dyst looks to the west , trying to stay in the dimmer light as much as possible, and draws both a cold iron and normal dagger (freshly sharpened).
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The light from the dancing lights spills into the room to the west, a large chamber with several stone pillars holding the ceiling up. The room contains a number of pieces of furniture, some human sized, others halfling. Much of the furniture has been smashed up to some degree, with chairs broken to pieces and wooden bedframs cracked in the middle.
Move to U19
Level 1