Archie after walking away from the owner gives a slight wave to Reya, "hey I'm.. uhhh. The IronMaiden, yeah. Um pleased to meet you? I suppose." The greeting is more of an awkward question than anything else but Archie quickly backs off and starts talking to Virro instead.

"So.. hey, I had a question for you, and depending on your answer I might have to take one of your fingers... So, I can sense my own magic and you have something on you. Did you steal something from my shop?" She places a gentle but definitely threatening hand across Virro's shoulder, bringing him towards her towering frame as they walk. 

When Reya becomes alarmed and Reed starts to explain their status with the Flaming Fists, Virro lets his cloak cover back over the badge.  He’s rubbing his head and testing for touchy spots, he starts to nod when Reed talks and says “Yeah, what he said.”  

As they are walking with Reya and the unconscious Amrik, Virro is massaging the back of his skull, feeling the lump back there.  He rubs it with his right hand gently and says a few words, there is a dark energy that flows around the back of his head, and the lump starts to diminish immediately, his head starts to feel better.  (Healing for 9 points)

As they are walking, Archie starts to question Virro despite his immense headache.  “Steal something?  What are you talking about?  No, no, no….  But.. Well, Archie, you were different.  You were talking to us in a weird voice and I was joking with you.   Then you made me this weird yuan-ti woman construct, this cool little thing and gave it to me.  I don’t know what the hell it does, it is fascinating.  Then we got busy with ole Amrik there, I had stuffed it away in my backpack.  Here.  You can have a look at it if you want.  Maybe you can tell me what the hell it does, what it is for?”  

Virro brings out the yuan-ti snake woman construct and hands it to Archie, then waits to see if she has ideas about it.  “But to be clear.  You GAVE that to me.  I didn’t steal it.”

Archie takes the small dancing lady from Virro and inspects it, noting the pearl core used as the heart of the thing, "the other me made this for you? It's a construct, it uses an infusion of mine, like my magic reserve. But, I've used everything I can use today... Does this mean that the other thing, what are you guys calling it by the way? Anyway the other thing, isn't me. Like it draws from my magic but uses its own reserves.. how is this possible?" The construct dances in Archie's hand and she makes a kind of disgusted noise at the thing and gives it back, "you should take this, but I want the pearl back if the other thing reverts it back to scrap"

Overhearing Archie talk to Virro about magic items and constructs, Corlith is reminded about the items she took from him the previous day.

"Speaking of magic Ar...Ironmaiden. What did you find about that copper amulet and silver pin you took off me yesterday? You said they were magical right?", he says after they finish their conversation.

"ah! Yes, two clockwork amulets and a masque charm. I'll give them all to you to divvy out because I think they'll be more useful to others, unless you want me to keep one, I dunno." she hands off two copper amulets and a silver pin, giving Corlith a nod.

"Nice, let's work out who could best use those when we get to old Bertie's", Corlith replies taking the items back from Archie.

Reya walks along beside Reed for a bit on their way following Wilfred, raising an eyebrow as he lists off their recent activities, "Sounds like y'all been busy."

She smiles at Roo as he makes a little bow and ruffles his feathers, "Well, I'm looking for Thavius Kreeg, the high overseer of Elturel?  You see I've heard a rumor that he is in this city and had been seen in the company of four guards employed by the Vanthampur family.  I don't know if this is true or not, so I had heard that Amrik Vanthampur ran a business out of the Low Lantern, so I was going to start there by questioning him about the veracity of the rumor."

Reya looks a little skeptically at Archie as she introduces herself, "The IronMaiden?  I think I've heard rumblings of you around town."

It doesn’t take you long to find the small home of Old Bertie.  It blends in with the rest of the townhouses, all in bad need of paint, hinges, lights.. But it is the middle of the day and you have your prize, so you barely notice the badly maintained walkways and the random cracks in the façade.  Wilfred walks up and knocks at the door, and it opens just a crack to give you the view of an eye peeking out and an old crackly voice asks, "Who is it?" and before Wil has a chance to answer, "Willie!!" she exclaims, flinging the door open wide and the short old lady rushes Wilfred, hugging him around the midsection.

She then realizes he is surrounded by newcomers and she lets go, smoothing down her apron as she does. Giving the rest of you a more shy sort of smile, "Come in, come in, any friend of Willie's is a friend of mine.  I made fresh cookies!"  And she leads you all into a cramped but cozy little kitchen.  It is full of all of the kitchen wares, pots, pans, utensils, towels, all hanging on the walls in lieu of in drawers and you see she only has a free standing sink, ice box and oven.  There is a good sized table with four chairs and she takes one of them and starts right in.

"Well, I don't know who that is you're dragging in here on a... what is that, a possum?  Huh."  she smiles, a bit amused by the situation, then looks up at Wilfred, "I'm actually glad you're here.  You see, I know you've helped me in the past with Flaming Fists taking money from me, and that really slowed down for awhile..." she looks down, you can tell she's a bit embarrassed, "But well, they are starting back up about it, saying I owe taxes to them on this and that and protection blah blah blah.  Protection from what?  Them?  I mean there is that cult lurking around, dead 3 or something?  But I don't go out much and send the boy out for things at the store.  I'm sorry, I'm rambling.  Anyways, there is one that is especially bad lately and I was hoping you could help?  Skadric Salakar I think his name is and I believe he hangs out at the Low Lantern?"  she looks at Wilfred with a bit of pleading in her eyes.

As they walk and Reya talks to Reed and Roo, Colrith overhears a name that sounds familiar, Thavius Kreeg. Mortlock had said something about him and his mother. He stays silent for the moment, not wanting to intrude on the conversation, and knowing the others must have heard Mortlock mention them as well.

When they get to Old Bertie's, he can't help but smile a little, as the old lady gives Wilfred a big hug and calls him Willie.

"A fresh cookie sounds delicious, that is most kind of you. I apologise for our intruding in this manner, but Willie here insisted it would be fine", he says to Bertie with a grin, slapping Willie on the back in a good natured manner.

"Skadric Salakar, Skadric Salakar," Reed says a couple of times then looks at the others. "Wonder if he was one of the ones that went down with the ship."

Reed happily takes a cookie and thanks Bertie as he heads over to look more closely at Amrik. He reaches out and pats their captive a couple of times on the cheek. 

"Time to wake up now Mister Vanthampur," Reed says, letting a few cookie crumbs fall onto Amrik's face. "There are questions that need answers."

Roo shrugs off the conversation about Kreeg.  It's not his problem, at the moment anyway.  His focus is singular.  He offers up a lone comment.  

"If he has anything to do with the Vanthampur's he's probably not worth a cluck."  Roo states to Reya as they enter Old Bertie's.  The excitement of the old woman is enough to get Roo excited, and away from his slow decent into edgelord territory, if only for a moment.  

"Possum?  Yes, yes.  This possum is Glory of Morning, my noble steed.  She is quite strong, as you can see."  Roo says as they are led toward the kitchen.  He pauses where they have room and reaches up to drag Amrik unceremoniously to the floor after Reed tries to wake him, letting his captive faceplant before rolling him over and, once again, dragging his ass across the man's face.  "Rise and shine, cluckface.  Time for you to tell me some more funny stories."

"I don't think anyone was left on the Low Lantern when it sank, Reed", Corlith says squinting in thought. "And it's not a name I know in truth".

When the others begin the task of waking Amrik, he waves his hand towards the unconscious man and whispers some words in Infernal, causing a pungent odour to fill his nostrils. It is unclear whether the odour is more or less pungent than the smell of Gallus ass.

"Remember Roo, we need answers about the Vanthampur plot to make Baldur's Gate share Elturel's fate. So ask your questions about Fog Horn, but leave him capable of answering more than that please".

Virro smells the air and says “Mmm, cookies!”  He accepts one and begins eating it with gusto, looking for anything to make his head feel better.  “Thank you, ma’am.  Nice to meet you Bertie.”  For a moment, there is silence and chewing as he enjoys and finishes the cookie.  Virro gives a toothy bloody smile at Wilfred, saying “Willie.  Heh.”

As Roo begins feather bagging Amrik and starts to ask questions, Virro gets serious and a calm, deadly demeanor comes onto his face.  He says “We should lift him up and put him in a chair, tie him up.  Do you want me to heal him enough to arouse him?”  Virro puts his hand on his dagger, then takes the unconscious man’s left hand, holding his pinky in his hand.  “We can start with the ittle piggy first….”  Then he reconsiders, looking around the house, considering that they have turned this into an interrogation room.  He looks sheepishly at Bertie, dropping unconscious Amrik’s hand.  “Ummm.  Is this the best place to do .. this?”

As they walk, he hears the name Thavius Kreeg again. He misses a step but quickly recovers. Hmm, things seem to be working out.

Once they get there, Wilfred returns Bertie's hug in kind. "It's always a pleasure to see you Bertie! Thank you for your hospitality! And don't worry, we guests will be nothing but polite and respectful. Right?" He looks over Bertie's head, giving everyone a stern look.

He listens to her new troubles, then freezes when he hears the name Skadric Salakar. Hmm, two leads so quickly. He listens as the others talk for a bit. Then says to Bertie "I'm so sorry, Bertie, I should have checked up on you sooner. I can't believe the corrupt Flaming Fist is up to there old tricks again, trying to keep the good people down. I'm here now, I'll help. But, I doubt Skadric will be at the Low Lantern anymore. When does he usually come to collect? Do you know anything else about him?" 

As the others discuss walking Amirk, Wilfred will say. "Oh, that's right. Bertie, do you have somewhere more private we could have a discussion with our friend here? A basement or a shed or something?"

As soon as the group is let I to the house and the door us closed behind them, Archie relaxes, her armour clanking and settling as she braces herself against a table and let's out a long breath, "ohhhh gods, I lied to that woman, I lied to her face. I totally set the ship alight, I don't know why I did it, I just git caught up in the moment, the excitement of having a provably bad guy to fight, and for roo to see some vindication, I didn't think twice about setting that bed on fire. Oh god's! What's wrong with me? It was such a RUSH THOUGH!" Archie decides to take a couple of cookies, throwing them into the flaming embrace of her open visor, she then lays on the floor in any space available to take her large frame, she splays her arms out wide and just breathes deep.

Bertie smiles at the tiefling, "Of course its fine!  I love having visitors, and perfect timing too!  I don't need to eat all these cookies myself!" She then looks down to the possum that Roo is introducing, "Glory of Morning?  Why now!  Isn't that a fine name!  Noble indeed and yes, I have never seen such a strong possum.  I'll bet you have quite a bond, you can give Glory of Morning a cookie as well if you'd like, my friend."

She chuckles as the elf eats her cookies with such gusto, "Why nice to meet you as well, and you are?  Actually, Willie!  You have not done a good job on introducing me to your friends!  Where are your manners, young man?"

Reya considers Roo's words, "Well, he is the high overseer to Elturel, I just want to know what happened to my city, I'm hoping he knows."

Bertie stares at Archie as she has her little outburst and then lies on the floor, unsure what to me of the suit of armor, and finally pulling her eyes away from her and thinks on Wilfred's question, "Well, he was here yesterday, so he probably won't be back for a couple of days.  Hmm... anything else?  Sorry dear, I try to get him a move on as quickly as possible and do not small chat with the terrible man."  she gives frowns and gives a little shudder at the thought of him.  "Someplace more private?  Why sure, I do have a basement, but its a dirt floor, full of spiders and all kinds of creepy crawly things.  I try not to go down there if I can help it.  Did you say you need a chair?  You can drag one of these down there as long as you bring it back just how you found it."

“A rush!”, Corlith exclaims in response to Archie’s confession. “People are homeless and jobless thanks to you. I would focus on those feelings of guilt and not the rush if I were you”.

He looks angry, having been one of the ones to encourage the owner of the Low Lantern to look elsewhere with her recriminations. Now it turns out she was pointing the finger in exactly the right place.

”This group has a tendency to take things too far, which when it comes to cultists and fiends I can understand. But not everyone in Baldur’s Gate deserves that treatment”, he adds before turning his attention back to Bertie.

“That said, it seems there are worse deeds afoot, and bigger threats. Let’s get our answers and focus our attention where it will do most actual good”.

"I never said the rush was a good or a bad thing, it just kinda happened... Ohhhhhhhhh, being on the floor is nice, why are we so opposed to being on the floor? Y'know, as a society... Goddamnit I'm gonna have to find a way to make it up to that woman..." Archie does nothing but move her head back and forth whilst laid on her back, waiting for the interrogation to begin.

With the stench of Corlith's magic and Roo's ass, Amrik slowly comes to.. "What.. where am I?  What is this tiny place?  Who are... oh!  You're the people that I was trying to get away from!"  He struggles and realizes he is in restraints and his shoulders slump.  "My mother is not going to be happy about this."

As one of you grab a chair and lead the procession downstairs, Bertie hands you an old lamp that she has set a light as "I don't believe there are any torches or lanterns down there.. though I could be wrong, my memory..."

Amrik is willing to walk down the stairs with you all as he doesn't want to be pushed, but with his feet also tied together, he needs help down the stairs and he whines and complains the entire way down.  Once pushed in the chair that was brought down from the kitchen, he slumps and looks at the floor.

The basement isn't as bad as Bertie mentioned.. you all just were in the sewer water laden dungeon yesterday, and this dry, dark place is welcome change.  There are shelves along the wall holding dusty dry goods and glass jars of random items.  Once Amrik quiets down, you can hear a couple of scurries in the shadows, but nothing too menacing, and when you shine your light in the direction of it, the sounds speed up then silence.

Amrik finally looks up and asks, "Well?"

Archie gets up off the floor with a sigh and follows the group, she produces a large flame in her hand, basking the rest of the basement in light. Crouching next to Amrik, she brings the flame uncomfortably close to him, letting him feel the heat and begin to sweat, and then in a very passive and bored tone she states, "Now we ask you questions I suppose, but first we'll give you a chance to spill your guts, before we spill them for ya, understood? That gallus over there doesn't need any more reason to kill you, simply based on the disrespect you showed. So it's in your best interest to tell us every thing you know now, he already doesn't want you to see tomorrow." 

Virro stands beside Archie, nodding.  He slowly opens the pouch at his waist and some fingers of various sizes poke through, he shows them to Amrik.  “You see, I am somewhat of a collector…”. He pokes all of the fingers back into the pouch and seals the drawstring.  He leans forward such that his bloody, awful teeth are very close to Amrik’s face, the sanguine smell of his breath close to him.  “A collector of cultists fingers.  Of the Dead 3.”  He slowly draws out his dagger and makes a show of looking at his fingers, testing the proximal interphalangeal joint of the left 5th finger, then the metacarpophalangeal joint, testing the mobility.  “I think here would do…. Care to tell us more about your family and your dear old mum?  I suspect that you are going to tell us… oh, well, just about everything….”  He smiles and leers at Amrik, in a foul mood and still having quite a headache.