Dev falls heavily at the start but he is able to call out the quickest route through the maze of alleys to those pursuing which allows Tyler, Jasper and Lokilia to, somewhat, keep up with Normont as he races after the figure.
Quinn starts off strong but is badly winded soon after and has to stop, the long trek earlier taking more out of him than he thought....he heads back to see to Dev.
....................
Trashcans litter the alley. As the figure you are chasing speeds past, they knock several over to create a diversion.
Finally, Normont corners them and as she turns he thinks for a moment that she is the young half-elven woman from the winery but this one has lighter hair and an undercut along with slightly more angular features.
As the other three pound up noisily behind him the woman turns on her heels and whispers urgently, “Damn you, you fools! I’m trying to do what I can to save Hook, to save the people, and to put all this nonsense to rest. Leave me be!”
She glares peevishly at you, furious to be on her way.
Tyler blurts out, " Who are you?"
“I’m Sata Ocici. I was adopted into the family as a child, and though I certainly don’t support everything they’re doing, I don’t want to see my family hurt. That’s why I hired Hook. I wanted him to discover who had killed Conroy and get the Watch to take it out on the Galadors!"
" They’re the ones who keep pushing this thing. Sure, the Ocici believe in the cause of the " Betrayers", but they want to be influential and rich across Exandria, not destroy the world like that crazy bint!”
Tyler looks for a moment as if he wants to protest but then goes silent...
Normont manages to use his diminutive stature and fresh legs to catch up to the stranger, and as he corners her his hand goes to the pistol at his belt. When she starts to explain what she is up to, he watches her closely looking for signs of deceit, noting her reference to their employer Hook.
"What do you mean save Hook? And why did you hire him if you were just going to investigate yourself anyway?", he asks, confused by her actions. "And if you knew what was going on, why not tell us? We almost suffered a fate worse than death looking into this for you".
" Oh, Hooks been captured....I was just on my way to the warehouse to get him when I saw you lot.....and considering circumstances last time we saw each other I feared you might just shoot me if I stuck around."
" I hired him. I didn't know the old bugger was going to sub-contract......though I didn't realise how big the wedge was between him and the Watch either....I guess my info was out of date."
" If I'd known about you I would have but first time I saw you I figured you for a Watch patrol and considering where I'd just been it seemed dicey..."
" Sorry you almost died, at least you got out of this better than Pekese."
( She seems to be being honest to a point though she's obviously holding back information it seems Hook was hired as a stalking horse to put pressure on the Watch to investigate the Galadors.)
Magnus calls out after the others, "Wait we shouldn't split up again." As he watches the other disappear from site chasing after the stranger.
Whispering to himself, "Well I guess I will just wait here for them to return and keep an eye on the warehouse, in case that running stranger was a diversion." Magnus will hunker down near a corner alley and keep a watch on the place.
"Alright, well first things first. Shouldn't we work together to get Hook?" Lokilia asks. "You know we aren't Watch now." She had other questions, but she felt it better to hold her tongue at this point.
Dev takes a breath, rolls up to a seated posture against the warehouse wall and eyrs drooping in exhaustion, quietly sings to himself, waiting for the return of the others, or whatever comes next. His stomach growls loudly, an almost percussive accompaniment to his song, and as he goes, quiet Minor Illusions of instruments playing underpin his singing.
“…spent oh-so many nights just feeling sorry for myself / I used to cry / But now I hold my head up high and you see me / Somebody new / I'm not that chained-up little person…”
"Alright, well first things first. Shouldn't we work together to get Hook?" Lokilia asks. "You know we aren't Watch now." She had other questions, but she felt it better to hold her tongue at this point.
" Alright, as long as none of you die....I really don't want that on my conscience."
Normont waves away the apology, "Lokilia is right. Who exactly took Hook? You are sure he is at the warehouse?".
He looks around and notices not all the group are present, "We should probably go back to the others and discuss this all together".
Sata nods and soon the group meets back near the warehouse with Magnus, Dev and Quinn.
Sata doesn't bother introducing herself again figuring one of the others will but does answer Normont.
" I'm sure he's there. We both were when that Galador bint and my idiot of an uncle turned up in a carriage drawn by some very tired and thirsty looking horses, we made a break for it but a group of dead folks cut us off. I thought Hook had broken the other way but as I cleared the place I heard Liam cast a spell on someone....as Hook didn't meet me on the corner I can only assume it was him."
" He's either being held in the office or they've taken him below..."
When they get back to the others, Normont updates them on what has happened.
"This is Sata Ocici", he starts before holding his hands up for the others to wait before reacting. "She is an adopted member of the Ocici family, and claims not to be a party to their schemes. She also claims to be the one that hired Hook, who obviously then hired us".
He looks around at those present, having to crane his neck to make eye contact with some of the group.
"It seems Hook was here when our former captors turned up, and he is now their prisoner", he summarises, not feeling the need to go over the information regarding the dead folks.
He looks back to Sata, "We came across those folk at the Galador Estate, and they were simply too powerful for us. I think we might need to get the Watch for this one".
"What's the plan to get inside? What sort of guards do they have?" Lokilia asks, first glancing towards Sata. She eyes the windows that Magnus had noted earlier. "Maybe get in from above somehow?"
When they get back to the others, Normont updates them on what has happened.
"This is Sata Ocici", he starts before holding his hands up for the others to wait before reacting. "She is an adopted member of the Ocici family, and claims not to be a party to their schemes. She also claims to be the one that hired Hook, who obviously then hired us".
He looks around at those present, having to crane his neck to make eye contact with some of the group.
"It seems Hook was here when our former captors turned up, and he is now their prisoner", he summarises, not feeling the need to go over the information regarding the dead folks.
He looks back to Sata, "We came across those folk at the Galador Estate, and they were simply too powerful for us. I think we might need to get the Watch for this one".
Sata shrugs, " If you don't like them sure. Theres a lot of dead in there."
"What's the plan to get inside? What sort of guards do they have?" Lokilia asks, first glancing towards Sata. She eyes the windows that Magnus had noted earlier. "Maybe get in from above somehow?"
" Exactly. Most of the dead are on the ground, so if we can get up through those windows and check the office first quiet like then if he'snot there we need to go underneath. Theres a hatch heading down behind some crates inside. If we are careful and quiet we should be able to get down from the top floor without alerting the dead on the ground.....though we need to be quiet. I can cast a spell to make us less likely to be noticed but it will mostly tap me out."
"Well, the best way to stay quiet would be to not kill anyone," Lokilia says. "So we should be fine." She looks at the others. "How do we get up there? Just have to climb?"
" Climb.....fly....jump....", Sata says as she approachs the wall of the warehouse. " Now, quiet. If your all ready I'll cast my spell and we can move in."
Lokilia nods 'yes' to Sata indicating she is ready. She had really wanted to ask about flying because she really wished she could, but she stays quiet.
Jasper finally catches up with the group. "Sorry, everyone, I took a pretty bad fall after I started running. This mysterious figure is Sata Ocici then? Well... if Hook's in danger and she's willing to help, I'll take whatever we can get," They say. "She might also work as a key witness for when we bring this to the authorities. We can head to the Watch first, or we can go to the warehouse. Sata seems to have the latter in her sights, what does everyone else think?"
Magnus nods his head as well indicating he is ready to go. "Let's get in and out as quietly as we can with the information we seek before we head back to the watch, I am ready."
Dev falls heavily at the start but he is able to call out the quickest route through the maze of alleys to those pursuing which allows Tyler, Jasper and Lokilia to, somewhat, keep up with Normont as he races after the figure.
Quinn starts off strong but is badly winded soon after and has to stop, the long trek earlier taking more out of him than he thought....he heads back to see to Dev.
....................
Trashcans litter the alley. As the figure you are chasing speeds past, they knock several over to create a diversion.
Finally, Normont corners them and as she turns he thinks for a moment that she is the young half-elven woman from the winery but this one has lighter hair and an undercut along with slightly more angular features.
As the other three pound up noisily behind him the woman turns on her heels and whispers urgently, “Damn you, you fools! I’m trying to do what I can to save Hook, to save the people, and to put all this nonsense to rest. Leave me be!”
She glares peevishly at you, furious to be on her way.
Tyler blurts out, " Who are you?"
“I’m Sata Ocici. I was adopted into the family as a child, and though I certainly don’t support everything they’re doing, I don’t want to see my family hurt. That’s why I hired Hook. I
wanted him to discover who had killed Conroy and get the Watch to take it out on the Galadors!"
" They’re the ones who keep pushing this thing. Sure, the Ocici believe in the cause of the " Betrayers", but they want to be influential and rich across Exandria, not destroy the world like that crazy bint!”
Tyler looks for a moment as if he wants to protest but then goes silent...
Normont manages to use his diminutive stature and fresh legs to catch up to the stranger, and as he corners her his hand goes to the pistol at his belt. When she starts to explain what she is up to, he watches her closely looking for signs of deceit, noting her reference to their employer Hook.
"What do you mean save Hook? And why did you hire him if you were just going to investigate yourself anyway?", he asks, confused by her actions. "And if you knew what was going on, why not tell us? We almost suffered a fate worse than death looking into this for you".
Insight: 16+2=18
" Oh, Hooks been captured....I was just on my way to the warehouse to get him when I saw you lot.....and considering circumstances last time we saw each other I feared you might just shoot me if I stuck around."
" I hired him. I didn't know the old bugger was going to sub-contract......though I didn't realise how big the wedge was between him and the Watch either....I guess my info was out of date."
" If I'd known about you I would have but first time I saw you I figured you for a Watch patrol and considering where I'd just been it seemed dicey..."
" Sorry you almost died, at least you got out of this better than Pekese."
( She seems to be being honest to a point though she's obviously holding back information it seems Hook was hired as a stalking horse to put pressure on the Watch to investigate the Galadors.)
Magnus calls out after the others, "Wait we shouldn't split up again." As he watches the other disappear from site chasing after the stranger.
Whispering to himself, "Well I guess I will just wait here for them to return and keep an eye on the warehouse, in case that running stranger was a diversion." Magnus will hunker down near a corner alley and keep a watch on the place.
Perception: 21
"Alright, well first things first. Shouldn't we work together to get Hook?" Lokilia asks. "You know we aren't Watch now." She had other questions, but she felt it better to hold her tongue at this point.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Normont waves away the apology, "Lokilia is right. Who exactly took Hook? You are sure he is at the warehouse?".
He looks around and notices not all the group are present, "We should probably go back to the others and discuss this all together".
Dev takes a breath, rolls up to a seated posture against the warehouse wall and eyrs drooping in exhaustion, quietly sings to himself, waiting for the return of the others, or whatever comes next. His stomach growls loudly, an almost percussive accompaniment to his song, and as he goes, quiet Minor Illusions of instruments playing underpin his singing.
“…spent oh-so many nights just feeling sorry for myself / I used to cry / But now I hold my head up high and you see me / Somebody new / I'm not that chained-up little person…”
(OOC: Songwriters: Dino Fekaris / Frederick J. Perren / © Universal Music Publishing Group)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Quinn joins Dev as he arrives to the group, his hand is on the hilt of his blade ready to attack if necessary.
" Alright, as long as none of you die....I really don't want that on my conscience."
Sata nods and soon the group meets back near the warehouse with Magnus, Dev and Quinn.
Sata doesn't bother introducing herself again figuring one of the others will but does answer Normont.
" I'm sure he's there. We both were when that Galador bint and my idiot of an uncle turned up in a carriage drawn by some very tired and thirsty looking horses, we made a break for it but a group of dead folks cut us off. I thought Hook had broken the other way but as I cleared the place I heard Liam cast a spell on someone....as Hook didn't meet me on the corner I can only assume it was him."
" He's either being held in the office or they've taken him below..."
When they get back to the others, Normont updates them on what has happened.
"This is Sata Ocici", he starts before holding his hands up for the others to wait before reacting. "She is an adopted member of the Ocici family, and claims not to be a party to their schemes. She also claims to be the one that hired Hook, who obviously then hired us".
He looks around at those present, having to crane his neck to make eye contact with some of the group.
"It seems Hook was here when our former captors turned up, and he is now their prisoner", he summarises, not feeling the need to go over the information regarding the dead folks.
He looks back to Sata, "We came across those folk at the Galador Estate, and they were simply too powerful for us. I think we might need to get the Watch for this one".
"What's the plan to get inside? What sort of guards do they have?" Lokilia asks, first glancing towards Sata. She eyes the windows that Magnus had noted earlier. "Maybe get in from above somehow?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Sata shrugs, " If you don't like them sure. Theres a lot of dead in there."
" Exactly. Most of the dead are on the ground, so if we can get up through those windows and check the office first quiet like then if he'snot there we need to go underneath. Theres a hatch heading down behind some crates inside. If we are careful and quiet we should be able to get down from the top floor without alerting the dead on the ground.....though we need to be quiet. I can cast a spell to make us less likely to be noticed but it will mostly tap me out."
" My uncle is not to die."
Tyler ventured shyly, " Or my sister!"
Sata sneered, " Thats your sister?"
"Well, the best way to stay quiet would be to not kill anyone," Lokilia says. "So we should be fine." She looks at the others. "How do we get up there? Just have to climb?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
" Climb.....fly....jump....", Sata says as she approachs the wall of the warehouse. " Now, quiet. If your all ready I'll cast my spell and we can move in."
Lokilia nods 'yes' to Sata indicating she is ready. She had really wanted to ask about flying because she really wished she could, but she stays quiet.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Jasper finally catches up with the group. "Sorry, everyone, I took a pretty bad fall after I started running. This mysterious figure is Sata Ocici then? Well... if Hook's in danger and she's willing to help, I'll take whatever we can get," They say. "She might also work as a key witness for when we bring this to the authorities. We can head to the Watch first, or we can go to the warehouse. Sata seems to have the latter in her sights, what does everyone else think?"
Magnus nods his head as well indicating he is ready to go. "Let's get in and out as quietly as we can with the information we seek before we head back to the watch, I am ready."
“I believe we must hurry and go to the warehouse, time is wasting and I don’t want Hook to be used as their pond.”
"Climbing is not a particular strength of mine, but I will do my best", Normont whispers, and readies himself to climb.
Sata nodded, " Alright don't get too far away from me or my spell won't help you."
She smudged some ash under her eyes and whispered words to the shadows to gather about them.
" Lets go."
She began climbing up the wooden building like a spider.
( Sata casts Pass Without A Trace giving +10 to your stealth checks.)
( Stealth checks and Athletics/Acrobatics/Other? to get to the window. If someone gives her a rope to tie up there you can roll with Advantage.)