Morgan looks at the others and nods, clearly in favor.

Investigating these two people could be a win-win. For sure, better this than fighting something enormous and toothy. And maybe they would learn something useful along the way.

He tries to recall anything about these "foreign parties," but the names of factions, organizations, and cults blur together in his mind. That was never his strength.

(History: 10, Religion: 4)

(OOC: I only know of the Cobalt Soul subclass for Monk hahaha)

Frekor tries to remember any important information of the factions mentioned   (history check: 13    religion check: 7)

-We can investigate them for you. We might get some infirmation that could help us in our journey. Also, thank you for giving us a place to stay for the time being even with everything that is happening, we deeply appreciate it.- says the elf to Verin.

He looks at the both parties to plan for the investigations.

-I think we should talk with Aloysia first. She is in house arrest, and IF she isn't who she says she is, it would be better to go to her first before she tries something. And if she is telling the truth, then she might know something about the amulet that could help.- Frekor suggested to everyone.

OOC: About where on the map are we? Just checking to be sure we have time for investigation and be able to return to the garden/church by sundown.

Jacaranda doesn't think she would know anything but agrees that it will be faster to speak with the one who is already contained.

She rolls the names of the organisations around in her brain as she nods to Frekor.

History-6

Religion-12

DM: You are at B4 on the map I gave you. The Gatehold Barracks.

No one knows about the Consortium of the Vermilion Dream, but the Allegiance of Allsight is one that Ylis alone knows. She had heard of them during some past adventures in the Dwendalian Empire. They are considered loose allies or friendly rivals of the Cobalt Soul in that the pursuit of knowledge (especially ancient) for its own sake is their primary mission. They are based out of Marquet and as a rule, stay out of politics which is contrasted by the Cobalt Soul's mission to find and root out corruption.

Frekor and Morgan are only aware of the Cobalt Soul, in that they are generally researchers and certain researchers have a nasty punch.

Jacaranda hasn't the foggiest of what anyone is saying. 

"About the payment… where do market laws find their balance here? I’m guessing demand’s higher than supply." He gives a quick wink.
"But we won’t haggle over the price. We see the war you’re fighting... Throw in a couple of healing potions on top of the standard pay, and we’re good."

Morgan glances at the others.
"What do you think?"

(Persuasion: 22)

"The Allegiance of Allsight is a group I heard about back when we were hunting river bandits in the Dwendalian Empire. They are like frenemies of the Cobalt Soul in that quest for knowledge (especially ancient). That kind of thing is their primary jam. They're like from Marquet, and usually stay out of government stuff which is not like the Cobalt Soul which likes to look for spoiled politicians."

She shrugs, "I guess we could talk to that Verminion lady and find out what she knows. Where is she at?"

Having little idea as to who was what Randa simply agreed with Ylis.

Verin nods in appreciation at Frekor. A hint of a smile crosses his lips before it quickly is smothered by Morgan's aggressive negotiation.

Verin breathes hard out through his nose again and looks like a man maneuvered into a corner. "Skilled services like mercenary work generally work out to be 2gp a day, per head. I don't need you fighting anyone though, just investigating and reporting back. A single healing potion is worth more than 2 days work for all 10 of you and that's just the standard market price. Here... Well, you saw how quickly these monsters are eating through my men and women. A healing potion is worth more than 100 times its weight in gold here." Verin looks down at the tokens in his hands, the ones he slid off the map after battle reports. He appears young, but the spirit in his eyes is weary and filled with sorrow. He closes his fist hard around the tokens, looking up to meet the party's eyes. "Very well. Two healing potions if you bring me evidence that either are here to cause my people harm."

One of his officers at the tables grunts in shock before biting his lip. "If I can get actionable evidence that they mean harm to us here, then their apprehension would save more lives than a healing potion could." Verin adds, though it is hard to tell if he is trying to reassure his officer or himself. 

"Aloysia should still be on house arrest here." He draws the attention of the heroes to his map on the table. (B7 on your map). "It's called the Ready Room. It's our city's only Inn. Normally, you would be staying there, but I felt your deeds warranted a little bit of privacy." He looks at Frekor and then adds. "Stop by the Infirmary too (B3 on the map). Aloysia was injured trying to sneak into Betrayer's Rise. Her attempt at bribery followed that injury. Prolix was treated there too, if I recall. There is a priest there by the name of Bautha Dyrr. She may have information helpful to your investigation."

 Morgan bites his lip, trying not to let his emotions show.
"What if we bring you solid, actionable proof that they’re not here to harm your people?"

He shakes his head.
"Going in assuming they’re guilty or wanting them guilty makes it too easy to find something that isn’t there. And I’d rather give up your golden healing potions than help condemn innocent people."

He exhales, clearly uncomfortable, realizing he might not be the right person to negotiate with soldiers.

After a pause, he adds more quietly,
"Never mind. We’ll do our best, and you can decide the value of whatever information we bring back."

With that, he turns, leaves the room, and waits outside for the others.

Ylis shakes her head then nods at Verin and grips his hand. "Deal."

"OK guys, let's go visit that Infirmary over there, it's on the way to the Ready Room." She pats Randa on the knee, "Who knows, maybe the priest person will know something about the amulet."

The bunny girl then starts to walk towards the hospital, munching on a biscuit while she walks. Hopefully the Ready Room has decent food.

Jacaranda shrugged and followed Ylis, she rather doubted the woman was after more than some sort of arcane research or mystery...but who knew?

Quote from Wysperra >>

Ylis shakes her head then nods at Verin and grips his hand. "Deal."

"OK guys, let's go visit that Infirmary over there, it's on the way to the Ready Room." She pats Randa on the knee, "Who knows, maybe the priest person will know something about the amulet."

The bunny girl then starts to walk towards the hospital, munching on a biscuit while she walks. Hopefully the Ready Room has decent food.

 -One way or another we'll find our answers.- said Frekor, then he followed Ylis.

At the entrance of the room, he pauses to turn around and look at Verin.

-Thank you for your time.- says to Verin before exiting.

Verin’s brow furrows at Morgan’s suggestion that the heroes might be able to prove positive intent, but he says nothing. Adventurers have their ways and perhaps it is possible they can see something that he cannot in his weather-beaten, cynical mindset.

The parties travel briskly to the Infirmary. Three buildings on the perimeter of the central square have doors marked with a symbol of a hand alight with magic, identifying them as places of healing. As the parties enter one of the buildings, they see that the walls are lined with shelves that hold old books and medical supplies and the smell of antiseptics and salves hang in the air. The floor is crammed with narrow cots, most filled with sleeping injured or those in too much pain to sleep despite their heavily medicated state. Those who are awake watch the parties walk between their cots, their glassy eyes shinning bright lamp light off of them like mirrors. There’s a small office in the back, its door ajar. A Gentle, maternal humming can be heard beyond it, which then leads to comforting words from caretaker to patient.

The heroes enter and inside, they can see a drow woman in priestly robes and a stately bearing conversing and holding the hand of another female drow at bedside. A member of the Aurora Watch, by the look of her armor and gear stacked neatly next to the medical bed. The drow priest notes the heroes enter, pats her patient’s hand warmly in parting, then stands to meet the heroes. She wears a pin on her vestiges in the shape of a black wing.

DM: Any with Proficiency in Religion may roll to know what the symbol represents, DC 15.

“Hello. I can see that none of you are in need of medical care. My name is Bautha Dyrr, I am the head healer here. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

Ylis Religion check 9

"Hello there! The Taskhand recommended your fine accommodations and we decided to check them out ourselves," Ylis smiles at the priest. "We don't want to get in the way but if you can spare the time, uh...would you be able to tell us anything you know about the Jewel of Three Prayers? Have you heard of it?"

Ylis nods in understanding regardless of what the lasy tells her.

----

When the priest is done relating what she knows to the party, Ylis also asks, "Oh and uh would you happen to know..." she rubs here eyebrow, "Alosha and uh...Prolicks? We're supposed to meet with them too."

Jacaranda lets Ylis do the questioning while she inspects the premises, ( she won't be able to resist using Spare the Dying on any that she passes who may need it )...

Religion- 6

Investigation- 11

OOC: Note to self, ask if Bautha Dyrr knows where we can purchase incense.

Morgan greets the healer with a smile.

"Yes, you see correctly, we are in good health… for the moment, at least. And we plan to keep it that way. You already seem busy enough without us bleeding on the floor."

He pauses, realizing what a strange opening that was.

"As my friend said, the taskmaster sent us to look into these two individuals. Make sure they are not a danger to the community here. He mentioned that you might have useful information."

Morgan tilts his head slightly.

"You’ve met them, right? If you have a moment, could you tell us what you know… anything that might help our investigation, really."

(Persuasion: 11)

Bautha’s straight spine stands even straighter and she cocks her head to the side at the mention of the Taskhand. "I am not sure why Taskhand Verin send you here, but I am not familiar with jewelry of any kind. This is a place of bandages, not baubles. Verin must have sent you here as a joke because of our last philosophical disagreement on whether the lives of our citizens are worth the as of yet fruitless reclamation efforts from the Abyss.” She says with a tone of haughty derision. She then nods in dismissal, beginning to turn her back to the party and back to the patients when she stops.

“Three prayers… Oh! You know, it must be that old story about the champion of three gods. Goodness gracious, I can’t believe I remembered it. It’s a fragment of a fragment of a legend, even in temples in Vasselheim and Ank’Harel.” She clears her throat. “Long ago, a hero of the Calamity begged for aid from three different gods in his time of need. Avandra the Change Bringer was one of them, and I think Sehanine the Moon Weaver was another. And, uh, I’m afraid I don’t remember anything else.”

Her eyes narrow at the mention of Aloysia and Prolix. “I am familiar with these two, yes. They are not here.” She sounds suspicious, but her bearing says she is waiting for more information on why you seek them.

DM: Randa sees a well-stocked medical facility with dozens of injured people, most of whom are sleeping but among those awake, all are watching the exchange with interest. Fortunately, no one is presently dying. Bautha is attentive in her work.

As Morgan adds some context, Dyrr relaxes somewhat, though she remains guarded against even Morgan's winning smile. “Yes, well, I am not sure exactly how helpful I can be to your investigation. I treated both for injuries due to their own recklessness and naivity, but telling you more would violate patient-priest confidentiality without evidence of the Taskhand’s authority. It might do well to get that authority before trying to get me to violate the rights of my patients.” She says.

DM: Sorry Morgan. Dyrr actually has a Persuasion Check DC for this that you didn’t quite make. :(

Randa, your timely Investigation miraculously reveals to your eyes a Medical Chart Wall Hanging File Folder right next to you, kind of like the one pictured below:

The craziest part of this is that right at the top are two files: one for Aloysia and one for Prolix. What a coincidence!

Ylis looks around the room and says, "These people need as much rest as they can get," nodding and trying to lead the priest towards some of the ones that are awake "Do you think these guys would want a magic cucumber? I have 1 left." she beams a smile "They provide enough sustenance for a day and help patch the body together just a little bit."

She holds them out and waves them at the patients.