"I know an older gentleman," interjects Refrum, "a retired High Quarter bureaucrat who used to work for the district militia. I haven't spoken with him in a year or two, but he is still well-respected by the Guard administration. I'm sure he could deliver a package to Constable Jute. Or maybe better, he would know what to do with the evidence. I'm not sure Jute is in a position to act upon whatever it is you have."

"As to blades, we could ask Melody, I suppose. Or maybe better, I know a woman who deals in fine blades. Not sure about magic ones, but she'd know. As I'm sure you well know, Kei, the Marketplace in the Merchant's Quarter is the last place you want to shop – that's all low quality and dubious origin."

"But how much time do we have? Is there time for all this?"

Kei 

"I certainly won't be dressing you as a drunkard that's for sure" Kei says with a grin. "I was thinking a pair of prospective acolytes. The robes can hide our weapons and hopefully they won't ask too many questions."

"Your bureaucrat sounds like our best chance of getting someone to act appropriately Refrum. I say we leave the political stuff to him. As for the blades, Ru's isn't far from here, let me speak to him before we attempt to source them ourselves. I'll let him know of the time constraints.  He's never let me down before". Kei shuffles around the cluttered room preparing his gear in readiness for leaving.

Kei 

Breakfast devoured and sword amongst his gear Kei looks to Gerrard. "Are you joining me or do you have other plans? If you're not, I will need that coin you offered, as much as you're happy to pay for a magic sword." While he waits for Gerrards response he questions Refrum. "Are you sure we can trust your contact? A lot of moving pieces need to fall in place if we're to pull this off. I don't particularly want it to fall apart before it starts."

Gerrard:

”I am too recognizable without a disguise.  If you can secure the disguise early, I will join you afterwards.  Here is some coin to help,” responds Gerrard, “Bring me change if you can.”

50 platinum

It is approaching mid-morning. The rain is heavy, but it does seem to clean the air somewhat.

Unless Kei has further business before he leaves, he departs into the eye-stinging rain. (Where Kei and I will continue this conversation via PM...)

Refrum asks Gerrard, "How can I help you this morning...? Do you want to me to deliver that package to my friend? I can do that..." 

Gerrard:

”Yes please, Master Refrum,” responds Gerrard, “I should remain in hiding until I have a good disguise.  I gave most of my remaining coin to Master Kei, but if he comes back quickly with a disguise, perhaps we can go blade shopping together.”

Time passes. Kei remains absent. A hard rain continues, unabated. The morning grows later.

"I'm not too keen on shopping, 'nless it's something to cook," comments Refrum. "What do you know of this cult you mention? And this meeting tonight? These kinds of people aren't folks to disturb lightly. They tend to be quite secretive, hidden, dangerous. And they have ears in the community. Lots of 'em. More and more so, it seems."

Gerrard:

”They seek to raise an abomination—a young Aboleth they have been feeding with these murder victims.  It is apparently nearly ready to ascend from the depths and attack the city.  The voice we have heard in our head calls itself the “Whisperer” and seems to have the capability to project powerful spells from those it controls without their actions,” replies Gerrard.  

“With the corruption of Mister Dory, we can expect that the highest level of government here has been subverted as the city has slowly been poisoned,” he continues, discussing particulars of their findings inasmuch as he can remember.

(Has Refrum already returned from taking the proof to his contact, or has he yet to leave?)

"Oh, right, the package. Sorry, forgot," apologizes Refrum. He puts on a rain hat and boots, and puts your package into a pocketed vest, before donning a patched overcoat. "Gimme an hour." Then he departs into the rainstorm.

Gerrard:

Gerrard uses the time to pen writs of appreciation for services rendered on behalf of the nation of Keoland.  He makes separate writs for Kei and Boko first, lauding their noble deeds and requesting that any who read this writ give unto the bearer the same honor as Gerrard himself might be given.

With his uncertain standing in Seaton’s nobility, such a writ is likely more decoration than useful, but he pens it nonetheless, sealing it with wax and his personal signet before secreting the scrolls in the scroll case that then goes into his magical bag.

While he intends to make more writs for Peri and Qivys and the others, he only takes the time right now for those currently with him.

Calligraphy for Boko:  19

Calligraphy for Kei: 29

Refrum's cluttered home is quiet as Gerrard waits for Kei and Refrum to return. The only sounds are of the rain on the metal roof and a steady dripping from a leak somewhere inside.

Gerrard completes his writs satisfactorily. 

It is late morning.

Boko, in air elemental form, follows the party on their path from the ship-warehouse to their destination. Ensuring they get inside safely, she stays up in the atmosphere, joining and separating from the clouds randomly, trying to appear as nothing but more grey cloud weather, but always keeping her eyes on the building and its' surroundings. She watches for anything or anyone keeping attention on her companions. After, say, 30 minutes, she doubles back and watches the warehouse a bit more to see if there is any activity or change there. Perhaps another 30 minutes. Then she flies around the city, just getting a sense of things, who is out in the weather, what the general activity is like. She tries to be as observant as she can be. She can stay in this form for 5 hours at most, so she returns to the roof of the building with about 45 minutes remaining. She's spent much of her life out in the elements so a bit of rain doesn't dampen her rest. If it begins to be too much she climbs down and goes inside, apologizing to Refrum, Gerrard, and Kei if he is there, for her absence. She wanted to make sure they were safe.

Assuming nothing notable was observed, she would rest further and ask how she could help. 

Boko spends most of the night in the air, hovering over the befouled city. There is a significant amount of street activity after dark, but to what ends she doesn't know. Although it's hard to see through the filthy black air, she sees nothing overtly criminal nor alarming, but the overall scene of urban decay and desperation and disease is unsettling. The neighborhood around the warehouse remains quiet; the occasional forays of the city guard through the quarter seem to avoid it.

Look over the location that Mr. Dory referred to, where the cultists gather near Frother’s Lamp in the Low Quarter, Boko sees an area filled with partially collapsed buildings and walled-off alleys, atop which newer buildings and boardwalks have been built. The entire place is damp, reeks of mildew, and is loud with the creaking and groaning of surrounding buildings. It is relatively quiet there tonight.

Then the rain comes. Heavy. And Boko retreats to Refrum's building, where she reverts to her normal form. Eventually the stinging, polluted rain is too much for even Boko to bear, and some time after the vague, soupy, weak daylight returns, Gerrard lets her in. There is no sign of Refrum or Kei.

Gerrard:

”Welcome, Mistress Alcor,” says Gerrard, fussing about to get her a towel and perhaps some hot tea.  “Master Kei is out procuring some disguises and perhaps doing some shopping, and Master Refrum is out delivering the proof of Dory’s corruption to a trusted ally in the guard.”

Thinking for a moment, he adds, “I haven’t heard from Captain Fenwader or Master Thwack—I hope they are okay.  What have you been up to?”

Kei 

Gently tapping on the door, Kei waits for someone to answer. When Gerrard's face greets him Kei is a little surprised. "Where is the old man? Don't tell me he's not back yet? He did go didn't he?" Kei blurts out question after question without a pausing for answers.

Once inside, and with the door closed, Kei sees Boko huddled between stacks of books. "Glad you're here. I thought we'd lost you to the wind" he says genuinely. He clears a spot on a nearby table and dumps the contents of his shopping spree. "No weapons I'm afraid. Well, not in the time we have available. Here, take your coin" he hands Gerrard what is left of the nobles money. "We need to dye the robes, they're a little gaudy." Kei goes on to explain his hastily conceived plan. 

"We dress as poorly acolytes, seeking guidance and shelter. On approach I'm sure they'll be suspicious, but hopefully they'll take us as being easy prey for conversion to their cult. Or, even better, they disregard us completely and go about their normal activities. After that though..." he pauses then adds quietly "I've not yet thought about after". A moment passes as Kei let's the plan marinate in his companions minds. "What do you think?"

((Items procured by Kei. 3 x Potion of Healing, 2 x Disguise Kit, 2 x black and gold merchant style robes, 1 x studded leather mask, 1 x bottle of black ink.

Coin returned to Gerrard 22pp & 5gp))

Gerrard:

”He wanted to hear what we had learned about the cult first, but he left a short time ago,” says Gerrard, taking the cloak and trying it on for size.  “I think this will do nicely,” he adds, putting away his coins.

”As far as the plan goes—simple and flexible.  Probably our best shot.  Maybe we have a signal for it we need to resort to immediate violence,” he concludes.

It is about noon. The weather has let up marginally – from a torrential downpour to an intermittently steady rain.

Refrum returns quietly not long after, quite wet. "My friend will make sure that package is seen by the people who need to see it." He gives a small smile as he removes his dripping overcoat. "Thank you for that bit of justice, perhaps."

"What is your next plan?" he adds.

Gerrard:

"We have disguises now, Master Refrum, and perhaps we should take the opportunity to do a bit of shopping, though I am running low on funds.  You spoke of a woman who dealt in fine blades--perhaps we could visit?  Master Kei, Mistress Alcor, do you have any equipment that might make you more effective in fighting the cultists or their monstrous creature?" asks Gerrard.

Kei 

Damp and cold, Kei goes about trying to get warm whilst Gerrard, Boko and Refrum talk. When questioned he stops and answers. "More effective? I shut down Dory for the entire fight" he says in an exasperated tone. "My defence however...could use some bolstering" he winces at the memory of the recent battle. Once his bristles retract he speaks more civilly. "I agree. We need to be fully prepared. Perhaps these will help with purchases " he spills the rubies on the table. "I estimate they're worth about 300 platinum to the right person".