For those not following along with my calculations, you received 10 gold from our selling of the pirated goods.
Abigail struggles for a bit, absolutely not wanting to get caught up in breaking into a hospital to save two poor - likely crazy - individuals. However, she still thinks that ZZ might be a valuable companion to maintain over the course of their journey, and starting off by denying her first major request - as completely odd as it is - might not put her in good standing with her...
'Sometimes you have to have faith in your crew, before they are willing to have faith in you...'
"Alright, ZZ... and Laftetha... Did you have any particular ideas for how we were going to break into this hospital to 'rescue' these individuals?"
Tarak thanks them for the info and heads back to the ship. When he arrives he tells Abigail about the local political upheavals and what he had uncovered about the deaths and the butcher. “Lots of little holes makes me think of needles not knives but this mortis foundation seems to be a good place to get more info.”
Once brought up to speed on what ZZ promised and it also being the mortis foundation causes Tarak to hesitate as coincidences like this can also be their path being guided by the Queen or warning from it.
"You two bark about how risky this is, and I agree, but I have a feeling they are not doing things ethically in there and we must help these people. Maybe we can go in through the side or the back, I'm not sure, but that has never stopped us before! Also, Tarak it sounds like they could have something to do with all these little holes...." she trails off into thought...."Maybe we could just walk through the front doors! Don't you have it in with the Queen? You can distract her while me and ZZ sneak around!.... just a thought....maybe..."
"ZZ and I know who we are looking for, we just need to figure out where they are inside." She turns to ZZ, "maybe we need to find this Atora woman to get more information on how to get in?"
Adding this so we don't have to go through the pages to find it later.
"Inside there are two that need rescuing. A old wildling, and a younger fit person. They'll be hard to miss, and likely in confinement," the beggar keeps looking around. Making sure the coast is clear. "To get inside, that is entirely up to you. A Noctis woman named Atora has fed me some information before. She has a tattoo of three blades on her middle finger. That's how you'll find her."
He beggar, releasing ZZ's hand begins to slink away a bit. "Just remember that the dullest dagger is the right dagger."
ZZ repeats what Lafetha has said - finding the women named Atora is our best bet to figure out what the situation is before we move forward. Maybe start off with the town center and see?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Well, if we are going to do this, let's try to not get in trouble doing it. The first step is reconnaissance; I want to know all the entrances and exits to the building, and I want to know what sort of visible security they have." Abigail starts to pace as she suggests the following actions:
"Tarak, your interest in these murders and position as a member of the Faith allows you to enter the building for legitimate reasons. Tomorrow morning I want you to see if you can inquire after these 'tiny holes' and if they have any information regarding this Butcher. No need to lie, this is all most likely a wild goose chase anyway, tell them your ship is resupplying here and you thought as an up-right member of the Faith, you would look into these murders. However, while you are in there, try to also get a feel for the interior layout and security."
"ZZ, does that... bird-thing have the ability communicate? If it can, go with Tarak tomorrow, but do not enter the building, and stay out of sight if you can. Getting an aerial view of the building might help get a better feel for any interior courtyards or alcoves. While you are at it, you and Lafetha can ask around to see if you can contact with this, Atora - maybe she can give you some information to either help us sneak in and out, or put your minds at ease about the well being of those being treated within."
Abigail pauses for a moment, thinking, before continuing. "Also, Lafetha, keep you eyes open for any sewers or other underground systems near the building. If there are any, you could use that magic stuff you do to turn yourself into a lizard or snake or something an get us some intelligence on the subterranean layout near the building... Could get lucky."
"I am going to make my own external observation of the building tomorrow to see if I can spot any alternative entrances we could utilize later. We should get as much intelligence as we can about the building without raising suspicions. Tomorrow afternoon we will come up with a plan based on the information we have gathered... Tomorrow night, if we have what we need, we will try to get into the building to 'rescue' these captive patience."
Stealth to keep a low profile while casing the building: 11
Perception to get information on visible levels security, alternative but useful entry points (unsecured second floor windows, cellar entrance, etc.), anything else that might be useful or out of the ordinary: 24
Using Detect Magic while casing the building exterior to also see if there is anything of particular interest.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
ZZ nods at Abigail's request, "Aye, Haku can speak with me. We will be sure to keep a low profile and I will ask about Atora as we go around." She turns to Haku and speaks, "Oi, bird brain, think you can do it?" Haku responds by pecking the end of her pert nose.
ZZ looks around alongside Lafetha to see if she notices this Atora women with the tattoo or the dagger that the man mentioned investigation14
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tarak nods and goes to rest for tomorrow.
In the morning Tarak heads out to visit the Mortis Foundation. He has the intent to learn as much about the murder victims, the injured in the hospital and the “prisoners” as possible.
”I am Tarak Duskbane Paladin of The Faith. I am here as I have been informed by the local temple that many of the victims have been brought here. I seek info on the means of death, location of the bodies, and ask if any phage turned up here injured in the same manner but not dead.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The crew heads off that afternoon to ask their questions, gather information, and scout out the locations.
The Mortis Foundation Building is rather easy to find. A central spot in the city center. The main building about three stories tall is easily accessible. A few windows and overhands would make it easier to scale. Behind the main building are a three other seemingly connected buildings, but they're behind a iron worked 8' fence. The tops of which seem to be spun with barbs and connected wire. Not the most complex of systems, but enough to ensnare and entangle a person for any particular guards that they likely have on hand.
The three buildings are a bit too far to get a good look at; some vines and other overgrowth on the fence obscuring view. Heading up and over to another building wouldn't give enough height - except for the Blackmire Company's Main Building - but that would also be a terrible idea.
(To see if people notice Abigail casting: 9)
Abigail.... The Fence itself seems to give off a faint aura of abjuration; but nothing else comes from the building. Detect Magic's range is rather limited and something like the fence - if solid - would stop it from penetrating. And while there are certainly people coming and going via the front, the obscurity of the fence and bad angles of the windows make it difficult to see if there's another entry point.
Tarak... once entering inside the main building you come into a large open waiting room. Sections broken up with hanging sheets on pull strings to turn what could be described as a grand 'hall' into different divisions to set up operations. The smell of various miasmas hang in the air; probably wafting from deeper within or where-ever they dump discarded parts. Stopping your way through the great hall is a wall with a series of doors; each made of thick metals. A few desks are before them with what could be a help center; Doctors and other Triage Members here to answer questions and assistance.
"You'd have to be more specific..." they begin but the conversation continues towards the Butcher and some of their irregularities. "Yes. The bodies did come through here. With the last one being maybe a week ago?" One looks to the other, and they give a bit of an affirming nod. "A week ago. But, unfortunately I cannot give out any information beyond that. We gave all appropriate information to Governor Holtz."
"Hopefully Senator Holtz," someone pipes in. Others rolls their eyes at the reference.
"If you come back with a writ of form from the Government, I can certainly make a copy of the findings and reports. But without that, I'm afraid I'm not allowed to permit such information to the public - or the Faith."
You certainly don't feel like anyone is lying or being dishonest; just bureaucratic and political nonsense. Still; something lingers about this place. Perhaps its the well made and clearly locked doors, or knowing there's more to the building than you're seeing. But you doubt you'll get anywhere with the front staff of these particular doctors.
Lafetha... You don't find any sewers. Not directly, at least. Towards the water's edge, away from the town proper and a bit off the shallow fisherman docks are some pipes that spill contents out over rocks. It smells absolutely vile. Like a mix of rotting and putrid materials mixed with random chemicals. It's wide enough to get through, but would certainly take some time - and be rather disgusting.
ZZ, you do see a person that fits the description of who you're looking for. A thin-framed, 50 something year old True-Born Noctis woman. The white hair. Red eyes. Sharp, pointed, angular features, patchy hair that is quite thin. She seems to run a bodega of strange oddities, tucked away. You do notice the tattoo on her finger as she strips the seeds and leaves off of some dried, smoked plants.
Disappointed by her lack of overall insight into the building, aside from a few more obvious spots, Abigail joins up with ZZ in order to approach the Noctis woman.
"Excuse me, are you Atora?"
((Assuming she replies in the affirmative, even if in a passive aggressive, "who wants to know," situation.))
"My friend here," Abigail gestures to ZZ, "ran into a beggar here in town that was apparently looking assistance with a matter close to him; and my friend, having a deep and generous heart, volunteered our services - without charge. He seemed to indicated that you might know a thing or two about Mortis Foundation's operations here in town, which is where he suggested some friends of his were being kept... apparently against their will."
((If not... Then ZZ can run point on this conversation.))
Atora doesn't turn around at first. Just casts her eyes over to the approaching duo, sizing them up a bit. Her hand moving and pulling the leaves off. That mark on her finger is similar in design to a pin that sometimes Sim wore, especially in town, when he was off doing whatever-it-was he tended to do during his free time.
"I am," she begins. "And I heard that a Gnome and a Rana would be approaching. It seems the Rana is elsewhere and this Gnome has more friends? Or maybe you're a Changeling and love to adopt new faces, yah?" Her pupils seem to flash silver for a moment, as a warm and sweet scent wafts over the two. The scent different for ZZ and Abigail to what they would find as warm and sweet.
"There are a two I've seen in there. A Redhel Woman and a Orcish Man. Neither want to be there. Bound up. Locked up. The beggar is a third of them, too. Escaped he did, and wants his friends out. They'd say they're diseased. And may it's true, but not their own doing. An experimentation. Given a poison of the blood which turns them reddish and... knobby."
Her arms cross over her chest, as she turns to look at them straight on. "Some nurses and doctors buy quite a few potions and rare herbs that I make. Roughly every few nights bringing a shipment 'round back. Only one or two come to collect before bringing it inside. If you're looking for a way in. But I'm afraid payment would be between you three. I'm just the messenger here."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tarak raises an eyebrow and looks at the staff appraisingly “I understand that you are just doing your job and if I must go get this letter to receive the info that will be helpful in my hunt to find and stop this butcher then I will. But I want to be clear I am not “the public”, nothing I am told will be passed along to your citizens, I am a Paladin, Blessed of the Iron Queen, sworn to the Towers of Order and War and it is my duty to stop people like this butcher. To protect those who can not protect themselves and those who help me will be blessed, woe be to anyone who intentionally delays me.”
Intimidation 10
If they consent to give the info then great if not he will nod and ask them if they would consent to a tour of their facility so he could better understand their organization since as a healing institution they also care for the public
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
((12))
The few doctors and others look a bit shocked. There's a small huddled whisper between two of them before someone stands up. "Well, I can certainly get something copied. Give me a little bit."
Another one does give Tarak a tour of the main room. Nothing behind the locked doors that lead elsewhere. How they're able to turn the chamber into particular segments; how in the war it was split into open surgeries and recovery. Behind the scenes being more for staff, research, and anything they can't handle on the main floor.
There's a lot of waiting around. Stories being told and things said to simply fill the gap of time. But about an two and a half later, a quickly written and somewhat typed up report does come Tarak's way. Several pages worth; likely copied by type-press combined with someone scribbling down in short hand. It's a bit disorganized; and a quick glance shows some redactions. The victim's names and addresses clearly have been removed. Multiple stab wounds. No pictures or diagrams; just their internal medical shorthand to paint the picture.
(You can use a long rest to make a medicine check to know more. You will not get any benefit of a long rest in staying up doing this research)
"Here you are. Certainly hope this will provide some help in the motive and search. A more detailed document would take a few days of properly putting together, so this is best we could do in the amount of time. Names and addresses are always confidential unless our supervisors get permission from the Family or the Government I'm afraid. Chartered Rules and Doctors Oaths and all that."
Abigail asks Atora, "So, do these doctors come out to purchase your potions here, or do you meet with them there at the back entrance? Would they be overly suspicious if their was a change up in who they got the potions from? When is the next round of potions likely to be purchased?"
Atora gives a small shrug for a moment. "People buying potions from a street merchant in the back of a facility is already suspicious. I'm sure you could talk away any suspicion. Or not and you too will vanish inside to never be seen." She looks back to the gnome for a brief moment. "I am the messenger. Payments are between you and the three; the beggar and those inside."
She turns and heads back to tending the herbs and plants. "Now I'm afraid I've said all I can. The rest is up to you if you go in the next three nights to the back of the place and knock twice at the door with the red mark."
Keeping them in the corner of her eye she does continue. "I'm afraid anymore makes me witness to whatever may or may not happen. And we can't have the messenger be that, now can we?"
Some customers arrive at her shop, and she moves over to begin discussing with them. Both ZZ and Abigail believe her words; and know they won't get any more information from her.
Officers of the Maiden; having gathered your information, what do you do?
"Alright, ZZ, it sounds like to help this beggar that you and Lafetha promised to aid, we are going to have to break into the building from the back. I would like to for us keep a low profile, so prepare yourself to sneak in and subdueas many people as possible, I do not fancy being on the Mortis Foundation's list of undesirables.We will make our move tonight."
Abigail will purchase some bottles and vials, and fill them with various colored liquids... Better to actually have some sort of props should they be needed. She is also going to grab her rope, because we are going to want to tie the guards up, should we successfully get that far.
((Hopefully, others have some input/ideas on how to stealth into this.))
Once night falls, she will gather everyone up and head out to find the rear door with the red marking.
Assuming everyone is ready and we have gotten to the door:
"Too many people is going to look suspicious, so the three of you need to hide until I can get them to open up the door and do business."
Abigail knocks on the door three times, then moves back a little ways so as not to be threatening to whoever opens the door.
Also, adding a Deception/Persuasion check in here, just in case that is needed: 9
ZZ and Haku hide in the bushes per Abigail's orders, a wonderful couple of branches just digging into her neck, curses for being short!
As she sees Abigail prepare herself a flash of knowledge comes to her. "ahhh..." She mutters, "How could I forget? Haven't used this since I was a child."
Using her gnome craftiness she snaps her fingers quietly from the bushes, creating an illusion around Abigail. Turning her regular clothes into that more befitting a doctor or nurse. Hopefully this will be a more convincing boon to get her in the door than anything she has to say.
As the illusion settles it tickles a bit, making Abigail look down and notice her sudden change in clothing. ZZ winks at her from the bushes.
That night, they head around to the back of the Mortis Foundation's facility. It's a much smaller building than the front - where Tarak had been earlier that day - but still extends out beyond the iron fence that keeps the middle of the complex obscured.
The building itself seems like a carriage house; the back doors left wide open to the empty almost warehouse like building. Little resides inside, save for a few random empty boxes and barrels; along with grooves in the ground from whatever carts of wagons were normally kept inside. Oil lamps hang from the ceiling and by the door - as well as cover the streets - casting shadows but keeping the city itself rather well luminated.
The back door is unremarkable. Heavy. Metal. The red marks that Atora told you about fairly visible; likely a pattern made by some kind of old blood spray. At least under casual investigation it seems that way.
"Alright, ZZ, it sounds like to help this beggar that you and Lafetha promised to aid, we are going to have to break into the building from the back. I would like to for us keep a low profile, so prepare yourself to sneak in and subdueas many people as possible, I do not fancy being on the Mortis Foundation's list of undesirables.We will make our move tonight."
Abigail will purchase some bottles and vials, and fill them with various colored liquids... Better to actually have some sort of props should they be needed. She is also going to grab her rope, because we are going to want to tie the guards up, should we successfully get that far.
((Hopefully, others have some input/ideas on how to stealth into this.))
Once night falls, she will gather everyone up and head out to find the rear door with the red marking.
Assuming everyone is ready and we have gotten to the door:
"Too many people is going to look suspicious, so the three of you need to hide until I can get them to open up the door and do business."
Abigail knocks on the door three times, then moves back a little ways so as not to be threatening to whoever opens the door.
Also, adding a Deception/Persuasion check in here, just in case that is needed: 10
ZZ and Haku hide in the bushes per Abigail's orders, a wonderful couple of branches just digging into her neck, curses for being short!
As she sees Abigail prepare herself a flash of knowledge comes to her. "ahhh..." She mutters, "How could I forget? Haven't used this since I was a child."
Using her gnome craftiness she snaps her fingers quietly from the bushes, creating an illusion around Abigail. Turning her regular clothes into that more befitting a doctor or nurse. Hopefully this will be a more convincing boon to get her in the door than anything she has to say.
As the illusion settles it tickles a bit, making Abigail look down and notice her sudden change in clothing. ZZ winks at her from the bushes.
((ZZ, Tarak, & Lafetha - give a Stealth check if you're trying to be obscured somewhere. As well as anything you may have done ahead of time))
The back door can be heard unbolting. It's hinges fairly quiet though; swinging open as two step out, giving a quick look around. A third stays in the doorway, looking around quickly. The two give Abigail a once over - looking her up and down. Doing their best to assess before a quick. "Ok... what ya got."
For those not following along with my calculations, you received 10 gold from our selling of the pirated goods.
Abigail struggles for a bit, absolutely not wanting to get caught up in breaking into a hospital to save two poor - likely crazy - individuals. However, she still thinks that ZZ might be a valuable companion to maintain over the course of their journey, and starting off by denying her first major request - as completely odd as it is - might not put her in good standing with her...
'Sometimes you have to have faith in your crew, before they are willing to have faith in you...'
"Alright, ZZ... and Laftetha... Did you have any particular ideas for how we were going to break into this hospital to 'rescue' these individuals?"
Tarak thanks them for the info and heads back to the ship. When he arrives he tells Abigail about the local political upheavals and what he had uncovered about the deaths and the butcher. “Lots of little holes makes me think of needles not knives but this mortis foundation seems to be a good place to get more info.”
Once brought up to speed on what ZZ promised and it also being the mortis foundation causes Tarak to hesitate as coincidences like this can also be their path being guided by the Queen or warning from it.
”It is your call Captain”
"You two bark about how risky this is, and I agree, but I have a feeling they are not doing things ethically in there and we must help these people. Maybe we can go in through the side or the back, I'm not sure, but that has never stopped us before! Also, Tarak it sounds like they could have something to do with all these little holes...." she trails off into thought...."Maybe we could just walk through the front doors! Don't you have it in with the Queen? You can distract her while me and ZZ sneak around!.... just a thought....maybe..."
"ZZ and I know who we are looking for, we just need to figure out where they are inside." She turns to ZZ, "maybe we need to find this Atora woman to get more information on how to get in?"
Adding this so we don't have to go through the pages to find it later.
"Inside there are two that need rescuing. A old wildling, and a younger fit person. They'll be hard to miss, and likely in confinement," the beggar keeps looking around. Making sure the coast is clear. "To get inside, that is entirely up to you. A Noctis woman named Atora has fed me some information before. She has a tattoo of three blades on her middle finger. That's how you'll find her."
He beggar, releasing ZZ's hand begins to slink away a bit. "Just remember that the dullest dagger is the right dagger."
ZZ repeats what Lafetha has said - finding the women named Atora is our best bet to figure out what the situation is before we move forward. Maybe start off with the town center and see?
"Well, if we are going to do this, let's try to not get in trouble doing it. The first step is reconnaissance; I want to know all the entrances and exits to the building, and I want to know what sort of visible security they have." Abigail starts to pace as she suggests the following actions:
"Tarak, your interest in these murders and position as a member of the Faith allows you to enter the building for legitimate reasons. Tomorrow morning I want you to see if you can inquire after these 'tiny holes' and if they have any information regarding this Butcher. No need to lie, this is all most likely a wild goose chase anyway, tell them your ship is resupplying here and you thought as an up-right member of the Faith, you would look into these murders. However, while you are in there, try to also get a feel for the interior layout and security."
"ZZ, does that... bird-thing have the ability communicate? If it can, go with Tarak tomorrow, but do not enter the building, and stay out of sight if you can. Getting an aerial view of the building might help get a better feel for any interior courtyards or alcoves. While you are at it, you and Lafetha can ask around to see if you can contact with this, Atora - maybe she can give you some information to either help us sneak in and out, or put your minds at ease about the well being of those being treated within."
Abigail pauses for a moment, thinking, before continuing. "Also, Lafetha, keep you eyes open for any sewers or other underground systems near the building. If there are any, you could use that magic stuff you do to turn yourself into a lizard or snake or something an get us some intelligence on the subterranean layout near the building... Could get lucky."
"I am going to make my own external observation of the building tomorrow to see if I can spot any alternative entrances we could utilize later. We should get as much intelligence as we can about the building without raising suspicions. Tomorrow afternoon we will come up with a plan based on the information we have gathered... Tomorrow night, if we have what we need, we will try to get into the building to 'rescue' these captive patience."
Stealth to keep a low profile while casing the building: 11
Perception to get information on visible levels security, alternative but useful entry points (unsecured second floor windows, cellar entrance, etc.), anything else that might be useful or out of the ordinary: 24
Using Detect Magic while casing the building exterior to also see if there is anything of particular interest.
"sounds like a plan! Alright ZZ let's head off and see if we can find Aorta." perception 24 to look for the sewer system when moving through town.
ZZ nods at Abigail's request, "Aye, Haku can speak with me. We will be sure to keep a low profile and I will ask about Atora as we go around." She turns to Haku and speaks, "Oi, bird brain, think you can do it?" Haku responds by pecking the end of her pert nose.
ZZ looks around alongside Lafetha to see if she notices this Atora women with the tattoo or the dagger that the man mentioned investigation14
Haku stealth21
Tarak nods and goes to rest for tomorrow.
In the morning Tarak heads out to visit the Mortis Foundation. He has the intent to learn as much about the murder victims, the injured in the hospital and the “prisoners” as possible.
”I am Tarak Duskbane Paladin of The Faith. I am here as I have been informed by the local temple that many of the victims have been brought here. I seek info on the means of death, location of the bodies, and ask if any phage turned up here injured in the same manner but not dead.”
Persuasion 21
Medicine 15
Insight 13
The crew heads off that afternoon to ask their questions, gather information, and scout out the locations.
The Mortis Foundation Building is rather easy to find. A central spot in the city center. The main building about three stories tall is easily accessible. A few windows and overhands would make it easier to scale. Behind the main building are a three other seemingly connected buildings, but they're behind a iron worked 8' fence. The tops of which seem to be spun with barbs and connected wire. Not the most complex of systems, but enough to ensnare and entangle a person for any particular guards that they likely have on hand.
The three buildings are a bit too far to get a good look at; some vines and other overgrowth on the fence obscuring view. Heading up and over to another building wouldn't give enough height - except for the Blackmire Company's Main Building - but that would also be a terrible idea.
(To see if people notice Abigail casting: 9)
Abigail.... The Fence itself seems to give off a faint aura of abjuration; but nothing else comes from the building. Detect Magic's range is rather limited and something like the fence - if solid - would stop it from penetrating. And while there are certainly people coming and going via the front, the obscurity of the fence and bad angles of the windows make it difficult to see if there's another entry point.
Tarak... once entering inside the main building you come into a large open waiting room. Sections broken up with hanging sheets on pull strings to turn what could be described as a grand 'hall' into different divisions to set up operations. The smell of various miasmas hang in the air; probably wafting from deeper within or where-ever they dump discarded parts. Stopping your way through the great hall is a wall with a series of doors; each made of thick metals. A few desks are before them with what could be a help center; Doctors and other Triage Members here to answer questions and assistance.
"You'd have to be more specific..." they begin but the conversation continues towards the Butcher and some of their irregularities. "Yes. The bodies did come through here. With the last one being maybe a week ago?" One looks to the other, and they give a bit of an affirming nod. "A week ago. But, unfortunately I cannot give out any information beyond that. We gave all appropriate information to Governor Holtz."
"Hopefully Senator Holtz," someone pipes in. Others rolls their eyes at the reference.
"If you come back with a writ of form from the Government, I can certainly make a copy of the findings and reports. But without that, I'm afraid I'm not allowed to permit such information to the public - or the Faith."
You certainly don't feel like anyone is lying or being dishonest; just bureaucratic and political nonsense. Still; something lingers about this place. Perhaps its the well made and clearly locked doors, or knowing there's more to the building than you're seeing. But you doubt you'll get anywhere with the front staff of these particular doctors.
Lafetha... You don't find any sewers. Not directly, at least. Towards the water's edge, away from the town proper and a bit off the shallow fisherman docks are some pipes that spill contents out over rocks. It smells absolutely vile. Like a mix of rotting and putrid materials mixed with random chemicals. It's wide enough to get through, but would certainly take some time - and be rather disgusting.
ZZ, you do see a person that fits the description of who you're looking for. A thin-framed, 50 something year old True-Born Noctis woman. The white hair. Red eyes. Sharp, pointed, angular features, patchy hair that is quite thin. She seems to run a bodega of strange oddities, tucked away. You do notice the tattoo on her finger as she strips the seeds and leaves off of some dried, smoked plants.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Disappointed by her lack of overall insight into the building, aside from a few more obvious spots, Abigail joins up with ZZ in order to approach the Noctis woman.
"Excuse me, are you Atora?"
((Assuming she replies in the affirmative, even if in a passive aggressive, "who wants to know," situation.))
"My friend here," Abigail gestures to ZZ, "ran into a beggar here in town that was apparently looking assistance with a matter close to him; and my friend, having a deep and generous heart, volunteered our services - without charge. He seemed to indicated that you might know a thing or two about Mortis Foundation's operations here in town, which is where he suggested some friends of his were being kept... apparently against their will."
((If not... Then ZZ can run point on this conversation.))
Atora doesn't turn around at first. Just casts her eyes over to the approaching duo, sizing them up a bit. Her hand moving and pulling the leaves off. That mark on her finger is similar in design to a pin that sometimes Sim wore, especially in town, when he was off doing whatever-it-was he tended to do during his free time.
"I am," she begins. "And I heard that a Gnome and a Rana would be approaching. It seems the Rana is elsewhere and this Gnome has more friends? Or maybe you're a Changeling and love to adopt new faces, yah?" Her pupils seem to flash silver for a moment, as a warm and sweet scent wafts over the two. The scent different for ZZ and Abigail to what they would find as warm and sweet.
"There are a two I've seen in there. A Redhel Woman and a Orcish Man. Neither want to be there. Bound up. Locked up. The beggar is a third of them, too. Escaped he did, and wants his friends out. They'd say they're diseased. And may it's true, but not their own doing. An experimentation. Given a poison of the blood which turns them reddish and... knobby."
Her arms cross over her chest, as she turns to look at them straight on. "Some nurses and doctors buy quite a few potions and rare herbs that I make. Roughly every few nights bringing a shipment 'round back. Only one or two come to collect before bringing it inside. If you're looking for a way in. But I'm afraid payment would be between you three. I'm just the messenger here."
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Tarak raises an eyebrow and looks at the staff appraisingly “I understand that you are just doing your job and if I must go get this letter to receive the info that will be helpful in my hunt to find and stop this butcher then I will. But I want to be clear I am not “the public”, nothing I am told will be passed along to your citizens, I am a Paladin, Blessed of the Iron Queen, sworn to the Towers of Order and War and it is my duty to stop people like this butcher. To protect those who can not protect themselves and those who help me will be blessed, woe be to anyone who intentionally delays me.”
Intimidation 10
If they consent to give the info then great if not he will nod and ask them if they would consent to a tour of their facility so he could better understand their organization since as a healing institution they also care for the public
((12))
The few doctors and others look a bit shocked. There's a small huddled whisper between two of them before someone stands up. "Well, I can certainly get something copied. Give me a little bit."
Another one does give Tarak a tour of the main room. Nothing behind the locked doors that lead elsewhere. How they're able to turn the chamber into particular segments; how in the war it was split into open surgeries and recovery. Behind the scenes being more for staff, research, and anything they can't handle on the main floor.
There's a lot of waiting around. Stories being told and things said to simply fill the gap of time. But about an two and a half later, a quickly written and somewhat typed up report does come Tarak's way. Several pages worth; likely copied by type-press combined with someone scribbling down in short hand. It's a bit disorganized; and a quick glance shows some redactions. The victim's names and addresses clearly have been removed. Multiple stab wounds. No pictures or diagrams; just their internal medical shorthand to paint the picture.
(You can use a long rest to make a medicine check to know more. You will not get any benefit of a long rest in staying up doing this research)
"Here you are. Certainly hope this will provide some help in the motive and search. A more detailed document would take a few days of properly putting together, so this is best we could do in the amount of time. Names and addresses are always confidential unless our supervisors get permission from the Family or the Government I'm afraid. Chartered Rules and Doctors Oaths and all that."
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Abigail asks Atora, "So, do these doctors come out to purchase your potions here, or do you meet with them there at the back entrance? Would they be overly suspicious if their was a change up in who they got the potions from? When is the next round of potions likely to be purchased?"
ZZ looks determined at the woman. "What type of payment?"
Atora gives a small shrug for a moment. "People buying potions from a street merchant in the back of a facility is already suspicious. I'm sure you could talk away any suspicion. Or not and you too will vanish inside to never be seen." She looks back to the gnome for a brief moment. "I am the messenger. Payments are between you and the three; the beggar and those inside."
She turns and heads back to tending the herbs and plants. "Now I'm afraid I've said all I can. The rest is up to you if you go in the next three nights to the back of the place and knock twice at the door with the red mark."
Keeping them in the corner of her eye she does continue. "I'm afraid anymore makes me witness to whatever may or may not happen. And we can't have the messenger be that, now can we?"
Some customers arrive at her shop, and she moves over to begin discussing with them. Both ZZ and Abigail believe her words; and know they won't get any more information from her.
Officers of the Maiden; having gathered your information, what do you do?
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
"Alright, ZZ, it sounds like to help this beggar that you and Lafetha promised to aid, we are going to have to break into the building from the back. I would like to for us keep a low profile, so prepare yourself to sneak in and subdue as many people as possible, I do not fancy being on the Mortis Foundation's list of undesirables.We will make our move tonight."
Abigail will purchase some bottles and vials, and fill them with various colored liquids... Better to actually have some sort of props should they be needed. She is also going to grab her rope, because we are going to want to tie the guards up, should we successfully get that far.
((Hopefully, others have some input/ideas on how to stealth into this.))
Once night falls, she will gather everyone up and head out to find the rear door with the red marking.
Assuming everyone is ready and we have gotten to the door:
"Too many people is going to look suspicious, so the three of you need to hide until I can get them to open up the door and do business."
Abigail knocks on the door three times, then moves back a little ways so as not to be threatening to whoever opens the door.
Also, adding a Deception/Persuasion check in here, just in case that is needed: 9
ZZ and Haku hide in the bushes per Abigail's orders, a wonderful couple of branches just digging into her neck, curses for being short!
As she sees Abigail prepare herself a flash of knowledge comes to her. "ahhh..." She mutters, "How could I forget? Haven't used this since I was a child."
Using her gnome craftiness she snaps her fingers quietly from the bushes, creating an illusion around Abigail. Turning her regular clothes into that more befitting a doctor or nurse. Hopefully this will be a more convincing boon to get her in the door than anything she has to say.
As the illusion settles it tickles a bit, making Abigail look down and notice her sudden change in clothing. ZZ winks at her from the bushes.
That night, they head around to the back of the Mortis Foundation's facility. It's a much smaller building than the front - where Tarak had been earlier that day - but still extends out beyond the iron fence that keeps the middle of the complex obscured.
The building itself seems like a carriage house; the back doors left wide open to the empty almost warehouse like building. Little resides inside, save for a few random empty boxes and barrels; along with grooves in the ground from whatever carts of wagons were normally kept inside. Oil lamps hang from the ceiling and by the door - as well as cover the streets - casting shadows but keeping the city itself rather well luminated.
The back door is unremarkable. Heavy. Metal. The red marks that Atora told you about fairly visible; likely a pattern made by some kind of old blood spray. At least under casual investigation it seems that way.
((ZZ, Tarak, & Lafetha - give a Stealth check if you're trying to be obscured somewhere. As well as anything you may have done ahead of time))
The back door can be heard unbolting. It's hinges fairly quiet though; swinging open as two step out, giving a quick look around. A third stays in the doorway, looking around quickly. The two give Abigail a once over - looking her up and down. Doing their best to assess before a quick. "Ok... what ya got."
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Laftetha casts pass without trace on herself. "Okay stay close, and we should be okay." ((Add +10 to stealth))
stealth 30 (17)