004. Sanuth

[Corwin]

[19:45] <Aaeru> "So...." Aaeru shuffles her feet uncertainly. "Is there anything at all you could tell us?"
[19:52] <Kotono_Ibis> Sylvie glances at Aaeru but keeps her mouth shut. Meanwhile, "If there is something wrong and he's in trouble, have a soft step. Cruel, greedy men are often violent men. Step carefully."
[19:54] <Janson> "I guess we could try talking to the merchant, then?" Janson suggests, not particularly inspired to help now that he knows they've been dicked around but figuring it would set a bad impression of their new business not to be persistent.
[19:55] <Aaeru> "Ah, I didn't mean advice... no, never mind..." Aaeru says quietly, trailing off. She nods empathically at Janson. "Right! Let's go and try!"
[19:56] <Kotono_Ibis> "Thank you then," Sylvie smiles politely, "Shall we all go then?"
[19:57] * Janson nods to Sylvie and heads out. "Do people often lie when they're asking for help, here?" he asks his more worldly companions once away from Andrea's friend.
[19:57] <Kotono_Ibis> Sylvie scratches her head, "Um, I think he's...I'm not sure what happened there. His logic seems a littttle bit tenous."
[19:58] <Aaeru> "It would be wrong for me to say anything here," Aaeru responds, "because I don't like to speak ill of people."
[19:58] <Wayland> "I hope that this does not become a trend. I do not appreciate being toyed with by those we are trying to help." Wayland says darkly as he leaves.
[19:59] <Janson> "Once we have a reputation we can be more choosy, at least," Janson offers optimisticly. "So, how will we approach the merchant? Just go up and ask if he has any troubles? Spy on him from a distance? Ask around for rumours?"
[20:00] <Aaeru> "Asking around to be at our best is what I intended to do," Aaeru says in approval. "The more we know, the better prepared we are to deal with any situation!"
[20:01] <Wayland> "Indeed, being unprepared for the situation is a poor way to attend to it." Wayland agrees.
[20:02] <Kotono_Ibis> OOC: Okay, so I presume this is going to provoke GI'ing?
[20:02] <Aaeru> OOC: Okay. We can all aid, or just roll in two groups?
[20:02] <Kotono_Ibis> OOC: Depends on how you guys want to handle this.
[20:03] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+3 me!
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+3 me! and gets 18." [1d20=15]
[20:04] <Kotono_Ibis> OOC: Okay, I presume that's a GI check? Any of the rest of you making your own rolls or trying to aid or anything else?
[20:04] <Janson> roll 1d20+7 Andrea goes off by herself
[20:04] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+7 Andrea goes off by herself and gets 9." [1d20=2]
[20:04] <Janson> roll 1d20+2 Janson will aid Aaeru since she's a real girl and not a robot
[20:04] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+2 Janson will aid Aaeru since she's a real girl and not a robot and gets 5." [1d20=3]
[20:05] <Wayland> roll 1d20+1 assist Aaeru!
[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+1 assist Aaeru! and gets 14." [1d20=13]
[20:05] <Kotono_Ibis> roll 1d20+4 Sylvie will aid as well.
[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono_Ibis rolls 1d20+4 Sylvie will aid as well. and gets 18." [1d20=14]
[20:05] <Aaeru> OOC: 22
[20:08] <Kotono_Ibis> Thus the party begins to ask around! Early on Andrea wanders off, chasing her own leads! The rest stay together as they ask around. You end up in the New City, in a quiet bayside restaurant called the Boiling Mollusk.  Over a lunch of fire baked fish with lemon, corn and bread you talk to an indolent man. He is eating slowly, eyes drooping down. He's in his middle age, a slight paunch as he
[20:08] <Kotono_Ibis> nibbles on his lunch. "Sanuth?" He raises an eyebrow, "Shhhh. Keep your voices down."
[20:09] * Aaeru is not in the habit of yelling at people unless they deserve it somehow! She nods, listening attentively and silently gesturing him to go on.
[20:11] * Wayland nods and say lowly, "What can you tell us good sir?"
[20:11] <Kotono_Ibis> "I know him, traded with him a few times over the years." He picks at his food, "Now...if one of you would be so kind as to pick up the tab for lunch? It's only a few pennies for the lunch special here. Once the bill's paid for I'll be happy to chat."
[20:12] <Wayland> "Aye, I can do that for you."
[20:12] <Aaeru> Already looking expectantly at Wayland, Aaeru is not disappointed in his ready kindness!
[20:13] <Kotono_Ibis> "Then we're in business," Smiling to that, "Sanuth's a good guy. A bit squirrely and troll-pecked, but eh." He shrugs his shoulders, "But recently...that's what you're here for, I'd bet." Taking a moment to clear his throat, "He's been sweaty, nervous, desperate. Seen him yourself lately?"
[20:14] <Janson> "Only heard second hand," Janson chips in, joining the conversation.
[20:14] <Wayland> "NAy, we've not met him yet."
[20:14] <Aaeru> "He is a bit elusive, but it does sound just like we heard," Aaeru agrees, nodding.
[20:16] <Kotono_Ibis> "He made a bad trade, story goes," Going on, "Well, that's the rumor. You all know the Vitalists over from when Malmuth broke up?"
[20:16] * Wayland nods.
[20:16] * Aaeru doesn't really know much about such things herself, keeping quiet.
[20:16] <Janson> Janson's face is rather blank as well.
[20:19] <Kotono_Ibis> "Some of them didn't fit into the new realms even when they got their wish. Rebels without a cause, idiots, malcontents. There's a lodge of 'em a bit east of Balmuria. Keep to themselves, don't make trouble for no one. Story goes that Sanuth had a contract with them and made some trades - but after one trip a bit ot the east he came back all spooked and scared."
[20:20] <Janson> "Any idea what he's scared of?" Janson asks, perking up. This sounds more interesting!
[20:21] <Kotono_Ibis> "Hell if I know." WIth that, keeping his voice low, "But he's damn-right petrified." Taking a moment to spear some fish and eat it down, "I don't have a stake in it, I'm staying the hell away frmo it."
[20:22] <Kotono_Ibis> roll 1d100 unrelated to you guys at the moment.
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono_Ibis rolls 1d100 unrelated to you guys at the moment. and gets 10." [1d100=10]
[20:22] * Wayland nods. "Any way you could point us to where we could find him?"
[20:23] <Aaeru> "How far east is this lodge of theirs?" Aaeru inquires.
[20:24] <Kotono_Ibis> "Sanuth or that lodge?" Asking Wayland with a glance, "Sanuth is staying in the Old City...oh, what's the name?" Snapping his fingers, "Something point? Dawn Pointe Inn, that's it. That lodge is about a quarter day's trip from here. Name's the Silverback Lodge. Pretty non descript, I was by it once. Stone, old style construction, but it's new."
[20:24] <Kotono_Ibis> Meanwhile Andrea enters the restaurant, able to see the party chatting away at once table.
[20:25] <Andria> Andrea waves at them all, as she heads towards them! She has a disappointed look on her face. "No luck on my end..." she says as she reaches them.
[20:26] <Aaeru> "Sanuth is the only one who tried to trade with them?"
[20:27] <Kotono_Ibis> "Doubt it," The man says, "I don't know who else might have offhand. I know since I know Sanuth, see, not the lodge. You want to find that out, ask about the lodge, I reckon." Pausing to eat down a little more and then yawn, "Mmmmmm. You got the look  of an odd bunch to you. You go causing trouble, keep me out of it, you hear?"
[20:27] <Janson> "We solve trouble, not cause it!" Janson asserts. "If you're in trouble, call on Whimsical Sweets for help!"
[20:28] <Wayland> "Whimsical Sweets and Troubleshooting, that is."
[20:28] * Janson winces at the correction.
[20:29] <Kotono_Ibis> Offering his hand out to the party, "Hah, I heard about you guys earlier today! I heard your shop had an earthquake and it's owned by Earth Elementals. Name's Rylan, I'll remember that if I need any trouble shot like a deer before the huntress."
[20:30] <Aaeru> "It is run by a fearsome Candymancer!" Aaeru says, shaking his hand. "Never in my life have I seen magic such as his!"
[20:30] <Wayland> "...Earth Elementals?"
[20:31] * Janson quickly shakes his hand to make up for his faux pas. "You do that! We're really good and our rates are reasonable!" At least he assumes so, for both.
[20:31] <Kotono_Ibis> He has a good, strong grip, Aaeru finds. "Yeah. Those big stony things that come bearing gemstones and precious metals a few times a year," Ryland says.
[20:32] <Wayland> "Not as far as I'm aware. All we have is ourselves and a half-elven proprieter."
[20:33] <Andria> Andrea has been watching quietly as the group finishes up talking with this Rylan guy, deciding to wait for them to finish before getting them to explain what they've found, as they've obviously had better luck with leads than her.
[20:34] <Kotono_Ibis> "Huh, rumors," With a shrug, "THat's what you get," He finishes up his lunch, "Thanks for the meal, good luck with what you're looking into."
[20:35] <Janson> "So, now we need to try and dig up information on these Vitalists?" Janson regards his companions, letting the man away.
[20:35] <Kotono_Ibis> "Or that lodge," Sylvie says, "This is getting to be like a mystery story. More questions as we find answers."
[20:35] <Wayland> "That shouldn't be hard, if you want it. Just ask any local guard. They're likely to know what they're on guard for."
[20:35] <Aaeru> "Now, I think we should actually go and see Sanuth," Aaeru says, once Andrea rejoins them. "We know enough to ask him outright what is going on."
[20:36] <Andria> "Vitalists? What information did you guys find?" Andrea asks.
[20:37] <Janson> "Sanuth did some trades with some Vitalists and came back really scared," Janson summarises for Andrea.
[20:37] <Wayland> "Sanuth did some trade deals with some Vitalists located in a lodge to the east of the city, and whatever they're doing has him pretty scared." says Wayland.
[20:37] <Aaeru> "He may be being blackmailed or coerced by them. If we approach him and say the right things while letting him assume we know more, he might take us into his confidence. Then we can get to the bottom of this!"
[20:38] <Janson> "Okay, we can do that," Janson nods, quickly moving past his and Wayland's falling over each other to impress Andrea.
[20:39] <Aaeru> "So, Dawn Pointe Inn?"
[20:41] <Kotono_Ibis> The Dawn Pointe Inn is tucked away on the southwestern part of the Old City. It's down a quiet sidestreet, next door to what looks to be a bookbinder's shop. Just inside an young man just into his teens paces back and forth, a dagger in hand. Every few moments he goes, "HAH!" and makes a dramatic lunge! On the party entering he turns quickly! "Ah! Guests are here, Mom, Dad!"
[20:43] <Kotono_Ibis> There is a hall and several doors to the back. Out of one door a middle aged man, bald as a baby, comes out. He walks with a cane, a warm smile. "Guests?" He offers a hand out, "Kinna. Will the five of you be needing rooms?"
[20:45] <Aaeru> "Hello there!" Aaeru greets him, shaking his hand. "We are actually here to see one of the people lodging here. Would that be possible? It is a mechant named Sanuth."
[20:46] <Kotono_Ibis> "Guests can have visitors, it's not a jail," With a chuckle as he rubs his neck, an angry red mark on the side of it, "This way, I'll walk you there."
[20:46] <Aaeru> "Thanks!"
[20:46] <Kotono_Ibis> You are escorted down the hall to a room on the first floor. Kinna steps back and walks back the way you came, a nod to the party.
[20:47] * Janson bravely knocks on the door!
[20:47] <Kotono_Ibis> Instantly, "Who is it?" Is fired right back out. A man's voice, sharp and quick.
[20:48] <Janson> "Whimsical Sweets Troubleshooters!" Janson calls, before beaming proudly at the rest of the group for remembering the full name this time.
[20:51] <Kotono_Ibis> With a jerk the door opens. Inside is a man with mousy brown hair and blue eyes. He gives the party a once over, "W-what is it?" he asks.
[20:51] <Aaeru> "May we come in, please?" Aaeru asks, smiling at the man. "This is not a matter we should discuss in the hallway, after all."
[20:53] <Kotono_Ibis> He gives Aaeru a long look...OOC: Make a charisma check with a +1 bonus, you look pretty non-threatening.
[20:53] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+4
[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+4 and gets 14." [1d20=10]
[20:56] <Kotono_Ibis> He exhales very long and steps back, "Come in," His voice marshals some composure, waiting for all to be in before quickly shutting the door. "What do you want?"
[20:57] <Aaeru> "You seem to be in a great deal of trouble," Aaeru says, stepping inside at the invitation and taking a look around. "We could help. How about it?"
[20:58] <Janson> "We help the helpless," Janson adds reassuringly, before pausing. "Not that I'm saying you're helpless, just that you could use... help."
[20:58] <Kotono_Ibis> "How do-I mean, what do you mean?" His breathing quickens as he eyes them again, "I'm just a traveling merchant!"
[20:59] <Wayland> "We've asked around enough to know you're in some sort of trouble with a lodge of Vitalists, Sanuth."
[21:01] <Kotono_Ibis> Sanuth's color turns to the shade of ashes and cream as he staggers back, "Y-you know?" He holds his hands up before ducking back, stumbling onto the inn room's bed. "It was an accident! I didn't mean to do it! I swear on my mother's grave!"
[21:02] * Wayland raises an eyebrow.
[21:02] <Wayland> "Perhaps you had better tell us the whole story."
[21:02] <Andria> "I'm sure you didn't mean to, and that's why we're here to help!"
[21:02] <Aaeru> "I believe you," Aaeru instantly says. "But that's not the same as saying you are not in trouble, is it? So how about it?"
[21:04] <Kotono_Ibis> "I...You can't tell anyone, I mean..." Sanuth shudders, "I didn't mean to..." Looking up at them, "But...I can't. Everyone will find out then, and...I'll be ruined!"
[21:05] <Aaeru> "If we can help you resolve things, there really wouldn't be a need to tell anyone..." Aaeru says uncertainly.
[21:05] <Wayland> "We are -troubleshooters,- good sir, not rumormongers. We will do our best to help you out of the situation you are in."
[21:07] <Janson> "Unless you did something really really bad," Janson puts in with utmost honesty. "But I'm sure you're just making a mountain out of a molehill!" he quickly reassures.
[21:07] <Kotono_Ibis> "But..." Sanuth looks back and forth, "You won't? Really? But he told me everyone would know!"
[21:07] <Aaeru> "Who did?"
[21:07] <Wayland> "Well...right now -nobody- knows. We can't help you if we don't know, though."
[21:13] <Kotono_Ibis> "I...Iw ent to the lodge...I had to stay the night..." He draws in breath, "THere'd been a lot less people there than before, but one of them...his name's Qusela. Then..." He draws in more breath and rubs his face, "It was at night. I heard something just out the hall, so I grabbed my knife and went to investigate. I went out and I heard something behind me...I was scared...I turned and stabbed
[21:13] <Kotono_Ibis> and...it...it was just..."
[21:14] <Janson> "You stabbed Qusela?" Janson's eyes widen. "Is he okay? Did you kill him?"
[21:14] <Andria> Andrea winces. This...doesn't sound like something they -should- keep quiet about. But maybe there was more? She hoped...
[21:16] <Kotono_Ibis> "No...It was a young woman...and...she collapsed, so much blood and..." He shudders, "Qusela heard the noise and came out. He told me we had to hide the body or I'd be hanged." He breathes ina nd out, "That my secret was too dark for anyone to know. But he'd help me...he helped me hide the body. When it was found no one suspected me. He said it would be fine. But then...he came and asked for
[21:16] <Kotono_Ibis> money or he said he'd have to tell people what really happened."
[21:17] <Wayland> "What did this woman look like, Sanuth? And Qusela?"
[21:18] <Janson> "Um..." Janson thinks back to what he said about keeping quiet unless it was something really really bad. This qualifies by his measure. "You definitely killed her?" Maybe she just fainted and Qusela made it out to be worse for some reason?
[21:19] <Aaeru> Either he was set up from the start and the woman is alive, being in on this, or this is a murder and blackmail situation. Either way, that lodge would need to be visited, and Sanuth cannot possibly escape the Guard's involvement, Aaeru realizes.
[21:19] <Kotono_Ibis> "She was young, had brown hair and a lovely smile," Shaking his head, "Or...I bet she did. And..." He looks down at his hands, "I did. I ...she was dead." He holds his head in his hands, "Qusela is plain. Black hair, talkative in a good way."
[21:20] * Wayland nods. "I see. What road did you usually take to the lodge?"
[21:21] <Andria> Andrea bites the lower side of her lip. There really isn't much one can do to help the merchant when he was a -murderer- instead of a victim! She lets the others ask their questions, but feels that the only thing they can do to help the merchant at this point is to turn him in...
[21:22] <Kotono_Ibis> "The High Road for a mile and a half, then off the main roads and onto dirt ones," he answers slowly, "W-why?"
[21:23] <Wayland> "Because I've seen situations like this before, and you're not the first person to be conned by someone. I'd like to check the place for myself before making a decision on how to proceed."
[21:23] <Aaeru> "You said you heard something in the hall?" Aaeru asks him suddenly. "Can you describe what it was? Also, the reason for your visit to the lodge at the time?"
[21:25] <Kotono_Ibis> "Conned?" He looks to Wayland sharply, "How...why? Why would someone DO that? That poor girl! I mean..." He bites down on his knuckles, "It was like a heavy shuffling and thumping."
[21:26] <Wayland> "Could you see clearly when you stabbed her, or was it dark?"
[21:26] <Kotono_Ibis> "I-it was dark, I was scared and I heard it behind me!"
[21:27] <Aaeru> "Where is the knife you used for it?"
[21:28] <Wayland> "Just what I was thinking, Aaeru."
[21:29] <Kotono_Ibis> "I...we threw it away afterwards," He says, "Qusela said we had to get rid of it. He took it and got rid of it...but he claimed later he still has it."
[21:30] <Wayland> "Of course he does. I don't suppose you know where you got the knife, do you?"
[21:31] <Kotono_Ibis> "I got it years ago for self defense on the road," Sanuth says, "From a blacksmith in Valandia."
[21:32] * Wayland nods. "I'd still like to get a look at the lodge. Rest assured that your story is safe with us."
[21:32] <Janson> "Maybe it's all a trick to get money out of you," Janson offers, although he doesn't really believe it and looks at Sanuth with obvious suspicion.
[21:34] * Wayland leans back against a wall, allowing others to ask their questions.
[21:34] <Kotono_Ibis> "It's not a trick!" Sanuth pleads, "I...itw as just a mistake! An accident!"
[21:35] <Andria> "You know...even if you are being conned, look at your current state, living with this guilt, under constant stress and worry...Can't you tell you picked the wrong choice?" Andrea counters.
[21:35] <Aaeru> "We have all we need for now," Aaeru says. "Whatever the truth behind the incident, you are being blackmailed. That is not right. Please stay here until that matter is resolved, or you will keep on running for the rest of your life. That is no way to spend it, constantly looking over your shoulder."
[21:36] <Janson> "You should have come clean, or put all your money towards getting a priestess to reincarnate her," Janson tells him sollemnly.
[21:36] <Andria> "The right thing to do would be to turn yourself in, sir," Andrea adds. "If we can prove this was an attempt to extort money out from you, you'd be freed, and at least you'd know you did the right thing..." Andrea leaves unsaid what happens if it -wasn't- a con.