Quest #47 "The Eyes Have It"

[jemmus]

Theo knew that thieves guild members have their own language called "thieves' cant." Maybe this was an example of it? He remains mum and fiddles with the as yet unidentified orange stone in his pocket. Maybe someday he'd have 100 gold pieces for a pearl to have it magically identified.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche


He pauses ... again ... at this new twist of events. Given her obvious profession and their mutual adversary, it is now a game of information and now that both showed a card, the ante is due.

"Allow me to elaborate. Mr. Gar- ... the Eye Tyrant, stole a book. A very powerful and dangerous book. Our job is to recover it. We have acquired a dossier of many of the Eye Tyrant's illicit transactions, and this address is the most recent. We would prefer to avoid involving the authorities. Perhaps you would elaborate on your relationship with the Eye Tyrant?"

[gurusql]

Torbath

Torbath will study the images from his position in the entryway for clues about the woman.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag frowns for a moment, wondering if the message means what he think it means. Wiv my luck, I am just 'avin a chat wiv someone dat is two silvers short of a gold

"Der only peasant I know about", he replies. "Is dis one yer lookin' at. But my castle got burned down a long way from 'ere. Don't know nuffin' about any other."

Maag looks at the pictures and posters. "Nice art collection. Yer obviously keep yerself busy".

[OGRE MAGE]

The Ethereal Marketplace
Zhuma’s Sewer Quest
Nice Neighborhood

The woman shakes her head softly after Maags reply. “Okay. Okay. Not from around here then. No problem. Good to know.”

Torbath studies the notes, drawings, and posters hung on the walls of this foyer, noting one distinct theme. They all refer to crimes and other stories mentioning someone called the Blue Jester over and over. When Maag comments on them next, she waves them off, obviously more concerned with why you are here. “I would hardly call it art. Just a silly vanity project I started in my younger days.”

Theo attracts little attention, even with one hand fiddling with the stone his pocket, receiving no premonition from the item.

While Andron gives his reply, “BJ” nervously steps to the front door again to slide open a secret panel that reveals a shaded pane of glass in the center of the door. None of you remember seeing any window from the outside when you entered. Though the pane is only about one foot square, you can view the entire area outside of her building through it, including a short distance down the street in both directions.

Even though he was invisible when you entered, you clearly notice Percy is still hanging around outside, crouched next to some bushes near the front entrance. BJ motions to him through the glass. “That Creeper’s with you I presume? Not exactly what I would call good company.”

She gets slightly defensive after Androns final comments. “Well, I don’t go around trying to get noticed by the most ruthless crime syndicate in the Marketplace, if that’s what you’re asking.”

She keeps looking out her strange window nervously. “Listen, Stalks is not someone you want to mess with, okay. That’s what we call him, Stalks. Anyway, If you are connected somehow, I need to know you weren’t followed here. Once I know we’re safe, we can talk about this book of yours. ARE YOU CERTAIN YOU WERENT FOLLOWED!”

Actions?

Alordan AC3 17/22 (Sword)
Maag AC4 17/20
Torbath (M3) AC8 18/18 RM, CL, DM, 1st 2/2 2nd 1/1 (top of backpack) Comet AC:7 4/4]
Aliendron AC10 17/17 (CL4) 1st 2/5 2nd 4/4 (MU3) RM, CL, DM, 1st 1/2 2nd 1/1
Feanol (MU3) AC:10 14/14 RM, CL, DM 4/4 1st 2/2 2nd
Theo AC:5 11/13 (Sword)

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche


"Yes, he is with us. Our guide through the less ... cultivated ... neighborhoods of the Ethereal Marketplace. He can be trusted and has already proven this at risk to his own life."

"No, we cannot be certain we were not followed, but the dossier we possess means we are certainly hunted, at least. What I said before is true, though. Whether you desire it or not, Stalks has definitely noticed this address."

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Wot 'e said," says Maag, nodding at Andron. "It did not occur to us to check. I will keep a look out from now on".

[jemmus]

Theo considers the fact that there are two rangers in the group (he and Alordan). It's quite difficult to catch a ranger by surprise-- much less two of them. Ergo, he or Alordan would very likely be aware of anyone following them. He estimates the odds of that at 97%. A little late, he speaks up and says, It is very unlikely that we were followed.

Surprised only on a 1 = around 16%, x 16% for two rangers = 2.56%. And that includes for things moving invisibly and inaudibly. Arguably. Maybe.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Ethereal Marketplace
Zhuma’s Sewer Quest
Nice Neighborhood

The woman seems suspicious when 3 of the 6 people in her house just stand there without moving or speaking, but after staring out her magic window a little longer, she eventually calms down. She smiles at Theo's comment as she closes the window cover again, ushering the party into a little sitting room just beyond the foyer.

"Please make yourselves comfortable. Do you have a way to communicate with your lookout outside if anyone should come calling?"

Once the group is seated, the Blue Jester sets out a serving platter with wine and other drinks on it. "Feel free to help yourselves to a drink if you like."

She stares at Andron carefully again, looking the former elf up and down. "The book. May I see it now?"

Actions?

Alordan AC3 17/22 (Sword)
Maag AC4 17/20
Torbath (M3) AC8 18/18 RM, CL, DM, 1st 2/2 2nd 1/1 (top of backpack) Comet AC:7 4/4]
Aliendron AC10 17/17 (CL4) 1st 2/5 2nd 4/4 (MU3) RM, CL, DM, 1st 1/2 2nd 1/1
Feanol (MU3) AC:10 14/14 RM, CL, DM 4/4 1st 2/2 2nd
Theo AC:5 11/13 (Sword)

[gurusql]

Torbath

Torbath will sit down while leaning forward in his chair with some of his weight on his staff, and gently shakes his head to decline the drink.

He nods at Andron after he is prompted

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche


"We do not, unfortunately. Communicating with our guide relies on a translation device he carries." He is initially wary of presenting the log book, but her apparent suspicion of the less forward members of the party suggests the Blue Jester does not currently have a nefarious intent in mind. Producing the book from his satchel, he opens it to the last page and moves beside her for display, unwilling to physically offer her the book just yet. "As you can see, this last entry with your address is written in a different, much cruder style. We are unsure what this means."

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag takes a look at the Wanted posters, trying to get an idea of the expertise of their host.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Ethereal Marketplace
Zhuma’s Sewer Quest
Nice Neighborhood

Your hostess still seems unconvinced that your guide is actually here to aid you, but she drops the subject all the same.

The homely wallflower stays near the wall while Maag looks over the posters and articles on said wall. The professional thug believes his kind might call this woman a goody-two-shoes, as most of the things she appears to have done as the infamous Blue Jester were in a manner he would consider a *steal from the rich and give to the poor* style.

Meinhardt and their host stand side by side looking over his proffered log book. The pretty woman seems perplexed by the look of her guest, finally asking. "I have traveled most of the known realms, but I have never seen the likes of your kind. What actually are you, if you don't mind my asking?"

When they start paging through the log, the woman turns as pale as a ghost for a moment as she contemplates what you have brought her. When she is shown the final page, she shakes her head.

"This book is priceless. The authorities here would love to get their hands on such a thing. I believe what you told me, since there is no way you could have gotten this yourselves. But I do feel like I should warn you that this is the kind of property that could get you all killed."

"And this last page that has my address on it, written in another hand. It looks hastily written, and slightly askew. I am not certain what to make of it. Were the pair you took it from heading here, do you suppose?"

She ponders this while paging through the lists of illegal activity preformed at the behest of Garzanthanon before asking quite frankly. "What do you want for it?"

Actions?

Alordan AC3 17/22 (Sword)
Maag AC4 17/20
Torbath (M3) AC8 18/18 RM, CL, DM, 1st 2/2 2nd 1/1 (top of backpack) Comet AC:7 4/4]
Aliendron AC10 17/17 (CL4) 1st 2/5 2nd 4/4 (MU3) RM, CL, DM, 1st 1/2 2nd 1/1
Feanol (MU3) AC:10 14/14 RM, CL, DM 4/4 1st 2/2 2nd
Theo AC:5 11/13 (Sword)

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche


"I am, or should I say was, a half-elf."

"On a strange, alien (pun intended) world, we encountered magic and metal golems the like I have never seen before, even in the Ethereal Marketplace. I was slain, my body wrecked beyond recognition. A metal golem used their extraordinary magic to reconstruct my body into the form of the race that created them. I cannot directly answer your question though, as their creators were long dead."

"Yes, I am well aware of the danger this book presents to us, yet it is potential leverage we could use against Stalks." He is initially surprised at her blunt offer for the book. After a moment, he asks, "Please allow me to consult with my associates, in private."

What does everyone think? Trade the book in exchange for her help? Perhaps a little coin too?

[gurusql]

Torbath

"I was hoping that she would want to help us in exchange for the page with her address being removed and we can use the rest of the book as part of the a trade with Stalks."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche


He consults in a private aside with Torbath. "I agree. Her help would be invaluable, but this book is our only leverage against Garzanthanon for the Book of the Dead."

Returning to the Blue Jester, he makes an offer. "What is your interest in this book? We had thought to bargain with Stalks, if needed, a swap of this for the Book of the Dead. Perhaps in exchange for your assistance in our mission, we give you the last page?"

[Jernau35]

Maag

"We might just 'ave a target on our backs from killin' der fellas dat 'ad dis book an' nickin it. Dat could be enough to get us killed already. Crime lords can get a bit miffed about been 'umiliated. Bein' able to give der book back to 'im might make all der difference".

Maag sniffs, then continues. " Or at least der difference between a quick, painless death an' an 'orribly tortured one".

[OGRE MAGE]

The Ethereal Marketplace
Zhuma’s Sewer Quest
Nice Neighborhood

The Blue Jester listens intently to all the responses, looking a bit concerned that 2 people currently in her home have not spoken or even moved since your arrival. "Are those two okay?" She points to Alordan and Feanol.

Turning to Andron, she lays out her proposal. "I see. The multitude of worlds we travel as adventurers can be quite strange and even alien to all of us at times."

"Now, let me make you an offer for the book. Since you are not from around here, the wrath of one crime boss should not seriously affect any of you. I propose you give me the book, and with the aid of the authorities who have been looking to pin down Stalks for years, we finally put the monster in a place he belongs."

"I am quite good at stealing things myself, renowned even, one might say. You promise to give me that book, and I will go into the underground myself and pilfer the item you seek from under the nose of..........well, I don't think they actually have noses, but you understand my point, I hope."

"If I can go and steal the book you seek, with your help of course, would you trade it for the book you already have?"

Actions?

Alordan AC3 17/22 (Sword)
Maag AC4 17/20
Torbath (M3) AC8 18/18 RM, CL, DM, 1st 2/2 2nd 1/1 (top of backpack) Comet AC:7 4/4]
Aliendron AC10 17/17 (CL4) 1st 2/5 2nd 4/4 (MU3) RM, CL, DM, 1st 1/2 2nd 1/1
Feanol (MU3) AC:10 14/14 RM, CL, DM 4/4 1st 2/2 2nd
Theo AC:5 11/13 (Sword)

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche


He glances with a little concern at Alordan and Feanol. "Please excuse them, I think their sensibilities are still recovering after mucking around in the sewer. As to your offer, I believe that to be a most equitable arrangement, indeed. We intend to leave for our world, so Stalk's wrath would have extreme difficulty in locating us. You pilfer the book and we will accept the infamy. How do you suggest we proceed?"

[gurusql]

Torbath

"I would agree as well, but I will warn you that the book we seek can cause you harm if you casually read it, so I would recommend keeping it closed at all times."