Session 39: The Waxing Moon
DM rolls the day forward, and behold, spitting snow, windy, and 19 degrees! Clarence gets a nice dusting on his walk home!The party plans to visit Ikrit's home to research the murder mystery.
Rutana elects to stay home at the tower and treat herself to some nice breakfast, lunch, and writing, given this night she turns into a werewolf.
The trek to Ikrit's is about a 30-minute walk. Even walking along outside the wall there's a lot of pomp and circumstance for party tomorrow. Lots of talk about the new nobles, most people not even realizing the party is the subject of the party as they travel.
The Popova House is actually pretty nice. A thatch roof, a trail of smoke coming from the chimney, candle-light spilling out the window, the sound of people enjoying each other's company on a cozy weekend, safe from the wind chill. On the porch is an old human woman, very clearly of advanced age. She got jowls for sure. (A little surprise place to store her M&Ms!) She is smoking a long pipe full of aromatic tobacco.
As the party walks up she says, "We don't want any here." She takes a long draw of smoke and blows it at the party.
"Any what?"
"Any!"
"I don't think we have any."
The old woman just looks at Sartorii. "Then whaddaya want?"
Sartorii states they're looking for Ikrit.
The old woman squints. "You a cop?"
Sartorii laughs. "How long you been in this town?"
"Wait a minute. You're that little owl miscreant! The one running through the lower cities pickpocketing folks and generally being a nuisance!"
"Yeah that's me. Nice to meet you."
She smiles, showing off three resplendent teeth. "Sally! Guests!"
After a second there's a fumbling at the door. Out comes a woman with one oven mitt on. She's younger, about in her twenties, and she has strawberry blonde hair and is wearing an apron. Looks to be doing prep for lunch later today. With almost the exact same intonation as the old woman she says, "We don't want any."
"You don't think she told us that already?"
"Fair. Then we aren't offering any."
"Well we're not lookin to have any either."
The younger woman looks the party over. "Alright fine. It'll be a little while before I have to tend to lunch again, what can I do for you?" She seems short tempered.
"We're looking for Ikrit."
"Are you a-" "No, they ain't." "Fair enough. Why are you looking for Ikrit."
The Sprite pops out from behind Sartorii. "We worry for her safety, and we would like to find her before someone worse does."
The younger woman sighs. "Me too. Come in."
She opens the door and waves the party in.
The temperature change is instantly noticeable, the crackling fire making a folger's coffee commercial out of the home. The amber glow of the fireplace and scattered candles makes the air look as warm as it feels.
Inside is another woman, the middle aged of the three, busily at work. Also scattered around are several portraits of the grandmother, mother, daughter, a father, and Ikrit.
The younger woman guides the party into cozy chairs and couches, and pours four cups of coffee for them.
"So. What do you want to know?"
The other woman in the kitchen is listening in, but keeps herself busy.
Sartorii starts by asking if the family is okay.
The younger woman shakes her head. "The night before the newspaper was published, Ikrit didn't come home. We were really worried that fucking monster she was working for finally did something to her, but... I don't know."
"She's just been gone this whole time?"
"Yes."
"Well shit. She must be within the city itself then."
"I hope so. Ikrit's a diligent worker, but she's never been great at keeping out of trouble. Though a lot of that isn't here fault."
The Sprite asks if there was anywhere else Ikrit might have felt safe, that she would have gone in a panic. While this home would have been that place of comfort, she may have wished not to bring danger here.
"Back when we were just kids and we would run errands, there was a little inn, at the crossroads down south a little ways. We'd stay the night if we couldn't get home and the woman was always nice. Maybe you could start there."
"It's as good a start as any." Sartorii assures them they'll inform the family if they find anything.
Introductions!
The younger woman is Sally, called Sal. The mother is Olga. The father is Anatoly. The grandmother outside is Ingrid.
Sartorii introduces herself. Sally shakes her hand and expresses her gratitude.
Sally continues to fail every perception roll to recognize the party. Olga also failed.
Sally reaches up and takes her necklace off. It's made of real silver and has a little ruby in the center of a medallion. Sartorii remarks how pretty it is.
"When you bring her back, I know it isn't much, but I want you to be fairly compensated for... For everything. This should fetch a few gold at least."
Sartorii pushes it back to her. "We're not doing this for any payment."
Looks like she's about to choke up for a second. "I guess prayers really do work. Thank you."
Sally invites the party to finish their coffee, discuss current events, and all that.
Fair Omen Inn lies at the crossroads just south of town, east of First Villa and west of Woodwatch Tower.
It's owned and operated by a woman who moved here after the Vanishing. Her own household had fallen apart due to administrative gaps. She's a widow, and no one has seen any kids with her.
It's a 45 minute trek from the Popova Household.
It's just as cold as before, but one of the party has fur, one has feathers, and the third can fit in a pocket.
The Fair Omen Inn is a place of raucous enjoyment. It's the weekend, people are having fun, pregaming the celebration tomorrow. It's a nice mix of travelers and people from here. All in all, a pleasant, jovial atmosphere full of camaraderie. The innkeeper and her servers are run a bit ragged keeping up with the demand.
The patrons do not recognize the party when they step in, too busy with their revelry. The innkeeper, however, recognizes them straight away.
"My, my, if it's the heroes of Greenwall, here gracing my inn! I see you're short one. Please, come in, have a seat, least I can do for you saving us from... What was it again, plant zombies?"
"We were actually hoping to speak with you, if you have a moment."
"Of course, what can I do for you?"
"It's kind of a sensitive case, we're trying to find someone."
"Hm. Step into the kitchen. None of the girls will gossip, I promise."
The kitchen is bustling, but she guides the party into a side room.
"Silly me, I was so star struck I forgot to introduce myself. My name's Karolina Agapov."
Sartorii and Clarence introduce themselves.
"I'm sure you're a bit more up on the news than most people," Sartorii begins. "We're trying to find Ikrit."
"Oh that poor dear. It's hard enough for elves and dwarves and whatnot to get jobs in the city, but... Let's just say there's a lot of closed-minded people within those walls. Unfortunately that's where a lot of the many is. It's not just him. Only recently, a lot of kobolds who came to the city for opportunities were forced to take up in the sewers."
"Her family is incredibly worried, and so are we. We don't know if she's stopped by, or if you've heard anything."
"You're looking for her to help the family? What will you do when you find her? The papers say she's a murderer."
"Keep her safe." Sartorii rolls 12 on diplomacy. Karolina gives them a once over. Clarence rolls 24 on perception and the Sprite rolls a 1. In his caffeine-addled state, he realizes having no name makes him anomaly in this world and he dissociates. Clarence sees Karolina step to the left and step on a specific board.
"And what if she did do it?"
"Well he kinda deserved it."
One more look up and down. "Alright. I believe you." She reaches behind a shelf and pulls out a big stick with a crook in the end. She jams it between the boards and lifts a section of the floor away. "Ikrit, dear! I've got some friends I'd like you to meet!"
There's a long pause and the whispering of multiple voices. Sartorii recognizes one of the voices; not Ikrit, but another one. As the party is led down the ladder into the cellar, they see three kobolds with Ikrit and A little brass kobold with a broad-brinned hat and a poncho among them. And Skek! Sartorii and Skek point at each other, excited! Aside from the greeting though, Skek has not done well with finding money.
Sartorii asks Ikrit is okay, lets her know her family's been worried.
Ikrit recognizes the party. "Did they really enlist the heroes of Greenwall to hunt down a murderer?"
The Sprite goes on a caffeine-fueled tangent refuting that, and mentioning they saw some of what happened. The party does not think Ikrit is fully at fault.
"Have you ever wondered if the thoughts running through your head are your own, or the product of something else?"
Sartorii and Clarence agree at once, "Well now I am."
She calls into existence a contorted shape wrapped in shadows, standing behind her.
(There was a screenshot of Ira here, but my attachments folder got wiped)
Ikrit gestures behind her. "This is Ira, as far as I can gather. I'm not sure who or what he is, but sometimes I think I can control him."
A labored breathing comes from Ira, and everyone in the party is sure he is staring at them directly with murderous intent.
"I don't think the guards will give me the benefit of the doubt, and I'm afraid if I get upset again, he will lash out again."
"How did you get a name from him?"
"When he bonded with me, it was just something that I knew. There was no introduction save what he did to my boss."
The Sprite rolls 20 arcana to recognize it. Era is an eidolon, a creature from another plane that has bonded to a person and that can be summoned up. Basically, Ikrit's class is now Summoner.
"I'm doing my best to learn to control it, but... I don't want to be near my family with this."
Sartorii asks if Ikrit wants to convey messages to the family. The Sprite advises against it; they absolutely did not see her here.
"This may work out actually. Skek, Agog, and I plan to head south, where there is more work for adventurers. Perhaps I can learn to control it better."
The Sprite plans to visit the Arcanum to research eidolons, and send Ikrit a dream message if he finds anything of use.
Agog wants no wizard in his dreams. "Think about it Ikrit, what if he shows up, drops pixie dust everywhere, then you got the brain rot."
Ikrit gets to work writing her messages. Her handwriting is beautiful, and she is obviously well-learned.
Every now and then Ira will shake like a fast-forwarded ghost, but otherwise he just stands where he was summoned and breathes heavily.
Sartorii wants to inspect, but elects not to. The curiosity is strong but the common sense is stronger.
Ikrit finalizes her letter with a flowery signature, written in draconic, then folds it and hands it to Sartorii. Sartorii pockets the letter.
"Well, that's everything," Agog says.
"Yes, you're right," Ikrit responds. "That was everything keeping me here. After you leave, we'll do the same."
Sartorii asks if they have a way out. Karolina assures them she has it covered.
The Sprite gives the kobolds each some parting trail mix.
The kobolds are added to the Neutral Parties folder as Team Maldov, meaning little dragon.
Skek doesn't trust the party, Agog doesn't know the party, and Ikrit likes the party. Skek and Agog defer to Ikrit, so Neutral (Positive).
The party exits the Secret Basement and has a meal at the inn, the absolute best bar food. Thick-ass potato wedges with an herby yogurt sauce, and a cornish hen to share.
Meanwhile, Rutana finds herself at the Red Swallow Tavern. This tavern is just as hopping as The Fair Omen. Here, however, everyone recognizes Rutana. Folks are buying her drinks and snacks and flowers.
The owner of the tavern is an ancient-looking elf, Arne. Rutana asks him if she can rent a VIP room. He just gives her the key and says she looks like she needs it.
She thanks him, and thanks him for his understanding, and heads to her room. Here is where all her various gifts are sent. She makes a nice little flower crown from the plethora of bouquets and roses she gets. She rolls a natural 20 on crafting. She goes into a fugue state and when she comes to she has the most beautiful, perfectly-crafted flower crown ever. All bloom, no stem visible.
A light knock sounds at the door, lighter than those that came bearing gifts.
Arne is at the other side, he gives a small wave and asks if he can come in.
"It's your place, of course you can!"
"It is my home, but you are my guest, thus it is polite to await invitation." He takes a seat. "You seem to have a lot weighing on your mind for a hero."
"I would someone trying to be a hero does."
"I wouldn't know."
"Sometimes life happens. A looot happens."
He looks at her, understanding. "Don't I know it. I just want to tell you... One bad night a month isn't going to destroy you, and it will not make you any less deserving of these accolades."
Rutana makes eye contact when he says one bad night. He smiles gently, the most grandfatherly figure.
"Thank you. That is something I needed to here, and I did not know I needed."
"If creatures like me are worth a second chance, then your salvation is guaranteed." He smiles, showing off quite long incisors, and departs.
Rutana finishes writing her just-in-case letters in privacy, one letter for everyone. After she packs up, there's someone waiting outside her door in server's clothes. Seems he's been standing there for a while.
"There anything I can help you with?" Rutana asks.
"Oh no, just a parting gift." He holds out a gold coin with an image of a swallow on it. Rutana takes it. She rolls 22 on society; in a lot of places, usually brothels but often larger taverns, there are tokens for being a VIP or a reward for service rendered. It's a voucher. Give it to any server or barmaid and they will take the holder straight to Arne to sort everything out. Rutana thanks him and stows the swallow token safely away.
She notices on her way out the motto of the tavern is "You are welcome in our home."
Next she heads over to Naialah's with her little stack of death letters. There is a little bit of a wait with people waiting to get trimmed up for tomorrow. Several people are wearing Labeda and Medyev's crests, having heard the party recommending Silken Shaves and Sutures to the nobles. Naialah comes out from finishing up a customer and spots Rutana, walking up to give her a greeting kiss on each cheek.
"I was hoping to see you today! Sorry everyone, I have an appointment, I'll have to move everyone back by like 30 minutes." This is met with groans, until her previous client walks out. Totally worth the wait.
"So how are you, dear? How are you feeling?"
"Lot of dread, but I assume that's normal."
"I wouldn't know dear, to be honest. You've got everything set up at home?"
"As best we can, yes."
"Once I close up shop, I'll stop by. Doesn't feel right to leave my patient to go through something like this alone."
"I'll have a pretty big door but I'm sure everyone else will be happy to have you. I will not be up to hosting. I have some letters here I'd like to leave with you. If anything really happens, I'd like you to send these for me. If everything is fine, set them on fire."
Naialah sets them on a table. "I know better than to say you won't need these. It's very pragmatic."
"Better to be careful. Not like you can't ask me my intention after everything turns out fine."
"If it makes you feel better, five of the most influential people in this city will be under that roof. Whatever happens, we'll take care of you."
"It's more if I woke up and everyone else isn't okay, I don't know how forgiving I would be of that."
"You can't look at it like that, it's not—"
"No, not of me, but of those who didn't stop me."
"That's fair."
(Surely they brought this up before, but if I woke up and found I ate the sprite and no one stopped me—)
"You know I'm kicking myself for not being more adherent to my studies. If I was a better cleric, perhaps I could have cured this curse."
"Similar, if I was more devout like my grandparents I could request divine intervention. Don't think I'm friends enough with anyone for that."
"I don't think your adherence to any dogma is going to dissuade Daikitsu of all people."
"Less dissuading, more asking favors."
Naialah smiles. "I'll make sure to pray for you tonight, see if you can't be woven a kinder fate. Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
"That's it. I'll let everyone else know you're stopping by. I'm not sure of exact times."
"It's safest to be inside before six. The days are getting longer, but not that long! And sometimes the moon surprises us."
"I'm going to make my last stop and head home then."
"We'll greet the morning." Then, as Rutana leaves: "WHO'S NEXT?"
Glory and Gold, that's who.
This place is pretty busy too, still feeling the halo effect from the party's advertising. Gloriana is up front handling transactions, but Gilder is nowhere to be seen. Rutana finds a bell to ding.
"In a min—Oh! No, now actually!" Gloriana finishes her transaction, puts up a 15-minute break sign—again to the understanding groans of her customers—and walks Rutana back into the fitting rooms. Gilder is there working with a woman who has very light hair with streaks of brown. She has an austere air about her, with cold blue lipstick and nail polish. The woman stares into the mirror as Gilder works on the hem. Gilder smiles at Rutana as she walks in, but returns to his work.
Rutana rolls 18 on society. The woman is Natalah Surtova, Noleski Surtova's sister. She is the de facto queen of Brevoy.
Gloriana walks Rutana into another fitting room, pretty soundproof. Rutana and Gloriana have a brief gleeful giddy celebration of Glory and Gold's success. Practically overnight, after making clothes for a party of fairly new adventurers, now making a dress for the king's sister for the knighting of those very same adventurers!
Rutana felt a bit bad about paying mostly with exposure, but Gloriana assures the exposure has been so, so good for them. The funny thing is Gilder doesn't even care, he's just happy to be going balls to the walls with the fancy dresses. He's doing lace!
"So, what can I help you with? Need something fancy for your knighting?"
"Oh shoot am I supposed to have something fancy for every event?"
"No."
"Oh good. Well, I am very likely going to be doing some traveling and going to see my family. I wanted something a little nicer than my normal traveling clothes to see them. Also, your brother's ability to make something that works with different forms is great."
"Do you want something a little more traditional, or a little more Brevoyish?"
"A mix of both, and with pants, please. I would like pants."
"Oh Gilder's gonna love that. Give it a couple days, we have other orders, but we can fit yours in. Any specific colors?"
Rutana lists off her family colors. She essentially needs something so she can proclaim she's not a hobo when she rolls up at home. It'll cost about 25 gold. It's to impress her mom, so of course she's gonna pay that.
"Do we need to take your measurements again, has noble life already swelled the waistline?"
"No, not yet, and I hope to remain active enough so that's not an issue."
Without having to pay protection money to Besh, and without that stress, the shop has done great. It's cleaner and more active than it's ever been, and they're even thinking of expanding soon. They would name the annexes after the party.
This is Glory and Gold, the Rutana Annex. Specializing in tian xian fashion! Oh don't tempt Gilder.
Rutana pays the 25g all in one payment now, and Gloriana vows they'll have it finished as soon as they can.
Rutana heads home. After she gets a bit out of the wall, she runs the rest of the way in her new fox form.
The Sprite heads to the Arcanum to perform research, Clarence and Sartorii make it home around noon to find Rutana anxiously tidying things up. Clarence sets a chair up near the door to the basement, preparing to keep watch.
Rutana lets them know Naialah will be showing up later to be here for The Event. She also shares she had a lovely breakfast and ordered some clothes.
Sartorii and Clarence share what they learned about the kobolds, and give Rutana some leftover cornish hen. She gratefully accepts the chicken.
Sprite rolls 18 on arcana.
The device that broke was a crystal ball housed to contain a creature, just a containment device. A summoner normally has a lot of power and control over their eidolon. Seems Ikrit had the right idea by heading off.
Clarence and Rutana make 50 more circuits around the tower and basement, ensuring everything is set up, and playing with Cortez.
Cedric brings the books the Sprite ordered and sets them up for him to easily access. He had conjured elementals and constructs in his youth. What the Sprite is reading is altogether different. Eidolons are different for everyone. They could be seen as a servant, a god, a personal angel or demon. They rarely keep their same form, growing and changing as the person they are bound to for life grows and changes.
Rolls 17 on the next check. He narrows down the type of eidolon Ikrit has called: an anger phantom, a lost soul bound to the world by an undying anger or bitter grudge. The link it has to a person keeps it from succumbing to corruption and undeath. The person connected to it has to make it a definite choice of whether they want to control that anger or channel that wrath into power. The latter can be very seductive.
The Sprite drops a gold and a pretty pebble into the donation box after tidying his books up, then heads out.
Sartorii heads to the public library to continue researching her project.
While she's reading, just chilling, some guy walks up and sits next to her. Human, wearing decent clothes. Not nobility, but middle class. He has a pen and paper in his hands, and a pencil stuck in his ear. He waits for Sartorii to be finished with the page she's on, or to acknowledge her at all.
She acknowledges him immediately and he smiles brightly.
"Hi! Sartorii, soon to be of House Sylva? New Stetven Gazette, you got a moment?"
"Oh shit I know you!"
"Yesss I'm glad you read our thinkpiece."
"Article's up on my wall."
"Well I'm glad I reached the right people. If things get printed a little weird once House Sylva get into the noble sphere, no hard feelings, right? Noble thinkpieces aren't as positive as saves us from apocalypse pieces."
"I don't doubt you'll keep publishing the other type too, we don't plan on stopping what we're doing."
"You think you'll be heroic enough to give us more to chew on over the next few years?"
"That's what I'm doing now, researching how to help New Stetven."
"Really? Mind if I quote you on that?" Scribbles. "So what are you researching?"
Sartorii describes her plan for the homeless shelter. The influx of people is too much. The shelter will be a brewery, a church of Kaden.
"Any reason why? You have a good Merry Mead?"
"I sure did. I also kinda came face to face with one of his mortal enemies, so, figured that would be good."
"I'm sorry, mortal enemy?"
"Sorry, immortal enemy."
"Immortal enemy?? Care to specify?"
"Care to guess?"
"Reporters like to guess, but I like to get my facts."
Describes she kinda spoke to him.
"No wonder you're religious. So. Immediately upon saving us from another threat, this diabolist nightmare, your first thought turned to how you can help people more? And you're in here spending your free time, the night before a party in your honor, researching how to do that?"
"Well yeah. I grew up on these streets. These are my people. Any way I can help them get back on their feet, I'm willing to do."
"I'll be gods damned. Sorry, I just..."
"You okay?"
"Well, interviewing nobles doesn't really go this way."
"I'm not a noble yet!"
"You must understand, there's certain expectations."
"You must understand, my blood wasn't born blue. Just because I'm going to be noble doesn't change who I am."
"Can I quote you on that? This is gonna sell like hotcakes. One more question. Once this party's over and everything goes back to the new normal, what are your plans moving forward? Behind the homeless shelter, of course."
"We were planning to travel, I think."
"Getting a vacation, away from the hustle and bustle and limelight?"
"Knowing us, anything but."
"Knowing you, you have a knack for it. I've taken up enough of your time, ma'am. Thank you for this interview."
"Feel free to hit us up any time."
He'll send her a copy of next week's edition. He reaches into his cloak, pulls out his hat, tips his hat to Sartorii, then leaves.
It takes Sartorii about an hour to get home.
At 5pm, everyone is here. Naialah has arrived. She helps check over the silver shackles and lines them with silk so Rutana doesn't hurt her wrists. She'll have the nicest padded cell in all of Golarion!