TheKurdrunMission part 8
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Golden Barrels Inn: Zali negotiates for a private room and stabling for the horses. Zali wants a secure room, costs more (14 drops vs. 8 drops).
We are now leaving the Golden Barrels knowing our horses are secure and safe. We head down the roads and follow the directions obtained from smirking citizens to the Purple Slipper (PurpleSlippers), as precocious a whorehouse as has graced any city. As we approach the magnificent facade, the sound of laughter and voices float down from the balconies. Zali, self-conciously, slaps his hair down and straightens his clothes.
After a few minutes hesitation and after suffering the encouragement of passers-by, we display the better part of valour and make our way around back. We eventually find the alley that leads us to the loading dock, through the doors, down the hall, and into the kitchen. A large woman named Oralia tells us twice to get out. Then a large man approaches us and tells us that Oralia does not ask three times. Sjer offers him a purple drop and a rod for more of their time. A pondering silence greets the offer. The man's name turns out to be Urali, the very man sought for. And for the low fee of two additional rods as well as some return information he agrees to help us.
Sjer and Zali'haro while away three hours in a nearby tavern, waiting. Then, after we return, we are directed to a potters house. The masters name is Aval. Apparently he has four pillars outside of his place, one of which has a stylized tooth upon it.
Sjer offers to Urale for our part of the information exchange, that we met a man with a similar tooth tatooed on his heel. We killed him and that man decayed two weeks in the space of half and hour. Sjer also offers that the men this potter is helping are working for Alm Jamiral.
We get a guide to the place. At the rear Zali picks the lock, We light Zali's lantern, and cautiously enter the place.
We creep into the kitchen and Zali checks the hearth. Nothing there, so we check the privy and then we head further into the house.
Meanwhile, somewhere as yet unknown.
A man begins questioning Afalar.
"My name is Ornivar, what is your name."
"Afalar."
"If you ever feel hungry, I have some food here. Your bandages --"
"-- Food."
"In a moment, I'll bring you the food. I am curious why you attacked us in the road?"
Afalar decide to feign a condition. "Yes, food."
The food is given to Afalar. He is feigning fatigue and lack of mental faculty.
Back in the kitchen, Zali moves in to the larder. We find a trap door.
Below is just cold storage. The sounds of our sneaking seem to have carried farther than we hoped. We hear dogs snarling.
We leap up and make our way to the door where the dogs are snarling loudest. Zali opens the door and they snarl and jump out at us, bouncing off of Zali's shield.
In the interrogation room, Afalar says he is in the employ of Alm Mahlah, a man we know has had recent dealings with Jamiral. The interogator seems not to believe him, musing, "What would a Milar like yourself be doing in Mahlah's employ?" The man then binds the hands of Afalar to a chair which is bolted to the floor.
Back in the kitchen, the first dog is dead. The second is very injured. Zali goes running upstairs to engage the men waking there.
He engages one and as he does a door opens and the rogue from the road encounter stabs him in the back. Yet a third man attacks Zali from beside the first. Just as Zali is resolving to retreat, Volorn and Sjer crowd up to the top of the stairs blocking the way. Zali, feeling trapped and bitter, releases control of the situation. With his natural instincts finally given the chance, Zali slays the man in front of him and then reverses grip and embeds his sword through the rogue behind a great stab through the man's guts. Volorn finishes the rogue off and the third man runs. We almost give chase when Sjer hears a faint cry that is Afalar's voice floating up from downstairs.
Meanwhile Afalar had been left in the hands of Ezir, the large fellow from the road encounter. The man had come near and so Afalar had let he head fall back and let out a loud scream (heard by Sjer). The man cuffed Afalar and then picked up a red hot poker from the fire. The leer on his face showing Afalar that the man actually cared about his work. When the poker came near Afalar drew his feet up, deliviring a powerful double kick to the man's knees. With a a cry of rage Ezir struck Afalar across the face with the poker sending him once more into the blackness of unconsciousness.
Back upstairs, Sjer, Volorn, and Zali'haro head down the stairs and spend fruitless seconds busting through the front doors while two archers shoot at us from the top of the stairs. We then head back inside and begin searching the pottery room. The two archers upstairs who are attacking us.
It is the year 372, Fall 1, 01:round 7
shield spell ends at 07 minutes.
Zali's Cat's Grace and Mage Armour end at 6am.
Sjer's and Volorn's Mage Armour also end at 6am.
Sjer's Bull's Strength ends at 7am.
note, currently Volorn is sharing the shield and strength spells. Must stay within five feet of Sjer.