Ravnar sighs. He had a feeling they were going to end up doing this favor, just because the man might change his mind about helping at all if they said no. But just to be sure Syrio didn't agree immediately, Ravnar spoke up first: "What might this 'something' be, sir?"


(Ravnar speaks for the group)

Besean looks to Ravnar and addressing him says
"Oh, it's quite simple really. I have something missing, something of some value, but much higher sentimental value. A bangle, gold with ruby and topaz."
He is in thought as he rubs his own wrist. Lost in a memory. It is only for a moment, but after he already is composed again and carries on. "While I haven't seen it in a while, I would not be surprised if it was stolen recently. Get it back to me, and what you want is yours."

Zand looks ready to jump at the one opportunity he has.

"So... if you haven't seen it in a while... what makes you think it was stolen recently? It sounds as if, perhaps, you suspect someone in particular as the thief in question...?" says Ravnar.

(Ravnar speaks for the group)

"I think it was stolen recently as my store house was broken into not too long ago. The things taken did not have a pattern to them. Not that I know of anyhow, beyond maybe deception of the true intended target."

Besean makes a motion of looking around for listeners before carrying on in hushed tones.

"As for who, while I have ideas on who might want it taken, I'm unsure who they would use to get the job done. As one or two of them live very far away from Wasat.
There is Uyame who has wanted to expand his merchant collection in "low competition" cities. Kilamu meanwhile still doesn't understand the meaning of no."

"I see," says Ravnar. "Do you have any suggestion on where we should investigate first?" Ravnar privately felt this was getting worse and worse-- a mysterious object stolen by a mysterious thief that could be anywhere by now, but was presumably on its way to not one, but one of two possible buyers, who themselves were (apparently) each far away. Terrific... and if not reined in, Syrio would gladly hare all over the map, like a dog looking for a stick that its master only pretended to throw. Faster to just let Besean hurry up and point them in the direction he wanted investigated.

Seeing that the group didn't interject at this time Besean carried on.
"If I were in your position, I would try looking into the sorts of things they like.
Uyame likes to get a foothold on somewhere by crafters who are facing issues on their own and their craft can generate income all year round. Makes him look like a savior while taking a greedy cut of their profit. You could find a connection with the small independent Smiths and other makers in the city."

A frown is on his face when he thinks about that man, and the captain interjects.
"Almost worked with him once, he thought he had me for a fool before I threw it in his face."
"I can see that happening, trade route enable his desires."

"Kilamu on the other hand likes using outsiders and criminals who won't disagree with her unsavoury tasks. She only likes yes people, the weak willed and broken. That  way she can get what she want from them, the entitled spoiled harlot." He shudders in discomfort and rubs his face.
"You can try the dens near the port or the dark alley drink and drug stalls. They might recognise her magic use, or disguise by dark hood worn when she hires."

Hearing all this, Zand puts across an idea of his own.
"What about the bird tower? The thief might use that?
The owner nods.
"Good idea, Zand. He might need a larger bird but it's possible. Or just find somewhere to leave it for someone else or hand deliver. There are possibilities at this time."

Just as Syrio is about to speak, Ravnar speaks. "Tell us of the Bird Tower, please."

Syrio's mouth snaps shut, and he nods eagerly.

Ravnar sees that there is no stopping Syrio at this point, on a matter of double justice (an old man's just due, and a robbery). Wise men, wizards, armies, kings, and gods had all tried to stop Syrio from pursuing the cause of justice before, and all had failed. Ravnar knew that for a matter of double justice, he had no chance of getting Syrio to abandon the question now. Best to just try to get it over with as efficiently as possible.

(The party feels that its collective will has been appropriately represented.)

The creed by which Syrio lives will drive him in the right direction when the moment is right.
Gain +1 ongoing during one scene, usable when directly interacting with the thief/assailant.

The merchant laughs a bit at the questioning. "Oh that lanky thing, it's a standard stop for messenger and carrier birds. It mainly got the name - a local pet name is Feathery Tower - as it's one of the few buildings that rise high in Wasat. Near the palace but available to the public. Or at least the lower levels are anyway. Higher would need some effort to get around the guards. If the thief were ordered by afar, and communication needed to be prompt, chances are the missive would come from there."

Syrio gives Ravnar a look. Ravnar nods and whispers to his comrades-- and to Zand. "So our choices so far are to ask around amongst the independent craftsmen, or to investigate a tower that might get us in trouble with the city guards, or to start asking nosy questions amongst a lot of people in the city's heart of scum and villainy. Obviously, the first choice is the easiest... but that's if it's that one man. It feels to me like the magic-liking woman. Just a  hunch--"

"Based on?" Nimol asks.

"On the fact that she would be more trouble for us to deal with, so it's probably her, just for one thing," said Ravnar.

Nimol nodded. He, too, knew how Syrio's quests tended to go.

"Also, I didn't like the unnatural way those birds behaved this morning, either. That felt like magic, not just like a rich greedy criminal," Ravnar added. Both men nodded.

"So let's try one hive of scum and villainy, and see what happens!" said Syrio.

"All right," said Ravnar. "But just one. If it doesn't lead to anything, we try something else."

Ravnar stopped whispering. "What particular hiv-- I mean, what particular den or dive might be the most profitable place to find a lead?" Ravnar asked aloud.

"Of the places I know of - because I have no reason to need those places - I would say the place you want, if you could only choose one, is the Wayward Fisherman. While Plunder Palace is more popular, Wayward Fisherman is less scrupulous, so everyone with coin can go there no problem. The two places are both at the south end of the city right along the bay."

Besean looked like he was confused over something that the cleric said "But did you say something odd about birds, what was -"
Sai interjects on this one for the group. "No offence Besean, but the Covcay were acting like we were in the City of Delights, not the Middle City."

The halfling blinks once before shaking his head and letting the interruption slide.
"None taken, Sai. That behaviour of theirs has been a curious thing for a while now. I know they try to obtain riches to attract mates, but their rivalry is to an absurd extent now."

"I would say be careful, but sounds like you've done this sort of thing before."
"They look the sort" the captain added, no one denied him of course.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:49, Sat 31 Mar 2018.

"Wait..." says Ravnar. "You interest me. This has been going on for some time? How long, more or less? ...Maybe we will stop by the Bird Tower first, just to ask a question or two, not to be pushy about it, just in case anyone has any useful bird-related insights..."

--Who knows where the Bird Tower and the Wayward Fisherman are? Does Zand?

Also,
--does Zand want to come with us?
--Is he any good in a fight, or does he have any other skills that might be useful in an investigation?
--If he doesn't come with us, where will we find him when we want to talk to him again?

The halfling scratches his chin for a moment, recalling the moment he noticed the pattern.
"If I had to guess, these birds have been at it for about a week or two. It started as needing to be a little more cautious on the way out of the Bazaar a week and a half ago, but from what I hear about the pier and your ship supplies, it sounds a dense lot for a small place."

Sai speaks out hesitantly, as it seemed like it would mean work. But he started to offer himself anyway. "I've lived here a good while, I can get you to both those places if you need directions. Though the bird tower ain't that hard to find."

Zand seems to have changed his posture to be more up right at hearing about the bird tower being your first direction.
"Let me come with you guys, please. I need to do my part in getting this resolved. I can fend for myself, you don't need to worry about me.
His belt adjusts a little as he makes sure a pair of daggers are ready and waiting if violence breaks out.

"All right, we're going to go to the Bird Tower first, ask a couple of questions. Then we'll go ask somewhat different questions at The Wayward Fisherman."

(Ravnar speaks for the group.)

So with that, Sai takes you in the direction of the Bird Tower. It isn't hard, for one, Sai knew the streets quite well, and the intended destination rises high above the rest. So all real difficulties are dealt with at ease.


When the group arrived, they found it, the Bird Tower, just outside the area of the palace. It rose high into the air, a sandy coloured structure with tufts of bird bedding sticking out of windows and a vague smell of "birdness" in the air. A bird had entered and another left in quick succession when the band got there, showing that however sleepy, the tower was still active at even this lazy afternoon.

People were going by, only a few though, as only so many people used the building at any time.

On seeing this much, what will they do? Will the go straight in? Go by stealth or try to info gather in any number of ways?

Syrio leads the group inside. "We have nothing to hide... yet..." he smiles.

...Speak for yourself... thinks Ravnar, but he heads inside along with the others.

(Except Sannang, of course, who waited outside, unless the entrance to the tower was large enough for him to enter...)

Of course, the place was made for some accomodation for the larger people like ogres or the occasional troll. However it was never intended for elephants to be inside. So the Sannang was left outside while the trio go in, including the ships best man Sai and temp companion Zand.

As they pass in one at a time, they see a sensible, if fundamental reception for the rest of the tower, baskets, parchment scrolls and quills aplenty. A chair or two was present and plenty of what seemed like cages for transport of birds to the left. The last feature was a staircase going up into the levels beyond, starting at the right and winding up clockwise. The pressure difference caused several feathers to come down from the upper parts and gently land, ruining the clean image the place had.

The desk was on the other side from the entrance, made of the same stone as the rest of the structure. Most of the lighting was from the windows, but a spare candle and torch stands were at the ready for long standing nights.

Behind the desk was a woman in simple robes and with her hair tied back. She was finishing up something on a scroll in a calm manner muttering to herself "Itinerary completed, with accomodations for recent issues..." She has enough awareness to flick his eyes up, and find several strangers there. So she cleared her throat of phlegm and made the greetings. "Oh hello there, is there anything I can do for you or have sent for you? Missives to the Missus? Ordinance to the Subordinates? Letter for an addicted bettor?"
It might have been rehearsed, but that didn't mean it was insincere coming from her. She was already showing a calm demeanor before, but now she almost slumps into the wall behind her.

In reply to Story Weaver (msg # 64):

Syrio walks up to the woman and gives her a winning smile. "Well, hello there," he says. "Any messages come in lately from one 'Kilamu...?'"

The receptionist has a moment when she blinks her eyes, having taken in the smile in question and adds a personal touch to the professional smile of her own.

"Kilamu was it? Allow me to check...for...you."

As she starts to rummage a little bit in the space beneath her, interacting with baskets and draws. Occasionally looking up to see that the other remain in sight.
After a quick minute or two, she looks to the dashing man and says "Oh by the way, who is the letter for again? I don't think asked. Oh how unprofessional" as she hides the bottom half of her face with with a form parchment.

"I don't really want to bandy my client's name around... I'm just the bodyguard. But my name is Syrio... And what's yours?"

Syrio had caused a flustering in her, more of the professional demeanor left as she tried just to answer a basic question.
"Well, I, I, I'm Abrisham" Meaning Silk or Soft. "I was so small, no, gentle, no um light when I was born, my mother was scared a breeze would take me." She had just said it to explain herself, well her name. But after blowing a feather away with a puff, she couldn't help but laugh. Was it nerves? Was it he silly play? Was it the absurdity of her mother? She couldn't tell why but she laughed.

Defy Danger CHA
15:32, Today: Syrio rolled 7 using 2d6 ((2,5)) + 2 for CHA bonus = 9

Abrisham hasn't been completly hoodwinked by the dashing swordsman's charms. She knew she was being deceived and possibly used for info. Maybe she should really care, but she didn't, not that much anyway.
It was wrong, but maybe this was the only chance she would get? Well maybe she should have a try anyway.

"I know what you want, and if you leave I won't tell anyone. But if you still want to know what I know, I can tell you. But on a condition, I want a good time."
She blemishes and covers her lower face to try and hide what she had requested.
"Not like that but, there is a lot of day left right?"

Now she was regretting it, she shouldn't have tried. There was no way this would work. Not on a man like this. There had to be prettier girls at the stalls of the bazaar and the secluded pillowed corners of risque places more worth his time.

Syrio knew from his social escapades that he had been given a proposition, leave now and nothing comes of his odd questions, or go with her around town to get his fill of info, a bribe of time and patience.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:00, Tue 03 Apr 2018.

In reply to Story Weaver (msg # 68):

"You offer me quite a bargain, silken one. Learn what I need and escort a bright, intelligent, honest, and yet modest woman out for the evening? How could I say otherwise?"

"But first-- in good faith-- tell me, this... ah, this..." Syrio paused like he had to remember the name he'd just asked about moments before (this required no acting, really) "...this Kilamu... Is there something worth knowing? Some information that will interest my employer? --No no, don't tell me what it is... just tell if if there is anything worth telling. Whatever your answer, I will be glad to walk and talk with you amidst the evening breeze... I will not let it blow you away."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:17, Tue 03 Apr 2018.

Oh Fates! It was working, it was working. Oh Abrisham hoped it wouldn't be fleeting.
How could he say otherwise? "_{I'm too minute to hold worth.}." At a whipser too small for her to even feel the wind leave her.

Oh yes, that question on faith, well it was true, there were things to tell him worth his time. She had to have material enough for him if herself wasn't enough.
"Oh yes oh yes, there is indeed something worthwhile."
She moved her hand to almost place it on herself and then the fancy swordsman. "But just us two right? Outside?" As her eyes had flickered to the other companions of his, one thin man of the cloth who seemed to try piercing her with his minds focus and the elephant tamer who's occupation confused her more then his appearance or demeanor itself did.

With that, she forgot her station in a literal sense to disappear with a slam behind the desk. Before the other people got to reject her proposal. Maybe she wanted to change her style, hair or something for this event.
In the moment of silence, Zand broke it with a gasp and puzzling tone to match his face, likely addressed to Syrio "Wait, what was that? What di- and how di- you? Ugh, that is impossible. Nothing at all, must be magic." He showed disappointment, inability to do what Syrio did and envy at his ease from the tone of it.

"The greatest magic, friend," says Syrio, and he goes outside, since it seems like his date is going to meet him out there, and will expect him to be alone.

"What do we do now?" Nimol asked Ravnar.

"...I want to ask someone else here about the whole bird thing," said Ravnar. "Perhaps I can't do it as well as Syrio, but I'm going to give it a try..." Ravnar looked around for some other employee of the Bird Tower...

On trying to find others to question, Ravnar's search went higher into the tower. They quickly found a young man who would ponder on the whereabout of his colleague, before dismissing the problem and saying he would do it.
In trying to soften him up for more "out there" questions, they find some facts out.
From what they were able to gather, the tower was structured like this. Reception at the bottom, next it was the sorting rooms for making sure they were grouped for sections of the city and groups who worked there. After that, it was the restricted parts of the tower. Presumably the residential areas for the birds in question. It was important as not all birds were indeed owned by Wasat itself, some were owned by other people or originate from different places.

Beyond that, they had to deal with some covcays in the area as transport of some gifts could be stolen from the carrier birds if they were suspected. Thus the near sickly smell of honey on his person.

***

Outside, we find Syrio waiting for a while. The afternoon sun was merciful with the accompanying caress of the bay breeze. It turned the day into one of quiet beauty, you could take your time today, the breeze seemed to whisper. While Syrio was one for adventure, he could see how some would settle in a place like this.
Not quite his thing of course, this was Syrio we are talking about after all, but he couldn't fault them, not everyone was made to wonder beyond everything they knew to see the new horizon.

He knew some people would take their time to really prepare, but Syrio wasn't surprised. He couldn't help but smirk when he remembered that one time when a merchant's daughter who took an entire day to be ready for meeting him. But that is a story for another time.
It was around this moment that the receptionist was finally ready. Abrisham had sneaked her way out, as she wanted to surprise him, like he surprised her day.
He thought it might have been a trick of the light, but no, her hair was in fact gray. A light, soft gray, like a cloud that was unsure if it wanted to rain or not. But the rest of her was the body of youth. She had gotten an entirely different dress that looked nothing like her simple work robes. It covered her midsection and legs completely in baby blue, with waves of green at the bottom hem and stitchings of silvery clouds and white swirls. But her arms and shoulders were covered by a see-through white shawl.

"So, what do you think?" as she gave a twirl and laughed at herself. She had pulled all the stops (even asking a friend for a few jewelry pieces) to impress, it had to do something, surely. "Have an idea?" she questioned inquisitively.

When asking for more info from them both, especially on the two leads Besean said, be sure to roll +Cha

"That's what I wanted to ask about," Ravnar says to the young man. "As someone who deals with the birds of this city every day... well, I've been told that the covcays have been acting up lately... suspiciously so, in fact." Ravnar takes out his holy symbol and shows it to the young man. "As a priest of Kali, vanquisher of demons, I've been looking into it. Do you, or does anyone here, have anything you can report about suspicious bird-related activity? Because I'm wondering if someone or something might not be using black magic to control the birds... or, worse, if the covcays' behavior is merely a symptom of some greater evil taking place in or near this city."

(As always, let me know if you want to roll, or else just roll for me.

Also, I know I forgot to do it at first, but I did at one point decide what Ravnar's holy symbol looks like... it's described on his character sheet/profile...)