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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 19, 2021 19:28:00 GMT -5
Glancing up and down the hall, and listening briefly at the stairs you don’t see or hear anybody moving about. You stand tall, reaching up along the door frame until you’re startled by a hand on your arm. You stifle whatever sound you would have made when you see Annabelle knelt down beside you. She whispers, “I forgot to tell you it’s locked.” She shrugs, and abruptly you see a rake and a tensioner in her hand. She sets to work on the lock, and you hear a satisfying click moments later. She stands, “I’m sorry, but I can’t be seen with you.” She whispers before darting silently back down the hallway.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 20, 2021 6:01:05 GMT -5
Iko looks down at Annabelle and gives her a look like really, you had to forget that important piece of information. Shaking her head slightly she gives a nod and watches Annabelle run off before opening the door slowly, listening for any sound possible before slipping inside the room and shutting the door behind her. before glancing around the room, She needed to be quick and quiet and find the info to bring him down.
(investigation 19 +1 =20) (stealth 17+2=19)
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 20, 2021 9:06:50 GMT -5
You slip into the room silent as the grave, and take a quick look around. The room is as simple as the other bedrooms you’ve been inside since you’ve been here. A bed, a wash stand and a plain writing desk with two drawers. Aside from the addition of the desk, the bed is big enough for two people to sleep in it. More space then the middle aged woman that is sleeping on one side needs. The desk has an open ledger, and the top drawer contain writing implements and paper. The bottom drawer has a half finished stuffed animal, similar in style to all the ones you’ve seen around the orphanage.
A quick glance through the ledger shows clearly marked stipend from the duchess coming in, as well as a few sales of hand made crafts or child care services. Expenditures include everything one might expect from wages, repairs and food. Nothing in this ledger would point to anything illegal. That’s when you see a second book pushed way under the bed. This one looks very similar to the one you’re currently looking through.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 20, 2021 9:16:10 GMT -5
Hoping the book that's partially under the bed holds the info she needs because so far she doesn't have much. She needs to destroy him and save Annabelle and the other children. Crouching down low and sneaking over to the bed to get the book underneath. Careful to not make any noise while still listening for other sounds.
(stealth 18+2=20)
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 20, 2021 10:32:09 GMT -5
You get half your body under the bed, stretching your arm as far as it will go when the boards above you groan with the shifting of weight. You pivot yourself under the edge of the bed as two feet hit the floor where you just were. She stands, and drapes herself in a dressing gown. Swaying in place, she yawns, giving off the happy noises of somebody that’s in mid stretch. You watch as the feet pad off toward the door. She opens the door and exits the room, turning left. Now what?
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 20, 2021 12:12:47 GMT -5
once she is sure the lady is gone iko turns her attention back to getting the other book out from under the bed. She was on majorly borrowed time at this point and just hoped she didn't get discovered. once she grabs the book she slides out from under the bed making sure the coast is clear first before opening the book. a silent prayer to Pelor that this is what she needed.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 20, 2021 12:40:30 GMT -5
You open the book and find a similar ledger to the one you found before, this one however is written in some sort of cypher. You have no idea what it says, and it will take some time to decipher. Time you definitely don’t have. That woman was likely only going to use the privy, and will be back soon. Stashing the book in your pack, you glide over to the door.
The hallway looks clear. Dodging out you make your way down the hall back toward the heavy canvas sheet. That’s about when you hear a door open behind you. Without thinking you dart back into the room you were in before. Face pressed to the partially open door, you see the woman walk sleepily back toward her bedroom. In the brighter hallway you see that her hair is a mess, and she has a small scar along her jawbone. Extra small scars there lead you to think she had stitches there at some point. After a moment she vanished back into her room.
Annabelle whispers behind you, “Did you get what you were looking for?”
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 20, 2021 12:49:30 GMT -5
turning to look down at Annabelle. "I hope so. " she says as she peaks back out the door, " i have to get back, I've been gone to long but i have friends here, make sure you go to see them and get some food. " iko gives Annabelle a small smile, though with her solid white eyes it seemed like she was not seeing anything. " is there anything else you can tell me or show me about what's been happening here, I will stop him I promise." she says kneeling down to Annabelle's height to look her in the eyes.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 20, 2021 17:46:51 GMT -5
Annabelle stares at you, long and hard. She stares so long you're about to give up on her as simply ignoring your question when she finally says, probably a little too loud, "We're given over to the Shadow Hand, and taught to steal from people. If we get caught, the sailors and low lifes of the Harbour District usually just give us a hardy beating and send us on our way. If you can't bring in enough coin working the street, that bitch gets you to work the sheets downstairs." She looks back at her friend, "Show her." The other girl's eyes go wide, and she shakes her head slightly looking scared. "Show her." Annabelle says again, more gently. The girl looks terrified now, but flips back her blanket. She's only wearing a thin shift, but that's not what draws your attention. Anger boils up within you as you see the thick bruises that line her inner thighs, and the redness visible around the edges of her bottom. Annabelle rounds on you, anger plain on her features, "I'm bloody trusting you woman, if you don't make this stop then I will." She flips her hand up and abruptly there is a blade in her palm. She looks determined now, and her eyes look so much older than she actually is. It's heartbreaking.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 21, 2021 16:59:57 GMT -5
"i will annabelle, pelor has commanded it so" she says glancing at the blade before standing up, casting one last look at the other girl, "there is a doctor here aswell im sure he can give her something to help with the pain." she says before glancing at the canvas once more and slipping out the make shift door to head back towards the room the doctor was using, hopefully the others had gathered info aswell. they needed to regroup and figure out the next move.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 21, 2021 17:06:41 GMT -5
Peeking out the door, the hallway is clear. You dart from the room to the canvas, and notice Master Potts downstairs in the foyer. He could be going to the kitchen. The same kitchen that you should be in based on your cover story. You circle the balcony quickly, entering back into the bedroom office of your companion. He’s currently checking over a very small girl that’s cuddling another of those stuffed animals. He nods, “You found what you were looking for?” He says it reaching for the water pitcher, but you know that’s not what he is asking about.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 21, 2021 17:18:17 GMT -5
Nods and hands over the pitcher before glancing at the small girl and smiling warmly at her. Curious about the stuffed animal but not bringing it up. "how are the children?" she asks looking back at her companion, She was eager to get back to the light temple and set about deciphering this book but wanted to give them time to make sure the children would be ok for a little longer.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 21, 2021 17:24:56 GMT -5
Your companion goes through the motions of this check up with smooth efficiency, like he’s done this a thousand times before. He even manages to make the little girl laugh with a few silly faces. You suspect that the ‘work’ that goes on downstairs is a nocturnal activity, and it’s not yet midday. You should have a bit of time as long as the work here goes smoothly.
The light in the room changes, and you feel a presence behind you. Pivoting smoothly you find Master Potts standing in the doorway. “You found the well out front did you?” Something about the tightness in his eyes makes you rethink a quick agreement. You have seen out front, there was no well there. He’s trying to trick you into a lie.
How do you respond?
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 21, 2021 17:33:37 GMT -5
"no i found the kitchen and then spent some time looking at the paintings, the story of the orphanage is interesting, How did you come to be the caretaker of it?" she asks curiously. "You take such wonderful care of the children, it must be hard work for one man to care for so many children." She smiles hoping he wont see threw her blatant lie about the children.
(deception 20+1=21) (persuasion 15+1=16) (performance 17+1=18)
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 21, 2021 17:46:13 GMT -5
You can see him weighing every word your saying in his mind, or are you just reading too much into things? “When the previous caretaker passed on, I saw an opportunity to fill a need and do some good work while I was at it. It has been a real struggle actually. A building this size requires constant maintenance, and some of that maintenance costs a fair bit of coin.” He sighs. Is that the weight of all the evil you think this man is responsible for? Or was it just a sigh because he was remembering all the hard times? “Providing these children a means to survive this world is all I can think about lately. I thank your order for the services you provide, and the coin. Without it we would have had to close our doors a long time ago.” He looks sad now, “Even with that aid it’s not always enough.” He sighs again, clearly pulling himself together. “I’m going to check on the others again.” He gives a slight bow, and heads back to the common room.
“You’re all done little one. Go back and play. Make sure you get some food from the nice lady in there, okay?” “Otay Misser.” She says as she skips out of the room. You’re attention is drawn back when you hear, “Was it just me or did he seem genuine there? If you found what you need we can finish up and go get the Pins.”
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 21, 2021 18:19:08 GMT -5
"genuine or not the things he puts the children threw is horrible." she says with a slight shudder as she remembers what Annabelle told her. patting her bag she nods and looks over at him. "yes I think I have enough." She had hoped that Annabelle and the other girl would have come by but hopefully they at least got some food from her companion. genuine or not the man had taken these children's innocence from them in more ways than one and it needed to be stopped quickly. She just hoped she had enough information to be able to stop it before any others got hurt.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 22, 2021 8:34:39 GMT -5
Ronath stands and quickly gathers the few tools he had taken out. “Then let’s close up shop for now, and return once we know what we’re dealing with.” The pair of you cross the hall to take in the common room once more. Anvas is juggling three of those stuffed animals to the delight of a young boy and two young girls. A bunch of other kids pay half attention to their sandwiches while watching Anvas from across the room. Janesse makes eye contact with you and raises an eyebrow, when you nod she makes her rounds to gather her belongings, and say goodbye to her new friends.
Master Potts stands against the wall mid room, smiling with his hands crossed behind his back. Even with him here, the children seem to be having a good time. The three of you gather up by the door, and finally manage to get Anvas’ attention. He wraps up his performance and makes some grand farewells. Master Potts steps forward, “Now children, let’s give a big thanks to our friends from the Light Shrine.” All the children give a polite bit of applause and a sing song, “Thank you.”
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 22, 2021 16:35:29 GMT -5
"Your very welcome, may pelors light bless you all and keep you safe." she says as she looks over the children and smiles a genuine smile before turning to her companions and giving a nod as she leaves the room heading back towards the front door. She casts a glance towards the canvas covered door careful to not give away her attention before exiting the building. Eager to put some distance between them and the orphanage to learn what if anything her companions had gathered.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 22, 2021 17:36:21 GMT -5
The lot of you head for the door, with Master Potts following behind. As you reach the bottom of the stairs he moves past the group to the front door. "Thank you again. We really do appreciate all the help your order provides." With his final parting words, he opens the front door and gives a slight bow as each of you pass outside. The gravel crunches under your feet as you walk between the gardens toward the front gate, with the whole party completely silent, even Anvas. Once you get through the gate, three sets of eyes drift your way. All three walk along with you, and you get the feeling they're all following your lead.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 22, 2021 17:46:50 GMT -5
Once clear of the orphanage and a safe enough distance away," the canvas didn't hide renovations, the children are being used." she shudders barely able to explain what is being done to the children but hoping the other catch on quickly enough that she didn't need to go into detail. "they are also being given to the shadow hand and being forced to steal for them." her words in a whisper loud enough only for her companions to here.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 22, 2021 18:12:20 GMT -5
Ronath looks confused, "Used for what?" He asks, while Janesse's eyes widen, and she exclaims, "By the holy light of Pelor!" Anvas raises an eyebrow, but you're not sure whether he understood what you meant or not. When you continue Ronath seems to catch up with the rest of the conversation, looking disgusted. "So that man is giving orphans to the Shadow Hand, and they're also selling their bodies? What is wrong with him!?" Ronath stops, pivoting and taking a few steps back toward the orphanage. Janesse stops him with a hand on his chest, "Wait." Is all she says, but it's enough to stop him. Turning to you, "What proof do you have of his crimes?"
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 22, 2021 18:20:27 GMT -5
She pulls out the ledger she found and holds it out to them. "I haven't had time to decipher it, he kept one that had normal expenses in it, most likely used as a cover but this one was hidden. I also have be friended one of the children and she has told me things" putting the ledger away and glancing around. "lets get back to the temple where its safer to talk." she says and continues back towards the temple.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 22, 2021 18:38:10 GMT -5
Ronath doesn't move, still facing back the way you came, "No. We're not going all the way back to the Light Shrine." His breath is coming quickly, in ragged pants. "Find a place here to figure out your book." The words are spat out, and his fists are clenched at his sides, "If there is proof, then we go to the guards before we go back. If there isn't, then we're going back anyway." Janesse has stepped further in front of Ronath, putting both of her hands on his chest. "I'm a nurse, I'm not going back there for what you have in mind!" Looking at the smaller woman holding back the larger man, honestly she's not physically capable of stopping Ronath. If he wants to move past her he can. Anvas looks to each of you, then simply says, "I'm in." Without any explanation, exaggeration or flourishes.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 22, 2021 19:07:06 GMT -5
She nods and glances around taking in their current location. " i know some place closer come on." she says and heads towards the well groomed pike, knowing it was probably the safest place for them at the moment. determined to get this ledger deciphered quickly so that they can put a stop to this. the sooner the better, all she can see in her mind is the face of that little girl and knowing the pain she was in.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 22, 2021 20:59:34 GMT -5
You arrive at the Well Groomed Pike shortly thereafter, with all of your companions in tow. Yoseph smiles as you enter, gesturing to the table you first sat at when you arrived in town. "I'll be with you all in a moment." He says as he passes with two platters in hand for a table of eight on the other side of the room. Aside from the table of eight, there are three other occupied tables, two with two and another with three people sitting at them. The large table seems to be some sort of merchant organization meeting. The table of three is two parents and a child, then there are a pair of well dressed sailors, officers maybe and a couple on a date.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 23, 2021 12:56:20 GMT -5
Heading over to the table yoseph offered and sitting down. Pulling the ledger out of her bag placing it on the table before glancing around at the other patrons." lets hope this has what we are looking for" She says before opening it up to study it.
(investigation 20+1=21)
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 23, 2021 14:22:59 GMT -5
Glancing through the ledger you almost immediately realize that the writer is using a simply substitution cypher. After about ten minutes you've managed to figure out which letters are which. It takes just shy of an hour to translate the majority of the book, enough at least to paint a picture of the real finances of the Adrift Orphanage. There is also a journal entry of sorts written into the last few pages and the back cover of the book.
You translate and provide your companions with the following synopsis of the journal. It explains that the Adrift Orphanage was perfect for the Potts family. It allowed them to help the poor downtrodden children of the Harbour District. The work was hard, but fulfilling. They adore the children, and love watching them grow and prosper. The problems began when the roof started to leak during a particularly windy storm. An entire wall began to show signs of water damage, and some of the trusses needed to be replaced. They simply didn't have the funds to complete all that work, and try as they might they didn't manage to raise the funds through traditional means.
That's when a fellow that calls himself Gecko showed up, touting that he had heard of their money issues and wanted to offer a loan with interest of course. Turns out that Gecko works for the Shadow Hand, and once they took his offered money they were now in debt to them. Members of the Shadow Hand started showing up unannounced to request their owed funds. They managed to keep things going for a little while, going so far as to stop paying themselves their meager salary. Eventually it came down to feeding the children, or paying the Shadow Hand. Enough was enough. Master Potts confronted Gecko at the Carousing Sailor, where he was offered a ultimatum: Loose the orphanage, and still owe the Shadow Hand their debt or allow the Shadow Hand to mentor some of the children, and the extra money they make can go toward paying down their debt.
It all seemed so innocuous at first, the children came back excitedly telling of all the things they had learned. We were naive. It wasn't long before the excitement faded, and their stories took a darker turn. They were being asked to pick people's pockets, or act as lookouts while the Shadow Hand broke into a warehouse. It was too much! What could we do? We still owed so much, and it was either this or put the kids back out on the street. Even with all the shady dealings with the Shadow Hand it wasn't enough to pay down their debt. The Matron had an idea to make more coin, and I told her to go ahead with it without asking any questions.
The final line on the inside back cover is this: "It wasn't until later that I found out what her idea was. Pelor's light burn me to ash, what have I done?" The journal provides you a step by step descent into the horror that you found at the orphanage. Each step at the time seemed innocent or even necessary. Each step was one step further along, until looking back you realize just how far down you've traveled.
In addition to the journal the ledger provides enough evidence that the Adrift Orphanage was making quite a bit of illegal income, almost all of which was being transferred to the Shadow Hand. This account matches what you saw in the bedrooms behind the canvas. Everything was plainly furnished, nothing extravagant or flashy. You now have enough evidence to have the Potts family and their two employees arrested.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 23, 2021 14:35:10 GMT -5
once she finishes deciphering the ledger and relaying what she learned from it to her companions she looks up at them, not sure what would be the next course of action." we need to get the children to safety and quickly." she says as she closes the book and tucked it away, while pulling out the paper that held the address of the safe house on it and looking to her companions. "one way or another this ends tonight, I refuse to let the children suffer any longer."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 23, 2021 17:34:02 GMT -5
Janesse nods, "Give me the ledger and your translation, and I will take it to the guard. You guys get back there and lock down the adults." Anvas tosses his cloak over one shoulder, abruptly juggling five daggers, "That shouldn't be a problem good lady." Ronath cracks his knuckles and begins to gather his belongings, "I may or may not punch him in the face first, and ask questions later." Moments later the lot of you are gathered by the door. As their defacto leader, they all look to you to take the lead.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Sept 23, 2021 17:42:57 GMT -5
After giving a slight wave to yoseph to let him know she was leaving again she leads her companions out of the building before turning to Janesse and handing her the ledger and her translations. "may pelors light protect you." she whispers out of pure habit before turning back to anvas and ronath and gives them a nod and starts heading back towards the orphanage, trying to formulate an excuse as to why they are back so soon.
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