Crowley's Kids [IC]

[JNAProductions]

OOC Thread

---

Your home is still aflame. Indos is in shock-Crowley, a demon, a devil, a fiend? The Golden Avengers are triumphant.

Currently, you're in Geoffrey's Jambalaya Shack-a hole in the wall little tavern/restaurant, and also a front for various illicit activities. The food's great, and no one here will be eager to turn you in to the Plume.

What will you do?

[Hof]

Spoiler: Status Show AC 17 HP 54/54 Psi 5/5 Mastery 1/1 Rampage d4 Sup dice 4/4 Projected weapons: -

Even in this place, the table the kids sit at is the least noticeable one. What place is really safe now, after all? It is not unusual for Salovair to be silent for long stretches at a time. But his normally calm demeanor is gone now. Often some small item floats around him, falling unheeded to the ground as another rises. They move erratically, as if to echo his thoughts. Order of the shining plume, really? They couldn't have chosen a more pompous, arrogant name if they tried. Where did they come from? Without warning, at least none I can remember. Unbelievably effective in their raid. Must have been planned thoroughly then. I knew Crowley had enemies, but not with this kind of sway - nor with this kind of zealous animosity. Bloody fanatics! A floating salt shaker clatters on the table, and Salovair uses this call to attention to finally speak up. "Before we decide what to do, we need to know more. Who and what are the plume?"

[TheAlmightyKue]

Spoiler: OOC - Hof

Show

I have no idea how you did that but its cool.

Daenery was sitting leaning forward at the table, she was slouching allowing her to hide herself more fully in her cloak and hood. In a place like this, not many would even take note of someone hiding themselves from an obvious view. She could hide better than most, a simple change of face and hair, and no one would be able to recognize her but still, she kept her hood up and head downturned. She was lost in thought, and would have remained so had Salovair not spoken up. "Zealots by the looks of em, but not sure I know much about who they are." she admitted glumly as she searched her memory for any reference to the name.

[Khosan]

Terric isn't much for disguises, after all it's been quite some time since he had to really hide. Still, he has his cloak wrapped loosely around his head and shoulders, not enough to hide the armor he'd hastily donned in their escape, but more than enough to cover key identifying features like his face and the holy symbol hanging from his neck. He looks like he's seen a ghost; eyes white, all color drained from his face, and currently grasping an empty mug so tight that most of his hands have gone cold and white. One thought runs through his mind, over and over, This is my fault.

The falling salt shaker pulls Terric out of his stupor. He listens and nods at Salovair, starting shakily, "I've had an...experience with the Plume before." He takes a hand and tries to place it on the table, but finds himself unable to stop it shaking, so balls it up into a fist again. He takes a deep breath in, closes his eyes, exhales, and starts again, "I did a lot of reading about them too. They're practically storybook heroes like dad used to read us, been around since ancient times." There's the briefest hint of a smile when he remembers Crowley, until recent events push those memories away. He sighs and continues, "They go out. Fight evil-doers, help the needy, that sort of stuff."

He stares down hard into his empty drink, Do I tell them? I have to tell them. I can't not tell them. He looks up, back down, then up at the ceiling, doing everything to avoid eye contact, "I think they caught on to dad because of me. I was...in trouble with them when he found me. He hid me from them." He lowers his head back down, "I thought it was just one bad egg the first time. Now I'm not sure."

[animorte]

Flit has been fidgeting with her glasses, rotating them back and forth between her hands, a very useful trinket that was gifted her a long time ago. Not sure where Crowley got them from, but they've been one of her most prized possessions, especially now. She continues running countless scenarios through her head, trying to think of how she could - should have prevented it. She hears the voices of her siblings, almost as if at a distance and waking from a dream. She barely even looks up from the table, making no effort of attention to her surroundings.

"I do remember the stories..." She pauses, still fiddling with her glasses. They seem to keep her grounded, for the moment. "There's no way this all goes back to just you. Think of how many people he knew - knows."

[TheAlmightyKue]

Danny continued to chew her lip before she spoke up again "Right, that rings a bell." The name was vaguely familiar but there were so many self-righteous groups out there they all blurred after a bit. But as she thought on it she remembered more "There was a group that broke off years ago, same goody good behavior but much more secretive. Less zealous than the Plume. They only go after real big bad types." She glanced at her siblings and she could see how hurt they all were. "I agree with Flit, it's not your fault. One of the numerous reasons, I doubt very much the biggest of them."

[JNAProductions]

You fall quiet for a few moments as an attendant brings you some chow. The food is hot and fatty, though you've opted to refrain from anything alcoholic for the moment-best to keep a clear mind until you're safer.

[Khosan]

Terric forces a smile to the attendant, "Thank you." He pokes at his plate with a fork, but doesn't eat much, "You're probably right, Flit. It's just...I want answers. A reason. And I spent a lot of time blaming myself for the things happening to me before he found me. Bad habit." He sighs, jabs a potato and stuffs it in his mouth.

"So, to get back to Sal's question, what do we do now?" Terric leans forward, looking between them, "I'm of several minds. I could sit here and get very drunk with all of you and reminisce. Or we try to get some semblance of justice for our father. I'm leaning towards the latter."

[Hof]

Spoiler: Status Show AC 17 HP 54/54 Psi 5/5 Mastery 1/1 Rampage d4 Sup dice 4/4 Projected weapons: -

Salovair nods in agreement to Terric. "Justice, yes. Or vengeance if it comes to that. Really though, I just want father back." He takes a deep breath. "The plume are supposedly the good guys, if I understand you all correctly. They think so anyway. So in their minds we must be accomplices at least, perhaps worse. We were lucky to get away. The raid seems very well planned to me, seeing how they were able to catch Crowley off guard. An while we may have been secondary targets, I don't believe they will just leave us be." "So I think our first step needs to be to find a safe place. Better then this. Father was always the man with the friends in convenient places. I know no one in the city, other than you, who I trust not to give us up to the plume. Do we just leave Indos?"

[animorte]

"As much as I'd love nothing more than getting out of here to safety, I'm with Terric. I want answers, plume good or not."

Flit's determined eyes finally leave the table and her unwavering gaze touches each one of her siblings in turn. A look they have only seen during rather dire moments, if at all. "Best to find some clues while it's still fresh. I might know somebody in the guild that would provide us temporary lodging until we figure something else out."

[TheAlmightyKue]

Daenery was attentive to her sibling's thoughts. Yes, they were in a really dangerous position. The Plume zealots would no doubt be looking for accomplices. "If they are looking for people who worked with him, they will be quite busy for a while, everyone had some contact with him it seemed." She had always been surprised that he knew virtually everyone, that everyone seemed to owe him a favor or hold him in some high standing.

She looked to Flit, then the others on order of their statements. "I want to know who told them, how they found out after all this time. But also" her face tightened a little "Is there anything we can do to get in touch with him, he got out of that place once. Or is there a way to make sure they never come for us again?"

[Khosan]

"We will need a place to lay low, if you could arrange that, Flit." Terric gives a quick, awkward thumbs up, "The Plume isn't going to like us poking around if they aren't already looking for us. Better safe than sorry."

Terric's eyes light up at Danny, "I can get in touch with him! Not today, but come morning I should be able to get the proper spell from Lord Apollo," he tugs at the small golden laurel wreath hanging from his neck. "It's higher order magic for me and very limited, but we can get a short message down to him and he can respond. It's not great, but it's better than nothing." He smiles, genuinely.

[JNAProductions]

With a plan settled on, you leave the Jambalaya Shack, heading for the contact you know best among the Thieves' Guild-a woman by the name of Audrey Sinclair. She oversees the training of newer members, having long since passed her prime, though she's still got nimble fingers. It takes more than an hour of searching, mostly since you're trying to avoid drawing any attention to yourselves, but eventually you locate her sitting on a fountain's edge, knitting. She looks at you all, and nods.

"Oh dearies, it's been so long!" she says, approaching you all. "You've grown so much-but you look like you need some good meals. Come on, come along! Let's get you some food."

You follow her to a small home, just outside an alley, with her acting the part of a doting grandma the whole way. One of you graciously opens the door for her, earning a quick hug. With everyone inside, she closes, locks, and bars the door. "I heard what happened," she says, her voice much more serious. "I'm... I'm sorry."

[animorte]

Flit is glad to see a trusted face, but she's still very much concerned about the unknown. She doesn't say a word on the way, just keeps her head down and attempts to push all the worry out of her head.

The moment they get inside and the door is safely locked, she embraces Audrey and all of her siblings at one time. Tears begin running down her face. "I just want to know why!"

After a few moments, she begins to recollect herself, it's the most emotion she has shown since the incident. "We know that he was established in many sorts, but whoever would have a reason? The determined look finally returns to her face, almost as if the display of emotion hadn't occurred. "All I know is, we're going to fix this."

[Hof]

Spoiler: Status Show AC 17 HP 54/54 Psi 5/5 Mastery 1/1 Rampage d4 Sup dice 4/4 Projected weapons: -

Returning Flit's embrace, Salovair suppresses an emotional tremble as he tries to focus on the task at hand. Cool your rage. Rash action will not help find Crowley. Patience and effort lead to success. He thinks, almost like a mantra. Eventually Salovair turns to Audrey. "Thank you miss Sinclair. We were taken by surprise and could not help. But with enough information I'm confident we can find a way to free him. Can you help us?"

[JNAProductions]

She nods. "You're going to need a safehouse-probably multiple. I can get you out of Indos, if you want to lie low for a bit, or find places you can hole up in the city." Audrey moves to the kitchen, and does start preparing a meal. Her hands move without thought, and you get the feeling that the actions are more to keep herself steady than the actual benefits of making a sandwich. "Your father... You knew him better than most. You know he had a checkered past. But, hell, don't we all? No one's free from their past..."

"There are three places, right off the bat, where you should be safe," she says. "One-The Golden Cat. Upscale brothel-you might've been there before, if you were inclined. I don't judge, but the owner, Sam, worked a lot with your father. She's got her finger on the pulse of Indos nearly as well as Crowley had. Two-Brighthome's Orphanage. We used to recruit from there, but it's been taken over by a dwarf, named Snattle Brighthome. She's hanged it in a lot of ways-and given a lot of kids opportunities they wouldn't've had otherwise. Do not go there if you're being followed, or if you're in a fight-but if you need a place to recuperate, you can spend a day or two just looking after some kids. She'd appreciate the help. And lastly, three-The Trove. It's a casino, club, nighthouse, and fighting pit. Run by Brassy Ruehl."

Audrey distributes sandwiches amongst you all. "Golden Cat for information. Brighthome if you need a break. The Trove if you need equipment or mercs. Any questions?"

[Khosan]

"Thank you, missus Sinclair," Terric takes the sandwich graciously, "We'll be staying in Indos for now, I don't think we're ready to move on quite yet." He glances towards his siblings with a sympathetic smile, "We might be back to see you before long. No telling how long we have here. But we'll make the best of that time."

"So, The Golden Cat?"

[TheAlmightyKue]

Danny nodded her head in agreement with Terric "I agree, the Golden Cat sounds best." she would consider what form to take for this mission. "We can see if any of the plumes men have a weakness or vice we can exploit to gather intel"

[JNAProductions]

Audrey nods. "Leave one at a time, and travel safely."

One of you gets going soon, while the others wait for at least five minute intervals. Audrey chats with you, doing her best to lighten the mood a bit, but it's only somewhat effective. Eventually, the last of you depart, and she is left alone.

The trek through Indos feels a lot more harrowing than it actually is. The Plume doesn't have a massive presence here-barely anything, in fact, before the Golden Avengers arrived. While that might change sooner rather than later, for now, you make it to the Cat without any trouble. The building stands lower than its neighbors, but quite wide and deep. Inside, there's a gorgeous young man dressed in a nice suit waiting behind a counter. "Good day, my fine friends!" he calls over when you enter. "How can I be of assistance today?"

[animorte]

Flit agrees about the Golden Cat. Being near Sam could provide them some more insight and - she hates to think of it - would set them near enough to be prepared for a Plume encore.

Just before they leave, she prepares a telepathic connection with Danny, Salovair, and Terric. She hopes to be one of the last to leave, she keeps fiddling with her glasses, attempting small talk with Audrey, and trying to take a general interest in the room.

She keeps her head down walking through town, but notices a lack of influence, at least for now. She tries to focus on the bond with her siblings, hoping they can keep this nonsense from getting out of hand.

During the walk, Flit is talking mentally with her siblings (something they're all accustomed to by now) about what plans to go forward with. "When we get there, do we need one room or two? Do you think we should make it a point to check out the other places? Should we go back home and poke around? I wonder how much Sam knows..."

Spoiler

Show

Expend one psionic die to maintain her Telepathic Connection with all three siblings for one hour.

Rolling two investigation checks:

First: at Audrey's, passively looking for any sign of the Plume.

Investigation:
(1d20+11)[25]

Second: with her glasses (eyes of minute seeing) at the Cat, especially looking for anything suspicious relative to the Plume.

Investigation (advantage):
(1d20+11)[14]
(1d20+11)[17]

[JNAProductions]

Spoiler: Investigation

Show

First result: There's no sign of the Plume at her residence.

Second result: Nothing here either.

[Hof]

Spoiler: Status Show AC 17 HP 54/54 Psi 5/5 Mastery 1/1 Rampage d4 Sup dice 4/4 Projected weapons: -

Eager to take a next step, Salovair volunteers to leave first. With a quick hug to the siblings and a nod in thanks to Audrey, he leaves as soon as Flit creates her mental link. I'll say if I see something concerning, and when I get to the cat. Be safe. During the trip he keeps alert, hoping to sense any danger before it finds him. Spoiler Show Perception:(1d20+6)[19], but I assume nothing special happens along the way. At the Golden Cat, Salovair indicates he is waiting for companions and sets up to wait in a corner. When everyone is there, he turns to the young man with a simple "We need to speak to Sam."

[JNAProductions]

Spoiler: Perception

Show

Despite feeling like everyone is watching you, no one takes that much note. People see you, of course, but not more than they see any other stranger on the streets.

"Do you have an appointment?" the man asks. "She's a very busy lady."

[Khosan]

Terric is second to leave, doing his best to finish the sandwich from Audrey despite already having eaten at the Jambalaya Shack. Despite leaving fairly early, he's one of the last to arrive, looking worse for wear and smelling faintly of vomit. He slides in behind the others, "No, sorry, this is all a bit unplanned." Terric bows weakly, leaning heavily on his halberd, "Could you let her know we're here on behalf of Crowley's estate?"

[JNAProductions]

The man frowns, but nods. "I'll get that to her," he replies. He writes something down, and when another employee passes by-another man dressed in a loincloth and nothing else-he hands the parchment over. "Take this to Sam, please."

"Sure thing," the other man says.

"Please wait over on the bench-you should get a response shortly, but in case anyone else arrives, it'd be best not to clutter this space," the desk man tells you. You follow the instructions, waiting nervously on the bench off to the side.

As you wait, another person enters. You recognize him as one of the merchant-lords of Indos. He strides over to the desk, and drops a small coinpurse on it. "I'm entertaining guests tonight," he says, "and I'll need... Three, let's say, pieces of arm candy."

The desk employee nods, and starts counting from the coinpurse, while the loincloth-clad man returns. "Alright! You four want to follow me?" he says to you. You stand and follow, alert. He leads you behind the desk, into a spiral staircase leading down, down, down. Once you're thoroughly beneath the surface, he knocks at the bottommost door. "Miss Sam-I've brought the four folk from the estate."

"Come in," a pleasant alto voice floats out from within. The mostly-naked employee opens the door, gestures you in, and closes it behind. The room is simple-almost spartan, especially compared to the luxury of the rooms above. There's a large desk with tons of drawers, with a short and androgynous woman seated behind it. Two chairs are on the opposite side of the desk from her. "I'm afraid I don't usually see this many folk here in the office. Some of you will have to stand."

[TheAlmightyKue]

Danny would follow quietly behind her children thinking about what they could do for Crowley and for themselves. As they settle in at the Golden Cat Danny takes note of the Merchant-Lords request and files it away as a possible job for later. She smiles to Sam and says "Oh we don't mind, thank you for seeing us." She was cheerful and sweet when she wanted to be. And right now it was best if this lady liked them "Do you think you could help us, please?"

Spoiler: Persuasion

Show

(1d20+8)[14]

[JNAProductions]

"Help how?" she asks. "And with what? If you want to stay safe, and get your dad back... Yeah. I can help. If you're looking to start a war over this... Not so much."

[animorte]

Flit prefers for the others do the talking as she's never been particularly skilled with people, unless it happens to be about, you know, shoes. As they enter the lower room with Sam, she finds herself appreciating the effectiveness of simplicity. Flit doesn't mind standing just inside the door off to the side.

"Sounds like we came to the right person." The two key words especially stood out to her, Safe and Dad.

[Hof]

Spoiler: Status Show AC 17 HP 54/54 Psi 5/5 Mastery 1/1 Rampage d4 Sup dice 4/4 Projected weapons: -

Salovair remains standing. Following Danny's lead, he bows slightly towards Sam, saying "We appreciate whatever you can do. Safety would be nice, but getting Father back is worth any amount of risk. At least to us, we would not want to endanger you of course." "After he is back, whether there is anything to be done about the Plume or the Golden Avengers would be up to Crowley. No doubt he could think up a better plan than all out war. He attempts to hide his true feelings about all this, but all the siblings know Salovair would not hesitate to dole out some vengeful violence if the opportunity presented itself. Spoiler: OOC Show If possible, I would like to assist Danny with the persuasion. Help action for advantage? Salovair isn't the best at this either. Also Danny would follow quietly behind her children... Wait, her children!? A typo, or am I missing something?

[JNAProductions]

"I've got someone on staff-well, not exactly on staff, but close enough-that could try contacting Crowley," Sam tells you. "He's more an expert on normal deceased, not the extraplanar sort, but we can find out if he's able to contact your father, at least. Follow me," she adds, standing and exiting her office. She leads you through the lowermost floor, towards a well-constructed and secure door. She knocks. "Mort, it's Sam. With company."

There's a brief noise from behind the door, some locks being undone, and then it opens. A pudgy man with spectacles is behind it. "Sam," he nods. "I'm Mortimer," he introduces himself.

Sam introduces you all as "These are Crowley's adoptive children. Is there any way you can try getting in contact with their father?"

"I can try, at least. Are any of them virgins?" he asks. "I'd use a bit of my own blood for the spell, but given the connection, if one of them qualifies, it might work better."