We know that Ixitch is in a former manorhouse pretty close to the border of Grimyria and he has a number of guards and supporters at his fingertips. Right now though we have surprise as no one knows we're coming as of yet and hope to catch Ixitch ill prepared.
We'll see how that goes.
Write up follows:
Being that it was almost 4 and we had some time, Darius wanted a chance to try and get a name from Wantan the Smith on a possible owner and/or rider of the heavy war steed. So changing into his courtier clothes and adopting a more imperious manner he headed off to the street of smiths and found his way to the common stabler. He started off talking to some of the stableboys who were uncomfortable with an apparent lord and passed him on to the stablemaster.
There was some banter back and forth where Darius indicated that he was Isilwine Goldsmith (his younger sister Twilane’s betrothed) and wanted some information on “better steeds than what’s here.” The conversation moved about while Darius drove it towards war steeds and where could he get one. Who has one? Is it for sale? Give me a name. Eventually he got the name of Sir Berwick Ironbrand and his band of mercenaries (4 or 5 of them). Thanking the stablemaster and getting word that Sir Berwick occasionally comes to Canaslan but has had more steady work with Lord Emberwine of Emberia.
Eventually we left and after sharing what we learned, a stop at the Chamberpot Ogre named Rutus (stationed near the Farrier) then led us to getting some smaller coin. Near Whiteshadow was a money changer named Dangrel who was willing to exchange gold for us in his shop. It was a one on one basis, through locked door and under guard and ready. Taking 3% for himself, he made the swap for the party and by just shy of 5 PM, we were set and ready to go.
Heading back to the Malters, we noted that it was getting late and many places were closed for now. Gerry Rockbottom’s was the same. Following Barb’s lead, we went on to the last Malter’s, where the 3 dwarves were willing to give her some work, half a sandwich, and some information earlier. We spoke to them, they shut the doors behind us and a group of 5 dwarves, all related, of the family name Copperpot, then filled us in on Gerry Rockbottom and his operation.
The dwarves aren’t a fan of Gerry but he is a dwarf, so they did share some information with us about the man and his goings on. He does answer to an Ixitch Barrowman who is a well placed functionary on King Seljack’s Brute Squad. Seems Ixitch also moonlights as a drug dealer and Gerry is one of his pushers. So when Barb dropped Ixitch’s name, it freaked Gerry out since effectively she gave him some bullshit that his boss directed her to see Gerry to buy Scratch – a claim that made no sense and caused Gerry to close up shop earlier.
We were still being watched and the Copperpot dwarves were willing to let us go down into the sewer and crawl along to a safe area near town square. So we parted with 3 crowns and left, getting under the city streets where some foot and a half of foul water met us in the 5’ diameter brick tunnel. A box was passed down for Shim to ride in and we were told to go four junctions and then climb up, knocking 3 times and then again to alert the Chamberpot HalfOgre Segan to let us out of the building.
We made our way down after stripping off shoes, hose, and even pants, rolling up cloaks, and then walking (and pushing Shim) through the foul mess. Barb, Thalin, and Brading were choking and feeling ill but we counted off 4 junctions and then climbed up to a covered grating where it took some time to force it open. We emerged into an unused shop, some dust around. One by one we came out and taking the box with us, laid it near the returned grating. From outside we could hear faint voices and the lack of light let us know that it was now evening.
We knocked 3 times, paused, and then again. And ogrish voice answered with exaggerated care that he just needs to stretch and then worked a key in the lock and told us to come out. We hid behind his spread trench coat and then he made believe that we had all come out from his chamberpot together.
The guards nearby didn’t care and knew that Segan was lying – but let the half-ogre think he was putting one over on them and we thanked the half ogre who locked the door again, was happy to be doing work for the Copperpot dwarves, and gave us directions to a bathhouse and launder not too far from the Winsome Wench.
Leaving a trail of dirty water behind us we arrived at the bathhouse, and arranged for 5 baths – triple time for each. We even had our clothes left here for laundering with the knowledge they were to be returned to us at the Wench later. One by one we went into the narrow tub filled rooms and started scrubbing.
The pinprick left but the garrote stayed and she counted to 5..then 10. Then with slow care lifted her hand to the braided cord at her throat and pulled it away freely. A pair of wooden handles had been wrapped together and the weight let her think there was still a person holding it. She looked out in the hall…No one there.
As we all got dressed in our second set of clothes, Barb showed us the garrote and the pinprick on her neck, the group interested in that someone was looking to drive us off. We were exhausted and wanted to solve the issue sooner rather than later, so we went off to the Winsome Wench, ate quickly, and then grabbed a room. Once there we made sure to bar the door (as recommended to!) and had to suffer through a newbie thief trying to pick our door and being chased away, then some guy selling insurance to make sure no one tries to pick our door again, then the laundry being delivered but the young man dropping it off getting body slammed for disturbing our door from the insurance tough and eventually by 8 that night we fell asleep.
The next day was Spirit Month the 30th – New Year’s Eve. Tonight there would be merriment and revelry, signaling the start of the New Year and the first day of winter. Many businesses were going to be closed early today, or just closed at all. Gerry Rockbottom was most likely going to be closed and we wanted his address.
So Thalin and Darius went back to the Malter’s to talk to the Copperpot Dwarves to get the last bit of information of Gerry…and it was some serious back and forth between Thalin and Drang Copperpot who didn’t want Gerry permanently hurt. At all. He’s still a dwarf and a scumbag, but still a fellow dwarf. So we did eventually get the address and learned he had a young daughter living with him as well. There are 2 guards always on duty who watch the house but don’t live with him – so don’t screw around – or you’ll be seen and the guards are NOT pushovers.
By 9:30 we had gotten together again and made our way to the cul-de-sac that Gerry lived on – 3rd house from the right. No one seemed to be watching but we assumed we had a small window of time at best. So Shim went first, taking Darius’ “cat pillow” he had taken from his mom’s house months ago, and spoke to Gerry’s daughter through the door. Dad was sleeping, normally you have to come back when he’s up. Ooo, you’re gnome? That’s a nice pillow. Maybe a little bit. I don’t know. Maybe.
We got her to open the door and then rushed her. Gerry’s daughter, Flea…was a hellion. Twisting and biting, she stabbed at Darius’ leg, bit Barb fingers, and tried to twist, pull, and force herself back. Brading dropped a silence spell on most of the house so all her yells were for nothing and eventually we had her bound up and dumped in a large sack that Brading tied closed and Barb was holding on to.
Then two of us went back to Gerry’ bedroom where he had 2 alarm bells near his headboard. While neutralizing one, the other slipped off and was going to ring but Barb grabbed it quick. Then it was “wake up time” and questioning. Where was Ixitch? Wouldn’t tell us. Ixitch was getting upset because he owes Big GO, but Big GO hadn’t gotten in touch with him to set up exchange of funds. Darius dropped Isilwine’s name again as his own and indicated they were from Big GO, looking to collect. Where was Ixitch? WHERE?!?!?!
Eventually after some beating we got a bearing on where Ixitch was and we Gerry a sobbing broken mess with the instructions to talk to no one and to count for a long time before daring to get up.
Where did we have to go? Ixitch has a Homestead near mile marker 5 near the border of Grimyria. Ugh. It was 10 after 10 and we were going to leave town NOW and take the fight to Ixitch Barrowman.
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