14 Nighthal
The door to the Tunnels was barely spotted among the rubbish, but Jinx found the handle to the hidden grate. It took a little work, but with help from the moonlight they got it open enough for each to slip in. Zyne sucked in his stomach, barely fitting through the narrow passageway. The dwarf grumbled under his breath about the width not being dwarven approved. The elf friendly clasped the sorcerer on the back, reminding him how deficient the city was in dwarf population. A shush came from the dark elf at the reminder of the potential dangers.
The ladder down led to a narrow passage, surprisingly clear of sewage and junk. Numerous symbols in were scribbled on the wall. They deduced this was was an entrance to several guild layers. Perhaps the struggling survivors of the guild wars had banded together? Lyra's information led them to the left passage; eventually the sewer tunnel expanded into a large circular hub, with five various passages marked off by metal doors. Each door had its own markings that match the one from the entrance. Finding the correct door was easy, a sideways crescent moon engraved below a window. A coded knock, keyed to Lyra's people, the panel over the window slid open to a set of blue grey eyes.
"pahntar whol l'isto," Zarae whispered, then each companion spoke "open for the Night" in different languages.
"Key?" the gruff voice asked.
Zyne pulled the token given to them, a large black oblong shaped coin with a mask engraved on one side, and a rune on the other, and waved it in front of the door's window.
"slide it in," muffled from the other side.
The coin fit into the thin slot where a key should have gone. It clanked on the other side to confirm it made it through. Lyra had informed them that guests of hers needed the coins while workers and merchants required specialized keys. The coin would allow free movement below and signal she had sent them. it wasn't often someone was sent on the bard's behalf. Several moments passed before the first clicks of unlocking mechanism was heard echoing in the chamber. The metal door creaked loudly even as it scraped across the stone floor. A halfling stood on the other side, dressed in all black fabrics. He returned the coin to the party, reminding them they will need it to get anyone willing to talk with them.
"Why does she send you?" pointing to the elf, dwarf, and tabaxi. "I might understand that one," indicating the rogue, "being here."
"really? Profiling me?"
The halfling shrugged then stepped to the side to allow passage, "welcome to the Tunnels."
The corridor opened up into a large chamber, at least 25 feet high ceiling. There were a dozen booths, the chamber rivaling a small bazaar; each booth was manned by representative members of various guilds. Walking around to each station, the companions asked questions about the half orc's recent capture, what the guards might know about the guilds, and potential for a mole. Zarae thought to ask about disgruntled members of the various guilds who might be willing to sell out their 'friends'. Eventually they were directed to a specific stall. They found a representative for Lyra's organization, a female air genasi. Her pale blue skin almost reminded Tahlethar of a moon elf. Pale colored hair appeared to be moving in a slight breeze even with no air movement. She was startled at the unexpected guest, two of which clearly had no business down in the Tunnels. but she was easily calmed when alerted to have been sent by Lyra herself.
"We cant be too careful. They," pointing upward and implying the regular city population, "do not treat my kind well since the uprising."
"we?"
"My twin sister and I," leading the group down a corridor to another metal door. Inside was a small room with several cots, trunks at the end of each bed, and a desk with an identical looking girl to the genasi. "I am Wynd. this is my sister, if not already obvious, Whirl."
"A little on the nose?" Jinx whispered to Tahlethar, not too quietly. He nudged her with his elbow.
The twins frowned at the tabaxi, assuming she didn't understand the culture, but said nothing.
Whirl greeted the four, her voice very small and nearly childlike, the one thing that distinguished the women. Zyne elbowed Jinx just as she was about to ask what was wrong; she got the hint.
"I am Tahlethar, this is Zyne, Jinx, and Zarae," the elf introduced them.
"Aye. We be needin some information," Zyne confirmed. He nodded for the elf to ask the other twin questions.
Wynd motioned Zyne to follow, with Jinx joining the dwarf, out of the room back into the central chamber. Out of hearing of Whirl, Wynd explained the situation: her sister was shy and hardworking but not bright or sociable, spending most her time sewing and selling goods down here in the tunnels; it was believed she had a head injury that led to her diminished mental capacity.
The three were joined in discussion by two other Tunnel workers whose curiosity brung them into over. Both these humans were young and dressed in old, ragged leathers. Their unkept appearance made them appear much older than they really were.
Zyne was asking about anything strange among workers connected to Lyra's people. Jinx decided to walk over to a booth with a couple members of the Coldfire Syndicate. One woman mentioned a few people who were recently removed from their positions. One particular male was most vocal and belligerent. Rumor was they made an attempt on someone's life.
Wynd's face reddening in anger, "Rotoon wouldn't do anything of the sort," she blurted to the Coldfire's comments to Jinx. The other Tunnel workers stared at her with surprise. Wynd crossed her arms in defiance before she eventually stepped away to head back to her sister who had been left with the elf and drow.
Tahlethar took the lead, gently asking questions about potential threats or a possible mole in the Tunnels. Whirl glanced around, rubbing the back of her neck, showing her nervousness. She didn't think anyone fit the description of being a mole; as she was speaking she began pulling on her earlobe. Noting the behavior and sensing she was hiding something, Tahlethar began to press a little more. Zarae picked up on the behavior also. She too thought this was a signal of deception. The genasi didn't want to speak of it, but eventually motioned for the cleric to lean closer so she could whisper.
"Wynd has been acting very strange; but I dont believe my sister would betray the guild," pulling on her earlobe again. She was quick to add, "there was a male who was demoted last year. He made a big," hands gesturing, "deal of it."
"If you know something. If your sister is in trouble, anything you tell us could help," the elf pressed again, seeing that the genasi cared deeply for her twin and was trying to cover for her.
Whirl, glancing around to be sure her sister was still out of the room, allowed the cleric and rogue to quickly search their trunks and beds. Whirl's locker contained a small collection of dolls and stuffed animals, a journal with childish-like drawings, and a few elementary level educational workbooks and lastly, a guide to social interactions. The genasi turned pink, embarrassed when the last book was discovered, failing miserably at lying, pulling her ear again. Wynd's personal locker contained a coded letter tucked into a secret compartment, a parchment that contained a list of people's names, several lined out, and others with unique symbols. In Wynd's pillow was a bag of unusual gems, a vial of purple liquid, and another crumpled coded note.
Whirl seemed surprised by the finding of the documents shown to her. Whirl took it, pointing to words she recognized and translated the word. There were discussions of payment and a threat to their father. The second parchment was a list of spies or contacts; those crossed off were either dead or captured. Sounds of approaching steps alerted the rogue to hide the parchments quickly. The genasi interpreted the information as her sister being blackmailed or threatened to reveal information in order to keep their sick dying father alive; Whirl didnt believe it was about greed or money, despite a payment possibly being mentioned.
Just before Wynd rejoined the three in the room, Whirl was quickly rushing past and out of the Tunnels.
"What did yall do?" Wynd demanded threateningly as she could.
"That was an accident I think," Zarae remarked slightly confused, "we asked about what I am sure they," pointing to the dwarf and tabaxi, "asked you."
"she's like a child. She cant handle this stress," anger rising in the genasi, the air around her frantically swirling only her hair. "Where is she going?"
"She mentioned yalls father and concern about dangers to him."
Wynd's face paled, then she too was gone, hurrying after her twin, hoping her sister hadn't found the threats.
"Well, that was something," Zarae breaking the awkwardness just as Zyne and Jinx rejoined.
"One pushed past, then another," Jinx was asking about what happened.
Tahlethar made sure no others were inside then motioned for Zarae to pull out the parchments they found in the trunk. They read what they could understand, translating what Whirl knew.
"We think this windsouled has something to do with the jailed man?" the dwarf asking what they were thinking.
"Which one?" Jinx asked thoughtfully.
"The obvious one."
"If it is this girl," the cleric thinking out loud, "I don't think she did it maliciously. If that means anything."
"Lyra wont see it that way. At least as much as I reckon a boss would," the dwarf's response to the elf.
"What about Whirl?" asked Jinx, "they," indicating other Tunnel workers, "don't think she has the capacity or skill to pull this off."
"her sister confirmed as such."
"Not sure, she seams…." unsure how to phrase her intuition or suspicion. Zarae was less quick to write off the simpler girl. "We should look into both just in case." directed to the dwarf and tabaxi, "Get anything else from her?"
"We did get a name to check out, a Rotoon," Jinx blurted before Zyne could speak.
"and the chance of them being a mole or another lead?"
Zyne and Jinx shrugged.
"We really need to do this?" Zyne asked but not really looking for an answer, just expressing what they were all thinking, "find this jail bird or mole? We got a good start and can seek this Fin'are."
"We can use this for in our favor," Zarae reminded.
"So…", Jinx a little louder than she intended, "we go hunting down these people in a city this big?"
A younger looking girl, possibly a female halfling, stepped into the room, having overheard the group somewhat. Whistling as she neared, leaned over in the tabaxi's direction, "The gem appraiser Rotoon never gives a fair value. Too much time at the Muddy. Take your valuables elsewhere," with a wink, before running off.
The Muddy Prints was much like the area it was in, seedy, rundown and low-class. The building had looked this decrepit for as long as anyone could remember. A sign above the door showed a set of pawprints next to a set of humanoid prints around a mug of ale. It was known as a popular place for hiding from prying eyes. The stench of stale ale and sweat permeated the air, mingling with the sound of raucous laughter and clinking tankards. Cracked stone walls held few flickering torches, providing the only light for the taproom and giving it the gloomy atmosphere. The tables were spaced far apart from each other, and all patrons kept their eyes, ears, and conversations to themselves. It served only the cheapest ales and grog, often in unwashed, grimy mugs. The food they served was unidentifiable, most likely thick porridge or mince; everyone who visited the joint knew it tasted like dirt and was only mildly better than ingesting actual soil. The tavern had relatively little business, save the occasional person looking to drink themselves to an early grave as cheaply as possible. The regulars who visit weren't there for the food. The tavern was a front for many illegal operations and served as a neutral ground meeting place.
Sitting in the tavern nursing a pint of ale, was a thick man in a grey cloak and dark brown leathers. He kept his hood up to hide his bestial appearance, though he failed miserably. The half-orc turned to watch four strangers enter the tavern. His hair was thick and greying, and his eyes bloodshot; he gave a gruff hmph then focused back on his tankard. The only other customers this time of the night were worn out humans in ragged clothing and barely conscious. Several patrons had their heads resting on the counter with partially emptied tankards.
The tavern owner was a short, middle-aged human, but the slight angular shape of his ears suggested some elven blood in his ancestry. He was scruffy, with beard and hair that looked like he cut with no real care. He was known around the street as Cut-throat but introduced himself as Cuni. He won the establishment in a gambling match and since taking over the place, he has run the location as a legitimate front to cover up criminal activity. For those 'in the know"', Cuni sold and kept a small arsenal of exotic weapons and poisons.
Zarae headed for the counter, dropping her cowl to reveal her drowic appearance and hoping to play on her heritage. The other three took a table not far from the door, eyes on constant alert.
"We don't get many of the ebon-skinned People in here, much less the city. Your appearance must be stirring up the slums," Cuni probed, both hands on the counter leaning slightly forward. Below was easy access to a crossbow, which he occasionally glanced at as the drowess stood across from him.
"I need not stir up too much trouble, just seeking a person."
"Not many here to find."
"Jeweler Rotoon."
He stared at her hard, trying to decide, but couldn't help glance over to the half-orc for a second. "Who sends you?" he asked, crossing his arms.
The half orc lifted his head at the mention of his name but kept quiet waiting for the dark elf to answer, sliding his drink closer to himself and readying to reach for the dagger on his hip.
Undecided with which to go with, "Wynn is in trouble," she tried at first. The name didn't seam to register with Cuni, to which she tried several of the names from the Tunnels. Finally she dropped a few names she overheard from Lyra's estate, "Phalar," her last hope.
That got both Cuni and Rotoon's attention fully.
"What you want with me," Rotoon called from his table, standing to his feet, hand on the blade hilt. "Why is Wynn in trouble?"
"so you do know Wynn?" Zarae rejoined the table with her companions, the half orc following cautiously. Zarae asked about his departure and the rumors they gotten from the Tunnel workers. His anger showed at the reminder but kept his cool as his concern for Wynn was on the forefront of his mind. The half orc was reluctant to admit he knew the genasi very well; they were much closer than anyone thought. He explained the mistake he made, which his immediate supervisor took advantage of, promoting himself while getting the half orc removed from confidant. There was no hiding his very visible and less than graceful departure.
Tahlethar asked if he knew of anyone who had a reason to betray the guild. Rotoon was hesitant to admit that his mistake may have set up the conditions for the mole to get a foothold. He had provided persons to be blackmail that would supply his employer. When asked about this further, he accidently confirmed he thought the genasi twin might be behind the betrayals. Whirl, he was quick to add, was not intelligent enough he believed. but Wynn often complained about her family troubles and would do anything for her sick father, possible even betray the guild. Last time he saw Wynn, she was sneaking around the shipyard at night.
"it was for certain Wynn?" Zarae not sure she was convinced.
"Her sister never leaves the Tunnels willingly as far as I knew. She was too scared of being in the city on her own. It annoyed Wynn considerably," the half orc added.
"If you were close with Wynn, why would you think she is the best suspect?" asked Tahlethar.
Rotoon swirled the tankard liquid, staring hard into it before chugging the liquor, "I gave Wynn's name to my employer because at the time I still resented her for not leaving with me and wanted to get back at her. I do regret it, but the payment has helped ease any guilt."
Zyne gave an obvious face of revulsion to the half orc, which the jeweler ignored.
"Why was your name was given to us to speak to?" the tabaxi inquired. Why did people think he was behind Imsh's capture?
"Or why did they let you live?" Zarae followed up with.
Rotoon stared at the catfolk then the drow as if they should already know, "everyone knows my particular grudge against Phalar." Phalar was the go-between his supervisor and Lyra's people. She pushed for his expulsion, which was very public and contentious; while Wynn did stick up for him she ultimately stayed and distanced herself from him.
"so drow like," the rogue commented under her breath.
"They let me live because, one I not a true full fledge member, more supplemental adjacent and with enough other contacts to keep me valuable. The trouble to kill me would be more than let me leave."
"What about secrets?"
"Again, not a true within-the-walls member. So I only worked through Phalar."
"You know where Wynn's father dwells?" Tahlethar asked.
"What about Imsh?" Jinx asking about the jailed male, "what do you know about him?"
"Don't know much of this Imsh."
"he's a half orc," the tabaxi started.
"and? I know him because we share a racial background?" he shook his head in annoyance, "But Rose the Rumormonger probably does. Wynn's father is in in the Stinker district."
"Stinker district? Zyne asked.
"Oh," the tabaxi added, "I was there earlier today, down on Mandrake Route."
"You would fit in," the jeweler commented, then to the rest of the group, "called that because the number of werefolk that dwell there."
"Her father is a lycanthrope?"
"no. cheap property that aint the slums. And allows a genasi to stay."
"And where do we find this Rose?"
"She is usually found in the Potions 11 apothecary or Bartie's Food and Brew. Over at the docks."
Rose the Rumormonger was a short middle-aged woman who stood out with bright, auburn hair and colorful clothes. Her day-trade was a weaver, but she delighted in learning all about the going-ons in town and her willingness to tell for a price. What no one knew was her contact was in the guard who she has an occasional fling with. When Imsh was described and asked about, she remembered seeing a man of that description being dragged off in the direction of the most secure jail. She thought it odd as the half orc always seamed so gentlemanly and easygoing. He even took his public punishments with poise. Motioning for someone to come closer, she whispered that she thinks the guards are about to arrest another person of interest, but she didnt know which of the several thief's guild they were in. She suspected that whoever is turning in people is actually targeting multiple guilds; she discreetly showed a piece of paper written with thieves cant, a bounty for a mole and multiple guild sigils on it. To the group she seemed to be telling mostly the truth; yet she appeared to still be hiding something. Rose was then asked about the twin genasi sisters; the halfling didnt know them personally but thought she might could have heard about Imsh talking about a genasi traitor. Truthfully, Rose didn't really know either way; she was taking clues from the questions hoping to give them what they want to hear to get paid.
Leaving the woman behind the group headed into the 'stinker' district. After a few tries, and questioning of willing residents, the twins father's abode was found. Bottom floor of a three-story apartment building. A neighbor was quick to let them know that they hadn't seen the genasi in a long while. They could check out the apothecary. From a distance, the store front could be seen, and so could one of the twins exiting Dread, Wrath and Beyond. Zarae chose to follow the girl while the other three remained to talk with the neighbor. The drowess noted how suspicious she was acting, watching her back like she might get caught, and taking evasive maneuvers. Zarae had to note her skill. The path led to a small alley cloaked in darkness from the adjacent building. Wynn stopped by a cloaked figure standing near The Mythic Yew. The figure greeted her with a handshake before Wynn handed over a rolled parchment and in return was given a pouch. Wynn hurried away, opposite direction the cloaked figure departed. Zarae quickly sent a message through the sending stone she was going to follow the other person. But that Wynn was possibly heading that direction.
The cloaked figure disappeared into the shadows followed by the drowess. Nearing where the person stood, there was no sign of them. but the street had a small indention, a grove for a secret door, barely seen behind the pile of wooden boxes.
The genasi continued her hypervigilant walk to her father's house, "Father, I got the…" closing the door behind her, she turned to see three familiar figures in the living room around an elderly man in a chair. A sword flew into her hands, fearful for her father's wellbeing.
Tahlethar held his hand up in a calming gesture, "we mean no harm to you or your family?"
The scowl remained on the genasi's face, the blade raised as she stepped closer, "why are you here?" she hissed in anger.
"I think ye know why lass," the dwarf's hand went on his hips and a look of disappointment.
"no I don't…" a pause and her eyes narrowed more at them, "I am no traitor!" her voice rising.
"Daughter?" the father asked, "what is going on?"
"Nothing father. All I am doing is everything I can to care for you. It is all I have been doing the last years."
"Tell me what is happening? Are you in trouble?" the male genasi looked to the group for more information.
"We have been tasked with finding a mole. I think she knows more than she claims."
"Liar!"
"We spoke with Rotoon. He suspects you."
Her face softened with a hint of being betrayed, shaking her head trying to pretend she hadn't heard that. The blade dipped as tears filled her eyes. "He wouldn't do that. Not to me," her voice pleading.
Trying to play upon this, "he admitted he resented you for not coming with him," Jinx added.
That broke her and she dropped the blade sobbing. "I have done things, regrettable things. My actions seam suspicious I know." She admitted that she was still disgruntled with the guild leaders, and resented how Rotoon was treated, but she couldn't leave with him because her father and sister. Anyone would consider betraying for money when so desperate for costly cures. She explained her father's sickness and the concern of others finding out and taking him away. Wynn has been gathering different cures hoping to find something that worked.
Zarae took some time before she found the mechanism to open the secret door. Surprisingly, the door didn't grind against the stone, nor the hinges squeak as it moved. The door opened into a blackened room, more boxes and barrels implying it was a storage room. The smell of various herbs was overwhelming, almost dizzying. Making her way through the maze, another door with light peeking out from under it. Listening at the door, the rogue heard no sounds, not even resending steps; Zarae swallowed as she slowly slid the door open.
Thawk, a knife into the wooden frame, just missing her ear. "The next wont miss," the figure responded, a elvish accented feminine voice, also hoarse and raspy.
Keeping the door just gapped enough to speak, "I am not here after you. I seek a threat to all guilds," she tried.
That stayed the next blade from hitting the door. Zarae gambled pushing the wood a little further open, her hands kept in a position of peace. The cloaked figure stood in the middle of a room full of shelves loaded with jars, canisters, and small storage boxes. Herbs hung from hooks, and a pile of books were piled on the floor.
"Speak," the woman demanded, throwing back her hood revealing a pale-skinned moon elf. Half her face and neck was badly fire-scarred and the elf could barely speak, pointing at her throat to emphasis this.
keeping her own cowl around her face to hide her race from the elf, "you were seen talking with our suspect," Zarae explained. Zarae's accent was foreign and a very different elvish.
That gave the elf pause, her gaze going to the parchment in her free hand. The herbalist elf unfurled the sheet, glancing at it before flipping it to allow Zarae to see it. It looked like a strangely coded note, nothing that made sense in thieves cant or any language she could read. The elf, (ironically nicknamed Loquacious) was a medicine woman, who was given a list of needed ingredients for a salve; she pointed to the script on the parchment then to jars with the same symbol. It looks coded because she is mostly illiterate, and the symbols are how she knows which plants to gather. This specific combination of herbs had done the most help to the recipient. The elf had no ideas of a mole or conflicts with the guilds and would prefer to remain that way.
"Please you have to believe me. I am not this mole."
"What you know about the Rumormonger?" Tahlethar asked. "She thinks a genasi woman is behind this."
Wynn scoffed at the mention of Rose. "That woman will say anything. She tell you about her fling with the guard? That girl will do anything for gossip. Why else would she know things like she does?"
"You think she is the one betraying guilds?"
"Not in the usual way you'd think."
After some thought, and less clarity about the situation, "we need to be bringing ye to the guild and straighten this out," Zyne unsure what to be making of this. He understood if she had been betraying the guild for her family, he would advocate leniency for the girl. "come willingly and explain ye-self before your boss."
"why would Phalar be willing to grant mercy if yall think, and my friends, think I did this?"
"gotta ask, how innocent is Imsh?"
Wynn gave a confused look. "how would you deem a level of innocence?"
"should we be risking a rescue?" Jinx added for clarity. "the mole got him in jail."
"the chances of you breaking him out is slim and dangerous. You likely get yourself caught before you got inside the building."
The three plus Wynn rejoined up with Zarae who explained the person she'd been following.
"I could have told you that."
"Why does it seam everyone suspects a genasi?"
"If you haven't picked up on it, there is a lot of prejudice in this kingdom. My own kind are not tolerated since the war and rebellion against the elementally blessed. So I would expect to be falsely considered a suspect."
They arrived back in the Tunnels, a message having been sent to Phalar to meet them there, who arrived with two other officers. The woman was completely covered, no skin or hair shown, only seen was her indigo tinted eyes. Her form was most likely half elven. Two humans were with her, both equally covered. Zyne handed over the papers they'd gotten from her locker, which surprised the genasi, arguing that it was planted and faked. Phalar investigated the documents, confirming the information they had already known. The evidence was damning to her. Most of all, the list of names someone of her rank and position shouldn't have.
"Let me see that," she begged.
Unseen by most, Whirl had nudged her way into the onlookers and to the front of the line. Wynn argued she was being set up and it is all circumstantial evidence. Then Wynn spotted her sister who held a slight smirk. The grin fell quickly and suddenly she looked scared for her sister's predicament.
"I am so sorry," Whirl apologized, then faced her sister, "but why, Wynn?"
Wynn was speechless, bewildered at her sister who was explaining that she saw the documents and gave them to the investigators. She continued to beg, explaining she had never seen those documents. They were gibberish and she had never heard of many of the members on the list.
"Whirl, you know. You know me. This is not mine. I didn't do this!"
For a split second the smirk appeared before it was cleverly replaced with fake concern. Zyne had turned that moment not wanting to be apart of this when he caught the expression of the supposed simple girl.
Whirl asked to walk over to her sister, which Phalar agreed to; she leaned over to hug her sister and whispered in her ear, "so much for being the favorite," then stepped back and aloud, "Phalar. I agree with the punishment Wynn has earned. But I ask for mercy."
"NO! how could you," Wynn screamed. "why would you do this to me? All I have ever done is take care of you. I stood up for you. Gave up my love for you!"
Phalar motioned for the other genasi to be captured too. Then the real Whirl showed up. Her face went from concern to pure contempt; she spat at her sister's feet. A sword that had been concealed in her shirt appeared in her hand and threatened anyone coming for her. Whirl was no match for the two warriors with Phalar and they quickly disarmed the genasi.
"Bring them both," Phalar finally commanded.
"Wait," Zyne interrupted, "ye have more evidence this aint Wynn."
"Dwarf, this matter is no more your concern. You have completed your task in this. Lyra is waiting for you at the estate."
Before anyone could protest the guild members were gone from the Tunnels leaving the companions with the onlookers. Jinx shooed everyone away who'd been still staring at them, "no more to see here folks."
When the four were left alone in the room of the Guild's section, "wait, what?" the sorcerer glancing around to his companions.
"What just happened?" Tahlethar rhetorically asked at the same time as Zyne, still trying to get his thought to catch up to the action.
"Just a little guild politics?" the rogue offered as she was scanning the area, watching the crowd depart.
"what ye think's gunna happen now?" the dwarf trying to hide his concern as he asked.
"Depends if they believe Wynn was set up or in on it," Zarae offered, expecting the worse outcome for the girl.
Jinx crossed her arms, "all that power, think they could sus out the truth."
"Whatever happens we have no more say so. So, we might want to head back to Lyra."