Naras' Vignette

[JadedDM]

"Ah, I see," she says thoughtfully. "I scratch your back, you scratch mine? Well, having the kohen in my pocket could prove beneficial down the road, I'm sure. I'll have to think about what I'd want in return, though. But I'm sure an opportunity will present itself sooner or later."

[JadedDM]

"Perhaps it's better thought of in terms of help that doesn't damage the helper.. Being in one's pocket implies ownership and I'm already 'owned' by Gonto. No disrespect intended; it's usually best in the long run to try to not allow misunderstandings from the beginning," the priestess counters. "So, correct me if I'm wrong, but this means that you will have an appropriate and encouraging word with the wardens but that there are no separate investment opportunities right now."
She dips her head politely, unsure of the protocol, but it seems clergy are given a significant amount of leeway by the rich and/or noble.
"If there's nothing else, your ladyship, I'll take my leave and not consume any more of your day," Naras added, heading towards the door.
***
~What time of day is it?~

[JadedDM]

Lady Ulvorn frowns. "Sometimes to survive, one must choose their allies carefully, even if that means choosing one over another. I hope you have the foresight to choose well, kohen."

And with that ominous parting remark, Naras is escorted back outside, past the front gate. Looking up at the sky, it looks like the sun will be setting in another hour or so.

[JadedDM]

~I have no idea what she just meant~ thinks Nara. ~But I'm Gonto's and Ulvorn can swivel if she thinks to change that.~
She heads back to the temple to see if there's any news about anything.

[JadedDM]

Naras returns to the temple and finds Leena is speaking with Otaya. They both turn to her when she arrives. "Oh, welcome back kohen," Otaya says. "I just got back. I told everyone I could find on the south side of town about your arrival. There's already quite a bit of buzz now, I think."

"Where's Agnas, though?" asks Leena.

Otaya shrugs. "She took the north side of town. She should be back soon, I suppose."

[JadedDM]

Naras is uneasy and slips into fracas mode, "Otaya, where in town have you been just now, show me on this map. Leena, show me the same for you." While they do that, Naras adds, "I sense trouble. Hope I'm wrong. I have almost certainly made an enemy of the jeweler over those mechanical spiders that were around last year. Is he harmless? For certain? I may have upset Lady Ulvorn too, seemed she wanted me in her pocket. Abducting Agnas though, perish the though, should be beneath her."
**
She nods as the acolytes had shown her their routes. "If you're combat-capable get your gear now and come back here. I will help you equip. Otherwise show me Agnas's likely route and where she'd have got to now. Move!" ~If I end up looking silly, sobeit. But lives have been lost or saved on smaller things.~

[JadedDM]

The two follow Naras back to her office and look at the map. "I went to the Paragon, the the town hall, the playground and the marketplace," Otaya says, tracing her path with her finger on the map.

"I remained here, to watch over the temple," Leena says. "The jeweler? Hubert?" She makes a face of disgust. "He's a pig. And very gropey. But...beyond that, I don't think he'd actually harm anyone."

"Wait, are you saying someone kidnapped Agnas?" asks Otaya, her eyes wide in surprise.

Leena frowns. "I suggest you take only one of us. Someone should remain behind to watch the temple, and in case Agnas returns."

==========

(OOC: Both acolytes are combat capable.

Leena is level 2 and specializes in Order. She has a morning star, small shield and chain mail.
Otaya is level 1 and specializes in Commerce. She has a warhamer and no armor.)

[JadedDM]

Naras nods, "Maybe so. Or maybe I've just had a rougher history. Leena, go get your kit. Now!" She points at Leena's room for emphasis before continuing, "Otaya, you'll stay here is case Agnas returns. Now show me Agnas's likely route and where she'd have got to now. And I noticed her shaking hands earlier. Is she ill? On something? If it's a drink thing and she's in the Barnacle that's ok. Or just age? Truth now. I just want her back safe."

After hearing the reply, Neema concentrates, and appropriately motioned, Auguries: "Gonto, if Leena and I go and look for Agnas in northern Narin will it be better for Agnas than if we do not?"

[JadedDM]

Leena nods and goes to her room to retrieve her gear. Otaya and Naras, meanwhile, look over the map. "I don't know her exact route, but she said before we parted she was going to head to the docks." She points out the harbor on the map. "There are a lot of folks in that area, so it makes sense to spread news there." Otaya frowns slightly. "As for her shaking, well, she is old. I never asked her about it, she seemed self-conscious. But I assume that was the reason."

Taking that into account, Naras begins preparing for an augury. She kneels down and clasps her hands together, forming a circle with her arms. She asks her question, then awaits the answer. It comes to her in the form of a single, simple word. "Yes."

=========

Naras performs an augury [TN 75%] (1d100): 31, pass.

[JadedDM]

As they help Leena into her armour, Naras repeats the question to her about Agnas's shaking and updates Leena on the spell (Augury) result.
~If it's just a drink problem and she's just knocking a crafty one back in the Barnacle then as least she's safe,~ the kohen thinks.
**
As soon as Leena is kitted, they head towards the doors, Naras directing, "Otaya, stay here until we return, unless the place burns down or its clear that we're not coming back. Keep your warhammer handy, just in case. If Agnas returns, she is to stay here too." Leaving the temple, Naras heads off to the docklands with Leena. "If you see or think anything is suspicious, you tell me, Leena. And we keep together! No running off with 'we can cover more ground'. That gets trouble. If you think one street to the docks is more likely than another, we'll follow your lead."

[JadedDM]

"As far as I know, her shaking is due to her advanced age," Leena replies.

The two head for the harbor. Leena makes a sour face at Naras' commands. "I wasn't going to suggest we split up, but still...the harbor isn't that dangerous. The wardens patrol the area. I'm not sure what you are expecting to find."

The harbor area is full of people. There are sailors, longshoremen, laborers and merchants wandering to and fro, seeing to the ships docked (mostly small fishing boats, but also a few trading caravels). There is, however, no immediate sign of Agnas anywhere. "Where do you propose we begin searching?" she asks.

[JadedDM]

Seeing Leena's sour face, Naras explains,"Look I may be wrong and end up looking like a Kobald, but the Augury results can't be ignored. I have never operated with you before, so it's always better to set up understandings in advance. Now, you would know better than me where's she'd likely have gone. Does she have any haunts round the docks? Any special friends there? We can check who's seen her and when by speaking to people. if she's been grabbed by a slaver then there's going to be trouble, but it's still not so likely in view of her age. You can start, if you please." She indicates the nearest group.
***
Naras is relying on Leena's local knowledge. Otherwise all they can do is sweep the area, and the re-sweep it recursively. Not enough evidence to invoke the wardens. If sailors or other locals want to join the search in groups of say 3 to 5 then that's fine. Builds a sense of community. No rewards promised though otherwise it sets up a future kidnapping mentality. (Not to say that appreciation won't be shown, but nothing's being promised up front.)
***
Will search til just after nightfall, or til something turns up.

[JadedDM]

With a shrug, Leena begins questioning random people on the street. She asks if they have seen an elderly woman dressed as an acolyte of Gonto. The first few people are of little help, but a half-elf longshoreman actually has seen her. He claims she was heading to the Barnacle Inn.

"Makes sense, I suppose," Leena says to Naras. "There would be a lot of people there she could speak to."

[JadedDM]

Assuming the longshoreman doesn't look shifty, we head towards the Barnacle, eyes wide open, looking & listening for anything untoward.

[JadedDM]

The Barnacle Inn is, to put it lightly, a dive. It's dreary, dank, and there appears to be quite a few dried bloodstains on the floorboards. Most of the patrons are sailors on shore-leave, teamsters and laborers off-duty, and the drunk and directionless.


It was, however, a popular gathering place for the shadier vagrants one often finds in a port town like this. Indeed, there are a handful of people present, drinking and talking quietly with each other. None of them look particularly trustworthy, either.

In the corner is an attractive halfling woman playing an ocarina with an empty mug at her feet. She starts playing at anyone who walks near or makes eye contact, but nobody will bother putting any coin in her cup, much to her frustration.

Behind the bar, the innkeeper wipes down the bar of spilled beer idly. He's a human with short blond hair.


There is no sign of Agnas here, however. Leena turns up her nose at the place and frowns. "This place smells terrible," she mutters.