Lucius Cypher

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Aside from Thurson Family Produce there was Magali Magic Staves and The Dead Monkey pub. There was no other discernible message on the note as you pocket the evidence. “Hmm... But if the gang is suppose to get this information and the money, if it’s not at the dead drop would they still do the jobs? They’re definitely going to be angry that we stole their money. Not that I care, but it’ll be harder to catch them red handed if they don’t have their next orders.” Shortfang scratched his chin and tried to look back towards the main streets, though the sun made t hard for him to do that. “Maybe we find Shor friends? Yorik say Kor and Cera here, right?”

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Buddy pat the dog on the head before following you and the others out from the docks. There wasn’t anywhere truly safe to be, but Shortfang at least finds a small side garden that doesn’t seem to have anyone present. It was mostly just grass with a few mounds of dirt, no plants in them yet. But there was a stone table and bench for the party to sit at, and that was as good a place to be around as any. Revealing the contents of the wrapped package you’ll find eighty platinum coins carefully rolled up together, with a single note covering them. The note had a list of names, likely shops.

“Looks like we found the money and the hit list.” Pylia said grimly. Shortfang looked at the list and pointed at one of the names. “Hey, this friends shop! Andras and family!” Shortfang pointed at a name called “Thurson Family Produce”. Thurson was Andras’s Stepbrother, as you may recall.

Overlord: Momento Mori

Mamoru is the NEET sibling who always claims is too busy to help you with your homework, but always has time to go grab lunch or mooch off your dinner plans. If I had to guess Mamoru’s actual position in the guild, she still cares for everyone as fellow guild members, but might be considered a “defiant” one since much like her creator, she is willing to have an opposing view and not just mindlessly agreeing with the majority. Granted unlike her creator, Mamoru does this out of usually legitimate concern and caution as oppose to her creator’s desire to create chaos and drama.

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Going to the barrel and picking through it’s content, it seemed like this barrel was essentially a fantasy trashcan. There were a lot of gross things in here that you’d rather not touch but you pick through it anyways. Underneath the pile of charred black cookies sitting in its own sludge you find a sealed up wrapped cylinder. You weren’t sure what was in it, but you’d grab this and go. It was warm and sticky.

Once you returned Pylia points her head towards the Throaty Mermaid. “Let’s go see what’s in here somewhere else. Don’t want to loiter here too long and get spotted.”

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

The group including Shortfang followed you. Shortfang himself got out from his trance and gave orders to Syfr to alert him if anything hanged with the target he was watching. Dinah was teleported back to the safety of the familiar realm, allowing you to move towards the alley unabated. The dog was still there, sniffing the barrel you had spotted before. As Pylia took out the piece of meat and got ready to distract the dog with it, Buddy plucked it out of her fingers. “Huh? Buddy what are you doing?”

The robot walked towards the dog with the meat in hand. In turn the dog turned towards Buddy and growled. However after kneeling towards the dog and offering him some of the meat, the dog sniffed it curiously. Buddy proceeded to lead it out of the alley and away from the barrel so the group could check on it in peace. You could see the robot gently patting the dog as he ate, and apparently using his magic to kill the various bugs and ticks the dog has accumulated.

“Well... I guess that’s an option too. Let’s hurry.”

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Pylia grimaced. “Yeah... Honestly, maybe it’ll be best if we just catch him and interrogate him. Make sure he doesn’t try anything funny.” Pylia shook her head instead than motioned towards the alleyway. “I think I’d rather take my chances with the dog. I can lure it away with this meat here,” Pylia picks up the meat that Dinah has brought for you. It was a small amount but for a hungry dog it ought to be enough. “Distract the dog, grab whatever’s in the dead drop, then we go. If what you said is true I’m sure Patches’ gang lives here or something, so we can always come back later once we have more proof of their crimes.”

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

“Hmm... The conspiracy continues to unfold.” Pylia said outloud. She looked over to Shortfang who was still mumbling. “Shortfang has been telling us about the man who apparently left the hide out. He’s at the Throaty Mermaid right now and he seems to be quite drunk. Perhaps we could intercept him after he leaves and get some information from him?” Pylia suggests. “Or we could look into that dead drop. I bet it wasn’t just cookies that woman dropped off in that barrel.”

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

You could hear barking in the distance as you open your eyes to the world around you. Shortfang was mumbling something in that draconic language while Pylia and Buddy were watching over you two. Dinah mewed at you, pawing at your finger. “Oh, you’re back. Did you find out anything or run into some sort of danger?”

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Dinah made her way down into the alley and towards the barrel. The closer she got the stronger the scent. Smelled like whoever made these cookies didn't do a very good job at making them even if they weren't burnt; too much water enough flour. You could smell the charred sludge it has likely become. Dinah tried to find a way inside however the barrel's lid was too heavy for the tiny cat to lift. There were a few cracks in the barrel that would allow her to smell what's inside, but otherwise she wouldn't be able to move the barrel at all. That being said while she was looking around you would spot the sign of the Lightning Company scratched into the brick behind the barrel, something that Dinah apparently wasn't really paying attention to. She was trying to get inside of the barrel still. Suddenly though her head turned towards a sound in the alley. Sounds of panting. Around the corner came a mangy looking dog, sniffing around as well. Seemed like he also noticed the strange burnt cookie smell. And he now noticed Dinah.

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Dinah climbs out from the chimney and heads back to the rooftop. Syfr was there keeping an eye on things as you see a ruggish human man leave from a back door of the building. He gives it a firm tug before he walks further down the alley, stopping only to check a few barrels. He leaves empty-handed and continues on his way, disappearing around a corner. For a while not much else would happen until you do get to see something else come through the alley. It was a rather plain looking woman dressed in fairly normal looking clothing carrying a basket covered with a cloth. She walks through the alley, dropping off the content of her basket into the barrel before hurrying out. Dinah's nose was picking up a bitter-sweet scent from the woman, it reminded you of burnt cookies. Syfr also seemed to notice as he started flying back to the others, leaving Dinah eyeing the barrels with curiosity.