Ripa Daneo Excess Deaths

Breakfast was finished, and Quelenna was restless.  She wandered through the back Freelancers' Tavern while the others amused themselves.  Fine Branch sat and watched her, sipping an unidentifiable drink, the nekomata's tails waving lazily.  Nix sat at a tall table, broom propped against the wall, playing dragonchess against her familiar, the winged cat Mercury.  His tail was waving lazily too, since he was winning.

Cathance tried to watch their game, but was a bit frustrated; the table was taller than she was.  She got up and said to Quelenna, "Let's go get a mission."  They headed up to Naranjos' office, and Fine Branch followed them.  So did Nix.

Naranjos was a Mikumwes halfling, like Cathance, but he was a study in contradictions.  At 3'2" he was almost always in plate armour.  His office was bigger than Damakaios', and had wallpaper with velvet roses that were bigger than Cathance.  Shelves held a pebble collection, as well as "precious moments" ceramic figurines of mountain gryphons on the top shelf.  The wall next to his desk had worn but serviceable weapons, and his carpet was barely worn except for near the door, next to his desk, and in front of the figurines.

Fine Branch looked at the wallpaper, then carefully peered at Naranjos, in case the halfling was a grandma-in-disguise.  Cathance looked at the pebbles on the shelf and frowned.  They had dates stemming from the last half-year.

Cathance:  what are these rocks about?
Naranjos:  if you know, you know.

Naranjos racked and straightened several pieces of paper, then started to read from them, flipping them over to his right as he read through them.

• Hadids extremely happy with phase spiders and their spinnerets, would also like the troll blood order fulfilled.
  • At this, Quelenna snorted.
• Go to Amabel Villa, clear out more rooms.  250 eagles per person, keep up stuff you find.
• Third.  Constructs been harassing Sugar Glider Hanggliding School.  Seem to be large metal bird constructs, don't seem too bad.
• Two investigation missions.  One, follow up on crazy bad poetry lady who interrupts weddings.  Some Houses were checked last time, but no leads.
  • Cathance:  wait, had there been more weddings interrupted?
    Naranjos:  don't know.
• Fifth and final.  High Abbot Grigorio wants people to investigate if there were missing people – basically, there were too many shadows relative to missing people from the hobgoblins and the monastery.  Also 250 eagles per person.

He looked at the four Freelancers expectantly.

Fine Branch:  wedding is frustrating, want to care <voice trailed off>
Nix:  interested in Amabel, but monks 
Cathance:  interested in the last one, that's untidy
Quelenna:  also uninterested in the wedding singer.  Amabel is always interesting.  The troll blood might be a nice way to pass some time.
Nix:  been so long
Fine Branch:  let's do monks
Naranjos:  so, this started with mysterious deaths in Serene Boundary monastery
Quelenna:  no killing monks!
Naranjos:  well, it was monks of Rohe.  They doubled up patrols and then called in Freelancers.  A rider on a gryphon, Silver dragonborn, was responsible.  <paused>  In Krowa, there were also mysterious deaths.  Freelancers set up an ambush for shadows, there was a fight.  Again, a Silver dragonborn, with a sigil of Te Mārie.  <paused again>  Now Grigorio wants you to check out Ripa Daneo.  Maybe seamy sections.  Maybe there's nothing.\
Quelenna:  sure
Naranjos:  it's possible
Cathance:  where are people buried in Ripa Daneo.  Isn't that where we should start?
Naranjos:  most of the topside people are cremated, but those wealthy enough to have gardens may let the bodies go back to earth in the garden.  Most of the underground people have a burial tradition, catacombs and such.
Quelenna:  are the people in the hobgoblin villages more likely to have a garden, or cremation?
Naranjos:  possibly cremation; they are more nomadic.

In the southernmost part of Ripa Daneo, where the city levels out, surrounded by a large courtyard, is a domed crematorium.  The entire compound is surrounded by a low wall the colour of regolith, with a curiously blue mortar.  As one walks from the gates across to the domed buildings, one can see unassuming monuments, and the monuments and ground are covered with tiles and names.  The decor has many dolphin motifs, and one walks because the skies are kept clear for the Dolphin of Remembrance.

The Freelancers flew here from their villa ‒ Nix flew on Eris, her wyvern ‒ and left the mounts hobbled in a designated area near the gate.  They walked towards the dome, and as they approached they were greeted by an aspirant in grey and white robes.

Aspirant:  how can I help you, do you have a loss in the family?
Quelenna:  we're here actually on a fact-finding thing.
Fine Branch:  we need to talk to your Recordkeeper.
Aspirant:  how about, sir and lady, you come this way.

The Freelancers were led into a side building (also domed), and settled into a well-appointed room to wait.  They did not wait long before a Black dragonborn arrived, also garbed in grey and white robes, but without the grey cloak of a Recordkeeper.

Black dragonborn:  so, you were asking after our Recordkeeper.  How can we halp you?
<Cathance quickly assessed his intent, and concluded he was a cleric of the Dolphin, and did not approach the request as a problem.>
Cathance:   a couple eighths ago, there were some incidents where places south of here were attacked by shadows, and we have been asked to look into the source of shadows.  Seems to have started with more shadows than deaths
Quelenna:  we came here because if anyone were to know about unreported deaths, it would be you
Black dragonborn:  there have been a few many deaths ‒ or, rather, mysterious deaths.  Young, but a wasting disease, not appearing contagious.  In the poorer part of The Below.
<The Freelancers exchanged glances with each other.>
Fine Branch:  the one thing we really need here, is if there's some side of pattern.  I had to cost the temple some business, but we need this to track down the disease.
Black dragonborn <bowed>:  I am Malunzo, Cleric of the Dolphin; of course we do not want people dying when they should not.  There does not seem to be a timing pattern, but they are all from the same area.
Quelenna:  are the victims family, orphans, do they have connections?
Malunzo <shook his head sadly>:  seems a random mix of ages
Quelenna:  were they brought in by family members?
Malunzo:  some brought by family, some by the city.
Cathance:  what about the most recent?
Malunzo:  it's been a little while since anyone was brought in; at least an eighth.
Fine Branch:  how frequently before?
Malunzo:  only 3 or 4; we only noticed because it was so unusual.
Quelenna:  when was the first?
Malunzo:  right at the start of the year, on Holiday of The Cat.
Quelenna:  we should go talk to people

Malunzo bade them wait, then left them for a while, presumably to consult his Recordkeeper.  He returned with the directions to the general area from which the deceased had originated; it was 2 layers below ground.  The Freelancers thanked him, then took their leave, flying back to Freelancers Villa.

The four Freelancers left their mounts at the villa and descended under Ripa Daneo, two levels down to the poorest section of The Below.  The passages here were roughly 8' tall, hewn from living rock of the skylith.  Lanterns lit the way, but not all of them were lit.  Not many shops were in evidence but small, crowded apartments; some were empty, doors hanging askew.

Fine Branch and Quelenna, not having been exposed to such living conditions before, were very distracted by the tough situations they could see inflicted on the residents.  Cathance and Nix, undeterred, remembered that people were people and chatted up various folks on the street and soon found out about a couple of people with missing or dead relatives or friends.

Two people in particular resonated with the kind of wasting disease they were describing:  Lampetos Icebottom, a White dragonborn dockworker, and Elsebee Halfkick, a half-elf house cleaner.  The Freelancers decided to try their luck talking to Lampetos first.

Lampetos' place was a room in a complex carved back into a passage wall, which served as a poorly-run boarding house.  The Freelancers got to the door, hesitated, then Nix knocked.  The door opened to show a burly White dragonborn, with canvas pants that had suspenders dangling next to his legs.  His paunch was covered by a wifebeater shirt which was less white than he was.  Beer in hand, the dragonborn belched, took in the four Freelancers, then demanded "Whaddya want?"

Nix explained why they were there, trying to figure out these wasting diseases, and how "we understand you have recent experience."  At this, Lampetos teared up, pulling a filthy handkerchief out of a pocket to dab tears welling from his eyes.

Lampetos:  my younger brother was fine, then 2 days later, he was dead.  <frowned>  and he still owes me money, but he's dead.  Won't get it now!
Nix:  why
Lampetos:  he ran out of money for rent.  I loaned it and he was gonna work the docks but he was sick and that's it.
Nix:  anyone interesting or unusual, he hung out with?
Lampetos:  well, he was "friends" <held up his fingers, and winked> with a half-elf woman, Parella Abrenta, who is now missing
Cathance:  missing?
Lampetos <nodded>:  her older sister, Arteaga, who lives <explained how to get there> might have more information.  But, I think she had something to do with it; she went missing and now he's sick.  I think it's related
Nix:  how long had they known each other?
Lampetos:  a while; thought they might settle down.  Not that great for either, but they might have made a go of it
Nix:  what'd he do for "fun"?
Lampetos:  not sure, we had different dock shifts.
Nix:  did the half-elf also work docks?
Lampetos:  no, she was a fancy tavern maid, topside.
Fine Branch:  if they were together, the half-elf is an unlikely culprit, unless it's a long con.
Nix <held up a finger>:  but did go missing!
Fine Branch:  well, a clue
Nix <to Lampetos>:  thanks very much for your time, we'll talk to Arteaga.

Lampetos nodded, took a swig of his beer, held it up in salute, and shut the door, leaving the Freelancers to follow his directions to Arteaga's place.

The Freelancers filed out of the complex and wandered through unfamiliar area of The Below, faithfully following Lampetos' directions.  But it wasn't until they ended up in a sort of cul de sac with 3-4 doors opening onto it that they realized the precise directions to a stranger's house were delivered by a sobbing drunk dragonborn.

As they entered the cul de sac the Freelancers walked past 3 people who were playing dice (a human, a Rain sagani, and a Djogeon), but when they halted in surprise at the dead end, those three rose and drew weapons, blocking the way out.

Them:  why you here, what are you doing here?
Nix:  we're trying to find a woman, Arteaga.  My nekomata friend owes her money and we're trying to pay her back.  We got the directions from a drunk White dragonborn.
<Two of them shifted eyes from Nix to Fine Branch.>
Human:  you can give us the money.  We know where she lives, we'll get it to her

Fine Branch disappeared.  Nix cast hypnotic pattern, but somehow only caught one of the three in it.  The human ran in, darting quickly around Nix and slashing her twice with his daggar; she dodged a scimitar slash.  Cathance, using her sorcerous abilities to avoid her compatriots, cast another hypnotic pattern, catching both the remaining two would-be assailants.

All three were armed with a scimitar and daggar.  Quelenna moved up and disarmed the Rain sagani.  Fine Branch reappeared on the ceiling, clearly peeved with Nix. He dropped to the floor of the dead end.

Fine Branch <to Nix>:  really?
Nix <enraged>:  we should murder them, one by one.
Quelenna:  is there a reason?
Nix:  I object to being stabbed, so 
Quelenna <interrupted>:  as opposed to turning over to law enforcement
Fine Branch:  I have manacles
Cathance:  there is no law enforcement
Quelenna:  are there other people in this district, where if we kill them, their lives are more difficult?
Nix: or, make their lives easier, because their asshole muggers are gone
Cathance:  or we just disarm them.
Fine Branch:  the thing is about these things, is everyone has friends, and they aren't here to prey on others.  <gestured at surroundings>  no money in it.  <pause>  I propose Nix manacle the guy who stabbed her and and wake him up however she wants.
Nix:  manacle and leave?
Fine Branch:  then we lose the manacles.

Cathance put her hands on her hips; she did not like this proposal.  But she held the hypnotic pattern while Nix manacled the human and the Rain sagani.  Fine Branch manacled the Djogeon.  They rifled their pockets to find 5 eagles, 10 cats, but nothing of value beyond weapons.

Nix, still angry, whipped the human, and missed, which made her angrier.  Cathance moved to the entrance of the cul de sac, watching for people.  The few passerby were intentionally not looking down the entrance.

Quelenna crossed her arms in front of her, amused at Nix.

Quelenna:  they said they know where she is
Cathance:  Quelenna, these is a waste of time
<Fine Branch grabbed the manacled human by the front of his shirt, and dropped him again.  He snapped out of hypnotic pattern.>
Fine Branch:  so, where's the girl

Nix dramatically coiled up her whip, trying to look intimidating, but only succeeding at annoying the manacled human.  Cathance rolled her eyes and Quelenna just giggled.

Human:  we just wanted your money
<Fine Branch removed the human's shoe, which smelled so bad Cathance smelled it from the cul de sac entrance.>
Cathance:  why?
Fine Branch:  he's a dick
Cathance:  so you take a smelly shoe?  Do you do that to everyone who's a dick, carry a smelly shoe?
Fine Branch:  there's a certain satisfaction to know we could kill them all
Cathance:  you need a smelly shoe to remind you of that?
Fine Branch:  no!  I'll ditch the shoe in a bit.  Look, nobody will believe him.

At this, Fine Branch brought out a flask and sprinkled some rum on the would-be muggers, as Cathance watched in disbelief.  But that was that, and the Freelancers left to again try to find Arteaga's place.

The Freelancers started to backtrack, looking for where they'd taken a wrong turn.  They couldn't exactly be subtle about it, with the well-armed nekomata cleric carrying the amazingly rank shoe.

Cathance:  at what point are you getting rid of smelly shoe?
Fine Branch:  3 blocks.

A block after Fine Branch ditched the shoe, Mercury took off and started scouting, which is probably what should have happened in the first place, but never mind that.  The winged cat rather quickly located a knickknack/potion shop tucked into into a corner.  The sign over the door had no words, just a potion bottle and a leaf.

Through the door they saw a half-elf woman at a table in the front.  Behind her the Freelancers saw a variety of low-light plants growing, and could smell the acrid odour of potions brewing.  They concluded the woman must be Arteaga.

Arteaga:  how can I help you?
Cathance:  we heard your sister was missing and wanted to ask about that, and if we could help.  We found out because we were tracking down that wasting disease some people had.
Quelenna:  we want to make sure there's not a sinister aspect with your sister's illness, and if there is, we want to make sure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
<Cathance gave the Wild elf a strange side-eye at the word "justice".>
Arteaga <confused>:  I really miss my sister, but I can't persuade her to come back to the city.
Cathance:  where did she go?
Arteaga:  I only got one letter.  Extolling the virtues of Te Mārie, and how peaceful the retreat was in the east.
Cathance:  how long ago did you get this letter?
Arteaga <thought about it first>:  near the beginning of the year… about 3rd prime, post-Cat.
Cathance:  does she mention anyone in the letter?
Arteaga:  no-one specifically, but I think there's a communal thing going.
Fine Branch:  do you have a way to send a letter back?
Arteaga:  no.
Cathance:  do you know what made her decide to do this?
Arteaga:  no; I thought she had a thing going with a White dragonborn boy, I don't know why she forsook that for Serenity.
Quelenna:  was the White dragonborn nice?
Arteaga:  he seemed okay

Now, Cathance did not really care about the fling, and was distracted by how cool the low-light plants were, but Quelenna's question helped the others gauge how the half-elf was actually on the level:  she'd liked the White dragonborn boy, she didn't know he'd passed, and she really didn't know where her sister was.

Cathance:  do you know anyone else she used to hang out with, other than the White dragonborn?
Arteaga:  she used to hang out with the Halfkick sisters, you can find them <here, she gave directions to Elsebee Halfkick's place, which the Freelancers already had>
Fine Branch:  family's family, and sometimes they have opinions that are regrettable, but what kind of person was your sister?
Arteaga:  Parella always would look for a quick-fix, a fast solution to problems.  So she made a number of questionable choices, and got into money problems.  <paused, fiddled with a potion vial>  She turned it around – I'm proud of her – because she got a little bit of religion – but then got sucked in.  I hope it's not another quick-fix.
Fine Branch:  first brush with religion?
Arteaga:  probably the first that got stuck, beyond the high holidays.
Fine Branch:  did she live with you?
Arteaga:  no, she didn't.
Fine Branch:  where did she live?
Arteaga:  not sure, anymore.  Short-lease room.  Always had a plan, always had a get-rich-quick scheme.
Cathance:  do you have any of her belongings?
Arteaga:  no, but I have the letter that was sent.
Fine Branch:  could we see the letter?

Arteaga hesitated, then said "Yes," and had the Freelancers wait while she fetched the letter.  They all looked curiously at the writing, which extolled the virtues of Te Mārie, emphasizing how serene it was.  The seal was candlewax.  Fine Branch examined the letter closely, for anything he could use with locate object, to no avail.

Cathance:  we'll look for your sister.
Arteaga:  tell her I miss her, she should come home.
Cathance <noncommittally>:  we'll try.

After handing the letter back to Arteaga, the Freelancers took their leave of the half-elf and headed back topside to their villa.

Ovak, the Freelancers' weaponsmith, examined the scimitars and daggars closely, grunting occasionally.  Finally she set them down and declared, somewhat surprised, that they were in good condition.  "I'll give you 78 eagles for the lot," she told them, and produced that amount for a strongbox under the counter.

Thus enriched, the four Freelancers found Naranjos just returning from exercising Snapper, and the 5 of them went back into his office to discuss the findings of the investigation.  It was clear that the wasting disease had struck in The Below, and was somehow associated with Parella Abrenta, who had become attached to a cult of Te Mārie based in the eastern mountains.  They presumed that the Silver dragonborn was also based in the same place.

Naranjos was not happy there was another person to worry about, and fretted how Grigorio would react as he put their fee of 225 eagles on their badges.  They left his office as the Mikumwes laboriously wrote out a report of his own for Grigario, and he admonished them to give Estarai their report.