Tracking Smugglers

[gatheringstorm]

WHO: Korrin, Fenris, Julian, Adasse
WHAT: Hunting down slavers for fun and profit.
WHEN: At some nebulous point in the first half of the month.
WHERE: Ayesleigh
NOTES: CW: Slavers, violence, to be updated as need be.

It's a long trip to Ayesleigh, but the uneventful nature of it gives plenty of time to plan for the assignment ahead. The Inquisition has tasked Korrin and Fenris -members of the Northern Powers project- with following up on some leads regarding slavers in the region. Said leads have been accused of kidnapping, but lack of evidence has them still walking free. With some discussion of plans and a bit of luck, the Inquisition's agents might go further than what local authorities have been able to manage.

That's where the trail begins, though Korrin reminds everyone that they might have to expand their search, depending on what's discovered. The use of force -lethal or otherwise- isn't forbidden, but it's made clear that they must do their best not to leave a trail of blood leading directly to the Inquisition. Whatever must be done, it ought be kept discreet. (Fenris is likely reminded of this more than once.) Force isn't the only resource available to them, however; thanks to Julian and Adasse, connections and stealth might open an number of doors otherwise closed to them.

It's early morning when their ship finally reaches port, travelers streaming down onto the docks and disappearing into the crowds. The hunt begins.

Comments

First Lead

[lyriumcarved]

As the ship is pulling in, it’s time to get to business. They’ve got their leads, so they know who they’re looking for, having obtained some pretty thorough information on their descriptions. It doesn’t take long to track down one of them, and start tailing him.

If they want answers, of course, they’re definitely going to want to apprehend the guy… if they can. He’s got a grizzled, rough appearance, definitely the look of someone who’s put up many a fight, and won. He carries a huge war-maul, too, and strolls along the streets with the ease of someone who isn’t afraid of much of anything at all.

The question is, how to proceed?

[gatheringstorm]

Spotting their target, Korrin has to resist the urge to just charge on in. She can't very well do that after lecturing everyone about the need to be at least someone discreet. The Inquisition's reputation matters, and will affect what they can do later on. But the urge to beat down the slaver ass is still very strong, so.

"He's not going to go anywhere quietly, that's for damn sure. Adasse, how do you feel about trailing him? As soon as he gets somewhere private, contact us on the crystal and we can swoop in. I can hit him with a Static Cage or Disruption Field, if we need to keep him from getting away...but he looks like the kind of asshole who'd want to stay and fight. Unless anyone has a better idea?"

[insatiably]

Ah, Ayesleigh. Julian hasn't often had cause to travel to this city, preferring the southern cities of Antiva, but home is home, and he strolls about, completely at his ease. Familiar smells from the food stalls, familiar accents surrounding him; it's put him in a good mood, despite what they're here to do. But success comes from going into things with a positive outlook, so he doesn't see how this won't go in their favor.

Sizing up their lead, he glances over at Korrin, both impressed by her quick thinking, and more than a little amused that it involves trapping him straight away.

"It depends on where his loyalties lie. Antivans can be very loyal, but we're also skilled at pretending to be loyal until we're given a better offer. He might be willing to talk, but until we can be sure, I would rather avoid a maul to the skull. Restraining him while we make our case is not a bad idea."

[lyriumcarved]

"I agree with this plan." Fenris' eyes narrow and a dark look briefly overcomes his expression as he looks off in the direction of their target. A brutal, thuggish type if ever there was one... he has no doubt as to the awfulness that his captives have probably experienced. It would be really satisfying to phase his hand through his chest and pull out his beating heart, but as Korrin has reminded him repeatedly, this mission requires a bit more subtlety than that. Too bad, really.

He sighs, reminding himself that it'll be for the better in the long run to find out more. "After all, we need to get information out of him. We need to know who else is involved if we're to put a stop to it all. I'm willing to hold back and wait while you disable him... until the interrogation." He'll have to show some restraint, but he thinks he can manage this.

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

Adasse's smile flicked over to amused while everyone else piled on their agreement with Korrin's plan. Not that he disagreed, not at all. Just he hadn't actually answered Korrin's request yet.

"Yeah, I can trail him. Keep your crystal up - I'll give him enough space so I can report back his movements." He flipped his hood up, tapping his crystal on, before he all but disappeared from their sights, melding immediately into the crowd.

[gatheringstorm]

For her part, Korrin waits to hear from Adasse himself before considering the plan in motion. As he disappears, she turns her crystal on and starts heading in his general direction. They can't be too far away for this work, after all.

"Our goal is what matters here and therefore his answers. As satisfying as it would be to crush that skull right off, we can get a lot more than just him if we play our cards right." She suspects Fenris will keep that in mind; he won't abandon the bigger picture if it means capturing more of them in the process.

Another link in the chain

[lyriumcarved]

Their next lead brings them to a rather influential member of Rivaini society, a noble named Philippus Bombelles who also just happens to have a bit of a smuggling hobby on the side. There are plenty of guards, servants, and other nobles milling around his estate. Getting to and dealing with him is probably going to require a bit of clever talking on the group’s part…

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin glances to Julian because, well, this is the main reason she invited him. The noble Antivan can open doors the rest of them can't, thanks to mage or non-human status, or both.

"So, what's the plan? Are we your bodyguards or would you rather us wait outside?"

[insatiably]

Julian slips a billfold out from an interior pocket of his jacket, drawing out a calling card.

"I have no problem with you accompanying me, and I think it might be a good look to show Bombelles a non-Qunari in my employ too, since Rivain is currently losing more ground each year to the Qun and its influence." He waves the card in the air. "I'm not a close friend of his, so I can't simply walk up to the door as if I have a standing invitation. If one of you would take this to the footman at the door, perhaps we'll be granted an audience."

That's Julian's hope, at least. He comes from a good family, though they aren't stuffy, which might cause Bombelles to be a bit more candid. Having two elves with him might also get the man talking, thinking the De Abbrixios know a bit about keeping elves around as servants or worse.

[lyriumcarved]

Fenris knows he's going to have to hold his tongue around here, something which he generally finds difficult to do. He scowls as he looks at the estate, thinking of the undoubtedly lavish decor and expensive finery to be found inside... most of it purchased due to his activities smuggling slaves. He's never had much respect for nobility, but this makes it even worse.

Still, he's here to do a job. They'd needed to be strategic with that first lead, so the same goes for this one.

"Do I dare? Or would you prefer to do the honors, Adasse?"

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

"Oh no, I think you ought to let me do it, Fenris." Adasse's smile is good and coy, even if he's silently thrilled to be working with the 'Great Fenris' himself, before he completely changes his demeanor. His shoulders slump, his eyes move downcast, and his accent mirrors Julian's perfectly, with the faintest slur around the edges.

"You stand in the back, hood up. Everyone knows about your markings." He looks over at Julian and Korrin piteously, "Shall I take your card up to them, Master? Then I can just creep back into the kitchen, perhaps get you some warm milk ... find out a few things about the layout."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin smirks as little as Adasse's demeanor transforms before their eyes, and she nods. He's the perfect image of a worn-down servant, someone much less likely to attract suspicion than either herself or Fenris. She nods at his plan, though waits for Julian to give his stamp of approval. He's running this particular show, after all.

Yet another link

[lyriumcarved]

The next link leads back into the dregs of society, to a thief by the name of Eularia Lignago who operates out of Seere. She’s been nicknamed the Ghost for good reason: hardly anyone she deals with has actually seen her face, and she’s got a knack for disappearing right when things get rough.

Fortunately, the group has gotten some idea of how to track her down in a derelict area, having gotten word about how to find her. The real question is, how low of a profile can the group keep? If Eularia gets even the faintest sign of trouble, she’ll be gone. Fortunately, it’s a part of town where they might be able to blend in well enough… and the guards in this area are pretty easily bribed.

[gatheringstorm]

Given how Korrin is at least a foot taller than anything not qunari, she knows well how she could easily be a problem in this scenario. Sighing, she keeps her pouch ready if bribaries are needed...and even if not, she'll still hang back and do her best not to draw attention.

"Don't wonder if I'm hanging back...way back. It's better that she doesn't see me, if at all possible."

[insatiably]

Julian pauses and moves beside Korrin. While it's true that he's a noble that tends to mix a bit more due to his merchant ties, he's still a clean, well-dressed man in the wrong part of town.

"I might raise a few eyebrows myself. I could possibly pass myself off as a debauched man of privilege, out with my bodyguard as I visit the brothels or some such thing, but I'm probably the wrong person to deal with our target here too."

[lyriumcarved]

"I don't blame either of you. I might be too obvious, myself. But perhaps most of us can still keep an eye out for guards on patrol... it seems like we've passed quite a few." Crooked ones, he'd imagine, corrupt and using that power to let the likes of this Lignago woman do as they please. He loathes just how strong that influence seems to be. They'll have to keep alert for sure.

"I wonder just how much gold might get her talking..." It sounded like bribery might be the name of the game around this area.

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

Adasse, on the other hand, is right at home. Mostly because the dregs of society is where he grew up and he hasn't know much better. His gaze is sharp as he looks around, making sure their profile is staying low enough.

"I've heard of this bird - she's considered the best in the city." He looks thoughtfully at the rest of them, "We might want to sweeten the bribe with a job. So and so much gold to meet us here, talk about stealing something from some duchess, la-tee-da. Money up front is always a good motivator."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin nods at the plan, though is quick to add a warning. "Not too much money without haggling, though. If we seem eager to offer a lot up front without doing that, it'll raise a lot of red flags. We can let her drive up the price somewhat, but not without at least seeming to fight for it."

Busting a slaver den: ambushed!!

[lyriumcarved]

Lead after lead has unfolded, and they’ve moved around quite a bit chasing them down. Now it seems like they might be at the end of all of this, having gotten a tip that an entire slaver den is being maintained somewhere in Treviso not far from the docks and roads for easy transport. The whole operation is well disguised as an honest shipping venture, so it’s not surprising why it’s been overlooked for so long.

What is surprising is the trap waiting for the group. The last lead gave them the impression that no one would be aware of their coming, that they might have an advantage here. Not so.

Whether they’re being stealthy or not, the moment the group gets near the area, there’s already an ambush waiting for them. Slavers swarm out all of a sudden, with blades and bows and staves all drawn and ready for battle. Looks like there’s no diplomatic way to handle this bunch.

[gatheringstorm]

"Shitshitshit--" Korrin scowls and works to set off a Chain Lightning, shocking one target and arcing to the others. That affects plenty of them, but not all. She has plans for the rest, raising her staff and spirit blade hilt...and then she's blown back without even a chance to scream, punched in the chest by a Stonefist spell.

[insatiably]

Julian's reaction is rather slow, seeing how he's completely caught off guard, but when Korrin gets thrown back, instinct kicks in and he rushes for cover, getting around the corner of a building just as an arrow whizzes past.

"I don't suppose we can talk about this?" he asks glibly, tightening his grip on his dagger. He peeks out his head to survey the area, then combat rolls out of cover and rises somewhat in front of Korrin, sword and dagger lifted in the vain hope he can deflect something.

"All right there?" he asks her. There's really nothing more he can do but cover her until she gets her bearings, since he didn't think to stash any health potions on him.

[lyriumcarved]

Just great... they probably should have seen this coming. Probably. Slavers remain a despicable foe, after all, and they can't be underestimated. Fenris draws his large sword at once, blocking the first of the blows that's aimed his way. "I think they're past the point of talking!"

He charges in to start on the offensive, already starting to glow as he works to draw some of their attention, buying Korrin some time to recover.

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

Adasse jumped back when Julian did, before rolling around. He hit with the wall, before he faded into the shadows, his dark eyes narrowing. He really hated the fact that they got the goddamned drop on him. Seriously? Slavers. Maker be Damned Slavers. He hissed as he went up the side, going to find the one who is slinging spells.

Is he saying anything? Not a thing. So he can sink his blades into that magister bastards.

[gatheringstorm]

"Fuck that hurt--" Korrin wheezes as she stands, that pain only fueling her rage. Casting a Barrier over any allies close enough, she then eyes the asshole who Stonfisted her and charges, spirit blade swinging. The mage's eyes widen and a Mind Blast spell is quickly cast, prompting Korrin to stagger back as the telekinetic wave hits her. The mage raises a staff, ready to blast the horned woman as many times as it takes, so Adasse's blades will be more than welcome when Korrin's mind clears.

Aftermath

[lyriumcarved]

It’s over, it’s done, and it’s time for the ship ride back.

Maybe not everything went entirely as planned… maybe everyone is a little bit weary from all the tracking and fighting they’ve been doing… They may not have the final lead in their grasp yet, but maybe eventually. Now it’s time to complain or unwind, or maybe talk about next steps.