15 Resting, 1304 AM
Malgrim headed for the Builder's Arms after the dialogues with Enkitan and Michelle. Passing through Judgment's Triangle, it became apparent that preparations were being made for public executions, due tomorrow. After entering the tavern, he informed Jacqualine that both Del'Gado and Imaros had gone away to shop for fancy clothes. Caerlin had also returned from the Sun-Temple, being cured at the low and affordable price of 20 gold crowns. After some discussion, Malgrim sighted an elven woman walking into the tavern. She ordered dry wine, and he immediately saw a possible substitute for Ubar and Zuuth. Amphora, as she introduced herself as, sat down at the party's table, whereupon Malgrim told her exactly who they were and who they worked for. Caerlin, in desperate infatuation, tried utilising magic to charm Jacqualine, but Amphora instinctively countermanded this. Further, Jacqualine magically suggested to him that he should keep quiet. After this round of magical chairs, the group decided to claim their payment for their services to the Order of the Vice.
The Ennead Star Embassy, unremarkable in appearance save for the two black flags on display, was the location Hassimir had directed them to. Jacqualine could identify the black flag with a white, five-node symbol as representing the Godclaw, the esoteric pantheon worshipped by the order bearing its name. Malgrim hastily entered with the rest in tow. They were greeted by two clerks. They explained that they were here to see Hassimir and a due payment. One of the clerks went away whilst the other logged their visit; asking for name and affiliation. No-one disclosed royal employment. Shortly thereafter, they were led to Hassimir's office.
Whilst there, Hassimir told them to wait as the gold was being brought to them. He inquired about their progress with the Society of the Red Mask, and they told him that Del'Gado, Imaros, and Caerlin had been hired by them. He seemed a bit disappointed that Imaros was not present, as he had some unfortunate news regarding Aegis and the employees of the Elven Kiss: they had been found guilty on all charges by the Order, and had been sent to the city's Synod Low Circuit to be convicted. Their citizenship and legal protections had been revoked under Deluge-era judicial codes, and were thus no longer entitled to full trials. After this information had been presented, Malgrim asked him if he was in communication with the Hammerites; only as much as they were legally obligated to, was the answer. Malgrim wished to know the whereabouts of his drinking mates, and whilst Hassimir had no idea about that part, he did inform the monk that their infractions would probably lead to 1-4 years of indebted service, mostly depending on if they were repeat offenders. Hassimir did also tell the party that he had convinced the Hoymats to raise their reward from 2000 to 2500 gold, and some time after this, a Hellknight steward entered with a sack containing ten engraved gold bars, each valued at 250-300 gold crowns, according to him. Asking him why they gave them gold bars as payment, the official simply told them that this is what the family handed to them.
Ten gold bars richer, the party returned to the Builder's Arms. Malgrim began formulating a plan to patrol the streets in order to keep them safe. Jacqualine received a message from Varkallin, which informed her that the NAA scouts dispatched to the Gloomlight Forest had sent back a full inventory to the treasury, and the Advocates could claim their share whenever they wanted. However, as this was being communicated, Malgrim walked out of the tavern, verbally wondering where the poor districts were located. Jacqualine quickly asked Varkallin her thoughts of Malgrim's plan of impromptu law enforcement, and in seven seconds, she forwarded the seneschal's full response:
No.
Malgrim and Amphora began walking westwards, with Jacqualine and Caerlin following them. Stopping outside the walls, loitering around some alleys, the four talked for some time; eventually, a contingent of Hammerite Martinets approached them. The lead asked what they were doing, but before allowing them a response, he noticed Malgrim and asked if he was "the" hobgoblin, who had caused some talk within the guild: mainly for wasting their time. The lead Martinet began drawing a connection between this hobgoblin, who had caused a royal mediator to step in and order a night shift to drop an active investigation, and in the Hammerite commanders recently talking about new Twilight Advocates. Stepping away, he procured a small item and began quietly talking, which Malgrim managed to interpret as him asking his commander for the names and physical descriptions of newly-assigned Twilight Advocates. The party began to walk away from the Hammerites, but they did not give chase. Indeed, they overheard the lead telling his squad "It's them. Don't follow." After wandering the streets some more, Varkallin eventually tracked them down and had a moral discussion with Malgrim about group responsibility. At Jacqualine's suggestion, she also mentioned the situation at the Elysian Court, and of how one individual, mobad Tamzi, has kept them in positive approval, at least before the naked rooftop incident. An incident which, she said, resulted in the party's share from the Gloomlight Forest being reduced. 1500 gold was deducted in compensatory damages to the Hammerite Concern, paying for the expended scroll and covering the involved Hammerites' wages. As a result, 50 gold per individual was now the party's current share. Returning to mobad Tamzi, she promised to try and speak with him, and to make him seek out the Advocates at the executions at the Triangle tomorrow. After this, she wished to speak with Jacqualine, and the two headed for Morrowfall Redoubt.
Entering rooms she had never seen before, Varkallin told her that seneschal Shala had pointed out an item contained at the palace that could fit Jacqualine's request to alter her appearance; a girdle that could change its wearer's sex. The caveat being that it is cursed, requiring strong magic to remove. Nevertheless, she signed a document for its lease, and it could probably be retrieved at midday tomorrow. She also carefully mentioned that a number of noble houses seemed to have become involved in the legal process against the Heshoo gang members, but could not provide further context. Finally, she informed Jacqualine that the scouts from the forest had reported a higher body count than what was given to captain Idal, and this seemed to have left a positive impression with the foul-mouthed officer. Jacqualine then returned to the Builder's Arms, where the party had gone to sleep.
