Sodden Spy
2nd of Lamashan 4707 A.R. (Absalom Reckoning)
It is not the first time you've been awoken by having clothes thrown at you, though it is the first time it is done by the arts of levitation.
"Awaken, one who wishes our company ill lingers among the stalls of the market," the voice of the shadow mage drifts through your thoughts as you rush to array yourself for battle, or at least for going out in public. Raglichen still makes decent sleepware, but you know that even in the taproom of the Horn you would be laughed at if you descended looking like some kind of slowly peeling fungus with arms and legs. As Sirim gives you the full account of what they had seen you wonder who could have been targeting Gorok in particular. To most of the people of Augustana the iruxi are curiosities out of journal pages from the 'Sodden Lands', their bones kept in cabinets alongside the titanic beasts of the Mwangi Expanse beyond the familiar lands of Northern Garund.
So what did that leave, robbery maybe? —You take the lead with Mina carrying Pepper on one shoulder behind you and Cob bringing up the rear 'to watch for any sneaks'— No, even ignoring all the foes you'd seen come before him and fall to his feet in pieces you still recall your first sight of him in the Darklands, back when you were surely not above ambushing for coin.
Surely not the quarry I'd have chosen.
Though not as familiar with the alleyways as you might have liked, something about the narrow passages, eight tenths a tunnel with the way the buildings on either side lean in, you're confident enough to cut across towards the harbor. "Come on!"
Something moves up ahead on the swaying clothesline with its burden of heavy burlap pants and tow shirts, at first seeming like nothing more than a shapeless woolen cap, but then you see that it's a rat, sleek and black like it had just come out of the waters.
Akorian Perception (DC 18): 1d20+9 = 28 (Success)
If you hadn't spent the last two seasons conversing with Pepper and more recently with Sirim perhaps you would have paid it no more mind than any of their other rats that swarm the alleyways of the city, but there is a spark of deliberate watchfulness in those eyes as it scurries through an open window out of sight.
"Familiar indeed," you curse under your breath, though only Mia understands as all three of your companions stop, though in Sirim's case it might be because he's using your shadow for cover.
"We are being watched by a rat. I think it belongs to someone." You send silently, not wanting to be overheard, even speaking duergar.
Akorian Spellcraft (DC 18): 1d20+7 = 24 (Success)
"The shape of things can often be deceiving... yet it might also be revealing," the shadow mage sends back.
"Gorok was the one to kill the rat man in the temple with his own hands."
"How would anyone...?" The question devolves into a burst of anger.
How would you have notices if there was one more real rat among the conjured swarm?
"The lady Mina says nothing has changed and I concur," Sirim interjects coolly.
"We are still more likely to face the enemy together."
He's right of course, but assuming your enemy's malice does not overcome their sense they should know it too, melt back into the streets for another try.
What do you do?
[] Pretend to go somewhere else, then use invisibility to double back towards the Swig O' Miracles in the hopes of tricking the enemy into springing their trap on your terms
[] Continue as you are, an ambush forestalled is good enough. You will be leaving the city soon enough. It will make dealings in the city simpler if you can avoid spilling blood on its streets, even in self-defense
[] Write in
OOC: Man, I just realized the party is almost as good at paranoia as you are at stealth.
