S3E16 - Montague Montague Montague Montague

Date: 2nd of Seleszeni 1076 ZC   The Gala is on the 6th. The Harvest Festival is on the 4th.   The party meets back up at the inn we're staying at. We lore dump. History check on the badlands: The desert area outside the 3rd district was hotly contested. There was a large population of guild-less people. During the guild war, this area was neglected by the guilds, and the guild-less started to organize their own government. It also became anti-guilds. There is a militia that protects it from guild influence.   Montague Montague found a way to get us labor permits to get us into Norov. They're forgeries, but they're good. Those plus the clothes we'll need will be 800gp. He says if he can sell the artifact that Theo is holding as collateral, he can pitch in. Theo agrees that he can have it back if he can have it in his position tomorrow morning (she attached it to the magic belt).   Place for dinner with Theo, Dream, and Penelope (The Duke's mom) Italian restaurant in Azberia: D'D'omeos. Dinner's at 7.   The Duke wants to go to the Izzit league to ask about the underground subway that was diverted away from the basement under his exes house. The construction guy on site doesn't know much. He says that records for the blueprints would be housed by the Azorius. He gives the Duke a map of the steam tunnels (which we already had thanks to our crew back in the 10th district).   Meanwhile, Dream and Theo go to the Azorius courtrooms or records building. Dream's trying to ID the judge that might be killed, or the person who got arrested and then disappeared. She asks about the legality surrounding the badlands and trespassing. There are 78 arbiters in the district, but each has lower magistrates and law clerks under them. Arbiter Thadius Kavin resides over the illegal crossings into the badlands. She also pulls the records from Kavin's recent cases. Dream starts going through them: 2 weeks ago, there was a spike in arrests regarding the badlands (smuggling food, supplies, or messages, and trespassing). Either the Azorius are being more diligent in the last 2 weeks or there has been much more crime. The cases are happening very quickly from start to finish. Arrest to conviction within 24 hours. They're also doling out maximum sentences. Androz heads to the Boros base in Zarres. He tells the guard that Urias and Kedar are going to give him a tour. He tries to get in without showing his credentials, but they won't let him. So he shows his credentials. Along it's borders to Azberia and Knaria, Zarres is made up of admin offices and homes. Along it's border to the badlands is a large strip of militarized zone. Androz is trying to get Urias and Kedar to leave him unattended, and after being a bit pushy, they call in back up for the tour. The security guard asks to see his credentials and what business he had there. He wants to take him in for some questioning. An angel commander witnesses this and walks over. Everyone jumps to attention. She is 7ft tall, has a huge wingspan, vibrant eyes, braided auburn hair, a scar across the left side of her face, and wears simple plate mail. She pities Androz; she realizes he is a captain who is past his prime. She says that she will complete his tour of the facility. She jokes that if he is a spy for "Badar" then she'll kill him herself. Reminder: he probably has the puzzle box signet.   She says there has been more battle lately. The rebels in the badlands have been more aggravated lately. Guerrilla warfare. The Boros haven't lost any soldiers yet. The rebels have been stealing supplies and smuggling things out of the 3rd district for decades. Now, this Badar character, a Rakdos general, has united them and now their efforts are more curated. He seems to be guild-less now.   Androz asks the angel if she can get him access to the Lightgale party. She says that Kavin will be there, and that he may be able to get an extra invite as a member of his entourage. They're meeting this evening, so she can ask then. Commander Seraphina Lightblade.   Montague Montague takes Theo to the Master Thieves Guild. The front is a dingy tailor shop. The back is like the tailor in Kingsman. She asks about the funding, and they all pay through dues and percentages of their heists. Mr. Clement is the business manager. Timothy is the tailor. Charles is the forger.   The guild has been around for hundreds of years. The thieves meet regularly using group sending stones. They don't ever take about the heists that they're on. They don't ever work on jobs together. They don't know who each other are. They need to be invited. Turns out he actually is kind of cool and a big deal.   She answers some of his questions about the heist, although she's vague since she isn't the brains of the operation.   We take a look at the blueprints. The wards go out about 50 yards from the property, and the steam tunnels that were diverted were about 4 stories.   The team meets up at the Master Thieves Guild tailor hideout. They lore dump. Put it together that Garrok is likely the leader in the badlands. Next time: dinner with Penelope.