Jim saunters in front of the gnome, hand on hilt, glaring at the crowd. "First to set a hand on him dies."
Jim's threat stays the mob which continues hissing threats, but keeps its distance from the intimidating swashbuckler. Gwyllin gives Jim a tight smile and turns her sharp gaze back to the crowd. "That's right, stay back. This gnome is wanted for questioning. Return to your homes and let the Captains' Council handle this." Before the mob can argue, she leads the gnome north away from the Plaza of Gold. In about a block, the small group reaches a rather odd structure that seems rather out of place among the tall, showy mansions of the Merchant District; the building is low and blocky behind a high wall with spikes and guards patrolling. It looks as solid as the Vault and nearly as well defended as the Old City. The Gozran Priestess shouts up at the guard, "Council business! I need to talk to Nimblefingers. Let us in." The guard doesn't ask any questions, but waves down to the courtyard and a moment later, the gates open and you enter to be escorted to the front door of the Jewelers' and Gemcutters' Guild.
One of the guards claps a great diamond shaped knocker against the reinforced doors and a peephole slides open to inspect you. After a long while, you hear heavy tumblers turn and the stout doors roll back to reveal another gnome. He's tiny, even for the slight folk, shriveled and old though his eyes still glitter intelligently. His odd hair cascades back in braided cords that are nearly transparent with a tinge of aquamarine. He doesn't look happy and his set pout is notable crevasse among the network of wrinkles.
"What do you want, Sister Gwyllin? I'm sure this can wait until the Council meeting. I've work to do."
The tall green-robed woman matches his glare. "Didn't you hear the explosions?! Freport may be under attack. Perhaps Kolter's factory was a tragic mishap, but the fact that Maurice's went up at nearly the same instant cannot be a coincidence!"
"So you come here? What do you want me to do about it. I'm sure that the Watch can handle it," the gnome grouses.
Gwyllin laughs bitterly. "The Watch are corrupt and worthless. All the able and honorable men are in the Sea Lord's Guard. You know that. I don't have time to argue with you. At least, help your fellow gnome." She gestures to the younger frightened gnome with gun metal blue hair. "I believe he worked at Kolter's Clockworks. I'll question him later. Right now, I've got to get back out there and help. Jim stay here and keep an eye on them until I get back." She quickly returns to the gate with her guards leaving Jim to face the old gnome at the door glaring up at him.
The Groom hasn't returned from the Temple District yet, but Dibbets spies another company of Sea Lord's Guard march from the Merchant Gate onto Wave Street. Assuming things are under control here and likely worse to the west, the crew head up the hill after Jim and Gwyllin. They spot the priestess near the Fountain of Fortune entreating people to go back to their homes and wait until the situation is under control. She doesn't appear to be having much success against the frightened crowd.
The Taldan gazes down at the gnomes, a half-smile frozen on his face as Gwyllin leaves. Feck, how'd I get into this? Why did I want to come back to Freeport? He clears his throat a little nervously. "So, I think Maurice's went up a little before Kolter's. And Sister Gwyllin was supposed to be at Maurice's then." He addresses the younger gnome. "How'd you run afoul of the mob?"
The old gnome squints up at Jim. "I remember you. Helped us with the Brainboil incident... I'm Dirwin Arnig, Guildmaster and Council member. I usually go by Nimblefingers. Alright, I guess you can come in. Don't touch anything though. I'll be watching you two closely."
The old gnome leads the way through a foyer where coats and boots are left and into a huge workroom where simple leather slippers are donned. Maybe a score of guildmembers and apprentices are at work: chipping at gemstones and smithing gold and silver. Nimblefingers quickly guides you through the workroom to his private quarters and shuts the door tightly behind you.
"Have a seat. We should be safe in here. This guildhall has the best defenses in the city. There's been more thieves than I can count over the years that found that out the hard way."
The old gnome's attention turns to the newcomer. "You're Fermend, right? One of Kolter's craftsmen. I tend to keep my eye on the skilled craftsman in the city."
The younger gnome with hair of blue steel smiles, "I am honored that you remember me, Sir. Yes, I am a mechanic and gunsmith. I apprenticed under Kolter." He quails a bit at Jim's question. "I was out of the shop this morning on an interesting side job in the Temple District. I was on my way back to the Clockworks and stopped at the Plaza of Gold to buy an apple when the explosions began. I feared the worst and tried to get to the Clockworks when the mob turned on me. I did nothing wrong, really. Is it true that the Clockworks has been destroyed?" The poor gnome collapses into tears.
Giving Kaul a wee nudge Dibbets wordlessly implores a bit of calm before stumping crutch and foot forward to the mob. Hacking a cough he raises voice [bigger]"Oi! All o' ye take a feckin breath an lissen a tad eh? Yer piss1n ye britches an worried like... but ye needs tae stop an see what yer noggin's sayin now" tapping the side of his head with one finger.
"Two places blew up this morning, a shop anna café. Safest place for ye is gettin hell outta public an back 'ome eh? Guard, Council... an the crew that took down Jemma crab-humpin Redclaw is on tha case." hoping Kaul waggles his mechanical appendage appropriately "So ye ken leave it tae us an read about it tommorrer inna shippin news eh?"
Diplomancy:
The well-groomed, but nervous group looks askew at the scurfy ragamuffin.
"I say, is that another gnome?"
"No, gnomes are brighter and more interesting. It's a halfling. Too dirty to be a servant. I can't even understand it. Go away, halfling. Back to the Eastern District with you."
Kaul first nods, acknowledging Dibbs' suggestion of calm. He then looks to his axe, then whispers with a shake of the head;
"No Lopps. Dibbs' wants to play it canny like..."
As the grubby oracle attempts to sway the crowd, the thug does indeed raise his claw at the appropriate moment, wearing a jagged grin as he does...
A grin that is swallowed by the scowl that comes creeping when their talk becomes dismissive and rude toward his shipmate;
"Aye-aye. I heard ye Lopps... Know-it-all-bleedin'atchet!"
Kaul lumbers to Dibbs' shoulder catching the eye of the speakers and their cronies;
"Hur. 'E is called Master Dibbets an e' ain't goin' nowheres... You lot best learn manners an' know Dibbs' 'ere is tryin' to help ye all..."
The brute holds his mekanikaul claw up once again;
"I is Kaul. I ain't built fer fixin'... Breakin's what I do. Bones an' bodies. By Claw or Axe. I ain't fer speakin' again... Listen to the words spoke true an' heed em... Or else..."
:
The threat of violence makes the wealthy loiterers much more attentive and they are quickly cowed (Kauled?). Sister Gwyllin's exhortations are finally heeded and citizens begin to trickle off the Plaza of Gold. The departures hasten with the arrival of a company of Sea Lord's Guard and things are soon under control with the return of the Groom, Peg-Leg Peligro and a contingency from the Temple District: opulently robed Nethians from the Temple of Knowledge, black garbed nuns from the Pharasman Cathedral, scantily-clad, seaweed strewn Gozrans and even a couple heavily armed warrior priests of Gorum from the Supreme Fortress. There are a scattering of less known Gods represented and the infamous Talbous Mog, whom Gwyllin waves away when he begins discussing fees.
The burly thug hacks a satisfied laugh as the well-heeled turn tail.
Then, as the throngs of holy men and divine apostles arrive, Kaul strains to spot Klick and Klack amongst them...
Indeed the followers of Mecha-man are spotted near the end of the parade of priests.
Dibbs sighs and mutters under his breath, but takes a moment to give Kaul a raised chin of acknowledgement. Frowning a tad he takes an eye to the detritus yet surrounding the exterior of the god fearers, wondering if anyone involved might be a-watching...
Perception:
Dibbets doesn't spot anyone suspicious on the Plaza. Gwyllin directs the priests toward Wave Avenue and they move onwar to the carnage at the Clockworks. She pauses to mention that Jim is at the Gemcutters' Guild before leaving the Plaza of Gold.
Kaul clocks Dibbs' acknowledgment and grins;
"Hur... What can I say Dibbs... They want to follow the claw! Might be handy to have em around!"
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Dingus stands around a bit confused as Dibbets... then Kaul attempt to send the crowd home. When he sees that Kaul seems to be communicating well, he adds to his fearsome glare with a crazed one of his own.
Intimidate (Assist)
"I'm hungry".
One of the gawkers is about to gesture to a toppled apple cart in response to Dingus' statement, but catches the look in the strange Tian's eye and instead backs away quickly and quietly...
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Dibbs gives a wan smile to Kaul and sighs "Aye matey... yer an orator... or summat" before giving Dingus a wave to follow and seeks out Jimmer amongst the crowd.
Kaul mugs a proud grin, then eyes Dibbs' warily;
"Oraytor? Ain't filthy is it? Sounds it..."
Jim bows to the councilor. "Aye, I remember you. I'm afraid I wasn't at my best that day, hey? Too long awake, and too much of that spent in the sewers." He addresses the younger gnome kindly. "I'm afraid so. Looked to be the same thing hit Maurice's."
One of the Sea Lord's Guard escorts the mates to the gates of the Guild only to be denied entry. Eventually, the shriveled Guildmaster allows the newcomers into the courtyard to speak with Jim and the gnome, but afterwards, only Fremden is to remain at the Jewelers' and Gemcutters' Guild and the rest of the crowd is to leave.
Fremden is happy to see that Kaul's claw is doing well, but remains confused as to a connection between Kolter's Clockworks and Maurices.b
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Upon the walk Dibbets fill Jimmer in on what was found at Maurice's "Some bastard delivered a white clay pot thing wi' a sigil onnit an a metal lid. Rune kept changing as 'e watched it. Sounds like robe work" implying a magical bent to the ordnance. "Best ye do tha talkin... feckers ne'er listen tae me anyways."
Fermend looks up from his sorrow in astonishment at Dibbets' aside to Jim. "The clay pot! One arrived at the Kolter's shop this morning just like that, but I was busy with the Claw and did not take the time to inspect it. It must have been a bomb! But, why?" He collapses into tears again
Shrugging Dibbs doesn't show overdue compassion "'Pends... whether yers or Maurice's were tha target, whether ye both were... an whether it's got aught tae do wi' who were goan be at the resto afters."
Kaul slows the waggling of his claw to an occasional twitch as he listens intently;
"Hur... Maybees its us they's after?"
"Who would gain by placing these bombs. Surely if it was individuals being targeted there are more subtle and sure ways to make sure that happens. Bombs not only cause a lot of damage to things beyond people, but they also make a statement. Who has something to say, that feels the need to express it so overtly"?
Dingus, frighteningly, looks thoughtful for a minute, as he caresses his scraggly goatee and looks upwards deep in thought.
Kaul scowls deep in thought, then nods to himself;
"Reckon its either Finn or that wee deader Stumpy! That's what we reckons... Right Lopps!?"
Shaking his head slightly with a sigh "Taint Finn... nor tha deader likely. Iffin either o' them was tae take us it'd be quiet and stealthlike. This is brash an feck off public. Probly find out who frae soon enough though. Cannae let this sit wi'out a speech or scrabble"
The wizened Councilgnome just sighs and leads Fermend back to the guild hall while the guards usher the crew back onto the street. Sea Lord's Guard have set up a command post on the Plaza of Gold and recruited some Watch to help as the injured are cleared from the burning and ruined warehouses around the bombed Clockworks.
Rows of casualties are lined up on Wave Street and various priests tend to them. The Pharasmites offer final rites spiraling their bone knifes over the recently deceased and others try to save those that yet draw breath. Sister Gwyllin confers with Peg-Leg at the intersection with Wave Avenue while a hulking priest of Gorum appears to be standing guard over them.
Jim nods to Kaul. "I had a similar thought. If so, can you think of anyplace else that might be a target?"
Kaul rubs his scarred brow then looks to Jimmer as if a bolt o' inspiration just hammered home;
"Hur. Iffen its us then the Bloody Fortune makes sense like..."
The thug eyes the others;
"Best we make our way to the ship then? Check she ain't primed for scuttlin'?"
Chewing his cud Dibbs maneuvers painfully around on his crutch before taking in Gwyllin. Noting an opportunity he begins to launch forward after offering Kaul "Doubtful... I'm thinkin there's more in play"
He draws within close earshot but not yet confidence before calling out towards the knot of holy personages "Sister... Peg... I needs a word." pausing to mull before figuring outright is easier than circulatory "Dajobas... heard o' tha fecker?"
Uncertainty quickly turn to paranoia as Jim and Kaul take the attacks personally. Dibbets takes another tack and approached the conferring priests. The Gorumite casts a suspicious eye to the approaching oracle, but then clearly dismisses the mite as any threat.
At Dibbets' query, the Gozran priestess shakes her head. The more worldly Besmaran though, nods slowly, "Aye. Heard tales of the Old Father of Sharks that the Cyclops worshiped long ago. Why d'ye ask?"
Leaning heavily on his artificial walking aid Dibbs pontificates "Sea Devils an shark buggers are onna rise aye? We's tangled wi' tha bastards recent like an while we came out over we ain't so much ahead as jus survivin. They took tha Mother aye?" looking to Gwyllin for confirmation "An now summat tries tae take out both o' yer in one swoop. Nei sure where Kolter's fits in... but I'm fer guessin tha shark fecker's in there somewhere." taking a deep breath and adding "An I ain't tha only bastard worried... Skylord's put me on notice... feckin maelstrom comin an nei many hatches battened down here aye?"
"That's what the Groom has told me," Gwyllin says.
Peg-Leg squints down at the halfling. "Kolter's shop and the restaurant are linked then? Do ye have proof?"
Shrugging "Not directly like... jus tha each o' em got a clay jug delivered wi' a sigil onnit. Confirmed frae one ought the gnomes an a feller Kaul pulled out o' tha rubble o Maurices. Sides... how many bloody times do ye hae two whole jobbies go powdered up at tha same time an they ain't connected?"
The Gorumite appears to be paying more attention and Peg-Leg tugs at his beard. "Unlikely coincidence, I'd say. Bombs, ye thinks. Clay jugs. Anything else about 'em? Might be our only lead. Don't sound much like sea devil tactics though."
Jim follows the oracle, eying the Gorumite and keeping his hands well clear of his rapier hilt.
Kaul scowls as his theory is blown out of the water;
"Sharkies ain't bombers... Still sounds more like Finn's hin to me."
The thug grins, struck by inspiration;
"What says I pluck one o' his crew off the street and turn the screw on the wee feck? See what he sings 'bout afore I pop his skull..."
Click and Clack have been listening with interest to Kaul's every word. Clack speaks up. "Yes, there are those who would attack us, Mecha-man. They fear the Rise of the Machines. We must protect the ship."
"Does it fly?" Click asks hopefully.
Kaul grins at the two prophets;
"Nah lads... The ship don't fly... not yet anyways hur-hur-hur..."
He then flexes his claw;
"Yer right tho'... Plenty out there wi' a bone tae pick. Once we get an' idea on whose behind this we'll wreck 'em proper boyos."
Dibbets scowls at Kaul's intent to antagonize one of the more powerful and least restrained of Freeport's citizenry... but internally acknowledges there's little he can do to tame the beast. If blood flows then he'll try and step out of the spray...
To Peg he responds "Nei... jus that tha sigil were changeable whilst they watched. There aught ye know that we ain't been partied tae yet?"
Peg-Leg's beard sags as he frowns. "Then we don't have much to go on. Sigils were likely magical script. Maybe Glyph of Warding or Explosive Runes to prime the bomb maybe. But they couldn't have caused that much damage unless that jar be filled with black powder. But only Kolter knew how to make that and he was bombed hisself... some other alchemical mixture perhaps?"
The Bersmaran's conjecture is interrupted as the Groom approaches. "Councilors, Lord Commander Caddicen, Mates: Some news," he announces. "We found some charred white pottery that seems to have been from a bomb and... Marcus Roberts. He was found among the rubble. He's dead."
Dingus is at first excited by all the carnage, and confusion, but quickly realizes the seriousness of the situation, and his eyes lose a bit of their maniacal gleam at the news of Roberts death.
Dibbets sighs, mulls over the news, swirls a gobbet of blood flecked phlegm and spits it to the ground in disgust. "Well feck. Roberts were at Kolter's?" seeking confirmation to a dark thought only growing blacker as it sits and spins within his atrophied mind.
"No," Gwyllin replies. "Maurice's. And on a regular week, Tarmon and I would have been there with him. I was only late because I misunderstood Tarmon's message." She gives the Groom a significant look.
The soggy sailor taps a heavy drop off the rim of his hat. "If things went differently, could have been three members of the Captains Council, Jim and myself buried under the rubble."
Jim nods slowly. "That makes Maurice's a fine target. What of Kolter's, then? This may be a foolish and obvious thing to ask, but is Kolter's important to the city's defense? Is there no one else who knows the secret of black powder?"
Maintaining the frown "Misunderstood tha message? What yer meanin there Gwyllin?"