Maintaining the frown "Misunderstood tha message? What yer meanin there Gwyllin?"
"Huh? Just that I thought Tarmon was cancelling our weekly meeting when he only meant that he wasn't going to make it."
"Aye... an where is he now like?" tone and posture making it plain that if the man put forward he wasn't going to make a meeting that a bomb made it to... might be worth establishing if he's innocent in the matter.
" 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?"
Peligro shakes his bushy head. "No, others make firearms. I hear there are a few gunmakers in Port Peril even though Bonefist keeps a tight hold on their business and I've even hear tell of a whole kingdom of dwarf gunsmiths on the east side of Garund. But Kolter had production down, aye. And his product was getting much more reliable. Word had spread and Freeport was becoming known across the Inner Sea for Kolter's firearms. It's a big hit to Freeport's economy."
"And given the big order that the Captains' Council had put in recently, it was something of a blow to our defenses," Gwyllin adds. "We've still got the Big Guns though."
"Aye, but those have a terrible price. I'd rather rely on Kolter's black power than Azlanti dark magic or whatever made those things."
"Groom and I saw Tarmon yesterday, I think?"
"and he is likely still at the Wizards' Guild. I cannot believe that he has anything to do with the bombings. His service to Freeport is well known." the priestess says.
"Who gives a sh1t bout tha past eh? Fact is now like he pulled out o' a meetin jus afore all sh1t broke out. Worth a chat iffin naught else."
Gwyllin gracefully defers to the disgruntled oracle. "We have no other leads. The Archmage should be forewarned anyway if he doesn't already know."
"You can find me at the Sea Lord's Palace. I believe that this warrants an emergency meeting of the Council."
Frowning and rubbing his chin in confusion Dibbets seeks clarification "So we goan see tha Archmagi, or followin ye tae the Council meetin? Ain't Tarmon on tha bloody council, so he be headin same way as ye?"
Still scowling Kaul tries to follow the conversation betwixt Dibbs and Gwyllin. Then grumbles his own thoughts, shooting a wary eye at his grubby shipmate as he does;
"Hur. E' could be in league wi' Finn... Who I still reckon 'is sticky wee paws are on the pots somehow..."
"I'm not so sure, mate. What's in it for him? Tarmon could squash Finn a lot quicker than the halfers could put the touch on him, I'm thinking."
The councilwoman sounds slightly annoyed at the irascible halfling's tone, though to be fair, she hasn't been particularly clear. "I'm going to the Council; though we appreciate your help, you aren't a member. We can share information later. 'll let you know if I find anything." She looks at the Groom. "If the Groom wouldn't mind going with you, you can speak with Tarmon and then send him to the Palace. I'll get Nimblefingers and send trusted Guard to summon the other Councilmembers." Then, having said her piece, she moves back toward the Gemcutters Guild with the leaders of the churches of the Pirate God and War God.
Jim nods a farewell to the departing priestess, then turns back to the other Freebooters. "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a mite hungry. Could use a bit of something cold to wash the dust from my throat, as well."
the Groom nods and tries to placate Dibbets. "It's true that treachery and mutiny gather 'round every scuttlebutt, but I trust Tarmon, mate. " The black clad sailors eyes seem to turn to Dingus. "Most spellslingers are odder than a nine-armed octopus, but I've worked with Tarmon and Captain Roberts to try and shake out our mutual enemies. We should still speak with him and check the cut of his jib though."
Kaul grins at Jim's suggestion of a tasty drop and scoff;
"Now yer talkin' Jimmer. Gull?"
Dibbets scowls, but nods a concession to the Groom "Iffin ye says so... take it frae me though it's shifty 'e pulled out jus afore kaboom town." measuring Jimmer and Kaul's hunger before placating "Grab some nosh onna walk. We ain't got long wi' Tarmoon afore he'll be needed at council eh?"
Kaul shrugs his no-neck and flexes his mechaniclaw;
"Hur. Gull it ain' then..."
He looks to his axe and nods;
"Hur. Nosh on the hoof ain't a bad notion... We reckon Finn an' his cronies will 'ave the Gull watched like..."
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Dibbets rolls his eyes and sighs, but doesn't add words to Kaul's fixation upon Finn as an article of retribution.
the Groom nods. "I think it best to get inside the Old City before they batten down the hatches..."
The crew decides to find a drink on the way to the Wizards' Guild. As the Groom predicted, the Temple Gate has a bit of a queue as Sea Lord's Guard carefully question and search anyone wanting entry into the Old City. The crew are let in after a careful search and a few words from the Groom and make their way through the strangely quiet streets. Taverns near the palace tend to be more upscale given the connected clientele that inhabit the places, but Kaul has heard of one place with the arresting name of 'The Keelhaul' that is considered disreputable in the district.
Dibbs finds the way a little harder on the armpits as the broken cobbles give way to better maintained ones - with less nooks and crannies to jam the business end of his crutch into. He looks to the dark back of the Groom as their herald and maker of ways, and focuses on passage first.
He does keep a weather eye out for the dark shadows of the corners that might hide malingering malingerers with malignant intent...
Kaul's usual swagger is more pronounced as he adjusts to his new limb.
"Hur. 'eard there's a waterin' 'ole named The Keelhaul that might be more to our... Hur... tastes... Got a good name at least...Hur-Hur-Hur!"
The brute hacks a laugh, causing his fell mekaniclaw to involuntarily snap open and closed.
Kaul sets a heading south toward the Docks Gate. As the entourage crosses the Street of Dreams, it is noted that the Merchant Gate is blockaded and not letting the general public through. The group exits out of an alley to find a dark wooden structure with a sign out front that features a sailor prostate below a ship's keel.
Inside, the place smells of oiled wood and cigars. It is of obviously higher quality than most places on the Docks that serve your average sailor and the crew can see that it caters more towards captains and officers than your typical seaman. Among the standard grog and higher quality drinks on the board, a 'Keelhaul'is offered for 4 gold Sails. The place is sparsely inhabited at the moment and talk is in low intense tones regarding current events.
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Kaul sets a heading south toward the Docks Gate. As the entourage crosses the Street of Dreams, it is noted that the Merchant Gate is blockaded and not letting the general public through. The group exits out of an alley to find a dark wooden structure with a sign out front that features a sailor prostate below a ship's keel.
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Dingus looks first encouraged at the thought of food, then dis-couraged at the prospect of skipping it, then insulted that he has to be questioned on his exit, but for the most part comes through with his appetite, composure and garb intact.
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Dibbs doesn't seek a seat, instead standing solitary and scowling as Jimmer and Kaul delay their march t'wards Tarmon.
Ignoring Dibbs' baleful gaze, Kaul inquires about his namesake tincture;
"'Ere mate. What's a Keelhaul? Tasty drop I'm hopin' fer 4 gold..."
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"What's a Keelhaul? Tasty drop I'm hopin' fer 4 gold..."
The bartender is well-dressed in a crisp outfit reminiscent of classic Taldan navy garb. "You want a Keelhaul, Sir?" He verifies loudly. "It's more than a drop, it's an experience."
The other patrons look up and there are a few grins and chuckles from the formerly serious crowd. Kaul is egged on until he offers up the coins and the bartender retrieves a bottle of extra potent Cartegn rum. Several sailors good-naturedly lead Kaul to the end of the long bar and gesture for him to keep that wicked metal claw in. Then they lift him up onto the bar so he's lying supine and with his ready, slowly drag him down the length of the long polished wooden 'keel' as the bartender pours the entire bottle down his gullet.
:
Kaul imbibes with gusto and grinning emerges from his ordeal.
"HAR-HUR! Anyone else lads?"
He hands o'er 4 gold, then weights another quartet of coins... mulling a second round...
There are cheers all around the bar at Kaul's Bravado. "Yer one fer punishment!" a captain howls as he pats the scarred half-orc's back.
"Another time, hey? We've an errand to take care of."
Kaul shoots a sour look at his shipmate, then grins at the patrons;
"Seems Ol'Kauly has some business that ain't liquid lads! N'er fear lads I ain't one to shirk my punishment, so I'll be back for more! Hur-hur-hur!"
The brute bosun mugs a grin, and slaps a handful of gold coins on the bar;
"Drinks for ye all!"
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Kaul is feeling most magnanimous after this more pleasant keelhauling and relents under the sour looks from Dibbets and the Groom. He licks the booze from the saturated scruff regrowing on his recently depilated cheek and receives another cheer with his contribution.
Back outside in the gloomy day under the foreboding walls that encircle the Old City, the crew angle north toward the Wizard's Guild. They hit the Street of Dreams just in time to spot Tarmon on his way to the Sea Lord's Palace. He pauses after the Groom calls out his name and waits a moment for the crew to catch up.
"Evening, sir. I believe we're on the same heading as yourself, if you wouldn't mind the company." Feck, listen to me. Next you know, I'll be all lace and silk and 'Milord' this and 'Good gentle' that.
"Groom, Jim, I'm glad to see you. What happened? I heard that the Merchant District has been attacked! Captain Roberts is dead?"
Jim nods grimly. "Aye. He was at Maurice's, waiting to meet the Sister, when some infernal device sent nigh to everyone there to the Boneyard. Shortly afterwards another like it blew up at Kolter's."
The gangly red-robed wizard's sharp-eyes turn to the Groom. "Then it is true and I cannot help but think I was a target as well as Marcus, Gwyllin, and the Groom here. I know Gwyllin was late and I am thankful that you two apparently missed the bomb as well. Marcus is a great loss. Perhaps we have been a bit too casual about our weekly brunches, but who is behind this?" He falls silent as he continues walking to the palace.
Kaul lumbers along enjoying the effects of his keelhauling.
As the pleasant conversation ensues, he eyes his cantankerous shipmate, knowing Dibbs' questions will be less polite and far more pointed.
:
Kaul sees no reason to doubt the wise wizard's intentions.
"Hows about ye explains why ye weren't there a'first, an whether ye knows aught about how sigils on clay pots coulda made fer tha carnage spilled out this morn?" his numerous previous failures at diplomacy causing him to abandon any pretense of it and simply barrel into the search for what answers he needs.
Tarmon looks down at the Dibbets and reads his obvious suspicion. "Ah, I suppose my absence might look bad to an observant mind. After my visit with Jim and the Groom yesterday, we discussed that my time would be better spent looking into what I might discover of Shark Island and the recent rise in Sea Devil activity while they share what they had learned with Councilor Gwyllin. Had I any idea that there might be danger, I would certainly have warned all involved. The loss of Captain Roberts is a powerful blow to our investigations of the Aspis Consortium's activities of late."
"As for clay pots and sigils, well, I am well versed in many areas of the magical arts, but they do not usually involve ceramics. The sigil could just be a rather simple explosive rune or a new dangerous type of Symbol spell or even a divine glyph or warding. It is possible it was just magical writing that one untrained in the art would not be able to comprehend."
the Groom casts Tarmon a thoughtful glance from beneath his broad-brimmed hat. "Yesterday, you mentioned that Roberts had just intercepted an Aspis Consortium payment to Mister Wednesday. This could be vengeance."
Tarmon nods. "I don't know where Wednesday would find such powerful magic, but with the Consortium involved... that might be a possibility."
Kaul grumbles an aside to one and all;
"Hur-umm. Could be Wednesday an' Finn are in cahoots with the As-p1ssers? Eh?"
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Frowning momentarily at Kaul's incessant need for association, Dibbets homes in on Tarmon's words "So.. did ye find aught o' interest then? Mother's been gone an awful long time an Gwyllin ain't seemin as feckin worried as she should be like. Words come tae me that a tempest's comin... wi' Dajobas at tha heart o' it."
"I believe Gwyllin is properly concerned, but there has been no information to act on. That is why I quickly directed the Groom and Jim to report to her." He gives Dibbets a wry look.
"Dajobas, you say? That is an ancient name. Where did you hear it?"
"Frae Saltbeard... one o' tha Skylord's kin."
"Hmmm... don't know him. I suppose it will have to wait until after this crisis is over."
Catching a jaundiced look from Dibbs at his mention of Finn, the thug decides to drop the link;
Hur. Finn's baby hands are all o'er this, but the lads can't see it... yet.
He sighs, then flexes his claw;
"We need tae turn the screw ourselves... make folk spill what they know like..."
"I'd be sayin this crisis is part o' tha sharkey feckers frae tha salts doin. Theys softenin ye up fer a rodgerin... don't know the end game yet like... but summats a stew."
The thug nods sagely;
"Sharkies like to feed. We need tae chum the waters... see what bites, then we bites 'em back! Hur!"
He points his claw at the wizard;
"Reckon they missed you first time, we should give 'em another chance... Bait the trap... then SNAP it shut!"'
The thug's fell redclaw opens, then shuts, as he rants his plan.
Tarmon gives a sigh. "Those are intriguing ideas, but I need to meet with the Captains' Council now. We will likely be sequestered until late. Here Groom, take my ring. I will send a messenger to find you if I hear anything else." He hands the Groom a heavy ring off his finger and continues on.