Raamanti |
Impatient with the whole set of proceedings, Raamanti exits rather dramatically.
LET ME KNOW WHEN THIS FARCE IS OVER, MY MASTER.
Gaius Tindareus |
Changing one's appearance is a simple trick for a mage. That's how we were able to help Trinia escape the mob. If this guard is claiming he was bewitched, but left alive, how can his word alone convict Trinia? A sorcerer skilled enough to compel someone to murder could easily disguise their appearance. Why else leave the guard alive to implicate herself?
DM Crispy |
Croft shrugs at Gaius's comment. "Hence my belief that she is a pawn, or a scapegoat. Something to calm the masses and pull their thoughts away from riots and rebellion. At least it should calm the city down some."
She looks to Zart. "I find it doubtful such a thing can be arranged, but I will try for your sake and the girl's. If you will excuse me, I have much to do." With that, she starts to finish walking towards her office.
Pyron Firehide |
With the bag of gold in his hand, Pyron bows to Croft, secures the bag on his person, and turns to go to the safe house. Under his breath he whispers to his compatriots, Let's go speak where it is more private.
Zart the Lost |
"A sage suggestion, Pyron. I just wish you hadn't outed Trinia so soon... but as they say, once out, the proverbial zoog will not go back into the folding dimensional anomaly," Zart whispers back with a sigh.
"So, back to Zellara's safe house?" asks the summoner somewhat dejectedly once they're out of earshot of anyone at the Citadel, "Or would Pyron like to go shopping first? I will take my money - after all, it is still of use - but with strong regrets about the way it was gained. I am a law abiding citizen, and have skirted on both sides of the knife's edge of good and evil at times in my life, but seeing Trinia taken away summarily like that after going through so much effort to keep her safe seems wrong. I wonder if there isn't some way we can free her if the trial goes as Daud expects. It would mean cutting ties with Croft, but I don't suppose anyone would strongly object to that now."
Raamanti |
"I AM WILLING TO FIGHT TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT, MY MASTER," booms Raamanti softly as he hefts his mighty hammer, "I CAN'T HELP BUT IMAGINE IF IT WERE DONNA IN THAT SAME SITUATION."
None are sure whether Raamanti smiles a satisfied smile at Zart's subsequent wince or not.
Wednesday Daud |
With a shrug Daud will leave with the others. Once outside and about he will chime in. "It would mean more than just cutting ties with Croft, it would be outright Treason."
Pyron Firehide |
What about the other residents of the apartment complex? Perhaps they can give us a clue or even legitimate proof that she didn't do it with which can be used to free her. Pyron finds an out of the way place to split the money. Next time, I will ask for the money to be split ahead of time.
Zart the Lost |
"That would be a good place to start," agrees Zart, "But she did say that she was painting the king's portrait at around the time it happend. Most like, they'll say she wasn't there - if they'll speak to us at all after all this. I can't disguise myself again today, can you, Gaius?"
Gaius Tindareus |
I can, if you think there is information to be learned there. I think it might be better to go back to the Spider's Den and discreetly ask around to find a poison vendor. See if anyone who matches Trinia's description was there recently.
Wednesday Daud |
Daud nods along absentmindedly for a moment before blankness returns to his features and voice. "The last time we tried being discreet you kicked the coins off the table."
Zart the Lost |
"Why do we want to find out if Trinia was at a poison vendor? Proving her guilt, it seems, will not be the issue. We should return to her tenement disguised as a public defender or some type and attempt to discover her alibi. In the meantime, we wait to hear news of a trial and see if we can meet her. Don't you think? Let's wait until tomorrow. That way, I can help you myself by being disguised also." Zart feels weary at all this. i thought right and wrong would be easier to see with these heroes, but it remains as grey as it ever was.
Wednesday Daud |
"We've already established that it is very likely that someone using Trinia's appearance with magic poisoned the King, so it also stands to reason that that person acquired said poison while also disguised as her, which also presents another problem. We don't know what type of poison killed the King."
Zart the Lost |
"Again, I say we are trying to prove Trinia innocent, not guilty," Zart says, after pondering Daud's comment for a while, "Knowing what type of poison killed the king is hardly likely to help us prove anything, especially if someone matching her description visited a poisoner. Let's have a night's rest on it and see what the morning brings.
"Which brings me to a more private matter," Zart turns to the paladin and quietly holds a separate discussion, "Tolenn, do you know of anyone outside the city that we may get Donna to this evening? I want her to be looked after in the event that something happens to me. Like, I don't know, if I get arrested for treason. I don't want her to suffer for my actions. I will send our housekeeper, Carla, with her. I will give her 100 of these gold coins, which should be enough to raise any young girl through to adulthood. At nine, she's only got four more years to go."
With or without Tolen's aid, tonight, Zart will take the opportunity to get his daughter out of Korvosa as quietly as possible. Let me know if you need any kind of stealth-type rolls, but I'd rather leave without drawing the attention of the guards (hopefully they're more focused on stopping people from getting in).
Raamanti |
Yet another shadowy tear rolls down Raamanti's night-black cheek. He will miss his adoptive niece. More than either she or Zart could possibly know.
When this is over, I will make sure my master is reunited with her... and that he abandons his crusade for justice. Once Korvosa is out of strife and is once more stable, we will all settle down. This, I vow.
Wednesday Daud |
Overhearing bits of Zart's conversation a fearful realization settles over Daud's face before he quickly rounds on Pyron with an arm outstretched. "Dammit! Give me my blood money!"
Pyron Firehide |
Pyron gives everyone their share. I think Daud has a point. We can prove her innocence by finding the real killer. If we start where the killer purchased the poison, then we can start figuring out both if Trinia had any knowledge of that place and find out who might have had knowledge of that place whi also happened to be adept in magic and transforming one's disguise.
I think I can get the guard's official report. Daud can check out the poison place. He is already known down there since he has been dating his lady friend from there, so no one will surprised to see him there. Gauis can check with those who lived with Trinia and see is he can get an alibi. You have your daughter to protect.
Pyron turns to Tolenn. I think that Zart needs your help, and we have to take care of family. Just meet us back at the safe house?
Wednesday Daud |
If looks could kill Daud's glare would have flayed the skin from Pyron's face and set his head aflame. "The last time I left Devargo's was not on good terms... To put it mildly. The Shadowcaller has his Shadow so he'll be fine, and I think it would be best if Miss Tolenn went to the apartments and Uprising to the docks. I'll accompany one of the two though I am loathe to return to the latter."
His features soften a bit as he adds "If this had occured a few days prior I wouldn't have suggested any alterations to your plan, it's sound, in theory."
Tolenn |
Tolenn follows the investigative suggestions of the others with interest, it being a bit outside her area of expertise.
"I think Pyron has the right of it. A sound plan, indeed! I can re-visit the apartment after helping Zart." Tolenn says, encourages that the group might be able to help the doomed Trinia.
Huddled with Zart, "I'm only recently back in the city, but my friend Solora at the temple or my old friend Ammi might be able to help. Let us pay them a visit."
Wednesday Daud |
"So the two knights for the apertments and the two knaves for the den of iniquity then, neh?" he'll muse with a rueful smile on his face.
Zart the Lost |
"Actually find the real murderer? Wow, that never even occurred to me. Well, that certainly would be something of an achievement and would certainly calm things down a bit," Zart ponders for a while, "Unless the queen did it, of course."
Pyron Firehide |
So we are in agreement. So who is going to see the poison seller? Daud has said no to that. Who is going to the apartment? I don't need anyone to go with me to the castle. That means two people can go to the poison seller and two can go to the apartment complex for safety. That depends on what everyone wants to do. Between the two, one should be the contact and the other be the muscle. This should be decided beforehand.
We aren't committing treason. In fact just the opposite. Zart, what are your thoughts on this? Do you want to help with this or do you want to take care of your daughter just in case?
Wednesday Daud |
Throwing a thumb back and forth between himself and Gaius as he looks at Pyron, Knaves. Poison seller."
Zart the Lost |
"I'll go to the apartment with Tolenn, disguised if I must. Hopefully they remember that we saved Trinia from the mob."
Zart's diplomacy +11 if you need it. Posting from Dallas airport!
Pyron Firehide |
Okay, so Gaius and Tolenn are the contacts and Daud and Zart are the backup muscle? Or the other way around?
Gaius Tindareus |
Alright, let's go. Trinia doesn't have long and, once she's dead, our task to find out the real killer will be much harder. On the way, I'd like to buy a few things, first.
I'd like to sell my armored coat and buy a chain shirt and thieve's tools, masterwork if possible. Is that doable?
Wednesday Daud |
If you can't find some thieves tools in a den of thieves then something ain't right :3
Daud will nod with a determined, if annoyed look on his face as he falls in line next to Gaius
DM Crispy |
Sure. Korvosa being a metropolis, all those things are available at normal pricing. Let me know how much it is.
Gaius and Daud split off from the group, going on a shopping trip. Wednesday is obviously playing the male figure, as his annoyed look before they even get to the shop can attest.
Meanwhile, Pyron makes his way back to the Citadel the companions recently left.
This leaves Zart, Raamanti, and Tolenn striding towards the Shingles to Trinia's apartment.
Go ahead and arrive whenever you feel like.
Wednesday Daud |
Wednesday is obviously playing the male figure, as his annoyed look before they even get to the shop can attest.
... what?
Edit: Oh nvm I get it, the "guys hate shopping" stereotype har har :3
Pyron Firehide |
Pyron arrives and speaks to the assistant. Is she available for a few minutes to talk about what we had just left a few minutes ago?
Zart the Lost |
Zart elects to go as himself to the apartment, but keeps Raamanti back a good 80 feet or so, and on a different street. The pair communicate telepathically in order to keep step without seeing on another. We were genuinely trying to help Trinia before, and this hasn't changed. Best not to open with a deception... I hope.
Zart will attempt to find someone who knows Trinia, hopefully someone he saw earlier, and will introduce he and his friends thusly: "Hello, we are the companions who managed to whisk Trinia away from the angry mob. Unfortunately, it appears as though we ourselves were duped somewhat. While we were given the information regarding Trinia so that we could save her from a lynching or worse and have her treated fairly. Unfortunately, and unbeknownst to us, this meant that the party we took her to for safeguarding would then have her delivered to the queen who accused her. Not smart on our behalves, but we would like to make it up to Trinia and make sure she is not executed unjustly.
"This is where you may be able to help," Zart pauses to let the sincerity of his words weigh on his audience, and the implication of his last statement, "We need to know if anyone knew where Trinia was when the late king was murdered. If we can establish that she was elsewhere (and truthfully do so, mind you) then we will have a strong case for her innocence. Also, if you know of anyone (other than us) who has been snooping around, either recently or in the weeks before the king's death, it would be invaluable to Trinia's case if you could recount those details."
Pyron Firehide |
You mentioned that the guard has provided his official report already. May I look at a copy of it? I am used to seeing reports, so I want to see if there is anything that I could learn from it that would either ease my conscience or show me some clue that I might be able to use to help find the queen's killer if it wasn't Trinia.
DM Crispy |
Pyron Firehide |
Zart the Lost |
"Thank you, sir," Zart replies to the man, "On to the other matter, then, has anyone other than us been around asking about Trinia? Either now or before the king was killed?"
It does not bode well for the girl if all who can confirm her alibi are employees of the queen...
Zart listens to the man's answer and if there are no follow ups requires, he continues forwards and up the stairs to question anyone else along similar lines, requesting telepathically for Raamanti to stay nearby. Eventually he will make his way into Trinia's apartment itself, unless Tolenn objects.
Tolenn |
Tolenn hides her dismay as Zart unwisely reveals the group's invovment in helping Trinia get away from the mob. One thing she knows is one of the favourite pastimes in the Shingles is gossip. She'd not be surprised that most Korvosans would know what happened by sundown.
She allows the shadowcaster to continue, the adds "Do you remember the man who talked for the mob? Have you seen him since?"
She'll the join Zart in entering the apartment, heading for the door of the woman they met the other night. Knocking...
DM Crispy |
As the two take their leave, Tolenn knocks on the door of the mother they encountered earlier. The woman answers the door warily, only opening it a crack to allow her to see through. "Yes?"
Tolenn |
Tolenn looks down at the puddle of chew then back at the man, guageing his honestly.
Sense Motive 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Tolenn |
Tolenn give the man a nod, then continues up into the apartment.
When the woman cracks open the door, Tolenn gives her her warmest smile "Greetings again, ma'am. We met the other day. We'd been looking for your neighbor , Trinia."
Diplomacy 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Zart the Lost |
"Hello my dear," Zart bows low, "As I recall, you alerted Trinia to our presence earlier, doubting that we were in fact here to help her. You will be pleased to know that you were wrong about our intentions and we did indeed manage to help her escape the mob. Alas, however, she was later taken from us by the queen's officials and is now being held awaiting trial," Zart's sad voice betrays deep sorrow at this.
"We would like to help her as best we can to be exhonerated for this crime we believe she did not commit. However, we need either to prove she was not present when the king was poisoned, or prove that it was someone else. If you know anything about where Trinia was when the king was killed or about anyone who was interested in her in the weeks beforehand, we would be very grateful to hear it. If you know of anything else that could help prove Trinia innocent, please do tell us.
"Again, please accept my deepest apologies that we were unable to keep your friend out of danger. At least she was not torn apart by a mob and yet stands a chance at survival."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30