Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
"Hmm, you may be on to something, Cherias? Something to consider later," Seren states as he gears up to head out.
DM NomadSage |
Searching the Streets
Moving through the city in the late afternoon and early evening, you find the streets as empty as before, and the few passersby unfriendly and borderline hostile. This proves to make rounding up rumors and information challenging. You are modestly successful in a few taverns that remain open for business. There are few visible infected people, and any who show signs are aggressively shunned. You also hear news of the first victims of blood veil, those unfortunates who were hit hard and early by the pestilence.
By the time you return to the Three Rings, close to midnight, you've collected a handful of potentially useful and misleading rumors.
- A field hospital in north Midland, run by Asmodean clerics, is coercing people to sign diabolic contracts in exchange for care.
- The entire plague and its supposed victims are all to cover up a plot by cultists of Urgathoa trying to usurp the Queen and take over Korvosa.
- A dead ship, piloted by ghostly pirates, attacked the Korvosan docks a week ago, infecting those they touched before the guard finally drove them back into the water.
- The disease was started by Shoanti tribesmen who corrupted the city wells, in order to weaken Korvosa for invasion and retake their ancestral lands.
- At a perfumery in the Heights called 'Lavender', the owner is claiming to have discovered a cure for blood veil.
- Priests of Pharasma are hiding piles of bodies in Gray to keep the populace from panicking.
- Blood veil is actually an elaborate Varisian chain-curse, passed through the gaze of the infected.
Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
"Interesting rumors, those," Seren muses. "The ones about the sources can't really be confirmed too well, unless we research cult or Shoanti activity. I'd blow off the undead pirates one. That guy had one too many blows to the head. But we could check into this Lavender fellow in the heights or the Asmodean rumors in Midland."
Melianthe Ssulissien |
"I want to go to the docks," says Melianthe. "Remember the Harrowing? 'A ship that carries the wind of death in its sails', or words to that effect. I've been wondering about that ever since. It doesn't have to be undead pirates, just people who are very sick, and exaggeration does the rest."
Segang |
Alright, what is going on? I posted last night and now the post is missing. How does that happen? Here is a shorter version of the post.
Midnight. Need rest to resist disease. Sleep first, check out rumors later.
Even the most far fetched rumor can be based in truth so we likely need to check them all. Maybe do them in order of ease of checking?
Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
"Well then, let's sleep through the night and then head to the nearest objective. Easy ones as I see them: Looks like we can just wander up to this perfumery in the Heights, we can check out the field hospital in Midland, we can asks the guards about their "ghost ship" and we can stroll through the Gray looking for Pharasman priests and piles of hidden bodies. The others require a bit more research: looking into Urgoathan cults, figuring out which Shoanti tribesmen are accused of poisoning the wells, and checking out the possibility of Varisian chain-curses. These last three seem very much like hate-mongering with folks spreading rumors to perpetuate their own prejudices, so I'd recommend we look at the others first."
Seren yawns, "Yes ... definitely sleep first though."
Absinthe Mooneyes |
"While discovering the source of this malady is attractive, one is currently more interested in a cure," Absinthe says. "One shall add one's vote to Seren's. Lavender."
DM NomadSage |
Lavender
In the morning, you gather in the empty common room of the Three Rings. Even the ubiquitous breakfast crowd has decided to keep away. The situation outside remains much the same, and you reach Lavender without passing more than a dozen citizens.
The situation at the perfumery is noticeably different before you even reach it. You encounter the back of the queue some four blocks away. Scores of people are lined up waiting patiently for their turn. Most of them look healthy, but several bear the obvious hacking cough, and blistered symptoms of blood veil.
@ Cherias: You can make your 2nd save now.
Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
"Hmm, careful ... let's not irritate the masses by cutting the line too obviously," Seren mutters to the others, attempting to steer clear of the obviously sick.
Cherias the Kitling |
Fort save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Cherias comes down to breakfast seeming much more chipper than before. He still wears a mask of silk, and hands out something similar made from the raw silk purchased yesterday to Segang, Seren, and Absinthe.
Absinthe Mooneyes |
"Hmm-hmm," Absinthe hums, nodding and smiling at Melianthe before she fades into the shadows of a nearby alley.
There is nary a whisper of sound, but soon enough, Absinthe is passing from alley to rooftop to drainpipe, stealthily moving closer to Lavender and the first unprotected door or window she can find...
Acrobatics 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25, Stealth 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
Seren casts message hiding his gesturing and whispers to his 4 targets. "I'll go invisible and head in, I'll give you a play by play as I go. See what you can find in this line "
He will head to an alley and cast invisibility and then sneak in.
Melianthe Ssulissien |
Melianthe tries to identify receptive line-neighbors for conversation.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
"We shall get you that much faster to your cure, dear one, now that those two ruffians disappeared; they looked like cutpurses for certain," she says to Cherias, patting him on the shoulder.
DM NomadSage |
Lavender... currently I have Seren sneaking in the front while invisible, Absinthe approaching stealthy via the roofs, and the other three waiting in line.
Melianthe checks over her neighbors in line. As above, most are visibly healthy but some show signs of blood veil. Being the Heights, you can tell (based on clothes, jewelry, and mannerisms) that the majority of people waiting are wealthier than average.
Across from the front door's orchid tinted glass panes runs a long counter, stacked high with hundreds of simple clay phials bearing round, magenta stoppers. Behind the counter, violet flourishes swoop across a sign reading 'Lavender's Luxuriant Liniment: Either You've Got It, or You've Had It.'
A meticulously dressed woman with short-cropped black hair stands behind the counter, selling the liniment to eager customers for two gold sails. Three large, well-dressed men with purple cravats discreetly hold saps and watch the patrons warily. One controls traffic at the door, letting in only a few customers at a time. Another middle-aged man is browsing the perfume selections.
Cherias the Kitling |
Cherias has his hood up to hide his catlike ears, and his mask hides most of his other inhuman features. Disguise check if needed: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
As they wait in line, Cherias casually asks the other people in line what they've heard about this supposed treatment.
Diplomacy to gather information: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
If Seren can slip past the door guards he will do so. Once inside, he'd like to do three things. 1) Hunt for another exit/back room etc. 2) Swipe a couple samples of the liniment 3) Move somewhere he can whisper unheard and update the others.
Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 to look for traps
Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 to get through lock assuming no traps
Whispering to the others following the lockpick, "I could use a distraction outside to help me get through this barred door. Segang?"
Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
Any movement of the lock? Blatant player punishment ... :-P
Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
Thus the distraction to gain their attention? I won't start working on the door if the lock is going to move, but I'd at least like to see if the distraction works at all. I personally, who have zero stealth ability, have slipped into a room unnoticed because everyone in the room was focused on something else
Segang |
Segang looks to the other and says quietly If this goes bad I'll meed you all back at he Inn. moving of line and towards the front of the line he yells This stuff does nothing at all! I want my money back! What type of scam are you running here! 2 gold for perfumed water!
Now watch. The cure will turn out to be effective and Segang will be responsible for hundreds of people rejecting a good cure…
Melianthe Ssulissien |
"Don't listen to him!" shouts Melianthe in a ringing voice. "That lumbering oaf just wants to get to the front of the line! He was trying to bully his way in front of us, and now he's just lying!"
Melianthe steps out of line, hands curled as if to cast a spell at Segang. "I warn you, Shoanti...desist now."
DM NomadSage |
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
As the commotion breaks in the queue outside the shop, one of the guards by the door steps up to block the entrance, while his partner makes sure the other customers in the shop are not up to any funny business.
The perfumer and the third guard watch the front door intently, and take no immediate notice as Seren de-bars the door and cracks it open.
Absinthe is peering down from the rooftop above.
Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
Seren rolls his eyes ... although no one can see it ... and quietly closes the door again.
After whispering an embarrassed update to the party, he continues to search around the shop for anything else of note. Papers, locked box, chest, drawer, cabinet. If nothing catches his interest, he'll leave.
Segang |
Segang is forced to go stoping off in disgust. I'll be back with the law. he threatens. He does not go far through. He finds some comfortable vantage point where he can observe what is going on and waits for the party.
Seren Dypethe |
- Active spells: Mage Armor, Veil
- Spells remaining: Clr Spry x2, Frcd Quiet. M Arm, vent, laugh, det tht, create pit, stone disc, invis, hyp pat, twi haze, dispel, major image, haste, fly, Sh Ench, DD, Shad Conj, PK, Sh Inv ,
Sh Evoc x2, Br Ench, Teleport - Binding Darkness: 9/9, Veil Pool: 7/10, Pearl: 1/1, Extend Rod: 3/3
- ***HARROW POINTS***: 4
"Couldn't see anything untoward in there. Probably worth checking out this vial to see if it works or if it's just a ploy to make money off the desperate, but I don't think this will lead us anywhere," Seren's disembodied voice comes across when he joins the group until he slowly fades back into view holding the vials he swiped. (I assume?)
Cherias the Kitling |
Cherias whispers to Seren and Melianthe in Celestial, a language they share but which he hopes won't be understood by others even if it's overheard.
"To allay suspicion, we should wait in the line and buy a dose, but we should investigate this nostrum. I will admit that I know little about potions and alchemy, so we may need to find someone else to examine this."
Melianthe Ssulissien |
"I am in favor of waiting as well," says Melianthe in Celestial. "We need to see what is at the head of this queue. Perhaps the Marshall will know someone who knows of such alchemy...it's not in my bailiwick."
She arches an eyebrow at Seren's appearance. "That wasn't suspicious...the whole line probably thinks we are demons from the Worldwound by our various shenanigans."
DM NomadSage |
After two hours' wait, you finally reach the front of the line. The queue grows behind you, stretching around the block and out of sight. Those waiting do so in morose silence, though the occasional muttered chat, cough or crying whimper can be heard.
In her doctor's garb, Melianthe gets more than a few curious or confused glances. None bother her in line, however.
As you reach the doorway, you see the storefront has a wide, distinctive amethyst-shaded window looking onto the street. Inside, a menagerie of heady scents twist throughout the cramped but stylish perfumery. A myriad assortment of bottles, from gaudy ceramic containers to graceful crystalline vials, lines a variety of lace- and ribbon-strewn tables, shelves and racks, and an eye-catching display in the wide front window.
Across from the front door's orchid tinted glass panes runs a long counter, stacked high with hundreds of simple clay phials bearing round, magenta stoppers. Behind the counter, violet flourishes swoop across a sign reading 'Lavender's Luxuriant Liniment: Either You've Got It, or You've Had It.'
A meticulously dressed woman with short-cropped black hair stands behind the counter, selling the liniment to eager customers for two gold sails. (Image)
Three large, well-dressed men with purple cravats discreetly hold saps and watch the patrons warily. One controls traffic at the door, letting in only a few customers at a time. Another middle-aged man is browsing the perfume selections.
"Two at a time," the doorman says.
Who's going in?