She shakes her head, "No alchemists, sadly. I am sure the Academae has a couple in residence."
"Let me guess," says Melianthe, "the price is one's soul. Well, if one thing is certain, you'll get a cure here, but the price is worse than the cure and disease together."
She scans the area for any signs of anything else noteworthy, and if not, turns to leave.
I doubt the price is quite so high. Segang says, but is curious. This church does well if they heal even a single case of the disease as that slows its spread. And I believe they are curing quite a few more people than that, even if they do insist on getting payment for their work. Let us find out the cost.
***
"I doubt its anything so melodramatic," the man scoffs. "I have not the coin to afford a cure from Abadar or the doctors. I'll happily option some time and obedience to the Lord of Law if it fends off certain death."
"Read the fine print," says Melianthe sternly, "And don't sign in blood. There are worse things than death." She turns and leaves, her doctor's cloak swirling.
"I think we ought to come back to investigate the Asmodeans when we have more time, if things haven't changed."
"Marshal Kroft," Absinthe says, her eyes narrowing slightly, "we heard disturbing rumours that the Asmodeans were demanding souls for cures and -- are you well? One lauds your devotion to duty, but if you weaken yourself by too much work, you create breaches in your defence against the disease. Perhaps you should find your bed, as should we all."
"Marshal Kroft," Absinthe says, her eyes narrowing slightly, "we heard disturbing rumours that the Asmodeans were demanding souls for cures and -- are you well? One lauds your devotion to duty, but if you weaken yourself by too much work, you create breaches in your defence against the disease. Perhaps you should find your bed, as should we all."
Cressida gives you a weak smile, "I thank you for your concern. I have too much to do to allow myself hours of sleep... but perhaps a short nap. Thank you again for your efforts. Keep me appraised, and I will do likewise if something for you comes in."
Segang gives over 25 gold to Seren for the scroll. I do not have enough for a second one. Sorry.
Cherias hands over 2 platinum coins and 5 gold pieces. His purse seems a little light when he is done.
Melianthe is a little more careful in feeding the ashes of the Air Bubble scroll than she was the last time she fed Hloire a scroll.
In preparation for this swim Segang will purchase swim fins (+10 move while swimming) , a floatation device( +1 Swim Check), and 5 air bladders (One round of air each).
In preparation for this swim Segang will purchase swim fins (+10 move while swimming) , a floatation device( +1 Swim Check), and 5 air bladders (One round of air each).
In the morning, as you set out from the Three Rings, an older lady intercepts you on the street just outside. She is short, mousy, and about fifty years old. Her eyes are yellowed with jaundice and she smells of fish.
"Pardon me, gentle persons. I have been waiting for you. I know you are busy, but if I could beg a moment of your time?" She gives a smile that exposes a web of creases in her face.
"You may well do so, honoured elder," Absinthe says with a polite nod. "Though one wonders what business you might have with us?"
Segang pauses his purposeful walk to allow the woman to speak, but he glances over his shoulder a couple of times to make sure this is no ambush.
"Thank you, m'lady. I am Eries, though some on the docks call me 'Yelloweyes'," she adds with a grimace. The woman walks over to a shaded corner, out of the main street traffic. She looks up and down the street, even more wary of an ambush than Segang.
When the street appears clear, Eries continues. "I am a lycanthrope, a 'wererat', in the common terms." After her bold statement, she watches you for reactions.
Segang arches an eyebrow at this pronouncement but only considers the woman. Could this be true? Wererats are all evil thieves, or so I have heard. What is she up to?
Seren chokes, "Say what?!"
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"Your honesty and forthrightness do you credit, honoured elder," Absinthe says, bowing her head again, "and one knows from experience that truly, we can none of us help how we are born. What might you wish of us? Is your visit perhaps related to the recent rumoours regarding your kindred?"
Absinthe radiates nothing but honest curiosity.
"We've heard tales of wererats attacking persons in the sewers," says Melianthe matter-of-factly. "Then again, we've heard a lot of tales lately."
Eries gives a small nod, and keeps her voice low enough to avoid being overheard. "Last night, a small mob in Midland gave violent voice to their fear of the plague. They found one of my kin foolishly prowling an alley, waylayed and publicly executed him with a silver axe." Her frown is a bitter one.
"After that, a few drunken dockworkers took it upon themselves to make an excavation into the sewers, hunting wererats. We are used to being the blame for all the evils in the city, so most of my kin fled their dens and went hiding in other parts of the city. But, a firebrand named 'Ripperclaws' Girrigz refuses to do so. He's calling my kin to war against the humans... a misguided and stupid cause that will only lead to further slaughter!"
"I'd heard your names spoken around the docks, and I thought you might be the people to help make this right before it gets worse. I have a plan, and an offer for some information you may... nay, will find useful to your search."
I am listening Eries. But you must assure us, no, convince us that "your kind" is not responsible for this plague or for spreading it further intentionally.
"What kind of information?" Melianthe's eyes are like limpid pools of fiery purple, intent to learn anything at all about the plague. It's clear she would fight through a horde of wererats to find a cure.
Cherias backs away slightly, a little frightened by the woman's revelation.
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"You have no reason to trust me, I know, but I assure you that my kin had nothing to do with this 'blood veil'."
Eries looks around again before continuing. "I have tried to speak with Girrigz, but the fool's head and ears are filled with prideful bluster. He is deaf to reason. I can guide you to his den in the sewers. I hoped you might have more luck... but if not, you can demonstrate the type of response my kin will face should he follow through with his plans." Her bitter frown remains, but her eyes are steady. "He is a threat to his own kin, even if he and some of the others do not see it."
"As for the other thing, I believe I have some clues as to the origin of the plague. If you will confront Girrigz and disband his ragtag army, it will be yours."
Once we are away from the openly-lycanthropic Eries, Seren mutters, "May be a good lead, but it also may just be a power grab from one dirty rat to another. She may have just overheard us asking around. Probably should get some proof that she has something of value before us before we put our @$$es on the line."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"We need something before we fight an army of wererats," says the dusk elf.
Asking for a word alone with the group before giving their reply, Segang leads everyone a few 10s of yards away where they can speak quietly and privately.
If we do nothing friends, then these rat-men will attack openly in a city already stricken. Their bite spreads a different disease too. I do not want a pack of were rats in the city trying to spread their disease and increase their numbers.
While you confer, Eries waits patiently by the street corner.
"I think she's being honest with us. Let's get more information. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
"She is more honest and helpful than most priests and apothecaries in this city," agrees Melianthe, her pale hair waving as she nods in agreement.
So, we help her? It could be good to have an ally within this group to call upon later.