While walking with Dylan from the cell after being remedied, Zeke says rather sheepishly, "I... uh... I'm very sorry for, umm... I er... I don't know why I ... eh... Sorry. ... Anyway, we should go back for Mr. Amendithas's sword - I understand he's very fond of it."
Zeke and Ammy perhaps wouldn't have known it, but before following the entourage back to the Citadel, Ralof could have grabbed Ammy's sword.
"... and I'd be much obliged if you would return my hat to me."
After Talathel is introduced, Zeke approaches him with hand extended, says, "Hiya, the name’s Archibald Philimore Ezekial Bombastus Von Hoftenkraf, but you can call me Zeke!", and waits for a handshake.
Before they set out again, Zeke will take a minute to field-prepare his last Formula slot for the day as a Reduce Person Extract. "I hope we don't encounter any more trouble today - I'm all out of tricks."
With the mysterious masked man, Talathel, in your company, You proceed along your way back to Rackers Alley. You first stop by the Bank of Abadar's temple to grab Ralof, but he is nowhere to be found. You even get to speak with Joran directly, yet he seems confused, as nobody has come seeking his aid matching Ralof's description. He promises to let Ralof know you're looking for him should he stop by.
Ralof is known to be a bit unpredictable, and it's entirely possible that he got sidetracked and will turn up soon enough.
Assuming you continue back to Rackers while keeping your distance the proposed quarantine zones, you get to the alleyway to notice two more fresh bodies have already been dumped with the others.
You show Talathel the spawn, to which he begins to examine the spawn and their coffins for evidence.
As for the carters. You could wait to try and catch them in the act, go looking for them to see if they divert back towards the alley, or even lie to Cressida that you know who it is. You only need to bring back eyewitness testimony to the "crime".
Either way you do it, it may be prudent to setup stealth and perception checks for your chars.
----
For your trip back to Rackers, you do have some time to get to know your new traveling companion/s, so feel free to ask questions.
When Zeke offers his hand Talathel will shake it.
When they get to the coffins Talathel will inspect them with extra attention.
Tullius will say with a slightly happy voice, "Ramoska... I know you have something to do with this.."
Tullius will continue to tell the group his knowledge on the coffins.
Dylan will search the coffins as well as inspecting to make sue the stakes are through the heart.
Dylan sugests to the group to have someone on the rooftop accross from the Alley entrance to keep a lookout for the individuals dumping bodies while the other two watch building Windows at ground floor or perhaps Dylan using the hat disguises himself as one of the dead bodies in the alleywith a view of the rooftop scout so he knows when someone is coming.
Tullius will post up looking out of a window on ground level, keeping a eye out for the culprits, while thinking to him self,
"Its been a while since I have had to apprehend, interrogate, and kill someone... sure would be fun to do so again"
Dylan find a window with a view of the Alley entrance.
(armor check)
rolls for tullius
Along the way Zeke chats with Talathel...
"So, bounty hunter, eh? I once had a bounty on my head - big misunderstanding, of course... you see I didn't know the rat was a familiar to someone important. Well, try explaining that to four half-orc bounty hunters. Fortunately half-orcs typically aren't all that bright... er... " he makes a quick glance around him to remind himself that Ammy isn't within earshot. "So I was able to convince them that my bounty wasn't worth all that much split between the four of them. While they were arguing about it, I slipped away."
At Racker's alley Zeke will find a post up on a building where he can see Dylan, but close enough to get a good shot.
After about an hour and half you begin to hear voices and the sound of wooden wheels scraping across cobblestones. As they get closer to the alley you can hear them talking. "I swear, the bodies weren't where we left them. Somebody moved them." The other responds, "You're imagining things.. still, it could have been a dog for all we know."
They draw close enough for you to finally catch a glimpse.. It is the two guards that helped carry Zeke and Ammy back to the citadel. Braun says, "And what about that hole in the wall? That wasn't there before." Jacey responds sarcastically, "Do ya want to crawl in there and check it out?", as he gestures towards the wall.
Braun turns towards the hole....
**Edit - **MAP** as requested.
Dylan motions for Tullius to be quiet and moves to the hole opening. As he moves to the hole Dylan casts enhanced diplomacy. As he moves his way through the hole Dylan sees the men and says to them. "Hey, boy am I glad to see you. We need some help again. We were sent here to check on the vampire spawn and to return this body." Dylan points to Ryder's body. "Could we enlist your help once more for we do not have a cart to haul him. I am sure we can compensate you for your aid once we get back to the citadel."
(ED and GM Bonus)
Casting spells isn't the most quiet of practices, and as soon as they hear that, they draw swords. "Who's there?! Show yourselves!"
Assuming Zeke doesn't immediately open fire or Tullis does not cast a spell that isn't blocked by a window they wait for Dylan to come out.
They see a familiar face and sheathe their weapons. Before Dylan speaks, Jacey says "What the hell are you doing in there?"
Dylan gets up tells them about the spawn and Ryder and requests their aid in transporting Ryder back to the Citadel. Braun looks down at the body and says, "Sure, if ya going to pay me."
Jacey looks at Dylan and then back at Braun. "You Fool!" Jacey immediately begins to run. He gets 20 feet away before we roll initiatives.
In Response to Zeke's awkward conversation tullius will just shake his head and think to himself, "What kind of idiot tells a bounty hunter he had/has a bounty on his head."
and then proceeds to ask Zeke, "Was this bounty ever captured or canceled and how much was it for?"
--------
When the two guys outside say "Who's there" tullius will say in a bored/aggravated voice, "Here we go"
He will proceed to cast Shieldand pull out his sword.
----
Action point 2
When Dylan moves out Tullius will closely follow with his sword still drawn, when tullius realizes that the two mean no harm he will sheath his sword.
----
For when its needed
Zeke maintains a readied action to fire... He let's Jacey run.
Pre-init summary
The two guards come in, wondering why the bodies have moved from where they had left them. Suddenly they hear a voice speaking firmly as Dylan casts a spell before going to greet the guards. A second voice speaks out firmly as Tullius casts a spell himself. Zeke watches on, silently, from the rooftops.
Confused, the guards order the voices to reveal themselves. Dylan and Tullius come out of the hole, and Dylan tries to convince the men to help them carry Ryders body back to the Citadel.
Braun thinks this is a wonderful idea, however Jacey realizes that the conversation between Braun and himself that he though was private, was probably overheard, and there was some pretty incriminating remarks that were made between them.
Jacey decides to make a run for it.
Tullius Init = 26
Zeke Init = 19
--
Order
Tullius
Zeke
Guards
Dylan
---
Jacey got his surprise round of running. The top of the order begins with Tullius.
Tullius will spring to action and move while drawing his Flying Talon
MAP
When Tullius catches up he will go for the trip.
Tullius also activats his arcane pool to improve his trip!
Previous roll is now 16 with the Arcane pool +2
Zeke maintains a readied action to fire...
Alright, we caught them red handed... All we need to do is go report them to the Field Marshall. Erastil's bow, I'm hungry!
Jacey, after getting hooked and tripped by a weapon unlike any he's seen before turns over to face Tullius. He looks up at his masked face and his desaturated skin tone and says, "Don't hurt me! Please, I'll come peacefully, I swear."
He then stays put where he is with his hands in the air.
Braun, realizing he's missed his opportunity to also run, see's Jacey give himself up, and he also places his hands in the air.
--
Both men seem willing to give themselves up.
Tullius will yell to his comrades, "Hey! Seems I caught one! Do any of you got any rope to tie them up with?!"
Dylan after inspecting the spawn would have severed their heads and anointed them with Holy Water to make sure they would stay dead. Then would have proceeded with the stakeout.
After they surrender
Dylan finds it odd a bounty hunter would not have manacles on his person. Dylan binds the hands of Braun and motions for Zeke to do the same with Jacey. Afterwards Dylan will use any gloves etc. that the two may have had for moving bodies and loads Ryder's body onto the cart. They all head back to see the marshal.
The guards do not resist. They cite how they hate transporting the dead, and how they risk infection with each body they transport. They thought they could save themselves some trouble by dumping them here.
You move Ryder's bloated body onto the cart. You can clearly see he's been dead for some time. A closer examination of him reveals that his tongue has been ripped out and his jawbones broken. It is a gruesome sight indeed in combination with the blood veil.
You avoid potential infection in moving the body.
Taking the long journey back, the two guards are silent, leaving you to discuss things among yourselves, or to ask questions of them should you wish.
Getting back to the Citadel takes time, but when you arrive, Cressida immediately has the two guards taken in for questioning. She motions for a someone to grab Tobias, whom is still nearby so that he may help to preserve Ryder's remains.
Tobias casts Gentle Repose on Ryders body. Preserving it for the next twelve days. Cressida asks Tobias, "Will we be able to get any information out of him?". He responds, "It's certainly a possibility. Whomever did this did a number on him. If he is still capable to speak, we may get the answers you seek. I shall prepare my spells to speak with the dead tomorrow."
Cressida seems happy at the prospect for answers. She tells some guards to have his body moved to a secure location... Somewhere where the smell would be less prominent.
She then takes the three of you into her office. "You've done well in stopping these embarrassments to the guard." She pulls out some money from her usual reward coffers. She tosses 200pp down on the table. "Please be sure that Ralof and Ammendithas get their fair share of that." She turns to Tullius. "You know, I'm always looking for extra hired hands. I've heard what you did today and I think we could use your help." She tosses him 50plat. "This is for your help today, but I would ask if you would like to join these men on future missions while you are here seeking out Ramoska. I have a strong feeling that what's going on here is connected to his recent arrival."
In regards to Tobias's attempt to break the enchantment. The Vampire spawn's hold is a tough one. It will take him 5 days of attempts before he is able to break the enchantment.
However, that means that Ammy has 5 chances to break free on his own accord. Roll up to 5 will saves to see if you can break free before Tobias free's you.. Target is DC14.
If anyone has ways of assisting Ammy, you may do so at your leisure. He will, of course, not accept any aid from Dylan.
I wont begin the next mission until Ammy is free.
Amendithas is bored in prison and hopes his companions find a way of freeing him soon. He can't help but feel his subpar skills with the sword could be better employed elsewhere. He's not quite sure why he's even here--unfair orc profiling, he assumes.
Breaking free of his enchantment, he also has an overwhelming urge to apologize to Dylan. That whole Rackers Alley kerfuffle escalated quickly.
Tullius will look into his memory to see if he can pull out any names or locations of crime lords in korvosa.
If tullius doesnt know any he will ask his new "friends" if they know any names or locations of local crime lords.
If they ask why he wants to know he will tell them that he wants to follow up on the Romoska thing and try and find some leads.
Tullius will also before leaving the group if they know of any good local inns that he could stay at.
Tullius will also ask the group if they want to do a duel to either first blood or submission. If they ask why he will say it is to see how they fight and to know if they can trust them to take a hit in a real situation.
Zeke takes his hat back from Dylan.
"Was this bounty ever captured or canceled and how much was it for?"
Zeke replies, "Well, I was never caught... I suppose there may still be a bounty, but that was so long ago, and so far away..."
"Please be sure that Ralof and Ammendithas get their fair share of that."
Zeke replies, "Ralof never arrived at the temple - we don't currently know where he is."
If tullius doesnt know any he will ask his new "friends" if they know any names or locations of local crime lords.
"Sure... there was a guy by the name of Gaedren, but I haven't heard much about him lately", Zeke says with a wink.
Tullius will also ask the group if they want to do a duel to either first blood or submission.
Zeke just gives him a blank stare, his head cocked a little to one side, the opposite eyebrow raised in confusion. He shakes his head and walks away. What an odd fellow... and here I thought Ralof was the crazy one... "The Inn is this way - they've got some kind of arrangement with the Guard me thinks... anyway, I'll show you the way. At the Inn, Zeke asks around about Ralof:
(Truth's Agent trait)
Zeke heads to Ralof's room at the Inn to see if he's there, and then heads up to the house (without Talathel) to see if he's there.
Zeke will then go find a library, or appropriate temple, and do some research on undead. . When he's satisfied with his learnings on Undead, he'll allow himself to be distracted by some books on winged mammals.
Dylan asks "Why do you what to know about Crime lords for?"
Before Dylan heads to the in to sleep and eat he will head to the library to find a translation book for giants.
In the morning Dylan will head down to see how Amendithas is doing, when he feels he is safe, Dylan tells the guards to release him and goes to inform Tobias of the news. After Amendithas has retrieved his sword Dylan asks "Amendithas, would you like to join me in going to Grunyar's shop. I commissioned him to get me some specific armor. I could help talk him down in price if you want to also. Plus, you need to replace my tangle-foot bag I had to use on you."
Dylan will head to see Grunyar put some more gold down on his order. He will cast enhanced diplomacy before he goes in. He will tell of his latest adventures omiting the fact that they were the spawn of vampires so as not to alarm him. He will also buy a tangle foot bag himself as well as get the one he feels is owed him by Amendithas.
(ED and GM bonus)
Tullius in response to Dylan will say, "I wish to follow up on romoska and see if has reached out to anyone yet."
Regarding the rest of the day:
Tullius will look into his memory to see if he can pull out any names or locations of crime lords in korvosa.
If tullius doesnt know any he will ask his new "friends" if they know any names or locations of local crime lords.
Unfortunately, Tullius is new to the area and doesn't know of any crime lords in Korvosa. However, Zeke mentions the name Gaedren, which might be of interest to the elf.
Dylan asks "Why do you what to know about Crime lords for?"
Dylan asks the question, suspicious of Tullius motives.. Tullius responds, explaining that he feels he can investigate Ramoska through these channels. Dylan's keen intuition senses that Tullius motives are clear, and that he truly does hope to uncover Ramoska through back channels.
"The Inn is this way - they've got some kind of arrangement with the Guard me thinks... anyway, I'll show you the way. At the Inn, Zeke asks around about Ralof:
Zeke shows Tullius to the inn to get him settled and then gets to investigating Ralof's disappearance. Another patron from a room adjacent to Ralof's overheard a ruckus coming from Ralof's room. "Why in the name of the Gods would she run off without telling me. When I find her i'm gonna kill her myself."
The witness seems to think the threat was not genuine, and that perhaps it was a family squabble.
You examine Ralof's room to find it has been emptied save for Zellara's Harrow Deck, which has been left packed neatly on the center of the bed.
*Edit - Dylans Grunyar appointment was tomorrow not today.. Removed from the post
**Edit 2 - Harrow Deck (I believe Ralof was the one using it last)
Regarding the Morning
Apparently Tullius, perhaps being newcomer to the city, has unknowingly exposed himself to the Blood Veil yesterday, and must make a fortitude save (DC16).
Take 1 Con & 3 Chr damage
Amendithas is able to shake off the Domination effect. He appologizes profusely to Dylan. Maybe he takes Dylan up on the offer to purchase him a tanglefoot bag.
Dylan will head to see Grunyar put some more gold down on his order. He will cast enhanced diplomacy before he goes in. He will tell of his latest adventures omiting the fact that they were the spawn of vampires so as not to alarm him. He will also buy a tangle foot bag himself as well as get the one he feels is owed him by Amendithas.
Grunyar happily accepts the down payment. And can get you the tanglefoot bags as well.
Tullius will go and pick up his guards badge and a few manacles.
Tullius will try again with a harrow point usage
After Dylan finished his shopping he will head to find everyone else. If Ralof is still not around he will start asking questions to everyone at the inn.
Cast Enhanced diplomacy before heading to question everyone.
(ED and GM bonus)
Tullius, although coming in contact with the disease, manages to avoid infection.
Dylan asks around about Ralof, getting the same basic information that Zeke did. With Theandra's husband Vyncent working the bar in the morning, he recalls Ralof once mentioning that he had a sister who's name had been disgraced because of some bastard named Gaedren. He was working on clearing her name.
When you finish your conversation with Vyncent, a hooded figure in a corner table wearing raggedy clothing fit for a peasent subtly tries to get your attention. You notice a slender hand wave you over.
Dylan will head toward the figure. When he hears her ask for him by name he answers "Yes, mam, how may I help you? Do you know what may have happened to my associate. "
(ED and GM bonus)
In her raspy voice she responds, "Unfortunately, no, I cannot help you in locating your friend. However, I believe you and your associates may be able to help me." she leans in closer so that prying ears may not hear. "I have information about the plague that could be of use to you."
"Gather your friends, so that we may discuss things in private. I shall remain here. Hurry now." She shoo's you away.
(ED and GM bonus)
"How about you give me the information now to save time, because time is if the essence. I will determine whether the info is useful and relay it to my colleagues."
She drops her tone of arrogance and the desperation comes through clearly, "All I will say for now is that it has something to do with a ship that was fired on a few weeks ago. Please, Sir, will you help me? Many will die if you don't."
Dylan replies "yes, I will help, I will go find my friends."
Dylan will first search the room at the inn before heading to the citadel and Ryder's former house to find everyone.
Tullius will be located at the inn that zeke showed him having a late morning breakfast. When he sees Dylan approaching him he will stand up and greet him and offer him a chair and some food.
Dylan will find Zeke working at the house. When Dylan arrives, Zeke will have just finished preparing a fresh allotment of bombs for the day. Upon seeing Dylan and whomever else is with him, he'll immediately start talking a mile-a-minute, "I spent some time at a library, and happened upon a bit of information I needed to perfect my latest advancement in explosive alchemy. I call this the Mark III." He holds up a small vial in one hand and taps it lightly with a finger. "Unlike my last advancement, the Mark II," He holds up another vial of a different shape in his other hand "which packs a particular 'punch' against hardened infrastructure, this new concoction has extra accelerant in place of the refined detonate I add to the Mark II - an accelerant which I've now been able to stabilize in the quantity required for the effect I've been trying to achieve." His eyes light up. "The effect being..." He takes a breath. "...an intensely hot and voluminous detonation intended to exploit the weaknesses of organic targets." He giggles out loud like a small child. "Come, we'll go to the practice range at the Citadel and I'll provide a demonstration!" With a word and an unnecessary guesture, he activates his hat to dress himself in completely red, orange, and yellow attire, replete with an innumerable amount of tassels, and starts towards the door.
AT INN
Dylan heads over to Tullius and says "Keep an eye on that lady over there, she wants our help and says she knows information about the disease. I am heading to get the others."
Dylan runs off
At Zeke's
He replies "Sorry Zeke, no time there is a lady wishing our help with the plague and says she has information about it. We need to head back to the inn. She says it is related to the ship that was sunk. Lets go."
With that they take off back to the in.
Assuming Ammy is either with Dylan from the start or was at the Inn to begin with, otherwise Zeke and Dylan will seek out Ammy where ever he is.
Amendithas will follow Dylan to Grunyar's shop and will indeed replace his tanglefoot bag. Following him the rest of the morning, he will continually apologize for his actions in Rackers Alley--swearing on his sword he will make it up to Dylan.
After they've run into Tullius at the inn and are on the way to retrieve Zeke, Ammy will ask Dylan, "Was there something off about Ralof, this morning? He didn't quite look like himself back there at the inn. Perhaps he's gotten ahold of Zeke's hat or maybe that spell I was under affected me more than I realized."
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With a return to her arrogance, the old woman says nothing to Tullius while she waits for the others to return. Should he attempt to engage in idle conversation, her answers are short, or non-existent.
When the others return she insists on speaking in a private location. "You have a room, do you not? We will discuss matters there."
Once you have found a private location she lowers her hood, revealing a jaundiced looking face with yellow eyes. She begins to speak while taking quick darting glances at each of you. "I'll get straight to the point I suppose. My name is Eries Yelloweyes. Last night, a mob of drunken Midlanders discovered a foolish Wererat prowling an alley in the streets above. In their misguided rage over trying to find anyone to blame for the plague, they executed the poor fool in the middle of midtown with a silver axe. A few of them even braved the sewers looking for more of our kind to kill" She pauses to see your reactions to her outing herself as a Wererat.
If the reactions are not overtly negative she will continue.
Her yellow eyes turn a bit angry. "I've seen it many times in my years. One small little outbreak and the government declares that they must purge the city of disease ridden rats. Sickening."
She calms her anger to continue. "Most of my kind have seen this before, and we are smart enough to leave our dens and hide elsewhere in the city, however this time is different. One young firebrand named Girrigz Ripperclaws refuses to go into hiding, and is calling upon his kin to start a war against the weakened humans above."
Continuing on, "He is a fool. His arrogance will get us all killed, as he can't possibly take on the might of korvosa, even at its weakened capacity. An attack on the city is all the excuse they will need to wipe us all out for good. What I need you to do, is to convince him it's not worth it. To show Girrigz what he's up against; an example of the force of the city should his rebelliousness continue."
"In exchange for your help I will give you information on what might be the true reason for Korvosa's plague. Do we have a deal?"
In response to finding out that she is a were rat tullius will say jokingly, "Ah were rats.. devious creatures. I recall having to work with one before... poor thing decided to double cross me"
When she asks if they have a deal tullius will say without hesitation, "I dont know about these guys but I am in!"
When Dylan says they don't have time for his demonstration, he gets very quiet for a moment and looks rather saddened... Then he says, eagerly "Alright, later then."
Zeke will share what he learned about Ralof with the group, and ask if they came up with anything.
At the Inn Zeke will stand back and listen attentively to Eries. At the mention of wererats he shifts uncomfortably, an almost a sickened look washing over his face.
Regarding the names and the wererats:
Re: Zeke's Knowledge Roll:
The name Girrigz Ripperclaws is known to you as one of the leaders of the wererats in Korvosa. Charismatic and strong, and a natural born wererat, he's quite capable of rallying his people for a strike upon the city just as Eries suggests.
Eries, having seen Zeke's squeamish reaction, adds during her short pause while she was looking for reactions, "I would think a gnome in a city of full of humans might be a bit more tolerant of those of other races, but I can see from your disgusted reaction that you're just as prejudiced as the rest of them. Pray that they do not one day hunt you down as they do us."
Hearing Tullius's enthusiasm, she nods her approval as she awaits responses from the others.
Dylan replies "Yes, we will help. I am not about to let anyone die needlessly. Mam, you could have told me this earlier, if you were worried about peoples reactions to your people. Most people don't realize it is the insects that spread the disease and not the mammals so generally "purging" the city is a bad idea no matter how you look at it. Is there any info you can provide which will help me talk them down to a peaceful solution? "