Theron the Absolver |
Theron approaches and inspects the guard, and calmly offers his assistance "I'll see what I can do. Barkeep, I could use a bowl of strong alcohol and a second clean bowl."
He pulls the jar of leeches from his pack in case he determines poison is involved.
heal check to diagnose 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
heal check to treat 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 (+2 if poisoned)
Durriken Garde |
Durriken looks to Raseri, shrugging slightly. "Fellow drank too much. Don't see as how he's our responsibility, even if he does think he knows the artist." Even so, he moves over to Theron's side, kneeling alongside the two healers as they look over the guard. "I think you're wasting your time, but let me know if you need help moving him."
GM Zimmer |
Theron's and Tristain's assessment reveals in a few seconds that Durriken's off-the-cuff explanation is mostly true. The guard had not only been drinking since the riots began over twelve hours before, he had not eaten much of anything since breakfast the day before. Theron had a hard time palpating under the man's armor, but it felt like the man's abdomen was soft and saggy under the layer of trained muscle. This wasn't the stiffness of damage inside, but a horrible feeling of emptiness made worse by the alcohol.
Presently the barkeep arrives with a phial full of orange crystal. He pushes Fredo aside and uncorks the phial, and everyone standing near the guard is hit by the odor. The barkeep folds his arm in front of his face as he holds the phial up to the guard's nose. He starts to stir, and lifts his head a little before it flops back down to the ground. He groans at the pain of the impact. "That's my Neffi," he murmurs groggily, apparently having seen Tristain at work.
"Happy?" says the barkeep at the wizard, waving the phial in his face.
Goffred Giulianoff |
"Yes," says Fredo, suppressing a cough but not raising his hands to protect his nose and mouth. "Now put that away." Seeing Grau tended to by people who knew how, Fredo lifts himself off the ground and walks back to the table to give them some space. Amba has taken his chair, so Fredo grasps the back of it with both hands and leans heavily.
"If he is who I think he is," Fredo says slowly to Durriken, "Moving him could help us. I think his name's Grau. I heard him chatting with some other guards in Volshyenek once. He seemed popular. If we do him a good turn he could help keep the guards off our backs and doing their jobs." He shoots a venemous look at the bartender, who had stoppered the phial and was back behind the bar wearing a smug look. "Besides, we can't let him recover here."
Theron the Absolver |
Theron furrows his brow... giving the barkeep a disapproving look. "Happy?! That you have shown the compassion of a drug peddler? You've watched this man ingest nothing but this poison for hours and continued to serve him - knowing full well what damage he was doing to himself. That is shameful, and I do not want to hear what you have to say in your defense, because I have heard the same thing from the filth that sells shiver to the weak willed of their community."
Theron crumbles one of his rations into a bowl, and fills it with water. He tries to get the man to drink the gruel-like substance.
GM Zimmer |
At Theron's words the barkeep's face flushes a deep red. "You, you," he sputters, "come into my work - I've kept this place open through the riots, I don't see you doing as much - abuse me, liken me to traitors use Shiver to prepare the Magnimar invasion..." His blush recedes, leaving his skin looking blotchy and diseased. He snaps his rag on the edge of the bar. [b]"Your friend's the traitor, not me, poisoning himself when he sould be helping people." He points at the door with his rag. "Get out! And take your friend with you!"
Durriken Garde |
Durriken flashes the bartender a glare, and leans in so the bartender alone can hear him. "You're right, we've done nothing. We only cleaned up your place so it remains presentable. We only dropped plenty of good coin here. We're leaving, but rest assured, we'll spread the word about you and your establishment."
He places a gold piece on the bar. "For your troubles." Shouldering his pack, he stoops down to put the guard's arm around his shoulder, staggering to his feet with the additional weight. "I hope you know how to walk, if I get tired, you're going to hope so too." He looks to the others. "Well?"
Raseri Whitescale |
Hey guys not dead yet, just got burned out.
Raseri Whitescale |
Raseri watches the scene unfold with more than a little amusement. She had seen more than a few drunks loose the contents of their bellies onto the floor, but had never seen a wizard clean up the mess. She gets up from her seat and tells Alfsigr to finish eating.
"Here, lemme help ya." Ras deftly slides under the drunk man's other arm and helps Durriken carry, well drag, the man.
"Well, I think stopping by a guardhouse may be wise. I think they'll be better able to get this one walking straight."
Goffred Giulianoff |
Fredo stands like a mangrove behind Amba's chair as Durriken and Raseri drag Grau out of the bar. The boy looks up at him expectantly, and Fredo gives him the smallest nod he can before turning his gaze again on the barkeep. Sig is busy with what little remains of her breakfast, and from the glimpses of grin Fredo can catch from under her hair, seems to be trying to make it last as long as possilbe. Very well, she'd get her time, irate barkeep or not. Fredo glares at him, and under this pressure, Durriken's, and Theron's, the man sputters incoherantly for a while, then retreats into the back room, fuming.
The door is behind Fredo, but he can hear when it opens. Sig, who can see it, signals she's ready to leave by cramming the rest of her food into her mouth and bounding over to her sister. Fredo taps Amba on the shoulder. "That's our cue," he says, not bothering to push the chair back under the table as Amba follows Sig and Fredo brings up the rear.
He catches up in time to hear Raseri's proposal, and agrees. "The big central headquarters, Citadel Volshyenek, is only a few blocks away from Eodred's Walk," he says. "That's probably why that swine of a barkeep thinks it's safer." Fredo doesn't quite suggest that they bring Grau there, since it's not really somewhere he wants to visit, but he's letting the others know he's prepared to go along if one of them brings it up.
GM Zimmer |
The party walks as it talks, since the choice between taking Grau to Eodred's Walk or Citadel Volshyenek first amounts to a choice to turn right or left some time in the future. Grau attempts to aid the two carrying him, occasionally stumbling along for a few seconds before his body reminds him it can't keep up with two sober fighters. The children get underfoot too, Sig trying to stick as close as possible to Ras and Amba trying to make the most of this chance to poke and prod an authority figure. The man smiles weakly at their antics.
He does manage to help in another way. Regardless of his state, he's still a watch sergeant, and when he waves his curious comrades away with a shake of his head and a slurred explanation that "these kids're arright" they tend to listen. No one else seems inclined to approach, but Grau's smile remains sloppily plastered on his face. Perhaps he's kept enough of his wits that he knows that, without an explanation, the less savory elements of Korvosa will try and keep out of the way of people they think can kidnap a watchman and parade him through the streets. Perhaps he's just too tired.
Eventually, the road reaches a T intersection and the party has to choose which way to go. Left will take them north to the small cape on which Citadel Volshyenek sits. Right will take them to West High Street, which feeds into the square called Eodred's Walk.
Durriken Garde |
Durriken turns so he, Raseri, and the guard can lean against a wall for a short breather. "Tristain, remember we have three tasks. Offloading our new friend, getting the children home, and selling our goods. Getting the children home safely is the most important, I think. The way the city is, there's no telling what trouble we'll run into, even with our friend here to help ward off most of it..."
He sighs. Never thought I'd be in this sort of predicament... "He's heavy, but not unmanageable. Shouldn't be far. We can get them set up, probably sell off some of the things we have in the half hour or so that will take. At least get some pocket money until we get him home safe."
Goffred Giulianoff |
Fredo raises his eyebrows at Durriken's suggestion. This could mean any number of things: surprise, curiosity, or skepticism. "I think the biggest consideration is time," he says, taking pains to enunciate each word but determined not to waste any of their little rest break. "Unless I miss my guess, Durriken, the Citadel is closer to here than your boss.* Getting Grau off your and Ras' backs will keep the kids safer than dragging him around with us that much longer. I think." Fredo is shifting his weight by the end of his intervention, not really confident in the truth of what he's saying.
*You have probably mentioned this and I've forgotten, but where, in terms of a nearby referential intersection, does Durriken's boss live?
Here's a map of [most of] the city to help you get your bearings.
Raseri Whitescale |
"Ain't any heavier than most of the drunks I've thrown out on the street."
Raseri's cheeks are flushed from the exertion but she seems to be doing a little better than Durriken or Grau despite being smaller than both of them.
"I say go to the Citadel first and drop Grau off first, unless Durriken's master is not too far out of the way, then I say we go there first."
Durriken Garde |
I hadn't put it on the map other than to say it was in Midland, but I think down by Shrouded way would make sense.
Durriken nods, somewhat reluctantly. Well, I don't think they're looking for me for anything, at least. "Very well. Let's get him to the Citadel. Not too much seems to be going on here anyway."
GM Zimmer |
The pattern of Korvosan life is far from normal as the party approaches the Citadel, built on a spit of land pointing into the Jeggare estuary. It does seem, however, that this little area has been relatively free of mob violence or mass action, despite the west side docks beginning just a few blocks north. The pairs of guards visible on each corner, however, fail to make it seem entirely safe and unthreatening to some of the party.
The closer to the Citadel the party gets, the higher-ranking the guards seem to be. When the front gate comes into view one pair of guards, one with two brass bars on her collar, the other with the same chevrons as Grau on his, finally approaches the party. Their hands sit on the short swords on their belts, and their eyes are hard and red as if they haven't slept. "Who are you and what are you doing?" barks the woman, her eyes scanning the little group rather than focusing on one. The man seems fixated on Durriken, brow furrowed as though trying to remember something.
Raseri Whitescale |
"Just some people trying to help. This is- Grau, I think. We thought the guard could put him to better use than getting himself drunk silly."
Raseri's tone is light, but her eyes keep darting from the guard's faces, to their swords to the two children, especially Alfsigr. The look the man was giving Grau, no Durriken, was more than a little worrying.
We need to get going. Something is making me feel uneasy about this situation.
Durriken Garde |
Wisdom to see if Durriken can place the guard's face: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Durriken stays silent, trusting Raseri and Goffred to deal with the guards. I don't know why this one is staring at me...I probably can't do much with the body if he comes at me. I'll have to duck clear and hope I don't get tangled in the bulk. He remains relaxed, confident in his ability to deal with the guard should it become necessary.
GM Zimmer |
The children shrink behind their guardians under the glare of the guard. Raseri feels Alfsigr's arms tighten around her waist, while Amba's hand slips into Goffred's and squeezes. The guards seem not to notice or care. The woman gives Raseri a critical look and grunts "Mhm." The hand that is not on her sword reaches out and grabs Grau by the chin. She lifts his head up to see his rank insignia, then turns it back and forth with a look on her face like she's examining a potential mount at a horse fair. Finally, she steps back, letting Grau's head droop again. He seems to be almost asleep.
"We'll deal with Sergeant Soldado," she says, having apparently accepted that he's the genuine article. She snaps her fingers at her companion – probably a more accurate term would be 'subordinate' – and gestures that he should carry the man, but he doesn't budge.
"We should get these people's names," he says, softly. "Aiding a member of the Guard in this dark time cannot be overlooked."
Goffred Giulianoff |
Fredo returns Amba's squeeze, sizing up the other Sergeant. The woman – Fredo isn't sure of her rank – seems to want to deal with them as a group and be on her way, but the man sounds like he's taking a personal interest in them. A personal interest now, before Grau had a chance to talk, could backfire spectacularly. "I am Goffred of Sirathu," he says, not wanting to lie, but hoping that the substitution of his home town for his surname would slow any investigation the Sergeant might begin just a little. "If Grau wakes up and starts asking for Neffi," he continues, his free hand gesturing to Tristain, "that's who he means.
"We want to help however we can," says Fredo, aware he's starting to tread on thin ice, "But what Korvosa needs most now is iron discipline, especially from those she holds up as examples." This is a statement with many layers. It is at the same time a reminder to both guards to get Grau back on his feet, a suggestion that the Sergeant do as he's told and pick up his comrade, and a statement of how Fredo wants the situation on the streets to develop. He watches the Sergeant to see if he picks up on all that, especially the last, and his commander to see if she appreciates the support.
Sense Motive @ Sergeant: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Sense Motive @ Commander: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Tristain the Chalker |
Tristain stands quietly as Freddo handles the guards, only nodding when his is pointed to.
If asked his name, he will reply with "I am Tristain and loyal servant of Korvosa."
* * *
When the guard check in is done, Tristain will be ready to accompany Durriken and the children to the next stop.
Raseri Whitescale |
Raseri waits a moment before answering. Though it was four years past, the events right after finding her sisters gone were still a painful memory.
"Raseri of Clan Whitescale"
Raseri Whitescale |
"And then to your master's shop?"
GM Zimmer |
The Sergeant's eyes widen when Tristain mentions Durriken's name, and he begins patting his various pockets looking for a paper and pen. He doesn't have enough time to find them, however, as his superior notices the party talking about leaving and takes the hint. She shoves him on the shoulder to get his attention, and they take Grau off Durriken's and Raseri's hands. Grau gives a sleepy little wave as they carry him away, and the kids wave back.
Take 150 XP each.
As the party begin to walk down the road to the market, the kids begin to give thought to they fates. Seeing as Durriken's mentioned a number of times that they'll be staying at his master's place for some time, they begin to pepper him with questions. "What's he like?" asks Alfsigr. "What should we call him?" says Amba, with a look at Goffred.
Raseri Whitescale |
"What's he like?" asks Alfsigr.
Raseri moves back behind Alfsigr and next to Tristain. She keeps an eye on the inquisitive little girl almost as if she's afraid her sister will vanish at any moment. When Alfsigr starts pestering Durriken with questions, she could only smile and whisper to the druid:
"Hopefully, very patient."
Anyone seen Theron?
Durriken Garde |
As they walk, Durrkien casts a few angry glances at Tristain, though he says nothing. He fights the twitch of a smile at Raseri's words. "Patient, yes. He looked after me. I suppose two children are within the scope of his patience."
He looks down at Alfsigr. "What you may call him is up to him, though his name is Iosephu Trovato." He answers the children's questions as briefly as possible, clearly uncomfortable with their attention, though their antics and interest force a smile to his face on more than one occasion.
I always pictured him as a retired low level ranger, CG or NG. He was willing to look past Durriken's flaws to try to make him a better person, though he would throw him out in a second if he reverted to what he has been under Lamm. Not rich, but skilled enough to make a living where he isn't scraping by every week.
GM Zimmer |
Though you approach Eodred's Walk from the north, your eyes are drawn to the massive gatehouse that marks the west end of High Bridge. Atop the two towers flanking the span sit several hippogriffs, and atop the hippogriffs sit grim-looking men and woman, their faces turned to the scene below. The bridge is packed with shouting men and women, some with olive skin, all in coarse-looking clothes. You're too far away to hear just what it is they're shouting, but they seem like they want to leave the bridge. Stopping them from doing so is a motley assortment of Korvosan Guard and armored Hellknights. The Guard seem to be pushing the people away from the gatehouses with long spears, while the Hellknights wade into the crowd and beat on the heads of anyone who comes too close.
The market seems quietly guilty for these actions on its behalf. The street vendors have packed up and left the square bare, and many of the shop windows are boarded up. Some of the boards, however, have had little rectangles cut in them, into which have been set burning candles. The shops fortunate enough to have been spared window-breaking also have these set in them. Durriken and Tristain recognize a few jewelers, antique shops, pawnshops, arms dealers, and curio shops that might be interested in what they have to sell.
Iosephu's shop is south of where this square narrows again into a street.
Durriken Garde |
Durriken leads the group through the abandonded square to Iosephu's shop, taking note of the shops that appear to still be open. As they come up on the building, he murmurs to the group, "I will introduce us. There should be room for all of us in the shop, we should avoid loitering in the street."
Tristain the Chalker |
Tristain smiles easily and lets Durriken lead.
"It will be good to be off the streets for a bit. I have not felt that the city has been the same since we first met. Things seem deeply different."
Tristain looks at Raseri, trying to judge her mood.
I wonder what's going on in her head. She has family now.
Raseri Whitescale |
The sight at the gate deflates Raseri's mood significantly. Her eyes look worried and the spring in her step is gone. She brings her sister closer to her, gently guiding her by her shoulders.
"Aye, very different."
I finally find one of my sisters and it seems like the city's waiting to tear us apart again.
Goffred Giulianoff |
Fredo clicks his tongue at the scene on the bridge, and scowls at the military and paramilitary forces guarding the gatehouse. Had things been different he'd be among the people on the bridge now, or among them wherever they went. Deliberately trying to cross the High Bridge was foolish at best, a sign of wanting to link up with the mainland, and suicidal at worst, a sign of a leadership or quasi-leadership bent on sabotage. "The city's the same," he says, as willing as ever to make political hay out of any offhand remark, "only moreso."
When they reach Iosephu's shop door, Fredo takes Amba by the hand. "Care to begin?" he says to Durriken, gesturing in a mockery of the grand manner at the door.
Durriken Garde |
Durriken opens the shop door slowly, noting his master with his back to the shop door, working a long yew stave into shape. He ushers the rest inside and closes the door.
His normally combative demeanor bleeds away as he approaches the bowyer. Iosephu is a tall man, whose once powerful build has begun to sag. He is somewhat stooped from working over a bench that is not quite tall enough for him. His hair is closely trimmed, brown, with some grey at the temples. The shop itself is sparsely furnished, with only a few bows that have been finished leaning against the walls. Arrows and bolts can also be seen in bundles behind a small counter.
"Sir," Durriken begins, "I apologize for not being here this morning. I had an...old problem come up last night that I had to deal with. However, a new one has arisen that I was hoping you might be able to assist me with..."
GM Zimmer |
"It's always something, Durriken," says Iosephu, with a sound in his throat that sounds like a cross between a sigh and an indulgent laugh. He turns around, showing his face. It's craggy, but pale, the legacy of a man who had traded a life outdoors under the sun for a life sheltered by roofs and walls. It's his eyes, however, and not his cheeks, that draw attention. They are dark brown, and wide with concern.
"But I'm glad you're back," he continues. He gestures toward the window, through which the shouts of the people on the bridge can be heard, but his eyes remain fixed on Durriken. "So tell me your problem. And about your friends." Suddenly, like the snap of a string, he breaks his eye contact with Durriken and surveys the rest of the group. "You gonna tell me what I should call them so I can tell the missus?"
Okay, I know you've posted this before, but I can't seem to find it. What was the name of Iosephu's wife?
Durriken Garde |
"Tristain, Theron, Goffred, Raseri"[/] He motions to his companions in turn. [b]"Amba, and Raseri's sister Alfisgr. We...freed them from a man who was holding them against their will. But We still need to find Raseri's other sister and Tristain's wo... friend."
"You always warned me that I might find a path that leads to redemption. I still don't know that you are right, or that this is it, but I suppose anything is possible." He looks the older man in the eyes. "I think I just have unfinished business. But it's unlikely that the two children will be safe where we have to go. I thought you and Violetta might be willing to watch them, at least for a time."
He reaches into his pack and pulls out the hand crossbow, and places it on the counter. "This should sell easily, given the times. You can use the gold to pay for them. And I'll see to it that any other expenses are covered." Finished, he rubs his throat, watching Iosephu for his answer.
Raseri Whitescale |
Raseri follows Durriken into the shop with the others. The exchange between the ranger and his mentor gives her some time to think while holding onto her sister's shoulders. Feelings of shame and regret begin to seep in as a niggling little thought creeps into her mind.
I'm abandoning my sister.
She gives a smile whenever the young girl looks up at her, but the way her eyes seem drawn to the floor give away how she really feels.
Goffred Giulianoff |
"Don't forget the others, Durriken," says Fredo, giving Amba a pat on the shoulder before walking up to Iosephu. He holds his hand out to shake. The man has a strong grip, much stronger than Fredo's despite his age. His palm is almost as hard as the wood he works, and rougher than sandpaper. Fredo speaks slowly, not wanting to give too much away for Durriken's sake – the man seemed to want to keep Lamm a secret – and blinking his eyes every so often to keep from looking at him. "These were two among many that we found. We were looking for Ras' sisters, but only Sig was among them. Amba came with us, but the rest ran into the streets somewhere. In better times I'd worry for them. Now…" Fredo trails off, giving Iosephu a meaningful look. He leans in close to whisper.
"I know it's a bit early in our acquaintance to ask a favor," he says, "but I think Sig or Amba might know where the others went. Would you mind trying to find out?"
Hey, my 500th post!
GM Zimmer |
Iosephu turns away from Goffred, a bemused expression on his face. He picks up the bow Durriken placed on his workbench, and examines the trigger mechanism. "This is a fine piece," he says lightly. "But you don't need to pay me, Durriken." He turns abruptly to Goffred again. "You might," he says, putting the crossbow down again, but there's a chuckle in his throat and a twinkle in his eyes. He crouches down, his eyes level with the kids', one hand on the workbench to keep his balance.
"Now, how 'bout you two head upstairs. This is a workshop, and you didn't come here to work." Amba looks wistfully at the bows, but trots to the door. Alfsigr needs some coaxing.
"You better be nice," she says, not letting go of her sister's hand. "Or Ras'll do for you like she did for Lamm." She gasps, seeming almost surprised she said the name. Amba bites his lip, and starts back to her, but Iosephu holds up his hand. He looks at them both sharply, then rises, turning towards Durriken. He says not a word, but his eyes narrow. He seems to want someone to explain themselves.