Ross's CotCT PbP (Inactive)
Game Master Ross Byers

I didn't even notice that the postmonster got this one. abridged version follows:
Karista shifts uncomfortably. "Are we taking the...head to the tavern?"

Karista shifts uncomfortably. "Are we taking the...head to the tavern?"

"For the moment, yes," Verronax answers. "I plan on giving her a proper burial with full rites, but perhaps we should first find out what is happening and discuss what our next move is. After, you are all welcome to accompany me to Gray District to lay her to rest."

Haedrik, something I should have already asked, but where in Korvosa is Jazbarl's tavern?

I do not have any PF books on me currently. So the what works best for you works best for me.

I still haven't decided where exactly Jazbarl's tavern is. Unless it's on the opposite side of the castle from you, though, this description should stand.

The trek to Jazbarl's tavern is an adventure in itself. You pass several pockets of rioters standing off against the Guard, and at least one incident of Hellknights rounding up a band of rioters by force. At one street corner, you see two Sable Company Marines recovering a wounded comrade and his fallen mount. As the wounded marine is loaded onto the back of one of his fellow's hippogriff, another marine tearfully puts an arrow through the head of the downed hippogriff, putting it out of its screeching misery.

Rioters and the stiff arm of law enforcement are not the only features of interest in the suddenly chaotic city. The usual crazy 'prophets' that live in every city are taking the unrest as a sign. Several stand on street corners, preaching the end of the world. One in particular stands out, if only because he is more specific that 'The end is nigh'. The filthy man proclaims, "The Eye of Groetus has turned from the Boneyard to look upon Korvosa!”

When you arrive at the tavern, the wooden flip-sign on the door reads closed. When you knock, Jazbarl's voice replies from inside. "We're closed!"

When you arrive at the tavern, the wooden flip-sign on the door reads closed. When you knock, Jazbarl's voice replies from inside. "We're closed!"

Taras is visibly disturbed by the rioting, and having to walk through it. He tucks his coin purse inside his belt instead of letting it hang loose, and generally keeps to the center of the group.

He gasps at the violence between rioters and guardsmen, and winces at the death of the hippogriff, turning his eyes deliberately away.

When they arrive at Jazbarl's and are curtly dismissed, he gives a kind of stressed-out half-laugh. "What, we're supposed to just--... to just...?" he asks incredulously, looking back and forth between the door and the pushing, milling throng of semi-violent townsfolk.

"Haedrik, you know this place. See if you can get us in. If not, we can head to the Bank of Abadar. For a slight fee, I'm sure they'll be happy to put you up."

Verronax pauses. "The Bank. They might have recalled all the priests. Perhaps I should go there anyways..."

"The Bank. They might have recalled all the priests. Perhaps I should go there anyways..."

Taemin winces slightly, "They'll probably need all the guards - I should be there. If we can't get in here I guess. We can't abandon the rest now."

Haedrik finally tears his eyes away from the growing chaos that spreads through the streets.

"Jaz, normally I would have a witty joke here about how you are never closed when their is coin in the air, but now is not the time for jokes." Haedrik looks back at the mobs and at his new quartet of friends. "Please let me in, Jaz."

"Haedrik!" You hear the clatter of the front latch and the key turning in the padlock. The door swings open. The diminutive owner waves everone inside. "Come in, come in. Quickly. I closed up when the fires started breaking out. I see you brought friends. Fine. Fine. There's plenty of food, since I closed up before selling it all."

Once everyone is inside, Jazbarl shuts the door, closing the lock on the latch once again.

Taemin steps in and sets the footlocker on a table, taking a welcome seat, his leg still aching slightly from the bite of the crocodile. "Now we can see what horrors or rewards are due to us."

He glances down a moment, then looks up with a smile on his lips. "Come.. friends.. we have kept to the dance, averted loss, and tasted the bitter fruit of our revenge. Let us now unlock our new destinies."

"Now we can see what horrors or rewards are due to us."

He glances down a moment, then looks up with a smile on his lips. "Come.. friends.. we have kept to the dance, averted loss, and tasted the bitter fruit of our revenge. Let us now unlock our new destinies."

Haedrik will throw the pouches of money on the table.

He then looks towards Jaz. "Jaz, are you ok? And what exactly is happening out there?"

Taras smiles at Jazbarl, bowing his head and clasping his hands before his face as he walks inside with the others. He feels conspicuous and out of place, but it's better than being run apart by the mob.

"Thank you for your succor, ah, 'Jaz,'" he says, seemingly put off by the abrupt informality of the situation. "I'm certain there are many within the enclave who worry fiercely for me. You'll be repaid for my boarding twofold, if it should draw out..." Taras says, glancing out of a window back onto the streets.

"I fear for the city. They've no love for the Queen, it seems..."

"I seem to have forgotten myself amidst all the turmoil." He motions at the slightly plump gnome. "Everyone this is Jazbarl. Jazbarl this is," he motions at each companion individually, "Verronax, a priest of Abdar, Taras, and Taemin." He then bows low to Karista, "And this beauty is Karista. If you ever need a bouncer, she's your man, Jaz."

Haedrik then walks forward and clasps a hand on Verronax's shoulder. "Stay here for the moment, friend. I'd feel a bit better knowing I had another level head at hand."

Taras breathes in and exhales slowly, and at once seems to come back to control of himself. He looks steady again, after being shaken by the glimpses of violence and riot in the streets. He pats the thin wooden book-sleeve on his right hip once to assure himself it's there, then opens it briefly to be sure of what's inside.

That done, he looks to Jazbarl, then to Haedrik, and back to Jazbarl. "If we're to be boarded here until the unrest dies down, I think I would like to retire. Today has been something of a drain and I could do with a bit of recouperation..." he says, then slows, looking at the group. "Unless there is any further consequence to tonight's events?"

"Don't worry, Haedrik, I won't just abandon you all. I was simply thinking how I've been neglecting my duties. Tonight, and many nights of late, have been more focused on personal satisfaction."

Verronax sits down heavily. "I, for one, could use a drink. Jazbarl, do you perhaps have some new wine or cold ale for us? We've had a rough night."

"Taras, Jazbarl hasn't offered us lodging yet, and Taemin and I have quarters of our own at the Bank. I think we should discuss some things first. We've just killed a few people, no matter that the killings were just, and the city is afire. And I have a few fears abouot exactly what is in Lamm's footlocker."

"Then again, you were not as involved in the 'events' at the fishery as the rest of us. If no one else objects to your retirement, I will not."

"Taras, Jazbarl hasn't offered us lodging yet, and Taemin and I have quarters of our own at the Bank. I think we should discuss some things first. We've just killed a few people, no matter that the killings were just, and the city is afire. And I have a few fears abouot exactly what is in Lamm's footlocker."

"Oh... ah, I thought that was what we were coming here for - sanctuary against the mobs, and to help..." Taras nods to the gnome. "Jazbarl if things became difficult. I didn't at all mean to presume," he says courteously, realizing his gaffe. "I had thought this all quite planned out."

"Then again, you were not as involved in the 'events' at the fishery as the rest of us. If no one else objects to your retirement, I will not."

"Well, whatever the outcome, I'm involved now - Rivas is still missing, and I'm trapped away from the enclave by a fairly pronounced riot. In for a copper, in for a crown, as they say," Taras says with a kind of amused resignation, looking at the rest of them.

Karista silently takes in the conversation, her eyes tracing from one face to another. It was difficult to make sense of recent events, she'd not spent much time lately thinking past her vengeance, and now she felt somewhat adrift in unfamiliar seas. Her first inclination was to head back to her little shack, but it dawned on her after a moment that there was nothing there for her - her most valuable possession that wasn't on her person was the lock on her door. She let the conversation wash over her, not even reacting to Haedrik's jest. Without any conscious decision, she found herself seated at the table in front the footlocker.

He then looks towards Jaz. "Jaz, are you ok? And what exactly is happening out there?"

"I'm alright if the city is. Riots are bad for business.", he replies. He goes to the kitchen, bringing out dinner for all present: slices of broiled beef, a fresh salad, and stuffed cabbage leaves.

Verronax sits down heavily. "I, for one, could use a drink. Jazbarl, do you perhaps have some new wine or cold ale for us? We've had a rough night."

Jazbarl smiles. "I think I have just the thing. It'll make Haedrik's night. Let me set down the food first, though." He notes Taras and Taemin's height, and ears. "And perhaps more as well."

"We've just killed a few people, no matter that the killings were just, and the city is afire. And I have a few fears abouot exactly what is in Lamm's footlocker."

"Killings?" He pauses to think, though he doesn't stop bringing out the food. He notes the wounds marking many of those assembled. "I get the feeling you're not talking about the riots. Haedrik, what have you gotten me into?" Somehow, despite the seriousness of the question, Jaz seems perfectly at ease. He sets out the food (it's remarkable what the gnome can carry, given his size), then heads behind the bar. He comes back with six pieces (or less, if someone states that they don't drink) of stemware and a bottle. He pours. The liquid is a vibrant violet, and it reflects the yellow lamplight in a silvery hue.

Taemin and Taras** spoiler omitted **

Taras blinks at the offered drink, looking quizzically at the Gnome, before smiling a little and nodding his head in thanks. "I shall have to tell my brethren of the hospitality of Jazbarl's establishment, when time permits."

"Indeed, thank you Jaz, this is most appreciated." Taemin sips slowly at the exquisite wine, his first taste since sips as a child. He lets the memories slowly flow forth in his mind of the paths of a forest made of trees instead of stone buildings.

"Haedrik, you have the key for this do you not?" Taemin taps the footlocker.

Haedrik offers a quick raise of his goblet to Jaz. "My friend you are too good to us. Well, me at least."

After a long cool draught, Haedrik uses the keys to open the footlocker.

One of Gaedren's keys pops the lock open. Inside the footlocker are a number of smaller, irregular parcels, shoddily wrapped in canvas and twine.

"I still have a bad feeling about this..." Verronax hesitates for a moment, then reaches inside and removes one of the bundles.

Taemin pales and watches Verronax as he opens it.

ooc:

Verronax unwraps the small parcel to reveal...a fist-sized piece of scrimshaw. The design features a kraken, with garnets inset for its eyes.

Taemin gives out a low whistle, and slowly takes another from the locker and unwraps it.

Taemin, the object you pick is dense, and heavy. When you unwrap it, you discover a gold ingot, stamped with the Chelaxian crest. It's marked as being two pounds.

Taemin gasps and smiles, then passes out a package to each of the others, then back around if more remain.

Verronax would like to make untrained Appraise rolls on all the items to get an estimate of what they might be worth. Ross, I thought I'd let you do it, in case a roll makes my estimate wildly wrong.

Fortunately, the new alpha rules don't force me to make up a number, which was a rule I always hated, because then I can't trust the player's notes either, and people argue with shopkeepers about how much the item is worth. If you fail by 5 or less, I tell you that you don't know, and let you guess. If you fail by 5 or more, I'm allowed to make up a number, but I won't. I'll tell you that you don't know, and perhaps give a misleading hint on how much you might guess its worth.
I'll roll the appraise checks after everyone has unwrapped their things.

Taemin, there are a total of 13 bundles in the footlocker. You and Verronax have opened two of them so far. Distribute them as you see fit.

Taemin ponders momentarily, seeing how many there are. He then passes one each to Haedrik, Karista, and Taras. Then one to the center of the table with the whisper, "For our new Society." He then doubles each of these, one to Verronax, himself, the other three, and the center.

The final package he sets before Jaz, "For our host and his honor."

Open your spoiler when you open your packages:

Taemin

Middle of the table (whoever opens them):

Jaz unwraps his bundle, revealing a holy symbol of Sheyln (A bird, encircled by its own plumed tail) carved from abalone shell.

Haedrik slips the cigars into his vest pocket. He does not try to hide the fact. He then reaches over and spills the coins out on the table.

"Let's divvy this stuff up."

Verronax tosses the adamantine arrowhead he opened onto the table next to the scrimshaw kraken. Then he takes the first parcel in the middle of the table, and adds its contents (a glass-stoppered crystal vial, containing a silvery liquid) to the collection.

"Why do I get the feeling these are from Lamm's victims? So what else do we have, and are there any marks connecting them to former owners? It would be well to return what we can."

Just so that it's clear, what Haedrik opened was a cigar case and a silver ring. Haedrik, did you pocket the case or just the cigars from it?
Oh, also, spoilers are only semi-secret. Everyone is allowed to read them to avoid confusion. I mostly use them to make it clear the knowledge is not ICly public.

Haedrik, if you count the coins you spill out (which might take a moment), you'll find that each bag contained exactly 50 coins. That means a total of 200 copper pinch and 100 silver sails. All the coins are of Korvosan minting, but have clearly been well circulated.

Taemin opens his own package and holds up the beautifully polished shuriken to the light, then sets it down among the rest. "What a strange and interesting implement."

He then picks up the second package in the center and unveils the golden brooch with delight, caressing the imp and pseudodragon shapes before setting it down in the center again.

Sorry, Haedrik will take the cigar case and the cigars, unless their is an obection. He will place the ring on the table.

Karista plunks a miniature crown and a vial full of murky liquid on the table. "Old bastard had quite the junk collection," she states through a mouthful of the Gnome's food, "What do we do with it?" She raises a eyebrow at the liquid in the glass and sniffs it suspiciously. She takes a sip and makes an utterly puzzled face.

She raises a eyebrow at the liquid in the glass and sniffs it suspiciously. She takes a sip and makes an utterly puzzled face.

Assuming you were only tasting the liquid, not swallowing all of it.

Ha! No I meant the wine! Sorry, should've made that more clear, I was posting really fast. But I'll run with it if you want, so long as it doesn't kill her.

Ha! No I meant the wine! Sorry, should've made that more clear, I was posting really fast. But I'll run with it if you want, so long as it doesn't kill her.

Ha! It wouldn't have killed her, but we'll go with the wine. It makes a lot more sense. It avoids needing to reseal the glass tube, anyway.

Alright, Verronax's appraise:

Haedrik puts the cigar case away before you can get a good look at it.
Taemin's ingot is marked as two pounds and thus is cash. It's worth 100 gp. In fact, it's exactly the kind of thing the bank mints into coins.
The miniature crown sitting in front of Karista is worth 350 gp.
You don't know what the scrimshaw is worth.
Haedrik's ring is worth 50 gp.
That statue (the succubus and angel) Haedrik dragged back is worth 450 gp.
The shuriken Taemin unwrapped is masterwork, as is the dagger taken from Lamm.
The adamantine arrowhead is worth 50 gp.
You don't know what the holy symbol is worth, but that's more or less Jaz's problem at this point anyway (he's hanging it behind the bar.)
You're not sure what to make of the rest of the collection: they don't appear to have mundane value.
The brooch, however, is plainly the most valuable item present. You estimate that it might be worth as much as 1,000 gp, if its clasp were repaired. For some reason, though, it looks familiar.

Haedrik lets loose a low whistle as V tears through the probable costs of the items. "Well, friends, we seem to be sitting nicely. To bad with the city burning down around us, I doubt we can spend it on much."

Nodding at the brooch, "Did Zellara wear that?", pulling the Harrow Deck he found and setting it on the table as well.

Taemin then points to the oil-filled glass tube, crystal vial, and obsidian wand. "I think I recognize some of these... they might... how did it go... deprehendo... deprendo veneficium... venefici?... I guess it's been too long."

Taemin glances up at Verronax and Taras, "Can either of you check for magic on these? Maybe tell us what they do?"

"I have not prepared anything," Verronax answers Taemin, "but a short prayer to Abadar can remedy that."
(Meaning that I can cast it without preparation after 5 minutes, if Taras doesn't have it prepared.)

"Are there any markings on the locket to tell us who it might have belonged to? It looks familiar..."

Taras startles mightily when Taemin addresses him, recovering from a long moment of daydreaming as he stares out the window, listening to the sounds of riot and anarchy in the streets. Distractedly, he glances down at the two small bundles Verronax has set before his place at the table, and blinks a few times.

"Er, no... I--... I'm not exactly... prepared today, it seems," he says, smiling apologetically, delicately beginning to unwrap the two parcels.

"I do have my spellbook, however, so it would only be a matter of time, and perhaps not so great an investment as to have Verronax do it," he offered, producing a shard of narrow, glassy obsidian. He squints, looking closely at it. "...hmh. A spell-completion device made out of a chip of rock. Interesting..."

He sets it down, picking up the other piece. It takes some doing, unrolling a great deal of cloth to reveal a small item... He studies it for a moment, then gives a sharp gasp.

Cradling a tiny silver pendant in his finely boned hands, Taras closes his eyes tightly for a moment and whispers a surprisingly grotesque Elven curse, face contorting. Looking up at the others, he says to anyone listening, "This belonged to Rivas."

Taemin reaches out and catches Taras' shoulder, "I'm so sorry Taras. At least Lamm has paid for his crimes."

Taras, you open your spellbook and begin to read aloud, weaving a spell that reveal magical auras. It takes a few moments, but you soon gain a sixth sense. You concentrate over the items recovered from Lamm's hideout.

Taras, you open your spellbook and begin to read aloud, weaving a spell that reveal magical auras. It takes a few moments, but you soon gain a sixth sense. You concentrate over the items recovered from Lamm's hideout.

Taras resolutely gets on with the business of the moment. To most of the items, he simply shakes his head and announces that it has no magical properties. A few, though...

He picks up the obsidian shard in front of him. "An evocation spell. Perhaps a combat wand."

He indicates the two small vials of liquid. "Both of those are potions with faint transmutations. They could be anything - don't unstopper them until I get a chance to look more closely this evening."

His eyes pass over Taemin curiously for a moment, and he seems about to say something, but then apparently thinks better of it.

He looks up at the rest of the group. "Tonight I can take the items to my room and identify the properties of each, if you like. It's a rather exacting process, even for simple items like these."

...and it would let him take his mind off of the day's events.