Shadows over Westcrown
Game Master chavamana

"Only if we get caught." Her smile come back, "And you never get caught." Her eyes darken a bit at the mention of the monsters.

"Good point." Cassian straightens a bit and only then does he really look around the room.

To the gnome: "What's so funny?"

Melilot looks around the room with an assessing glance.

Sense Motive 1d20 ⇒ 15, 1d20 ⇒ 20
Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28, 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

When her eyes reach the other halfling, there is a smile of acknowledgement, and a sense that this is someone she rather expected to find here.

Azhar Mithra Amin wrote:

The Varisian also receives a nod of acknowledgement, "Decided to settle down then?", his tone has perhaps a bit of a teasing quality about it, and is definitely not unfriendly.

Low voice, a untrained baritone, "Hadn't planned on it." His eyes still on Janiven as she comes into the room.

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Rev wrote:

When Rev spots the old man, he frowns, a look of disapproval he doesn't even attempt to hide. He says nothing, and doesn't react to the others in the room, not even the laughing gnome.

The old man looks back at Rev, "I do not deserve that look, I know I'm far too old to be a revolutionary." He straightens, "But i like to support good challenges."

Azhar looks at the old man and nods, "So perhaps it would have been safer to leave you behind?" He shakes his head ruefully, but not altogether disapprovingly, "My friend, the time you stop acting on things you believe in is the day you will stop truly living. It is better to live than to live long...and I know you understand the risks." he smiles at the old man.

Cassian Merro wrote:

Cassian's eyes narrow when he sees the blue eyed girl, and nearly rushes over there. Next to each other, the resemblance is unmistakable. Their coloring is nearly identical, the only difference being Cassian's darker eyes. "What in the name of all that's holy are you doing here?" he hisses.

"I..." she looks up at the noticeably taller man, her smile dimming slightly, no fear but a bit of worry. "Janiven sometimes comes into the shop with her clients. We talked a few times when they were busy." Eyes clear as she looks up, "A few weeks ago we talked about the shadows and I wanted to help."

** spoiler omitted **

Azhar's eyes flick back and forth, following their conversation as it continues. He holds his counsel for now.

"Good point." Cassian straightens a bit and only then does he really look around the room.

To the gnome: "What's so funny?"

She looks over at him, "That of all the people in the city that I know, they two of us being here is... amusing as hell. She shrugs, "We don't help people."

"I know why I'm here. But every reason I can come up with why you are here, amuses the f&&& out of me."

Janiven waits until there is a pause in conversation, moving into the room and hopping up on a low room divider. Looking at everyone, "I know you were all expecting Arael and myself to bring people tonight," She takes a deep breath, "And I know some of you probably already heard, but for those of you that haven't... The dottari grabbed Arael this afternoon."

The dark man Gravalax acknowledged when he came in, holds up a hand. His voice is a quiet, but firm tenor, "I was still at work when the arrest paperwork came in. The Hellknights took him almost immediately, on the grounds that he is a 'discordant element' of the population." He shrugs, "I don't know how that will shake out, but I can't see them being able to move him until late tomorrow afternoon at the earliest."

Janiven nods, "Arael's rescue is going to force us to speed up our plans." A pause, "I do hope that the Rack takes custody of him... it would be far easier to rescue him en route to the Citadel, and the hellknights are not loved by many in the city... there would be far less fallout."

She looks around the area, seeing if anyone has a plan, questions, ideas.

Janiven nods, "Arael's rescue is going to force us to speed up our plans." A pause, "I do hope that the Rack takes custody of him... it would be far easier to rescue him en route to the Citadel, and the hellknights are not loved by many in the city... there would be far less fallout."

She looks around the area, seeing if anyone has a plan, questions, ideas.

by what means would they be most likely to transport him guarded by how many and along what route Melilot asks.

Azhar turns to Janiven, "How will we know if the "Rack" takes custody? Will it be publicly announced or is there some other way? & how soon after we can find out before they are likely to move him. Assuming he is moved, do we have an idea of what kinds of numbers and resources they will have with him? If he is not moved, how dire is his situation and how soon are we likely to need to act?"

** spoiler omitted **

Rev wrote:

When Rev spots the old man, he frowns, a look of disapproval he doesn't even attempt to hide. He says nothing, and doesn't react to the others in the room, not even the laughing gnome.

The old man looks back at Rev, "I do not deserve that look, I know I'm far too old to be a revolutionary." He straightens, "But i like to support good challenges."

"Yes. You do." Rev replies very softly. "This is a fools errand, not a challenge. And I did not take you for a fool."

Gravlax sidles over toward Cassian -- or perhaps toward the young woman. "My friend will probably provide a distraction if one is needed for a rescue en route," Gravlax says. "It would appeal to his sense of the dramatic."

She looks around the area, seeing if anyone has a plan, questions, ideas.

Rev pretty much looks like he thinks this is the dumbest idea he's ever heard and he wants no part of it. But he's not leaving Azhar alone, and he knows for a fact Azhar is already in. Rev sighs, resigned.

He looks at the dockworker, Larko.

"Yes. You do." Rev replies very softly. "This is a fools errand, not a challenge. And I did not take you for a fool."

The old man half-grins at Rev's quiet admonishment. "The first few years I lived in Westcrown was before killer shadows started to prey on the streets. I would like to be able to walk her streets before I grow so decrepit that I cannot walk. That seems to be good reason to be a fool."

Rev Keaton Amin wrote:

"Yes. You do." Rev replies very softly. "This is a fools errand, not a challenge. And I did not take you for a fool."

The old man half-grins at Rev's quiet admonishment. "The first few years I lived in Westcrown was before killer shadows started to prey on the streets. I would like to be able to walk her streets before I grow so decrepit that I cannot walk. That sseems to be good reason to be a fool."

"I'd find new streets." He says unhappily.

"I could be hunting dinosaurs in the jungle with Moulder, Vixen, and Sasha... and instead I escorted your sorry hide home. This gods forsaken city better be worth it." His voice never raises in volume. It's not the voice of someone who intimidates people.

by what means would they be most likely to transport him guarded by how many and along what route Melilot asks.

"Probably an armored prisoner transport with a least a hand of hellknights or their armigers guarding it." She shrugs to show she isn't positive about this.

Azhar turns to Janiven, "How will we know if the "Rack" takes custody? Will it be publicly announced or is there some other way? & how soon after we can find out before they are likely to move him. Assuming he is moved, do we have an idea of what kinds of numbers and resources they will have with him? If he is not moved, how dire is his situation and how soon are we likely to need to act?"

"Not publicly announced, but word should spread. Whether he is held by the dottari or the hellknights, neither group is so insular that gossip doesn't spread. Which is out best bet for finding out without drawing undue attention, which we don't want for the aftermath of his rescue." She either doesn't know about the rest of his questions or is unwilling to comment at the moment.

Gravlax sidles over toward Cassian -- or perhaps toward the young woman. "My friend will probably provide a distraction if one is needed for a rescue en route," Gravlax says. "It would appeal to his sense of the dramatic."

She nods, filing away the offer for the nitty gritty of planning. She asks one question, "Even if it is during the day? It is far more likely they will move him during the day, safer for those who will guard the transport."

Working on the assumption that there is little more planning that can be done until more information is obtained, Melilot has no further questions or comments on the subject.

She nods, filing away the offer for the nitty gritty of planning. She asks one question, "Even if it is during the day? It is far more likely they will move him during the day, safer for those who will guard the transport."

"Gods and men," Gravlax says, swearing. "He stands out in the daytime. Perfect for distraction. He'll come. But if your plan calls for subtlety, stick with me."

She looks over at him, "That of all the people in the city that I know, they two of us being here is... amusing as hell. She shrugs, "We don't help people."

"I know why I'm here. But every reason I can come up with why you are here, amuses the f+&# out of me."

"Monkey food ain't free," Cassian says breezily.

Gravlax sidles over toward Cassian -- or perhaps toward the young woman. "My friend will probably provide a distraction if one is needed for a rescue en route," Gravlax says. "It would appeal to his sense of the dramatic."

"Screw off, plant," Cassian growls.

"Monkey food ain't free," Cassian says breezily.

"Some kind of tail was on the list of reasons." the gnome quips right back.

"Screw off, plant," Cassian growls.

Gravlax walks past Cassian to the woman, and offers his hand. "Gravlax d'Antonio," he says.

Azhar cannot help but grin, "Didn't know vegetation grew balls." he says in aside to Rev.

Gravlax walks past Cassian to the woman, and offers his hand. "Gravlax d'Antonio," he says.

"He's some kind of minor lordling," Cassian says brightly. "Mom and dad would love him."

"Not publicly announced, but word should spread. Whether he is held by the dottari or the hellknights, neither group is so insular that gossip doesn't spread. Which is out best bet for finding out without drawing undue attention, which we don't want for the aftermath of his rescue." She either doesn't know about the rest of his questions or is unwilling to comment at the moment.

"See, this is the kind of thing you want to know when you're planning something like this. You should really send a scout or two to find out. I can take the halfling," he nods to Melilot, "and find out what you need to know."

Gravlax walks past Cassian to the woman, and offers his hand. "Gravlax d'Antonio," he says.

The girl's big, sapphire eyes flash to Cassian briefly, clearly having picked up that the taller man... dislikes... the lighter haired one. However, even as she is doing so, some long trained response to be polite has her shaking his hand, "Tarvi M... my it is a nice evening, isn't it?"

"He's some kind of minor lordling," Cassian says brightly. "Mom and dad would love him."

A comment that has her yanking her hand away from Gravalax before her sentence is half finished.

"See, this is the kind of thing you want to know when you're planning something like this. You should really send a scout or two to find out. I can take the halfling," he nods to Melilot, "and find out what you need to know."

Azhar nods, looks to Janiven, since it seems to be her show, at least for now.

Cassian Merro wrote:

"He's some kind of minor lordling," Cassian says brightly. "Mom and dad would love him."

A comment that has her yanking her hand away from Gravalax before her sentence is half finished.

Azhar seems to be following, and enjoying the interplay between these three.

Cassian Merro wrote:

"He's some kind of minor lordling," Cassian says brightly. "Mom and dad would love him."

A comment that has her yanking her hand away from Gravlax before her sentence is half finished.

Gravlax keeps his hand extended. "Nonsense. Cassian is trying to get us off on the wrong foot, Tarvi, as he and I did."

"See, this is the kind of thing you want to know when you're planning something like this. You should really send a scout or two to find out. I can take the halfling," he nods to Melilot, "and find out what you need to know."

Janiven nods, "Information gathering is the priority now." She turns to the dark man who spoke earlier, "Sclavo, was your information from the close of the day or earlier?"

"Close, ma'am." he answers.

Janiven nods, "If the two of you want to go out now to scout, that would be fine, but" she smiles, "be careful, the streets are dangerous at night." Turning to the rest of the group, "And as such, you are all welcome to bed down here since it is past curfew."

Janiven nods, "If the two of you want to go out now to scout, that would be fine, but" she smiles, "be careful, the streets are dangerous at night." Turning to the rest of the group, "And as such, you are all welcome to bed down here since it is past curfew."

Rev's eyes narrow at the old man, who has ceased responding to him. Shrugs. Turns to his brother, whose comment from earlier elicited a small smile. And as there seems to be little choice in the matter, at least temporarily, he offers, to the group, "If anyone needs medical attention, now's a good time to pipe up, rather than later, when things inevitably go south." Clearly if this man is a Doctor of some sort as he seems to insinuate, his bedside manner could use improving.

Gravlax keeps his hand extended. "Nonsense. Cassian is trying to get us off on the wrong foot, Tarvi, as he and I did."

Cassian shrugs. "The other option was 'he's a hellknight plant' but Janiven wants me to play nice."

"Some kind of tail was on the list of reasons." the gnome quips right back.

"Now, now. Jealousy is unbecoming."

Janiven nods, "If the two of you want to go out now to scout, that would be fine, but" she smiles, "be careful, the streets are dangerous at night." Turning to the rest of the group, "And as such, you are all welcome to bed down here since it is past curfew."

Cassian turns to Melilot. "Well, are you up for it?"

Cassian shrugs. "The other option was 'he's a hellknight plant' but Janiven wants me to play nice."

"That would be a concern," Gravlax admits. "If it were true. But a spot of fastidiousness does not a Hellknight make."

Cassian turns to Melilot. "Well, are you up for it?"

sure says the halfling.

"That would be a concern," Gravlax admits. "If it were true. But a spot of fastidiousness does not a Hellknight make."

"Frankly, that's the least suspicious thing about you, and you know it."

"Frankly, that's the least suspicious thing about you, and you know it."

Gravlax chuckles. "In this context? Everything is suspicious about each of us. I trust your monkey more than I trust you, but there's no need to be uncivil. You are not a polite man."

Gravlax's hand has never wavered.

Rev's eyes narrow at the old man, who has ceased responding to him. Shrugs. Turns to his brother, whose comment from earlier elicited a small smile. And as there seems to be little choice in the matter, at least temporarily, he offers, to the group, "If anyone needs medical attention, now's a good time to pipe up, rather than later, when things inevitably go south." Clearly if this man is a Doctor of some sort as he seems to insinuate, his bedside manner could use improving.

The old man turns his head so that he is facing the dark-hued doctor.

The others in the room, kind of shake their heads to indicate they are not injured.

I think the only people who are injured are Melilot for 1 hp and Azhar for 2 hp.

Gravlax chuckles. "In this context? Everything is suspicious about each of us. I trust your monkey more than I trust you, but there's no need to be uncivil. You are not a polite man."

Gravlax's hand has never wavered.

Seemingly mostly so that the other man will drop his hand, Tarvi reaches forward and quickly finishes the shake she started earlier. "He is normally quite good at knowing which people I should avoid." However, her bright blue eyes study the man, "Apparently I try to ascribe good motives to people who have none, Cassian is far more realistic." She says this second with a note of, 'and this is a good thing'.

"He is normally quite good at knowing which people I should avoid."

Gravlax nods slowly. "...and I imagine there are quite a few he tells you to avoid."

Gravlax seems to come to a decision. He turns to Cassian. "So, Gatekeeper, if this Arael person is being held at the dottari cells, this coincidentally is near where I live. I know that area. Shall I accompany you on your scouting?"

The old man turns his head so that he is facing the dark-hued doctor.

The others in the room, kind of shake their heads to indicate they are not injured.

I think the only people who are injured are Melilot for 1 hp and Azhar for 2 hp.

Azhar cocks an eyebrow, the left side of his mouth twitching upwards just a bit, "Coming from you, that was nothing. I will live." His expression seems to add more.

chavamana wrote:

"He is normally quite good at knowing which people I should avoid."

Gravlax nods slowly. "...and I imagine there are quite a few he tells you to avoid."

Gravlax seems to come to a decision. He turns to Cassian. "So, Gatekeeper, if this Arael person is being held at the dottari cells, this coincidentally is near where I live. I know that area. Shall I accompany you on your scouting?"

Cassian blinks, momentarily baffled by Gravlax. "No. I know the city and you move like a pregnant yak." He gives Tarvi a squeeze on the shoulder, turns to leave, pausing at Melilot. "Shall we?"

Cassian blinks, momentarily baffled by Gravlax. "No. I know the city and you move like a pregnant yak." He gives Tarvi a squeeze on the shoulder, turns to leave, pausing at Melilot. "Shall we?"

Gravlax sits down, and smiles up at Cassian. "So you'd rather leave me here than keep an eye on me? I knew you trusted me, deep down."

Cassian Merro wrote:

Cassian blinks, momentarily baffled by Gravlax. "No. I know the city and you move like a pregnant yak." He gives Tarvi a squeeze on the shoulder, turns to leave, pausing at Melilot. "Shall we?"

Gravlax sits down, and smiles up at Cassian. "So you'd rather leave me here than keep an eye on me? I knew you trusted me, deep down."

Cassian pauses, his back to Gravlax. He speaks wearily, clearly tired of all of this sparring. "Gravlax, I haven't killed you yet because Janiven paid me not to. If you come with us, stomping around, and doing all these things you clearly think are terribly clever, you'll get Melilot and me captured. Or you'll try another witless quip and I'll cut your throat and apologize to Janiven later. Don't test me."

Cassian is still for a moment. Waiting.

Cassian blinks, momentarily baffled by Gravlax. "No. I know the city and you move like a pregnant yak." He gives Tarvi a squeeze on the shoulder, turns to leave, pausing at Melilot. "Shall we?"

Melilot nods.

before we go could someone please describe arael

During the back and forth between Cassian and Gravalax most of the people in the church have been moving back, clearly not used to arguments going to the point of possible violence. However, the stress causes certain loyalties to be clear.

Tarvi and the flame-haired gnome clearly want to keep Cassian alive. The kid who reported to Janiven earlier seems ready to step forward, to pull Gravalax away from the stewing violence. The old man sits behind Rev and the bald headed man moves so that anyone moving in that direction would be slowed at least.

Morosino, already near the hafling, moves closer to her. Most of the others look like they want to do something to prevent the violence, but just weren't expecting it. The Varisian seems to really be the only one who doesn't care if the two slit each others throats, until Janiven steps forward moving toward the trio.

"Thank you, Cassian. If you and Melilot want to get started, Mr. d'Antonio and I should have a talk as well." She smiles thankfully at Melilot, "Dark brown hair and eyes. Harsh features. Half-elf." The last alone should make Arael stick out in very human dominated Westcrown.

"Gods and men," Gravlax says, but nothing more.

During the back and forth between Cassian and Gravalax most of the people in the church have been moving back, clearly not used to arguments going to the point of possible violence. However, the stress causes certain loyalties to be clear.

Tarvi and the flame-haired gnome clearly want to keep Cassian alive. The kid who reported to Janiven earlier seems ready to step forward, to pull Gravalax away from the stewing violence. The old man sits behind Rev and the bald headed mind moves so that anyone moving in that direction would be slowed at least.

Morosino, already near the hafling, moves closer to her. Most of the others look like they want to do something to prevent the violence, but just weren't expecting it. The Varisian seems to really be the only one who doesn't care if the two slit each others throats, until Janiven steps forward moving toward the trio.

"Thank you, Cassian. If you and Melilot want to get started, Mr. d'Antonio and I should have a talk as well." She smiles thankfully at Melilot, "Dark brown hair and eyes. Harsh features. Half-elf." The last alone should make Arael stick out in very human dominated Westcrown.

Cassian leaves without another word.

Melilot exits as well, sparing a smile first for the person who moved closer to her during the tense moment, and for the other halfling.

As the stealthy pair leaves, Janiven motions towards the hallway, "Ermolos? Will you make sure the door gets bolted, please?" She breaths again, "Last thing we need is something coming up from the sewers and sneaking in" the comment mostly to herself.

Looking a bit older and quite a bit more tired than she did at the start of the evening, she looks at Gravalax. "A moment of you time?"

To the rest, "They aren't appetizing, but I have some dry rations stored here. Blankets too." With a tired smile, "Mathalen? If anyone needs something will you help them find it?"

As she turns to a different door exiting the large room, she misses the suspicious look Gravalax is shot by the Varisian.