It takes well over an hour or two for the rest of the children of westcrown to make their way into the tunnels and set up enough torches for everyone to see by. Then began the long process of hauling bodies out and disposing of them. Arael seems surprised at Sclivian's question.
"It's as I already told you. I met with an informant before I was captured and he told me about the tieflings here. Suspicious, I had Janiven scout them out and now." Arael makes a sweeping gesture over the cave of carnage. "Here we are."
As to the question of things the children seem content to let you decide on what's to be done.
To Sclivian: "You might want to add soiled to the description of the duiwel's holy symbol" gesturing to where Caldazar earlier pounded it into an unrecognizeable shape against the floor.
Pollux speaks to himself.
"Why balk to bear the bulk? The tin man tends no tarry at the tarif."
To Tal. "I have no insight. I do not even have tea. It is a sad day in the murder hole. Are we going back to traitor lady's house? castor says the spiders here taste funny."
A few minutes after hearing Pollux's question: If by 'no tarry at the tarif', you mean that I bear no burben by bearing the bounty the Bastards bequeathed us then you are correct. However if you already drank the tea that you wish to now drink, then you cannot be expected to wash the spiders down. So to answer your question, who is the traitor lady and if she has a place to store this equipment with out us being seen then yes. We might want to clean up the equipment before we sell it as bloody weapons and armor may not sell that well.
Oh yes, Scliv, please add to the expense report 2 sunrods and the expense of cleaning and maintaining our own equipment. I should let you figure that amount out yourself as you are more precise in matters of accounting. What is the purpose of this tally? Are we sending a bill that needs collected for this enterprise? If so who are we sending it to that would pay for such services?
Trying to learn more about the Bastards of Erebus knowledge (local) Specifically, are they hated by the town at large.
If so, What should we do with the bodies of the Bastards? If we wish to make a statement that activity such as this will not be tolerated anymore, should we deposit the bodies early in the morning in a public square for all to see? This would provide the populace hope that something is being done.
Picking up one of the wooden Mammon coins "The bastards left this as their calling card Tal... perhaps we can use it to show that their threat has passed." mulling things over in his mind "Perhaps we put the body of their leader on display with his gullet stuffed full of them to show that they were choked by their greed?"
I agree completely with that plan as long as Arael does not have too many concerns about its possible repercussions. Perhaps with more force and gusto than needed, Tal starts shoving the Mammon coins in the decapitated leader's mouth. Not surprising, he is able to cram in quite a few. Perhaps Tal did becmoe a little unhinged in those few moments he was unconscious on the ground.
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Adding two sunrods to the list of consumed items, Sclivian tuts, "You can never be too careful when the subject of compensation and infernal trafficking comes up. I have witnessed many a contract fall through because a client made an ill-advised swear, much less forgotten to replace a destroyed bauble. Regarding who this bill will be sent to... that will be determined."
Carefully annotating his list, he adds, "All items in Section Two are to be distributed to the Children of Westcrown, as investment in their continued growth. Arael, as the leader of the crew, I am naming you their custodian. Nothing changes, de facto."
Looking over the notes further, he adds, "Section one, split to 80 gold pieces, each. Wooden coins to be consumed for demonstration of power..." He deducts them from the loot list and adds them to the consumption list. Looking at Caldazar's work, he tsks and moves the unholy symbol to consumption as well.
"Sections three, four, and five..." he considers, and notes them thusly:
One dagger, masterwork quality; -- To Sclivian
One rapier, masterwork quality; -- Liquidate
One breastplate, masterwork quality; -- To Tal
One morning star, mildly enhanced; -- To Caldazar
One breastplate, mildly enhanced; -- To Meraxilar
One wand of Cure Light Wounds, 12 charges; -- To Caldazar
One potion of Cure Moderate Wounds; -- To Tal
One potion of Cure Light Wounds; -- To Meraxilar
One potion of Disguise Self; -- To Pollux
One Tanglefoot Bag; -- Liquidate
Gems, jewelry, and an ornamental sword; -- Liquidate
One book, listing reallocations of ownership; -- To Pollux
One lockable chest, with accompanying key; -- Liquidate
One underground quarters, attached to a decommissioned temple outside the city walls; -- To Children of Westcrown
One tunnel system, attached to multiple businesses within Westcrown; --To Children of Westcrown
Myriad bones and corpses. -- Liquidate
"There, I believe that covers it. I am going to request a double share be due myself and Mr. Pollux. Well done, gentlemen."
Merax bursts into laughter after Sclivian's breakdown, and pats him on the back. "Well done, Mr. Ruttle!"
Very thorough in you assessment of the cost and breakdown of the entire list of items reclaimed. However, who is in possession of the main building on top of the warren of tunnels underneath, the decomissioned temple itself. I see that you granted the tunnels and underground quarters to the Children, but do they want the expense and publicity of maintaining a temple that may or may not be a center of worship to Aroden. Also, i would suggest keeping the tanglefoot bag in our possession for further use.
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Sclivian smirks as he changes an annotation in his ledger:
One Tanglefoot Bag; -- To Sclivian
"I'll most likely have the free moment to throw it out of all of us," he explains.
Closing the ledger for a moment, he adds, "And, regarding the disposition of the tunnel complex and abandoned temple, perhaps we should consult with Arael. I would think it simplest to have the Children choose to either manage or liquidate the property, but if you feel we have a better way to utilize the facility, then by all means, let's hear it."
"Tea! I knew I would get tea!"
Pollux takes the potion and placees in a belt pouch with care.
"Do we want to be publicly known to have murdered these men? Might not the view from the shadows be more clear? And somone might be annoyed that we broke their toys."
That is just it Pollux. If we lay claim or the Children lay claim to the temple then everyone will assume that it is us who overthrew the Bastards. Do we want this publicity right now and provoke the wrath of those who are in league with the Bastards? If so, it gives the people more of a fixed icon and group to hang their hopes on, but will bring more trouble on us that is for sure.
What if we say that the Bastards stole something from one of us, me even, and we came to exact our revenge. That way it is not so political a problem as one for personal vengeance. It still gives people hope without hopefully alerting the Bastard's connections. This also allows us to give claim to the property if we so see fit. I would gladly take this risk by using my name if I knew that Lily would be provided for and protected here at the temple.
"For mine I gauge it is important that this one" kicking the corpse of Palaveen "Is publically shown to be dead and that should serve as a warning to the others that thrive on oppression... However we should remain mostly in the shadows for now."
"We struggled gamely here and came through successful but under duress... this council saw fit to dismiss Palaveen as though he were a worm. There are still yet powerful men that we would do best to not gather their sight.... yet."
"To that end, I would not claim the building - and would regroup at the temple of Aroden once more." the set of his voice lets you know that he sees it not as a retreat, but more a pragmatic choice in the guerilla warfare that the party has sunk into bodily.
To Pollux: "Aye, we have tea..." catching him a meaningful look in the eye "And I mean to keep murdering each of these bastards that puts his head into view until the yoke is lifted."
As the others debate what to do next, Merax breaks off a flat piece of wood from one of the beds and drags it over to Palaveen's body. Using Palaveen's horn as a crude writing tool and the stump of his neck as a bloody inkwell, Merax scribbles a grisly message on the wood. When he finishes, he spikes a wooden coin of Mammon to the forhead of Palaveen's decapitated head and places it on the wood.
The message reads...
"Greetings Wiscrani!
I am Palaveen, the leader of the Bastards of Erebus. The Dottari cared not to stop us and The Thrice-Damned House of Thrune allowed us to continue our murdering spree.
Alas, it now seems my band and I will trouble you no more as the Children of Westcrown have seen fit to put an end to us personally. They will be waiting, they will be watching, they will no longer stand idle as corruption tears the city apart and continues to oppress it's people."
Merax rises and turns to everyone. "Let's get this somewhere public in a better part of the city and be done with it. It should be enough to seed our cause and maintain some anonymity. As to keeping this ruined place, I dont think anyone will care in this rego. The Dottari are useless regardless."
That is a powerful message there Meraxilar. It casts blame, hope, and discension all at once. I agree that we should get this body somewhere public quickly before someone notices our actions. We can discuss the claim to the temple after this deed is done.
If people are ready to move on and have the loot split to their satisfaction we can move on.
Once the body is disposed of,
Sclivian: Do you know who actually owns this temple? I mean did the Bastards actually own it or did they just take control of it and the ownership resides with someone else? The reason I am asking, is that if the person that owns this particular property would see us in a favorable eye, then we could submit our expense report to him in the hopes that he will pay it to reclaim that which he owns. I was hoping that you could use your talents to learn this information. If on the other hand the Bastards owned this property and they are now disposed of, to whose ownership does the property now fall? This may indicate who the Bastards allies are.
Once Caldazar has indicated that he does not wish to lay claim to the temple, Tal is now more curious about compensation and turning a profit although he would still like to use the place as a new headquarters/rally point for the Children. Since it seems the Children will follow whatever course we set, and Tal is new to the group, he will agree with whichever decision is made.
Caldazar grimaces as Merax conducts his grisly work, but nods assent to the message portrayed. When they do place it in a public place to be found, Caldazar lingers for a few moments, looking into Palaveen's dead eyes. Kneeling beside the wood, he lays a hand to the wood while clutching his holy symbol in his other hand. When he stands, a motif of a rose has been burnt into the wood.
You head home for a well deserved rest and a long bath.
Now this is working off the assumption you're agreeing to return the stolen stuff to the businesses and families that can still get them. If not do let me know.
In the morning you gather again to discuss what to do about the stuff and how best to deal with it. Eventually you settle on giving the stuff back to their owners with a note attached.
The bag of wodden Mammon coins gets a special treatment though. Janiven sneaks it into the plaza of flowers with a note attached guaranteeing that it would be found and read. Before long it is found and town criers all around the city start to scream it across the city before the Order of the Rack and Dottari move in and mercilessly repress the information. But by then the damage is done and the whole city knows. Soon the criers words are heard in every tavern, bar, market, home, and hearth in Westcrown and the leter is this;
"Hear us people of Westcrown! Cheliax once embraced an age of enlightenment and righteousness! We once had life, love, freedom, culture and prosperity without the twisted words and dark powers of devils or the fear of the beasts that stalk the night! Know that the evil that was put down this day was neither dark sorcerer, devil, hallknight, or dog of House Thrune! Know that this act was performed by your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and husbands! We are the Children of Westcrown! And we will light the path out of shadow!
Palaveen's body is unceremoniously dumped in the plaza of flowers, an infamous execution center. With your note and "mark". The gruesome gift is recieved well but the Order of the Rack is quick to point out the "brand" and call it out as a mark of terrorists and dissidents. Enemies of the order so hard fought for. This displeases Arael and Caldazar gets an earful from Arael about the importance of appearing secular and how that was a horrible move.
With such attention both good and bad Arael and Janiven decide to have the Children of Westcrown stay low for a good while and as far as they and the rest of the gorup is concerned anything you found of the dead families (whom had no heirs) in those dark tunnels beneath the church of Erastil is yours.
And so you retire to your homes, go back to your day jobs and try your damndest not to brag whenever you hear tales of the wise Sclivian, unstoppable Tal, fierce Meraxilar, mysterious Pollux, and the faithful Caldazar.
So you now have 4, count them, 4 weeks of downtime to do with as you will.
The following are merely rumors, hearsay, and whatnot you hear throughout the city if you feel inclined to follow them. A Knowledge (Local) or Diplomacy check to gather information is the check needed.
~The Order of the Rack will be performing a special event in honor of those armigers who fell in the pursuit of terrorists and malcontents at the site of Vizio's tavern where confiscated contraband and the site of a gathering itself will all be burned.
~As if the Order of the Rack's own even wasn't enough there will be a special public execution of numerous criminals by impaling at the Plaza of Flowers on the same day.
~ It seems that the Order of the Scourge has expressed interest and made inquiries into the Haloran league but it does not appear to be entirely hostile...yet.
~The first play to be performed at the soon to be finished Night Shade theatre has been revealed! The Six Trials of Lazarod
~It seems the all too gruesome sport of hunting commoners for sport has taken a twisted turn. Now a minor noble has taken the twisted sport with a sick new twist. The hunting of children.
When Arael approaches Caldazar after he finds out about the rose, Tal will stick up for Caldazar. It does no good to lay blame at the feet of those who are helping you. The hellknights would have labelled us traitors and insurgents anyways. Given time and enough success, the symbol of a rose will be known by all the people of Westcrown. What better way to promote ourselves than with a flower. Every time someone buys a rose they will think and remember us and that will grant them hope. I thought that this is what we were about: hope for the people for a better Westcrown. Or are we just puppets to your ambitions? If that is the case then you better state so now. I thank you for your help in keeping me alive down inthe tunnelse, but I will depart if I learn those are your true intentions. Sense Motive
On a different note Arael, do you know of someone that I can work for? I would prefer some sort of apprenticeship as a blacksmith. I have some small skill in such a profession, but no place to work. I was a bodyguard but that would not give me much time to help the Children on short notice if you would have need of me.
When not spending time being verbally but lovingly abused by Lily for such a risky turn of events, Tal focuses most of his energies into providing a safer form of employment as a blacksmith. Tal does keep his ears open incase some repercussions should happen to befall them. Once he hears about the children being hunted he discusses the situation with Lily and both agree that something has to be done. After about a week off of the freedom fighter career, Tal will attempt to contact the others to join him and Lily for a meal at their house. This way Lily has a chance to meet everyone as well. During the meal Tal will start to discuss the latest atrocity in Westcrown, the hunting of children.
Know local for rumors
Caldazar is intransigent and vocal in his defence of his actions. While it may be a secular struggle for Arael, Caldazar clearly sees this as a task he was put upon by his mistress divine to achieve. The bloodied rose is a clarion call for all that struggle under the diabolist's thumb and he does not regret his action.
Diplomacy (Info):
The talk of the child hunting noble causes Caldazar's bile to become ascendant and he attempts to find out more - to see whether the foul man could be brought to justice.
Diplomacy (Info - on child hunter):
Deducting 20gp for cost of living for this month and making some minor purchases. Replenishing the sunrods and such. Also including the cost of Good meals for everyone with 2 gallons of ale for the dinner Tal is hosting.
During the next month, Merax stays at Arael's hideout for the most part. Occasionally he heads out to put an ear to the ground concerning the Children of Westcrown.
Knowledge (local):
During that time, Merax also meets with a few contacts looking for any information on his missing sister's possible whereabouts.
Knowledge (local): .
Arael explains, slowly, clearly, and witha great deal of suppressed frustration that by putting the symbol of Milani on the note you've essentially associated the children of westcrown with her. And now not only will things become much harder for any secret worshipers and active rebels associated with her but it somewhat misses the point behind the organization. There is no holy call, no god that needs to be associated as all the members worship whomever they choose. A fact that Janiven reminds you of with her own devotion to Desna. The point is that its about the people of westcrown not particular worshipers he points out that there are plenty of hellknights even that would happily join them but won't do so if all they promise is chaos.
The argument is long, and nasty, and in the end it seems a couple of weeks kept apart would be best for the organization as a whole.
@Tal: One of the children is an apprentice blacksmith it doesn't take long before you get a job.
About the Child Hunter:
Hunting "the most dangerous game" is an ugly business that predates the death of Aroden. Back then it was only a rumor, a story spread by rabble rousers and trouble makers to make the nobility look like demons. Unfortunately the stories sometimes prove true. With Aroden's death and the rise of House Thrune there was very little preventing these twisted minds from taking advantage of the weak and downtrodden for their own entertainment.
Here such hunts occur in the open but thankfully very rarely and usually discreetly and with slaves. However one noble in particular, a man by the name of Draven Eravengio, has taken to making a sport of the desperation found in orphans.
The set up is simple and diabolical; he visits orphanages and slave kennels across the city and offers orphaned children a simple contract. If they can evade his dogs, his crossbow and his own not inconsiderable tracking skill by nightfall he grants them a purse of five hundred gold. More than enough to sustain them into adulthood, enter them into a school or any number of things that would improve the child's life immensely. Failure means death. A simple contract that's abominable but also perfectly legal and some argue not the worst fate the child could face. After all what future is there in the child of a slave or the devil spawn tiefling child abandoned by shamed parents? Soem would say it is better to endure the ordeal for the promise of a bright future or at least a quick end. He holds the hunts in the ruins of westcrown in an area spacious enough to allow for his horses, dogs, and bodyguards room to maneuver but plenty of hiding spaces to allow a frightened child
places to hide.
I understand your frustration with us Arael and that you are looking out fort he well being of all the followers of Milani, but I fail to see the connection between Milani's symbol and the chaos that you speak of. I am no scholar nor learned in the ways of politics so please forgive my presumptions, but if we put the symbol of other deities as well later would that not appease you. I agree that this is not a single religions campaign, but we are not turning it into a crusade, the Hellknights and Dotari are. If they wish to press the issue, then those that follow Milani will be with us even more. Other followers of other religions as well if we include them. I have said my piece and you know more about these issues than I so I will be quiet from here on in this matter. If you have need of me you know where to reach me. diplomacy to not sound like a complete jerk even though I am a bit gruff.
knowledge local to find out exactly where these hunts take place
If possible, during Tal's first off day he will try and visit the location where the hunts take place without looking completely out of place. While there, he will try and familiarize himself with the layout of the area. If there is time and opportunity, he will check if there are sewers underneath the area for access. Once that is done, he will report his findings to everyone at the supper.
The reminds me I have soemthign special planned for meraxilar later.
The reminds me I have soemthign special planned for meraxilar later.
During the argument with Arael, Caldazar stridently defends his right to place a marker that might draw more of his fellow thorns of the Everbloom to the cause. The argument is long, loud and frequently below the belt. More than once Caldazar hints fairly overtly that perhaps Arael has more in common with the Hellknights than he cares to believe. Order is nothing unless it comes free from bondage. The diabolists rest on the strong backs of the Hellknights and it is unlikely that they will tumble unless those backs are broken. It would do no good to exchange one slavemaster for a second...
After the argument, in a quiet moment to Tal "I appreciate your support, but you have me slightly at fault." staring directly at Tal with piercing eyes afire with passion left from the argument with Arael "To me this is a crusade. I channel the will of my divine mistress and I will see this through for her grace. I know that each of you have your own reasons, but as long as our ships sail in file I care not overmuch for the details.... but I will see the bonds broken here."
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Sclivian finds a way to sell his inkwell when he gets the chance, and starts writing scrolls. Spending 20 gp for lifestyle. Writing level 1 scrolls of Mage Armor, Hold Portal, and Protection from Evil.
He also spends his first week tutoring Tarvi in magic, and in Chelaxian law and literature, should anyone ask.
Rest of the weeks forthcoming...
Re: The head and the Children's response.
"Well this will burn bright and long. We have made a start on the fire but I wonder if the tinder is dry enough."
Merax half-heartedly listens to Caldazar's and Arael's disagreement as he maintains his equipment. "You both make valid points. I can understand that the city residents may think we are beginning a movement in Milani's name or it's some sort of crusade. It is already done however, so let's move on.
Perhaps after we take care of another "Westcrown Problem", we can add another deity to the message to show the wiscrani that it's merely people of all faiths joining to limit the misconceptions, though I'd prefer to keep the religious aspects to a minimum. Alternatively, we can leave a public response blaming it on some random passing wiscrani zealot trying to help or exploit our cause to promote Milani or violent rebellion after the fact, and that we would appreciate that people would leave such specifics out of the fact that we are simply trying to free the city from oppression. There are many ways to control this, pick one and let us continue."
"Yes Caldazar, I am. I am going to assume this vexes you based on your tone and that look in your eyes."
Merax picks up his whetstone and begins to sharpen his greataxe as he continues... "You and I are not that different. Things need to be unmade or destroyed before change can be effected, sometimes through violent means. Milani for example, a deity of rebellion which in itself is violent and chaotic by nature. Your very symbol contains blood as well, does it not?
The only difference is the way we look at it. You have an ultimate goal of taking down the diabolist control of Westcrown and giving others freedom. I have a simlar goal. Mine is to see the Diabolist order of things destroyed, though nothing more. How many of the wiscrani live or die to achieve this goal is irrelevant to both of us as such is the inevitable sum of all rebellions and acts of destruction. People will die for our mutual goal. It doesnt matter what deity any of us follow, the end result will be the same. We all have our Rough Beasts to follow, so to speak."
Pausing his axe sharpening, Merax locks gazes with Caldazar and continues with an icy calm. "Our only difference is that I care not for what comes next after we achieve our goals, and you and others such as Arael and Janiven do. All I care for is that I have unmade something that the House of Thrune has made and I will revel in every step taken to get to that destination."
With the briefest flash of insanity in his eyes, Merax collects himself, looks away from Caldazar, and resumes sharpening his axe.
*sits down, munches popcorn, cues evil music*
Caldazar dispenses with any attempt at decorum seeing as Merax has done also. Responding evenly "It does not vex me yet priest... I have not seen you raise your axe in a way that I would not approve of... but..." pausing a few moments as though mulling over his words before changing verbal tact slightly.
"It is true that the Everbloom is born of blood, and I have no qualms if it takes an river of it to wash clean the streets. But when the gutters have drank their fill and the sky clears there will yet be something left. For mine, it is only the architects and laborers of oppression and tyranny that will be left to rot... innocents shall be left to choose their own way."
"I would take you at your word, as you have mine... if not for what I know of Rovagug. The hunger of The Unmaker would only be sated if the sanguine river scoured the city clean to it's foundations. As one who calls upon his divine essence... can you be sure that you would stop - and not give succor to his desire to see the entire country burn?"
Merax continues in a slightly abrasive manner to bring the matter to an end.
"Truth be told Caldazar, The Unmaker cares not for followers. As soon as I outlive my usefulness, the Beast will abandon me as well. Such has always been the way of things for me.
As for your question, I know not what the future holds and I care even less. To plan that far ahead would make me no better than others who impose a strict order. Isn't such an order of things responsible for the current state of affairs throughout Cheliax? Too many laws granting too much power to the most organized miscreants such as the Thrice-Damned House. True freedom is born of chaos.
When the Wiscrani are freed, the cycle will repeat itself. New miscreants will rule, and continue to covet power, and indeed kill and destroy for it. All this will come without my help, so you have less to fear from me.
Is this sufficient for you, Caldazar? Or should we become more .....untrustworthy to eachother?"
Merax stands unblinking as he awaits Caldazar's response.
Siting nearby Pollux pipes in.
"I think the printer made an error how do you spell eviscerate?"
As the week progresses and the burden continues to build on Tal about the knowledge he has gained regarding the hunting of children, his one hope is the coming meeting with the others. Hopefully, the 5 of them could come up with some plan of disturbing this upcoming hunt if not end all the hunts altogether. To Tal, the difficulty was in the line between outright interferrence or more subtle means to ge the mission accomplished. How much did the Children want responsibility for the actions we are going to do? IS this an action supported by Arael or were we now being vigilantes? Either way Tal feel sthat something must be done. The endangerment and death of innocent children would not occur without some form of resistance. If stealth was needed, then hopefully the others would be capapble of perfomring such activities.
The night of the dinner, Lily outdid herself preparing the meal. Although it was a simple meal of roast, potatoes, green beans with a cake for dessert, the food smelled fabulous and there would be plenty of it. Freshly washed and in his cleanest garb, Tal waits patiently in his simple 2 bedroom house for the guests to arrive. Looking at the sky, Tal is a little alarmed at the cloud cover and the darkness that is settling in. Knowing that the converstaion may last well into the night, Tal and Lily made sure that there would be blankets and bedding available for the guests to stay the night. Finally, before darkness starts to descend in earnest the group starts to arrive. Tal hurries to open 1 of the 2 casks of ale purchased for the occasion. Before the meal introductions are made and Tal pointedly refuses to mention much of the recent encounters beneath the temple. Tal also does not bring up the topic of the children hunting until after the dinner is completed. There is no reason to spoil a delicious dinner with talk of that sort.
To Merax: Caldazar holds your gaze for a good few seconds unmoving and unblinking. You do not discern malice... just wariness. Choosing his words carefully "I will put faith in your actions Unmaker. You have yet to give me cause to think you anything but colleague... yet..."
At Tal's Roast Night:
Caldazar arrives early in the evening and while he is mildly pleasant throughout dinner it is clear that other tidings weigh heavily on his mind. Waiting until Tal makes a decision to include or exclude his good wife, Caldazar mulls over his thoughts.
Meraxilar eventually joins the rest for Tal's hosted dinner. Casually glancing at everyone, he grabs two ales and seats himself next to Caldazar. After passing one of the ales, he turns to Tal with a grin.
"You look odd without all that steel, Tal. For a time I was almost certain that your armor was merely animated! At least now we know there is an actual human in there."
Merax raises his mug to Tal in a salute, and looks for a helping of the roast.
Caldazar accepts the mug and mimics Merax's toast of Tal. "To good food and stout company"
Why thank you Meraxilar I will take that as a compliment. Some days it was hard to know when the armor stopped and I began when I was a bodyguard. All people saw was the metal and nothing of the man underneath. Tal will raise his glass as well to the toasts and adds solemnly, and to a brighter future.
Clearing the dishes away from the table, Lily returns to her husbands side. Resting a slender hand on Tal's arm, she gives a gentle squeeze. As if this is the cue, Tal begins to explain the underlying purpose for gathering everyone to his place on such a dismal night. My friends, I have had some interesting experiences in the last month of which you all have shared with me. I have told Lily some of it but spared her the worst. She understands and has not pressed me for more than I have told her. What I have told her is that the four of you are being a beacon of light for Westcrown. A light that shines upward for all to see. That light is to provide hope to all who call Westcrown home. While I do not presume to know al of your motives, your actions thus far have spoken loud indeed. I wanted you to come tonight first and foremost to thank you for what you have done so far for myself and Lily and for all of Westcrown. Secondly, I have heard some troubling rumors that if are true I cannot let proceed without some action being done. In this Lily and I have talked and we both agree, Lily perhaps more vehemently than I. This is the rumor, a noble Draven Eravengio, has taken it upon himself to hunt down and kill defenseless childre. He is manipulating the system by offering a 500gp reward if the child can escape himself, his dogs, and his guests for 1 night. NOw Lily and I have talked and if we cannot stop the hunts entirely, than we must ensure that the children escape. Once they do, Lily and I would shelter them for a while till they find a tradesman who will take them in as an apprentice. I need your help in this cause. I have no skill in stealth or treachery. This is where you come in. Please help us in saving there children. With that Tal slowly drops his eyes not daring to look up. Silently hoping someone will say something.
What my husband says is true. We need your help. We could try ourselves, but we would fail. Please continue your actions to help Westcrown even more than you have already done. Unlike Tal, Lily looks defiantly at each and every face, almost daring them to reject their plea for help. Looking into her eyes, your not sure what she would do to you if you would say no. She might let you leave without a word, or just as easily attempt to strangle you right now. It is apparent, however, that both Tal and Lily are committed to this together. Gods help whoever tries to get between the two of them.
Letting Tal talk of what he knows, Caldazar cross-checks against what he also has been able to discern about this noble and the stories tally against one another. "I also have heard whispers of this man... and agree that something must be done... But I would not stop at only safeguarding the children, this noble needs to be put down." looking around the room to discern any resistance to his murder.
"I have a suggestion as to how this might be achieved, but it is not for the weak stomached - nor would it be looked upon too kindly by the leadership of the Children of Westcrown." pausing a moment "We need to lead this man into a trap of our making, and to do so we would need to be able to guide his movements. The easiest way to achieve this would be though being in league with the child that he is hunting... as none of us are young enough - we would need to recruit a like-minded youngling to the task..." letting the suggestion hang so that those listening can make their conclusion as to whom Caldazar is thinking of recruiting.