Puzzled, Colgrim follows her inside.
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Curious Barnabas will join.
With others following, Leeka brings the water inside and directs the little girl to pour her mother some water.
"Does anybody have some fresh bread on them, or some cheese?"
"She needed water? Then why didn't she draw it herself. Is she an inva-" Dario stops suddenly when he sees the scene inside. "Oh."
Seeing the situation inside, Iolana rushes to the woman's side. Taking a bowl from the table, she says to Leeka, "Here--let me help." Drawing out her pendant, she places her hands on the side of the bowl, she murmurs a quick prayer. "Everbloom, the right to water is one freely given to every creature that walks upon this world. Grant us your water, then, that we may freely give of it to another." As she opens her eyes, the bowl slowly fills with water out of nowhere, and she hands it silently to Leeka.
Standing, Iolana picks up her morningstar again. "Who laid this family low? We have a band here ready and willing to mete out justice."
Colgrim is rather disturbed at the woman's sad state. I'm afraid I have only hard tack and jerky, but I'll get something right quick. Colgrim steps out and looks for a vender that can offer some food for the woman and child.
Leeka pulls Iolana away to the side while the woman drinks her water, and standing on tip toe, whispers, "Whitechin stole her baby boy."
Iolana's mouth tightens at Leeka's revelation. "So the goblin was behind this too, eh? He has much to answer for--as do the corrupt rulers of this city, that let such violence thrive." She almost spits in anger, but then realizes she's in someone else's house. She clears her throat instead. "Once Colgrim returns, we should seek out this Whitechin as quickly as possible." She turns to the family. "Do you have any idea--any at all--where around here his lair might be?"
Barnabas looks around and drinks the surrounding. He checks for poverty, missing boards while his body stands still and just his eyes looking around.
Colgrim is able to find a vendor with some apple butter and flatbread,the vendor's hand is shaking a bit when Colgrim pays for it, and the vendor hands over the proffered goods. He brings it back to the home.
Inside, Barnabus notes that the home is in disrepair, with the roof needing some repair, and a few spots of water damage on the wall. Most importantly, he notes that the window that faces the rear of the home, what would be the north wall of Rego Crua, has been boarded up, hastily. It appears a small table was broken apart to cover the wall, and there is glass on the floor.
The little girl, as Colgrim walks back in eyes the bread and apple butter hungrily, but holds her hands back. "Momma, momma, he brought bread! And sweet stuff!" She says as she holds the cup to her mother's lips. The woman drinks lightly, coughing halfway through and the little girl drops the cup to hug her mother and slap her on the back.
The woman sits up, looking to the Free Citizens. "My daughter... what have we become." She frowns. Looking to Iolana and Leeka, who have shown her kindness. "Silvano was taken three weeks ago. His father, unfortunately, angered some members of the order of the Rack about six months ago. I... I worked as a seamstress... Until Silvano was lost. They came in the night. From the north wall window behind me. Broke the window and stole him from his crib!" She begins sobbing. An odd site, as there are no tears coming out, just the odd jerking motion. She stops for a few long moments and catches her breath. "I know Silvano's gone. I know this. I used his crib to brace the window. I just want to make the hurting stop. I want to put him at peace. I want the goblins stopped... if they keep doing this, they'll expand beyond Rego Crua and get more children... maybe even some adults."
Looking to the bread and her hungry child, "I... I cannot pay you. Our savings was used to pay the Order... and... they declined." She begins sobbing again, looking wistfully at the bread and apple butter.
Stanley looks over the woman, outside of the malnutrition, he notes she would otherwise be healthy. He encourages her to eat the food, and her daughter too. It helps stave off disease.
Colgrim divides the bread and apple butter between the woman and child before looking at the others grimly. Well that settles it, we're going to go split some goblins. He looks back at the woman.
No need to pay, it is my pleasure to help both of you. I will be heading out promptly to make sure those goblins are no longer a threat.
"The Hellknights again." Dario shakes his head. "We need to stop this goblin now, but the Hellknights work started this. One day, we'll move against them."
Dario frowns as the woman and her child eat more bread. "Even if we stop this goblin, the people are going hungry and dying of disease. We might need to figure out how to provide for the people too."
Barnabas leans over and whispers in Darios ear"Do not mention to work against the hellknights in public, I beg you. They have ears and eyes everywhere and ... they have interesting ways to show their displeasure. I just ask you to keep those thoughts in very very private."
Straigtening up Barnabas clears his throat and says."We should get to work. The sooner the better. For the people."
Byron sighs as he regards Thesig's retreating back.
"Typical Diva..."
When his attention is drawn to the plight of the poor, malnourished girl and her mother, Byron cannot help but feel saddened.
This is but one example of the countless ways our city is rotting from within! I know it is not much, but every child we save, every life we change for the better, is one step in the right direction... to cutting out the city's cancerous heart, and letting it thrive again!
He comes out of his reverie as Barnabas' finishes up.
"Agreed. We should get on Whitechin's trail as soon as possible."
"Our friend here is a follower of Pharasma. Perhaps he can offer you some of that peace, my dear."
She encourages the woman to eat, glancing at Stanley once or twice.
Stanley, moves straight away to examine the health of the woman. He easily determines that she is just suffering malnutrition.
He offers her, "I am a doctor of sorts, tender of health. Here is my address. Over the next couple days I expect you to stop by and I will monitor your vital signs and ensure you do not have any further malady. I insist you bring your daughter as well, and I will treat you both, free of charge. Once we can return you to proper form, you will be able to get back on your feet."
He stands and addresses Dario, "It is indeed, as Mr. Starson cautions, an ill decision to openly curse the Hellknights and speak against them. It would be best if you mind your tongue more closely, lest you and anyone associated with you gets clasped in irons." To the others he adds, "We can do nothing more for this good citizen's health beyond her now being fed. We should make haste to find and follow any tracks away from her window. This should lead us to where we may find an entrance to the goblin's warrens."
With that he says a quiet prayer to the woman and child, and allows Pharasma's healing to wash over them.
Dario rolls his eyes, but nods. "Fine, I'll refrain. I accept they have ears everywhere. But let's not make them out to be some sort of gods."
The Professor walks outside the house to see if he can spot anything near the window which will tell them where the goblins took the boy.
Colgrim heads out with Dario, helping him look around.
Colgrim pokes himself in the eye.
Following the others outside Barnabas whispers:"Can anyone of you follow tracks?"
Barnabus, Dario, and Colgrim walk out of the home, going into th 'alley' behind the home. It brings up a fruitless search. Garbage and detrius from things has been lined along the walls, making it difficult to walk at best, ill advisable at worst. One thing of interest that is found, however, is an open sewer grate, accessible within a few blocks. A few rats are around the grate at the moment, but otherwise there is no sign of activity.
In the home, with Iolana, Leeka, Stanley, and Byron, the woman thanks the group profusely, with less sobbing after each bite... to a total of five bites before she declares herself full. The little girl, on the other hand, eats as much as is put in front of her. She smiles as Stanley offers his assistance, despite the terrible circumstance. "Thank you, sir. Momma always wanted to protect us, but sometimes she needs help too."
At this point, the group leaves the small home, and heads down the alley to find Barnabus, Dario, and Colgrim's discovery. It's not a big lead, but it certainly explains the goblins' access into this part of town.
Byron pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Sewers. Why did it have to be sewers?"
Sighing, he steps forward, peers down the open grate.
"We are going to need a light source (or two) if we are to head down there..."
I got some torches, course my eyes are perfect for seeing in the dark so anyone else who can see in the dark can perhaps take the lead with me.
Colgrim offers a torch and will help people down the grate.
Leeka, while not able to see in the dark, is an expert at spotting trouble in dim light, so she volunteers to stay close to the front as well.
Iolana stares at the grate grimly. "I cannot see in the dark, but..." She touches her pendant, closes her eyes, and ofcuses for a moment, and light blossoms from the rose. Opening her eyes, she glances down in satisfaction. "There. That should help those of us without the ability to see in the tunnels, and it won't get out if I fall into the muck. Let's get going." Resolutely, she tugs the grate open and works her way in.
Colgrim has his axe and shield out when he reaches the bottom and will be eyeing the stonework for any bad sports
Hrumph! Bet no dwarf ever touched these sewers. Disgraceful.
Dario wrinkles his nose and makes a retching sound as they lower themselves into the sewer. "You sure this is the only way? Gods, this is disgusting."
When they're down, Dario holds a handkerchief over his nose and mouth. He mutters some words and four glowing globes. He zips them around the area, giving them some idea of what's around them.
Rummaging through his alchemistical pouch and will select some oil to rub under his nose, blanketing the evil smell.
As you call climb into the sewers, you notice something different about the sewers here. They're slightly wider than they are further south in town. The stench, as all of you notice, is also worse. At the bottom of the ladder, you find a stash of several torches and small, sharp, and rusted knives. It looks as if this gear has been left here for at least a few days, as there is a torble nibbling at a torch, and there are cobwebs on the knives.
The tunnels continue, from what you know climbing down, into the ruined northern portion of the city, towards the river, as well as to the south. The tunnels here are about eight to 10 feet wide, with one side being relatively muck free, while the sewage runs fairly freely in a trench to the group's left.
Hmm..Looks like those goboes left a stash of equipment whenever they go raiding, that or other thieves.
Colgrim keeps stumping along.
As they pass the stash of equipment, Leeka looks it over and finding it of very low quality, but still dangerous, casually uses her toe to nudge the torches and daggers into the sewage stream.
I will have to burn those clothes, afterwards
"Well, if they're hiding out, it would make sense they're doing so in the north right? Let's head that direction." Dario walks on the non-muck side of the sewers.
Stanley also casts a spell to light his way. As before he casts it on his holy symbol so the dull gray light shines forward from him.
After taking a few turns, and an hour later, there is nothing to be found searching the tunnels to the north. Few tracks, and, at most, a torble. The rats, unfortunately, are everywhere. You come to the end of a section of tunnel, which appears to have caved in partially.
This, very likely, is where the north wall foundation came down, which was a great accident years ago, but otherwise the sewers in this section are in decent repair.
Blast, dead end.
In the case engeneering helps here too
So do we want to dig through the rubble or go back topside and see if we can find anything like another sewer entrance. I can guide us pretty well since dwarves know stone like the back of their hand.
"Well maybe better"
"The goblins that left those knives must come from somewhere. They don't travel the streets above and climb down for their daggers."
Well anyone got some ideas? I'm stumped. We'll need equipment to dig through here.
"No, the goblins aren't digging through here and burying it again, either. We've missed something. A passage, a hidden door, something."
Leeka already turns around and starts heading back towards where they first came down.
Colgrim carefull keeps an eye on the walls as they travel.
"We might have to think like a scum. Look for doors behind debris, refuse naything disgusting."
Dario studies the dead end. "Hmm, this construction reminds me of something I read about. The bricks are stacked in a layered configuration, which was common in the old days of Cheliax."
Byron eyes Dario appraisingly.
"Does this mean there might be a secret door here, or simply that it could be easier than we thought to move the collapse aside...?"
Iolana scowls at the dead end. "The sooner we can be on our way again, the better. We can push through by force if necessary."
Barnabus and Colgrim cross each others' T's and dot the I's with one another, as Barnabus, through several contacts, has a pretty decent idea of the layout of the sewers in this section, minus the cave-in, of course.
The group squabbles for where to go, moving back into a "+" shaped intersection. The intersection was where you all had turned to the "north" and run into the collapsed section. To the west is where you originally came from, and to the east and south are sections you have not explored.
Something about this section of sewer feels wrong. The din of the rats seems louder here. And then you see it, off at the edge of the light provided by Iolana to the east. You see a large group of rats fighting off and, eventually, killing a rather large torble. A couple rats lay on the ground dead, but the rest look relatively unscathed.
The eyes of the rats, with the flesh around their mouths burnt by the Torble's acrid flesh and foaming mouths, look dangerous and their eyes look into you almost knowingly. Behind them, you see a goblin with a whip. The goblin speaks a few words and the Rats begin closing from the east!
Goblin:
With that, the Rats begin closing.
Initiatives!
RD 1
Colgrim gets his waraxe out. I'll take the lead and let the rats dine on my axe. There enough room for someone to stand next to me? Anyone who can handle a crossbow can fire past and get that goblin!
Any rat getting close gets a whack with the axe.
Grimacing, Leeka says, "I can," she says, and 5-foot steps up next to Colgrim.
She readies an action to fling sewage water into the lead rat's eyes.
Drinking his shield extract Barnabus buffs up his defence. He then prepares to attack the nearest rat.
