TowerOfTheHeavens |
The Baronesses eyes are red and puffy. She is perhaps 60 years of age, her face and hands showing the wrinkles of age, her hair streaked with gray. She is sitting on a small stool, her guardsman Jarvak stretched out on the cot. "That... really isn't necessary" she says to Warren, though she does not withdraw her hand till he is done. "I understand I have you four to thank for saving my life from those horrible creatures. If you are willing, tell me a little about yourselves?"
TowerOfTheHeavens |
"Let me welcome you to Coran then Alma of the Mithril Rose. Do you also speak on behalf of your companions? They seem a little shy." She says the last with a friendly smile. "And you may call me Lillian. I always found formal titles a bit stuffy. Having a title can come in handy at times you can be sure, but all that m'lady, and baroness, can grow wearisome." The last is said with a small touch of mock formality accompanied by an overly dramatic bow from her sitting position.
Ninja post by Warren
"Ah, a noble, if dangerous cause. Though I wouldn't normally consider myself defenseless, or innocent. But then no politician in this city is really innocent. Though what each of us might be guilty of would vary greatly, and probably in large part depend upon the teller."
Alma |
"At times, I do speak for my companions, as often are goal is one." pausing for a moment, as if about to chuckle, "At other times, they spout out whichever thing comes to their mind. I guess that is the problem with free will... Everybody has it."
Taking a more serious tone, "I have reason to believe one of the so-called innocent politicians could be involved with these attacks. Who would want to remove you from your post?"
TowerOfTheHeavens |
The baronesses grip is firm and strong. "Yes, there is truth to that my dear lady. Sorting fact from fiction is a quagmire and to often rumor spreads like wildfire without reason or restraint."
A quizzical look crosses her features at Alma's comment, "A person compelled to do good does not become good at heart. Lead in righteousness and some will choose to follow. But perhaps we can talk philosophy another time."
"Which noble do you believe is behind this? Any of a dozen or so of the nobles could have wished me removed at one point or another. To actually carry that out though... no, I'm not so sure I was a target here. There is a change taking place in the political undercurrents. It runs deeper than our usual plotting and posturing for power. Deeper and more dangerous. I believe that wretched woman down the hall was the more likely target."
TowerOfTheHeavens |
"Duke Baelson is a hard man, trained in the way of the open hand. He runs an academy here in the city, or rather has some retainers that run it. His house is second only to that of Queen Mosal in influence. The man is driven by both greed and power, but is sufficiently disciplined to bide his time to get what he wants."
Lillian gives out a laugh, which comes out more of a cackle due to her age. "Well I think I'm a bit to old to be wooed by a pair of pretty eyes Irina." Taking a brief moment to compose herself, she stretches out a hand to briefly touch Alma's arm, "Oh, I don't intend to offend Alma, the paladins of the Mithril Rose are held in high regard. They do a good service here in the city and are a symbol of peace."
"Well I must see to poor Jarvak." Her face flashes briefly with anguish and sorrow. "If you do not have other responsibilities, please, all of you, come to my estates here in city an hour before noon. I should like to reward you for your timely appearance this evening."
Outside in the hallway you hear the front door open, and the old priest talking to a man in the hallway, one of the city guard.
TowerOfTheHeavens |
A plain looking man dressed in the uniform of the city guard is standing in the hallway. "The barkeep mentioned you wanted to speak with Captain Halmes. She is off duty at the moment, but she will be briefed in the morning. I don't expect to take much of your time sir, I just need a description from you and your friends of what transpired tonight. Beast men attacking people in the city... well this is a first for that, but it's not the strangest thing that has happened around here over the years."
Alma |
"It is as simple as that, the werebeasts were numerous, fortunately we were able to defeat them and help save some lives. The question is, how many more are there still out there. Carise in the other room can give you details of what happened in the room she was in. I do not know if words were spoken before the attack happened."
TowerOfTheHeavens |
The guard scribbles furiously on a sheet of paper as you speak. "Well I shall go and talk with this Carise as well then. James and Dace spoke highly of your fighting the creatures." The guard shakes his head, "Troublesome days these. Two murders last night, and another attempted one tonight. And the goblins stirring from their mountain caves again."
If no one has any further comments we will move on to the following day, just let me know your plans for the next day. Experience is 1350 each for the days events and the battle.
TowerOfTheHeavens |
Markov is at full HP. Everyone else will heal 1 HP/level after resting for 8 hours, putting Alma at 7, Warren at 5, and Irina at 12.
The old priest wakes you in the morning. "I don't have enough to offer you breakfast, but I can provide some healing for your wounds if you can help me fix a few things around here. The roof needs some repairs, got a couple of leaks. And I have a small garden out back that could use some extra weeding. Or I've been trying to get a couple of extra rooms built if your handy with a saw and hammer." He shows you out back where a 15' square garden that is struggling in the drought is. To one side of the building is the partially completed framing of a new room. "You've done a good deed, risking your lives and saving the Baroness. She cares for the people under her watch more than most of the other nobles, is both fair and just with them. It would be a blow this city to have lost her. I thank you for that."
Anyone willing to assist him for a couple hours will receive a CLW cast on them at 1d8+5.
TowerOfTheHeavens |
Warren is healed for 13, not 11.
Two others, their close covered with the dust of travel, join in the work outside, hammering and sawing at boards to complete the framing of the new rooms. Neither Carise or her friends make an appearance. The old priest works alongside Irina, as best as he is able, jabbing at the weeds with a slim metal rod to loosen up the dirt around them and using a claw like tool to grab them at the base and pull them loose. The work is strenuous for the old man though and he takes frequent breaks.
With a few hours of work behind you the priest cleans himself up a bit then heals your wounds as promised. "Well, stop by for a visit again my friends, preferably under better circumstances" he grins.
Alma is heading off to the trial then to speak with Commander Quaine again?
Does anyone else have other plans they'd like to pursue during the morning?
The Baroness is expecting you around 11 AM
TowerOfTheHeavens |
Arriving at the prison house you find a guard to direct you to into a small side building where a number of men and women in chains lined along one wall. A magistrate at one end of the room is currently hearing the cases and passing judgement. Logan Drais is seated on a bench to one side and motions for you to take a seat near him.
Guardsman Johnson, one of the guards who was there that night, leads the half-elf Marise and her three friends forward to the front of the room where they undergo the scrutiny of the magistrate.
"Logan Drais", the magistrate calls out in a clear voice. "these four are accused of robbing you of your rightful property two nights ago. I call upon you to witness of the events of that evening."
Standing with the aid of his cane Logan addresses the magistrate, "Certainly magistrate. It is all rather simple really. I was browsing some of the local merchant shops to see if I might find a ring that might please my eye. I was struck from behind after leaving one of the shops and thrown to the ground. A this pendant" he hold ups the pendant, "had been torn from my neck. Fortuitously there were some travelers passing through that part of the city at that time who saw my distress and gave chase. They were able to apprehend these thieves and turn them over to the city guard." Logan then seats himself on the bench again.
The magistrate looks down at a sheaf of papers in his hands, running his eyes over the words. He then peers down at Alma, "Are you Alma? Paladin of the Order of the Mithril Rose?" With a grim smile he continues, "That always makes things a bit simpler. I call upon you, Alma of the Mithril Rose, to witness of the events of that evening."
Alma |
Rising from his seat, "Yes I am Magistrate. My companions and I had just entered the city. Darkness had began to creep in from the east. We heard the cry of 'THIEVES'. We saw them running so we gave chase. I immediately called for the guards which some other citizens began echoing. Seeing that the guards would not be there in time, my companions and I did what any lawful citizen would do. We jumped into action to help protect this great city from the wicked."
Pausing for a moment. Alma looks around the room briefly. Beaming with great pride he continues, "We were able to apprehend this filth and return the locket to its rightful owners. Hopefully, their sentence will be forceful enough to encourage them and others to avoid their dark path."
I remain standing in the even that the magistrate has any follow up questions, otherwise I will sit back down
TowerOfTheHeavens |
"Thank you for your witness Alma." He then turns to the accused. "This is a first time offense for most of you, Marise Da'aleo however, this is your third offense. Do any of you have anything to say on your behalf in this matter?" All shake their heads grimly.
"Marise Da'aleo, in accordance with the laws of our city, to which you have previously been warned, you are hereby condemned to have your left hand removed. May this prove sufficient that you will give up your ways of thievery and seek hereafter to live an honest life. All of you are further fined an amount of ten gold crowns each." Marise's face is pale as she and her companions are led away.
The attack itself was on a small thorp of about 30 people. Reports vary that anywhere from 2-5 people were slain in the attack by 10-20 goblins, and all indications are that they raided food supplies and burned several farm plots and homes.
The attack took place in the foothills of the Chaggath Spine mountain range to the north about two days journey from the city, several miles west of the main road that goes over the spine.
The authorities are looking to hire mercenaries to assist in scouting out the area and destroying any goblins in the vicinity. Pay is 2sp per day, plus 5gp per head for the goblins. A generous fortune waiting to be made according to most folk, on top of any spoils one might take from the goblins.
TowerOfTheHeavens |
The Duluth estate in the city is humble by the standards of the rich. An iron fence surrounds two acres of grounds sporting flower gardens and a pair of small fountains. A pair of armed guards stops you at the gate, but upon learning of who you are allow you inside and send you up to the front entrance.
A liveried servant in red and gold takes Alma's and Irina's horses around to a small stables attached to the two story building in the center of the grounds. The door opens as you step into the front porch area, where another servant gives you a slight bow and holds the door open for you to enter. "Come in, come in. The Baroness said she was expecting guests today."
The entrance immediately opens up into a large room, a balcony supported by white columns looks down on the area. A thick rug adorns the center of the room, covering a large portion of the hard wood floors. Two silver candelabra are affixed to each wall. Several cushioned chairs line the walls of the room.
A well dressed young man, perhaps a year over twenty, enters the room from a side door on the west wall. He seems a little startled to see you standing in the entryway. With a tone of arrogance he asks, "Sam, what are these commoners doing here?"
Taken a back and stumbling over the words the servant at the door responds, "They... they are guests of the baroness."
Alma |
Alma approaches the young man offering him his hand for a hand shake, "Hello good sir, I am Alma of the Mithril Rose. These are my companions, Warren, Markov and the pretty one in the back is Irina. The baroness has requested that we come and meet with her this day.
May I ask your name?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Detect Evil on the arrogant punk
TowerOfTheHeavens |
The young man deliberately ignores Alma's outstretched hand. With a sneer, "Excuse me. I've things to take care of." He sniffs and swaggers across the room and passes through another door.
"I'll let the baroness know you are here", says the servant who let you in. He heads down a hall at the south end of the room and knocks at a door in the hallway. After a brief pause he opens the door and sticks his head in. Re-emerging a moment letter he motions you to come forward and shows you into a large well lit study. Bookshelves cover the west wall, and to the south rich red drapes hang open to a let the outside light in through a large window overlooking a bed of roses. On the north wall is a painting of a couple of about age thirty. Both have features recognizable from the young man you met a moment earlier. Beneath the painting sits the baroness at a oak writing desk. Stacks of papers cover one side of the desk and a few ornamental statuettes sit in one corner of the desk.
[b]"Sam, could you get our guests something to drink please."
"Yes madam, I will see to it." Sam closes the door quietly behind him.
Smiling at all of you the baroness lets out a soft sigh, "I hope you had a good nights rest, and were not haunted by last nights horrors. You will be pleased to know Jarvak is doing well, though feeling quite week. He wished me to give you his thanks. Well first things first." She stands and comes around the desk, four folded pieces of paper in her hands with a wax seal holding the documents closed. She hands each of you one of the documents. "Each of these is a letter of credit. Any merchant or craftsman in the town should honor these. I ask that you make good use of them."
Each of the letters of credit may be used once to purchase a single item worth up to 1000gp. That could be getting a masterwork piece of armor enchanted, buying a wand, or other magic item, etc. Anything from the four primary rule books or Ultimate Equipment is valid for this.
She returns to her desk and eases herself back into the chair, her voice one of grave seriousness. "I've thought more about what you said last night. I still don't believe I was the target of the attack. But Carise, as much as I despise the woman, has her uses. Her information is good. If someone is looking for a hired blade, and I don't think there is any reason to believe they aren't. Then their seeking out Carise is troubling. There are plenty of thugs in the city who might hire out for such a thing, but anyone Carise would be able to put them in contact with would be more than just an average cut-throat. I fear the target may be someone with a high profile. One of the nobles, or the head of the merchants guild, or perhaps the heads of one of the churches. You said last night you believed Duke Baelson was behind this some how. Can you recall anything more than what you told me last night about why you believe this?"
TowerOfTheHeavens |
"They are his land holdings, he is the authority there. He could have certainly had you apprehended for questioning. He could not have held you there without proof of crime, unless of course no one knew you were being held. A tangled puzzle indeed." She rises from her chair again. "I apologize I cannot be a better hostess at this time, but I have other matters I must attend to. If you come across more evidence though I should like to know of it. What you have told me is troubling, trouble brewing among the nobility if my guess is right. Likewise if there is anything I can aid you with in uncovering evidence don't hesitate to ask."
If there are no more comments/questions for the baroness then the group is free to leave and make whatever plans for the remainder of the day.
Alma |
Well it seems we have two primary choices. Going after some goblins, or seeking after the mysterious person with a bloody coin.
Pulling out the coin, he looks at it intently, before looking up at his companions. "Perhaps it is time for a some bloodletting, unless one of you has a strong urge to go after some goblins, which is bound to make us some money."
TowerOfTheHeavens |
You find the well in the early afternoon in an older section of the city. Beggars and poorer folk move about the street. The well itself is about three feet across. The stones around the rim are crumbling, and the the crank is long since gone, leaving a couple of broken off wooden posts sticking up from the stones.
Alma |
"So let me get this straight, we put some blood on this mysterious coin which is probably cursed... drop it in the well, and then some scary person or beast will come seek us out; who is capable of skinning us alive. Why do I get the feeling we're living through a ghost story?."
Not waiting for an answer to his semi-rhetorical question. Alma uses his blade to to cut his left forearm just enough to for blood to come out. He wipes the wound with the coin and tosses it into the well.
"Yeah, i'm sure it will turn out all right."