The aged priest gazes long at Keliwyn before replying softly in a raspy voice.
"I was hoping the Grandmaster could tell me, reverent father," Keliwyn replies. "You see, I received a mysterious communication that suggested I speak with him regarding a common interest. I'm as curious as anyone as to what that could be."
The aged priest gazes long at Keliwyn before replying softly in a raspy voice.** spoiler omitted **
Opening the door reveals a young man standing on the doorstep. He looks to have been traveling, his clothes are a little dusty and he hasn't shaved in two days. He is armed and armored, with leather, bow and sword.
Still his clothes are not exactly ragged. His bow, quiver and sword look well kept and there is a certain twinkle in his eyes suggestive of humor and intelligence. As he notices your scrutiny, he self consciously brushes his brown hair, which is in need of a trim, back away from his brow.
"Is Dorman Vandor here?" Jeorik asks though he is hoping that it is his uncle that has answered the door.
Arando can see a well laden mule tied to one of the hitching posts behind Jeorik.
There's The Mailed Fist-- a pub where you might find a few drunk, talkative Hellknights or a good beating. There's a couple of places that serve as hangouts for the city guard, The Mourning Star, and The Bells and Whistles. Any nuber of seedy dives and upscale establishments too.Of course the city headquarters for both organizations, and the Hall of Records is located in the Midlands too. Maybe an official inquiry?
As Darthen scans the crowd for anyone following him he spots the Hall of Records.
"The direct approach is as good as any right now. It's getting late I hope someone is still working."
He heads into the official building.
Darthen spots the clerk behind the counter and says with a smile, "Good day. I hope this steamy weather finds you in good health."
"I would like to inquire about a record search for a person. Would you be able to help me with that?"
TODAY, Arando is looking for Dorman Vandor. Is he around?
Dorman is not in yet.
"I was hoping the Grandmaster could tell me, reverent father," Keliwyn replies. "You see, I received a mysterious communication that suggested I speak with him regarding a common interest. I'm as curious as anyone as to what that could be."The old priest stares vacantly, "Is that so? -- Hhhumpf! I'm sorry I can't help you .... What was your name?"
The old priest stares vacantly, "Is that so? -- Hhhumpf! I'm sorry I can't help you .... What was your name?"
"Pardon my manners," Keliwyn replies to the old priest, "My name is Keliwyn T'Alios of the Mierani. And you would be . . .?"
"Pardon my manners," Keliwyn replies to the old priest, "My name is Keliwyn T'Alios of the Mierani. And you would be . . .?"
"Vertas.
...What do you do Keliwyn? Are you a trader?"
Darthen spots the clerk behind the counter and says with a smile, "Good day. I hope this steamy weather finds you in good health. I would like to inquire about a record search for a person. Would you be able to help me with that?"
The clerk looks at the door behind him. "Well, I was hoping to leave early. But I can't until the boss goes. " Heavy sigh. "What can I do for you?"
Darthen spots the clerk behind the counter and says with a smile, "Good day. I hope this steamy weather finds you in good health. I would like to inquire about a record search for a person. Would you be able to help me with that?"The clerk looks at the door behind him. "Well, I was hoping to leave early. But I can't until the boss goes. " Heavy sigh. "What can I do for you?"
Darthen looks at the closed door and tries to hear any conversation going on.
He turns back to the clerk, smiles and nods, "I understand I will not keep you long. I am looking for information on a criminal known as Gnarls. Would you happen to know about that case?"
At this point, Darvyl is no longer attempting to conceal his curiosity about Keliwyn's conversation with the priest. It is, after all, the only interesting thing going on in the garden.
"Pardon my manners," Keliwyn replies to the old priest, "My name is Keliwyn T'Alios of the Mierani. And you would be . . .?""Vertas.
...
What do you do Keliwyn? Are you a trader?"
"Pardon the intrusion. Master Vertus, I presume... I am to be your liaison here in Korvosa. Please call me by my first name. I am Iñigo. I trust your journey from Cheliax did not tax you."
Iñigo then looks at the fellow with Vertus. "You are not of the faith, are you?" Iñigo then grips his heavy mace, implying that the wrong answer will merit a swift and merciless chastisement at the hand of one of the First Lord's temporal servants.
Iñigo then looks at the fellow with Vertus. "You are not of the faith, are you?" Iñigo then grips his heavy mace, implying that the wrong answer will merit a swift and merciless chastisement at the hand of one of the First Lord's temporal servants.
Keliwyn looks at this new priest, Inigo, and grins. Locking eyes, the elf feigns a shiver down his spine, looks around and says, to no one in particular, “Oooo, did it just get cold out here?”
Then, returning his gaze to Inigo, the grin leaves his face and he answers, “I am a man of faith, priest. Although I would guess that we may differ as to exactly what that means.”
Turning again to the older priest, Vertas, Keliwyn adds, “With all due respect to you, sir, if I am in anyway not welcome as a guest here in this holy sanctuary, perhaps you could send your . . . assistant to check on what may be delaying Grandmaster Morten?”
[Turning again to the older priest, Vertas, Keliwyn adds, “With all due respect to you, sir, if I am in anyway not welcome as a guest here in this holy sanctuary, perhaps you could send your . . . assistant to check on what may be delaying Grandmaster Morten?”
Vertas' expression sours during this exchange. "Keliwyn, if Morten invited you, I'm sure you're welcome. Inigo, I am Vertas. Is the Grand Master free now?"
Darthen looks at the closed door and tries to hear any conversation going on.Listen check (1d20+10=15)
Two low voices, a bark of laughter.
He turns back to the clerk, smiles and nods, "I understand I will not keep you long. I am looking for information on a criminal known as Gnarls. Would you happen to know about that case?"Bluff check (1d20+2=12)
Gather Info (1d20+6=11)
Search check (1d20+4=24)
After elicting a few details from you , the clerk finds a file. "Goodman Gnarls, convicted seven months ago, possesion of pesh.... , released 3 weeks ago. No known address. "
As he works, the clerk gains enthusiasm, "Let me check a cross reference, ahhh. Arrested by Hellknights, Paralictor Graves supervising. Dumped on the City guard to take care of the paperwork. Guardsman Qevir filed the case."
Vertas' expression sours during this exchange. "Keliwyn, if Morten invited you, I'm sure you're welcome. Inigo, I am Vertas. Is the Grand Master free now?"
Recalling his instructions from Morten himself, Iñigo smiles as he says, "I believe he has no meeting at the moment. Allow me to cut through the bureaucratic red tape, this way please to his office, Master Vertas."
Huh?
TODAY, Arando is looking for Dorman Vandor. Is he around?Dorman is not in yet.
Huh?
After elicting a few details from you , the clerk finds a file. "Goodman Gnarls, convicted seven months ago, possesion of pesh.... , released 3 weeks ago. No known address."As he works, the clerk gains enthusiasm, "Let me check a cross reference, ahhh. Arrested by Hellknights, Paralictor Graves supervising. Dumped on the City guard to take care of the paperwork. Guardsman Qevir filed the case."
"Qevir, the name sounds familiar. I wonder if Vlad has worked with him before? Maybe I will take him up on his offer of a drink tomorrow night."
With a sincere smile on his face Darthen says, "This Qevir, would you know if he is still employed by the guard, or maybe an address I can contact him at?" Once he gets an answer, "Thank you my good man." Nodding to his boss's door, "Don't let him keep you to long."
I honestly don't know what that means . . .
Huh?
"I believe he has no meeting at the moment. Allow me to cut through the bureaucratic red tape, this way please to his office, Master Vertas."
"Thank you, Inigo, but I've seen Morten. I'm asking on behalf of these gentlemen. It doesn't seem courteous to leave them out here for so long."
For Inigo:
"Qevir, the name sounds familiar. I wonder if Vlad has worked with him before? Maybe I will take him up on his offer of a drink tomorrow night."
With a sincere smile on his face Darthen says, "This Qevir, would you know if he is still employed by the guard, or maybe an address I can contact him at?" Once he gets an answer, "Thank you my good man."
Know: Local (1d20+5=16)
The clerk tells you Qevir is still with the guard. He looks at you expectantly, his face falls slightly at "Thank you."
"Of course, Master Vertas." Iñigo turns to the other people in the courtyard. "I am Iñigo." Recognizing Garven Fellstone, Iñigo continues, "And how may the temple be of assistance to you this day, Master Garven?" Leaning closer, he whispers to Garven, "Expecting trouble, are you?"
Turning to Keliwyn, "And you, Master Elf. What is your name that I may announce you to the Grandmaster?"
Turning to Keliwyn, "And you, Master Elf. What is your name that I may announce you to the Grandmaster?"
"I am Keliwyn T'Alios of the Mierani," Keliwyn replies to Inigo, "I've met the grandmaster before, in passing, although I don't know if he'll remember me."
"Of course, Master Vertas." Iñigo turns to the other people in the courtyard. "I am Iñigo." Recognizing Garven Fellstone, Iñigo continues, "And how may the temple be of assistance to you this day, Master Garven?" Leaning closer, he whispers to Garven, "Expecting trouble, are you?"
Garven replies with characteristic abruptness. "Just get me in to see Morten, Inigo."
"Qevir, the name sounds familiar. I wonder if Vlad has worked with him before? Maybe I will take him up on his offer of a drink tomorrow night."
With a sincere smile on his face Darthen says, "This Qevir, would you know if he is still employed by the guard, or maybe an address I can contact him at?" Once he gets an answer, "Thank you my good man."
Know: Local (1d20+5=16)The clerk tells you Qevir is still with the guard. He looks at you expectantly, his face falls slightly at "Thank you."
Just before Darthen walks out the door he remembers the name Thalus gave him. He turns back around to ask the clerk another question. "Excuse me can you look up one more name for me? The name is Maggie Bright."
He turns back around to ask the clerk another question. "Excuse me can you look up one more name for me? The name is Maggie Bright."
The clerk brightens up. His hand slides halfway across the counter towards you. Its in a loose fist, thumb rubbing back and forth on the first two fingers. "That may take a little while. Should I be checking arrest records, birth, death?"
Arando decides to ignore the hulking menace for now, and knocks on Dorman's door . . .
Arando decides to ignore the hulking menace for now, and knocks on Dorman's door . . .
"Uh, hello..." says Jeorik to Arando, wondering at the others behavior, "do you work here? I'm looking for Dorman Vandor."
Garven replies with characteristic abruptness. "Just get me in to see Morten, Inigo."
Ignoring Garven's rudeness, "A moment then, while I see to the Grandsmaster's availability." Pray that you are not caught in one of our raids, fool.
Inigo turns to Vertas, "Excuse me, Master Vertas." He then returns to the chambers of Morten to inform him of the developments.
The clerk brightens up. His hand slides halfway across the counter towards you. Its in a loose fist, thumb rubbing back and forth on the first two fingers. "That may take a little while. Should I be checking arrest records, birth, death?"
Darthen sees the subtle hand movements by the clerk. He drops 3 silvers into the mans hands and says, "Well if you could get me all three I would appreciate it. When can you get that to me?"
When can you get that to me?"
"Wait at the cafe across the street. I'll have it in an hour or so."
An hour later, he comes out smiling. "Well you made me look good with the boss. He couldn't believe I was going to stay to finish up a little more work. I'm sorry though. I couldn't find Maggie Bright in any of those files. An alias maybe?"
Darvyl watches Inigo go through the doors, then throws a broad wink at Keliwyn. At last, he should soon find out what he's signed on for.
Some fast forwarding in Azmo's temple garden:
Inigo checks in with Morten. He's available. Per above posts Garven goes in first.
Inigo:
Vertas retires from the garden leaving Keliwyn and Inigo to enjoy the now blazing sunshine.
Darvyl watches Inigo go through the doors, then throws a broad wink at Keliwyn. At last, he should soon find out what he's signed on for.
Darvyl follows Garven into Morten's office. Garven is at first deferential, talking about the need for order on the streets and the fine work done in years past by a temple-sponsored vigilante group. He'd like to borrow some of the old uniforms. Morten is not inclined to give them. Garven grows strident, reminding Morten how important his contributions are to the temple, and to some of Morten's pet projects. Finally, he asks the guardsmen and serving girl to step outside.
Through the door you can hear the sound of Garven's voice rising, incredibly growing more strident.
Darvyl DC 12 listen check if you nestle right up to the door, DC 16 if you stand roughly as far away as Nihls, to hear pieces of Garven's rant:
Garven comes out. A few moments later one of the acolytes brings a bundle of red and white robes.
The rest of the day consists of following Garven on a round of business meetings. Then back to his house. A free meal. Tomorrow you should show up at his house early. Wear one the the vigilante tabards over your gear.
"Wait at the cafe across the street. I'll have it in an hour or so."
An hour later, he comes out smiling. "Well you made me look good with the boss. He couldn't believe I was going to stay to finish up a little more work. I'm sorry though. I couldn't find Maggie Bright in any of those files. An alias maybe?"
Thom"
The first time you typed it with to many e's. The first few Google entries I read were about tipping the mailman in India :). I found it this time as the first entry on google. A bribe it is. :) 2 silvers to make up for my initial error. I need to remember that Korvosa is pretty corrupt.
Darthen sees the smilling clerk come out. He waves him over and says, "Any news? An alias, well it must be. Hmm, Would there be a reason someone would not show up in your books but still be in the city?"
"Hmm, Would there be a reason someone would not show up in your books but still be in the city?"
"People are in and out of the city all the time. Merchants, travellers, sailors. And beggars. We can't track them all. Then there's Theif Camp. Noone knows who's out there. "
Through the door you can hear the sound of Garven's voice rising, incredibly growing more strident.
Darvyl wishes he could make out the words, but doesn't dare eavesdrop so blatantly this time.
The rest of the day consists of following Garven on a round of business meetings. Then back to his house. A free meal. Tomorrow you should show up at his house early. Wear one the the vigilante tabards over your gear.
Easy enough work, bodyguarding a cranky old man. And the food's alright. Darvyl returns to Garven's home the next morning, dressed as instructed.
[ Darvyl returns to Garven's home the next morning, dressed as instructed.
[ Darvyl returns to Garven's home the next morning, dressed as instructed.
Vertas retires from the garden leaving Keliwyn and Inigo to enjoy the now blazing sunshine.
"So, while we're waiting," Keliwyn says to Inigo, "Why don't you tell me about Asmodeus? I've always found it interesting that there is a temple to his worship here in Korvosa. I mean no offense, but isn't he largely considered, well, evil?"
Arando decides to ignore the hulking menace for now, and knocks on Dorman's door . . .
The door swings in. Dorman stands there, squinting momentarily at the daylight pouring in the outer room from the open door. His sleeves are tied up around his elbows, his fingers are ink-stained, and it looks as if he's been working since well before dawn.
"Good morning, m'boy. How go things?"
The door swings in. Dorman stands there,
"Excuse me," says Jeorik, putting himself forward, "Are you Dorman Vandor? The brother of Wermis and Taylo Vandor."
Jeorik pauses a moment before going on, "My name is Jeorik, son of Taylo Vandor. I came to Korvosa to find my father's family."
Jeorik pauses a moment before going on, "My name is Jeorik, son of Taylo Vandor. I came to Korvosa to find my father's family."
Dorman's eyes narrow, and his brows furrow. He takes the young man's jaw in his hand and turns Jeorik's head to one side.
To Arando:
"So you're Taylo's boy, eh? Tell me, what is your father's favorite meal?"
"So, while we're waiting," Keliwyn says to Inigo, "Why don't you tell me about Asmodeus? I've always found it interesting that there is a temple to his worship here in Korvosa. I mean no offense, but isn't he largely considered, well, evil?"
Scoffing at the very notion, "That is merely propaganda by those who cannot dare compete against the First Lord openly. We have long been the victim of unfair press. 'Tis an unfortunate consequence of this new age." Pausing for effect, Inigo then adds, "But to answer your question directly, the First Lord is worshipped here because His patronage ensures order and to the considerable majority, order is much desirable to chaos, for without order we cannot be here now having the luxury to discuss the merits of such things as goodness or evil."
"But surely you are not here to merely discuss religious and philosophical minutiae with the Grandmaster. Perhaps, I might be of assistance... if you can tell me what you wish to find?"
Watering the mule, Arando says, "I've been wanting to talk to you, about a big bald guy who tried to intimidate me, and has been watching me. I'm wondering if you know who he is?"
Watering the mule, Arando says, "I've been wanting to talk to you, about a big bald guy who tried to intimidate me, and has been watching me. I'm wondering if you know who he is?"
Dorman turns to Arando. "Intimidate you? How so? And is he watching you now?"