For DM and Kenan:
Stepping out of the Voe house, some movement catches your eye. Across the street a man in the white and gold robes of Abadar whirls a dark cloak over his shoulders. Beside him stands a neatly dressed man, his thick black hair is tied back which only highlights the grey white wings over his ears. Behind them in the doorway of the house, stands a blocky man who is staring at you. The heads of the Abadaran and neatly dressed man swivel to look at you too.
'Hmph...speaking of Abadarans,' Istas thinks to herself as she spots the priest across the way, 'Come to collect for some service he's rendered, I suppose.' Ignoring the men, she prepares to make her way back to the Grey District.
"Halloo," waves Kenan and he wanders over to the Shoanti woman of Pharasma. "I be Kenan the healer and who might you be, me darling?"
With a frown and no small measure of distrust, Istas pauses in midstep and regards the approaching man much more closely. 'Not an Abadaran,' she figures, 'But a healer? What would bring a healer and an Abadaran together in the Shingles?' Her eyes dart back to the home of the Voe's and she considers her young child's condition might not be the only one suffering from the illnesses fostered by Urgathoa's hidden followers.
"A Pharasmen and daughter of the Skoan-Quah," the priestess finally replies, "And an occasional volunteer to the Korvosan Guard, when the Field Marshall sees fit to request my services. My name is Istas."
She looks from Kenan to the priest of Abadar. "The Shingles are a rather meager place to find a follower of the First Vault," she declares, "What need would bring you to a healer that your own Master cannot provide?"
Kenan and Istas:
Jeorik:
Heather and Emerion:
For Istas and Kenan:
"A Pharasmen and daughter of the Skoan-Quah," the priestess finally replies, "And an occasional volunteer to the Korvosan Guard, when the Field Marshall sees fit to request my services. My name is Istas."She looks from Kenan to the priest of Abadar. "The Shingles are a rather meager place to find a follower of the First Vault," she declares, "What need would bring you to a healer that your own Master cannot provide?"
Ishani looks impressed. His head wobbles slightly as he replies, "Istas Wraithscar...? One of the captors of the King's assasin!? I am honored indeed." Excitedly, he steps forward past Kenan. The priestess' question, however, deflates the brown-skinned Vudran slightly. "I am Ishani Dhatri. Kenan and I were summoned separately to a sick girl's bedside. And need sometimes takes us all to unusual places. For instance, you. Shoanti are common in Trail's End. But seldom do they go about garbed as acolytes of the Lady of Graves."
"And you be very good for Donitello and Tayce. I be sure that Istas' faith be strong and has many a good reason for it. But let's not question the good woman so hard on such a rare morning."
Kenan runs a hand through his black hair and into the grey wings. Then it stops and his eyes narrow a smidgen, "would it be concidence dat brought you here. Or perhaps is there another sick child with the fevers and a strange rash behind that door, Istas? If dat isn't prying too much on you and your fair business, I mean."
Ishani looks impressed. His head wobbles slightly as he replies, "Istas Wraithscar...? One of the captors of the King's assasin!? I am honored indeed." Excitedly, he steps forward past Kenan.
Istas frowns once more at the memory of turning Trinia Sabor over to such a terrible fate as what surely awaited her in the custody of the Queen's Grey Maidens. But she gives a curt nod to indicate she is indeed the person Ishani has identified.
"I am Ishani Dhatri. Kenan and I were summoned separately to a sick girl's bedside. And need sometimes takes us all to unusual places. For instance, you. Shoanti are common in Trail's End. But seldom do they go about garbed as acolytes of the Lady of Graves."
"Pharasma appoints a time and place for all to live and die in this world," she replies, "Shoanti, Varisian, or Southlander matters not. At death, we all enter her Boneyard for judgement just the same. Why then should it surprise anyone she would also call us to serve her in life as well? We are all equal in her sight. Death comes for everyone. And so, too, does Pharasma's calling."
"And you be very good for Donitello and Tayce. I be sure that Istas' faith be strong and has many a good reason for it. But let's not question the good woman so hard on such a rare morning."
Istas glances at the other man, still unsure of his status as a 'healer' since most of Korvosa's citizens usually seek out the Abadarans to pay for such boons...or the Grey District when closer to death or faced with the harshest of Urgathoa's illnesses. Who then had called this man to such a profession? She's also somewhat curious and unsure of who Donitello and Tayce might be.
Kenan runs a hand through his black hair and into the grey wings. Then it stops and his eyes narrow a smidgen, "Would it be concidence dat brought you here. Or perhaps is there another sick child with the fevers and a strange rash behind that door, Istas? If dat isn't prying too much on you and your fair business, I mean."
"Another sick child?" the priestess responds, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. Whether in annoyance or anger, it seems she directs her emotion beyond Kenan at some unknown person or circumstance. She looks to Ishani and then back at the home the two men had visited. "Show me. I would see this child with my own eyes."
"Tis a good idea, I am sure that the you be doing only good tings for this poor family. Ishani, I can help the lady, if you have the Bank a'calling on your time. Remember don't be a stranger if the dark fevers strikes elsewhere."
Kenan knocks on Donitello's door and when it is answered he smiles again, "Would you believe tis raining priests today. Here is another with a desire to help young Brienna. If dat not be too much trouble, can the darlin' Istas here have a wee jukey at the poor mite?"
"Yes, excellent and faith I knew you wouldn't believe how lucky the day is for her and her devilish illness."
Kenan points inwards at the girl lying half alsleep on the bed. "This is Brienna, she has but been ill for one day with a fever and a strange rash that be suppurating and is presently newly bandaged and cared for so we shall leave that well alone, shan't we. Ishani gave her the helpful infusion he made and it is my hope that when I return from meeting with my friend who is my equal as a healer and my senior in years that things will be on the mend."
"Tis a good idea, I am sure that the you be doing only good tings for this poor family. Ishani, I can help the lady, if you have the Bank a'calling on your time. Remember don't be a stranger if the dark fevers strikes elsewhere."
Ishani nods and takes his leave politely. "Please keep me apprised of Brienna's progress. You may always reach me at the Bank. "
Kenan knocks on Donitello's door ... can the darlin' Istas here have a wee jukey at the poor mite?"...."
Kenan points inwards at the girl lying half alsleep on the bed. "This is Brienna, she has but been ill for one day with a fever and a strange rash that be suppurating and is presently newly bandaged and cared for so we shall leave that well alone, shan't we. Ishani gave her the helpful infusion he made and it is my hope that when I return from meeting with my friend who is my equal as a healer and my senior in years that things will be on the mend."
Kenan: Brienna lies in much the same state as before.
Istas: She's suffering the same symptoms as the Voe girl.Istas: Perception DC 23:
Kenan points inwards at the girl lying half alsleep on the bed. "This is Brienna, she has but been ill for one day with a fever and a strange rash that be suppurating and is presently newly bandaged and cared for so we shall leave that well alone, shan't we. Ishani gave her the helpful infusion he made and it is my hope that when I return from meeting with my friend who is my equal as a healer and my senior in years that things will be on the mend."
Istas ignores Kenan's words for the moment and kneels next to the girl's bedside to visually inspect her. The labored breathing, distinctive rash, and obvious fever all lead to one conclusion in the priestess's mind.
"On the mend, you say?" Istas finally replies, "We shall see." She rises and gathers her robes about her as if to ward off a sudden chill. She nods to Donitello and makes ready to leave.
But then she pauses and peers more closely at something beyond the bed itself. Striding forward uninvited, she draws her club and uses it to push aside a pile of laundry and lift up a soiled dress to peer beneath it at something on the floor. Looking back to Donitello she then asks, "Where did you get this?"
"Desna, care for your spirit, grandmother," Emerion murmurs. He stands, wiping his hands on a kerchief.
"Some poor soul, dead of a pestilence," he reports sadly. "Nothing we can do for her, though your Pharasmite friend may disagree," he rejoins Heather.
Heather nods sadly..."I wonder.." she stops as if lost in thought then collects herself.."No matter it can wait till we see Istas"
She leads the way to Pharasma's temple and asks to see Istas..when told that the priestess is out on an errand of mercy she asks for directions to the area she was going to.
"All the way there?" Emerion exclaims when they hear where Istas is. "That's not a safe place either, considering what just happened. We'd better hurry," he glances at Majenko. "My friend, I hate to ask after all you have done for us this evening, but if you know this Istas, could you seek her out and warn her?"
Jeorik, happy to see Heather, tries to greet her and her companion but they duck into the alley before he can do so.
Approaching the alley, Jeorik observes them in the process of examining a body.
"Ahem," says Jeorik and then greets Heather.
He stays well back from the corpse, but accompanies them as they go to see Istas.
Kenan, Istas :
Looking back to Donitello she then asks, "Where did you get this?"
Donitello looks at Tayce, who looks at the children, who look back. Eventually everyone ends up looking at Brienna. Tayce gently shakes her awake and asks her.
"I found it," the girl mumbles. She starts coughing.
Kenan, Istas : Perception DC 17, Sense motive DC 18, or Heal DC 14 :
Jeorik, Heather, and Emerion: Alas, Istas did not say where she was going. One of the gatekeepers thinks she left with "that Voe boy. I think they live in Theives Camp or Trail's End. Somewhere up there."
For DM and Kenan:
Donitello looks at Tayce, who looks at the children, who look back. Eventually everyone ends up looking at Brienna. Tayce gently shakes her awake and asks her.
"I found it," the girl mumbles. She starts coughing.
"Is that so?" Istas replies as she evaluates the girl's answer.
"You're lying," Istas states in a matter-of-fact tone. Anticipating the reactions of the girl's parents given her condition, she waves off their concern and presses the point.
"A Varisian boy across the way...Sinner Voe...you know him?" she asks, "He has a rather curiously carved box he 'found' as well. Not all that dissimilar to this...and his sister, Telisha, lies ill as well. Same symptoms as you. Now I know Sabo didn't 'find' that box. And you didn't just 'find' this either. Tell me where you got it. This could be important, dear. If you want to get well again, I need to know where you might have gone to contract such a sickness. So speak honestly, lest you make a choice that seals your fate in the eyes of the Lady of Graves."
"We have pressing business with Istas, my friend. Sadly an attempt was made on my Lady Whiteraven's life earlier this evening - but for the intervention of Majenko and myself, it might have succeeded in spite of her magical abilities. You are, I take it, one of her erstwhile companions? I am Emerion Brightsmith," Emerion introduces himself with a flowing bow and a charming smile, "an old friend of hers. If you are, your own life may be in danger. A certain cur by the name of Barvasi seems to be holding a grudge."
Emerion, Heather, Jeorik: Majenko puffs himself up at the mention of his part in rescuing Heather. "Hello again, Jeorik."
Kenan, Istas:
For DM and Kenan:
A sudden flush lessens the pallor of Brienna's face. She coughs again, genuine deep hacking coughs. Then she says, "I did find it. Down by the river with some of the girls."
Istas continues questioning Brienna until she can discern the general part of the river the girls visited. Then, thanking the family for their time, she ensures the girl is made at ease once more. She rises and draws her cloak tighter as she makes for the door, assuming Kenan will shortly follow.
Once outside again, the priestesses gazes up as if searching for a portent in the sky. "The hand of the Pallid Princess has at last touched Korvosa," she surmises aloud, "Ill times await unless the source of this sickness is found."
She finally regards Kenan next to her. "Your skills as a healer will soon be in sharp demand. But stemming the tide of the sick will prove more difficult if you only treat the symptoms rather than the cause. Do you know the river very well? I must visit the place where Brienna and her friends found their wood carving. But first, I promised a friend I would take her sick child to the Grey District. You look hale and hearty enough to help carry such a litter that distance. Would you be willing to help me in this task?"
Hether's face brightens as Jeorik joins her and Emerion..
"Barvasi sent his henchman and a trio of thugs..Emerion killed one I stopped the others and Majenko here knocked their leader out..we left him lying in the street..We were on our way to find Istas and warn her when we came upon this..poor unfortunate soul.I will tell the Pharasmen ,when we reach Grey, where they can find her"
"Very well Trails End it is" she comments as she ties her scarf over her hair in the Varisian fashion.
Neil :
Under Istas' questioning Brienna admits to finding the box on the riverbank up at the north end of town under some willows which grow so thickly that you can look out at the boats on the river and never be seen by them.
For DM:
Under Istas' questioning Brienna admits to finding the box on the riverbank up at the north end of town under some willows which grow so thickly that you can look out at the boats on the river and never be seen by them.
With Kenan's help, Istas ensures Telisha is brought before the Pharasmen. Aside from hoping they'll cure the poor girl, she also hopes her fellow colleagues might be able to study her affliction to gain a better understanding of it. In addition, Istas will retrieve the book on diseases they took from the necromancer's lair under Potter's Ward and consult it for any insights it might provide.
A roadside meeting sounds good.
Jeorik, Heather and Emerion are headed north. Majenko swirls around like an aerial dog, bouncing from place to place, looking into corners and crevices, then swinging back past you to the other side of the street.
Istas, Kenan, having confirmed it's the same illness are headed south with Telisha. (I'll just mention that for half a silver you could get two brawny idlers from Trail's End to carry the the litter {a Jury rig from a couple of poles, a blanket, and some lashings}. You can decide.)
Given the cold drizzle, what's everyone wearing for headgear?
Also, if you haven't been cheating you can look back at the spoilers once your PCs start exhanging information.
(I'll just mention that for half a silver you could get two brawny idlers from Trail's End to carry the the litter {a Jury rig from a couple of poles, a blanket, and some lashings}. You can decide.)
Given the cold drizzle, what's everyone wearing for headgear?
Istas walks along with the hood of her heavy Pharasmen robe pulled up. Even so, it's clear much of the fabric has soaked through during their long walk back to the Grey District. But the hardened Shoanti seems to care very little about it.
Up ahead, the flitting form of a pseudodragon catches the priestess' eye...and unusual sight give the rainy conditions. Normally, she'd expect the tiny creatures to take shelter among the rooftop eaves of Korvosa's buildings. Then, her gaze looks beyond the pseudodragon at the approaching shapes of others on the street. When she finally recognizes their faces, she offers a half-smile in greeting...a veritable joyous display given her typical stoic demeanor.
"Jeorik. Heather." She also adds a nod to the newcomer traveling with them. "What brings you out in such weather?"
"Istas!.We were..looking for you to be honest."
Heather points to Emerion..
"This is my friend Emerion..we were set upon by Barvasi's men near my home..Majenko helped get us out of a nasty situation. Then we found Jeorik and I was coming to warn you..we heard you'd gone up to Trails End so..here we are."
She looks at the litter..and then back to the Priestess with a questioning look in her eye
Heather has her scarf,a fine silk one, tied over her hair in the Varisian(gypsy) fashion. She has turned the collar of her coat up against the pervasive drizzle
"Istas! We were..looking for you to be honest." Heather points to Emerion. "This is my friend Emerion...we were set upon by Barvasi's men near my home...Majenko helped get us out of a nasty situation. Then we found Jeorik and I was coming to warn you...we heard you'd gone up to Trails End so...here we are."
"I see," Istas nods. She looks away in self-reflection for a moment and then adds, "There are always consequences to our choices. It would seem ours has come back to haunt us. Regardless, an acquaintance of mine already warned me Barvasi seeks revenge...though, I believe he's chosen a path that only leads to his own self-destruction, I'm afraid. Nevertheless, I shall be on guard even as I trust Pharasma to harry him to his appointed fate. In the meantime, we have a more far-reaching problem than the King of Spiders now."
She looks at the litter...and then back to the priestess with a questioning look in her eye.
"This is the daughter of a friend of mine," Istas explains, "She has taken ill. An outcome of many possible fates, but this one I believe to have specifically been brought about by the followers of Urgathoa...probably associated with those derro we found in the catacombs below Potter's Ward. I was privy to an interrogation of the corpse of one such derro I slew before meeting you and retrieving Gaekhen's body for Thousand Bones. In that conversation, the derro revealed a greater threat from the Pallid Princess. I've been on guard since that day, watching for any sign of plague or the walking dead. I believe this illness may be a harbinger of their handiwork."
She gestures at the girl on the make-shift litter. "I'm taking her to my superiors so they can examine her for themselves...and hopefully to cure whatever ailment ravages her. They may also have the means to divine the source of this disease to better understand it. And I wish to consult the treatise on disease we found in that necromancer's library."
The priestess points back the way they came. "There are apparently others...at least one more child both I, and Kenan here, examined. It would appear the disease is contagious. And I had hoped to spare exposing anyone else to it by traversing the streets in this weather. If we make haste, we should reach the Grey District soon. You're welcome to accompany us if you like."
"Kenan O'Flarna at your service ma'am." He bows with an elegant twist at the middle, showing his strong back and muscular flanks and legs. The look of a dashing swashbuckler, rather than..."I'm a healer as dat fair Lady Istas sees. Tis a soft day to be meeting so many new friends."
Kenan blithely ignores the rain, its only drizzle after all. His ponytail hangs limp with dripping water after a while. Water that stains his overcloak.
"Emerion Brightsmith at yours," Emerion doffs his three-cornered hat as he bows before reseating it at a jaunty angle. "That's a rare blade you have there, my friend - not many have the skill of it."
Emerion turns to Istas, and addresses her in fluent Shanti:
"An ill day is brightened by a good meeting, may the sun shine on our friendship upon the morrow," he says formally, then continues in Taldor (Common). "A sickness you say, one with a crimson rash in large blotches upon the face and body? We found an old woman dead that way in an alleyway not far hence, poor soul."
As they exchange information, Emerion looks thoughtful.
"Found on the riverbank, you say? Was there not a ship that was sunk near there but a few days ago? Think you that perhaps others had forewarning of this?"
Heathers mouth sets in a grim line.."Then it has begun..I had hoped my dreams had not spoken truely" She describes the vision she had as the group makes it way through the streets
Vision repeated and spoilered for length with card meanings appended
Frustrated, and knowing that the very frustration will block communion with the tarot. Heather breathes deep. Some old concentration exercises. She shuffles and begins anew to lay out the spread.
An earthquake shakes the building, throws Heather to the floor. Then she begins to slide toward the wall as the building falls onto its side. (Strangley all the furniture remains in place as Heather slides toward the former wall - now floor and out the window. Screaming she lands upon a flying unicorn which prances through the sky. Flocks of upside down crows swirl and engulf you then fly on.
Across the river is a market, no a fair, rising. Teamsters drive their teams at breakneck speed, stop and unload, and drive on. Tents rise of their own accord. Masked revelers walk the grounds between tents. The unicorn sweeps you into one.
Inside the revelers dance in awkward, broken time around a huge bear on a stage. A richly garbed and veiled lady, surely a member of the royal court, takes you by the hand. She leads you to a door under the stage. OPening the door you look inside. A small child, frightened by the noise and dull thuds of the bear's feet crouches, cowering in a corner ....
Heather wakes. She raises her head from the table. Sunlight pokes in the windows. The cards have spilled randomly from her hand. They are all face-down save one, The Hidden Truth.
The Avalanche (Dex)
Traditional Unrelenting, unthinking disaster
Misaligned Disaster can be averted
The Unicorn (Cha)
Traditional What you seek is yours
Misaligned Friends are untrustworthy
The Crows (Dex)
Traditional Taking of loved ones or items
Mislaigned Thievery can be stopped
The Carnival (Wis)
Traditional Illusions and false dreams
The Teamsters
Traditional Driving external pressure
The Dance (Dex)
Traditional Staying in perfect harmony
Misaligned taying in lockstep is perilous
The Courtesan (Wis)
Traditional Political or Feminine intrigue
The Bear (Str)
Traditional Brute force reigns
The Lost (Wis)
Traditional Emptiness and loss of identity
Misaligned Clarity of mind under duress
The Hidden Truth (Int)
Traditional Seeing past the obvious
Misaligned A dangerous secret
"An ill day is brightened by a good meeting, may the sun shine on our friendship upon the morrow," he says formally, then continues in Taldor (Common). "A sickness you say, one with a crimson rash in large blotches upon the face and body? We found an old woman dead that way in an alleyway not far hence, poor soul."
Istas blinks once at Emerion's use of the Shoanti tongue. She clearly avoids using it when she replies. "Then the sickness has already spread beyond the Shingles. All the more reason to reach the Grey District."
When the discussion ensues about a ship by the riverbank, the priestess remains silent while listening.
"Then it has begun...I had hoped my dreams had not spoken truly." She describes the vision she had as the group makes it way through the streets.
"Pharasma gave me a vision several days ago, not all that unlike what you have described," Istas shares, "The gods and powers-that-be are trying to warn us. We must get this information to those in a position to act upon it."
"It would certainly seem that the source of this plague may be by the riverbank, at any rate. I think a look down there may be in order - at least, if we can avoid contracting it ourselves."
"It will do us no good to go looking for Urgathoa's kiss until we better understand the threat she poses and how to combat it," Istas answers, "That is why I want to consult with the best of the Pharasmen healers. We have opposed the Pallid Princess since she first fled our Lady's judgement and brought into existence the walking dead. Even as we guard Korvosa's catacombs, we shall also stand against any plague her followers seek to spread. But we must understand it before we act."
"And you have already handled a body my friend...Istas what precautions can we take?"
"Until I can further understand the illness, I won't know how it spreads or what precautions to take," she responds, "I and Kenan here may already be affected...we just haven't displayed any symptoms yet. In the meantime, we should take care to keep ourselves clean and wash after handling anything the infected victims may have touched. It's possible they themselves aren't contagious, but rather something they came into contact with...the water...a cursed item...an infected creature...who knows?"
"Let's get back to my temple and out of this rain," she finishes, "Then we can speak more. And hopefully, some of my fellow priests and skilled healers can join the conversation."
Istas holds forth the comet-depicting medallion hanging around her neck and a trace of bluish light glistens through the rain.
"Are you sure?" she asks, "To what open wounds do you refer?"
Once Emerion has verified he has no injuries, the priestess offers a wan smile. "Clearly, Pharasma meant for our paths to cross this night. Now let us be on our way."
Majenko swoops back over the party. Mindful of the distress perching on Heather's shoulder caused, he lands on Emerion's braod hat, knocking the swordsman momentarily off balance. His wings flare as he gains his balance and a firm grip on the hat.
Heather, Istas, Jeorik;
Emerion:
The pseudodragon looks curiously down on Kenan from his high perch.
Majenko swoops back over the party. Mindful of the distress perching on Heather's shoulder caused, he lands on Emerion's braod hat, knocking the swordsman momentarily off balance. His wings flare as he gains his balance and a firm grip on the hat.
"Ah...there's the reason Barvasi continues to seek us out," Istas wryly comments. She hefts her spear and then nods to the pallet-bearers to continue on to the gates of the Grey District.
"Aye, and a Shoanti tribeswoman no less - it takes a powerful fate to bring one of them to the city so close, I am thinking friend Keenan, but then I'd expect no less of a friend of my Lady Whiteraven," he grins, and adds in an undertone, "just as yourself, my friend, must be just a little more than a mere street-healer," and winks consiprationally. "We ordinary mortals do seem caught within the wheels of greater fates," he continues in a normal, slightly self-mocking tone not normally found in one so finely (and dare I say it stylishly) dressed.
"Mejenko and I have just become friends, though there perhaps seems a little more to the tale of his involvement with these events than first I thought," Emerion casts his gaze upwards at his hat, Istas' comment about Majenko being the reason for of Barvasi's ill favour not having passed him by, although he clearly bears no ill-will to Majenko for that - the likes of Barvasi make enemies easily, after all.
"No, street healer is my profession and if'n dis disease is spreading then I be a busy boy in time to come. Dat does not mean I will be always on the streets, the good lady Istas did say one thing that is true and that be that the cause if what I should be after. And so I'll be tagging along fur a wee jukey at the river too."
Kenan walks on the rain-splattered cobbles, looking towards the Grey District.
Passing Eodred's Square you here the bell and singsong voice of a Royal page. "By order of Arbiter Fordyce, High Inquisitor of Korvosa, the Royal Tribunal of Trinia Sabor declares her guilty of treason and the king's murder. By order of the Tribunal she will be executed three days hence."
Know(local) DC 14:
Reaching Grey, you pass the towering pillared gates into the open grounds of the city's graveyard. The facilities at the gate consist mostly of buildings with small rooms where the Pharasmen meet with bereaved families and process the dead. Not an auspicious place for a sick girl. You take her up to the main temple. Majenko won't go inside.
At your summons Father Corvin comes to the room set aside for the girl. "Istas -- and Kenan! What brings you here?" He greets Jeorik and Heather neutrally, having seen them before and knowing them by reputation too. Pleased to be introduced to Emerion. He sits on the bed by Telisha for his examination.
Even the short journey has been a strain on the weakened girl. The Father makes the same assessment that Istas and Kenan have made. He approves Kenan's treatment of the sores. He's not sure about Ishani's broth, "Do you know what was in it?" He fears the girl will not survive without divine healing.