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There's still plenty of time left for that. I don't have anything in particular planned for this for the moment.

Ayedah:

Anything else you want to do before coming back to the group?

Alandra, tough luck you have there. :( Tell you what... you get a circumstance bonus of +1 for "GM feels like it" :)

Gah... ninjas! I thought "Well, they're pretty much done... move them forward", only to find 3 new posts while i was composing mine.

I hope i have not cut anyone short too badly.

The guard chuckled as he heard Jillian's comment "Naming your weapon is certainly optional, Ma'am. Frankly, i have never felt the urge." After he had done his job ascertaining that all visible armaments were left in his care, he opened a heavy door. Before them lay the audience chamber of Castle Korvosa.

Beyond that door lay the audience chamber, home of the very literally crimson throne of Korvosa. The windows were draped with heavy cloth letting little light inside, and hundreds of candles were spread throughout the chamber. It seemed almost like a tomb from some bard's tale. Certainly the environment for mourning. Deeper in the room, resting on the throne of Korvosa, a figure was just barely visible in the flickering twilight. Deeply shrouded, clad blacks and subdued shades of violet.

Just inside the chamber, an exquisite woman greeted the party. She was tall, dark-haired... her armor was obviously wrought for just her person, accenting her body just as much as it protected it. Fierce charcoal eyes. Unmarred skin. She was so very beautiful, but anyone with even half a bit of fighting experience could read from her stance that she was also quite deadly if she put her mind to it.

Knowledge: Local 20 OR Nobility & Royalty 15:

With a curt, polite nod, she greeted the party. "Greetings. You have been announced to be in the posession of something that rightfully belongs to her royal highness. Is that correct?" Damnations, she even had a beautiful voice.

Maris kept walking even as she answered. "I don't blame myself. I don't blame anyone. I just... don't feel like feeling right now." The way she was walking, a sunset would have been very appropriate. Almost to mock the scene, the sun was instead high in the sky, approaching its apex.

She moved slowly down the same lanes that would lead to Daned's apartment, as if there was not a thing in the world to worry about right now. Or maybe not a thing in the world worth giving a thought to. "You know... He's right. I'm just going home. Ask my sister to take care of things for a while."

Another guardsmen perked up, and moved to the side of the one they were talking with. He whispered something to his comrade, and his face lit up in sudden recognition. "Oh... Is that so? Well, in that case, welcome. I would like to escort you to the inner courtyard, where you can deposit your armaments. My friend here will announce your arrival" The other guardsmen bowed, and went ahead to do just that. He looked quite dashing in his armor, probably selected to serve because of looks as much as because of his fighting abilities.

What was the reason for this sudden change in attitude? A simple trinket wouldn't be that important, if there was no magic imbued into it? Yet the guardsmen seemed serious enough about escorting them up towards the castle proper. "I trust you have that trinket with you? Or else could at least guarantee its safe deposition?"

Krek:

"Moths. Can't talk straight for the life of them" Was the first response, but not the only one. "I can't make much more sense of this than you. Looks like she was right about the Anarchy thing, though. City's ready to rip itself apart.

He emptied his second drink, and added "I mean... it seems like what i mean... now that your revenge is done, can you keep up what you are, are you in balance? Or will you swing back now, with not so much pushing you? But there might be something much more literal still coming up."

Ayedah:

The lieutenant sighed. "We'll be thankful for any volunteers, so much is certain. Not enough people by far, but if we let this rioting break out in full force, there'll be hell to pay. But you've done enough. If you'd just tell me where to find you in case we've any questions, that'd be all i ask of you."

Maris was still standing where she had joined Ayedah... seemed to not quite have understood it was really over. Only when one of the other guardsmen squeezed her shoulder, she began to back away, and slowly wander off.

Because i have not...

The officer made a gesture. "Alright. We'll round up who we can find. You talk to Bren when we have him." Despite the grimness of the situation, he managed a brief smile. "I'm Gedren Herno. Lieutenant of the Korvosan Guard, and in charge of this lovely neighborhood. And i guess i owe you something... Maris, dismissed. I don't want to see you on duty before next week, and if they burn the damn city down around our ears."

Maris remained close to Ayedah, nodded thankfully. "Thank you sir. And you. Without you, I'd be dead, i know it."

Taldane is the proper name for "common" :P Well, anyway...

The guardian looked at the "colorful" bunch of characters in obvious amusement. "An audience with her majesty, you say? Regarding what matter? And will your sick friend be coming along?" It seemed clear as daylight he was making a joke out of this.

The "sick friend" had another fit of bloody coughs, and this time around the guard did no longer seem so amused. "Get him out of here." he barked at one of the guards further down the corridor, a younger man who seemed entirely too large for his uniform - or his weight. Just when the man had finishes nearly emptying himself of his lungs, and was about to embark on another tirade, the guardsmen quickly grasped his hands, and pulled him towards a small stairwell besides the guardhouse.

Towards Zaelen, the guardsmen whispered "They'll probably throw him in a cell for now, wait and see if someone comes to pick him up. I'll see if i can get him a healer."

Krek:

The Dwarf laughed. "Krek, you think i went soft in these few weeks? Its a reward for courage, not something to give it to you. Can't put true courage in any drink, you should know that." Somewhat more thoughtfully, he continued, "And yeah, i think you've still got a lot to prove. Not because i think you've done little - you've come farther than anyone could've told. Its because i believe you can go so much further still. I'm proud of you."

He stood up, and went over to the towering half-orc. "Illeosa's got to prove herself either a queen or a tyrant. And Krek... it may not be a good home, but can you really say its not where your life's been taking place? Where your friends and your enemies are? That's what I'd call home, and believe me, for a dwarf that's saying a lot."

Ayedah:

"So you were lying." Was the first thing the officer said, more disappointed than angry. Maris nodded, spiritless. She seemed ready to just lay down and die at that point. Still stood by Ayedah's side as she had when the Hellknight had left them.

"I see. Bren. Good men, when he doesn't drink. Tell me... Shoanti" The man did not slant the term in any negative way, even though it might not be the most polite address. Probably just his way of speaking without knowing her name? "When you met these men... other than the one that threw the stone, were they doing anything wrong? Looting, or destroying anything, or encouraging others to do so?"

Sense Motive DC 5 (yes, you can take 10, unless you feel Ayedah is too much under stress):

Two other guardsmen were now with their dead comrade. Slowly removing his armor, somberly going through the first motions to prepare a funeral.

Krek:

I'll try and come up with some concepts. But please, for the love of Pete... I'll do so when (if) they become relevant. My NPC file is exploding as is. ;) By the way, i didn't find a name for your teacher. Any preference? Otherwise he's now Ulgran Hammershirk

The Dwarf quickly covered the distance, and pulled out a bottle of good, golden brandy. He filled it to the brim, and raised it. "First, something for courage."

With that out of the way, he let go of a contented grunt. "This city is taking a nose dive right to the nether regions, Krek. I've heard some say me thinking about going back to my clan in Janderhoff. Bunch of humorless pricks... They don't know me at all. Krek. Illeosa needs to get her pretty ass in the saddle, or the city'll buckle and throw her right off. I'd love to see a few good fights in the streets." He grinned. "Your kids there looked tough - but I'd not give them a chance.

With a quick refill, he added. "What'll you do? This city's your home. With Lamm out of the picture, and all this chaos coming up... good chance for you to prove yourself."

He pushed through the hesitation now. "Ah, who am i kidding. Listen boy, I don't know what this whole thing's about. But don't weigh yourself down. I mean, my heart halfway stopped when i saw that string of kids. Lord in Iron needs you fit, and I'm afraid you might now lose drive. With Lamm gone, and all."

Ayedah:

The Hellknight did not budge, but his visor turned to face Ayedah. "Aren't we a little impulsive? That might be seen as an attack on a member of the Order of the Nail. Be thankful I see this as a distraction at best." He stepped back, and turned his attention back to the officer. His attention, but not his head. "I would suggest you intensely question the savage."

The officer grimassed. "Sir, you still being here might be seen as dereliction of duty. You delivered your message, and received our report. I doubt a social visit is part of your orders." he barked out, stepping beside Ayedah to demonstrate on whose side he was - and Maris joined the two of them.

The Hellknight thought better than that. "As you will it, Guardsman. We are all allies here." With that, without any visible haste, he began to move away. He was hardly out of sight when the officer let go of a deep, bottled up sigh.

"Cursed Hellknights. I wonder if they ever did us any good. So, how is..." He stopped, shook his head. "No... oh it be damned. You willing to explain what happened? I'd rather not put that on the girl here."

As if on Zalen's cue, the group dragged the man into the next street - when Castle Korvosa rose in all its impressive height. Near the pyramidal base, a full complement of city guards stood ready. The banners were only half-raised, the city in full mourning. There was no traffic this close to the castle, the group seemed the only ones around.

The soldiers looked as if prepared for a parade, rather than holding on to a city on the edge of devouring itself. Royal guard... last line of defense. Also the one symbol in Korvosa that made things seem normal. Under control. In fact, one of them, a beautiful young man in decorated half-plate approached. "Is there any trouble, citizens?" He greated the group. Well pronounced Taldane. He gestured towards the man, who had just about gathered enough breath to break out another tirade.

"Another troublemaker, i see. Well, we've plenty of space for them to express their grief." Yet to his credit, he seemed to sense the mood of the group, how somber it was. "Or... is this something else?"

"Back me on this..." Maris whispered, as she stepped forward, and saluted. It looked just as she did - plainly out of anything resembling an ordered state of mind. "Guardwo..." Then she was cut off by her commander. "Get a cleric! Healer's kit, too. MOVE!" He called to someone in the guard building.

Maris had hardly begun to gently let the body of her fallen friend slide towards the street, when the viselike gauntlet of the Hellknight closed around her face, and twisted it towards the visor of his imposing armor. "What has happened?" He demanded. Of course the armor obscured any vision of his face, but the voice was harsh, deep and devoid of mercy. The officer must have been either brave or convinced to stand up to him.

Maris sobbed, but a shake prompted her to speak. "We were down in Silverfiddle lane. Patrolling. One of Bren's workers shouted insults to Ill... Her Royal Majesty. Feiko... he went to catch him, but... he threw a stone, and..."

With a casual twist, the Hellknight send the woman flying back to the cobblestone street. "She's lying. Do i need to remind you about the proper punishment for knowingly reporting lies?" He asked casually.

The officer stepped up. "Listen, Veriques. This woman is shocked, she's just seen a friend be hurt. Maybe even die. I know your kind cuts out their own hears, but we don't. Now let us handle that. We'll make sure we find everyone who had a hand in this. And exact proper punishment."

The guardsmen with the healers kit just shook his head when he reached the corpse. Mumbled something in a defeated voice.

Krek:

With a short motion of his head, his old friend pointed towards one of the buildings. Krek knew it was where he kept his belongings, his bed, and most importantly his brandy. "More to tell than a dry throat'll muster. I've got a few new brews from these Cailen Cayden priests who came through. What do you say?"

Sense Motive DC 12:

Ayedah:

The young woman (she could not be much older than Ayedah) grasped the wall, but kept upright. "We've come from Longacre Building... but there's a smaller guardpost down two lanes. We... should go there. No need to call in the others. Its too late."

She leaned on her alright, as if the strength to even walk had left her. "I... I always thought he was just about to ask me to go out with him. But he never did. And now... now they're going to die. And if... oh gods... HE is dead. They are going to die for it. And... and then? Then... then their brothers will talk of revenge... 'But my brother didn't throw the stone. Why was he hung along?"

Her rambling became more coherent as the street slowly wound on. Ayedah was able to learn that the two were really only dispatched to see if anyone was trying to raise trouble, make sure to show "presence" and ask people to go home as the curtfew approached. She was called Maris, and the other guard had been called Feiko.

A small guardpost, really a converted storefront, came into view... and a much older city guard, a man with a disgustingly large mustache. He was probably some kind of officer, since he loudly argued with a fully-armored Hell Knight.

Ayedah:

Ayedah checked the man... and there was not much else to be said. Heartbeat, gone. His skull shattered above his eye. She wasn't too keen on investigating further. There wasn't much too learn, after all.

The guardswoman did not flinch when touched. Neither did she say anything. She just... stood there for a moment. "I'll do it myself. He was my partner in this patrol. You... just happened along." She tried picking him up, put one of his arms around her shoulders, struggling. "I... i can't do this. I can't do this." Her face was growing pale. Ayedah had only seen this once. One of the young woman in the tribe, when she had seen her sweetheart impaled. She was about to faint.

The man had no strength in his body, so much was clear, but Alandra's quick examination confirmed her worst fears. She had read about Urgotha's breath. A horrible inflammation of the lungs. Wasting sickness that reduced its victims to coughing near-carcasses over agonizing years.

It was infectious. Stale air and cramped conditions, sooth and harsh odors helped its progress. Some incenses were said to aid, but any even halfway promising mundane cure was expensive - almost as expensive as begging clerical intercession. Those suffering from it were all too often the poor, the overworked and the children. Lamm's hideout would have been near-ideal breeding grounds for it.

He seemed to be subdued for the moment - his rambling drowned by coughing and desperate hacking gasps for air.

Alandra: This concludes the scene for me, unless you have something specific in mind

Krek: The old dwarf looked over the bunch, and made a face. "A regular bunch of kids, alright. So, let me guess. You finally made him pay, didn't you. And to the victor go the children." He scratched himself unashamedly. "We can't keep them all here, you know that. Best i can promise is I'll talk to people, keep them in the dry for some days... see if they can't learn some craft or such."

Ayedah:

The female guardsmen stood by a corner, holding back tears. Her whole face was crying, but her cheeks remained dry. "That... won't be needed anymore. I... was too slow. Careless, too."

She did not turn around, did not move... just looked at the form of her comrade, whom she had gently sat down in a house entrance. He wasn't moving. Not an inch. Not a breath. Nothing. "They killed him... oh all gods. Abadar... they killed him."

The man was solidly overwhelmed between the spell, the grappling attempt, the staggering attempts to regain his footing, and the coughs which put forth generous amounts of thin bloody phlegm. Ayedah had little trouble turning his arms to his back, which reduced him to a whimpering bit of pain. "Flee while you can! Fl..." the rest was lost in a coughing fit.

Ayedah, since you are grappling him... make a DC 10 Fortitude save, please

Alandra:

Mother Maple left her hanging for what seemed like an eternity. "Alandra, i find little fault with your actions safe one: Why did you not ask permission? Why have you left behind your duty when all it would have taken was to ask me?"

The priestess gently placed one of her hands on Alandra's shoulder. "You show great promise, Alandra. I would loathe to see it go to waste. This is why i have to punish you. Do not consider this a harmless slap on the wrist, because that would rob it of its meaning." She drew out the words. With one finger she smoothly raised her protegee's face to face her own. "You will spend four hours of each day in study from now onward, and i will test you. As in life, the test of your diligence will come when you least expect it. If you fail me, I will need to become more severe with you. If you are good... then I will have to reward you."

With a short look over the assemblage of children and adolescents, she added "We'll find good homes for them. For the moment, will you arrange for them to stay in the guest quarters?"

Ayedah:

The female guardsmen pulled her comrade from the endangered area. She began to shake ever more severely as the very real possibility of her friend dying before help arrived began to sink in. To her credit, it seemed to only serve to make her more efficient.

The mob was visibly no longer as keen on blood now that this strange Shoanti, who very clearly did not belong to the despised new ruler's cronies was speaking out. Some muttered insults about Ayedah's heritage could be made out, but nothing as overt as to reignite the flames of rampage. One of the Masons, a burly man of maybe forty summers cleared his throat. He looked as if he would fit right into a Shoanti tribe. Rough trousers, a sleeveless vest, arms like logs. He probably could stand his own against most men of Ayedah's home tribe. "Do you think we want that? They're our sons, our neighbors and our friends. Why do they prop up that pretender! She's a lying wastrel and has no claim on the crimson throne. I'd not be surprised if she murdered the king."

A general murmor of support swelled from the other workers - but the violent moment was gone, now that the visible agents authority were no longer present. "I'm just pissed off she hides behind our friends. She and me, a fair fight - two heartbeats." While there was little doubt the man could probably break every bone in the Queen's body in that time, the announcement caused nothing but general mirth. Sure, Illeosa was likely to wrestle for the crown.

And with that little bit of treason, it was over. Two of the workers more in the back (probably including the one who had thrown the stone) were sneaking into a side alley, quickly followed by most of the others. Only the huge man remained after a few mo ments. "Bren's the name. I... well. I just wanted to say that's been mighty courageous of you. I guess you Shoanti know a thing or two about that. Courage, i mean."

The man stumbled, and crashed into the pavement, hard. He was coughing, hacking, and spit some blood on the cobblestones in front of himself. No sound of protest, however...

Then it happened. He jumped up with alarming celerity. "If i do not stop you, noone will. The city will bleed, each of us will! You'll be to blame!"

Initiative please - The old guy has a whopping 17 Initiative, AC 11, 8 HP

Jillian:

They young man seemed rather eager to get himself clean and to receive a bit of equipment. Shopping was relatively uneventful... until it came to the matter of a dagger. More precisely, one displayed in one of the stores they visited. A beautiful piece, to be sure.

"Miss Jillian... don't i need something to fight with?" He asked, and tried very hard to sound pleasant. That probably would work rather well with tall folk, for whom the distinction between child, men and halfling was less easy.

Zalen:

Unless you have something in mind that could happen in the city, i would close here. I've got a few ideas about his ersatz-family, but none of them takes place in the first 15 minutes ;)

Alandra:

The elder looked her straight in the eyes, visibly forcing herself into a calm, relaxed attitude. "I want this to be absolutely clear, then. Is the following what you claim to have abandoned your duty for? You claim to have received a prophecy, which you made true. You also claim to have aided a restless spirit. You defeated the man who tormented you for year, and freed those currently in his clutches."

She had a gaze that seemed set in stone. Just like when some desperate husband begged the church to call his wife back into life, or his child. Not looking at her proper anymore, but to some point behind her, as if she was not even truly there.

The children were beginning to grow restless. The two priests, together with the somber surroundings were probably a bit frightening to them.

The group gathered back up, and slowly began to pass through the streets of Korvosa. The city was still on edge, but right then... there was cheering, and laughs. Sadly, it was not too jovial. It was viscous, without any joy for the object of the mirth.

A man stood on a water barrel, his eyes clearly focussed beyond the horizon. He was unshaven, dirty and his hair was hanging in thick greasy tangles. "Men and women, gather round! SO listen! Listen, there is not much time left." He jumped from his barrel, and began to run straight for the group. "The sickness is here. The curse!" He fixed his eyes on Ayedah, and seemed intent to tackle her.

Jillian:

The younger halfling showed a lopsided smile, and moved with his new mentor through the city. Two "Slips" had little problems finding their way even in the tense atmosphere that gripped the city.

Ayedah:

She quickly crossed a few streets and saw the disturbance up front. A group of eight workers, masons or other builders were in a shouting match with a group of one female and a male city guard. The woman had her blade out, and two of the masons were wielding bricks as if they were crude missiles. "How can you defend the whore queen?!" a young woman among the construction crew screamed. "You're like us, you can't have lost your hearts like this!"

The male guardsmen snorted "Get your asses back to work! I am not asking you again. This disturbance is over." He waved the sword like a glorified stick... then it happened. A brick hit him square in the head. He dropped like a felled tree.

Zalen:

Ayen seemed extremely excited about the prospects, and promised to earn back the money he gave her before the week was even half past. That and put the house back in order, and learn a proper job on the side. The boys snickered, and generally didn't take her too seriously. Perol even winked at Zalen, and whispered "Ayen's bossy, but she's smart, too."

I'd make the return of the ring one such "side adventure". With all the selling going on, I would guess one of the characters who visits a jewelry shop starts some inquiry about it.

Not all side quests need to be completed in this breakout, after all.

The sun had traveled about three quarters of its daily journey when the group met back at Zellara's house. Korvosa had weathered the day... poorly. A tension had gripped the city that was almost visible. There was talk of riots in old Korvosa, and some claimed in the Heights as well. Rumors floated that part or even all of the Sable Company had refused to follow Illeosa. Even her exact status was unclear. There were those claiming she still was to be formally crowned, while others maintained that this had taken place already. Others said that she was ruling by right of inheritance, and that the Chamberlain of the castle was missing. Other rumors floated around freely, some close to treachery. There were claims that Illeosa had been forming a private army for months, or that she was backed by a chelish noble house to bring the wayward colony back into the arms of Cheliax for good.

Soldiers of the City guard were patrolling the streets, and a contingent of Hellknights supported them. Both were visibly worn out by a long day, and it promised to become a long night for them as well.

The group would probably get to the bottom of things a little further this night. While getting an audience with the recently bereft was unlikely (it was a mere bauble, after all...), the best and probably only place to return the brooch to was Castle Korvosa itself.

I'm giving you a chance to meet back IC here. Any day business goes to the breakaway thread. I'll try to keep your storylines separate, so you don't run into "but we discussed..." situations. I know this is a bit strange, but please bear with me. We'll see how it works out for this group. .)

Ayedah:

The early morning streets were filled with a strange atmosphere. Every other corner she saw a city guardsmen, looking as grim as they could manage. She had had no idea there were so many of them. They must have put every man they had out on the street, but even the way to Midlund was far from uneventful. Fortunately for her, she was not embroiled in violence herself, but a few streets past her route, she could hear calls, screams and shouted threats.

She could just go forward, and would probably avoid the trouble for the moment, or she could turn right, and see what was going on.

Zalen:

I'm moving your last post from the main thread here, since it seems to be one of the "before meeting back" issues. I'd guess since an untrained hireling goes for about a silver a day, you should be good with "a place to stay + 3-5 coppers a day". So for all five, that would be around 15 silvers a week, if you are a bit stingy. Still more than they are used to getting.

All in all, Zalen had five likely candidates. Ayen, who was relishing the role of "overseer" he had assigned to her, two boys of about her age, named Roral and Kortis. One somewhat younger fellow, maybe ten years of age, named Perol and a small girl, eight years old, who claimed to want to stay with Perol. The girl probably would have found refuge in one of the temples or an orphanage, but she stayed with Perol, and absolutely refused to even hear anything of leaving him. She was called Pirisa.

Roral was by far the tallest of the small group, standing just three inches short of six feet even at his young age. He was also the leanest, with his cheekbones clearly showing, his hands bony and his adams apple poking from an uncushioned throat. He kept his unkempt blonde hair tied with a small knot, the quintessential rogue.

Kortis was much smaller, and much more muscular. Had Zalen not known such a pairing to be impossible, he would have placed some dwarven ancestry in the boy. While the boy was not fat, he was build like a bull, and even the horrible conditions in Lamm's service hadn't taken that from him. He probably would have joined the ranks of his enforcers before too long. His black eyes and stubble-cut hair completed his looks very nicely.

Perol... well, if Cheliax was missing a crown prince, then it would be him. He had a noble, aristocratic look to himself, from his sharp, narrow nose, his literally white skin, and his green eyes, which starkly contrasted his jet-black hair, he would need only a change of clothes (and maybe some lessons in etiquette) to fit right into any noble house. He was quiet, and staid with Ayen more through inaction and physical proximity than any voiced choice.

Jillian:

The halfling stirred, and fever-reddened eyes opened. "Hey, kind lady. Can you spare a silver?" He asked in a pitiful voice - and then showed a grin with remarkably well-preserved teeth. "I'm Gireo. An' i guess the trickiest rogue 'round would be you, kind lady Lammslayer?"

Ayedah:

Priestress Emilandre watched over Ayedah as she handed down her penace as described in the main threat and waited for a moment. "Is there anything else you wish to speak about, Ayedah? I feel... as if you have many things on your mind". The elder priestress, often considered a confidant of the bishop, watched Ayedah up and down.

Breakaway thread for private scenes

I can not see the post, either. Maybe it has been surpressed for some reason? Now who posted pornography here? ;)

While most of the children were human, there was one who could not be mistaken for one. It was easily the dirtiest, most dishevelled halfling Jillian had ever had the misfortune of meeting. From the look, especially his still-sleeping face, he was almost grown up. You would not have thought so, though. He had nothing male about himself. No broad shoulders, no hint of facial hair.

Most of the morning is spend on organizing homes for the gang of orphans, runaways and abductees. Zalen found out that while abduction featured prominently in quite a few of the personal stories of the children, it was actually unusual for Lamm. He had done so in force but rarely, for fear of bringing in more wrath than he could safely handle.

Between the priesthood of Pharasma (always willing to aid those struck by fate as these children had been), the Pantheon and the Orphanage sponsored by Abadar's priesthood, most of the younger ones either unwilling or unable to return to a home could be placed. While Alandra was naturally scolded for neglecting her duties, her priestress did so with a strange smile - and the penance was light. Merely a donation towards the church, and a wake in prayer and meditation. She had expected much worse. Could it be her superior was sympathetic to her, for some reason?

The older ones were the most problematic. For them, proper apprenticeships would have to be secured. Yet Zalen's suggestion to Ayen was met with a sly little smile from the pubescant girl. "Mister Candorian, we can work for you. We are used to getting by with little, and if you let us stay here, we will not be a huge drain on your purse."

Sense Motive DC 18:

The group reconvened in the late afternoon, most of their personal errants done, and a good share of the conquest turned into money already. Zalen sported a nicely refurbished rapier, for one thing. If they were to make their way to Castle Korvosa, they would have to embark now, if they had any hope of meeting the newly-coronated Queen Illeosa.

As previously said, if any of you want to elaborate on any of the scenes, feel free. I will fork off a thread for them in that case.

Nayr waked through the night, still troubled by all he had learned. When asked what he planned to do, he considered for a moment. "I will see to it that these children have a place to stay, for a while at least. Some of them need foster parents, some probably have parents waiting for their return, and others are old enough to be apprenticed for some trade." He eyed Jillian for a moment. "You are of course very welcome in this. It will be much easier than if i had to do it alone." He did not mention any other duties he might have - either he put them behind the wellbeing of the children, or they were none to pressing.

The module does not list market values for the non-artwork items.

Keep in mind that the oils, wand and shuriken probably are only going to go for about half value.

No, i do not require playing out the "going from shop to shop" bit, unless one of you is interested. At this point in the adventure, this is still not a critical part of the backdrop. :) But someone has to state this as "the plan" for about half a day.

In general, i am currently trying to give each of you some free play time. If you'd like, however, we can just skip to some time you all gather back together.

Oh, and... yeah. I would think we lost Kat by now. I'm half tempted to re-recruit, but without the Lamm angle i need to come up with a good hook for new PCs first.

Just as they had suspected, it did not take the group long to return to the home. They found Nayr and the children inside, looking somewhat... disquieted. And for good reason. The room was bare, and most of the decorative bits and pieces they remembered were flat gone. It was cold, and somewhat drafty. Someone obviously had looted the place after Zellara's death. Nayr and the orphans had made a small fire, but it was not yet strong enough to really heat up the room.

"Now, friends... You are back, and that is good. But... do you know what the meaning of this is? I remember the place much more beautiful and frankly well-furnished." The group explained the demise of Gaedren Lamm, and the state of their benefactor. Slowly, the pieces fell into place.

Outside, they could hear the city waking. The announcement of King Eodred's death were still ongoing, and already the city buckled under the reigns of a new monarch. There was screams and shouting heard from down the lane, and commands to stay inside and obey the law. Mixed into these were cries of "Whore Queen", "Golddigger", and other expletives directed at the now-ruler of Korvosa. The woman was not well-liked, and for good reason. Queen Illeosa Arabasti had only come from Cheliax two years ago, and bewitched the aging monarch with her youthful looks and (some said) shocking willingness to please. The aging man had even chased out his sizable harem. Since then, the Stirge King had a queen who was only marginally less spendthrift, but hated with a passion by the common folk. No wonder, with her being a foreigner there naturally was talk of her "stealing" the crimson throne.

The group spend most of the night together, until the early morning hours heralded the lifting of the curfew. Each of the group was bound to a destination.

See the OOC thread

Gern nodded. "I guess so. You split up that loot among yourselves. I've got no taste to profit from Lamm's murdering and thieving ways. Leave me with honest work, and I'll die a glad man."

The watchmen had seemingly passed the building, and it should be as safe as ever to walk outside now. Zellara's home was not far anyway, so getting there should be safe.

That was, if anything to do here had been done.

The check is good enough. :) It will take three rounds, but if you take your time, here comes a spoiler:

Krek was met with a small smile. "It is not so much what i want, but what will come your way me helping or harming. I merely offered my help, because i owe you a dept of gratitude." She seemed rather meek and if she had a hidden agenda, it was hidden well, because even Krek's careful eye failed to pick up the telltale hesitations and awkward turns of phrase that usually preceeded falsehoods.

Jillian, in the meantime, used the keys from Lamm's keyring to open the lockbox. Inside, there was a selection of different treasures, each of them wrapped in thin sheets of cloth to preserve them from the damp. Right on top, tied together with a silken ribbon, was Zellara's harrow deck, much like the ghostly cards she had conjured for the group earlier. Also, they found a cigar case, inlaid with several chips of jade. These formed a decorative, abstract pattern, and the case even contained a single cigar. A golden ingot, two pounds heavy and stamped with the chelish coat of arms rested besides the case. There also was a miniature golden crown, as if for a puppet, topped with tiny pearly on each end. A fist-sized scrimshaw carving of a kraken with garnets for eyes was contained in the next bundle, followed by a silver ring. It was engraved with fine, flowing script stating "for Hannah, the Light of my Nights", in masterful calligraphy.

An ivory carving of two succibi entwined around each other came next, extremely well done, but detailed enough to make a proper lady blush if not faint. a shuriken with edges so sharp, even touching them drew blood, an adamantine arrowhead, an abalone-shell holy symbol of Shelyn a tiny glass tube containing a dose of a yellow-brown oild, an obsidian wand and a crystal vial with a thick, gooey silver liquid were the last items in the chest... last save one.

Appraise DC 15:

The most significant find was a brooch. Though its clasp was shorn off, this was indubitably the find of the night. It displayed, in exquisite detail, a fight between an imp and a pseudodragon. forming a pattern of dark against light, each seeking to conquer the other. Inside the golden circle, the imp's scales were wrought from brushed platinum, while the imp was made from red gold. As a startling contrast, the imp's eye is a single, sparkling ruby, while the pseudodragon shows two amethysts.

Knowledge: Nobility and Royalty DC 15 OR Knowledge: Local DC 20

Zellara gave Zalen a sly smile, as if she knew more about him than he could probably be comfortable with, scoundrel that he was. "If you wish, you can use my home - provided you keep it in good condition. Other than that... no. There is not much you can do."

The ghostly Varisian moved towards the strongbox from Lamm's bedroom, and her hands vanished inside. "My cards, they are in here. I can feel them. Please, take them for yourself. As long as you hold them, i will be able to aid you. I can tell you much about the hidden true nature of many things you discover. I can advise you - sometimes. Having a visible form like this is taxing, and i can not do so too frequently. We have passed a junction of destiny tonight. So many things happening. The curse of the crimson throne has claimed another victim, and darker days loom on the horizons. If you will have me as your advisor, i will tell you when we approach another such junction... and lay a spread of cards to make your fates known."

Game effects: The harrow deck (still inside the strongbox) is an intelligent magic item, coupled to the ghostly Zellara. She can use identify 3/day without needing further material components, and manifest as a major image 1/day. Every chapter, she can perform a harrow reading for you

Ayedah's hand found no resistance in the insubstantial apparition, just the indistinct feeling of something being there. There, but intangible.

"It is possible, though i can not say for certain, Child of the Storval. I thought that Lamm's demise would be the end of me as well. It is all said and done. My family is extinguished, and my revenge is also complete. But there is another thing."

She looked at the gathered, nodding. "When i read your fate, i realized that this is merely the first dialog in the first chapter. Korvosa sits just barely on the edge of anarchy, and heroes such as you are needed. I know not how, but you have a role to play in the events that will follow. Maybe i am still here to help you fulfill that role, in repayment for avenging both my boy and myself."

Zellara nodded, and kept her distance from the young priestess of the Lady of Graves. She seemed not to be angered by her outburst, but rather... saddened. "That i am. Here for a while longer before travelling to the Boneyard."

She waited, trying to gauge the group's reaction... anxious almost?

Gern had sat down in a relatively clean corner, and looked up as the group slowly trickled back into the room. "Just taking a breather, no worries about me. No overgrown pair of boots is keeping me from my work for long." He seemed safe enough for the moment, and moved over as the group set out to open the last two items worth looking at.

The hat box came first, and inside, a grisly surprise loomed. It was a severed head, crudely preserved and decorated with enough rouge, charcoal and lipstick to make several harlots seem cultured and subtle in their makeup. It was beginning to decay, and it took several heartbeats until the group found within themselves just who that was. Zellara. From the look of things, she had been dead for weeks at least.

A faint shimmer of light appeared among the group just then, slowly, almost tiredly forming into the beautiful Varisian's figure. "It is true, my friends. I am dead. When i found out what happened to my boy, i... lost my senses. Came here alone. Walked into the open knife. I am sorry for deceiving you as i did... but i had to be sure. Had to make him face justice." She moved her hands, in a gesture begging forgiveness. "Now that he is dead, i feel as if a millstone has been taken from my neck."

Regarding the note, i would probably say Linguistics is the best fit here. Just make it a DC 15, if anyone has taken the skill (it's trained only).

Krek: If you had asked IC, i could directly apply my "continuity mending touch", which skillfully (hah! Yeah, right...) fixes such oopses. Know therefore that OOC i came up with an explanation for the strange association. :)

I usually can post directly from the compose page, if i hit preview every few minutes. Doesn't always work, but works well enough that "CRTL-A; CRTL-C" before hitting preview is enough precaution.

I purposefully left the "meeting back" a little vague, since i did not want to go into full-fledged railroad mode, but one of the corpse-free rooms which stinks a little less (the office, for example) might be a good idea.

Additionally, please note that you found the note behind a bookshelf, there is no telling when it was delivered here. So you need not worry too much on that front.

The fishery in all its questionable glory: See it here

Alandra and Jillian set off to (quietly) search and loot the place they had so recently "conquered". The prediction that the other boys would not give them any trouble held true - any motion previously heard aboard the ship ceased quickly. Obviously the other "thugs" had decided to play it safe for the moment. They quickly scoured the upper floor, and found little of obvious value. In an office room, they discovered a lot of business records... most of them obviously kept by the previous operator of the fishery, but scattered among them, notes for "Special Deliver: 1" or "Special Delivery: 2" with once a "Special Delivery: 3" mentioned, and fourty, eighty and a hundred and twenty gold noted down, the last with an exclamation point. They nearly would have missed the last find - something possibly related. It was a simple, crumbled note left behind the bookshelf in the room with the desk. "Prepare the delivery for midnight. Your cerulean contact will fetch it - payment will be rendered once it is verified to be in acceptable state." Simple words, but written with definite panache and a flowing script that seemed nothing short of the hand of a professional scribe.

Knowledge: Local 15:

Hidden under the desk was a key that opened a cabinet, and a obviously-forgotten necklace featuring a remarkably impure garnet (though it still might be worth some money). The cabinet contained piteous amounts of coin, all amounting to just shy of five silvers - but they found a much more meaningful amount of coin in the room their first enemies had emerged from. In six pouches, there was more money - four with fifty pieces of copper, and four with an equal amount in silver.

Searching through all of Lamm's clutter in the room he had met his end would take hours, most likely - but at the moment, a selection of shoddy knifes (half a dozen), and three crossbows showed the extend of the man's preparation - or maybe old age had taken its toll, and he began to forget just how many of each he had already stowed somewhere.

It was only when they entered his sleeping quarters they found the real deal. And it was quite a deal. Not the quarters themselves, they were surprisingly little better than what he treated his orphans to. The bed might have been good once upon a time, but now it stank of wetness, and the telltale black spot of bugs were all through the bedding. Nor the meal that must have stood forgotten for weeks, with an entire nest of roaches already devouring it. No, a hatbox and a heavier lockbox were the true finds of the day. Most likely that was where Lamm kept the more significant "take". The real money, as they said.

A quick search of Lamm's corpse brought a keyring to light that probably would open the lockbox.

In the meantime, Zalen, Ayedah and Krek continued to interrogate "Ein". He had quieted down considerably, probably due to being more mature than Kro, who just... did not seem to be able to cope with the horror any other way than to just stare quietly. Ein, however, got himself together somewhat "Boys come, and go. Most don't make it. Some manage to get away" he nodded to Krek - was that a gesture of respect? "With girls, its... different. We've always had less to start with. More delicate, they are. But those we had... disappeared. We didn't hear them scream so much, so i don't think they... got killed. But they disappear and never come back. Don't know for sure, but... i doubt he lets them go."

The young man knew little more than that, it seemed... but fear of Ayedah's fury made him talk nevertheless. "Some of the boys think he sells them to a pimp. I mean, he... we... we never touched them, and if they become old enough, they just disappear. We... don't know for sure, but... might be?" He looked as if expecting either praise or a hit to the neck now.

It would be nice if you gathered back up, so i need not do split scenes again. Your choice, though

The guardsmen outside continued with his proclamation, and it became easier to understand with each repetition. His voice approached from the south, the side of the narrow pathway towards the ship, and the clutter of armor accompanied him - he likely was accompanied by city guardsmen.

The boy, and "Ein" slowly rose, Ein aided by the still speechless Katryala. Something about the matter seemed to have taken all the words out of her mouth, for the moment at least. It was Kro who spoke up. "Let's just wait it out. They can't be everywhere, all the time. Once they're gone, we're home free." His recovery from the traumatic experience was remarkable - maybe a resilience years of abuse under Lamm had fostered.

Ein chimed in. "The cookie's right." Then, he took a look at Ayedah's face, and became all the less cocksure again. "I... I've come here, five years ago. Lamm was... losing boys fast. Many ran away. Many died. Some got caught. Needed help fast, and couldn't wait for easy pickings."

Visibly intimidated, he continued (hesitantly, since he did not know if she cared for the longer explaination) "Those boys who grow too big for him... grow beards, or such... he feeds them to his crocodile. That is, unless he feels he can make them his muscle. Giggles and the gnome keep the small ones in line, but if he needs someone's legs broken, he comes to us. I've been muscle for three years now. The others, too. He's... well, it beats living in the fishery, and we don't have to beg for sweets. But we won't go and risk our lives avenging Lamm."

I was waiting for Kat, since this is very much "her" scene for the moment. But... chance's up

Ein bit his lips, and seemed as disinclined as Kro to answer any more questions... but held up for only heartbeats. "We cleared out a few nasty spiders from there, and the bigger boys sleep there. Its five of us... doubt they'll give you any trouble though. I mean, look at me." Now that he was talking, he did not seem so frightening... more like a young man who had run out of options all too soon.

Sense Motive DC 10:

Outside the fishery, the city was quite deserted now. The streets empty, not even a drunk or couple in sight. From the distance, a voice could be heard.

Listen DC 20, 15 for those outside:

There was no trace of the girl to be found. She had probably bolted once she had finished her gruesome work. Yet under Zalen's care, the boy slowly came back from the panic that had gripped him, and Alandra successfully woke the youth from his unconsciousness.

"I'm Kro", the boy finally pieced together, his voice still shattered, more like a small kid than the half-man he was. "Dala... she's mad. Just started..." he sobbed, and it took a little while longer to calm him down. In time, he relayed the events. The girl, Dara, had slipped her bounds, and begun to carve the unconscious thug's face into pieces - but grown bored because he would not squirm or scream - and turned to him. Only when she had heard Lamm shouting on the lower level, she turned to flee.

The young man, previously called "Ein" by Ayen, came to, and froze immediately, when he saw Alandra close to his face. Slowly, he spread his arms, showing his palms. He was unarmed, and dared not say anything unless asked first. He looked rather frightened himself.

Sense Motive, DC 10:

Alandra's healing energy flooded the room, and fresh, rosy skin began to cover the deep cuts the girl had left on her victims. New blood began to flush the pale face of the young thug, as well... he stirred. Maybe he would come to if given a little help.

Krek and Katryala remained on the lower floor, together with Gern, whose mangled leg he just didn't really wish to put any strain to. The three of them found themselves overwhelmed with what they found here. The room was so full of clutter, it would probably take hours to just separate the worthwhile finds from the junk. Krek made one very worthwhile find, however, and very soon. The dagger he had a very personal memory off.. it was still on Lamm's person, hidden in a small leather pouch crammed into his boot. Sharper than he remembered it, too.

Meanwhile, the other half of the expedition raced back towards the upper floor as quickly as they dared without risking to "meet Jiggy". What they found was a scene of brutality. It seemed the warnings had been well placed... because the girl they had left tied up was nowhere to be found, but several fresh cuts on the faces of both the still-tied-up boy and the unconscious thug were garish souvenirs of her passing. Kro looked out of the one eye Dala had left him with in sheer panic... the gag in his mouth nearly chewed through.

Character Level 2. :)

Just to see who actually follows this thread: Welcome to level 2. :)