"Harven's hand. I like the ring of that."
"Harven's hand. I like the ring of that."
The inn staff informs you that the watch has sealed the room, and that they transported Harven’s body to Ancestor Island to await internment (burial remunerated by the Dawn Council) late last night.
"Harven's hand. I like the ring of that."
"I'm not much for religious services, so I'll be downstairs, giving the little bastard a wake. Anyone in need of drink, feel free to join me"
Tyndal heads to the bar, ready to drink Harven's weight in wine.
"I'm not much for religious services, so I'll be downstairs, giving the little bastard a wake. Anyone in need of drink, feel free to join me"
Tyndal heads to the bar, ready to drink Harven's weight in wine.
"Agreed" intones Seann, still a bit shaky from the fast-paced fight.
Reaching the bar, he quickly orders an entire cask of an uncharacteristically stiff drink: straight whiskey.
"Tradition demands."
Eldin’s plans over the next day or two:
1.Head to Ancenstor Island to see to Harven’s funeral arrangements. Involve Kora if she wants.
2.Talk to the Watch re the bug – have they managed to track it down?
3.Get magical items identified and valuables appraised
4.Split treasure
5.Go shopping
After this is taken care of he suggests the group hit the Lotus Dragons, probably after taking no more than two days off. Eldin will also ensure that everyone is healed to full in that time.
Beeler, where do we go to get the magic ID’d and valuables appraised?
"Tim Finnegan lived in Walkin Street
A gentle Irishman, mighty odd;
He'd a beautiful brogue so rich and sweet
And to rise in the world he carried a hod.
Now, Tim had a bit of the tipplin' way
With a love for the liquor poor Tim was born
And to help him on with his work each day
He'd a "drop of the Craythur every morn.
Whack fol the dah O, dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake;
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake!
One mornin' Tim was rather full
His head felt heavy which made him shake;
He fell from the ladder and broke his skull
And they carried him home his corpse to wake.
They rolled him up in a nice clean sheet
And laid him out upon the bed,
A gallon of whiskey at his feet
And a barrel of porter at his head.
His friends assembled at the wake
And Mrs. Finnegan called for lunch,
First she brought in tay and a cake
Then pipes, tobacca' and whiskey punch.
Biddy O'Brien began to cry
"Such a nice clean corpse, did you ever see?
"O Tim, mavourneen, why did you die?"
"Arragh, hold your gob" cried Paddy McGee!
Then Maggie O'Connor took up the job
"O Biddy," says she, "You're wrong, I'm sure"
Biddy she gave her a belt in the gob
And left her sprawlin' on the floor.
And then the war did soon engage
'Twas woman to woman and man to man,
Shillelagh law was all the rage
And a row and a ruction soon began.
Then Mickey Maloney ducked his head
When a noggin of whiskey flew at him,
It missed, and falling on the bed
The liquor scattered over Tim!
Tim revives! See how he rises!
Tim he rises from the dead,
Says, "Whirl your whiskey around like blazes"
"Thanum an Dhul, do you thunk I'm dead?"
Whack fol the dah O, dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake;
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake!"
Eldin’s plans over the next day or two:
1.Head to Ancenstor Island to see to Harven’s funeral arrangements. Involve Kora if she wants.
2.Talk to the Watch re the bug – have they managed to track it down?
3.Get magical items identified and valuables appraised
4.Split treasure
5.Go shoppingAfter this is taken care of he suggests the group hit the Lotus Dragons, probably after taking no more than two days off. Eldin will also ensure that everyone is healed to full in that time.
Beeler, where do we go to get the magic ID’d and valuables appraised?
Terin decides to stick with Eldin, the plan seems sound and accomplishes much...
Hey, good luck with the surgery man.
;p
Arriving on Ancestor Island, you find a short but poignant service for Harven in progress. Due to the circumstances of his demise, the keepers thought it best to cremate the small man, and somberly present you with his remains in a tiny pine box stamped, “Temporary Container."
A few watch members are in attendance to pay homage as their Sergeant is interred with honors. In hushed whispers, they tell you there has been no sign of the insect since the incident, though the death of a watch sergeant has made the case a high priority.
The party locates a moneychanger accustomed to the myriad foreign currencies of sailors in the Azure District, and for a modest surcharge has the copious (and weighty) copper and silver pieces exchanged for gold, which they use to cover the price of identifying the wand and earring at the Witch Warden’s tower ().
A young woman, possibly around 17 with high cheekbones, teal eyes, and hair dyed to match greets you in a small common chamber. Attached to the lapel of her light blue robe is a rune inscribed circle with eight daggers pointing inward.
“Welcome to Witchwarden Tower, please, be seated.”
After some time and the casting of a few minor divinations, the woman is readily able to identify the wand.
“These were quite common in the days when the Sea Princes were raiding Sassarine with regularity. In fact, I can tell by the makers mark, here, this particular wand was made by Selah, who was well known locally in ages past for both her casting and her acerbic wit. Even the command word for the wand is a mild curse.”
“There are approximately 10 to 15 charges remaining in the wand.”
“Hmm, I will be just a moment, this item is quote peculiar,” she says, referring to the earring.
After perhaps a half hour, she returns and states, “After consulting with others of the order, we have determined this item not to be magical, but psionic. That is, created with the power of the mind.”
“This particular earring contains what is called a “shard.” Basically, these are bits of cast-off crystal imbued with a specific trait, in this case, a significant boost in your ability to jump (). Speaking the word it whispers to you while worn will activate the item, though typically these only work a single time, then dissolve.”
After a few minor socially expected pleasantries, the young lady ushers you to the door.
“Feel free to return to the tower anytime if you have additional questions. Also, perhaps at some point those of you with an interest in both the arcane and the defense of Sassarine might speak with one of the masters regarding becoming a tower member? If nothing else, it would net you a discount on repeat business!”
Using what is left of the afternoon, the group locates a gnomish gem merchant in Shadowshore who would be willing to take both bags from the party for 375 gold, though something about his shifty manner tips you off that he is lowballing you and might be willing to haggle.
Pulling the velvet bags from your pocket to inspect them before making a decision, a small, grimy scrap of paper floats to the ground. Written in common in charcoal, the note is addressed to the party, and states:
You are being watched by the Lotus Dragons.
Your questions will bring you misery.
It is best to sit back and let things happen as they will.
Further interference will only bring you tears.
Flipping the sheet over, it appears have once been a piece of liturgy, though to what deity is unknown.
So, ummm, what does the wand DO?
*to the gem-merchant*
450gp! These are beautiful specimens of their type! Look at the Clarity! Look at the cut! There are very few inclusions and the colorations are vivid examples of their quality. Nature laboured hard in their making as I am sure one of your skill can see!
So, ummm, what does the wand DO?
So, ummm, what does the wand DO?
"Yes indeed! And what value would you ascribe to the wand and earring were we to sell them?"
450gp! These are beautiful specimens of their type! Look at the Clarity! Look at the cut! There are very few inclusions and the colorations are vivid examples of their quality. Nature laboured hard in their making as I am sure one of your skill can see!
"Not only that, but they have additional value; they were hard won after a battle with fearsome monsters below the city, and were discovered in a cavern infused with the positive energies of the Plane of Life!"
“So, it would seem that we are being warned away from these Lotus Dragons,” says Eldin quietly. “We should hit them soon.”
Given an opportunity, Eldin will cast mending on the human skin map / drawing they found in the sewer, hoping to make it more legible.
For Tyndal / Eldin: “You wouldn’t know a gemstone from a gallstone, you lout!” “Four hundred and not a copper more; as it is I’ll be eating stale bread for a week. I’ll be lucky if these aren’t cursed.”
For Eldin:
Though still almost impossible to read, the spell does help, and you find the note is a manifest of sorts, addressed to someone named Harliss, as well as a smudged over map of one "Kraken's Cove."
"I may not know gemstones, but I know when a small fool is trying to cheat me" Tyndal glares at the man.
“Call off your bruisers! I’m well known in this town, you know. People would notice if I went missing. Lots of questions! Big trouble for you. 425 gold and that’s the limit, though you’ll send me to debtors prison for sure, you lousy sons o’ otyugh!”
Easy, Tyn. This gentleman certainly didn't mean any harm. He does need to make a profit and all.
Good sir, 425gp is a respectable price and I thank you.
*After the exchange of money and gems is complete, Terin leans towards Tyndal and says just loud enough to be heard by the Gemologist on the way out-*
Besides, I never thought he would take them with the curse that they are under, sounds like he almost guessed there.
*Terin gives Tyndal a wink as they pass through the door.*
Besides, I never thought he would take them with the curse that they are under, sounds like he almost guessed there.
*Terin gives Tyndal a wink as they pass through the door.*
"Weird. It's almost like someone's been watching us from the start..."
Eldin’s purchases are simple at this time; a new outfit, replacing the one ruined by fire, sewer water and various monster attacks; a flask of oil and a new length of rope.
Once shopping and recuperating is complete, Eldin calls a meeting of Harven’s Hand at a secure location – Lavinia’s manor house if she allows it. The purpose of the meeting being to determine how they are going to approach the Lotus Dragons.
“What do we know of them? How strong are they? How sure are we that Vanthus has taken up with them? How do we find them? How, in short, are we going to approach this?”
“What do we know of them? How strong are they? How sure are we that Vanthus has taken up with them? How do we find them? How, in short, are we going to approach this?”
Eye of Penkus, give me sight beyond sight....
Hey, Penkus, what do you know of the cleric's questions? Any helpful info to get us closer to Vanthus?
“Well here is what I have pieced together; The Lotus are an up and coming guild of thieves here in Sasserine, looking to fill the void left after the Sea Princes swept away the old guild. Their symbol is the same as the tattoo that our queer little friend bore on his cheek. We know that at least one of their rackets is smuggling exotic animals and beasts in and out of the city.
“Penkus has given us some more information – Vanthus has apparently taken up with them, and has designs on the “lady of the Lotus” … romantic intentions on their female leader perhaps? And that they are located under the Taxerdermist Hall … does anyone know where that is located?”
Eldin looks at Terin for a moment as if for conformation. “I’m not sure how far we can trust the remnant of Penkus, but it would appear that his desire for revenge may align with our own purposes here. If he remembers the layout and entrances to their lair, that will be good.
“There is another concern of course; the Lotus appear to know of our interest in them. How do we deal with that? I do not think we can assume that Vanthus does not know we seek him by now.”
Eye of Penkus, give me sight beyond sight....
Penkus takes a brief moment to disparage you, your parents, and your future progeny, before mentioning the following:
“The heart of the Lotus is in Sunrise district, beneath the streets of Dead Dog Alley. The quickest way in is down the well, but it’s also the quickest way to get yourselves killed. At any given time, assuming they haven’t changed things since my…death, there are probably slightly more than 20 members in the guild proper at any one time. Your best bet is through the back of Nemien’s place, I can show you where his Taxidermy is located. He’s a coward, but he’s also likely to offend easy and see through your bluffs.”
"Now stop clowning around and let's go drag Vanthus' sorry carcass out of there."
Penkus’ voice fades off, but not before launching into an interesting limerick involving Tyndal and a place called “Nantucket.”
*Terin gives a slight chuckle at the Tyndal/bucket part of the limerick and proceeds to relay the info to the rest of the party.*
The heart of the Lotus is in Sunrise district, beneath the streets of Dead Dog Alley. The quickest way in is down the well, but it’s also the quickest way to get ourselves killed. At any given time there are probably slightly more than 20 members in the guild proper. Our best bet is through the back of Nemien’s place, The Eye of Penkus can show us where his Taxidermy is located. He’s a coward, but he’s also likely to offend easy and see through your bluffs.
“Terin likes the sailors.”
“Terin likes the sailors.”
Terin thinks at the eye "Just when I started to like you a bit....".
As the party’s discussion regarding the Lotus Dragons progresses into the early evening, Lavinia returns to the manor, looking a bit weary from a long day of debate followed by a hike through the clammy Sassarine afternoon. A swarthy man you do not recognize accompanies her, though at a respectful distance. He is clad in studded leather armor, with a pair of cutlasses hanging by his side.
She brightens a little upon seeing your gathering, and during a pause in the conversation she interjects, “I am pleased to see you all again. The council resolved to adjourn for the time being until we can find a permanent replacement for Lord Islaran, and I was able to have your charter approved…with a caveat.”
Perfumed air wafts in your direction as Lavinia indicates the man standing beside her with a sweep of an arm, “This is Ardan. He specializes in…clandestine…investigations, and the council has asked him to aid in the search for Keltar’s murderer.”
“They thought perhaps since your activities were intertwined with…current events…in the city he might accompany and aid you,” though at this last, her stiff posture and stony eyes belie the thought this may have been merely a polite suggestion on the council’s part.
Ardan:
“I realize this is sudden, especially so soon after Harven’s passing! Please do not think of him as a replacement for our friend, though perhaps Ardan’s abilities will harmonize equally as well in time.”
Anders looks over at the newcomer.
"Well, Harven was our man for sneaking in through tight places, fox holes and the like. But you shouldn't have any trouble filling in for him... How do you feel about sewers?"