The grows quiet when you walk in, you notice Areal is quite bandaged up and looking pale, he is missing his left arm below the elbow. Janiven is covered in blood and so are several members of brotherhood.
"All hell has been unleashed upon the city over the last 24 hours," he comments then drinks the remains of a potion.
Andrea looks shocked to say the least. Just what happened? This all happened in a single day? Andrea converst some of her few ramainign spells into healing.
"Rest assured that they'd have more than they'd bargained for on their hands, Gerard." she grinned mischieviously, patting the man on the back. Surely that didn't count as too much physical affection, right?
"Ah, Big Pete, I know this visit is unannounced, but rest assured that it is of paramount importance. Happy you're looking after Rance, though. He requires all the help appro-Wait, did something happen I didn't hear about?"
Areal remains somber, while Janiven begins explaining, "Last night the siblings made their power move, it was massive and well coordinated. Their grandfather is dead, many of his guards and servants too." She pauses, "But they didn't stop there, they moved on some others...including Jarvis and his family." She gulps. "A few of us were suppose to meet Jarvis near his home,...when he didn't show up, we began to investigate. He and his wife, Faerlyn, and daughter, Glynnis, were taken." She looks over at Areal, "It was payback for the Dusk Market alley battle."
Big Pete shakes his head and motions for Euphemia and Gerard to enter the door, "Lotsof nasty things happ'n in the city." His gaping smile emerges, "Rance'll be happy to see you...knowing your safe."
Andrea pauses..Um...Daniel. Can we get back to your house. Like right now? Andrea has the beginning of a horrible sensation in her gut.
Euphemia simply nods, leading the thief prince into the flat.
"Rance..?" she calls out instinctively, skirting her feet around delicately as if expecting to step on something unpleasant... or frilly.
He rushes towards you for a hug then stops dead in his tracks at the sight of Gerard. "You brought a bodyguard? He nods, "The help can stand...em, well, out by Big Pete."
"Actually, Rance, he's a new-but-nonetheless dear friend of your sister, here."
Frank enunciates, emulating something like a smug grin as he pops out from Euphemia's shirt.
Euphemia beams.
"This is Gerard, and you've met Frank, Rance. Sorry I haven't been in touch... I had to go save the Mother of Flies from a small army with Andrea's posse."
His eyes grow bigger, "So you taught the porcupine how to talk." he grins as he teases his sister, knowing it drives her nuts.
He turns to Gerard, "So you are a..." His sentence trails off.
Entrepreneur. Gerard nods pleasantly.
Andrea pauses..Um...Daniel. Can we get back to your house. Like right now? Andrea has the beginning of a horrible sensation in her gut.
I understand where you are leading Andrea, my Brother's house is well equipped and heavily guarded. We will haste there of course but spare a moment to see if the are other dire events that need our attention. Areal? The mother has given us a possible wedge to drive between the siblings. Basically due to the infernal pact that was made, should the brother gain enough power, his sister's soul is forfeit. We are also in the knowledge of the true location of Illnerik. We would have made preparation for an assault but I know not how events here have affected that idea. Come with us so we can assemble all facts and what to do about it. My family's compound Is better defended than here
Andrea sighs. Yes, yes, As Daniel said, Chammady Drovange is bound to Eccardian through the infernal pact their grandfather made. If Eccardian achieves enough level of power, Chammady will be sent straight to the hells as a lemure. So as Daniel said, if we can slip this information to Chammdey, we could set them against each other, but we need hard proof, more than the word of the Mother of Flies. Andrea's face hardens. I have no intention of Chammadey escape what she has done to Westcrown along with her brother, if we can set them at each others throats, we can finish off the survivor.
"For the last time, filioso, Frank is a hedgehog, and he's always been able to talk! I came here to prove that to you once and for all! Granted, once the hag's tea wears off he'll lose that ability...!"
She twitches.
'frank do you care to elaborate on how this miracle occurred'
"It is as the mistress has presented it, though perhaps we should go back a bit further. She ventured out into the swamp before any of the madness here involving explosions occurred only to find it teeming with ogres, giants, and men. She encountered Andrea, Orsino, Gerard, here, Lucrezia, Sir Daniel, and decided to help them because she'd been trying to find their group, anyway.
We had to save the hag of the swamp for reasons a bit too complicated to simply rattle off, your sister became infatuated, and when victory was obtained tea was served."
He sniffed the repeated sniff of a small, adorable creature.
She also butchered Taldane, but I suppose that's unimportant. Most do...
I'd hoped the thing with Dogtongue was tolerance more than infatuation, truly... Oh well.
Could I trouble you for some water, Sir? I find myself rather parched, at the moment. Gerard continues to be amicable.
He waves everyone inside the his flat, "Yes...yes...I bet its been some adventure." He heads over to bar and begins poring his sister's "friend" a glass of water, while fixing himself something much more calming. He generously pours a firewater wine for himself and his sister. "You sure you don't want something with a bit more a kick?" Talking to Gerard while he holds the wine out for his sister. 'So, er...Frank...water, wine, rum, what's your pleasure."
Areal and Janiven give instructions to the brotherhood, then proceed to follow Daniel, Andrea and Orsin. "the whole city is in turmoil, it's a powder keg ready to explode."
More attacks and kidnappings like what happened with the Red Knives? If they tie up the dottari and hellknights they can be free to do whatever.
The most I'll ever have is cold watered honeyed mead... But, water is what's in order currently. Thank you. You are most gracious.
What news? I've been out of town... have things settled down. Any events of note?
He shakes his head in disgust, "Lord Drovenge is dead, his grandkids have seized control of his estate, businesses and...the council." He rubs his chin and drinks his wine in a hurried gulp, without thinking he refills his goblet. "Several supporters of the grandfather have been...neutralized or are in hiding. They are knocking out rival clicks and several freelance magic shops have been torched." He hurriedly drinks his second goblet. "I was visited and requested to put my entertainment on hold, hence the reason I'm home this fine morning."
His hands tremble slightly, "Several vendors at the duskmarket have vanished and well...the market is er,...is gonna be hold for a while." He points to his arse, "they've effectively bent me over." he shakes his head, "The move was massive and well coordinated. I'm sure more will happen over the next few days."
The Church? House Thrune? Is there anyone with a set?
"I hear Thrune is preparing to send a blockade...eventually." He shrugs, "Don't suppose Thrune was overly thrilled with the Mayor and that devil mishap." He refills the wine goblet, "least that's what an informant indicated...reliable information is scarce right now." his eyes fall on his sister, "Last time Thrune blockaded it ended our family's fortune and name."
So, what families have been attacked besides Jarvis's? How are the other noble families responded? If the Drovanges are engaging in open warfare, then the Hellknights and Dottari should be coming down on them, after all we were warned about attempting the same thing.
"Should we try to evacuate anyone or focus our efforts on cutting off the titan's head, so to speak?"
"Please wait, Rance. Did you say freelance magic shops have been torched?" Euphemia asks, placing her hands around the wine bottle her brother had been using as an everflowing font like some kind of sentinel.
"Which ones?"
He looks up, "I hear Talbard's shop was raided and torched." He adds "Tiny's shop was torched...heard they gutted the man, revenge for supplying items to the Missepi's."
Euphemia's face rapidly falls despondent. She takes the bottle she is safeguarding and contemplates it with yearning.
"Gutting... That poor, poor man... How can they just run unchecked like this, though?! Wouldn't someone be doing something?! Supply and demand dictates... Oh...."
She narrowly avoids tossing the bottle across the room, picking it up and putting it back onto its resting position instead.
She's upset enough by the previous blockade implication. She didn't remember walking in on her mother after the self-dispatchment, but the terror remains.
"The man wouldn't hurt much bigger than a fly..."
She blinks. "This can't be allowed to continue, Rance. I want to say something vengeful, but I know better than to think that would solve anything."
"Hopefully home is still standing..."
Rance nods solemnly, then gently removes the firewater wine bottle from his sister's grasp. He replaces the precious bottle with a more disposable item, should she decide to throw it.
As they hasten towards the family estate/compound Daniel remarks, With such open strikes against high level noble families I cannot believe the Hellnights have been so slow to mobilize. Usually Law is kept as a matter of course. Either Thrune is deliberately dragging it's feet in order to allow the other houses to weaken each other, or somehow the council's managed to gain enough power, despite the attacks on multiple fronts to the Lantern Bearers, the Missepes and perhaps my own house. I have not seen anything to indicate enough strength to give Thrune pause. Is there something we are not seeing?
The possible implications whirled.
How he wished someone would just give him an order, the larger intrigues were beyond him. Hopefully a meeting of their group, Areal and Lord Tilneros would make things clearer. He was a weapon of Iomedae but that had to be directed at the CORRECT target to serve justice.
Frank nuzzles Euphemia, knowing better than to attack her syntax at such a time.
I think Daniel, that we are pretty much on our own here. The various authority figures can't or won't help us.
As for Thrune not rolling in with a big army, I suspect that Westcrown isn't worth pulling troops away. If they did, than places like Andorian might start getting ideas about how lightly guarded the border is.
Euphemia nods in something akin to thanks before whacking said object repeatedly on whatever sturdy, easily-washed surface is available. Heck, she's a genius, and she can afford to be meticulous during a tantrum.
"Well, then, Rance, I'm afraid I can't stay. I promised dinner to a bunch of rabble-rousers and hope to have a full apartment tonight... It looks to be getting to a standing-room-only volume, but you're welcome to stop by. This, of course, assumes my apartment is still standing..."
She gives Gerard a quick look that is hard to decode before turning back to her brother.
"I'm sorry about the mess."
She hugs him tightly.
"I love you and will try to stay in touch properly this week. You will see."
She then attempts to take her leave to purchase foodstuffs. However, that is if Gerard didn't have anyone to check on. She allows for a lull, hoping he gives the indication of this plan. Otherwise, she outright asks:
"Gerard, is there anyone you need to check on? Even if it is her, I don't mind. These times are awful, and as you've witnessed, anyone seems to be a target in certain circles."
Gerard locks eyes with Euphemia. His eyes, though guarded... perhaps because they are not alone, convey a certain torture.
No. The best anyone can do is end this, quickly.
Andrea will fall silent for the rest of the journey to Daniel's home, but leans close to Orsin when the other's attention is elsewhere.
How did things go with The Mother?
Daniel you notice increased dottari movements, especially in key areas such as the bridge heading over to the wealthier section of town where the estates are located.
Daniel, Orsin and Andrea can roll two perception checks each to see if they pick up any tidbits of information during their journey.
You will be able to find a small grocer that is open for ingredients.
These are the various rumors that you've picked up through the City. They may be true, they may be false, they may be partially true.
Andrea you've heard folks talking about a civil war.
You've picked up information that the Oberigo family has been hit...the patron has gone missing. You know that the Oberigo family is the the second most powerful family in the City.
You've picked up that there Thrune is behind this and it's a purging.
The thieves have a squad of wererats ridding of city of enemies.
They sunk a ship in the harbor to prevent ships from leaving.
You've overheard two ladies speaking of wonderfully seasoned hedgehog stew.
Euphemia, Frank and Gerard make it back to Euphemia's apartment. There are a a few shady looking goons that you've pasted by but they thought twice about confronting the three of you.
Daniel, Orsin, Andrea, Janiven and Areal make it to the fortified gatehouse of Tilernos compound, the guards have been doubled.
Euphemia hurries past the group, acting like an average besieged and paranoid citizen with a bag of groceries.
With her new goods in tow, the witch switches from someone on the verge of tears twitching at the sight of anyone with peaked grey hair to some form of force of nature, pulling her thief prince all the way into her apartment, which looks hardly-lived in and surprisingly clean, aside from the half of the space designated as a kitchen.
She leads the rogue to her single bed, lips pursed.
"This will take a little while. Enough time for a light nap, at least. When I rest, I will need to do so for an entire eight hours. You, on the hand... Ah... forgive my pragmatism."
She places a hand to her face, shifting from sickly pale to red in an instant.
"Taking you to my bed and making the incorrect demands. Still, you do need to get some rest. Then, perhaps I can send you to rendezvous with the others? Did I tell them where I live? Sorry, my mind's been all over the place (much like yours, I would conjecture)."
She retrieves a glass of water from her personal storage barrel.
"What's mine is yours. Feel free to freshen up, maintenance your weapons, etcetera."