With the disappearance of Geryon's auditor, Orsin falls to ground, gasping for air after what feels like a lifetime without it. In the dirt and filth, the bard shudders as he assumes a fetal position; the gravity of his situation crashes down on him.
What have I done...?
Gerard manages to dodge the well thrown blade. Nonchalantly, he quick draws a dagger and returns the favor.
Never attack a man's back, whelp.. Miraculously, the dagger vanishes.
Gerard's dagger hits the leader.
There is loud gasp from behind the leader.
With the disappearance of Geryon's auditor, Orsin falls to ground, gasping for air after what feels like a lifetime without it. In the dirt and filth, the bard shudders as he assumes a fetal position; the gravity of his situation crashes down on him.
What have I done...?
You've bought yourself time and possible way out. :-o)
There is thunk as Gerard's blade hits home, then the chanting of the priestess fills the air.
The leader scrowls, "Y'sissy livers." He calls at the nearest thug.
Andrea's brain goes by-by for a bit again.
I am the eggman..
The leader turn and tosses and another dagger at his ally,
;
It flies wide and misses.
RD 2:
Initiative order:
Gerard
Euphemia - spell baleful poly
Thugs - Leader threw dagger at ally. Thugs have not responded.
Andrea
Another hedgehog appears.
the remaining thugs stop their actions, "W...w...Look here we need no problems from you. We'll be goin' home now."
Yes, go home! don't come out for a while. Play cards, get drunk and BE QUIET!
Andrea gathers up the hedgehogs. Who is a cute one? Is it you? Is it you?[b] Turning to the children .[b]I think you and your friends will be okay for now.
Daniel resumed his ride back towards Grumm's. Orsin had not been at his apartment. He hoped the Bard would be there. As he lead his horse through the city he took in the sights. Chaos reigned. His obvious wealth rank seeming to be enough to quell any from barring his path.
He was riding a roan mare and to onlookers seemed to be in Banded Mail, his horses armored barding matching the Symbol of Tilneros. That was the magic of the armor his brother gave him. An armored knight and mount certainly giving pause to those in the street.
Euphemia makes a point of not looking at Gerard and moves to where the other children ended up.
"Now, back to the original plan, hm?"
*After the othher goons run off.*
Set up in your apartment and perhaps mine? That sounds good, then we will head off to Grumm's. I wonder if he was able to get Grimm brought back.
Andrea will help settle the chidren in Euphemia's apartment.
After twenty or so minutes, the bard picks himself up off the ground of the dirty alleyway. His finery ruined, he sets off to bathe and change at his apartment, missing Daniel's presence by less than a minute.
After bathing he examines himself in the apartment's dirty mirror. He had once been handsome and he might still be, but the weight of his crimes hung heavy in lines under his eyes and in his brow. The once-perfectly smooth flesh of his torso was now marred with the scars of battles lost and won. Even patches of stubble on his face began to gray after so many struggles in Westcrown.
You still have your life and your friends, Bessatte. You've bought yourself some time. Don't squander it.
Donning one of the last finely-tailored doublets he owns, Orsin dresses himself fully and sets off for Grumm's. He locks the door the apartment behind him.
Maybe for the last time.
Andrea, Phem and Gerard have not other problems the remainder over the next couple hours, escorting and securing the kids at the various apartments. The group realize there not much, if anything, by the way of food and drink at either apartment, and they are able to find a grocer or two that will happily sell them goods. The prices seem a bit inflated but the not usury like. Once everyone is settled the group heads towards Gruums.
-----
Meanwhile, a rich noble on his banded mailed roan prance through the streets, getting many odd looks and some muttering under their breath, but the people part ways and let the rich noble through.
You make it to Gruum's without incident.
-----
Orsin shaven, cleans up and in his last finely-tailored doublet set off towards Gruums. He finds a few piles of fresh manure on the street which is barely manages to avoid stepping in. He hears about the nerve of the rich to prance around on their armored warhorses with no respect for those suffering. Obviously, there is something recent has occurred to get the residents grumbling.
Other than a few odd looks by a few ruffians you make it to Gruum's to find a barded roan hitched to the poast.
Andrea pauses at the door of Grumm's tracing the weathered wood. It seemed like ages since she walked through the door to one of their 'bases' as her group dashed through the streets to whatever problem had appeared.
Taking a breath, Andrea opened the door and walked in, looking for the sturdy forms of the smith and his assistants.
-----
Meanwhile, a rich noble on his banded mailed roan prance through the streets, getting many odd looks and some muttering under their breath, but the people part ways and let the rich noble through.You make it to Gruum's without incident.
-----
Orsin shaven, cleans up and in his last finely-tailored doublet set off towards Gruums. He finds a few piles of fresh manure on the street which is barely manages to avoid stepping in. He hears about the nerve of the rich to prance around on their armored warhorses with no respect for those suffering. Obviously, there is something recent has occurred to get the residents grumbling.
Other than a few odd looks by a few ruffians you make it to Gruum's to find a barded roan hitched to the poast.
Entering Grumm's, Orsin notes, "The locals aren't happy. Who could blame them though in this chaos?"
Grumm,Duncan,Grimm?
"Aye...it's been nasty. Fear and dis'rder ev'rywhere. Whole city mistustin' ev'ryone." He strokes his braided beard, he has fine chain armor under this smelting apron. The other employees are similarly equipped and each wears a blade or ax clearly to defend the shop, if necessary.
"What word y'have?"
"Boy get sum tankards flowin'" He points to one of the orphans you've placed under his tutelage.
Andrea gets a tankard of beer and sips. Been a while since I had anything other than lukewarm water. The cool alcohol feels good slipping down her throat.
The good news is that the Shadowcurse is no more. The vampire who was controling them has been destroyed along with the artifact that he summoned them with. Any remaining shadowbeasts should be leaving the city soon.
Andrea sighs. It seems however, that the children of Sidoni Drovange, Chammady and Eccardian want to sieze power in Westcrown by sowing chaos and then presenting themselves as saviors when the navy arrives to restore order. We want to stop the rioting and destrction and hopefully defeat them.
Andrea looks over the forge, looking for familiar faces. We're here to make plans about where we should start and ask if you and Duncan would gather our friends who are still in the city and do what you can to learn more and help us keep Westcrown from being burnt to the ground.
She hasn't gone out of her way to discuss too much with Gerard, but it's not so much that she's angry with him as that she doesn't want to discuss what happened earlier just yet, what with the adventure of the day still ahead of the party and, hopefully, many other ways of regaining the rogue's respect without having to resort to yelling.
Euphemia cautiously enters when Andrea starts her second paragraph of exposition to the smith. Judging by what she's heard about the poor dwarf's magnetism to misfortune and tragedy, she treads lightly, wishing she had brought some butterolls laced with powdered glee.
She writhes with hedgehogs.
"Torag's blessin' y'did it! Let's tip one back ta that guud news!"
She hasn't gone out of her way to discuss too much with Gerard, but it's not so much that she's angry with him as that she doesn't want to discuss what happened earlier just yet,...
Daniel merely bows as Grumm enters but allows her a moment with her friend and wonders where the resurrected one was...
Andrea smiles some as Euphemia's new hedgehogs scamper around with Frank, perhaps they will become the eyes and ears of Gerard's Unseen Hand in the future. No place will be safe from the peering eyes and wriggling noses of Westcrown's new guardians.
Andrea tips back another ale. You should see some more weapons coming in for sale. We acquired quite a bit from Walcourt along with those that had been stolen property that need to be gotten back to their owners.
Andrea hands over some notes that detail the items identified as stolen, such as the very impressive Plate Mail of Abadar.
Is Duncan about? I need to speak with him before we discuss things about how to stop The Council.
Gerard walks around the shop, appreciating the workmanship... he keeps an eye out for any kids that get too close to sharp and pointy things. Or try to pilfer smaller items.
He seems comfortable enough in silence, having no real relation to Duncan.
Eventually, he finds a makeshift performance area and keeps the kids entertained with sleight of hand tricks; coins vanishing and reappearing behind someone's ear, daggers appearing as if from thin air, some simple juggling, etc...
If Orsin is up to it, he recruits the bard for his antics.
Andrea gets a tankard of beer and sips. Been a while since I had anything other than lukewarm water.
Orsin acquiesces to Gerard's request of entertaining the children, playing hand-clapping games and singing with them. He keeps an eye on the others though and politely breaks away when a lull in the conversation strikes.
"Where did all the children come from?" he asks in hushed tones. Concern plays across his brow.
Andrea looks around somewhat confused. I thought there were just a few from when we rescued those children from that fire devil over a year or so ago. Are these friends?
The burly dwarf chuckles at the comments about the orphans, "Sorta like cats, feed one and ya 'ave ta feed 'em all." He eyes the kids like a father, "never 'ave 'nough family around."
Duncan comes out from the back room wearing full plate, [b'"Been walkin' d'perimeter alls...we....ll"[/b] He rushes over to Andra when he sees her lifting her in a big bear hug. "My...my y'a sight fer sore eyes."
Euphemia chuckles, but has been doing a bit of walking around the store for herself, ill-at-ease in this new place that everyone else seems to know so well.
Andrea grips Duncan tight. Good to see you again. She looks at him. I was wrong to speak like that when I suggested that you not rejoin our group, I didn't understand how important it was to you to keep going against the Shadowbeasts. Andrea kisses the top of his head.
After their reunion is done, Andrea looks over everyone is gathered. Has anyone else figured out what we should do to help fix the harm that has been done to Westcrown? Gerard, Euphemia and I routed a gang who were abusing some children but we still need to do more. We might check in with our friend Maurice of the Dottari and see if John Deos of the Hellknights can help.
The burly dwarf releases Andrea and calls over to Orsin, "Ye aged a bit but I bet you could still belt out a drinkin' tune!" He laughs. "More ale boys...more ale!"
Orsin walks over to Duncan and claps him on the shoulder, smiling, "Aye aye, master dwarf, but you'll have to put a drink in my hands first!"
After a bit of rejoicing and toasting Gruum pulls up his work stool, "So the brotherhood's been patrollin' and helpin'...Areal and Janiven has them working hard." He glances over at Duncan, "Duncan can get track down ol' ironsides t'see what help he and his order can lend a hand."
"Your doin' lots t'fix Westcrown. Lord Tilernos and Grulios workin' t'nobles over getting support...slowly but surely, many are coming 'round now."
"Strangest thing is those damn 'ellknights. They pulled back into their headquarter's at the old Taranik House...somethings odd there. Worth a visit. Not like Paralictor Chard at all. Could be a diplomat'c voice like young Bessatte 'as could be in order."
I agree, since we do have a way of getting in touch with their ranks we should head over there and see if we can come to an agreement. If something is odd, then I wouldn't be surprised if there is trouble afoot. We've been involved in too many ambushes to just waltz into an area.
Gruum's door open Chelsi Longbottom steps in flanked by two armed guards from House Grulios. "Pardon the interruption but I've been requested extend an invitation from Lady Grulios." She smiles, "I've a carriage outside." It's apparent that the invitation was urgent.
Andrea nods. Good to see you again, I hope Shinon is doing well.
Andrea will accompany Chelsi to the carriage with the others.
The carriage is escorted by a squad of of House Grulios' guards, the chaos on the street seems to stop as the rolling caravan moves through the city. Eventually, you approach the compound unmolested.
"Aurelio you've arrived back when the city is at a crossroads. Our fool of Mayor, or should I say, refuge mayor in hiding nearly blew up a city block when his imprisoned devil, Liebdaga, escaped." She shakes her head in disbelief, "Yes, Mayor Arvanxi had an infernal Duke imprisoned to keep using his energies to get this...keep the light on and his toes toasty." She drinks out of her goblet, "I'm not making this up....honestly."
She takes a deep breath, "The explosion was ruse to cause chaos to get the dottari and the Order of the Rack hellknights at odds with one another. This of course, furthered the choas, while key nobles were kidnapped, assassinated and old debts paid."
She motions to the outside window, "Some unlike heroes emerged over this last year...good people with good intentions. they have foiled several plots including ending the shadow beast threat that has haunted the nights in the city for decades." She looks to the doorway, as she sees the carriage arrive. "One of their members was recently called back to House Tilneros for a little side mission. They could use a trusted sword, if you are up to it." Your mother gives you a smile. "Sorry you had little time to get acclimated but I'm sure they can fill in some of the details."
Meanwhile...
Andrea, Orsin, Euphemia and Gerald arrive safely and are led into the manor through the double oaken doors. "Lady Grulios may I present your guests." With that the elf steps to the side, letting the heroes enter the room.
Lady Grulios is standing there with solidly built warrior apparently in some sort of consultation.
"I hope we haven't interrupted," Orsin remarks apologetically, "Chelsi didn't mention that you would be entertaining company."
"Yes...yes" waiving the group forward, "Do come in, come...come, don't be shy." She waits for everyone to get closer to the table. There is the usual spread of food and drinks about.
"I would like everyone to meet my son, Aurelio Grulios."
Andrea leaves the carriage and enters the manor, giing Chelsi a friendly nod. Please give Shinon my best, I hope you two ahve been getting along. Andrea winks.
As they enter the meeting room, Andrea listens to Marion's words and nods to Aureli. Greetings, I am Andrea. We meet in troubled times and hopefully we can make things in Westcrown better for everyone.
"I will and we have been." she smiles.