. Well, since I am about to start my training as a witch, I am really interested in the hallow deck. I can pass out a card to each person according to what you have received earlier. I would like to hold the rest to study the deck for my training. Does anyone have any objections? Does anyone plan to eat their card?
"That Goblin did make it look very appetizing"
. Well, since I am about to start my training as a witch, I am really interested in the hallow deck. I can pass out a card to each person according to what you have received earlier. I would like to hold the rest to study the deck for my training. Does anyone have any objections? Does anyone plan to eat their card?
Gaius watches wide-eyed as Zellara informs of her fate. He clutches his holy symbol unconsciously, faith restored that some things even death can't forestall.
Later, as they hunker down for awhile, he will preoccupy his time with bashing the padlock on the strongbox using his morningstar.
As the party settles down to wait out the worst of the commotion, Gaius beats at the padlock until it falls away in a ruined heap. Opening the box, he finds:
A nice-looking teak cigar case with bits of jade embedded in it.
What looks to be a 2 lb. gold ingot bearing the Cheliax coat of arms.
A miniature gold crown.
A scrimshaw carving of a kraken with garnets for eyes.
A silver ring with the inscription "For Emmah, the light in my nights."
A very nicely portrayed and...adult ivory figurine of two intertwined succubi.
A shuriken of obvious high quality.
An arrowhead that looks to be made of adamantine.
A holy symbol of Shelyn made of abalone shell.
A tiny glass tube containing a small amount of an oily liquid.
An obsidian wand.
A crystalline vial with a silver-tinted liquid inside.
A brooch with a broken clasp. It depicts a pseudodragon and an imp coiled around each other in an almost yin-yang pattern. The pseudodragon's eye is an amethyst, and the imp's eye is an emerald. This brooch is easily the most valuable piece in the box.
"Nice." Daud genuinely muses aloud as he picks up the figurine of the intwined Succubi.
"Nice." Daud genuinely muses aloud as he picks up the figurine of the intwined Succubi.
"I have no objection to you using the deck, if you agree to Zellara's terms. "
Tolenn idly looks at the contents of Lamm's chest, " I'll gotten gains I'm sure, we should do what we can to return these to their proper owners."
We can talk with the sergeant and see if any of these have been reported missing or stolen. If any of it has not been reported and he says we can keep an item or two, how would you feel about that?
During the time when she was speaking before the box was opened, Pyron went into a trance-like state. Zellara, are there other ways to be able to speak with the dead, since we are speaking with you?
I agree--we should return these items and help the children, though I've no qualms keeping anything left unclaimed.
Zellara responds to Pyron. "There are spells to speak with the souls of the dead, but I know them not."
Do you have any advice or point me somewhere, so I can learn more about this?
Once it calms down outside... Alright everyone, let's move. We are going straight to the sergeant.
Things get more quiet at nightfall, but it's still a far cry from yesterday. The city doesn't sleep, it seems poised, ready to blow up at any moment. The Hellknights' brutal crackdown on the streets has not caused any love between Korvosa's citizenry and Her new queen. Peering outside, one can see the streets, which might not be littered with bodies, but only because they have been cleared away.
Speaking to everyone including the children. We're going in the morning. Every find a spot to sleep. The four of us will rotate and keep watch. Even though I am hurt, I can see very well in the dark, so I will take the darkest hours. We do not want to have any torches lit, because that could attract attention. Also, we need to stay quiet. Is there anyone who has any questions?
Well said--I can watch during the darkest hours as well.
Gaius then searches the broken furniture for any debris he can use to barricade doors and windows.
The children all shake their heads, quickly finding a corner of the room and huddling together. Gaius has no trouble finding broken pieces of furniture to barricade the doors and block the windows.
The night passes uneventfully, besides the occasional scream or cry of "Down with the Usurper!" Everyone wakes up (besides the last watchman) feeling fairly refreshed. Peeking out the windows, you see the chaos from yesterday is in hiding, in its place marching columns of Hell Knights actively patrolling the streets.
After making his uniform look as decent as possible, Pyron gathers everyone together. We have to go to the sergeant now. There are Hell Knights out there. They are brutal and cruel. We do not want to attract their attention. Since I am a guard on official business, I will lead the group and speak for the group. Looking to the children, You do not want to get left behind. Looking at the prisoners, The same goes with you too.
The children huddle around Tolenn, eyes wide as they remember the clamor on the streets from yesterday. Giggles and Yargin remain silent. Hookshanks looks ready to give Pyron a snap of his tongue, then glances at Daud and Vuk and thinks better of it.
As they get ready to leave, Tolenn motions to Gaius to help her place the ill-gotten gains into her pack for easier transport. "This one" she says indicting the brooch "looks especially like it would be missed, though not really Lamm's style..." She shakes her head, then hefts her pack and calls the children to her, "When we venture out, stay close! And we'll see this through together." she says with a smile and a nod to Pyron.
Alright then. Let's go. With that, they set off towards the sergeant.
When Gaius wakes up, he finds a corner of the room to sit in contemplation a bit of the previous day's events, as well as the upcoming struggles, thanking Calistria for her divine assistance with Ghaedren Lamm.
This power replaces stern gaze.
As they get ready to leave, Tolenn motions to Gaius to help her place the ill-gotten gains into her pack for easier transport. "This one" she says indicting the brooch "looks especially like it would be missed, though not really Lamm's style..."
Gaius helps her as requested, nodding: I suppose it's nice, if it's not a fake, that is. Truth be told, I don't have much of an eye for the beauty of jewelry and such. Women, though--they're all beautiful, if you just know what to look for. He looks upon her scarred face and smiles, his tone genuine.
He says a quick prayer and walks outside a few steps, looking for danger and trying to recall the best route to the guardhouse.
Seeing Gaius look a little lost as he just stands there, How about I lead and you keep an eye out? We don't want Hell Knights see us sneaking around like we have done something wrong or have something to hide.
Yes, that sounds good. Lead on.
Pyron moves efficiently and in an authoritative manner towards the sergeant's office. He will direct everyone to step aside when the Hell Knights are approaching them.
Gaius shows poise and adeptness in avoiding the Hell Knight patrols, seeming to almost have an innate sense of when they will show up as he expertly steers the party around them. He also seems to steer the party away from their destination, as well, becoming hopelessly lost before Pyron finally steps in and takes over the lead.
Pyron finds the nearest thoroughfare and starts the long walk towards the Guard Tower he seeks. The group is making good headway when you all hear, "Neffi?! Neffi, iz at you? Hey, buddy!" The man is approaching from down the street, and is clearly talking to Daud.
"Bur?" A sound of bemused confusion escapes his lips as the man approaches them.
The man gets closer, striding up to Daud, almost weaving into him. While the man's physique is such that you can tell he likely was once fit, a few layers of fat tell the tale of his descent from those times. He hasn't shaved in days, and his guard uniform, now that you can see it, is disheveled to the point of almost being unrecognizable. Daud can tell from the smell that the man has been drinking and likely hasn't bathed in days on top of it.
The man grins in Daud's face, wobbling unsteadily on his feet. "Neffi, it IS you. Come on bud, let's go to the tavern and knock back a few and catch up on old times!"
"I think you already knocked back a few for both me and you twice over."
Do you know this man? Pyron asks Daud.
Daud very slowly and deliberately turns his face towards Pyron with narrowed eyes.
"Neffi, you alwaysh were funny! Who'sh your weird-lookin friend?" The man gives Pyron a look of mild interest before turning back to Daud. Pyron can see the stained (with what you'd likely rather not know) insignia of a Watch Sergeant on his coat.
"Come on, we got a lot of catchin up to do, Neffi! Whatcha been doin shinche Shandpoint?"
Pinching the rim of his nose in annoyance he waits a moment before speaking. "Gaius? Sleepy time."
Gaius nods, eying the man suspiciously as he draws his blackjack.
Not amused, he says to the man: There's no Neffi here, and we're not interested in what you have to say. Get lost. It's not safe around here...
Gaius takes a long look at the man and determines that his behavior is likely genuine. The drunk's face pales as Gaius pulls his blackjack and makes his veiled threat. He retreats a step, then his face suddenly blooms with color and he puts his hand on the hilt of his sword, face twisted in rage.
"I'm a sergeant of the guard! Who the hell do you think you are, cretin?!" The man is obviously more afraid than angry, but his drunken pride is getting the best of him.
No need to anger the sergeant. Looking at the sergeant, Excuse my compatriot. We are on official business for my sergeant, Lastro. I am a member of the guard myself. We are in a hurry. How may I help you?
The man looks to Pyron, then to Gaius, then to Daud (Neffi), then back to Pyron. He starts to speak again, sounding almost whiny, "I wash just talking to Neffi and thish guy here looksh like he'sh gonna try to brain me with dat." He points accusingly at the offending blackjack.
You are more than welcome to either follow us to.my sergeant's office and wait to talk to this man when we are done with our appointment or you two can agree to meet later.
At the last part Daud will once again narrow his eyes in Pyron's direction.