"Let's look through the wrapped items first, see if there are any other ghost-cursed things. It's not like anyone is going to swing through here any time soon."
Seren sits cross-legged on the floor and starts sorting.
Rosa nods to all. "The children will be welcome at my own church, of course. It tends to be the last, best resort for the desperate young." With that, she gets to work with what rites she can manage, although she is starting to look close to exhaustion.
Unwrapped, the valuables include the following:
- a narrow teak cigar case inlaid with bits of jade
- a 2-pound gold ingot bearing the Cheliax coat of arms
- a miniature gold crown
- a fist-sized scrimshaw carving of a kraken with garnets for eyes
- a silver ring bearing the inscription "For Emma - the light of my nights"
- a highly realistic and highly scandalous ivory figurine of two entwined succubi
- a masterwork shuriken
- an adamantine arrowhead
- an abalone-shell holy symbol of Shelyn
- a tiny glass tube
- an obsidian wand
- a crystalline vial
- a bejeweled brooch with a broken clasp
The last item stands out even to the untrained eye. It is obviously the most valuable item in the entire collection, by far. The circular gold brooch depicts a pseudodragon and an imp coiled around each other in an almost yin-yang pattern. The dragon's eye is an amethyst, while the imp's is an emerald.
She will also be able to manifest to perform a Harrowing at special times, providing the party with special bonuses (like at the adventure start.
Rosa is quite obviously drooling over the brooch...the statuette gets more than a passing interest as well, though.
"Yes, maybe you are right. I will hang onto the Harrow deck. I can talk to the church on the children's behalf. It isn't exactly in her portfolio, but they won't turn away innocent kids. We should see about returning some of this stolen goods. Like that wedding ring, at least." Demitri says as the items are identified. He stares at his hand where his own ring used to be.
Segang watches with little emotion when Lamm is put down. The world is a better place now. he says to himself.
He expresses his opinion that the deck should be kept within the party. If it comes out that the broach is stolen property he will be for returning it.
Absinthe turns before the door and glares at Rosa.
"One would recommend the Inheritor before the Savoured Sting," she says, her tone of voice carefully controlled.
"Ah," she says, glancing at the various items. "Pretty." She smirks a little at the statuette. "One's mother mentioned that her mother used to enjoy artistic modelling."
Absinthe turns before the door and glares at Rosa.
"One would recommend the Inheritor before the Savoured Sting," she says, her tone of voice carefully controlled.
Rosa sighs, obviously having encountered this before. "Then you'd be a fool or ignorant, although I'll be generous and assume the latter. Believe it or not, we care for a great many foundlings, far more than the Inheritor's church. And very few of them actually do become her followers, although yes, some do. Under the care of many temples they'll be free to discover who they are, instead of being pressed to serve a cause they might not believe in or enjoy. Are there exceptions? Yes, but I know who they are and can avoid them."
"It doesn't matter which of our churches they go to, as long as they're safe. We can take them to Rosa's temple. Infighting won't help anyone. Though for the record, the Inheritor doesn't press anyone into her service. But we can talk about that later."
"One was born in a 'house' dedicated to Calistria," Absinthe says. "Not all of her clegy show your restraint."
Rosa winces at that. "I am sorry, but it's really not the normal case." She sighs. "If nothing else, consider this. There's really only one fully legitimate thing society expects my clergy to do. Do you really think we're going to screw it up? Especially in this city?"
She smiles at Demitri. "Agreed. Iomedae's treatment of children is probably a fine enough distinction for the debate floor."
Melianthe shrugs. "Mooneyes, I'm sorry that happened to you. I would hope that Rosa can vouch for her fellow clergy, at least in her temple. Calistria or Iomedae, or better yet, let the children choose which one suits them better."
More quietly, she talks to Hloire alone. "This is why I prefer the unseen forces to organized religion," she intones with a low voice.
Her eyes look around the circle. "And what now of us, and the Harrow Deck? Where does fate take us? We should inquire about these items. Perhaps some can be returned to their rightful owners. Although, I'd love to keep that wand."
"Not much happened to this unworthy one in Calistria's house in Goka," Absinthe says, shrugging. "Mostly because she was not to anyone's tastes. But she saw a great deal before she was sold off to her first master." For a moment, Absinthe closes her eyes and shudders. "Yes. One saw... much."
When Melianthe asks her question, the tiefling's expression shifts to one of amusement. "This one is off to seek spiritual succor. You... you will come to master Devry's carpentry shop tomorrow. You are still wearing one's clothes. If you find time to wash them first, one would appreciate it."
Absinthe shrugs again. "One knows not of fate. Lamm is dead. Healing should commence." She glances briefly at Demitri. "One has little need of material objects; one did not pursue the monster for the sake of profit. One will welcome seeing you all again in a more sociable setting, however."
"Yes, of course, and thank you for lending them, Mooneyes."
She glances around the room, suddenly self-conscious.
"I've been on my own...well, with Hloire...for so long. Alone with the sun-blasted cravings, then alone with the emptiness that comes after being addicted. I hid, and when I was out in the world, I hid beneath a mask. And how Lamm is gone. He took something from all of us. Do we just...split up now? Reconvene at a carpenter's? It seems abrupt."
She pats the dust off of a pillow and looks around Zellara's place, eyeing it as a place to live.
Absinthe chuckles. "One is in training to be a carpenter," she says, "and will be expected at her chores first thing in the morning. Inviting you all into her master's house would be impractical, but there are places where you might all seek lodging nearby, if that is acceptable."
"I know the feeling of being alone, Melianthe. I suppose we do split up and move on. But if any one you need a place to stay, my home is open to you. I think I will look into returning the stolen goods."
As Absinthe says she was not to anyone's taste Segang looks away and blushes slightly.
My home is well outside the city gates. My tribe would welcome you all as brothers and sisters, at least for a time, for your role in righting this wrong. That is if you want to see the great planes. You could come and witness my second set of tattoos. You have helped me earn them after all.
Thinking further he adds But at least for tonight Demitri, I will accept you hospitality and help with the task of returning what stolen items that might be returned.
Rosa glares at Absinthe, her eyes suddenly alight with an almost unholy rage. "Which house in Goka? I will see the information passed to those who will ensure the heretics involved burn. Pity they're not here in the city, so that I could do it myself." ...yeah, not quite so pretty when she's snarling and looks ready to make the trip herself. But a moment later she coughs. "Actually, I think maybe sticking together and making ourselves at home here, at least for the night, might be wise. With the current situation, I'd rather wait 'till daylight to travel."
"I would be honored to see that, Segang." Demitri almost cracks a smile as Rosa's righteous fervor. "Why here? I have a perfectly good home to go to."
Rosa sighs. "Well, the city's looking pretty wild right now. We've got cushions and mattresses, and it wouldn't be the first time I've collapsed on the floor exhausted. If it were just me, I'd take the chance, but with the children to think of I want every advantage we can muster before moving them, and that means being able to see where we're going. If we need to hole up longer for whatever reason, moving to your home at first light works out well."
"There is wisdom in your words. But is there room for all of us here with the children included?"
Seren fiddles with the arrow as he listens to everyone discuss what to do with the children, "Ever think of asking them what they'd want? Personally, I couldn't stand it when others discussed what was best for me while I was standing in the room, as if I weren't there."
"Alright, Seren." Demitri turns to the children. "Younglings, would you like to stay here tonight? Or is there somewhere else you'd want to go?" He asks of them.
Most of the children are already asleep, and the few still away appear too tired to care. You get a few shrugs in response.
Melianthe peeks outside. "What is going on out there?"
Melianthe will be staying up until dawn, which is her natural time to go to sleep.
'We shall find out in the morning, one supposes," Absinthe says, shrugging. "One will stay if such is the group's preference, but must be away at first light. An apprenticeship is not to be taken lightly."
If there are any chairs left available, Absinthe crawls into one and makes herself comfortable. If any of the children fell asleep on the floor, she picks one up and cradles him or her while nodding off herself.
Segang pulls a chair over to the door, blocking it. He sits down with his sword in his lap and sleeps.
The few hours to morning pass in seemingly a blink. You awaken to a loud roar and rumble; what you first take for thunder before realizing there is no storm. Stepping outside, you find the city in chaos. People run to and fro at random. Through an alley, you see a contingent of black-clad Hellknights pursuing a small gang of apparent looters. You can hear the distant din of many shouting and yelling, and the clash of steel on steel. They come not from one direction, but instead from all around. Smoke plumes climb from various places around the city, and the air carries the acrid scent of smoke. A wing of Sable Company griffons circle the air above Castle Korvosa.
On the wind, you catch the voice of a herald through the din, "The King is dead! Long live the Queen!", only to be shouted down by outraged voices, "Hang the queen!" and "The usurper whore must die!"
Melianthe curses, her hair mussed in slumber-tangles. "Who turned on the blasted lights! I haven't gotten my spells back. Or my sleep."
She quickly covers her face with her doctor's mask and joins the rest outside.
Demitri wakes after sleeping standing up against a wall. He rubs his eyes. As he walks outside to see the chaos. He tries to get the attention of one of the looters, forcibly if need be. "What's this about the king being dead? How did this happen?"
"This is bad. A lot of innocent people die in riots. The streets aren't safe right now. Any ideas?" He asks after he sends the looter on his way while getting everyone back inside.
Segang will talk to a few people on the streets, attempting to find out what has happened.
"Yeah, I'm thinking the city is dangerous. Good thing we didn't try and turn Lamm in"
"Right. The streets aren't safe, and we need to move a large crowd quickly through the city." Rosa frowns deeply "...I hate to say it, but the sewer tunnels may be the best option to get around."
The passerby that Demitri grabs is obviously nervous and scared, and just tries to placate him as quickly as possible. "Haven't you heard? Eodred died last night, and Queen Ileosa now rules. They say it was disease that no one could cure, not the priests of Sarenrae or Abadar, nor they of Asmodeus and his dark ways."
"A disease no magic could cure? That is impossible but yet true. Yes, that may be the safest route."
"The sewers will not be required," Absinthe says. "One knows these streets. There are back alleys and abandoned buildings we can cut through to get to a place of safety, where more information may also be gathered."
The tiefling blinks lazily at the others. "One hopes you may be relied upon to be... discreet, however, and not mention this place to others."
"Let's get the Lambs off the streets quickly, then," Melianthe says to Mooneyes. "...preferably someplace dark where I can go back to sleep."
As she makes ready to lead the children on, she ponders the fate of the king. "Either an undetectable poison or curse...or a sickness that isn't known in current lore. If it is truly a sickness....." She does not speculate further. "We had better move."
This place seems as safe as any and likely safer than most with mobs on the street. Lets us leave them some food and instructions to stay here while we fine our more of what is going on. But first, it might just be time to call upon the deck for advce...
"Moving sounds like a better plan and we're not leaving them by themselves. The looters might come here which means it's not safe. Absinthe, how long will it take get to this place of yours."
"Can we lock this place up?" Melianthe scouts around for keys.
"We'd need to head down to the harbour district," Absinthe answers. "With all this hubbub, one would recommend the long way; it should be safer. No guarantees we'll get there without any encounters whatsoever..."
When we leave to gather information we can bar the door from the outside as well, although I am not sure what you are trying to accomplish, unless you plan to hang a plague sign on the door, which is not a bad idea...
Segang looks confused but also ready to go. What is in the Harbor district? What are our goals there?
"A 'dive' bar known as the King's Head," Absinthe replies with a demure smile. "It is a safe house of sorts, and a place where we can acquire information - for a price. And none of you heard this from me, yes?"