Duke tries his best to earn some of the attention and save Tal from the brunt of all of the attacks coming his way. The only way to do that though is by trying something that the devil would not expect.
improved grapple! with flank and inspired
Tal was rightly concerned now. Even going on the defensive the devil was able to hit him twice. Hopefully that was luck and not skill. The healing that Sherix was doing was enough to keep him up but not for much longer. Tal refocused his efforts and brought his longsword around again.
expertise flank inspired heroism bless weapon for
iterative for
We may have to fall back and regroup. Heal up and come back.
Tal 5ft steps away but still threatens due to his long reach.
Richard misses with the spear. Duke grapples the fiend.
Tal misses.
The fiend unleashes its anger at Duke!
Duke tries to maintain his grapple and go for the pin!
With the devil hopefully pinned Tal makes a powerful coup de grace trying to sever the head in 1 blow.
power attack blessed weapon crit
The pit fiend dies....
A smoky, ghostly devilish form rises from his wounds.
The pit fiends wounds begin to heal and he opens his eyes.
Calling out to Richard Tal asks, This thing can die right? What is going on?
Richard's sigh of relief turns to horror as the wounds heal. "I... what is this?"
"Keep killing it until it stops, Tal. I'll think of something."
Sherix takes the opportunity to keep helping Tal.
"I'm so jealous! I wanna kill pit fiends!"
Duke continues to try and hold on to the devil even though it is healing from the smoky devil above it.
grapple
With Duke still holding on to dear life Tal smacks the devil again with his blade to the neck.
coup de grace
Thaks for the healing sherix. Eventually we will wear him down and keep him from coming back to life.
This time it looks like the fiend stays down. However, as he dies, his soul shrieks in frustration and rage!
"Die monster! You don't belong in this world!"
It seemed like a good phrase at the time. But this is his first time dealing with a pit fiend. Don't they explode in a fiery death, scorching the mortals who braved their lives?
Richard's moment of hesitation costs him dearly, as he feels his soul, his very motivation sapped.
"Yes! Scratch one more devil off the list!" Sherix's zeal gets the better of her.
She seems to shrivel as the devil's spirit screams at her very essence. "W-worth it..."
Tal lets out a yell of triumph just before the miasma hits him. Finally!
will save
Holding thoughts of Lily before him Tal is able to force away the negative draining influence the devil threw at him. The turmoil and anguish from before ebbed away once the dreadful task was finally finished. Turning to Richard, Duke, and Sherix Tal is about to congratulate them on a job well done when he sees the look of anguish on the others faces. Guys, you did well. Let's get you out of here and back to Areal and see if he can patch you all up. Or if you still have some of that wand of healing maybe it is a good time to use it.
Once Richard and Sherix are all healed up, Tal will search the room for any treasure or information that will prove that they are not liable for any further repercussions from the Hellknights or dottari. From there, he will head back gathering up all the loot and items that he can to sell as he has no qualms at all about robbing the mayor of anything and everything he can lay his hands on.
take 20 perception for loot for 35
The fight is over. As this was a prison, there is nothing of value in it.
On your way out, you see the mutilated bodies of Katerine and Gunter.
You also find the same bloody note you had found with the tiefings.
There will be two families in Westcrown that are in for horrendous news tonight.
You make it back to the hideout and Tal has his new employees.
Richard feels the rush of victory, but also the rage of failure as he sees more ruined bodies. "Corasel." Richard observes the bodies for their remains and looks for identification. A brooch, a pendant, anything to validate their identity.
The first step is to return something to the families of the fallen. The second step is to recover. The third step is to prepare.
"Well, Mister Interim Mayor." Richard stands up and faces Tal. "This was one hell of an inauguration ceremony. What is next? Where will your new employees go? I assume our friends returned to their home base to report on our success."
Tal joins Richard outside the mayor's house, or what was left of it, with their collection of looted belongings. The bag of holding was invaluable to hold the wealth that they had liberated. His joy was short lived though when he spied the dead bodies of the nobles they had rescued earlier. Tal had thought that by bringing them here they would have been safe. How they managed to get back here after they were dropped off past the guards was beyond him, but Tal was going to find out. You're right that this is all due to Corasel. Eventually we will find here and end this. Until then I agree that we return the bodies to their families. After that I think we have some errands to run. First to let my wife know how I am, then to the forge to let them know of the steam mephits, and finally we need to have a long talk with Areal as to our next move.
On the way out of the area Tal sees the belligerent guards that they had to get past earlier. Tal looks for the lieutenant that had mocked them. Hey! How the hell did you guys miss 2 nobles getting murdered out here in the open? Who are you working for anyways as it is clearly not for Westcrown and its people? Was it Corasel and the council?
Depending on the answer Tal will turn to Richard, What's the fine for assaulting a member of the Dottari? And if the dottari is found culpable of desertion or threatening the interim lord mayor is the penalty death for that individual?
---------------------------------------
After the situation with the dottari lieutenant is dealt with Tal will go with Richard to provide closure to the deceased noble's families. In the chaos of the city if Tal should be able to find a handcart and hire someone to help haul the bodies Tal will gladly pay for the services himself. At each house he will let Richard do the majority of the talking while he does add his own take on the situation. We did what we could for them. They were being attacked by a succubus. We rescued them from that fate and brought them out to some dottari. Unfortunately the dottari did not protect them like we thought they would and they were killed while in their care. I am sorry we could not do more for them. We believe it was a person named Corasel that killed them.
---------------------------------------
Tal heads home to let Lily know that he is ok. Things are going to be changing around here and hopefully for the better. It is too soon to know just what is going to happen next but it seems that we are moving in the right direction. We have quenched the infernos that were wrecking the mayor's house and destroyed the infernal energies that ran it. I want to run to the forge to let them know of some knew help they will be getting but then will stop and see the rest of those that support our cause. I hope you will join me as there may be a lot to discuss as to what Areal has planned next or what he may have learned while Richard and I have been busy.
----------------------------------------
At the forge Tal looks into the possibility of purchasing the adjacent building to expand his business. He will also let Ermolos and the others know about the arrangement to let the steam mephits work at the forge. Treat them kindly please as they are going to be adjusting to a new way of life here. They are looking for a place they can live safely. In return they will help out as they can and enjoy the steam that is created as you work the metal and douse it in the water. Hopefully soon then we can have them move freely between here and the Orphanage to provide hot water there for the children of Westcrown: work at the orphanage at night preparing hot water for the morning and during the day they can lounge in the steam of the cooing vats at the forge.
On the way out of the area Tal sees the belligerent guards that they had to get past earlier. Tal looks for the lieutenant that had mocked them. Hey! How the hell did you guys miss 2 nobles getting murdered out here in the open? Who are you working for anyways as it is clearly not for Westcrown and its people? Was it Corasel and the council?
Depending on the answer Tal will turn to Richard, What's the fine for assaulting a member of the Dottari? And if the dottari is found culpable of desertion or threatening the interim lord mayor is the penalty death for that individual?
---------------------------------------------------------------- -----
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Tal walks over to the guardhouse to give them a proper tongue-lashing. It is only when he reaches the guardhouse that he understands why there were no guards - it is then that he remembers that there were no sign of the guards when they left the two young nobles.
The guards died brutally. Their eyes had been gouged out and their ears and tongues have been cut out and is lying next to each body. It is like their former professions are now being mocked in death. In blood there is a "C" drawn on the floor.
The nobles are distraught. Gunther's parents want to know why you all did not escort them home -especially after their ordeal.
Katerine's father offers you 10,000gp each if you bring him the head of this Corasel. His wife, also offers to buy the group two full wands of their choosing.
The adjacent building owner readily agrees to sell to Tal, not only because Tal offers him a fair price, but also because he is a little bit afraid of Tal as Tal has gotten quite the reputation.
When the group walks through the door, Arael flashes that smile of his when he sees that you all are safe.
Welcome Heroes! he says as others force drinks and plates of hot food into your hands.
It is then that you notice that Arael is not alone and you know what that means.
He turns to the newcomer, Acheh, these are the heroes I was telling you about. You want to help those that have been preying on innocents, well they have been doing a great job of it!
Tal's demeanor changed once again when he saw the vicious way the guards were killed. He thought they were just slacking and not bothering to perform their job and that the lieutenant had left them to go someplace else. If he would have seen what had happened to them he would have taken more care to escort the noble children home. As it was he could not rectify his mistake and had to live with the consequences.
At Gunther's parents Tal agrees with them that it was partially his fault. You are right.I could have done more. I saw them to the guard's location and trusted that the dottari would take care of them and find a way to escort them back to you safely. I did not know that the guards would be summarily killed as well and offer no protection to your son. To be honest I was eager to get back to the task that the Lord Mayor assigned to me in turning off the infernal energies that were causing the hellfire to burn at the mayor's compound. I feared that waiting too long would cause the hellfire columns to expand in size and cause more havoc, death and destruction. While I am proud to say that we accomplished our task I am troubled by the death of you son. Please forgive me and know that it was not intentionally done to put them in harm's way again.
With Katerine's family Tal is no less contrite in his feelings of neglect. We thought they were safe. If I knew then what I know now it would have all been different. You have the word of Tal Bernard Mainz that if I ever come across this Corasel that I will take her head and bring it to you myself. Your offer of a reward, sir, is generous and I thank you for it. Looking at the mother, Ma'am your offer is much appreciated as well. A wand of lesser restoration would be such a boon to us. Many times we have been assaulted by creatures that have drained physically of vigor, stamina, and agility but our minds have been punished as well. This will keep us going in the search for your daughter's murderer.
Tal is surprised that the landowner was so willing to accept the offer Tal gave him at the first mention. Tal noticed the man giving him strange looks and bowing his head in deference to Tal. It was strange to see and he did not understand it at first as to why.
sense motive
After some thought though Tal was able to piece together what was going on. It seemed that although Tal was wanting to keep certain aspects of his life and deeds private, his name and reputation were growing more than he realized. Vowing to keep himself grounded Tal offered a fair price and forge grew in size!
Tal escorts Lily into the safe house and makes sure that she is comfortable before looking for Areal. It doesn't take long before Areal finds them as they can barely move in the old church as Richard and Tal are bombarded with questions ranging from how they were feeling and what did they see, what did they do and what was going on at the mayor's estate. Tal politely declined most of the inquiries into the events that Richard and he went through until Areal was there. Seeing a new guy Tal stood up and shook the (wo)man's hand Tal then gave a brief summary for all to hear but saved the details for Areal and Janiven. Yes we searched the estate and fought some devils or demons, not sure which. We found ourselves in an underground labyrinth and had to clear that place out of all sorts of problematic situations. Eventually we did shut off the power to the place and stop the infernos up above.
Later with the small group of the leaders, Acheh, Richard and Lily Tal gives some more details and pulls out the contract he signed. I am not sure if this indicates anything else from this point on. The contract looks like it was just for me to enter the vault area and do what we needed to do. However with the LordMayor fleeing this could lead to another whole set of issues for Westcrown. Who is going to rule the city in the meantime? There is chaos already in the city with the destruction caused. 2 nobles families have already lost a member of their family. Are they going to want to join together and help the rest of the people? In addition to those questions we are also looking for a person named Corasel and a group called the Council. All of this is tied up together as we look to help Westcrown. Corasel is an assassin as far as we can tell that has killed tieflings, dottari, and others with seeming ease.
Tal turns to complain and Richard turns to rebuke him. Sherix's gasp wipes the conversation clean and Richard's scowl seals the deal. "Croseal wants us to know. We will save many lives by defeating her. We have more forgiveness to ask for..."
---
"My apologies, Lord Gunther. Know that the guards gave their lives defending them." Richard tries to massage things over. "Thank you for your offer. I will continue my hunt. Once again, my condolences."
---
Richard and Sherix take a moment to rest in Westcrown Square. The dottari are either too distracted keeping the peace or they learned to leave Richard alone.
"So, friends with the mayor and a woman is on our tail. I guess I'm not as inconspicuous as I wish."
Sherix giggles. "Also a tiny angelic figure is following you everywhere. Don't worry, we'll get what's her face one of these days."
Richard leans back and watch the skies. "Yes. I hope our debt is nearing completion-" a woman wearing a frilly dress winks in Richard's direction. "Ah, excuse me, ma'am...?"
She taps his free shoulder. "The boss wants to speak to you."
---
Richard offers a hand to Acheh and other newcomers. "Tal covered most of the issues. Know that someone will keep an eye out on you. Be careful."
"As he said, we current have no mayor, and his mansion went up in flames. What do we do next?"
Acheh watches and listens, trying to catch up on the situation. "Well, a lot has happened since I was last in Westcrown. It seems I should not have spent so much time in the northern hamlets." She seems disappointed in herself but refocuses, "First, how is everyone after their recent tribulations? Is there anything a few divine blessings can fix? Once I know how everyone is, we can discuss the next actions." The last sentence is uttered without any hesitation about if the group will accept her.
Tal turns to complain and Richard turns to rebuke him. Sherix's gasp wipes the conversation clean and Richard's scowl seals the deal. "Croseal wants us to know. We will save many lives by defeating her. We have more forgiveness to ask for..."
I understand your thoughts but while i will offer condolences and say I am sorry. I refuse to ask for forgiveness. There is nothing that we need to ask forgiveness for as the blame lies at Corasel's feet.
---
Richard offers a hand to Acheh and other newcomers. "Tal covered most of the issues. Know that someone will keep an eye out on you. Be careful."
"As he said, we current have no mayor, and his mansion went up in flames. What do we do next?"
Indeed, when you join us you join a family of people that look out for each other. As to your inquiry about our health I appreciate the offer. I could use some healing and am still dealing with a condition causing my reflexes to become slower. A few good night's
"Hmm. Well, I like your ethos do let's get to work." I have the diamond dust if we don't have a party stash. "Right, do it looks like the wounds need tending and yes, both of your fundamental essences have come under harm. That too can be restored."
It looks like two restoration spells and a bunch of cures. I'm fresh and assuming you both need a rest I can cover that healing easily and then rest myself. GM can they heal or do you want me to roll all the CL spells?
Thank you Acheh. I feel much better now. Also I dont know what you already know about this operation but if you have any questions for me please ask. The nuts and bolts are that we have been trying to do what we can to make Westcrown safer. We started by wanting to make the nights safe again but it seems we have evolved into demon slayers and interim Lord Mayor duties as well.
Tal also options to the lovely woman next to him. And if you ever want to know the reasons why I am doing this, she is right here. I am not so noble as to be doing this for others I dont know. I do this all for her.
Richard accepts any healing and restoration he can get. "Sherix and I are quite thankful. The people drained my charisma in a hurry."
Richard ponders Tal's words. "I wish to cleanse Westcrown from the corruption and tyranny that lies beneath Westcrown. Today was a start. Sherix is here to help."
"It is good we are bringing our own cadre of companions with us. I have a few myself that will be accompanying me. You seem to be doing the right things, and I'm not inclined to ask why. So long as we are on the same path and walking together. Now, if someone does the wrong thing, one's motives become more interesting as it may mean that you can be reasoned with."
Tal turns the discussion from the why they are doing this and focuses on the how. As he talks he has Lily help him out if his armor. As you can see by the armor and tower shield I am use to being up front and providing a bulwark for those behind. My tactics are pretty simple…stand there and soak up all the attention while laying out some damage when I can. What is your specialty and what do you bring to the group?
"I am more of a speaker than a fighter." Richard grins. "But my preferred weapon is the whip. When I can't trick, I inspire you to fight."
"A pertinent question, but one I have not had to answer in a while. I'm a magic user. I focus on healing and improving offensive capabilities. Because I depend on magic, the more prepared I can be going into combat, the more effective I am. In a fight, I send Cheken into melee and then shoot arrows from the sky. The three of us little birds have linked our health, so we can take a fair amount of punishment. I hope that our tactics compliment the teams well."
So you send your birds in to fight while you magically fly around shooting arrows? Aren’t you afraid that your birds will die or you will be short yourself? Tal tries to figure out this new addition and is clearly having a rough go of it. Do your birds have some special ability that allows them to avoid being hit? After all of your health is linked then should they get overwhelmed then you will die as well. Seems risky to me. Of course this is coming from the guy that went toe to claw with a saber tooth tiger, a huge fire elemental and a weird sludge beast. Clearly Tal’s preference is high AC and high HP.
Richard don’t forget that Sherix is quite capable of helping out as well. Her inspirations are timely and she has full ability to use most wands which have helped us numerous times.
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"Yeah, don't forget me." Sherix pipes up and flutters her wings. "If you have a spare wand of Cure Light Wounds, it can help. I do want a fancy bow, though..."
So you send your birds in to fight while you magically fly around shooting arrows? Aren’t you afraid that your birds will die or you will be short yourself? Tal tries to figure out this new addition and is clearly having a rough go of it. Do your birds have some special ability that allows them to avoid being hit? After all of your health is linked then should they get overwhelmed then you will die as well. Seems risky to me. Of course this is coming from the guy that went toe to claw with a saber tooth tiger, a huge fire elemental and a weird sludge beast. Clearly Tal’s preference is high AC and high HP.
Acheh attempt to assuage any concerns' "I always go into battle afraid to die. It is the best way to not die. If it helps, think of an army. Cheken is the cavalry, I am ranged infantry, and my familiar is the medic. But we have the additional benefit that while Cheken takes the brunt of the assault, I will take some of her damage and my familiar takes some of mine. I'm just guessing based on medical proficiency and field experience that collectively we can absorb as much or more damage than most seasoned soldiers of comparable experience to myself. Cheken has armor, natural and man-made, that can be augmented by magic. Should all of that fail I can cloud myself in mist or darkness. That said yes there is the possibility that we could all die. But if you go down then the chance that I or Richard go down as well. Our way means that we are all standing longer but if we go down, we all are likely to go down. But that is also the nature of magical companions if I die these birds will be of little help to you, soldiers without a commander."
"Yeah, don't forget me." Sherix pipes up and flutters her wings. "If you have a spare wand of Cure Light Wounds, it can help. I do want a fancy bow, though..."
"If I had an extra bow I would share. But here is a wand of cure light wounds. If you can use scroll please look through mine and help yourself."
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A few days later, Arael approaches you all and says that he has heard it through his contacts that a man by the name of Jarvis Alebrecht wishes to meet with you and offers a chance to learn more about the Council of Thieves in the Parego Dospera.
The day of the meeting, Duke escorts into the hideout a nervous-looking blond man who relates the following:
Friends of Westcrown—I come to you with a singular offer. I have long lived on the edge of legality in this, our city, but never have my plans or desires run along routes that might put the city in peril. I have heard the whispers that the Council of Thieves had something to do with the destruction of Aberian’s Folly, and I know these rumors to be fact—as I suspect you do as well. As you have doubtless learned, the Council of Thieves has not the best intentions for Westcrown. I may live on the other side of law, but I have no wish to see Westcrown suffer, for it is my home as well as yours. And as you now find yourselves aligned against the Council’s machinations as well, I think we can find common cause to work together.
My trade is information. Sensitive information. One of my most talkative contacts, a certain black-market pesh merchant named Goren One-Ear who keeps his shop in Parego Dospera, has fallen silent. It worries me, for he had long claimed to have ties with the Council of Thieves. Indeed, when the manor burned and fire scorched the sky, Goren contacted me with a short but cryptic message. He claimed that the fires and destruction were linked to the Council—more precisely, to the grandchildren of one of the Council’s leaders (whom Goren had hinted on multiple meetings with me was none other than nobleman Vassindio Drovenge). Worse, he indicated to me that there was a coup wracking the Council, and that these grandchildren were all but assured of seizing control if they could engineer the death of their grandfather, and that if they accomplished this, things would grow dangerous indeed for the Council’s enemies.
You see, here we share a dangerous commonality. My trade in information has long made the Council uneasy, but I have always been sure to give as well as take with their agents. Likewise, if word on the street is to be believed, your group has done much, indirectly or otherwise, to vex the Council. Yet as long as the traditionalists held power in the Council, things maintained a balance. These upstarts—these Drovenge siblings—care nothing for tradition. If they claim control over the Council’s resources, no Wiscrani is safe—particularly not you or I, who have already troubled the Council on numerous occasions.
Goren One-Ear claimed to have new and important information about the burgeoning coup in the Council—he also wanted out of Westcrown. I had promised him funds and aid in escaping the city under the Council’s collective noses in return for everything he knew about these Drovenge siblings, their plans, and both who they intended to strike against and how these strikes would go down. Yet this was two days hence, and I have had no contact with Goren. I fear the worst.
If you can investigate his shop in the Dusk Market alley in Parego Dospera… if you can find any clue to his fate or any notes he may have hidden in his home… I am prepared to pay you the funds I had set aside to aid him in his escape from Westcrown. Certainly, the information Goren possessed can help you as much as I, if not more!
Over the course of a couple days Tal goes about his daily routine of checking in at the forge to make sure everything is in order there, to the orphanage to make any repairs that Lily might need, and basically keeping an eye open for any signs of trouble that might spring up between the 2 areas. After the events recently, Tal was worried about the safety of Lily and the general unrest of Westcrown. Luckily nothing alarming happened and the days were busy with living life to the fullest. When Areal called Tal in for a meeting, he wasn't surprised...never a full week went by without some update. Of course Tal agreed and wasn't bothered by it. In fact he was looking to get some more answers after they had left last time with the void int he leadership of Westcrown.
At the meeting Tal is all ears as the man talk about the Council of Thieves. While they have heard of the group in their most recent entrance to Aberian's Folly Tal still had no idea exactly who they were, what their goal was, or anything concrete about them. Were they nobles, thieves, assassins, or just wealthy aristocrats throwing their weight around? Thus it was nice to have someone that actually seemed to know something. As the man was talking though Tal's frustration was increasing. So wait a minute...you're telling me that everything that happened at the mayor's estate is because of some squabble between some upstart children and their grandfather? Why hasn't anyone else dealt with them before now if they are such problematic brats?
I get your point though about being a target though. We didn't really keep our identities hidden after the mayor's place. There is a certain Croseal that has promised vengeance upon us and retribution that needs to be meted out to her as well. I am willing to head out and see what can be found at the Dusk Market. How can we let Goren know that we are friends and are willing to help him? Is there a code between the 2of you?
"I think infighting among heirs may be more common than we think. Family, royalty, and even crime lords. People love wealth and power especially when they don't have to work for it. This does seem like a good place to start. Along with the code, is there any information you have on the area? Do the council have many agents in the areas?"
Richard spends the week relaxing. He dates whomever he wants, he plays the music he likes, he helps whomever he wants to. It's nothing as grand as the former mayor's manor burning to the ground, but small streams merge into a great waterfall of altruism.
There is another reason: Richard wants to keep an eye on Croseal. If she strikes during the week, he can take care of her harassment now. If she leaves more bodies in her wake, she'll draw too much attention to herself. But she is silent. Either her bloodlust is sated or she is dealing with her own power struggle.
---
"Hmpf. Infighting." Richard leans against the wall. "The Holysmith family hasn't been completely united. One uncle fell under the corruption and lies." He rolls his hand. "We had to take him down as he tried to broker a deal with devils and demons. A bloddy mess."
"When there's so much power at stake, familial ties are rather fragile." He chuckles and turns to the informant. "Looks like we're doing your dirty work for you. Still, if it helps Westcrown, I am ready to forge an alliance."
"Besides, we can't fade away yet. There is a woman who is out for our blood. Are there alternate entrances to Goren's shop?"
Tal looks at the man before him and utters a thought that comes without warning, Why don't we just find these upstarts and put them down now. Nip this problem in the bud right away. Surely, we can get some others to join us so we are not doing this alone.
"While we talk I can send my familiar over to do a flyover of the shop and look of alternative way to get in."
Good idea. Better to get a feel for what we getting into and what everything looks like. It may be possible to get a drop on the situation if we show up first and watch the place for a bit before we go in.
Acheh send her hawk off to scout the building.
looking for ways in and people watching the place.
How can we let Goren know that we are friends and are willing to help him? Is there a code between the 2of you?
Just say, "Today is as cold as a Thrune's heart". He'll know I sent you.
Are there alternate entrances to Goren's shop?
Just the one that I am aware of.
Arael will tell you the following:
The Dusk Market’s current location is near an abandoned customs house that once inspected and processed the cargoes and immigrants coming in through Westcrown for the various manufactories in Rego Cader back in its heyday. Now this building is little more than a massive stone shell, most of its glass skylights or windows broken out and creating a fragmented maze of jagged prisms hung between ancient stone buttresses and rusted iron girders. Beneath this massive structure’s roof were dozens of offices, holding areas, warehouses, guardrooms, and plazas for organizing the thousands of individuals who passed through every day, creating a city in miniature within its walls. Yet it is to an alley behind this building that you must go to meet Goren.
Through Cheken you know that at the far end of the alley is a building - and the only building down the alley whose door is not boarded up.
The alley itself is deserted, but the sound of the busy market in the immense stone building next door is constantly present, almost giving the place an air of a haunted marketplace peopled by the invisible ghosts of merchants and customers. A smaller side alley leading to the east comes to an end in the ruins of a collapsed building, while to the south the main alley ends at a tumbled-down old well, now filled in with rubble.