"Aye, Squinty an' th' Captain be tight. He be pretty sure he knew all o' Montrose`s business dealings. Although they be on good terms wi' th' various gangs in th' city, Squinty be thinkin' that maybe one o' them might be havin' kidnapped th' Captain an' held th' lad's fer ransom. But, like I spake, its been a tides now an' thar be nay ransom note."
The tavern has seen a steady flow of patrons from the time that you entered. Pepper lets out a loud burp then quickly looks up at Karsielle, seemingly embarrassed. "Hey thar John, another cup o' swill fer me." he yells up towards the bar. A moment later Pepper's next drink is delivered by lad you have not seen yet, but still seems to answer to John.
"I work here most nights o' th' week. If ye find th' Captain ye can brin' th' lad's here an' I can escort ye t' th' ship, or ye can go down t' th' docks yersef an' take th' lad's directly t' th' ship yersef. Squinty ortin' t' be on th' ship. Like I spake, he ain`t leavin' that boat."
"To get access t' th' ship, go down t' a little place called Bait and Flail in Th' Docks and Jus' be sure t' use tha passwerd: Th' Duck Flies at Midnight, and ye be taking to the ship."
He stands and shakes Suny's hand. And although he still has a small amount of suspicion in his eyes, his demeanor visibly changes.
"My sis be down at our sea shanty in Scurvytown. She has had a fever fer days, 'tis nay goin' away. I lost me job down at th' docks o'er a tides ago an' we`ve nay shineys t' our name."
Kazmir looks at Pepper and says in a dark tone,"Old man, do you know if this captain were now hunting ever took to the pleasures of the flesh, and what houses he favored?" After Kazmir finishes his sentence he gives a slight glance to Karsielle. "Or do I have to pry it from our benefactor?"
"Aye Len, 'course I will." She throws an arm around his shoulders.
"C'mone an' well see t' yer sis first, then see t' gettin' her some-thin' t' assuage her ills, hey?" She says with a grin even as she starts to walk in the direction Lenny has indicated.
Silas smiles at the well-dressed woman, simply nodding at her remark as he takes another swig. When Mishael asks him for advice he speaks up, "Well, we've covered most of the important things here. We know what he's involved in, who was setting up the deal, generally where it might have been going to take place, who his friends were, and of course who his enemies likely are. Oh, and the places he likes to go. Kazmir brings up a good point about the whole flesh pleasure thing, which could also be very useful. Men will tell whores more then they tell their wives, I've often found."
Karsielle gives a coy smile at Silas's observation, before saying "Then, shall we see our good Cap'n Montrose's ship?"
"Aye, well I recon that Salon du Masque place might be one. I`ve heard ye can get anythin' ye want thar if ye know what I mean. Sea dogs an' land lubbers be supposed t' wear masks before enterin', t' keep things secret. Nerebeen in myself, a wee too swanky fer ol` Pepper."
"If ere knew 'ere else th' Captain tookst in pleasures 't`d be Squinty, but he says th' Captain kept that private. I recon 't could be one reason he`d be goin' ou' in town alone too."
He stands up and throws back the rest of his ale. "`Bout time fer me t' get t' work. Gotta get in playin' shape first, so if ye`ll excuse me." he says as he picks up his flute. "Best o' luck. Yer lot looks might capable."
Lenny leads you off a main street into an alley. Then a different alley off of that one. Finally he stops at a structure that is nothing more than a few boards lined up in a niche of one alleyway with a canvas over the top for a roof and makeshift door.
When you pull back the canvas to see inside you notice some pots and a box or two, beyond which a dirty cot sits along the far "wall". On there you see a frail young girl, no more than ten years old who is shivering although covered in sweat. It's quite obvious even from here that she has some sort of fever, from who knows what.
The Docks: The Docks are loud and packed with people. The air is pregnant with the stench of seawater mixed with waste, the stink of blood and fish guts, and the myriad of odors wafting up from the people perfumed to cover up body odor. The place is vibrant and exciting, alive with the clash of cultures that call this place home. The buildings sport some damage from the last bout of summer storms. Most buildings are wooden, but some are made of stone. The streets are haphazardly cobbled, and paths fromed from old boards allow pedestrians to stay out of the mud, though these routes are often rerouted to the dark alleyways.
Drac's End: Tents and makeshift buildings often appear overnight on streets and clearings, only to disappear a short time later. A significant number of nonhumans, scholars, and artists live and work here. Numerous barrels stand open in the street collecting rain water for drinking and to extinguish the frequent fires that plague the district. The buildings are rundown and occasionally fire-damaged, and are constructed from timber, coarse stone, or mud bricks. The roads and alleys, the two of which are nearly indistinguishable, wind throughout the district and are unpaved. Planks and stones occasionally give pedestrians a place to walk without fear of stepping in the mud or puddles of excrement.
Eastern District: The home of the middle-class. It contains many small businesses, as well as several residential neighborhoods. Easterners were plain but well-made clothing, richshaws clatter through the streets, and hawkers are a common sight near the Field of Honor in the middle of the district. The buildings are mostly in good repair, generally of a mix of wood and stone. Residential areas are dominated by town houses. Many businesses are two-story, allowing the owners to live above their shops. The streets are fairly wide and cobbled, many radiating from the Field of Honor. There are some narrow and irregular streets near Drac's End and Scurvytown.
Merchant District: Ornate magical street lamps populate every corner, and the forever-burning lights cast out shadows from the entire district. The area is riddled with mansions and ornate buildings that are well designed and kept impeccably clean. Ornate bars cover all windows, not only as decoration, but as a way of thwarting thieves. The broad avenues are paved with neatly fitted cobblestones and are regularly swept free of debris.
The Old City: The walls to the Old City are always visible from anywhere in Freeport, and act as a reference for finding your way. They fill the horizon and artificially shorten the days. The Old City is quite active and cosmopolitan during the daylight hours, but at night, the welcoming atmosphere vanishes as the street empty - those that remain out are suspicious of strangers and are quick to call the Guard. Near the walls, stone and wood row houses and tenement buildings stand, while closer towards the center the massive stone buildings of the city's government reigns supreme.
Scurvytown: The whole district stinks of human waste and rotting fish, and the foul air teems with mosquitoes. Beggards plead for funds or sell their pathetic belongings from broken stalls. The wooden buildings are in a constant state of decay and haven't been repaired or maintained in decades. The roads are unpaved, muddy, and littered with garbage and refuse, while narrow alleys wind through the shadows. The people here are dirty, poverty-stricken, and desperate, turning to crime or begging in order to make ends meet.
Temple District: The Temple District is distinctive not for the impressive churches, no the throngs of pious servants that hustle and bustle, chant and preach, but rather for its atmosphere. The very air is pregnant with divine might, and those who come upon this district feel the heavy hands of the gods resting upon them. The temples here range from small shrines, two enormous cathedrals, and the number of which restrict how many businesses can be found here. The cobbeled streets wind through the district, maneuvering past the larger temples as they make their way to the Merchant District, Old City, or the Cluster in Drac's End. Individual stones often bear carvings that invoke the blessing of a particular deity, or recall a specific historical event that has some religious significance.
Warehouse District: The district is teeming with people by day, but is almost empty at night. The observatory tower of the Pilot's Guild, the tallest building in the city, looms overhead. Children from the orphanage are constantly underfoot, spying on pedestrians for unknown causes. The numerous storage houses vary in size are built from wood or brick and stone. Occasional offices and taverns are found in their shadows. The roads are well-paved and maintained near the larger warehouses, while the rest of the roads are made of packed earth or gravel and are pitted by constant traffic.
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"D'ye think she c'n walk? Whut have ye t' make a stretcher fer us t' carry her?" Suny looks at the cot the girl is lying on.
"C'n we just pick up th' whole kit an' caboodle an' carry her that way?"
So, that's the plan. Get the girl to a church and a priest for a spell. Failing that Suny could maybe 'lean' on her Noble heritage and run up a loan to have a couple of strong backs carry the lass and her bed as a stretcher to the Clerics...
Karsielle looks around after suggesting the group go to Montrose's ship "...unless anyone else has a better idea where to start."
Mishael stands up at the table, stretching her arms overhead and arching her back. Well, unless one of y'all is particularly wealthy, I think we'll be avoiding the Salon du Masque at the start. We can try sweet talking our way in, but I don't expect to be too successful."
"Personally, my votes for getting to the Old City and The Black Rose Tavern before night. We can make our way to the Merchant District later in the afternoon or evening if needed."
"The ships an option too, but why don't we see if we can pick up on Montrose's trail before bugging Squinty?"
She turns to Bloody Flag and Silas waiting for a reply.
Bloody Flag turns to Mishael and says,"Those hunting grounds are acceptable."
People on the street give you a wide berth when they notice the sick girl on the makeshift stretcher. Eventually you reach a main road out of the alleys and leave Scurvytown headed back to the Eastern District where you have seen a church. It has a large wrought-iron sculpture of a butterfly on the outside. As you enter the main doors to Desna's temple you see a solemn looking man approach you from in front of the pews.
"All right then, let's move out to the Old City." Mishael heads for the doors.
"G'day t' ye. I've a sick friend who'd I'd be likin' yerself, or p'raps some one who's in th' know o' such things, t' be doin' some healin' an' soothin' type works fer 'em." Suny explains, wiping a slightly sweaty arm across her brow from the effort of carrying the girl. "I've shiny t' help assuage things, fer th' proper respect an' such." She adds.
The group heads out to the Old City at the center of Freeport. You walk west for a while until you get to the gate at the old city walls. The wall is massive, around 100' feet high and the gate is, although very old, still in perfect working order. You can see several guardsmen from the Watch patrolling the top of the wall.
The gate is open to all, there is no checkpoint. The road from the Eastern District turns into a more narrow and crowded road called the Street of Dreams. The buildings here are older than the district you just left. They are smaller and more close together.
The street eventually turns to the left at the Wizard's Guild and right past it on the right is a rather large building for this area with a sign painted over the front door The Black Rose .
"Yes, sir. We ain`t lived thar long, about a moon. Our momma done port us. We had nay choice but t' try an' get a wee shelter thar 'ere nay one would throw us out." Lenny says to the priest.
"Well then, bring her on inside some. Get her outta the doorway and all." he says, motioning to a door near the front of the pews. "I should be able to make her feel better, but to get rid of that bug complete she'll need more than what I can give the young lass. I can get Father Zantus to see what he can do tonight. Oh, my name is Father Morris by the way."
"I can see ye ain't go much for money, and we ain't gonna charge none, but if the elf here have some coins then Desna's luck might be with the lass a little more."
As they get closer to the Black Rose, Bloody Flag will look to his three associates and says darkly, "Should we go in as a group or separate? I can make it work either way." He just stares at them until he gets a response.
Silas scratches his head. "Does it really matter? You think anyone is going to be looking for us already?"
"Aye, I've some amount o' coin." She smiles sweetly, "But I in't sure as t' their worth. Whut with my folk be more versed in tradin' wi' pearls, an such." She finishes, looking a little unsure of herself.
[/b]
Bloody Flag stares at Silas and replies,"Very well, I'll set the mood. Follow my movements as you see necessary, we should use how they react to our advantage." With that Bloody moves to the door, the group hears him do a chant in a dark demonic language and they hear a familiar thunder crack. Then he walks through the door giving the crowd a intimidating glare,and will drift to the bar ordering them,"Drink, NOW!" with that a gold coin is found on the table.
Bluff:
Mishael straightens her back, chin tilted up and follows Black Flag from a few steps behind. She watches the room for any unusual actions provoked by Black Flag's flamboyant entrance.
Karsielle looks at Silas and offers her arm, expecting to be escorted into the room, "It appears that BF has a certain way about him! However, it would be an honor to be escorted by you, let us follow those two, but give them room."
She follows in, her eyes following the waiters and other employees of the establishment, flickering her eyelids in recognition and hoping to gain their trust, particularly the men.
"She be feelin' better real quick here, but she still has the illness. She can rest here until Father Zantus can work on her more this evening."
The crowd inside of the Black Rose are all dressed rather well and of much higher class than the drunken sailors that frequent Gentleman John's. When Bloody Flag makes his signature entrance everyone inside turns their heads quickly to see what the commotion is about. A few men who were eating dinner stand quickly with their hands to the hilt of their swords, ready to guard their table from any disturbance.
After he gives his order, two men dressed in matching light armor with capes made of very fine cloth approach him. "Excuse me sir. The Black Rose is a respected and restrained establishment. Perhaps you would prefer some place more...free-spirited. Maybe you meant to enter The Keelhaul down the street."
He stares daggers at the two bouncers, and says "Money is Money, But blood spilled is a problem. Now let me enjoy my drink in peace...." He ends it with a low growl. And turns away like they are nothing to him.
"Okeys then, you'll be right t' stay with yer Sister until th' good Father sees t' her healin', hey?" She asks and looks to Father Morris,
"Aye, well it will take a wee bit o' time t' get me finances arraigned t' ye. But rest assured I will be doin' such!" Suny declares. She takes Kenny aside and quietly gets any details the lad might have that could be of assistance in her current task of finding a certain captain,
Before again checking things over with father Morris before skipping off on her quest.
The two bouncers stare back at Bloody Flag. He notices that one of the two seems to be starting to lose his confidence in the confrontation. The less sure man starts in "Aye, then that is what we want here: peace. No tawdry language, and mine yer manners." Bloody can hear his voice beginning to waver as he finishes, then the two men take leave.
The rest of the group straddles up to the bar and joins their new bloody friend just just in time to hear the bouncer give Bloody a warning. There is plenty of open seats at the impressively long bar. Most of the patrons have turned their attention back to their meal or conversation expect for a few men who are watching Karsielle strut up to the bar.
"Miss, I be ereso greatful. How might I get in touch wi' ye again? Maybe I can do some errands fer ye t' make up what I owe ya." Lenny says.
With that she reverts to the tried and true method of the Investigative Adventurer(TM). She walks about observing, comparing her knowledge of the local areas and subtly trying to spend coin to garner favors.
She also hopes to come across her companions, or better yet, remember where it was they had agreed to meet up again.
Though coming across their current rumored where abouts might/will also be good.
A young woman stands behind the bar taking in the confrontation. She is tall and lanky with long red hair and very attractive. She looks too dainty to tend bar in anyplace closer to the Docks. After the two bouncers leave she slowly walks down to the group. "Evening mates. What might you like to drink?"
Bloody Flag doesn't even acknowledge the two bouncers as the finish their talking, he starts to look around never making eye contact with the women and says, "Ale." He gives off a glare as he looks through the crowd to see if any old snitches, former employers, or lucky victims are in the room.
Karsielle lets go Silas' arm, she smiles at the lady offering to wait on the group. "Today is a day for friendship, so something sweet and soothing would suit me, a white wine with the fruits of the forest would be to my liking. With ice to quench the heat of the day." with a lightness of touch, Karsielle asks, "and whom do we have the honor of serving us this night? you will be ours for this evening?" a wry twinkle inn her eye. She watches the waitress as she takes the order, and then as she goes about her business, I wonder if she will report our presence to her ... well her employer? she thinks.
Mishael drifts slightly away from Bloody Flag, Karsielle and Silas as they enter and scans the room for men or women that are unaccompanied.
Bloodsalt: Bloodsalt was an accident. Formed in the aftermath of the Great Green Fire and the Wizards’ Guild’s recruitment policy for hiring only nonhumans, this place began as an encampment and rapidly became a permanent addition to Freeport. Bloodsalt is more of a ghetto for orcs, goblins, and hobgoblins than a proper district. There’s little in the way of order, and violence rules the day. People are wise to avoid this place, for there’s no justice here.
Silas offers his arm to Karsielle, and does his best to act the proper gentleman. Unfortunately, his clothes and manners are not the best, and the image he puts off is more of a man trying to be better than he is. Silas furiously hopes that anyone here mistakes them for a noblewoman who picked up a plaything. He keeps a weather eye out for trouble.
However, after leaving one shop with no information a skinny young man approaches Suny. "I may be havin' somethin' o' use fer ye." he says and then stops, looking expectantly at Suny. She initially tries to give the stranger a few silver coins to loosen his tongue, but in the end it takes a gold piece.
Finally he says "Not sure o' his name, but I`ve seen a man fittin' that description hangin' ou' at Th' Shy Mermaid from time t' time. Guy always had two lasses wi' 'em." Suny tries to get more information and specifics, but the man just says "Didn`t hear that from me tho." and goes on his way.