Hopefully as Winter does his examination.
"Miss...um..I'd like to call you something other than Miss. Where was Aetheri today? You said she came back like this?"
Sweeney leans up against the nearest wall, nervously flipping the golden eye token between his fingers. "Sable, can you fill me in on what's going on? Is there anything I can do?"
|
Sweeney leans up against the nearest wall, nervously flipping the golden eye token between his fingers. "Sable, can you fill me in on what's going on? Is there anything I can do?"
"It seems that Sebastian went to check on the little sparrow and gracefully fell down the ladder. He says he is down there with a flock of injured girls and needed Winter's assistance in treating their wounds. I'm not certain what to make of it, yet."
Winter sees the prone elven woman and rushes to her aid, apparently oblivious to the near nakedness around him. He spends a few moments looking at her condition, and notes that Sebastian has already tried magical healing.
"Nothing I have seen before, she needs someone of stronger purpose than I, Erastil has not yet seen fit to bless me with gifts powerful enough to revoke this malady. I wonder if this is what those elves were here about"
"Help me gather her up, I will ask for succor at the nearest temple"
As he rises, his surroundings seem to almost take him by surprise...
"Why are half naked women living in a basement? why are they sick and injured?"
He seems to be somewhere between confused and cross...
Sweeney leans up against the nearest wall, nervously flipping the golden eye token between his fingers. "Sable, can you fill me in on what's going on? Is there anything I can do?"
Bree watches Sweeney flipping the golden eye token, eyebrow slightly arched, as if everything she needs to know about him is being revealed with this simple action.
She asks Sable, "How far down does the ladder go? Maybe he could hand her up to us?
Sebastian gathers a blanket and proceeds to wrap Aetheri. "Winter....um...this is where the Foxy Fiddler pens its vixens, as it were. Speaking of which, Sable in his birdly way may have seen this before. Let's get her up top."
He looks back to the waitress. "You did good opening your door to me, this does not look good, but we can find someone to help...you might want to come with us..a friendly face and all when we revive Aetheri, so ....a...get dressed if you would like. Earlier he might have blushed again, to be reminded of her unclothed state, but things have gotten a lot more serious.
Looking her in the eye and then at the sorry condition of them living under the storeroom, "Is there going to be a problem when we go to take Aetheri out of here?"
"They pen their vixens in a dirty basement and leave them sick and dying without regard to their welfare? I wouldn't pen a pig in this manner. I think once this immediate problem is dealt with there shall be a bit more discussion on this matter"
"We might be able to rig a sling. I have rope here, and I can probably haul her up. Somebody get me a shirt or a sheet or something." Taking off her pack, Kaylen grabs her rope and begins trying to tie it to provide a loop or two to slip around a person's body. If somebody can bring her a shirt or a sheet, she'll try to run it between two loops to form a sort of seat and make it a more comfortable trip.
After spending more than a brief moment peeking through a cracked doorway, the room appears to not be the "pen" that Winter described.
A magical light illuminates the area, revealing this room as a common area, with doorways leading off to smaller rooms.
The serving girl, Lora looks at Sebastian, then starts giggling. "Why would we go anywhere?" Turning around and spreading her arms outward, "this is our home...cramped as it might be."
She walks over to Sebastian, first watching to make sure that Aetheri is being taken care of, then turning her attention to the bard. "Why would you want to help a scholarly elf?" she asks. "She has no money, few belongings, and I doubt she could repay the services rendered at the temple."
Nodding to Winter, but not leaving Sebastian's side, "There shouldn't be any problems taking her out...Chort never wanted us to bring her down."
Lowering the rope with a loop in it, Kaylen calls out, "Slip this around her, and put the loop under her arms. It won't be the most comfortable thing in the world, but it's probably the easiest and safest way to get her out of that hole. Sebastian, friend, this is no time for playing with the girls."
Winter shakes his head in disgust at the callous suggestion that the Elf might only be worth helpoing based on her wealth or what she could pay.
"Because helping others is always the right thing to do, regardless of their level of misfortune"
Winter returns to helping the Elf out.
** spoiler omitted **
Lora's comment hits something deep inside him. This could have been him in another day..week...this city seems to just chew people up. "Lora, penniless and of few possessions described most of me and my friends but just a short while ago. And as silly as this sounds, we found reward in taking the good stand, mounting the breach and telling this town its corruption goes no further...well...that did sound pretty silly, huh?...but it is more than that, we learned the value of a friend. Much like Aetheri trusted you to come here." He gives her an assuring nod.
"But did Aetheri have other friends?..ones that might have brought her here? Winter, here, noted some Elves leaving as soon as we arrived...would be nice to talk to someone who knew what might have happened to her to get her in this condition."
He helps carry the Elf to the door and watches the sling being rigged up. Looking around again. "Well...hidden away down here I guess you are normally safe from nosy intrusion of the tavern's customers," He gives Lora a shy smile. "I just wonder about the affect of always living down here like a potato."
Looking at her tenderly, taking in the fat lip. "But what of you Lora, it seems you caught your own share of abuse tonight. My concern for you is what drew me down here, is there anything I can do for you?"
Lora stares at the ground for a few moments before raising her eyes to Sebastian's.
As if suddenly realizing that she's almost nude, she distracts herself and grabs a nearby sheet, covering her chest.
"Your kindness knows no end," she starts. "One of the regulars, he's leaving in the morning and wanted some company. I told him no, and he got a little too touchy for my liking."
She seems reluctant to go on, but continues as she sidles in closer to Sebastian. "I broke a mug over his head, and he threw me against one of the tables. I was barely able to get away before the bouncers could drag him outside."
Biting her lower lip, she cocks her head to one side, her eyes flickering, as if debating something in her thoughts.
"He should be in for his last drink. His ship won't be setting sail until noon. If you could...teach him some manners...?" she asks, her hand gripping Sebastian's shoulder.
He feels his coolness start to slip with the feeling of another blush coming on, he turns and then seeing the sling about ready..
"Well..getting help for Aetheri is our priority, but tell me what this lout looks like. This has been a day of saving cute girls from poor fates, I am glad it finally got around to my turn. I am proud to add you..oh, and Aetheri to our playbill. Beside Kaylen,..she's the tough one working the sling, I imagine she would truely enjoy having a word with this scum about his treatment of women. Leave it to us."
Keeping his eyes on hers, Sebastian slowly brings his hand up to her lip and gently rubs his thumb along its length. "Broke the mug huh? I like your style Lora. It has the flair of the dramatic." He murmurs the arcane words that will channel his life's energy to her.
The swelling goes down under his ministrations. He gives his shy smile again, "There. Something to remember me by."
She swoons under Sebastian's touch. Gazing deep into his eyes. She leans forward, closing her eyes.
The girls rush over, giggling, admonishing Lora for acting like a schoolgirl, and take her back into the depths of the room before she can get a kiss from Sebastian.
Unwillingly dragged away, she looks shocked and hurt.
One of the girls escorts Sebastian to the door, telling him to bring news of Aetheri. Blocking the doorway, she gives him a quick description of the attacker.
"Aetheri was spending a lot of time at the cyphergate. She's convinced it's related to the Blot. You might want to try asking at the Lodge for answers."
As the door closes, Sebastian catches sight of Lora, who has enough time to blow him a kiss before the door latches shut.
---------
Winter and Kaylen work together hoisting the elf girl up the chute. After a minute of struggling, she is in the store room, a ragged wound in her neck now clearly visible.
A closer look reveals a thin piece of metal, like the tip of a dart embedded beneath the skin.
Her eyes flutter open once again, and she opens her mouth to speak. The only word you can make out is "Blot". Her eyes do not close, instead, staring off into nothing.
At first Sebastian is pleased and excited at the rush of scantily clad woman toward him and Lora, but when they pull her away, he is is momentarily confused, but then laughs.
He notes the provided information, paying particular attention at the mention of the Cyphergate...the Thassilonians...
As the door closes in his face he turns to look up at the group, a silly grin on his face. "A successful end to Act 1."
Once back up in the storeroom he will peer out into the tap room to find the mark. "Friends. That sailor in the corner with the red hat. He's the one who likes to rough up the ladies. I thought he might like some of how that feels as we leave this place. Probably pretty easy to lure him out of this place and into an alley for a little quick justice...you know..for the girls." Sebastian scans his friends faces, thinking Kaylen, Sweeny, maybe even Bree, would be up for this if Winter and Sable keep minders on Aetheri.
1d20+6
You would definitely be aware of the temple.
Bree peaks in at the woman once she is in the store room. Staying where she is, Bree asks the group, "So now what? I hope that's not contagious..."
Sebastian is brought back to his senses by Bree's comment. "Oh!..This is Aetheri. She is a Thassilonian scholar. Her neck...Winter and I have never seen the like before. It resists healing." In the gloom of the storeroom, the glow of the potato picks up a tiny glint...A dart tip? "Look at this...didn't catch it earlier...a dart tip..that is poison, that is."
Sebastian looks up at the gathered faces, "We need to get her to a healer, unless anyone has the talents to clear a poison." His questioning gaze falls on Sable.
After a moments contemplation, Bree says, "A little ways north of here is a temple to Iomedae. I'm sure Latricia Evanore can at least stabilize her so we can continue on to the river's edge."
|
|
Sable kneels by Aetheri and places a hand upon her brow while he looks at the wound. "Greetings, Aetheri, I am Sable."
"Poison. From a nasty little mushroom. This little lorikeet may rapidly become a babbling woodpecker if it is not treated soon. We must get her to this Latricia Evanore quickly. I will stay with her, if you all wish to ruffle a few feathers of our red-combed starling."
Sable leans over and whispers to Korax in Elven.
Sweeney nods to Sebastian. Under his breath, he says to everyone, "I'll handle our friendly sailor. Kaylen, get my back. I'll lure this dog to the alley. Keep your distance, you'll know when to come in."
To Sweeney and Sebastian, "Far be it from me to be the voice of reason here, but don't you suppose that you should somehow verify the woman's story before you go beating up a stranger for something he may not have even done? What do any of us know about these women, other than they do look beat up?"
To Bree, "I've done worse for less, dear. It's not like I intend to kill him. Maybe. But don't worry, I'll get a good impression of him first. It's all part of the plan."
"Well, is she at least willing to pay for us handling her problems? You know, a bounty for the man who beat her..."
"I'm surprised at you. Roughing up a worthless sea rat is questionable, but taking money from a sickly wench for doing so is suitable? You've got gall. I think I like it."
Bree shrugs her shoulder and mumbles self-consciously, "Well, they'd just be paying someone else to protect them... might as well be us. At least we won't demand payment by other means as others are likely too... right?"
"Well if she survives this little ordeal, payment or no she'll probably be getting all of her coin in return in a couple nights. I can't let a pretty face like that go without saying goodbye the proper way."
With that, Sweeney leaves his companions to approach the red-capped sailor. He'll calmly walk to his table, and in a cheerful voice, "Hello, fine sir. I have something that I feel I absolutely must tell you about. Do you mind if I have a seat?"
Bree shrugs as Sweeney walks to the man's table. She turns back to the others. "Wait a moment and I'll see if we can find a more discreet way out of here."
Bree breaks away from the others to move through the place, looking for potential exits.
Winter helps scoop up the wounded Elf,
"To the Iomedites then, before we are too late for this poor wretch."
Winter notes the sailor in the red hat, and the impending ambush headed his way. With an aside to the party - "I am not going to lecture on the rights or wrongs of dispensing retribution, but I accept the law here is almost non existent and thus frontier justice is the only kind there is. I will take this woman to seek healing, and leave you to your... duty"
If not pulled up at the bar, he will begin to carry her off to the Temple.
To Sweeney before he heads off, and with a wink at Sable, "I'm your wing, friend."
Before Winter leaves, Kaylen whispers, "We aren't ... dispensing retribution, exactly. It's more that we're going to have a chat with the man and make sure that there are no repeat performances. If he's a reasonable man, it will be a fairly short chat. How it goes, though, is up to him."
Kaylen heads off to the bar, keeping an eye on Sweeney and the red-capped sailor. "You got any decent stout in this place, friend? One for me, and one for yourself. That guy over there a regular?"
@Bree and Sweeney earlier. "Lora took a big chance to trust me down there. I don't want to let her down with her sick friend or see her get hurt again. No payment was necessary, as a merely wanted to help." He gives kind of a sad shrug. "But yeah, hard to see profit in that"
@Sweeney and Kaylen before they set out. "Thanks you two, I thought you might be up for this. You don't have to hurt him too much, Lora got one shot in on him, but I don't want him thinking he can hurt the girls like that again."
When the group sets out on their separate tasks, Sebastian will trail Winter, Sable and Bree, noting their path, but hanging back a bit so Sweeney and Kaylen do not get left behind and lost.
Bree: There's the back door into the alley, or the front door out to the street.
-----------------
The sailor with the red cap looks up at Sweeney and shrugs his shoulders. "Free coun'ry."
Sitting down, Sweeney can smell sweat and vomit on the sailor. His eyes bloodshot, red cap tries focusing on Sweeney.
Wagging a finger at Sweeney, the drunk sailor continues. "Din' we sail on Black Birdge together? O'er in some Sand Dune city.."
He pauses, reliving some moment in his head. "Yea...we 'ad us some fun that trip." He raises his drink, and seeing Sweeney doesn't have one, hands over a mug with a couple of swallows left in it.
"For old times."
-----------------
Over at the bar, the barkeep brings Kaylen a drink. He seems a little happier seeing the elf being taken out.
Kaylen's hand having brushed against some sticky stain on the bar, you're surprised to see your drink come in a clean mug.
"Loy?" he looks over at the red cap. "Sure. Been coming in here since the day his feet touched the docks. A good four years or so."
He sighs. "Good at spending money, but not holding onto any jobs. Served on three different ships since Pharast."
"Always getting into fights with his shipmates, or thrown into the local stocks. Surprised he hasn't been keel-hauled yet."
Sweeney playfully punches the man in the shoulder. "Oh we had us some good times back then, didn't we? I almost didn't recognize you, old sea dog, it's been so long."
Sweeney takes the mug offered to him and raises it. "For old times."
"So what have you been up to since getting back from the Black Birdge? I hear the girls here are fantastic, have you had the chance to, you know, give 'em a taste of a seaman's generosity?"
Kaylen gives a low whistle. "Three different ships, just in the last few months? I'm surprised there are still ships that'll take a man with that kind of record. How is he around here? Any good in a brawl?" Kaylen stretches her arms behind her back, popping several tendons audibly.
Bree would have encouraged the group to exit out the back way . As she is leaving with the others, she will spare a glance back at Sweeney and Kaylen. Once outside, she stops Winter.
"Look, I don't know how good of chums you are with those two, but I can't see leaving them alone. Yeah, he's just one man, but you never know, he might have friends there who will jump in when the fighting starts. Just head north from here, it's not far, you can't miss it. Ask for the head priestess Latricia Evanore. I'll bring them along as soon as we can get away."
With that, Bree heads back into the building.If things appear to be going badly for Sweeney, she will stop at the table, otherwise she heads to the bar where Kaylen is instead.
Sweeney:
"Ah, you know...the girls 'ere are like everywhere. They play hard to get, but Loy gets 'em." He laughs, and takes a swallow of his drink.
"Cept that one...Lora." Smashing his mug onto the table, it explodes, sending glass shards everywhere.
"Smashed a cup on me head for wanting some time out back." He rubs his head, scowling. Looking for another drink, he starts to stand up.
---------------
Meanwhile, over at the bar...
Chort shakes his head. "It's a sad state that boy is in. Never did hear his tale when he first showed up."
Digging out a bottle of wine, he pours Kaylen a glass.
"I guess he does well enough in a fight. Likes to use his fists on my girls. Had to throw him out earlier tonight."
Sipping at his wine, he thinks for a moment. "Nice girl, Lora is. Maybe too generous, bringing that elf girl in here..."
"Come on, Loy, old friend, allow me to buy you another round on me. After that, you can come outside with me and discuss this business with Lora a bit further."
"I don't hold with stuff like that. Just because you can beat somebody into submission doesn't make it right." Kaylen raises the glass of wine, clinks it against the barkeep's, then takes a sip. At the noise of the smashing cup, Kaylen whips around. "Looks like things are about to get interesting, friend. Send our friend Loy another drink. My friends and I will take care of any trouble he causes."
Bree slides up next to Kaylen, "I sent the others on ahead... just in case this guy has any friends of his own lurking in the shadows."