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Grym already has a masterwork blade and has no interest in the heavy armors. A mwk knife, short sword, or hand ax would be nice though as an off hand weapon...
Grym spends his mornings training Bucho. He spends 10 sails hiring street people to lay tracks and serve as attack dummies. The ranger will of course pay out a hefty bonus for any training accidents and take care of medical bills.
Most afternoons Grym has gone over to the fencing school to drill and work on proper technique. Grym also trains with Odric and Sandor. Its good to spar with Odric who is better in a stand up fight and the stout dwarf requires a whole different mindset.
Grym buys three more CLWs potions from Morkelebs apothecary.
Lastly Grym does check in with the local temple of Sarenrae to see of his old mentor Ayla is in. If she is in town at all during the week, the ranger seeks some time to speak with her, partially to catch up with her and partially to exchange any information with her. Any info she might have about this Arkona family, and any leads on adventures
Animal handling training rolld
Diplomacy (gather info)
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JUSTICE!
The cries of justice spread like fire throughout Korvosa. A week after dispatching Valay word is that the new Queen Ileosa has named the king's assassin. A bard by the name of Trinia Sabor is accused. An artist who had spent the last few weeks with the ailing king before his death, she is now Public Enemy number one. She confessed to the crime in front of Sabine and several members of the guard. Furthermore a member of the guard confessed to being an accomplice after interrogation, only to throw himself from a battlement in a disgraced bid to escape.
The riots are dangerously close to breaking out again. This time, however, they are for the death of Sabina. Thus far the bard has remained elusive....
Remaining 2 days: I decided I don't want to spend any fame at this time. I'll do some more alchemy.
I'm feeling lucky. going for Antitoxin today.
Spend 16 gp 5 sp
Day 6, Alchemy: <--vs. DC 25=SUCCESS!
good for 700 sp, sufficient for 1 vial of antitoxin.
going for another antitoxin!!
Spend 16 gp 5 sp
Day 7, alchemy: <--vs. DC 25=SUCCESS!
good for 800 sp, sufficient for 1 vial of antitoxin. W00t!
That's convenient. The accomplice killed himself after confessing. I don't trust coincidence.
Dungeon Master: Who is the guard who confessed?
Musings: Why is everyone calling for Sabina's death? She is Her Majesty's bodyguard (in more ways than one if rumors hold to be true!) And we need to know more about this Bard, Trinia Sabor.
My mistake, they are calling for Trinia's death, not Sabina.
I will take Diplomacy (Gather Information) for more about Trinia. (Nobility) for information on what went down with the guard.
Diplomacy (Gather Information):
This occurs some time over the previous week's rest/crafting/whatever, during one of the times when the group gets together socially, as I'm sure we would once!
Morkeleb is sitting with his customary single glass of wine, and joins Gaius for a talk.
The wizard holds up his glass, admiring the wine's legs. Gaius, our last adventure gave me pause. The way you handled the fallen paladin . . . impressed me. I don't know many men who have the guts and wherewithal to slit the throat of a bound prisoner. That shows, er, something about you. Salute . . .
Morkeleb gives Gaius a slight nod, and a slight raise of his glass, and takes a small sip before continuing.
Further, the reasons you declared for that act I found most interesting. You said something to the effect of "I won't leave an enemy who can harm and kill by force of will, alive." Being that kind of man myself, I could not help but take notice. You proved you would do an unpleasant deed because you felt it needed to be done. You've also proven your guile, cunning, and mettle in our time together. For what it's worth, you've earned my respect. A toast, then: here's to you and I never becoming enemies, because on that day, at least one of us is sure to perish!
Morkeleb gives a firmer nod, and a longer presentation of his glass before taking a longer drink.
Grym isn't too sure about any of this. It hurts his head a little. Yet he does bring something up to the group. Not to muddy the waters but for a while we had rumors of a vigilante called Blackjack. Does anyone think he/she may have anything to do with this?
The ranger goes looking for clues to this mysterious Blackjack fellow. Talking is not his strong suit but it does seem to be the way to go about this. Is willing to spend ten sails.
diplomacy
Ferox will assist Gaius in his investigations.
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Trinia is elusive, and there are now roving mobs looking to mete mob justice on the streets. Trinia is ethnic Chelish. She's young and beautiful ... in a cute way. She's a gifted bard, and her painting skills are what brought her into the king's gaze. At this point, you have no leads to her location. The Field Marshall is at her wits end trying to organize the guard and lead a manhunt...
Gentlemen, how sure are we that this Trinia is guilty? What evidence, besides uncorroborated testimony that can't be verified or re-checked due to death, is there to support this?
Anyone with any knowledge of the Guard or the Nobility able to shed some light?
Sandor receives his cut from the loot, and purchases 4 CLW potions.
Morkelb, I 'ave a proposition for ya. What would ya think about openin an apothocary? Now I know we are busy 'n all, but ya could hire a brewer n set him up in a small place. I would be willing to invest in a buisness like that
Gaius all I can tell you about the noble aspect is...
Knowledge Nobility:
didn't ya say the lass is a gifted painter. If she left the keep in a rush she might have left behind her painting supplies. She might try to purchase more, either that or well being a bard we know they can't stay quite for long.. haha
I wonder why she would confess to the murder at all. And in front of the guard, no less. How did she even escape their grasp? She spent several weeks with the king apparently. Again, why? She would have been in contact with a whole host of people in the castle. And being as well known as she is, there must be other bards and artists who know her. She may have other patrons. I'll do some snooping about.
Ferox goes off to question the staff of the castle and asks around town, trying to find out who she associated with and where her usual haunts were.
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Ferox, you are forbidden to enter the castle at this time.
Sandor, word within the castle is that it happened like this: Internal investigation led to finding poison in Trinia's painting supplies. She was captured and interrogated along with the guard who turned the other cheek. She finally confessed with only mild magical convincing. When she realized she had given up the goods she tried to escape with the guard. The chase ended with them cornered. The both made a jump, knowing it was suicidal. The guard died on impact. Trinia failed to tell her accomplice that she could cast Feather Fall. She escaped into the city.
Morkelb, I 'ave a proposition for ya. What would ya think about openin an apothocary? Now I know we are busy 'n all, but ya could hire a brewer n set him up in a small place. I would be willing to invest in a buisness like that
An interesting notion. However, I really only wish to dabble in alchemy in my off-time. I wouldn't want to detract from my real studies of true power with a mundane endeavour like a shop!
However, I do have a suggestion for everyone. Perhaps instead of everyone buying cure potions individually, we pool our money and purchase a cure wand? The cost of three of your potions, Sandor, would be an equal share, and go almost three times as far.
Ferox, you are forbidden to enter the castle at this time.
Is this true for all of us? I'll give it a go. If I think it's even close to reasonable, I'd even try a Charm Person . . .
Sandor, word within the castle is that it happened like this: Internal investigation led to finding poison in Trinia's painting supplies. She was captured and interrogated along with the guard who turned the other cheek. She finally confessed with only mild magical convincing. When she realized she had given up the goods she tried to escape with the guard. The chase ended with them cornered. The both made a jump, knowing it was suicidal. The guard died on impact. Trinia failed to tell her accomplice that she could cast Feather Fall. She escaped into the city.
I'm very interested in a couple of aspects of this story. Are there any specifics on the poison used? Or the "minor magical convincing?"
I think I'd like to speak to Zellara. I'd do it in front of any of the group who was present (but otherwise in as private an area as I can find). I take out the deck and hold it in my hand, speaking directly to it.
Zellara, come forth for council, an it please thee! (Sure, I can be formal and charming if I want . . .)
...Fine. I'll pitch in and be the user if everyone else agrees. But I'm calling you names until further notice. Mr. Mayor.
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...Fine. I'll pitch in and be the user if everyone else agrees. But I'm calling you names until further notice. Mr. Mayor.
I don't *make* the rules, mister dude. I just work with them!
Odric agrees to the purchase of healing wands. He recognizes that he and Sandor ought to be taking most of the punishment in future melees, so the investment is well worth it to him. He looks to Morkeleb for how much money will be required. He has his belt pouch out and is weighing it carefully in his hand.
Odric is wealthier now than he has ever been in his life. He likes the heavy clinking sounds coming out of his leather money pouch. It is comforting to him.
This occurs some time over the previous week's rest/crafting/whatever, during one of the times when the group gets together socially, as I'm sure we would once!
Morkeleb is sitting with his customary single glass of wine, and joins Gaius for a talk.
The wizard holds up his glass, admiring the wine's legs. Gaius, our last adventure gave me pause. The way you handled the fallen paladin . . . impressed me. I don't know many men who have the guts and wherewithal to slit the throat of a bound prisoner. That shows, er, something about you. Salute . . .
Morkeleb gives Gaius a slight nod, and a slight raise of his glass, and takes a small sip before continuing.
Further, the reasons you declared for that act I found most interesting. You said something to the effect of "I won't leave an enemy who can harm and kill by force of will, alive." Being that kind of man myself, I could not help but take notice. You proved you would do an unpleasant deed because you felt it needed to be done. You've also proven your guile, cunning, and mettle in our time together. For what it's worth, you've earned my respect. A toast, then: here's to you and I never becoming enemies, because on that day, at least one of us is sure to perish!
Morkeleb gives a firmer nod, and a longer presentation of his glass before taking a longer drink.
Gaius pauses and stares blankly at The Enchanter before he reaches over and picks up the wine bottle. He smiles and refills Morkeleb's glass before producing a second glass seemingly from nowhere. He fills it, raises it in toast to Morkeleb and takes a long drink. Afterwards, Gaius puts the glass down on Morkeleb's table, and sits down accross from the wizard.
Are we going to be enemies, Morkeleb?
Producing a pipe and pouch of tobacco from his person, Gaius fills the pipe and puts it in his mouth before leaning back in his chair. He puts a single boot up on the table and strikes a tindertwig against his sole, and lights the pipe in a single motion. Gaius takes a couple of puffs from his long pipe and shakes the tindertwig out before putting his foot back on the floor.
Because I'd much rather be friends. I'm all about making friends. Friendship helps us both. Being enemies doesn't profit either of us and I abhor not turning a profit. Don't mistake this for sentimentality or any other sort of softness. I'll tell you right out that I'm out for myself and my own freedom first. But friends give discounts in stores. Friends respect each other's limits. Friends will bail you out of jail and friends will provide a nice shiny target for a goblin while I sneak up behind said goblin and stab him in the throat. My time with Gaedran and the subsequent time in a House of Joy taught me that if everyone were friends, everyone would be better protected and free. And everyone would be a lot less... tense.
Gaius smiles wickedly and raises both eyebrows up and down a few times before continuing.
See, I'm not a cynic. I'm an optimist. No, it's true. You see... I hope. I hope for a better future for myself. And the best future has me, with all the space and freedom, piles and piles of money, and hot and cold running sexual intercourse. The best path to that future is to make friends with everyone and make sure everyone left alive has my best interests at heart. I've got no problems sharing. Greed? No. Lust, yes. As to the caves and the late Valay, most of that was talk. I'm no bloodthirsty fiend. I'm professional. And prisoners are messy and very unprofessional. But I should have given dear, sweet, Odric a little more space. There's a real chance he and I will never be friends. I hope we will. It means more money and sex for everyone. Money and sex for everyone--think about that for a moment. Say it. It's just a sweet mouthful that you can wrap your tongue around. Money and sex for everyone. But I digress. I want to be Odric's friend and for my part I will be the very best friend I can. But if we're not friends? I don't know *what* will happen there. So I return your toast to you, Morkeleb. To friendship. I've lots of room for friends. I have no room for enemies. None. None at all.
Odric agrees to the purchase of healing wands. He recognizes that he and Sandor ought to be taking most of the punishment in future melees, so the investment is well worth it to him. He looks to Morkeleb for how much money will be required. He has his belt pouch out and is weighing it carefully in his hand.
Odric is wealthier now than he has ever been in his life. He likes the heavy clinking sounds coming out of his leather money pouch. It is comforting to him.
Grym also agrees with the purchase of a healing wand. Especially being a front line combat monkey with the lightest armor.
A 1st level wand of Cure Light Wounds split 6 ways would be 125 sails each.
Gaius is in for 125 sails.
Sandor's in.... so that everyone.. deducting my gold
Grym officially in, 125 sails.
continuing discussion with Gaius
Friends . . . Morkeleb instinctually begins to protest at having his glass filled again, but holds back, allowing the indulgence, just this once. He picks up the fresh glass, contemplating it while he chews on Gaius' words. I've read about them. he shrugs slightly as he takes a sip.
I never thought there would be room in my paradigm for friends. "Friends" implies an emotional tie, a drain on personal resources that one could turn to other pursuits--like the study of arcana. Of power.
He takes another sip, turning his contemplation back to Gaius. No, Gaius, we shall not be enemies. We gain nothing from that. I know not yet whether I shall ever have "friends." But you have proven your self to be dependable and trustworthy, as I have endeavoured to be as well. Will you settle at this time for a compromise: allies? Morkeleb offers his glass up, bringin it to the halfway point between the two.
The imagery above is... striking
"admiring the wine's legs"
"you would do an unpleasant deed"
"Gaius...puts it in his mouth"
"stab him in the throat"
"cold...sexual intercourse" - (necrophilia?)
Oh man, this is getting steamy.
"admiring the wine's legs"
"you would do an unpleasant deed"
"Gaius...puts it in his mouth"
"stab him in the throat"
"cold...sexual intercourse" - (necrophilia?)
Oh man, this is getting steamy.
Yeah, I'll carry the wand and keep track of the charges. Rassa frassa...
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The next morning (now 9 days from killing Valay), as you all go about your business, each of you is greeted by an out of breath guardsman. They have strict orders to bring you IMMEDIATELY to FM Cressida Kroft. As you make your way towards the Citadel, the guardsman leads you all to a central location where the party now comes together, a whole in the wall bar.
Along the way, it's not guardsmen keeping the peace. Instead you see entire patrols of Hellknights - heavily armored and viciously armed. They prevent crowds from becoming mobs with whip and spell....
The looks of confusion and distrust from you and others as you enter the building are not lost on the guards. The eldest says simply, "The Field Marshal wants to discuss something about the regicide with you in private, it's all we know sirs."
As soon as the Field Marshal arrives, she whisks you to a private room, posting all 5 guardsmen outside the door.
“You’ve doubtless heard the stories that the king’s killer has been named. Yet there’s something more going on here, I’m afraid. Queen Ileosa could have quietly had this Trinia Sabor arrested at any time, yet the way in which she revealed the information to the city seems to me like she wants the riots to come back. Certainly, with the mob and the Hellknights out on the street, the girl doesn’t stand a chance at a trial—they’ll lynch her the moment they find her. And even if she did kill the king, mob justice isn’t the way. Worse, if she’s innocent, the real killer can use this distraction to throw us off the trail forever. “Before Trinia is executed, we need to be absolutely sure she did this thing. And that means we need to catch her before the mob. We now know where she lives—a flat in Midland at 42 Moon Street—but soon, so will the mob. The Hellknights don’t seem to care as much about catching her as they do about containing the mob—something about the “order of law” makes it a greater priority for them to contain than a possible assassin. I can’t say I disagree completely, but the problem is, the Hellknights are only making it worse. The mob’s covering most of Midland now, and Trinia’s flat is near the middle of the mess. I’ve got all available guards at work keeping things from getting any worse—and if I were to send them into Midland, they’d trigger a riot. “I’m sure you can see where this is going. I need you to get into Midland, find Trinia, and bring her back to me so we can deliver her, safe and sound, to somewhere where she can be interrogated—preferably with magic, so we can be absolutely sure about her role in Eodred’s death. Get in there, catch her, and get out without letting the mob get its hands on her. I’ll have agents and officers nearby. If you can get her to one of them, we’ll be in the clear. Any questions?”
Ferox sheepishly looks at his money pouch as the other contribute to the cost of the wand.
Umm... sorry, gents. I don't have the gold at the moment. I had to spend a good chunk of gold to see if I could get any information from Valay's dead body. That leaves me short on the contribution.
Later, with the Field Marshall...
I think we've all felt something a little off with how this assassin was revealed. I'm interested in seeing justice done. Mob justice is not the answer and neither are any further riots.
Are you sure she'll be at her flat? Are there any other locations she could be hiding? Any associates she might be with?
Odric looks on quietly as Kroft outlines the assignment. He is quite concerned about the possibility of a complete breakdown of order in the city, so the task at hand is a welcome one.
Odric asks politely after the Field Marshal finishes, What are her abilities as a combatant that we might have to face and subdue? Is she a spell caster? Does she weild a particular weapon typically?
Gaius looks to Ferox.
I'll loan you the funds, Inquisitor.
Gaius smiles broadly.
Field Marshal, are we to have a way to identify her, even if she is concealed with a magical disguise, as I may expect a bard on the lamb to do?
turning to the group at large . . . What would the Queen gain with unrest and mobs rioting in the streets??
Extraction. We don't have much time then. Is your intelligence good? What if she's not there?
Lets move
Yes, let's
As we move, I discuss some tactics.
Gentlemen, if this bard is as skilled with enchantments as Kroft says, my skills might be best served countering her spells. Preventing oen of us from becoming charmed will be far preferable to having to subdue the target until the magic runs its course. Unless a better opportunity presents itself, that will be where I focus my energies.
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I'm also going to call Zellara forth as we approach; it's possible she may be able to see through illusions, or give some other aid. I'm not all that hopeful but it's worth a try.
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Gaius, I have a spell that can help you be quiet--but it only lasts for a few seconds. I'll be prepared to use it on you if that opportunity presents itself.