Ederin slides ever deeper into the vault area. Kaylayne rushes to Lief’s side through the smokey kitchen. Garridan has an action remaining - do you want to put out the fires? Dimitrio bends down and revives Lief.
Now up - Lief!
Round 8, Init 23
AC = 18, Shielded
HP = 6/13
Weapon Equipped = None
Condition(s) = Prone
Lief comes to, suddenly aware of everyone standing above and around him. He reaches for his rapier, and considers stabbing the remaining thug right between his legs. With numbers, Lief deduces that he's likely at bay, so the young man stands up, pointing to the smoke.
"Smoke. Right. At least we'll have little resistance in our efforts to end their arson." Lief looks down at the puddle of his own blood, then remembers Dimitrio's face first when coming to. "Thank you, Dimitrio. I'm not sure how much blood I had left to leak."
Lief gets up and gains awareness. Samaritha keeps putting out the fires and looks to the others, ”Anybody going to help?”.
The guards guard the remaining thugs in the main gambling area.
Now up - Ederin, Kaylayne, Garridan, and Dimitrio!
"Thank you, Dimitrio. I'm not sure how much blood I had left to leak."
Dimitrio nods and changes his tune yet again. This time the poem recalls how a young boy put out the fire in his house.
Lief gets up and gains awareness. Samaritha keeps putting out the fires and looks to the others, ”Anybody going to help?”.
The bard looks around and mentally counts, "Ederin. Ederin's missing!"
Dimitrio struggles whether to help put out the fire or search for his friend.
Round 8- Initiative 16+
HP: 16
AC: 18 (Touch and FF: 14)
Equipped Weapons: Composite Longbow ( + 1dmg)
Conditions:
Relevant Data: 12arrows,20 Blunt arrows, point blank sjot
With a nod to his employer Ederin slides into the room and shoots the remaining opponent.
As the kitchen fills with smoke Garridan tries to assist in putting out the fires.
Round 8, Init 16-
Kaylayne casts Create Water, dousing flames in 4 gallons of water.
"Yeah," Kaylayne agrees with Dimitrio. "Where *is* Ederin? Can you see him in the lobby?"
"Last I saw him he was in the gaming area," Garridan says puzzled. I thought he was coming here."
The party in the kitchen is able to get the fire under control - especially with Kaylayne’s water creation - though it takes a little while yet and the smoke billows out into the main hall and out the back. By the time the fire is substantively out, Saul and Larur (looking a little the worse for wear with a couple injuries) join you as does, presumably, Ederin.
Due to the smoke, neighbors and the Gendarme show up to help keep any conflagration under control making the whole affair very public indeed. Another raid at the Gold Goblin, and this time Saul is not all smiles. ”You’ve gone too far this time. Too far!” he shouts at the remaining prisoners threatening them with his bloody rapier.
"Riddleport justice boss, don't gotta explain to me, they were pigmeat the minute they walked in here far as I'm concerned."
Once Saul has killed the would be assailants, Ederin inspects the bodies and looks for anything useful, or anything to identify them.
, once satisfied he'll head back to the hall.
Ederin walks in with Saul and Larur, he joins the rest of his friends
"You lot alright?" He asks while Saul rages against the prisoners.
Ederin walks in with Saul and Larur, he joins the rest of his friends
"You lot alright?" He asks while Saul rages against the prisoners.
Saul bellows, "No, they're not all right. Look at Lief here, covered in blood, and god knows how much of it is his. Look at Kaylayne - that's a deep wound right there. That's not all right!"
He kicks one of the thugs, standing there grinning at Saul. The thug quips, "Where are the Gendarme's Saul? There's nothing you can do. I'll be out in a week." he spits on the carpet.
Saul punches him in the stomach doubling him over. He leans in and whispers something quietly in his ear before standing back up.
Saul punches him again for good measure, but not as hard as he moves away. The Gendarmes arrive quickly and dutifully take you statements, recording everything and looking over the damage.
One of them says, "That fire could have threatened he city. I'm sure they'll get there's this time Saul." He says it placatingly, and nobody really believes him.
Thankful that everyone is still alive, the bard double checks himself. There were a lot of close calls, but it seems that he came out unscathed from the fights.
He speaks to no one in particular, "Before they take them away, don't we want to know what prompted them to do this? Who they are working for..."
The bard was outraged, "I mean they can't just leave, smiling like that. These here tried to kill me!"
He turns to the gendarme, "So what will happen to them?"
"No, they're not all right. Look at Lief here, covered in blood, and god knows how much of it is his. Look at Kaylayne - that's a deep wound right there. That's not all right!"
"Just somethin' you ask, innit?" Ederin says uncomfortably as Saul continues to beat the thugs in front of the party.
Threats are gettin' pretty serious boss, thought you were out o' the game.
He nods his head as Dimitrio rages.
"He's got a point, he does. We apprehended these grog-blossoms, shouldn't we get a chance to question them a bit. Certainly never got any information from the last lot we let you Gendarmes haul off!"
He points to the rubble and the charred remains of the kitchen.
"We got a right to know why this was done, and I ain't about to just let this go, don't imagine I'm the only one of a mind for revenge."
Lief winces a little, unhappy to be so messy from his visit on the floor. He collects a rag, wets it down, and starts to clean himself off a little.
Lief dutifully answers all questions posed by the Gendarmes.
"Before they take them away, don't we want to know what prompted them to do this? Who they are working for..."
Lief remains quiet, and waits for the Gendarmes to leave, before commenting.
"We got a right to know why this was done, and I ain't about to just let this go, don't imagine I'm the only one of a mind for revenge."
"Good men, and woman, you need only look as far as our employer. He spoke personally to the man he assaulted, with deep threat. Saul knows all too well why he's the target of these assaults." Lief turns to Saul. "Don't you? Or are your junior partners not entitled to know why they may lay down their lives in your service?" Lief turns bloody palms upwards, and holds them out.
Garridan nods his head in agreement with Lief's remarks, I wonder if we will get the truth or just get used as pawns and discarded.
Kaylayne looks at her arm, wrapping the wound in a bar towel, but doesn't make too much of it. It's not the biggest wound she's ever received, the beating (and worse) that nearly took her life six month ago at the hands of the drunk men, but it was one that stung her.
After Lief regains his feet, and the fire danger had passed, she quickly sees to the other guards and makes a walk through of every room, checking every door.
She was jumpy...and worse, had seen herself again. She didn't feel safe after a few weeks of relative security. She had grown complacent and that worried her. She was in danger of dying at any time.
Kaylayne eventually returns to listen to Lief's inquisition, hoping for answers.
He turns to the gendarme, "So what will happen to them?"
”They’ll be processed, questioned, and brought before a magistrate, sir, where they’ll be sentenced for their crimes.”
Saul chortles.
He nods his head as Dimitrio rages.
"He's got a point, he does. We apprehended these grog-blossoms, shouldn't we get a chance to question them a bit. Certainly never got any information from the last lot we let you Gendarmes haul off!"He points to the rubble and the charred remains of the kitchen.
"We got a right to know why this was done, and I ain't about to just let this go, don't imagine I'm the only one of a mind for revenge."
The Gendarme in charge responds, ”You can of course come to the hearing and face your villains in court. But we do the questioning. Can’t have every yahoo out there torturing everyone in town for perceived slights now can we?”
"Good men, and woman, you need only look as far as our employer. He spoke personally to the man he assaulted, with deep threat. Saul knows all too well why he's the target of these assaults." Lief turns to Saul. "Don't you? Or are your junior partners not entitled to know why they may lay down their lives in your service?" Lief turns bloody palms upwards, and holds them out.
He looks at Lief in surprise, ”You do not know? It’s obvious. Clegg Zincher is at the root of this over a slight from a few years ago. He has always had it in for me. And this guy” he points to the growing half-orc from the kitchen that knocked Lief out, ”He’s known to work for Boss Croat. Jasker is his name if I’m not mistaken.”
The half orc smiles.
”Those are our enemies here, but I doubt Croat has the balls to do this on his own. No, he’s likely been hired by Zincher for muscle. Am I right so far?” he grabs the half orcs face and shifts his head to look in his eyes. Roughly tossing his arm aside, he continues, ”Yes I’m right.”
”But gentlemen, you’ve gone too far. The city doesn’t want open war again, and that’s what this is - open war. No, I think the Overlord will side with me this time - to keep the peace - and you lot will be in real trouble. Made examples you will be. A message to your bosses from the Overlord.”
”Yes. Wipe that smirk off your face, you hadn’t thought it through had you? A little too much damage this time. If it weren’t for the heroic efforts of my crew here, you’d have burned this place down - and likely this whole quarter too! People take arson seriously around here, and you lot have had it.”
Saul rants a few more minutes before winding down and growing quiet as the Gendarmes finish securing their prisoners and leading them off. Once they’re gone, Saul continues with the group, ”I’ll appear at the hearing and gather some local business owners to appear with me. Make it clear they are a regional threat now - not just a threat to me and mine. That’ll tip the scales in our favor - the Overlord won’t be able to sweep this one under the rug and that will buy us Gendarme protection if I’m not mistaken - and maybe an end to these incessant raids.”
Saul looks at the pile of their gear, left behind by the Gendarme. He cherry picks the best from the pile and sets it aside on the little stage. "This lot is yours." he points to the best pile, "I'll use the rest to help replace what was damaged. We've a lot of work to do to get reopened. Might take a couple days, but maybe just one if we're lucky."
On your pile is 150gp worth of miscellaneous gear, and a pair of silver and platinum necklaces - both worn by the half orc, and both very, very fine. Likely heirlooms of some sort that he's going to miss, but there's no doubt of their value.
Ederin backs down from a fight he's obviously not going to win, and lets the Gendarme take Jasker and the thugs away. He turns back to his partners and looks them over.
"Kid,when you're up for it, we'll spar again, eh? Figure maybe we'll work on some defense. I'm not keen on seeing you bloodied a third time."
He pulls a ring from his pocket and looks at Kay,
"Ain't sure if you're up for it now, but when you're feelin' better, maybe you could look this over for any magic or sommat. Found it on one of the thugs what was fightin' Saul in the cages, figure it's too nice, but maybe it is just a ring." He shrugs and hands it over awkwardly.
"Garry, Dimitrio, Sam, you lot don't look cut up but, well..."
His concern as he looks over the group is clear, but he's obviously got something else on his mind too. He lingers for a while ignoring the spoils Saul laid out for them, and picks up a few scattered pieces of one of the gambling tables before turning back to his employer.
"This ain't the end is it? Not even close. Just ain't how it works here in Riddleport. We gonna strike back, Saul, or sit here like a bunch o' dog biters waiting to get kissed? I heard what you said to Jasker, and it didn't sound like you were just going to let this go. What's next boss? And don't tell me the hearing, cause you know that ain't what I mean."
So much for legitimate work, Riddleport always drags you back down.
Kaylayne takes the ring in her uninjured hand, favoring it over the one with the gash.
"Ohh..." Kaylayne says, eager to have first shot at seeing if it, or any of the gear is magic before Samaritha can correct her. "I guess I can see first, then Samaritha can tell me where I'm wrong."
Smiling, Kaylayne casts Detect Magic and examines the ring. Then she moves on to the other gear in case something was missed.
Spellcraft
"We gonna strike back, Saul...?"
Kaylayne stops what she is doing when she hears Ederin's question, but then continues as she keeps an ear out for the response.
"Maybe we'll let the Overlord do what he's going to do first...then we can see about striking back. If needed."
""Kid,when you're up for it, we'll spar again, eh? Figure maybe we'll work on some defense. I'm not keen on seeing you bloodied a third time."
Lief looks away from Saul for a moment to hear Ederin out. "I would have bested Jester, but he had help. Unless you can show me how to avoid fighting more than one, eh?" Lief smiles, showing several blood-stained teeth.
"Now, Saul. We're gathering information here, so please indulge me. We know the names you offer, Zincher and Croat. But you tell us very little about a slight several years ago. Has he plagued you for several years? I don't mean to pry, but what did you do to him to make him hold you in such contempt for so long? Why aren't you already dead by his hands?"
Dimitrio stands by and listens attentively to what others have to say.
With his idea of questioning the prisoners turned down, the bard calms down but still speaks his mind, "Can we not take these prisonsers in front of the Overlord and make them confess? Surely, that should buy this place some safety, no?"
He turns to the others, "If anyone is still hurt, we can pray to Desna for additional healing."
"This ain't the end is it? Not even close. Just ain't how it works here in Riddleport. We gonna strike back, Saul, or sit here like a bunch o' dog biters waiting to get kissed? I heard what you said to Jasker, and it didn't sound like you were just going to let this go. What's next boss? And don't tell me the hearing, cause you know that ain't what I mean."
"Maybe we'll let the Overlord do what he's going to do first...then we can see about striking back. If needed."
Saul, the anger still on his face, pauses and looks thoughtful. "No, we won't strike back now. We've got the high ground - let's see what it's worth. But yes Ederin, if the Overlord does nothing, again, we'll have to do something or we'll lose all credibility in this town."
He looks a little deflated by this course of action as opposed to open war, but he seems more or less committed to waiting for now.
"Now, Saul. We're gathering information here, so please indulge me. We know the names you offer, Zincher and Croat. But you tell us very little about a slight several years ago. Has he plagued you for several years? I don't mean to pry, but what did you do to him to make him hold you in such contempt for so long? Why aren't you already dead by his hands?"
Saul looks at you, surprised you haven't delved fully into his past, as he most assuredly has of you. He shrugs, "I was his lieutenant back in the day. Ran most of his operations, the legal and the illegal. When I left him, he was, as you may imagine, upset. We sparred a little as I tried to make my own way as a crime lord, and eventually he took my hand, " he holds up his key-covered stump, "...and my wife."
He takes a deep breath, "He'd rather I live in pain, than be given a quick death. But I refuse his offer of pain. I'll stay legit, as much as one can be in a city such as Riddleport. And I will succeed despite him."
"He's of the old guard. His time is past. The Overlord too shall fade - especially if those mages get their way. No, a new dawn is rising over Riddleport, and we'll ride the crest." he seems to fully make up his mind.
Dimitrio - there is a guard still unconscious in the kitchen who could use some ministrations to regain consciousness. :)
He takes a deep breath, "He'd rather I live in pain, than be given a quick death. But I refuse his offer of pain. I'll stay legit, as much as one can be in a city such as Riddleport. And I will succeed despite him."
As he listens to Saul's remarks Garridan sympathies, He knows the same pain and loss that I have felt, but looks for salvationin a different place.
"He's of the old guard. His time is past. The Overlord too shall fade - especially if those mages get their way. No, a new dawn is rising over Riddleport, and we'll ride the crest." he seems to fully make up his mind.
Hoping to convey his support for the beleaguered man Garridan exclaims, "Well said!
"I would have bested Jester, but he had help. Unless you can show me how to avoid fighting more than one, eh?"
Seeing Lief mostly unfazed by yet another near death experience in the back of the Goblin, Ederin starts to feel a bit better.
"I took out two o' these thugs with a bow, and you can't take a few with your sword?" He smiles broadly for a moment though it quickly turns back into a scowl, "But, yeah, next time I'll make sure I don't split off. It worked out, but I wasn't even sure what I heard, coulda been I left you all for nothin'.""He'd rather I live in pain, than be given a quick death. But I refuse his offer of pain. I'll stay legit, as much as one can be in a city such as Riddleport. And I will succeed despite him."
"Alright boss, we'll do it your way, let me know what I can do to help repair this place."
He nods respectfully than goes to see to his guards, congratulating them on a quick response and for keeping to their orders despite the fire in the kitchen. When he spots another one lying unconcious in the kitchen he waves Dimitrio over and asks him to assist.
He nods respectfully than goes to see to his guards, congratulating them on a quick response and for keeping to their orders despite the fire in the kitchen. When he spots another one lying unconcious in the kitchen he waves Dimitrio over and asks him to assist.
Dimitrio calms down some more and goes over to Ederin. "So what do you think? Did the guards do what they were supposed to?"
He gets down on the floor to examine the one unconscious, "I mean I was hired to dance and I'm doing quite a bit of fighting. Should I brush up on my fencing footwork?"
He then puts his hand over the guard's forehead and looks up whispering a prayer of gratitude to Desna.
Kaylanye hands the ring and a nice amulet to Ederin. She smiles, flush with giddy success. She feels a slight tingle of accomplishment and it shows.
"Ederin, This amulet," Kaylayne explains, "can be worn about the neck and seems to make your hands or fists tougher. Not that any of us have thin skin already," Kaylayne smirks at Lief. "And the ring does similar, but is worn the finger. They are nice items to have recovered from these goons."
Kaylayne drops the ring in Ederin's hand and then drapes the amulet over his wrist.
* * *
"So what do you think? Did the guards do what they were supposed to?"
Kaylayne hears Dimitrio's question and pulls her head up, blinking. She hadn't even considered that question. Thankfully, she was the only barkeep around to get hurt...but her mind goes to the downed guard by the kitchen. The one she told to keep watch, but fell quicker than a lief off a tree.
"I think they did fine...except for the guy in the back. He was taken out very very quickly, overrun most likely. He shouldn't be left alone again," Kaylayne opines.
Lief listens to Saul, and returns the man's shrug. He picks up an apple from the kitchen's basket, biting into it, hoping to remove the taste of blood from his mouth.
"I am grateful for your candor, master Saul. I shouldn't expect otherwise that you are deeply stained in your associations. I wish you well in your attempt to clean yourself." Highly unlikely, of course, since you seek to establish yourself as a strength among crimelords. How can one not get his hands dirty?
"As Ederin points out, I'm not a fighter. You've been breached twice, vulnerable through both front and back. Do you intend on hiring more guard? Possibly invest in defensive magics? Or will you allow the Gendarme protection to run its course?"
Halfway through the apple, the young man's teeth are white again.
Over the next few days Saul does exactly that - hires more guards - for now. He also canvases the local business owners, already wooed in anticipation of a need such as this, to speak on his behalf at the hearing.
And Oh, what a hearing! The other crime lords were there, just as Saul predicted, to argue for their men's lives. It is clear that they expected another slap on the wrist like last time, but Saul was ready for them. He brought dozens of local business owners and leaders of the community. They rallied around him like some kind of saint. Saul did this good thing, and Saul does that good thing - it was a litany of helpful stories on the greatness of Saul.
It made the whole thing look like a gang attack on a pillar of the community. And then the fire was discussed. That was clearly where the magistrate started really paying attention. Saul actually had a drawing made of the Gold Goblin and surrounding buildings. Sure the alley might not have been quite that narrow, but artistic license aside there was a real threat to the larger community and for no good reason.
The magistrate was grim and clearly in Saul’s corner. He ruled hard labor for the perpetrators, and Gendarme protection for Saul. ”…and you should be glad that’s the most I can do. Had any of the Gold Goblin staff died during this fracas, I’d have seen you lot hang.”
Two Gendarme guards are stationed at the Gold Goblin going forward and Saul backs off the doubling he had done earlier in the week back down to the usual levels in house. ”If they attack us now, they’re also taking on the Overlord - and no one wants that. There might only be two Gendarme out there, but it’s the symbol of the Overlords protection more than anything else.” Saul grins.
Repairs on the structure take a couple days, but the Gold Goblin reopens and a smiling Saul greets all comers once again.
Oh, and I forgot. The necklace that the half orc had is worth 500gp. Not as much as the magical amulet, but still quite a tidy sum.
Satisfied with his guards during the raid, Ederin has them keep up the training regime from the previous week, and can focus on other things for once.
He spends his days helping repair the Goblin, but his evenings are spent in various taverns with his old friend Andy, finally doing some real recruitment for the pit in the basement.
"Yeah, the Goblin has been attacked three times, what of it mate? It's also been protected three times and I've seen my fair share of sweets from it all. So, way I see it, you can earn money fightin' at the Goblin, and if it's attacked again, maybe you earn money fightin' for the Goblin. Win-win, eh?"
It certainly didn't hurt that he offered a few rounds of drinks during the meeting.
---------------------------------
Despite being there for security purposes, Ederin bristles every time he passes the Gendarme guards, having never really trusted the 'lawmen' to begin with, he is even more cautious with them stationed outside his new home.
---------------------------------
After the repairs are well underway Ederin approaches Sam to see how she is holding up.
"Rest of us got hired on 'cause of a fight that broke out, but you got hired proper, if I'm bein' honest, I'm a bit surprised you're still here. Don't suppose fightin' a bunch of thugs is what a Cyphermage hopeful dreams about." He hands her a mug of Kaylayne's goodberry concoction and pulls up a seat with a smile, "If you wanna rant, lass, now's the time."
----------------------------------
When the Goblin is just about ready to open up Ederin makes some time to chat with Saul and Larur about finally opening the pit and getting the bar downstairs running.
After the repairs are well underway Ederin approaches Sam to see how she is holding up.
"Rest of us got hired on 'cause of a fight that broke out, but you got hired proper, if I'm bein' honest, I'm a bit surprised you're still here. Don't suppose fightin' a bunch of thugs is what a Cyphermage hopeful dreams about." He hands her a mug of Kaylayne's goodberry concoction and pulls up a seat with a smile, "If you wanna rant, lass, now's the time."
Samaritha smiles lightly, but uncomfortably. ”No, no, this is not what I want, but I have hopes that the new guards, uh, the Gendarmes?, will do the trick. I frankly don’t have a lot of options until a Cyphermage picks me. I could leave you guys, but that wouldn’t feel right, and I’d run out of money pretty quickly out there.”
”But yeah… when I’m picked, I’m gone!” she laughs a little more honestly.
Dimitrio looks at the ring lovingly. A second later, he starts playing with the trinket, making it dance across his knuckles.
Suddenly he puts it on. it feels really good...
"Eh, if none of you want the ring, I will take it. as you can plainly see, the gold matches my earrings. How do I look?"
Dimitrio took out at his rapier a lot more this week than in past days. He knew that he had been lucky so he sparred with some of the guards making sure they were all in top shape. However, a born performer he was always ready to entertain. Although his magic show wasn't quite ready, his dancing was still top notch.
He grabbed Zuria's hand and bowed to the audience.
Prof (Barkeep)
Though Kaylayne frets a bit about the raids and the prospect of future raids (despite the outcome of the trial), she is able to focus on her job.
She even engages Samaritha about magic again, trying to draw out pieces of knowledge or scraps of information that might be useful. Still a dilettante, everything is new to her and she worries that 'rock trick' or her 'lights trick' won't be good enough next time there is a raid.
"Does anyone want to walk around the city with me? I seek to know about some of the different churches around. I do know too much about the Gods, but I hope I can find one to help me...with a private matter."
"Eh, if none of you want the ring, I will take it. as you can plainly see, the gold matches my earrings. How do I look?"
Ederin manages a chuckle despite his glum mood.
"Like a gilded cow, mate. The ring is all yours."--------------------------------------
”But yeah… when I’m picked, I’m gone!”
Ederin laughs along with Sam.
"Be sad to see you go, but I understand, trust me, I do." He looks down at his scars wistfully, "This is the life I'm used to, can't say I wouldn't run at the first chance either. That's what I thought this job was, chance to scarper, get unstuck from the mud. Guess I wasn't so lucky, eh?"He raises his glass to his companion, "Here's to your 'prenticeship comin' sooner 'an' later!"
--------------------------------------
"Does anyone want to walk around the city with me? I seek to know about some of the different churches around. I do know too much about the Gods, but I hope I can find one to help me...with a private matter."
"Always up for some fresh air, and if we're visitin' temples that means another trip the the Publican House. We can sell our haul while on the way, if you don't mind o' course."
"Always up for some fresh air, and if we're visitin' temples that means another trip the the Publican House. We can sell our haul while on the way, if you don't mind o' course."
Kaylayne smiles, happy for the company. She looks at the others, waiting for answers.
"I didn't mean the Publican House, necessarily. I'm looking for...other churches too."
Garridan spends his week repairing the Gambling tables, happy to see that Ghoulette was not damaged. He also comes up with the idea to keep a bucket of sand under each table near the dealers in case something like this happens again.
Responding to Layne "I'll be happy to go with you, but I do need to stop by the Publican House. My business will only take a few minutes and we can be on our way."
"Always up for some fresh air, and if we're visitin' temples that means another trip the the Publican House. We can sell our haul while on the way, if you don't mind o' course."Kaylayne smiles, happy for the company. She looks at the others, waiting for answers.
"I didn't mean the Publican House, necessarily. I'm looking for...other churches too."
Dimitrio clicks his boots. "Right along with you. Desna smiles on travelers so there's never a downside to a little trip."
He makes sure that his 'look' is as it should be be for a soon to be famous performer and saunters out.
Ederin laughs along with Sam.
"Be sad to see you go, but I understand, trust me, I do." He looks down at his scars wistfully, "This is the life I'm used to, can't say I wouldn't run at the first chance either. That's what I thought this job was, chance to scarper, get unstuck from the mud. Guess I wasn't so lucky, eh?"He raises his glass to his companion, "Here's to your 'prenticeship comin' sooner 'an' later!"
Samaritha drinks to your success as much as to her own. There's a long pause after the toast, and she makes her excuses, gets up, and continues with her duties.
- - -
"Does anyone want to walk around the city with me? I seek to know about some of the different churches around. I do know too much about the Gods, but I hope I can find one to help me...with a private matter."
Well of course the Public House of Cayden Cailean and the House of the Silken Veil of Calistria are the two largest ‘churches’ in town, but there are other religious establishments around. There’s a mission to Sarenrae called St. Caspieran’s, and even Besmara (goddess of piracy) has a presence - at a place called the Fish Bowl. But that is it as far as organized religion goes. Sure, there are shrines a plenty throughout town, but finding a priest of substance, well that’s another matter.
Where do you begin? I'll assume the entire party is tagging along... for now.
Kaylayne walks around the city, asking after churches and parishes and worships, trying to find one that might fit her. She dismisses the Calistrians and Besmarans out of hand: they are not like her, not meant for a simple country girl. She dismisses the Publican House as well: she needs something very much more than being told to act brave and/or drink the problem away.
She needs...what she needs. She pauses in front of the mission of St. Caspieran's, dedicated to Sarenrae.
"Uh, you guys don't need to wait for me. I don't know how long this is going to take. I...I need to take care of something," Kaylayne says to Garridan & Dimitrio (not sure that Lief or Ederin are along). "I'm sure I can find my way back. And I should be safe here."
Kaylayne pauses.
"You could also go shopping and come back for me."
* * *
Kaylayne enters St.Caspieran's, looking for someone to help her.
Flagstone steps climb to an open foyer hung with a pair of weather-beaten double doors. Two smaller doors flank the main entrance, both covered with graffiti. The left door has a sign that reads “Flophouse: upstairs and take a left.” The word “left” is crossed out, and scrawled next to it is the word “hike.” The other door has a homemade sign that reads, “All rooms taken. Go Away!”
Kaylayne, do you persist, despite these warnings?
Kaylayne waits outside for someone coming in or going out. She tries to ask them about what happens inside and if this is the right place.
Gather Information
After a while you speak, and, often very fearfully, she responds, and with the honesty of a small chid.
Her name is Sylee and she is, as you suspected, an orphan. She's been living here 'this long' which could be a year. or her whole life, it's hard to say.
Aside from her favorite food, the name of her doll, and other un-useful bits, you do learn something of note. Recently a few of the downtrodden that come here for help have, well, sort of taken over the place. They come and go at all hours, and bully the other 'tenants' taking all the best spaces for themselves.
Also the high priest is very sick. He lies in bed all day and doesn't play like he used to...
"You could also go shopping and come back for me."
Ederin scratches his nose and frowns, "You sure love? I do need to buy s'more arrows and such, but I ain't in no rush. Unless you'd prefer we let you be, I ain't got no issue comin' along."
...Her name is Sylee and she is...
Dimitrio smiles at the girl. If rats provoque a strong negative reaction in the bard, children have the opposite effect. And having been an orphan himself, he has a special place in his heart for children down on their luck.
He quickly cleans up her doll with some minor magic and even starts playing with her. The smile on the child's face is mimicked in Dimitrio's heart. Desna, this I never will understand
He cocks his head to Layne, "Up to you if you want to get in. I'll go with you unless you tell me otherwise."
"You sure, love?"
Kaylayne shakes her head as if she is not sure at all.
"It's something that I have to do," she answers, leaving the decision to stay up to Ederin. She smiles as Dimitrio stays to help.
* * *
"Up to you if you want to get in."
Kaylayne shrugs.
"This may not be what I want, but I need to do something."
Kaylayne enters, seeking to check on the priest.
Maybe he's not so bad. Maybe he can be healed so...so...he can fix me.
The mission swarms with an assortment of beggars, parishioners, orphans, and derelicts. A few come to you begging for whatever you may have as you don’t seem terribly destitute yourselves.
You ask around and find that the man to talk to is Jhonas. The head priest, Father Padrick has been bedridden for the last few weeks and Jhonas has tried to take up the slack - when he’s not trying to nurse him back to health. It takes a bit of doing, but eventually Jhonas is found and brought to you.
Jhonas is a short, squat, priest, dressed in a dirty hassock and clearly exhausted by what life has thrown at him. He struggles a smile and welcomes you to the church. He wipes his hands off and shakes each of yours. ”What can we do for you? Hungry?”
They come and go at all hours, and bully the other 'tenants' taking all the best spaces for themselves.
S'pose to look out or each other in places like this.
Ederin shakes his head as he follows quietly behind his friends, unsure what Kay hopes to find here, but glad they didn't all leave her to do it alone.He hands a few coins out when begged for them, partially because he wants to help, and partially because it's a good excuse to keep a close eye on his coin purse.
He keeps his eyes open, watching for any trouble, and he scrutinizes Jhonas with a cautious eye when the man is brought forward.
Kaylayne tries to keep her cool as she enters the church. She is not a holy person, but tries to moral and spiritual and 'good', whatever that means. As she walks on, the sinking feeling in her stomach gets wider and deeper as worry etches her face.
"Are you Jhonas?" Kaylayne confirms the obvious. "I came to get help...spiritual help. But...but..." Kaylayne stutters, trying to force the disappointment out of her words. "...but it doesn't seem that you will be able to help me. Are you alright? Can I help you instead?"
Kaylayne looks the man over quickly, trying to see if she, or Garridan, or anyone can help.
Heal