Son of a--! Devon yells as he dashes back to the floor and looks around for the attacker.
Devon sees a man dashing out the front doors, something dropping his hand as he does so. But as Alfsigr performs her healing, several men break into a brawl nearby, shouting threats and accusations as they do so.
Helping the Aasimar to her feet, the red-haired half-elf gives her a warm smile. Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." Once satisfied that they were in fact well, she offers her hand to her. "Samaritha Beldusk. Tell me, you aren't a Cyphermage are you? I'm wanting to get in but they say I'll need to be apprenticed to join..." She looks back at the entrance, glaring at it slightly.
Devon is about to be hot on the man's heels, but pauses long enough to snatch up whatever it was that he dropped. He then heads out into the courtyard and looks around, ready to pursue if it seems like he can spot and catch him.
"Hey! Break it up! NOW!"
Alfsigr stands just in time to see the brawl start. She had been in a few back in Kalsgard, but this one lacked the air of friendly competition. Her patience already frayed, the young woman wades in and begins pushing and pulling men apart while cursing and threatening them with some colorful and and painful sounding tortures.
Graciously accepting her offer to be helped up she smiled before shaking her head.
“No it’s fine, you didn’t know where you were going, besides, it’s not everyday I run into a beautiful woman such as yourself, or well, get knocked over by a beautiful woman such as yourself. My name is Liara Woodrunner but you my dear may call me Lee,” She said before taking her hand up and kissing the back of it. She felt like she could be making a complete and utter fool of herself but, well here’s giving it a shot.
“As for me being a cyphermage, unfortunately I am not, though I was coming here myself to research the blot, maybe you know something of it?” She asked.
As the men are pulled apart by the Half-Elf, they continue to shout. "I tell you, it was that bastard there that did it!"
"The Hells it was! That half-orc is blind if he didn't see it was that guy with the cut!"
Devon, on your way out, the item you pick up appears to be a snickersnak, a small knife with a blade only about 3 inches long. And worse of all, there is blood on it. However, stepping out into the courtyard, with the rush and your pause, the person appears to have ducked away.
About that time, Larur Feldin storms over the guards take hold of the brawlers. "GET OUT!" The men are then dragged out, struggling but a little too drunk to put up too much effort. By now, Saul has returned, a look of fear on his face. "What happened Larur?"
The dwarf turns to the man and speaks up, now that the crowd is starting to calm some, realizing the stabbed man is healed. "Kreun 'Splithog Pauper' happened, Vancaskerkin. Damnable man stabbed Gertis there and ran out with a bag full of tokens."
Blushing some at the compliment, Samaritha nods a little. "Well, thank you. As for the Blot, I know it's been over the Cyphergate for a while now. Heck, even we down in Magnimar have heard of it. But yeah, supposedly Tammerhawk, the head of the Cyphermages, can't figure much out about it. It's cold, dark, and seems to either emanate or draw magical energies to and from it."
Sighing, she looks at Lee and then smiles. "Say, you wouldn't happen to know anyplace taking on work, do you? The fool inside said it might be weeks before another apprenticeship opens up..."
“I do actually know of a place I’m co-owner for that’s taking on work, you know the Gold Goblin? I’m a co-owner of the place and I think a beautiful gal such as yourself would make a wonderful addition… And, if you’d like you can bunk up with me there as well, I’m sure Saul wouldn’t mind,” Liara replied, giving her a suggestive wink before looking up at the Cyphermage lodge.
“I’ll come back here in a bit, I’d like to talk with you more, and I’m sure that lovely encounter was probably stirred them up a bit… besides I’m sure they’d charge me out the ass to ask them questions about the blot, though your information does help out quite a bit Samaritha,” She stated before she lead her to the Gold Goblin.
Devon walks back inside, face scowling. He catches the tail end of the conversation, and the name. Kreun's a con-artist, and good at disguises. But he hails from an alley nearby a place you might be interested in, Kariel. The trick is figuring out who he is, since no one's willing to come forward to say what he really looks like. If he's going to try to pass off your tokens, we might be able to locate him.
He looks at Saul, then at the others around him. If you're the sort to want to go after him for disrupting your business, he adds.
Saul nods, as does Larur. Stepping forward, the man with the missing hand clasps a hand on the swashbucklers arm. "If we keep getting into these troubles, then the casino could go under! If you all could go take care of Kreun, that would be both a burden off the gendarmes backs and a boon for our revenues."
Looking up at Kariel, the dwarf shrugs. "Something to consider. I'll hit the books tonight, see if we can't wiggle some gold for it."
Several minutes later, our young Aasimar Hunter arrives with a red-headed half-elf in tow.
“Anyways, that’s what I told the little kid when he asked if I was some sort of angel. Weird, honestly weird I mean, sure I’m an Aasimar but seriously, I’m by no means an angel,” She said as she stepped into the Golden Goblin, obviously spilling her life stories to the elf. She looked around before spotting Saul.
“Ah there he is, come with me Samaritha, let’s see if Saul will take you on here,” She said cheerfully before leading her up to him.
“Hey Saul, this lovely Lady would like to work here at our establishment,” She said proudly as she puffed out her chest a little.
"Do you know of a man named Kreun? I would like to teach him why you do not simply stab an ulfen's shield brother and run like a coward," Alfsigr doesn't quite growl.
Saul turns towards the red head and a moment later, a wide smile creases his face. Using his still remaining hand, he takes hers and kisses it. "Lovely lady I'll say." Looking over at Liara a wry grin is on his face before he looks over at Larur Feldin. "Work her in as a waitress. We'll have money handed over by the pouchful!"
Larur Feldin, though, grunts and shakes his head. "Saul, we need Kreun taken care of..." Nodding, Saul looks to the lot, and then at Liara again. "A bad, bad thief just knocked us over, deary. And from the looks on Alfsigr's face here, I think you all are about to go get those chips back. Which, I might add, would be good for not only our immediate needs, but also to send a message to other would-be thieves."
Sounds good, Devon agrees, hand resting lightly on his rapier.
I think our best bet would be to see Father Padrick and find out if he knows of any leads on Kreun. Any chance you might know him, Kariel? He's recently allowed a shrine to Korada to be added.
Saul smiles as Kariel leaves and turns to Larur. "Three birds, one stone. Kreun will soon be no bother to us, nor an issue with the gendarme. And we get a pretty new waitress. What's your name, my dear?"
The half-elf, sighing some, smiles well enough at her new employer. "Samaritha, good sir."
As the party heads towards the alley, it becomes apparent that 'shantytown' barely describes this part of Riddleport. Beggars, non-Calistrian prostitutes, low-end thugs and the truly worse off of the city live in this veritable ghetto.
But there, in the middle of the alley, is a somewhat large stone and timber structure topped with a bell tower. A small sign in front of the building shows a large symbol of Sarenrae next to the words St Caspieran's Salvation. A small annex building next to St Caspieran's bears a small sign itself, calling the building Shrine of Harmony with a small emblem of a lotus above those words.
Flagstone steps climb to an open foyer hung with a pair weather-beaten double doors on the Salvation. Two smaller doors flank the main entrance, both covered with graffiti. The southern door has a sign on it that reads Flops: up the stairs and to the left a hike. The other door bears a small handmade sign saying All rooms taken.
Liara followed along, after wishing Samaritha good luck and then followed the rest out towards the alley. The girl frowned some, never having been in this part of riddleport but no less, she was going to make the best of the situation. The girl looked around and then looked to Kariel when she said they were there.
She followed her and then waited near the entrance as Kariel called out for Father Padrick.
Turning towards the group as they step into the church, an elderly gentleman with a broad smile approaches you. "Kariel, a pleasure as always!" He looks at the party and raises an eyebrow. "Please follow me to the lobby."
Stepping to the south a short ways, the priest approaches a large table.
At the table, sitting on one side in an old with her legs swinging, a young girl no more than maybe 7 sits, clutching a filthy and decrepit doll. "Sylee, may these folks please have the table?" The young girl yips, quickly hopping off the chair and running to a corner, cowering some as she stares at the group.
"So, what brings you to our little place of worship today? Prayers? Offerings?"
Devon clears his throat. Well, information, hopefully. We're looking for someone who might be hiding in this alley.
He smiles genially, and tries to take in the whole room, looking for anyone who might be listening in.
Father Padrick raises an eyebrow at Devon's statement, but nods. "I will help, of course. Well, as much as an old codger as me can." He laughs softly before looking at the young man. "There are many who wish to hide here in Splithog Alley. Not even the Gendarme come here any more. Who are you looking for?"
Will do.
Speaking of, is everyone still interested, anyway? I'm not seeing much posting.
Devon lowers his voice and tries to make sure there are no one nearby to overhear. A regular trouble-maker, someone who just tried to murder someone a little while ago. Known to frequent this alley, under disguise. Any ideas? He might be passing around tokens from a gambling hall as currency.
The priest shakes his head. "Sadly, sir, I do not with just a vague description as that. Lots of people frequent here, and it isn't my way to be asking them what they've done. I lead by example for Sarenrae. As for tokens, I do not think I've seen any. I've mostly been in the soup kitchen today, and was getting ready for my next sermon here in the chapel when you all came in."
He shakes his head. "There is only so much a poor old man as myself can do, even with young Jhonas running around helping." About that time, a young Varisian man steps out from a nearby room, taking off an apron stained with numerous varieties of cheap soups. "Father, when will sermon begin. Oh, Kariel, a pleasure as always." The younger man bows slightly at the Aasimar oracle.
"Soon, Jhonas, soon. Say, you wouldn't happen to have seen some gaming tokens or anything floating around, have you?" Jhonas thinks for a moment then nods.
"Actually, yes. Some child just found one on the ground outside and was swearing up and down to me it was a gold piece."
Devon nods. You might also let him know that we can give him a real coin for his trouble.
Jhonas nods. "I'll try to fetch the child then." He bows and exits the building. Rising, the good Father smiles at the party.
"If you excuse me, I need to make my sermon."
Father Padrick approaches the pew and coughs, catching only some of the peoples in the room attention.
"Let the healing light of the sun burn out the darkness within you. Let your inner flame be a guide for others, and a searing flame against unrepentant evil."
The Father carries on with his sermon, and several moments later, Jhonas returns, a young boy in rags in tow. Stepping over, he kneels down. "This is Gregor, the young one who had the token. Can you show them, Gregor?"
Nervously, as if afraid he was in a lot of trouble, the child slowly raises his hand and opens it. Sure enough, a small token from the Gold Goblin is in his hand.
Devon gently gives a reassuring pat to the lad's shoulder as he gets up and starts to move. Tell the nice ladies about where you found it. I've got to check on something.
He heads quickly and quietly to the side room door and glances inside.
The young child looks up at the unique Aasimar, the pretty Aasmiar and the Half-Elf. "Umm, well, one of the men in here was talking to someone and they was talking all quiet. But then he opens a bag and they look in and look all happy and as they laughed all funny like, this fell out and rolled at me. I grabsed it and ran out. But then I got all hungry and came back to buy me some soup. But the mister here said it won't real coin, so I left. Is it... Is it yours?"
As Devon glances in, he sees two 'toughs' for lack of a better word stand there talking to the man who had vacated the sermon before he dashes up the stairs. They look to each other and nod. One reaches into his pocket, fiddling around with something as the other does similar in his upper shirt.
The young child nods. "Well, can I... Can I keep it? Or can you give me a real coin? That way I can get someting to eats?"
Almost to punctuate his hunger, a low growl can be heard from him.
Devon called over his shoulder back to the group. Ladies, I think I've found a lead in our investigation. Can you come over here?
With that, he steps through the door and greets the two tough-looking fellows. Good morning, gentlemen. Could you tell me who that man was? He dropped something and I'd like to return it.
The men shake their heads. "Just a poor lost soul who's looking for his faith. So unless you've got that, I suggest you shove off."
The men shift some and look around some more.
Wonderful idea, Kariel. You minister to these folks, and I'll go fetch our poor soul upstairs.
Devon takes a wary step towards the men, looking to skirt by them and reach the stairs. His hand stays near his rapier, but does not draw it just yet.[/b]
Enamored by the Aasimar, pulling their hands from their garments. "Miss, you can sermon me all day..."