Putting down the Kraken carving, Gwernach listens to Callie with keen interest. Tha's tha Queen's brooch ya say? He tries to think of ever hearing anything about while he has been at Whitehammer's shop.
Ya know, once things settle down I can ask 'round at tha shop. Elzin's got connections, the dwarf nods astutely, he'll be able ta point us in tha right di-rection.
Shaking her head, Eltanin seems to snap out of it. Not exactly bright, but at least focussing. "Hardly matters. Master Gwernach, you're right. Let's just stash this somewhere here, since this seems to be our lair for the moment." Musing to herself - "Must write home and let them know this address..."
Then, to Wilthorn: "We still have to find your sister, Meryl, her name is? Well, we already have supernatural influence directing our steps and associations," nods respectfully toward the mortal remain of their hostess, "And from what I know, that kind of connection is rarely completely ... er ... unconnected. I think that means we should try to get this brooch back to it's owner, Queen or not. We can leave it here while we ask a few questions about - actually, Zellara, is there any place of concealment here? Loose floorboard, attic cubbyhole, extradimensional portal...?"
"Yeah, fair point. Miss Zellara, you wouldn't happen to have any clues about my sister, would ya? She was abducted a fair number of years ago, and there weren't any clues to any other hideouts of Lamm's. I'm honestly running out of options. I always figured, find Lamm, and I find her, but..."
Callie shakes her head at Eltanin. "I think it would be a bad idea to leave it unattended. Let me hold onto it -- look, I know I'm asking you to trust me when we've only just met, but if I was planning to do something unsavory, I wouldn't have told you I recognized it. I think I can hide it on my person competently -- I'm a street performer, see? A legerdemain artist." She twists her hand and then with a flourish and then produces a coin out of nowhere, snaps and it disappears. "I know a bit about concealing objects."
Callie opts to leave out the part where she once became a pickpocket to feed her shiver addiction.
"I'll admit I'm nervous about walking up and handing it in. We could be thanked and sent on our way. Or we could be accused of stealing it ourselves. In these chaotic times it's hard to know what to predict."
When Wilthorn asks Zellara about his sister, Callie waits for Zellara to reply, but she also silently searches her memory if she'd heard of a Meryl Gwanae through her contact with Lamm.
Zellara considers your questions. "I can help where I can but the reading of cards and fate is never an exact science and not every fact reveals itse;lf just because I ask. And sometimes it's best not to know the answer."
She pauses and manifestation of her spirit appears deep in thought.
"I see someone that might be Meryl. I counsel you now - she does not want to be found. I see red and black armour but can share no more. Fate says you will find her but at a time and place of lady luck's bidding - not by searching her out."
"And I agree with Callie - best not leave such a valuable item here unattended. I suspect that there's a sizeable reward for its return."
You don't know the name, but the red and black armour can only mean one thing - Red Mantis. Lamm certainly had dealings with them in the past. He certainly owed them a favour or two.
"Zellara," Valeria says softly, after a moment of silence, "can you speak with the dead? Others, I mean?" She chuckles, a soft rough sound. "Sorry if it's rude to ask; I'm not in the habit of talking to ghosts."
Callie purses her lips, then turns to Wilthorn. "Unless it's coincidence, I think red and black armor would mean the Red Mantis Assassins. I've heard mercs in taverns speak of them in hushed voices, cutpurses talk of avoiding them like a bogeyman. One of the most dangerous organizations in the world, if the talk is true. Even if Zellara said don't search her out, it wouldn't be wise. If she's alive and connected to them, trust that you'll find her at the right time. And otherwise, if she's connected to them and not..." she trails off before saying the indicated "alive" and gives Wilthorn a look of genuine condolence. "I'm sorry."
Sitting upright at hearing the words "Red Mantis", Wilthorn listens intently to what Callie has to say. "R-r-red Mantis? I've heard of them, yeah, rumor says I even had one of my marks stolen by them, but... She... I never imagined a connection with... Oh, Desna, this is... I mean..." the shock hampering his ability to even string sentences together, he shakes his head and swallows, trying to regain his composure. "I... I guess, I'm just glad she's on the... hilt side of the blade, you know what I mean? But how, why would she even be..." he slumps back into his seat, staring of into space in shock and disbelief.
Quietly putting down one item to move on to the next, Gwernach sympathizes with the ranger, Chin up lad! No sense in bury'n 'er yet. Best ta side with hope an'believe she's alive.
The dwarf looks at Callie for a moment then continues, Don't mean ta distract ya Callie, Gwernach picks up the two wands found at the fisheries, ba'I don't suppose ya know how ta us'either o'these?
"Zellara," Valeria says softly, after a moment of silence, "can you speak with the dead? Others, I mean?" She chuckles, a soft rough sound. "Sorry if it's rude to ask; I'm not in the habit of talking to ghosts."
Zellara speaks softly. "My abilities when alive were simple. I could read the future - or at least a possible future - in the Harrow cards. I could never speak to the dead. Now I am dead myself, will that change? I don't know - but if I'm honest my focus is here with you. I can sense things around my deck and around this building but I am not connected with an afterlife or its inhabitants. Not yet, anyway."
It is clearly unsafe to travel through Korvosa over the next day. You're glad of the meagre supplies in Zellara's house.
After the initial 24 hours, however, things settle down a little. Not back to normal, but enough that you are confident to venture out.
After 24 hours, Valeria glances outside, looking quickly over the city streets. After going out for a brisk walk, she returns to the party, nodding. "Well, it seems clear enough. Not normal yet, but as good as it'll be for a while. Before we head out, does anyone object to me picking up my daughter?"
Gwernach finds Zellara's description of the here-after very interesting. Once the question of what to do with all the items has been taken care of, he spends the rest of the day chatting with Zellara about her experience, taking notes to add to his theological studies.
Looking at Valeria, Wilthorn asks "Should we?" Standing and looking outside at the relative calm, he continues "If things are clear, we should probably go our separate ways for now, after we finish our business with Zellara, unless anyone has any pressing concerns. Assuming not, I'll be heading back to my place on the Slope, I guess, to just think on what's happened over the last couple days. I'll be honest, I don't have the connections to get any of these items sold, so I can't work 'em. I figure, we meet back up here in a few days, maybe a week, and split earnings then, once somebody better with business skills than I can liquidate them. A bunch of trinkets won't help anybody here."
Callie shakes her head to the wands. "I... was lucky enough at one point to have the means to have some tutoring in the bardic arts, but those days are long behind me now. I never got to things like arcane activation, and those aren't spells I know... more a wizard's bailiwick. While I could spend time and work with them, it'd probably be awhile until I could use them. As they were your finds, it may be best to sell them or trade them."
To Wilthorn and "pressing concerns": "We still have to decide what to do with the brooch. The most obvious is either walk up to the castle and hand it in, and the less obvious is do something like, say, plant it on a guard with a note saying something like 'say you found this.' The third option is hand it off to another party but unless there's someone you'd trust with it. Any other thoughts?
"I know we all don't know each other, and all we have to unite us is a vendetta against a man now dead, but the city still is in a lot of turmoil even if the riots have died down. I'm not going to ask anyone to stick around if they don't want to, but we may want to go off in groups at least for safety, or at least make sure we know how to contact each other. It may be all is normal... it may be all is in chaos... I've learned the hard way having people to call on is the wisest thing to do, believe me. Maybe just say this... if you find trouble or need help, come here and leave a note. I'll check back here once a day and get word to the others as needed.
"If you want... I can help find places to sell your goods, at least. I would like to check on my friend Marta at the inn and the boarding house where I stay... Roran, I don't know if you want to come with me or what you want to do now... also, maybe we should go check at the orphanage to be sure the Lambs got there safely, given all that's happened."
For the first time since you arrived, Zellara starts a conversation. "My gift is never precise - although key facts often present themselves - but I sense a need to keep together and I know for a fact that the brooch is of the utmost importance. What you choose to do with it, I cannot influence - but doing nothing with it isn't a path I suggest will bode well."
She then speaks directly to Roran. "Should you sell the Queen's brooch or give it back to her? The rest need your help to decide."
Rorar shrugs. "Queen's brooch. My thinking is that it's hers, not our place to sell it."
Callie nods at Roran. "No doubt about giving it back, just how is the matter. Maybe I'm overthinking it and Valeria's right, we just hand it over."
She scratches her head. "Although it is valuable. I wonder why Lamm hadn't fenced it yet. Any of you find anything of his that would suggest what he was up to?"
I'll take ya up on tha Callie. Between tha two o'us we should b'able ta get a fair deal fa these. As fa tha brooch, we can stop in a'Elzin's. As I said, he's got connections!
Gwernach starts to pack everything up then looks to Wilthorn, I know ya said ya'd ratha'move on, but I'd feel bett'r 'aven ya with us. The dwarf looks to the half-elf, Eltanin, you too.
With everything packed away, there remains just one item to deal with before venturing out - Zellara's head. Taking up the box, Gwernach looks to everyone, B'fore we go, I've got'ta promise ta keep. Excusing himself, Gwernach departs for Zellara's garden.
Finding a nice patch of earth amongst some flowers, the dwarf makes an appropriately sized hole. Carefully placing the box in, Gwernach says a prayer; as Zellara did not request anything special, Gwernach keeps it short and simple. Finishing, the dwarf carefully covers the box with dirt leaving only the flowers as a marker.
Rejoining the party in her apartment, Gwernach rejoins the conversation. Can't say wa'Lamm was think'n. He did 'ave a collection though... the dwarf stops himself, Bet'ya that's it! This was his collection. What meaning any'of this 'ad ta him, we can only guess. 'Part from Zellara's deck 'an tha brooch, tha rest'll be a mystery.
He'd like to head to Elzin Whitehammer, Gwernach's employer, for advise on the brooch. As a merchant, Elzin may have the answer or know someone who does.
Hearing Callie and Gwernach, Wilthorn nods and replies "No, don't get me wrong, I don't mind staying if we got things to do. Honestly, I kinda forgot about the brooch, I've just been kind scatterbrained after.... Anyway, I was just thinking, if we're waiting for all this to be sold, I could take care of some business in the meantime, but the brooch is an unresolved matter we ought to attend to, and I'll be sticking around 'til that's taken care of, you can be sure of that. As for how we return it, I feel the best approach is the most direct. We just found it, so we've got nothing to hide."
Not wanting to trust the issue of the brooch to just anyone, Gwernach leads the party to Elzin's Emporium where the dwarf seeks the advice of his employer and family friend, Elzin Whitehammer.
The teak cigar case was sold for 12gp 5sp
The 2-pound gold ingot fetched 50 gp
The Miniature gold crown went to a jeweler for 175 gp
The Fist-sized carving of a Kraken was difficult. Gwernach was sure it was worth more, but in the end had to settle for 100 gp
The jeweler offered 60 gp for the Silver ring, but Callie got him to pay 75 gp
It was hard to let the Ivory figurine go for a mere 225 gp, but somehow it did.
Asking a priest to pay full price for the Abalone-shell holy symbol of Shelyn didn't feel right. He walked away with it for 150 gp
Walking through the city and dealing with the merchants, Callie keeps her eyes and ears sharp for trouble, and asks the merchants and folk they talk to gauge what has been going on.
Throughout the day, Eltanin kept up a running conversation with the others, mostly about family. It quickly becomes clear that she is interested in knowing what other people's families are like as a comparison to her own clearly unconventional background.
At the moment of Valeria's observation, Ellie is chatting with Roran and simultaneously organizing her satchel's contents. Fortunately her voice is pleasant enough to make her easy for anyone to tune out, because her divided attention makes the conversation fairly one-way. "Uncle Ferrad adopted Wen about four years ago, but Wen insisted on keeping his surname so he's one of the 'secret' Titansglades. Mind you, it's not that much of a secret - if anyone asks, he's honor bound to say who his real family is - but apparently he's a prince among the grippli, (ah, this ratsprovender is too old, that's why my bombs were fizzling yesterday,) so he has to keep the Takortin name alive. He headed for Alkenstar in the Mana Wastes, and writes that he has become quite good with a sword and pistol, whatever that is. (korpri ink should make a decent substitute, it shouldn't be between spice grass and wort water anyhow.) So if in your sojourns you should hear the name Wen Takortin, tell him Cousin Ellie sends her regards. ...what's that? Shopping for buyers, are we? Not my usual pastime, but if it keeps us together - and more importantly keeps our heads together with out bodies - it might be a good idea."
With that, she packs up her satchel, keeping up with the others with minimal further input. Ellie is all chatted out, for the moment anyway.
Gwernach leads the party to Elzin's Emporium where you all meet the proprietor – Elzin Whitehammer.
You rattle through the ‘standard’ stuff and your knowledge plus Gwernach’s relationship with Elzin means you know you’re getting good prices – as he either bought items directly from you or agreed to pay the going rate and sell it on, on your behalf.
Elzin offered you 75gp for the amulet – on the basis that he fancied it for himself, being a collector of garnet items.
He agreed to sell on the wands for you and said that if you didn’t want the glass tube and vial, he’d take them off your hands if you popped back. And the masterwork shuriken and adamantine arrowhead too.
Elzin almost expected you to have something ‘else’ to present to him. ”People always save something special for the end and I know Gwernach well enough to sense he had a little something to share.”
He only has to glance at the item before emitting a low whistle. Rummaging on his counter, he grabs a parchment. Even upside down, as you’re on the other side of the counter, you can see the royal crest at the top of the note. You also recognise a picture of the circular gold brooch depicting a pseudodragon and an imp coiled around each other.
Elzin continues in a very matter of fact voice. ”Of course the pseudodragon’s eye is an amethyst, while the imp’s eye is an emerald. It’s material value is a couple of thousand at most but it’s a favoured possession of Queen Ileosa herself. Apparently it was stolen from a jeweller who was contracted to repair the clasp.”
As if to prove his point, Elzin turns over the brooch to reveal the broken clasp. ”Nobody knows why it wasn’t returned sooner – big, big reward you know. I presume you want my advice?”
Elzin scans the group before continuing. “Take it up to the palace and tell the truth. Reckon they’re not looking for someone to punish – rather to reward. What this town needs now is some good news. And picking up a reward of 1,500gp sounds like good news to me."
You leave Elzin’s company and head back to Zellara’s via a nearby tavern as Callie wanted to check she was OK. The word on the street is that this town is currently a short step away from anarchy. Some say that’s a good thing whilst others are worried that would allow for draconian measures from the authorities.
As you approach the tavern, you are aware of a drunken soldier. He’s a mess—he hasn’t changed his uniform in days and reeks of stale sweat and ale. When he sees you, he staggers up to Wilthorn. ” Neffi my old mate. Let me buy you a drink. No…let me buy you several drinks.” His breath lets you know he’s most definitely the worse for ale.
You recognise what was the well-liked Watch Sergeant Grau. Except that he’s usually immaculate – and it’s also worth noting that he is known as the Watch’s finest swordsman.
Seeing the haggard soldier approach, Wilthorn put up his hands in front of him and says "Sorry, I'm... not who think I am, I'm pretty sure. You're a wreck, head back to your barracks and get cleaned and some rest."
She eyes the drunken soldier warily and tugs at Wilthorn's sleeve lightly. "Move on and ignore him."
Roran grunts. "Aye, we should return that. Reward's just a bonus for doing the right thing." As the drunken soldier approaches Roran steps between him and the rest of the party, not threateningly but just as a physical barrier. "Move along now, we got business to do that drinking won't help."
- I'm no better...
Gwernach thanks Elzin for his time and the information. Promising to return to the shop as soon as everything has been cleared up, the dwarf accompanies the party back to Zellara's. Great man Elzin, 'eart o'gold.
...
Narrowly side stepping the wall of Roran and drunken soldier, Gwernach remarks, Neffi?! S'not me. Wha'appened ta ya? Diddya 'ave a rough night then?
Valeria crosses her arms as the drunken man approaches the party. "There's nobody here by that name," she says sternly, a no-nonsense expression on her face. "I'd suggest moving along."
The drunken guard stares at you all blankly and then returns to his position in the gutter, fishing a bottle of drink out of his pocket.
"Prolly just a sod who had a bad day yesterday. But the con artists will be out in force today too. You can't be too careful." Callie continues into the tsvern, looking for Marta.
Eltanin doesn't speak, but she does look the drunk over carefully before trotting a bit to catch up to the others.
Marta is in the tavern and acknowledges Callie as she enters with the rest of the group. She indicates that there are enough chairs where she is for you all to sit.
Roran sits in a chair, making it groan in protest as he glances around the room.
Callie gives her friend a hug, glad she is okay. "I just wanted to be sure everything is alright, after all that's happened in the last few days." She smiles. "You were right to tell me to look for others who had a grudge against Lamm--I've suddenly made a lot of friends, and ran into an old one." She points at Roran at the last statement, then introduces him and the others.
"I think we've got time for one drink." She calls out to the barkeep for a round of drinks, on her, including Marta in the group. "I've got a place to stay for a few days, in case the boarding house is full up, so I didn't want you to worry about me if you didn't find me there. Tell me, anything you've heard about what's going on? You can start with the soldier who's assaulting people with his breath on the way in here if you know anything about him. This place usually doesn't attract beggars at the front door."
Marta takes the drink and sighs audibly. "You must mean Grau Soldado. Only a few days ago he was clean shaven and immaculately dressed. I guess the king’s death has hit him hard, but I suspect the riots hit him harder. He was, no is, a lovely man and a great Watch-Sergeant. Someone ought to escort him back to the barracks and encourage him to clean his act up and soon."
Greeting Marta politely, Gwernach takes a seat beside Callie. Happy to have a fresh draught of ale in his hand, the dwarf listens to the two converse. With all that's going on in the city concerning the king, Gwernach tries to rake is brain for anything he can remember about the monarch.
When an opportunity presents itself, Gwernach interjects, What news o'tha king's death? Does anyone know how he died?
Marta looks at Gwernach. "If I had a gold coin for every rumour, I'd be a rich woman. The king's sudden death took most by
surprise. There had been rumours that his health had been declining, but it was unexpected by all accounts. There have been rumours that he suffered from some disease beyond even the priesthoods of Sarenrae and Abadar’s skill to cure, and that even Asmodeus’s disciples were
summoned from their pentacle temple in the deep of night to try their dark hand at restoring the king."
Marta snorted. "Believe as much of that as you wish! The bad news is that the castle seneschal has vanished, supposedly slain in one of the initial riots that broke out at the base of Castle Korvosa when the grim news of Eodred’s death was proclaimed."
"Desperate citizens, salty dock workers, soot-covered smiths, and all manner of tradesmen, already stifled by Eodred’s spendthrift reign, are up in arms at the thought of Ileosa taking the throne. Dock workers have abandoned the seafront wards and caravan men have fled Northgate. Frustrated merchant ships and wagon convoys are having to turn around when they find no-one to offload their goods, much less buy them."
"Food and other staples now only trickles into the city, while thousands fight for the last sack of flour or bundle of cook-fire timber in the market. Riots erupt regularly and entire wards plunge into chaos. These are bad times."
"The Bank of Abadar closed its gilded gates and a contingent of the Coin’s Faithful stands at the ready with halberd and crossbow to repel would-be looters. Even The Acadamae closed its doors, shutting its students and professors within its walls and closing them to the rest of the city."
"Even the griffon-mounted marines of the Sable Company are pushed far past their limits. The Korvosan Guard does the best it can but it's not enough. They say it's only a matter of time before HellKnights are drafted in - and who wants that?"
Gwernach swallows hard. Ez worse than I thought.
Sitting back the dwarf thinks about what Marta told him of the King's death. Wondering out loud, Tis curious tha tha King should die of-fa disease tha no'even tha priests from three convictions could save'm from. Shaking his finger in the air, he continues, An no just ya run'o'tha mill clerics! Ya must be talk'n 'bout powerful divination com'n ta bare... Makes'ya wond'r. The dwarf sits back in his chair, Wa'sort o'disease was it? Gwernach's eyes glaze over in thought...
To Marta's first reply: "Well, maybe we can walk Soldado back if he's out there when we go." Callie figured they might need to approach the guard possibly to return the brooch so they might be able to help him on their way.
At a pause in the conversation she adds, "We may have to think about getting some food to store... don't want to join the hoarder mentality, but don't want to be stuck without a crumb to eat either. Anywhere you'd recommend to buy?"
Eltanin clears her throat almost timidly. "Magical diseases, riots, riot control... Wherever we get food, we'll have to guard it in force to get it home. I don't think this is a good idea right now, but we might want to think about leaving the city. My home town is weeks away without magic, but there might be someplace more defensible nearby. Of course, anyplace nearby is probably getting ready to discourage guests too, but if one of us knew of such a place, it might pay us to think about how to get there if worst came to worst."
To Marta's first reply: "Well, maybe we can walk Soldado back if he's out there when we go." Callie figured they might need to approach the guard possibly to return the brooch so they might be able to help him on their way.
At a pause in the conversation she adds, "We may have to think about getting some food to store... don't want to join the hoarder mentality, but don't want to be stuck without a crumb to eat either. Anywhere you'd recommend to buy?"
Marta smiles in a knowing way. "Returning Glau in one piece might be enough to persuade the town guard to let you have some food? I'd try it if I were you."
Listening to the recount of recent events, Valeria lets out a low whistle. "Sounds like the whole damn city's going downstairs in a handbasket. I feel for that poor sod, though - bein' a disgraced guard's tough." She shakes her head slowly. "Gods, the whole place is a mess. I hope Ma's taking good care of my girl." Her thoughts are clearly elsewhere as she twists the ring on her left hand.
Blinking out of his trance, Gwernach looks up and around at everyone seated at the table. Aye, we should ge'amove'on. Provisions aside, tak'en tha soldier ta tha barracks is tha right thing ta do. Standing to leave he adds, Valeria, I'm sure ya girl'll be fine so long as they stay indoors. As fa where ta stay, Zellara's is still an option.
"Well, if we're finished here, I think we should be off. Daylight's burning, and the sooner we get this sorted out, the better." Nodding to Marta "Thank you for your time and the info. If you'll excuse us, I think we have business to attend to."
Once you bid your farewells, you head outside to find Glau in the same spot you left him, except the bottle of wine is now only half full.