Nicolai feels a strong magic presence coming from Zellara's deck, and soon, the deck glows brightly, floating out of its box. In a flash, Zellara is now standing in the mostly-barren room with you, though her image appears rather wispy and immaterial.
"It is good to see the lot of you have made it back safely," Zellara declares, perhaps surprising those of the parties who failed to notice her apparition.
"I believe I owe you an apology for this act of misdirection. Please accept my help as such. I feared that, had I been truthful about my true nature from the start, I may not have gotten you to listen."
Staryth takes a deep breath, "I take it you know Lamm is dead."
"Indeed, your mission -- our mission -- is complete. We are all grateful. But who are you, really?"
Sera looks at the apparition with an unreadable expression. "Yes, I believe we deserve an explanation of what has occurred."
"You are right about deserving that much. Please, sit down. I will explain it all."
Zellara's image motions for you to join her at the dusty table and takes a seat herself, phasing straight through the table's corner on her way.
"What I have told you about my encounter with Gaedrenn was true, save for one detail: I did not make it away. However, it has been my wish in life to see Korvosa brought to order and to its former glory, and I did not wish to pass on before I could accomplish such a thing. My harrow deck, which you found, holds much of my spirit and, through it, some amount of magical power. I can see and feel the word around it and, on occasion, manifest as you see now."
Indeed, the more magically inclined amongst you recognize Zellara's image as projected by a quite remarkable variant of a Greater Image spell.
"Finally, in life, I must admit I have always had a certain passion for the strange and magical. I think you will find that my knowledge of them may come in handy as you encounter magic items of all sorts."
"I have had some perception of your battle with Lamm and his goons, and I must say I am quite impressed. Perhaps, thanks to you, my dream may finally come true."
"I do not normally condone revenge, but this man's evil would have kept hurting and hurting if he hadn't been stopped, so I am still glad we succeeded. " The paladin hesitates, "Your prediction about the avalanche seems to have come true. You deserve your rest, but have you any more knowledge about the King's fate, the truth of it that can help us?"
"Forgive my crudeness, Zellara," interrupts Silvio. "But you should also know that Gaedren did not give your body its proper rest. The sick man kept your head in his room for some reason. Might we help grant your body a proper burial?"
As he asks this question, he realizes how unsettling it is to make funeral arrangements with the deceased. "Sorry, perhaps that's a topic for another time."
"I am all too aware of my body's final fate. I would quite appreciate a decent sepulture, yes. That being said, if it is not too much trouble, I have always wished in life that my final fate would be cremation, that my ashes may be scattered on the winds of my native Varisia. I believe the local mortician should be able to arrange such a thing without a problem."
"As for your question, Krojun, I was gifted with the powers of the harrow in life. The spiritual bond I share with my deck has only honed it further."
"I fear that, at this point, my knowledge is as limited as yours. I can only advise you to keep an eye out for people who could provide guidance. For now, hoping to resolve the city's issues as a whole would be foolish. It may be best to see where your help can alleviate the suffering of the oppressed and the poor. In time, you may find that a path opens."
"Do you have a path set for us again? With the chaos of this riot, the suffering of the oppressed with be everywhere." asks Sera, still not sure she likes the spirit, but she cannot deny her effectiveness.
"I fear that I know no more than you do. Going by the shouts, it seems many believe the king's death is hardly natural. I don't know what to think, myself. As for any leads, I fear I cannot help you on that point. You never know, however, a lead may be closer than one would think."
Zellara's image begins to flicker and grow transparent.
"Alas, I fear the deck's magic is growing exhausted, I will be watching from within."
The apparition dissipates, leaving only the harrow deck on the table.
Ruke wakes as if from a trance, captivated completely by the appearance of the apparition and the words it conveyed to the party. "So she was a ghost all along? I guess that makes a lot more sense than the alternative! I've never actually met a ghost before, this is amazing!"
He considers their surroundings for a moment, and the violence happening outside in the city. "Vengeance has been served, and now we are caught in a bit of a mess. I've a mind to try to catch back up with the troupe, as my work here is done. But heading outside into that madhouse of the streets is not the highest thing on my list of priorities to do right at this moment. Any suggestions?"
Staryth watches the spirit fade into the deck, and then looks to Ruke, "We have Lamm's ill gotten wealth, which will probably make us a target for the desperate mob anyway. The spirit mentioned helping the poor and a path might open, I'm for that, though not sure how best to do it. I won't just hole up though, too many need our aid. I hope you will all join me in that. Strength in numbers and all."
As Zellara fades into the harrow deck, it seems they were left without a clear direction. Already, Ruke was speaking of returning to his troupe. But for Silvio, his home was in chaos and needed help!
"Well said, Staryth. Are we going to just cower in our homes while the city needs us? Fate has brought together capable warriors and magicians. We can do a lot of good for the city this day, as we did for that nobleman and his lady."
Silvio clasps his good arm around Staryth and looks around the room for support. "What say you all?"
Sera looks slightly confused over Silvio and Staryth’s plan. ”You want a group of 6 heavily armed fighters and magicians to try and quell a riot seemingly spanning the entire city? That would be madness. I thought the reason we came here was to rest and recover while the chaos blew over. Do you really think if a mob of 50 came upon us that we would stand a chance of defending ourselves? Do those of us with good souls want to try?”
"Nay, not quell a riot. But do our part. Is Abadar not the god of law, patron of Korvosa's city guard? Surely your church is mounting some effort to restore order, even now. We could make our way there to support them. If, on the way, we can save even a single life out on the streets, our efforts would be worthwhile."
Silvio pleads his case to Sera, knowing that if Sera agreed, Krojun would likely follow.
"We don't have to be aimless in our goals, we just need to find the best way to make the biggest difference. Whether that means heading to the poorest areas, or going towards the palace itself to learn more, I'm not sure. Maybe Silvio is right, and we can aid one of the churches"
Sera listens to Silvio’s pleas, nodding as he speaks, ”He is, and they probably are. In full force, with hundreds of guards. I’m not saying something shouldn’t be done, and Abadar knows that the I will help as I can, but going out in a small group would be paramount to suicide. We were lucky the few bits of rabble we met were easily cowed by our presence. A full mob would run us down and use our bodies as a rallying point. We can defend ourselves only so much without killing, and I’m NOT about to start hacking a path through my people.”
Silvio knows a thing or two about alleyways in the city, and tries to think of a good path to the temple, using his local knowledge.
But he realizes he's spent too much time staying away from the temple of Abadar to really know the ways to there.
Nicolai looks over the gear they took from Lamm's hideout, particularly the jeweled brooch "This is much too nice for Lamm to have had bought it. Someone must be missing this very much." Nicolai will wrack his memory to recall any high profile thefts that have occurred recently.
Examining the brooch closer, you have a vague impression that you've seen a reward offered for it, but not where or when.
On a more attentive observation of the brooch, Staryth finds it familliar as well, but he can't quite place where he's heard of it or seen it.
The brooch is, even to the untrained eye, easily worth as much as a significant part of Gaedrenn'S hoard.
You figure there must be some reason Gaedrenn didn't sell such a high value item, but you can't quite puzzle it out.
Sera has a good idea of a path to the temple.
"Hmm, this seems familiar to me." Nicolai says, turning the brooch over and over in his hands "I seem to remember a reward for it's return but I can't recall who from. Perhaps we should seek the guards and turn it in there, and while we are there we can ask if they need assistance and where we can best be put to use."
"I can nae help but agree with the lass here. We are well out of our depth in this state of affairs. I've no desire to spill the blood of a bunch of hobs simply to arrive at a destination." He glances at the brooch that seems to be worth so much and nods at Nicholai's words. "Never say I was one to turn down a reward, and that trinket strikes me as out of place in the flop of someone as low as Lamm, yet remained unsold and unclaimed. There is something of significance there I wager."
Ruke then begins busying himself with cleaning the abandoned place up a bit, using his magic to whisk away piles of dust and blow away cobwebs and filth. He then lays out his cloak, and using his pack as a pillow, makes himself comfortable. "Well, as late as the hour is, I am all for a nap and the idea that we approach this all in the morning with fresh eyes. I'd suggest we barricade the door and post a watch. Wake me for a shift at your leisure."
"Maybe someone else will be able to identify the broach. Perhaps another reason to seek out the temple of Abadar, but yes, I suppose in the morning would best." Staryth sighs, realizing he'll be no good to any if he goes without sleep, and he moves to barricade the door as Ruke advises.
Sera smiles at Ruke siding with her, At least we won’t be slaughtering innocents tonight. she thinks as she helps with the cleaning of the room. ”I’m afraid I haven’t brought my bedroll or any other “camping” gear. I had been hoping to return to by bed after the deeds of this night.” she says as she slips out of her armor, checking for any damage or dents.
As Staryth gives way, Silvio resigns to the will of the group. Slaying Gaedren was a good enough deed for the day.
"You can share a bed with me, Sera." Silvio winks at her as he lays out his bedroll.
Sera arches a single eyebrow at Silvio’s remark, ”I will spare your ego and just politely decline.” she replies coolly, using the table to partition off a section of the room for her use.
Sera notices a wince of discomfort as Krojun reclines and seeks rest. Is he still wounded? I thought I had blessed everyone with Abadar’s strength and mended their wounds. Unsure if anyone else is stoically nursing injuries, Sera fully channels the remains of her faith to encompass the entire room and ease everyone off to sleep. Whispering to her friend, she adds ”Do not feel you need to withhold your pains from me, I’ve seen you far worse and you know it.”
"Ah, so you want the bed but not the man!" Silvio seems unfazed. "How much harm can a one-handed man do? Well, how's this - you can have my bedroll while I take the first shift. I'll wake you up for the next."
With the offer made, Silvio takes a quiet position by the barricaded door; hopefully somewhere he could see but not be seen.
"I also have a bedroll and blanket, and one can certainly use it when I am on watch." Staryth also offers.
The night passes through uneventfully, and the next morning finds the exhausted city a sorry sight.
After last night's riot, parts of the city are in shambles. While the worst of the riot is over, the city sits in an uneasy peace. There is no doubt that small, localized outbursts will happen again, but the streets are no longer a warzone.
A stray beam of sunshine, filtered through the house's dirty windows, catches the party's eyes in their sleep, prodding them awake.
A new day begins, devoid of an old grudge, but perhaps bearing new questions...
Staryth is clearly troubled as he looks out over the city. Despite Sera's perfectly logical concerns, he can't help but wonder if he could have done something more while it was going on. I should have helped more people. Forgive me, Shelyn.
Finally he asks, "Where to now?"
Ruke turns to the group after gathering up his belongings, "I think that turning to the guard for answers is a right good start if we are going to seek the information we desire. If there was a reward for that bauble then perhaps they can assist us. Anyone have any contacts with them? I'm no help there."
"Well, if we want the bauble identified, there might be someone at either the Church of Shelyn or Abadar that could identify it as well, but the guards might know more in general of the troubles so that is fine by me." Startyh says, "I'm also worried about any wounded we come across. I'm no true cleric like Sera, but as a Hospitaler, I'm sworn to assist them."
Ruke nods to the much larger man, "No harm in that, we have a lot of ground to possibly cover, but with which group goes the trinket? Also, if we encounter another angry mob, what is the lay?"
"Splitting up seems dangerous to me, but I suppose as long as none of us are alone...."
Sera rises in the morning, stretching out the cramps in her legs and back from sleeping on the floor. Redonning her armor and gear, she pipes up "While trying to fall asleep, I was thinking about the city, I think I know a way to get to the Temple of Abadar on mostly side streets and alleyways. Also, I have a few friends still in the guard I can check with for a status report."
"Alright, that seems sensible. Sera, you and Krojun are friends, perhaps you two should go together. I can head to the temple of Shelyn unless someone else has a better location to scout out to suggest. Who'd want to go with me?"
Nodding, her agrees with Staryth, "If we are going to split up, we should divide evenly."
"Well, I still know a few people who like to keep some distance from the guard. They might know a thing or two. Not sure bringing a paladin along is the best way to handle that - no offense, Staryth."