The High Priestess nods at Jolon's request and turns to Akkuya, "Take care of these people, food, warm bathes, clothes, other sundries. I'm sure they will have much to accomplish if those scarabs have any say in it." She briefly points out a few scarabs that have crawled from the cracks in the stonework before fluttering off. "Brother Jolon, please follow me."
Jolon makes the spiral after noticing the scarabs.
"If I had any doubts about Zellara's words about our fate, they are definitely gone now," he says to no one in particular.
After following Bishop D'Bear on her rounds before arriving in her office, he makes a brief bow as she speaks.
"Trouble is perhaps not the best word, Lady Bishop. Bewilderment is more like it. You know the reason I left to join my companions this morning, to confront the man who murdered my mother. Now that Gaedren is gone, it seems my mother's dead spirit is truly appeased. She...appeared to me, after it was over. And I felt the presence of my other ancestors too. It was...I don't know if I've ever felt such a sense of rightness in my entire life. Now that justice has been served, however, I'm not quite sure how to continue. Zellara...the woman who united us against Gaedren...she's still with us. After we defeated Gaedren we found out she had been dead the entire time, and it was her unquiet spirit that brought us together to avenge her. Now, now she claims we have a destiny that's bound up with that of the city itself, and it is her unfinished business now to help us meet it. I...I don't know what to think about it. She and my mother both seem to have stayed when they should have been freed to go to the Boneyard. Why are they staying? What's so important about me?"
"You and your companions have much ahead of you in these dire times, your spirals will most certainly walk through shadow and come close to precipices most mortals cannot see in their worst nightmares. Just remember, keep to your companions as they would keep to you, no person should have to walk their spiral alone. Ah, but this philosophizing is getting me in the mood for a nice cup of something warming." She proceeds to pull out a glass decanter full of amber liquid and two glasses, "Would you care to have some before you head out again?"
** spoiler omitted **
"It does my heart good to hear you say so, Lady Bishop. I won't lie, there have been times where I've wondered if walking the path of a tshamek goddess would anger them, but it seems that my deeds have been worthy of them. I hope that I will disappoint neither in the days to come."
When she offers him a drink, he nods.
"Thank you, Lady Bishop."
When she pours him a glass, he raises it.
"To those we've lost, those we've found again, and those we've yet to meet."
The next day arrives much the same as it ended, though more refugees came in last night. Rumor has it that the only ones that are barely maintaining order are the Korvosan Guard, the Sable Company Marines and the Hellknights have both holed up for the time being.
Aloysia sets about trying to listen in on reports of goings-on in the city, but also trying to be non-chalant about it. Anything I can use to stay alive, and maybe exploit, I'll take.
Gamon goes up to the priests the following morning as they attempt to settle some of the new refugees, We'll do our best to stay out of your hair today. Do you have any idea how we could help?
Aloysia hears a lot of interesting things, rumors and scuttlebutt of the current situation being the most prevelant, but there is some old news floating around.
died of old age, and anarchists are using the tragedy
to damage Ileosa’s reputation and perpetuate unrest
in the city.”
vanished after killing nine people in their own locked
homes back in 4797. They say that seven of the nine
had ties to nobles who opposed the arbiters and
that the Key-Lock Killer was on the arbiter payroll.
I think the Key-Lock Killer was one of the arbiters
themselves, and I think he’s still alive, serving as a
judge to this day! It’s all a conspiracy!”
will stay closed until the troubles in Korvosa die
down. Can’t say I blame them!”
The priests, weary from their long night and sure to be longer day, look at each other. "Well," one says, "your best bet is to find the Guard."
"Yeah," the other replies, "listening to these stories it sounds like they're the only ones that are capable of dealing with this mess at the moment."
Aloysia joins Gamon in speaking to the priests. She nods at finding the guard, "We can do that. Do you need anything of the guard while we're reporting what we found at Lamm's place?"
The first priest replies with a sigh, "No, we're well maintained here. If they can get the city back under control that would be best for everyone."
After concluding his talk with Bishop D'Bear and gaining her permission to continue aiding his companions in their endeavors, Jolon gets a good night's rest and cleans himself up before meeting with the others in the worship-space.
"So we're off to meet with the Korvosan Guard, then?"
Cecil will look relieved the next day. Ensured his daughter would be well taken care of, he feels like a new man when he awakens. For once, a weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
He will find the group, and actually smile. "So, is there still need of my talents?" he asks.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I presume so," Jolon replies. "You're the one with Zellara's harrow deck. And we would be grateful for your spells if you'd remain. You look better already!"
Aloysia finds restful sleep, mostly because she knows there's a payday ahead with Lamm's ear tucked safely in her pack. She cleans up in the morning, and puts on one of her finest outfits that suggest wealth, but also allows her mobility enough to fight or run off. There is a stark contrast between her peasant disguise the day previously and the current picture today. She tucks her daggers in hidden locations in her outfit...
...and heads out to meet the rest of the group. She has a look of mildly arrogant nobility as she enters the room. Her face is serene, and she shares a smile for the group. "Gentlemen, would you be so kind to escort me to the guard for safety?" Her smile turns sly, then she clears her throat before...
...bursting into tears, "Please guardsman, help me! Gaedran Lamm's place! His thugs! *sobs* They tried to hurt me! These men saved me from them, but I think their shack is still full of all kinds of terrible things. I think there's even drugs in there! *sniffles* Someone could take it all and hurt more people!" Her face slips back into serenity. "I think that might help us get the officials to focus on Lamm's place with a bit of urgency, no?"
Gamon's eyebrows lift a bit at her performance, That seems a mite dramatic given the state of the entire city, don't you think? We can try it, but I wouldn't expect much success.
Aloysia's face flushes red in embarrassment and she frowns a bit. I must still be tired! That normally works! She starts unconsciously fiddling with her clothing trying to minimize her embarrassment.
Jolon doesn't say anything in response to Aloysia's melodramatic speech, but he's clearly trying not to laugh.
"That's...that's something."
He clears his throat and tries to straighten up.
"We still have the items we recovered from his lair, right? We can turn it over to them as evidence."
She scowls harder at Jolon's response, and jerks on her tunic to straighten what was already strait. It's just enough to cause her poorly hidding dagger to tumble out of it's hiding spot and clatter on the floor. This time she can't hide the redness in her face or the horrified look as she unceremoniously grabs it and leaves the room to collect herself.
Cecil watches the lady stalk off, confused. "I think she's having a bad start to her day." he observes. "How about when she comes back, we pretend its the first time? Grace and decorum and all that."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Jolon nods
"Of course. How is your daughter holding up? I know it can sometimes be a shock to a child to have so much happen at once."
Jolon frowns a little. He knew that from experience, and he doubted Cecil's daughter had ancestral spirits to keep her company.
Aloysia comes back out after collecting herself, but it's hard to miss that she's still a bit miffed about her embarrassing performance. "Well, gentlemen, shall we head to the guard?"
"Good morning!" Cecil answers as if it were the first time. "Did you sleep well?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Jolon coughs in surprise at the sudden shift in tone.
"Um...Yes. I take it we should make our way to Citadel Volshyenek, then? Or just the nearest guard post? That's going to be just outside the Gray."
Aloysia's lips purse for a moment, "Yes, quite well, did you?" The tone is one of frustration mixed with gratitude for his pretending.
Turning to Jolon, "I think probably the guard post first, don't you? At the least we can get information as much as give it there before we move on to the Citadel itself."
Stepping out of the Gray and back into the city proper things seem to have calmed down some, though not very much. Smoke can still be seen in the distance and alarm bells continue to toll.
Hustling along the side streets and out of the main thorough-fares you still see that quite a few doomsayers have come out of the woodwork. Many spout generic end-of-the-world nonsense, some take a more sinister turn ("The Eye of Groetus has turned from the Boneyard to look upon Korvosa!"), and on one street corner a wild-haired and sick looking individual follows you.
He points at Cecil, "YOU! I saw you in a dream! You will lie near death during a time of great sickness and peril during Korvosa's darkest hour! You will help usher in a new age of writhing doom to all of Golarion!"
Jolon interposes himself between the approaching doomsayer and Cecil.
"Calm yourself, man! A romance writer is going to start an apocalypse of any kind, save maybe to write something so ridiculously awful it shatters reality. But my friend here's too talented to do something like that. Leave him be."
Aloysia rolls her eyes at the doomsayer. These people, can't they find something more worthwhile to occupy their time? She uses the distraction of the moment to see if the man has anything useful.
Cecil blinks at the man, confused. "I... I... what?" he replies quite eloquently, obviously caught completely off guard by the gross doomsayer. Cecil tries to push the man off. "I don't know what you're talking about! Get off me!" he shouts.
Aloysia manages to sneak the man's small bowl from a bag on his raggedy belt, though it looks just as filthy as he is.
The man briefly looks at Jolon before attempting to rush past him to get to Cecil once more. His approaching stench drives off any small insects that may have been bothering you and his halitosis is evident. "No! You will bring in His Greatness!"
The man is unable to get past Jolon at all.
Aloysia frowns at the filthy thing in her hand, frustration pent up from earlier in the morning plus the added bonus of a disgusting bowl, she triggers the spring-loaded wrist sheath sliding her dagger into her hand. She pauses for a split second, looking at her group, then back to her dagger. She sighs internally that the do-gooders influence her in such a way, and flips the dagger in her hand to use the butt end instead of the blade...
Jolon prevents the man from reaching Cecil, and gets a concerned look on his face.
"His Greatness? Who is "He?" What are you talking about?"
When Aloysia gets behind the doomsayer, his eyes widen.
"Aloysia, wait!"
The man crumples to the ground before Jolon.
With a droll tone to her voice, Aloysia says, "You can talk to him if you like when he wakes up, but I don't think anyone wants to be groped by him. I'm hard pressed to think he'll have anything coherent to say, but you're welcome to tie him up and try."
Jolon frowns, but doesn't offer any rebuttal.
"Let's go."
"um. Lets just leave." Cecil Prestidigitates himself clean, just in case. Twice.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Making your way to the nearest guard station you see several overturned wagons, one of which has been set on fire, as well as scattered rocks and glass from the windows. The door to the interior is firmly closed and bolted shut from the other side when you lean your weight against it. Knocking produces a scared pair of eyes from the sliding viewport, "W-what do you want?" is all the voice, assumingly associated with those eyes, manages to squeak out.
Aloysia raises her hands to show no weapon is held and says, "Hello kind sir, we are seeking your aid from the havoc going on out here. We also have information to report that the guard should know about. Will you please let us in?"
Jolon traces the spiral on his chest as he stands behind Aloysia, an indication to the man inside of his allegiance.
"Though perhaps it would be more accurate to say we are here to help you."
The sound of hands running frantically through hair comes through the view slot in the door. "I don't know if I can handle this, it's too much!" The eyes peek through the slot once more, "Information? About what? I guess I can let you in, but you have to swear not to be like those rioters that were trying to break in." By the end of the person's sentence their voice takes on a distinct whine.
"By the Lady of Graves and the souls of my ancestors, you and your post will not come to harm by our hand."
Cecil will frown at the man's interaction with them. Stolen locket? he thinks. I'll need to ask more about that when we're inside.
He speaks up. "Sir, we're just trying to relay some information we found. Please let us in. I don't want to be out here any more than you do, trust me!"
The eyes appear watery from their hidey hole, but the voice behind the door eventually relents. "O-ok. I'll let you in."
The door opens and the person on the other side ushers you in, "Quickly, quickly now!" This guard-post has clearly seen better days, the windows have all been smashed in, many of the cots have been overturned, and it looks like all of the weapons and armor are missing from their resting places. The scrape of metal on metal resonates from behind the door and guard steps out from behind the door holding a longsword awkwardly with one hand. Their hair is a strange light pink color and their nerves are clearly shot between the shaking and stuttering.
"W-w-why have you come here?"
Taking a look around the room, Aloysia thinks to herself, This does not look like a guard, these men are pathetic... She eyes them closer trying to garner a more distinct profile of who these men are.
Jolon places his hands upon the guard's shoulders to steady them and looks him in the eye.
"Calm yourself, my good man. The worst has passed, and your city needs you. Take a deep breath. It will help."