| Gamon Neles |
Gamon ignores the man's blithering, We're here to help however we can, someone needs to get the city under control again. Do you have a plan of any kind?
| GM Fez |
The guard-house looks like it was left in a hurry more than anything, though the smashed windows speak of an assault on the building itself.
The man nervously looks up at Jolon and drops his sword, running his opposite hand along his sword arm frantically. He breathes deep and the movements slow, just a touch. "I'm Krona, I'm the newest guard for this particular unit. I was left to make sure no one would enter the barracks, but a mob came by and worked to break in, I didn't know what to do!"
Looking between all of you he tries to settle into a easier stance, adjusting the chainmail that looks as though its been on him since everything started. "I know Field Marshal Kroft is working to restore order, but I'm not sure how long that will take... Everyone else seems to be pulling out of the city."
| Jolon Vulture-Heart |
"You did what you could, Krona. You're a credit to the Korvosan Guard," Jolon replies, his frown turning into a warm smile.
"We were looking to report the passing of one Gaedren Lamm, a criminal the Guard's had difficulty taking down. We've retrieved some documents and stolen property from his lair that we thought the Guard might want to see, and there are children there in need of a proper home now that the man who enslaved them is dead. From what you say, it sounds like this Field Marshal is the person we should see."
| Aloysia Sett |
"You may want to pass that info along to the rest of the guard as much as you can too. The place would be ideal for another just as bad or worse than Lamm to pick up where the dead man left off."
| Jolon Vulture-Heart |
Jolon smiles and gives Krona a light clap on the shoulder.
"That's where we were headed next. Thank you, Krona. Is there any way we can help you hold this position? We could wait with you until your comrades return."
| Jolon Vulture-Heart |
"Thank you, once again," Jolon replies.
"We'll be sure to let her know how dependable you've been. A man like you'll go far in the Guard, I'm sure."
He turns to the others.
"Is everybody ready to press on to the Citadel?"
| Cecil Rosencrad |
"We go. Thank you again, sir." Cecil says his farewell to the guard.
-Posted with Wayfinder
| GM Fez |
Krona bids you well and locks the door behind you. Your journey takes you through alleys and backstreets, but you find yourselves nearing Eodred's Square where you can hear snarling yowls of "Die dandy!" and "Death to the false queen!" You manage to peak into the square without being seen.
A mob of thugs wielding shovels, chair-legs, and other club-like weapons surround a beardless young nobleman. One of the laborers, a burly woman with greasy strings of hair framing her rotund face, jeers and addresses the young man in a booming voice, “Bet’cha never worked an honest day’s wage in your life, eh, Queen’s Man? M’brother had his arm crushed by a barrel on the docks when he was younger than you. Never raised a mug of ale with that wrist again. Wanna know what it feels like?”
| Aloysia Sett |
Aloysia tries to get a good look at the noble...
Knowledge (Nobility): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
...but isn't really sure she can remember who this might be. It distracts her momentarily while she searches her brain for some memory of this person.
| Cecil Rosencrad |
Cecil moves forward, sticking with Jolon. "This is a terrible way to react! You're only making this chaos worse!" He adds.
Trying to see if I recognize who they are... looks like Aloysia and I have the same terrible luck!
K: Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
| Gamon Neles |
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Gamon moves alongside Jolon, hand near the haft of his axe in case things get nasty. And will hurting him fix your brother's hand? Will it stop anything that's going on with the Queen that he has no control over either?
| GM Fez |
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
1d20 ⇒ 3
The crowd backs down a bit at everyone's words, though the woman in the lead is still belligerent. "No, but we're just payin' back wot we're owed. Nobles spit on us common folk all the time, why shouldn't we put the 'urt on them when we can?"
| Gamon Neles |
Gamon moves his hand away from his axe, doing his best to look calming. "Nobles" or this man here specifically? Has he done anything personally to any of you? I deal with the same as you every day, but fact is that hurting him won't make our lot in life any better, and he or his family might call the guard on you all and make your lives a lot harder.
Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 4
| Aloysia Sett |
Seeing Gamon's tact not being as effective as he might hope, Aloysia chimes in to try to help as well. "Payment. That is a word I understand. Now, exactly what are you going to be paid by this man? Seems to me if you kill him that you'll receive no payment. If you wound him but let him live he'll have plenty of friends in high places who can put quite a bit of hurting back on you lot. That seems a lot less like 'getting wot yur owed' (mimicing the woman's tone), and more like a waste of time."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
I found the luck again!
| Jolon Vulture-Heart |
Jolon nods at Gamon and Aloysia's words.
"There has already been enough death and suffering in this city without you adding to it! All are equal in Pharasma's eyes. Do you really want the guilt of this burdening your soul when you stand before her?"
I really, REALLY wish I had enough skill points to bolster my social skills. My Charisma would make them easy. :(
| GM Fez |
The crowd begins dispersing quickly as everyone starts losing their nerve. Even the belligerent woman shoves off, spitting in the direction of the noble and muttering, "...not worth the effort anyway."
The man, for his part, picks himself up and clutches at his ribs, hobbling over to your group. "Well met-ugh!" It seems talking hurts him somewhat. "My name is Amin Jalento. You probably saved my life back there, is there any way I can repay your kindness?"
| Cecil Rosencrad |
"Uh..." Cecil looks at the rest of the group. "I didn't have any particular motivations in mind when I stepped in to help." he replies. "Glad you're still alive, though."
| GM Fez |
"Please, just call me Amin," he says, waving away your concern. "I was just on my way to High Bridge when I was found by those rioters. My family's manse is in East Shore, relatively near the bridge, so I should be able to get there safely from here." He begins rummaging through his pockets and pulls out a small ring, made of gold, fit for a woman's hand. It is built of two entwined 'braids' and looks fairly expensive. He hands it to Aloysia, though his eyes wander the group rather than look for hers, "Take this with my thanks again. If any of you find yourselves in East Shore and need help look for the Jalento residence."
| Aloysia Sett |
Aloysia takes the ring and with a sweet tone more to herself than the man, "Payment, a word I understand. Thank you for your generosity. Are you safe to make it back there yourself?" As she asks the question, she pockets the ring.
Not being a thief in RL! I figure Aloysia will still need the group to identify if it is magic, and then it can go to whoever can make the most use of it.
| GM Fez |
"I will be fine, most nobles have enough guards for an undersized military company, and East Shore has been relatively untouched by this," he gestures out into Korvosa, "madness."
The rest of the journey to Citadel Volshyenek is less harrowing as the keep itself lies less than quarter mile from Eodred's Square. While the Citadel does not tower over the other buildings in the area it is rather prominent, sitting on a spit of land to overlook the Jaggare River. Approaching the front gate there appears to be only two, rather nervous, guards barring entrance with their spears. "H-halt!" one of them calls. "And state your business!" the other adds on.
| Gamon Neles |
Before moving on we'd likely have attempted to detect magic upon the ring, so we might want to play that out in case it is magical.
Gamon holds his empty hands in the air wearily, We are here to bring information to Field Marshal Kroft and see how we can help.
| Jolon Vulture-Heart |
Jolon makes the sign of the spiral and bows respectfully.
"As the chaos in the city began, we were witness to the all-too-timely passing of one Gaedren Lamm, and came into possession of evidence concerning his criminal operations, including a pickpocketing ring of enslaved children, the production and distribution of the drug shiver and at least two counts of murder. One of your cadets stationed near the Gray District, Krona, informed us that it would be best to bring the items in question to the Field Marshal's attention personally. Further, we understand she was deputizing citizenry to help restore peace to the city. We were looking to volunteer."
| Jolon Vulture-Heart |
After explaining themselves, Jolon steps back. The breeze rustles about him again and he can feel a headache coming on as whispers of contempt and frustration fill his ears. What the spirits were saying was clear. They failed to see how an organization like the Korvosan Guard, filled with people more concerned with order than with justice, would be of any use to them, especially after they failed to do anything about Gaedren after his mother's murder.
"No...not this year, not yet." he quietly as he tries to regain his composure.
| GM Fez |
The guards put their heads together in conference. They reach some kind of agreement and look back at you. "All right, sounds legitimate, and we doubt you'll actually pose a danger to the Field Marshal by coming so openly. Allow me to run ahead and explain the situation."
He runs off toward the central keep. The other guard, an elf woman, introduces herself, "While Mortimer is doing that, allow me to introduce myself. I am Eyelizenbereth, though everyone just calls me Liz. That was Mortimer, and unfortunately this mess has everyone on edge."
The man, Mortimer, returns and beckons you to follow. Liz calls a quick, "Good luck!" and you're off. The hallways of this old building are well-lit and well-trod by many feet over the years. Everything is eerily quiet, each of your footfalls creating echoes in the empty hallways. You are led to an office in the central keep where a harried and tired-looking woman rises from her desk to greet you. Cressida Kroft is an attractive, dark-haired woman dressed in red armor.
"Greetings, I am Cressida Kroft. Please, sit and tell me your names, and what information you've brought."
| Aloysia Sett |
Aloysia hangs to the back of the group to scan the room and get a personality reading on anyone she can allowing the others to speak up first.
Perception for anything of note in the office: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
| Jolon Vulture-Heart |
Jolon bows and takes a seat.
"Well met, Field Marshal Croft. I am Brother Jolon Vulture-Heart, of the church of Pharasma here in the city."
He waits for the others to introduce themselves before continuing, repeating his words at the gate.
"As the chaos in the city began, we were witness to the all-too-timely passing of one Gaedren Lamm, and came into possession of evidence concerning his criminal operations, including a pickpocketing ring of enslaved children, the production and distribution of the drug shiver and at least two counts of murder, one of them my own mother. One of your cadets stationed near the Gray District, Krona, informed us that it would be best to bring the items in question to your attention personally. Further, we understand you're deputizing citizenry to help restore peace to the city. We were looking to volunteer."
| Aloysia Sett |
"Aloysia..." she hesitates at saying her last name for fear of recognition, but realizes it's best to build trust from the others. "Sett."
| Cecil Rosencrad |
"And I am Cecil Rosencrad, the Rosegildt." he introduces himself. "Author and arcanist."
-Posted with Wayfinder
| GM Fez |
Cressida shakes hands with everyone and listens to Jolon's story intently. She runs her hand through her short hair and rubs vigorously,"You’ve been on the streets. You know better than me how bad things are out there. It’s breaking my heart to see Korvosa tear itself apart like this. Every little bit of aid we can get from upstanding citizens like you helps. If you’re willing, I’d very much like to retain your services as agents of the Guard, rather than members of the Guard proper. It's to help with problems the Guard cannot handle efficiently, problems that require stealth, subtlety, magical knowledge, or...willingness to bend the law for the greater good. You will, of course, be well compensated for these services.”
She sits behind her desk once more and digs through a small cabinet full of papers. She grabs a rather thick stack and glances through it. On top is the name Lamm. "What items did you find? Any shiver? Stolen items? Ledgers?"
| Aloysia Sett |
Every little bit of aid we can get from upstanding citizens like you helps.
Aloysia very clearly raises and eyebrow as Cressida makes the statement about upstanding citizens...
It's to help with problems the Guard cannot handle efficiently, problems that require stealth, subtlety, magical knowledge, or...willingness to bend the law for the greater good.
But this starts to shift to a small, sly smile as Cressida continues...
You will, of course, be well compensated for these services.”
Becoming an all out grin as she finishes the line. "Well, then, I can't see how we could possible refuse to be of such aid!" It's hard to miss the over-acting in Aloysia's statement about helping the city. "We're happy to help!"
She stops her poor performance at the request for what things were found. I suppose I should build trust with her too. As Gamon finishes his sentence about not finding any shiver, Aloysia walks up to the table, and places the shiver she took from Lamm's place in front of Cressida.
Shiver x20 removed from my character sheet.
| GM Fez |
Cressida genuinely smiles, though the effect is dulled somewhat by her bedraggled appearance. "At least this stuff is off the street. Here," she takes a spare sheet of parchment and signs an order for 500 gold pieces, "take this to the treasury after you're done here. Thank you for taking this off the streets.
"I'll gladly take those ledgers as well." She glances through them, scratching at her neck. "These ones look like legitimate business, but this here in Varisian I can't make heads or tails of. Do any of you speak it?" She also takes the note back and revises the 500 gold to 750.
| Cecil Rosencrad |
"I apologize, I speak and write six languages, but Varisian is not one of them." Cecil answers her request. "Though, if you have a dictionary I could decipher it for you, with some time."