Heroes of Westcrown

Game Master Moondragon Starshadow

Tristain stops short a confuzzled look on his face.

"Does any of that make any sense to you? That Jacovo was 'robbed' last night? He's clearly lying," Tristain says, slowly putting the pieces together and laying out his case.

"The real question is why he is lying. If his stable was 'robbed' last night, what did they take? We had the horses, the saddles and whatnot. And if he was robbed last night, why didn't he mention it this morning? Did he just forget? He didn't look a man who was just robbed when we spoke this morning," Tristain shakes his head.

Of course, what they stole was horse poop. First they cleaned out the sewers, now the horse poop. The Bastards are turdburglars, I'm telling you.

Tristain continues.

"Secondly, he's claiming he was robbed at night. AT NIGHT! AT NIGHT! No one goes out after dark, no one! That means either he's lying or whomever 'robbed' him was able to either avoid or is working with the terrors in the night."

"Thirdly, how did the thieves break into the stables? I tried to leave there but was hemmed in...apparently there are no windows nor back exits. As far as I can tell, this is first closed air stables in all of Cheliax. If so, how?"

"And why didn't he mention the robbery to the dottari, who were right across the street?"

Tristain continues, putting pieces together.

"Tarvi, you're smart, right? What is the meaning of the wooden coin that Jacko was complaining about? Do you know what it is? And how many other robberies have their been around here? Does anyone know?"

Tristain calms for a moment, looking around for answers he doesn't have.

Tavari looks at the coin. "Yes, I recognize that symbol. It's a sign of Mammon, who lords over the third level of Hell, known as Erebus." She ponders what you said. "Hmmm, well the horses were gone, but he does have an office at the stable where he holds his money. Sure, the horses were there, those are hard to steal. But, he might have told the truth and he was robbed of his money, but robbed at night? That's impossible, isn't it? My family are wealthy merchants, and it is known that Jacovo was earning quite a bit of coin by renting his horses to the actors. It's the only stable that does that in a decent part of town. I believe there might be stables out in Parego Dospera, but nobody of worth would go up there."

"Ah yes I have noticed your eyes, but not necessarily as evil"
Moshley said with a smile.
"So, what was your occupation before you entered the rebellion? Me and Jimmy are performers! But not like that filth we saw earlier today. We are performers who act in the old ways."

Gorvio looks at Moshley, and shakes his head. "What was my occupation? My occupation, as of yesterday, was working at my uncle's stable. With my background, nobody will trust me. So he was the only one who would hire me. Now that you all have destroyed that possibility. That 'filth', as you call him, paid my uncle a lot of money, which gave me money to live on and the time to help the city. Without the income, I might have to find a job probably far up north, where my kind are more common. Lost my uncle, lost my job, lost my income, I might as well have lost everything. Excuse me, it's difficult to talk about it." Gorvio stands up and walks away.

Tavari continues talking to Tristain. "Wish we could ask Jacovo more questions about what happened. He might have been able to tell us a great deal more. Perhaps we should to talk to him again."

==========================================================
Ariel says to everyone, "I was hoping we could name our rebellion that would inspire the citizens of this great city to move away from evil. Did anyone have an idea?"

There is that long, awkward silence. Finally, Rizzardo coughs. "How about.."

Suddenly Ermolos smacks his head from behind. "Don't say it. It's not funny." Rizzardo shuts up.

Ariel frowns. "Hmm, maybe if things improve, we'll have some serious ideas. Amaya told me someone recommended 'Lions of Liberation'?"

Tristain looks around at the assembled group, wondering if anything more than just a name will come of the group.

"It's hard for use to push liberation for a people that does not consider itself jailed. Westcrown is unsafe at night, that the darkness means death is a symptom. That the powers that should be protecting us either cannot or will not is the problem. I would like our name to focus on that."

The Horsechoppers?
The Stableman Punchers?
Three Knights Dead?
Those are terrible names. Do not share them.

To Scalvo

"May I accompany you on your quest for atonement? I to need to cleanse my soul and find my faith again."

"Jimmy's fine with whatever name, as long as it's not embarassing." Jimmy sits alone, holding his head in his hands. He moves his lips without making a sound, but it looks like he's talking to someone.

Scalvo accepts Ezren's companionship. "We should investigate Jacovo's claims as part of our salvation. We might not be able to talk to him directly any longer, but perhaps we can talk to your friends on the bridge if they know something. If we can make progress, I might feel better."

Janiven and Ariel ask Yakopulio to make some drinks. "More Black Rat Attacks coming right up! Was wondering when we were going to start drinking! Not sure what the big deal is anyway, not like Asmodeus is real or anything." She pours a few drinks and hands them over all but one, which she drinks.

Janiven and Ariel come over with multiple drinks and sit down at Jimmy's table, watching him, do whatever he seems to be doing. They push one of the drinks to Jimmy. "Jimmy, do you have some issues that we should be aware of? I know actors can be, sometimes, uh, eccentric, but is there anything you want to perhaps talk about?" Amaya starts crying in the corner next to Mathalen.

Tristain looks around at the assembled group, wondering if anything more than just a name will come of the group.

"I do not have many ideas at present...but it has been a long day. The only thing that comes to me that satisfies what I seek is...is..."

Tristain takes a breath before uttering his idea, ready for ridicule.

"The (k)Night's End."

Rizzardo laughs at the suggestion, but Ermolos hits him again. "Shut up Rizzardo, you're a darn idiot and your idea was stupid, anyway. It's not a bad idea for a group name." They start punching each other in the arm.

Just a friendly reminder: you can interact with each other as well as some of the NPCs.

Seeing Emerlos hit Rizzardo reminds Tristain that he has presents for the pair. He goes to grap two of the chainmails, the plate mail, 3 longswords, and 3 crossbows...brings it to the pair.

"Look what I got us! Real weapons, real armor, real stuff with which to train. A sword for you," Tristain hands a sword, pommel first, to Ermolos, then repeats it to Rizzardo. "And a sword for you."

"We can begin training as soon as you guys are ready. We can see if those big hands of yours are useful for more than making fappings sounds while your palms get hairier." Ah geez, Tristain is going down to their level.

"And armor too. I figure we can take turns with the heavy stuff. It may or may not fit us well, but at least we can practice with real swords."

Tristain tries a few swings of the longsword, trying to get the feel of it.

By the way, you knuckleheads, I killed three 'knights today. Three. Tristain does not share this thought.

"No, Jimmy's fine," Jimmy says and starts drinking the juice. When he's done he walks over to Amaya.

"What's wrong, Amaya? Jimmy thinks you look sad."

Rizzardo looks happy. "Uhhh, thanks."

"Wow, a real sword made of steel. Ssswwweeeeet!" Emerlos is obviously happy. He looks for a mirror to see what he looks like with a real sword. Rizzardo steps in front of him, and flexes. It's a fight for the mirror!

"Damn, this sword makes me hot! I bet I could pick up chicks faster than that blonde dude, what's his name?"

"Thesing Umbero Ulvaud, idiot"

"Ya, him. I hear he does like, a chick or two each performance. He likes the ones who like it in the butt."

"Oh, then why hasn't he asked you out yet?" They start punching each other again.

Moshley looks a bit sad at Gorvio walking away.
"I understand."

Moshley looks at the group pondering on a good name. He responds to Tristain.
"Night's end sounds good, but how do we create our mark? We need something to show who we are."
He seems to ponder on it for a bit.
"It sounds a bit dark though, might fit all that we're going through but still. Well I can't of anything else actually. Oh! Night's bane perhaps? Sounds fairly the same..."
After another moment of silence.
"We could perhaps make bright cloaks with an insignia, or maybe some sort of ornament to mark us or the cloak?"

Heading off for tonight guys!

Amaya stops crying. She's starts to speak, and stops, and blows her nose. "For the first time in my life, I'm at a loss for words."

Mathalen says, "Her soul was poisoned today by your actions." Amaya shakes her head. "No, that's not right Mathalen. I was so happy when we got the horses, happy we got Ariel, and then when we go to return the horses, you started yelling and screaming at his customer. Jacovo asked you to stop and you end up hitting the man who provided the horses and nearly ruin his business by threatening his best customer. Jacovo was a good man. He was the only one willing to give Gorvio a job, since he's, you know, one of them. Now Gorvio is out of a job, Jacovo has entered the House of Death, and for what? Just because Ulvaud says some crass things?"

Matheln continues, "Jimmy, this is a land of contracts. Jacovo was contracted to provide horses on time to Ulvaud. He didn't deliver because of us. Ulvaud was within his rights to demand the horses for free. It's good that's all he asked for. Jacovo was willing to violate the contract with his best customer to help us, and you punch him? I've seen strange things in Westcrown, but I never would have expected that."

Jimmy doesn't look like he gets what's been said. "Jimmy punched him? No, Jimmy didn't. Jimmy was only mad at Ulvaud, who was mean. Jimmy wouldn't punch Jacovo, he's a nice man."

Mathelen yells, "Yakopulio, what is in that drink you made?"

"Same as last time. It's awesome. You should try it some day."

Amaya shakes her head. "Your a liar as well. Terrific. Stay away from me."

Ezren strips down to nothing and begins cleaning the blood off his gear.

... should I have just stood my ground and not killed the horse? ... I am so lost right now ...

After his gear is as clean as he can get it Ezren will go up to the shrine of Abadar to pray.

Ezren will channel positive energy until healed to full while pryaing.

Okay, moving along. Time for some basic investigation and additional roleplay. Everyone should consider themselves fully healed.

The night passes. In the morning you awake and Janiven is missing. Ariel informs everyone that he has sent her on a very important mission: to learn more about potential crimes being committed at night.

Ariel suggests that Tristain, Moshley, Gorvio and Tavari head up to Rego Pena and ask around if any thieves have attacked at night. If they're going to steal for cash, that's the place to do it. Moshley is somewhat familiar with this area, having been there before.

Ariel suggests that Ezren, Jimmy, Scalvo and Amaya go talk to some Dottari guards, and find out why they haven't done anything about it or if they know more. Ezren can assume he will know the guards. The dottari at Pegasi Bridge seem to be an obvious starting point.

He will make a special dinner tonight for everyone to bring peace to the group, in a ceremony to finalize the naming of the revolutionary group.

Ariel's suggestion is only that, a suggestion. He believes your different experiences and backgrounds might work more smoothly if you mixed up a bit differently in this investigation.

REGO PENA
“Coin Sector” houses the more lucrative trades and many houses of dubious standing, politically or monetarily. This also acts as home to a rising class of rich merchants who, by choice or fate, lack the political clout or connections to gain noble status or the notice of the Imperial Court. It also includes Delvehaven, the old Pathfinder Lodge. Everyone in Westcrown knows better than to get close to it. The Thrice Damned House of Thrun has put special magical locks upon it that are rather deadly.

"Yeah, sure, Ariel, we can do that," Tristain says of Ariel's request. "We'll leave right after morning sword practice with the meatheads."

If Ermolos and Rizzardo are willing, Tristain will spend time learning swordplay, working with his shield, practicing with his 'scythe and tossing daggers.

* * *

"Tarvi, Moshley, Gorvio, let's see what we can learn. Should we split into teams? Me & Moshley and Gorvio & Tarvi? Just ask easy questions, get them to talk to you...and try not to draw too much attention to yourselves."

Tristain will turn to Moshley.

"So...you know this area, right? Why don't you lead? I'll help, but I'm not really good at fancypants stuff."

Gorvio and Tavari want to come with you. Tavari doesn't feel comfortable walking around alone with someone who has a fraction of tiefling blood in them.

"Sounds like a plan, but let's not split up. Let's just investigate with the four of us."
Moshley replies to Tristain.
He thinks a moment to get his bearing.
"Ah yes it's that way!"
And he point in the direction to go.
"We take a right at that intersection and then at the next cross-section we take a left. If we follow that street we will arrive at Rego Pena."
He starts walking in the direction he just pointed out.

THE MOSHLEY & TRISTAIN MINI-MISSION

Map for Moshley and Tristain

As you enter Rego Pena, better known to outsiders as the Coin District, you notice most of the shops have just opened for business. Many of these merchants live above their businesses, reducing their commuting time.

One of the biggest shops in the sector is "Slaves 'R' Us", where you can buy and sell Halflings that go unsold in the Rego Aerum. Several Halflings are shackled to a large wooden post with signs on them indicating their prices. The sign above them reads "SALE! SALE! SALE!" and the merchant is looking for customers like a carnival ringleader.

Tavari points out her parents jewelry shop, named "Glitter Palace". She walks inside there and a Halfling with a name tag on him that says "Marwinn" greets you. Tavari pushes him aside rather rudely and walks up to her parents. "Mom, Dad, I want to introduce you to Tristain, Moshley and our tag along, Gorvio. He's harmless, I promise."

Tavari's mother lights up with joy. "Oh, I'm so excited, you finally met someone." Tavari responds, "No Mom, it's not like that. We're here because we're looking for answers. I hope you don't mind if they ask you some questions."

Tavari's father gives Tristain a careful look over, then says "Marwinn, keep an eye on that one" as he points to Gorvio "while I talk to them. What do you want to know?"

For this mini-adventure, please do not post as your NPC companion. What do you want to ask him or do?

Tristain seizes up, unsure why he is becoming nervous. He goes over to introduce him and shake hands.

"Good morning. *ahem*" Tristain's voice frogs up. "Nice to meet you both. I, uh, *ahem*, uh...I have come to ask for your Daughter's...*ahem*...uh, for your Daughters..."

Tristain looks back at Tarvi.

"...for your Daughter's sake, that you might be able to help us out. We're looking for any news about robberies in the area. Especially those happening at night. Any news?"

Tavari's mother looks at you and gasps. "Franklin, what does he mean, at night?"

"Go back and look at the new inventory Elvira, let me talk to them as men. Marwinn, take that, thing, with them."

"Yes master." Marwinn escorts Gorvio, and they go with Tavari and her mother into the back of the jewelry shop.

"Watch what you say aloud. I didn't get your names. I'm Franklin, Tavari's father and I built this shop from nothing to one of the most successful jewelry shops on the mainland. I don't want trouble. Are you bringing trouble? I hope my daughter has some sense in her. She's smart, but naive. Sit down, I want to show you something." Franklin moves behind the counter and unlocks something, and pulls out a small brown bag. "Come over here and look at this."

As you move over to the counter, he opens the brown bag, allowing you to look inside. It is filled with probably 20 or so WOODEN COINS. Once you look at them, he closes the bag and puts it back in a locked cabinet. "A competitor of mine was killed about a week ago. The jewelry was stolen, obviously, but these were left in their place. As you can imagine, this sector has quite a few dottari, and we pay them on the side to arrive as early as possible. Unfortunately, they didn't catch anyone leaving the shop in the morning, and nobody saw them entering his shop near sunset. We all live in the Rego above our shops, so someone would have seen something since we close later than most shops." Franklin shakes his head. "So, the killers somehow slipped by everyone's notice during the day. Maybe they use invisibility. I don't know. And what's the point of the wooden coins? What I do know is that of the merchants that know about it, they're scared. We've hired some more dottari. Unfortunately, we can't hire enough, as there has been some additional demand for dottari in other parts of Westcrown. I've even tried to hire some Hellknights, but they've all been well paid to stay on the island. I've never seen anything like it; why are all the dottari and hellknights in such demand recently? I worry that we're a target, since we carry high-value items. I don't want my wife to worry."

Jimmy/Ezren can feel free to start their own mini-adventure whenever.

"That thing... is our companion. I rather not you treat him like that."
Now that the b-team has left he addresses Franklin.
"My name is Moshley, pleased to meet you. Although under these circumstances."
He hears Franklin out and responds.
"We've seen these coins before. and they don't mean anything good at all. You are not the only one with these worries, that's why it is hard to hire anyone."
He turns to Tristain with a look of despair.
"It's not only safe to not move about at night, we also aren't safe in our own homes anymore."

Franklin looks at Moshley in a confused face when he asks him not to treat Gorvio in a poor way. It just doesn't seem to register with him.

"You've seen these coins before? Was it here in this sector, or somewhere else? Was it someone of wealth or what? Did they catch the thief? Did they just steal or was murder involved as well?" Franklin is clearly searching for more information. He's not really aware of what goes on outside his sector.

Moshley hears him out and thinks for a bit before answering.
"It was another sector, and yes it was someone of considerable wealth. Unfortunate they didn't catch the thief. They stole and we think they also trashed the place and then left a coin."

"Ezren, ill you come with Jimmy to talk to the guards?" Jimmy waves at Amaya and Scalvo. "You want to join Jimmy too?"

Taking 10 for a total of 14 on Knowledge (Local). I assume that's enough for Jimmy to know at least the main locations of the Dotarri's quarters?

Franklin is very disturbed. "Hmm, maybe I should close my store. I don't know what to do. If these crimes are actually occurring at night, there's nobody who can stop it. Oh my, oh my."

Franklin begins to panic. His mind simply can't process crimes happening at night. "Elvira, we need to go stay with your mother's tonight. Let's put all the merchandise in the heavy safe a few hours before dark and leave. I don't think it's safe to stay here." Tavari, Gorvio and Elvira come out.

"Oh, we get to go to my mother's house? Wow Franklin, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. We just, well, can't stay here tonight. I just hope the heavy safe is enough. Marwinn, go pull that heavy safe out here, then put the stuff into it, and then push the safe back into the room."

Tavari and Gorvio come over to you. Marwinn is struggling with all his might to pull the heavy safe out into the shop. Elvira smacks Marwinn on the head. "Hurry up," she tells Marwinn.

Tavari waves goodbye to her parents. Gorvio remains quiet and looks ready to leave.

You can look around the sector some more and ask more questions to different NPCs or go back to the Shrine of Aroden, but you won't learn much more staying at Glitter Palace.

Tristain steps in to the conversation.

"We think they stole poop from a stable. No, not horses, but raided an office or something. And they left a coin, just like those," Tristain agrees with Moshley, almost talking over him.

"Do you know what they mean? I've heard from soemone," Tristain gives a quick glance to Travi, "that the coins represent the symbol of the Mammoth Airbutt, some plane in the Abyss or something."

Tristain looks to the shopkeep Franklin.

"Is there someone else who might know more about this? Who can we talk to?"

Franklin shrugs but is aghast at your statement about "Mammoth Airbutt". "I deal with jewels, so yeah, that's supposed to be the dominion of Mammon, hail unto him a servant of Asmodeus. Any jeweler would know that Erebus is the third layer of Hell that holds all the treasure. Mammon is the treasurer of lord Asmodeus, praise be unto him."

He thinks for a minute. "Maybe the slave trader outside knows something. He talks to most of the merchants here since we tend to have slaves." He casually points to Marwinn, who is still struggling with the heavy safe.

"Jimmy think we should go to the Keep Dotar. It's a long walk and Jimmy thinks we will be busy all day, but Jimmy thinks we'll have to if we want to ask the Dotarri questions." Jimmy moves toward the door. "Who's coming with Jimmy?"

Tristain looks out the door at the aforementioned slaver.

"So, you think he can help us, huh? I'll go talk to him. Is he a friend of yours, Tarvi? Any ideas on how to approach him?"

Tristain looks at Moshley.

"Moshley, you coming? Or do you have more questions for Mr. Franklin?"

There is no more information (useful anyway) from Tavari's family.

Tavari says, "Oh, that's Thomas Buckley, he sells the rejected slaves from the island. He's great. If you purchase from Thomas and your slave dies in the first month from too much work, he'll give you partial credit on your next purchase. Isn't that nice of him? Mom and Dad always purchase from him. I think they got Marwinn about four months ago from him, so he's held up pretty well." Gorvio just shakes his head in disgust.

You walk out into the sunlight, and across the street you see "Slaves 'R' Us" and Thomas Buckley calling out to shoppers, showing the slaves to anyone interested.

Now that Tavari's family mentioned it, you notice another jewelry shop on the other side of the street has closed.

THE JIMMY & EZREN MINI-MISSION

I realize Ezren is very busy IRL, so we'll move on.

Ezren, Jimmy, Amaya and Scalvo all begin their long, long, long walk to Rego Cader. It takes you a little over two hours to reach that part of town. The "rundottari" recognize you as one of the street performers. Some of them have heard of Ezren that he was once a member of the dottari, but in a different (and more prosperous) district.

The Keep Dotar isn't too far from a markets where people seem to be selling various illegal things, despite being in such close proximity. The rundottari have much more important things to worry about than some illegal market next door.

Given your performances in the area, a human named Arik Tuornos comes out and greets you. "I'm the Durotas (that is the rank of captain in common) of the rundottari. My name is Arik Tuornos and I've seen you perform. What brings you into my keep?"

I'll have to look to see if I have a picture of Durotas

Ezren walks behind Jimmy deep in thought. ... Jacovo turning to Asmodeus frightens and saddens me ... if the people of this city can be swayed that easliy then I wonder if they are worth saving ...

Coming up to the fort Ezren clears his head and puts on his best smile."Hail Captain." Shaking the man's hand firmly. "Well ... I am ashamed to say it but we are here investigating some rumors about thieves robbing people at night. Have you heard anything like that in this sector?"

"My rank is Durotas, not Captain. But anyway, what are you talking about thieves at night?" He begins laughing, as do some of the other rundottari. He then stares at you, noting that you might actually be serious.

"Well, this sector has more than it's share of thieves. We're nearly overrun with those rabid tiefling creatures up here. But, there is a rumor going around that some of them have formed a thieves guild, like the old Council of Thieves which ended hundreds of years ago. They rob and kill, like all the tieflings, and leave a mark to try to spread fear. But, heh, doing it at night? No, that's not possible."

Another rundottari speaks up. "Aye, they don't run at night, that's prepostoruruss, or however you say it."

Arik shakes his head at the poor uneducated lad. "Lad, try to use smaller words, you're embarrassing yourself. Show the performer and the cleric what we've done per the Lord Mayor's instructions."

The young rundottari motions for you to come with him deeper into the keep. He opens the door to a dungeon and it smells like sh't and piss and death. You are overwhelmed by the stench. The young lad laughs as you guys nearly pass out. As you walk down some stairs covering your mouth and nose, flies are everywhere and you gag every few steps. He points to a pit, which is filled with the bodies of decomposing tieflings (something like THIS). How many you dare not count, but it's a lot. "We've been rounding them up, trying to keep the population of them down. I wanted to burn them, but the risk is too great of setting the city on fire and having the other tieflings notice. We'd have a riot on our hands. But, crimes down now that we're taking more appropriate steps to deal with them. Come on, let's get out of here."

Even if you wanted to do something, you can't given the stench. You can't even talk, as it takes all of your energy just to breath and walk. The young rundottari closes the door and locks it. "I plan on catching some more today! The Lord Mayor is paying us for each one."

That's a long scene, but the smell was so overpowering you really couldn't do much other than hold your nose the whole time you were down there. So, now that you are out of the dungeon area and the smell has subsided, this is really your first chance to say or do something.

"Are you Buckley?" Tristain asks as he approaches the man. "Do you have any guard slaves? Or them slaves with the magics that can be used to protect stuff?" Tristain asks.

"Anything else, Moshley? Should we poke around or keep our ears down?" Tristain looks around the marketplace, "Maybe we should head back." He turns to leave, walking between Tarvi and Moshley.

"It really seems like the robberies do happen at night. And that's the puzzling thing. Like I said before, either the robbers have the unique ability to avoid the Things that Go Kill in the Night or they are, in fact, aligned with those things."

Tristain walks on, hoping that Tarvi or Moshley has something to say.