In Service to Lore (Table 2) (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

My thanks, Master Dwarf.

Alexos takes his saucer of tea and takes a calculated sip.

Mmm... just the right amount of bergamot.

He looks around him.

My companion is right... this place is remarkably clean for the number of inhabitants, feline and otherwise. Especially considering some of the more... exotic illnesses that some orphans can have. How do you keep things so well ordered?

Is a health check considered to be heal or perception?

Sorry, I mean the Heal skill. Health is nonsense.

"Well, you know, children are always up to something. They want to learn and see new things. So sometimes they help me keeping the house clean. But they are allowed to help me only if they are able to! Not a single sick child is doing housekeeping here!"

Gotcha, going to make a roll on that and a sense motive roll on what she just said... seems a bit defensive to me.

Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

So we can add basic medicine to the list of things Alexos doesn't know much about.

Alexos nods as he takes one of the offered scones.

A day old is just fine. Compared to travel rations it is practically out of the oven.

He takes a bite.

I appreciate your offer for a guided tour, and I will take you up on it soon. First, though, we should sit and enjoy our tea while going over some numbers.

Alexos stretches.

About how many children do you have currently under your roof?

"Puh, about 30 I think. They come and go every day, I can't force them to stay here if they don't like. From time to time couples take one or two children with them. Some of the older ones who already moved out sometimes come back for a few days to visit old Auntie Baltwin." she says with a smile and sips her tea.

Alexos raises an eyebrow, but merely nods.

I see. About how many are sick currently to the point that they need medicine? What medicines are you using to treat them and how are your supplies holding out?

Alexos takes another bite of scone and a sip of tea to wash it down.

If you have any records on your children and supplies it would be very helpful if we could have a look, eh Touchy?

He nods at the dwarf, including him in the conversation. He attempts to give a reassuring smile to Auntie Baltwin.

Remember, you are not on trial or in trouble. We just want to make sure that what we are giving you is actually helping you. If we aren't giving you enough medicine for your demand, as atested to by your records, then we will be returning to the good paladin reporting as much. Or if you need more specialized medicines for some of your recent patients.

Taking another sip of his tea, he seems to think for a second.

Oh, and if you have any records for adoptions for your orphans... as well as any records from when they arrive. These can help us determine whether other forms of aid should be provided to you.

Not bluffing on that one. If she is using her aid properly and demonstrates an increased need for more, Alexos is fully intending to say so to the aid-giver...

Alexos can see that Baltwin gets nervous. "I do have records for adaptations, but no records for the medicine. We do not get medicine on regular base and nobody ever requested any records. But if the paladin wants me to take records I will do that." she says.

After a few moments she continues: "Do you like to see the sick children now?"

Everybody in the house can make a perception check

I'm starting to think this gal is on the level, lol!
Nixie keeps looking around upstairs. In one room she opens a window that overlooks the garden. She waves at Caro if he spots her.

perc: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 Hm. I'm not seeing anything out of the ordinary anywhere. I think we must have a worthy charity around here.

Nixie gives up and heads back to join the others.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Xichi sees nothing, including Nixie. :-)

What? How can you miss me? haha!

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Darn, my luck is miserable today.

Alexos notices her nervousness, but does not openly comment on it.

Records of medicine usage would certainly be helpful in the future, and I would highly recommend beginning to keep them. After all, being able to document how you use a medicine helps in requests for more.

Alexos finishes his scone and tea silently.

Let us go and see the children, and then I would like to see those adoption records. It will give me a sense of how often children get adopted and will help toward taking a census of how many children you have helped.

Some of you folks need to start taking 10 on things. =)

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Touchy notices the extra medicine crates, but says nothing for the moment.

Can he notice if they're the same kind of medicines? Any way to know if these are what the children are getting?

We can ask... and its odd that she wouldn't have logs of medicines she has if she has them on stock... not to mention her comment when I asked:

We do not get medicine on regular base

Seems to imply that she wants us to believe that the medicine we are bringing is really necessary. Given you spotted something that contradicts that, perhaps you should ask her on our way to see the kids.

Alexos turns to Auntie Baltwin as they proceed to see the children, Touchy in tow.

So, what do the children who aren't sick do during their time here while waiting for adoption? Do you have any apprenticeships lined up with the local merchants and craftsmen so they can get useful skills?

They play Marbles says Nixie as she meets up with Alexos, Auntie and Touchy walking in the opposite direction. At least that's what I see them doing. Hi there Auntie, I'm Nixie. You know I grew up in a place just like this just a few years back *sweet smile* Sorry I'm late Master Alexos!

Ah, Nixie my good lass, did you entertain the children with one of your songs while we were downstairs?

Alexos keeps his eyes on Madam Baltwin as he continues to address Nixie.

Or perhaps you got the children to share some of their favorite stories and activities with you while you brought them good cheer? After all, when you tell your story to a bard it can end up in songs heard across the land if you are lucky. Every child, orphan or not, knows that.

Nixie shrugs. Wierdest thing...they didn't really like my tales a whole lot. She eyes Auntie suspiciously. And that really makes me wonder more then anything...

Ha, this would be a perfect time for Touchy to come huffing up to tell us about all the tons of bloomin medicine they're hoarding around here! I bet 10gp she would turn into a monster and try to eat us all!

heh. Touchy's not gonna mention it at this time.

You found out that she's alcoholic, that she stores medicine and doesn't use it for the children and that she lets the children do her work and sends them to other houses. There is nothing more to find out.

"Please be silent, some of the children are sleeping." She picks a book from a shelf in the room and hands it over to Alexos. "This is all the adoptions we had since I started this orphanage. Children who are not adopted stay here until they are grown up, sometimes longer. I can't send them away, it would break my heart."

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Something about the way she says that strikes him as odd.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Hah, gotcha!

Is that really the case?

He asks as he begins flipping through the book.

We might individually know this information... but for the most part it hasn't been shared yet as a collective. Perhaps we should take the records back downstairs, call in Xichi and Kraak, and have an analysis with her.

Alexos gestures to one of the children. In a low enough voice that it won't wake anyone who is actually sleeping, he asks Auntie about her.

How long has she been here and what is she suffering from? What is her treatment regiment and is it effective so far? Oh, and if any of them are due a treatment I would appreciate it if we could observe it. If not, I think we can adjourn back downstairs and regroup with our other two inspectors... see what we have all found... and...

Here he looks at Auntie Baltwin with a serene look that belies the harshness of his words.

And we make our determination as to what to do with the further charity resources.

Just wanted to make sure you're not going to take apart the whole building :D

"Maybe not for all of them, but some of the kids are really nice. This girl has been here for two weeks now. She's suffering from some kind of caughing which seems to be hard to cure. I treat her with my healing abilities and herbal tea, she's very sensitive to medicine. She got better, but I have to keep her for another one or two weeks before her parents can take her home." Auntie Baltwin answers to Alexos questions.

Knowing Alexos, he might have tried pulling up floorboards and checking for false walls at some point. ;)

Alexos notices that she isn't really answering his questions regarding work and apprenticeship, but again decides not to comment on it just yet.

So she is better? That is good, perhaps we should talk to her. After all, nothing is quite as good as a stiring testimonial of healing from one of your patients.

Alexos goes to wake her.

Alexos has the subtlety of a punch to the head. 8) Though he is a monk...

"Leave the girl to her sleep." Touchy says, putting one hand on Alexos shoulder. "Its high time we leave this fine lady to her work, and get on about our own."

He does his best to herd everyone outside at this point.

Following the dwarf kraak leaves the nesting house. Hooting some tune he says: just one left

Xichi is glad to be rid of the orphanage and readily follows Touchy.

Bye Auntie, nice-ta meet you. Nixie isn't convinced she's evil. Mabe she's naughty but she might be doing more good than harm. I'm CN alignment after all:)

Alexos sighs.

Fine, let us return to the Paladin then.

Once outside, he asks Touchy.

So... you still have the medicine on you, don't you? I take it we have all decided that this isn't the best place for her charity donations to go... but I want to know why you think so. I only know that she seems shady and was lying to me about the kids staying home.

Touchy left the medicines inside.

"Nope, left 'em with Auntie." He says, with a strained grin. "As we were asked."

"What'd you learn from the kids?" He asks Nixie and Kraak.

Oh, didn't remember you ever giving them to her.

Hmm... thought I'd pulled them out right at the start... but going back, it had been the plan, before Alexos completely steered everything off course, so you're right, I didn't actually get to say so!

Well, he'll have dropped them on the table on the way out then, next to the scones. =)

Haha! {Does an impression of Vector from Despicable Me} "UNPREDICTABLE!!!" ;)

Oh, you must have set them down when I wasn't looking then.

Alexos says dismissively. He trusts that the dwarf isn't lying, but honestly can't remember him ever surrendering the medicine. Not that he minds if he didn't... so long as it gets returned to the rightful owner. Paying it no more thought, he turns to Nixie and Kraak, eager to hear what the children had to say about their patroness.

I couldn't get em to spill any beans at all. But Kraak here seemed to be a smash hit. He's great with nessstlings!

Heh, I'm just going to assume everyone shares what they learned at this point, as we stroll back. Speed things along.

"Ha, that old bird has quite the racket going." Touchy says, sounding impressed.

"Kids off working during the day, making her some coin, and a bit of peace." He chuckles. "Keeps 'em out of trouble and learns 'em some work skills. Wouldn't be surprised if some of 'em get hired on full time with the rich muckety mucks they're cleaning for. Could do a lot worse."

"As for the medicines," He continues, "Saw donations from at least two other local temples in there."

"Clearly she's getting lots of product." He adds, musing. "And based on what she was sayin' to Alexos, not sure if she's actually using much of it. Just her own home remedies and old school healing." He shrugs, "Maybe she's selling off the medicines for more coin? Harder to prove, but would explain the rumors Nixie dug up."

"Shame about the whiskey, really." He continues. "If you looked closely, she had all the tell-tales of too much of it. Bottle a day, at least." He grins slightly, before adding. "And without the dwarven constitution to back it up."

"Given the price of a bottle, that's almost a fortnight's wages each day" he shakes his head sadly. "She'd probably be pulling a tidy profit but for that habit."

"And despite all that, the kids still cared for, the place clean..." He finally frowns before adding. "But those damned cats... there's an urban horror story waiting to happen."

Anyway, that's Touchy's take on what we learned to report back on... veracity of it notwithstanding =)

Alexos nods as Touchy recaps everything, but frowns at his last sentences.

Hmph, clean off of unpaid labor performed by kids with no where else to go and no prospects of bettering themselves while under her drunken malayse you mean.

He shakes his head sadly.

Those children need to be taken to places where they can at least learn a trade that will pay for their food and shelter, if not help them advance society further.

He sighs, frustrated.

At any rate, it is clear that she isn't using the medicine donated for its intended purpose. I somehow doubt that Madam Zadrian will want her donated goods going to support Aunty's liquor habit.

Mabe we should tell Madam Zardrian everything is fine at the orphanage! She will be happier and give us a bigger reward Nixie rubs her hands together thinking of rewards.

Alexos rolls his eyes.

Afraid I can't do that, my dear Nixie. Between the fact that she specifically asked us to look into this place and the fact that it is the right thing to do, I at least intend to tell her our findings in full and my recommendation that she no longer send aid that way.

He looks thoughtful for a moment.

If you really think that Madam Baltwin should still be getting medicines she isn't using on the children they were sent for, though, you can always voice a dissenting opinion. But I'd imagine that if we are to get a reward at all it will be larger for telling her the truth than not... after all, she will have more money to spend on one if part of their funds aren't going to the "good" Auntie and her one bottle a day whiskey habit.

Now its Touchy's turn to roll his eyes.

"No baitin' the elves." He mutters to Nixie with a grin.

Alexos looks between Touchy and Nixie and shakes his head. He mutters in Elvish as the Temple finally comes into sight.

Seeming a tad calmer, he switches to common.

Let us just report our findings and move on to our final task for today.

Nixie smiles. She always finds it amusing when elves speak elvish about her thinking she doesn't understand. GM, this might be fun role playing competing opinions of the orphanage lady, lol!

Kraak looks at the elf and says:"Nesstling ssave and have good home. Work a bit does not harm and if work good, nesstling might find job there.
In my village, nesstlingss musst help gather food too! Ass for gathering medicine, better have more than none. Stockpiling very very good!"

You reach the temple and Ollysta Zadrian already awaits you. "What did you find out? Please tell me that it's just rumors what we heard about Baltwin! Are the chilren treated well?"

Wiping his beak at his vest Kraak speaks."Nesst iss clean. Children sseem quite happy there. Have to work, but thatss good, buildss charakter and if work good maybe get a nice job at a rich manss house. Houssekeeper clever, collectss food and medicine for hard timess."

Oh she collects it alright.

Alexos says with fire in his eyes.

She collects it from three different charities, counting yours. And she doesn't seem to use it on the children unless she absolutely has to. Given her drinking habits, even with her taking most of the pay she gets from sending the children to work as cleaners in other peoples places, it is likely that she has to sell some to support her addiction.

Alexos shakes his head.

My companions seem to think all of these are hallmarks of an efficient organization. I think it is tantamount to child slavery, fraud, and malfeasance. You of course are free to do what you will with your donations, but I recommend personally that you find a more worthy charity. One where the children are learning a decent trade at least if they are working, or where they are allowed to actually keep their wages. And definitely one where they are using the medicine asked for for its intended purpose.

Having said his piece, Alexos falls silent and waits for his companions to make their cases.

I would like to add, that this is, for medivial times, a very children friendly orphange. Yes, the children have to work, but most look healthy and well fed. Child work is nothing out of the ordinary, please do not forget, that schooling was rare and it was very common that children have to work even at very young age. They are not used to slave labour being send to rich peoples house is VERY diffrent to sweatshops and other common practises

Sure, but they are earning a wage for cleaning these places and instead of keeping it or even a portion of it, the wage goes to Auntie. And I know that work is a good thing, but the fact that she isn't even trying to find apprenticeships at local smiths, carpenters, mages, etc. is unresponsible of any parent even, much more so for an orphanage where the children cannot be expected to stay and live and work after they become adults.

I agree on that, but basically all the orphanages I read about in historical books were "MUCH" worse. And apprenticeship is VERY expensive. Think about a couple hundred gp.I think what she tries is to bring children become servants by putting them in rich houses. We also saw no indication of children been beaten or mistreated.
Now I might be wrong, but I think Baltwin is not a very good accountant and has an alcohol problem. She is quite good in collecting charity though. Maybe a paladin with experience in accounting could do wonders.
But she is definetly an alcoholic, one should help her with that.
Offtopic, I still know of orphanages in some oh so civilized countries where children are sold to rich parents for profit.

Nixie woke up with a scream. Something had touched her face again! As Sister Talia turned up the light and came walking down the row of beds in the girls dorm, Nixie could see the giant cockroach scurrying off her bed and falling onto the floor with a plop. Silence, girl yells Sister Talia, or your punishment for crying out will not wait for tomorrow! One day Nixie would escape this aweful place. One day she would be free. Perhapse she would run away with the Umbra Carnvival nest time it visited Absolom. Perhapse she could become a performer...a bard even. And someday perhapse she could return to the North quarter orphanage and make things right.

M' Lady, I've been in a few orphanages and I have to say, that's probably the nicest one I've ever seen. They might not need all the medicine you are sending. But you could put a much worse person in charge of the place. No offense to the opinions of my Elf friend here. He comes from a much better upbringing than I, I think. In any case, I say drunk lady at the orphanage check out. But if you're still worried about it you can go see for yourself.

Touchy just kind of chuckles. "The kids seem treated well enough, given their situation." He says, echoing Nixie's sentiment.

"Your medicines though, not so much. And the whiskey bottles, those see all kinds of abuse." He grins, somewhat inappropriately.

"You want to send some charity that way, getting her off the bottle would probably help a lot more then medicines. Is fine enough now... but only a matter of time before that monkey bites back. And without the home, most of those kids'll probably end up on Misery Row... or worse."

He shrugs, and leaves it at that.

Heh, another pbp game I'm in currently is Slave Pits of Absalom... the Misery Row name-drop I learned from there! =)

And just a side comment, I realize Auntie B is probably supposed to be a black hat here... but find it interesting that there's a good deal of grey that can be seen too when viewed from a different angle. Nice writing on the author's part... (or else we're totally misinterpreting stuff! =) )

True, they do cost money, and maybe I am holding too high of a standard personally and in character. But I just don't see that many orphans finding long term cleaning jobs as adults, which seems to be the only skill they are sort of getting. They aren't getting any of their earnings, so once they are out the door they are impoverished. And if they can't find a job as a maid or cleaner somewhere (and why would they when Aunty can presumably continue to provide the houses they used to work with cheap child labor) then they are set up to be a beggar at best or a thug/brigand at worst.

And that is the fate of most orphans... even in current RL society. Read somewhere (I think this was in Russia) that around 60-70% of orphans that get too old for the 'system' end up prostitutes or criminals, and 10% commit suicide. Is not a supportive background, even in the 21st century... imagine what it'd be like in a more medieval kind of setting like Galorian, where slavery is legal, and there's no system to oversee such things.

There prospects are lousy, to be sure... but sadly, probably still better then many in similar situations.

And apprenticeships in any kind of trade (be it wainwright or custodian) do not get any wages at all, just room and board typically.