Ralphs mind begins to wonder
Come all ye young fellows that follow the sea,
to my way haye, blow the man down,
And pray pay attention and listen to me,
Give me some time to blow the man down....
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Natalya... wait, one of the Tower Girls? Well, the fact that she hasn't been seen isn't surprising. The Girls had a falling out with
another Sczarni gang, the Wreckwash Blades a few months back. For several
weeks after that, rumor was that the Tower Girls were slumming it in an abandoned warehouse in Underbridge that they shared with a disreputable local by the name of Fenster the Blight - he may know where she is but I doubt she was anything to do with these disappearances, she doesn't fit the profile of the other victims. I can only advise you to stay away from Fenster and the Tower Girls, they are both dangerous when provoked and the Sczarni do not appreciate outsiders poking their noses into their business.
"Please any other way you could help us? any more information? i really want to find her, shes a really good friend of mine. Gelbor then looks down and rubs his ring finger. "I know she's messed up with a bad group but i want to find her and help her."
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Well I don't think it will help you but I know that most of the citizens who disappeared were not vagrants but gainfully employed merchants, fishermen, shopkeepers and so on. They were found days or weeks after they disappeared living as homeless wretches in city slums. They proved to have amnesia and had no idea where they had been during their disappearance. None of us know what caused the amnesia but since the victims were otherwise safe aside from a touch of malnourishment from living on the street, it became a closed case.
She lowers her voice.
Whatever has been going on, the virus not seen the end of it if you ask me. Listen, this case has been bothering me since day one but now I've been reassigned. I dont think that woman is part if this but if you can find out what really happening ill personally see to it that you are well rewarded.
Davos goes into his satchel and removes his book and take down some notes on what the officer has been saying
"Thank you very much for the information its been very helpful, well once we get our friend back if we get a chance we can look into for you."
More potential rewards.
Gelbor strokes his chin and then snaps out of it when he hears Davos.
"What my friend means is of course we'll help, we want to help the people as much as anyone." Then turning to Davos. "I'm sure we can do both, it's just we'll have to focus on getting Natalya back first..."
He then pulls out a notebook.
"This all sounds very strange, i always liked a good mystery, Can you give us any information on this? got any leads we can follow up for you?"
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Virus? There is nothing to suggest that at this stage, although I suppose it shouldn’t be ruled out. I understand the Tower Girl is your priority and that’s fine – this case is officially closed anyway. Frustratingly, there are no real leads. These people went missing. They turned up again and they were unhurt. With no memory of where they had been, there was nothing really for us to follow up on. Asking you gentlemen for help is really just a longshot. Maybe you’ll hear some piece of information that will shed some light on the whole thing,
especially if you are insistent on frequenting with the Sczarni .
Anyway, You can see how busy we are. If there is anything else you need just ask for me at the desk.
By far Magnimar's most seedy, dangerous and dirty district, Underbridge is the only district in what is known as the Shadow area of Magnimar because it lies beneath the shade of the Irespan. Rat infested Underbridge is filled with gambling dens, rancid brothels, cheap flop houses and decrepit tenements serving as a collection of the worst vices of the city. While the Magnimar government has pledged to clean up Underbridge, many members of the Council of Ushers realise that the vice-filled district actually helps attract business to Magnimar and that shutting it down may adversely affect the rest of Magnimar. Despite being a shore-side district Underbridge does not have the bustling docks of the Bazaar of Sails or Dockway but there are a few places to dock. These Underbridge docks are inevitably used for smuggling.
The direction the officer gave you lead to aa partially collapsed warehouse on the shoreline, in a particularly filthy stretch where tidal currents often cause the filth and refuse of the city to collect in stinking clots along the shore.
The entrance to this hovel consists of a pari of skiffs leaning against eachother to create a triangular 'arch' from which a moldernig remnant of ship's sail hangs like a curtain. Sitting next to the entrance is an old sea chest with a broken lid.
A sign leans beside it saying -
"LEEV A GIFT AND WATE OUTSID."
A dented tin platter sits on the ground before the sign.
Davos walks through the flithy rat infested streets with his companions
to arrive outside a hovel.
"Hmm guess we need to leave bit of gold to get Fenster the blight attention".
Davos reaches into his coin purse and pulls out 10g and leaves it on the tin platter
"Think that will be enough to get his attention?"
"I know how these people work, think they're some royalty. Best way is to just please them, you never know how little will offend them so always best to give a little extra."
Gelbor then pull's out his month bag, counting out Ten gold pieces.
When their business with the captain is finished and everyone starts to leave.
Hmm..umm...were finally done here are we? what else did you find out? my mind wondered a bit towards the end there sorry
When Ralph and the others finally arrive at Fenster the Blights place
Well this part of the city is....interesting. He looks at the badly spelt sign hmm maybe I could fix this for them
He writes on a spare bit of parchment he has in ink "Leave a gift and wait outside" and places it next to the original sign
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In response to the clinking of gold on tin, a man sweeps aside the sail curtain and stares at you through his one beady eye.
Fenster is a wretched creature, more skin and bone than meat. His flesh is clammy and gray in places, one of his eyes is clouded over with a white film, and his clothing is caked with filth. His breathing is raspy and gurgling and smells of bad meat - he's plagued by a wet, hacking cough.
He spies the gold, scoops it up and pockets it with surprising swiftness and with breath that reeks of old fish asks:
What yew want Fenster ta do?
Domingo looked round at the disgusting surroundings, his hand never far from his sword. The decrepid Fenster slithers out from behing the rancid curtain and the stench of the man washes over him.
what would I have you do? Take a bath or stand downwind you loathsome creature!
word on the street my good man is that you are someone who may be able to help us with a little problem we are having
Gelbor hiding his discomfort in front of the beast of a man, looks to the man with a smile.
"Hello, i'm going to guess your Fenster. My names Gelbor nice to meet you, i've heard a lot about you." Geblor stop for a moment while getting a whiff of the man, holding back vomit."We are looking for the Tower Girls we've heard they or where held up in here with you. We really need to talk to them, if there any information you could give us?"
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Aye! Im their landlord! he says with pride.
He sees you looking around at the distinct absence of tower girls and says;
They've all up sticks to look fer that turncoat but they'll be back, they always come crawling back to old Fenster, especially cos I knows where she is. he cackles and then rattles out an alarming series of coughs. Nowt gets past me good eye!
"Turncoat? would that be Natalya? We're also looking for her, if you know where she is please tell us we could be make good friends."
Geblor then shakes his money bag in his hand.
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Fenster turns his good eye toward the bag as if trying to judge its weight.
Hmmm... you lot seem alright, not guards and not Sczarni anyways... Pathfinders maybe? A couple o’ ya look to green for’n that kind o’ work. Well whatever, you’s playing straight with me so far an’ you was kind enough to leave a gift.
He takes a step toward you and you hold your breath against the sudden stench.
But the Tower Girls is my girls see and if I tells you and not tells them, well, there ain’t nothing so pissy as scorned wench innit? 5 clutches o’ your gold there should see me out o’ their claws.
The Girls are looking all over for ‘er, never thinkin’ she might be hidin’ right under their noses! I seen ‘er a few times goin’ back and forf to one o’ the old sewer outlet buildin’s along the wharf just yonder.
He indicates a stretch of Underbridge less than a mile away.
Ralph looks at the disgust on everyone face when Fenster leans close
What is everyone turning their noses up at? I've brewed formulas that smell far worse than this man
Seems like a fair offer Fenster my good man but let me just discuss it with my friends here a moment
Ralph huddles in and gestures to everyone to do so too
b]What do you think Gelbor you seem to be a good judge for these kind of things, think the price he is asking is worth it?[/b]
Gelbor turns away from the stench of the man, happy in the small respite as he talks to his friends.
"Ralph my good friend, As they say in my business he's got us over a barrel of killer eels and there's only one way out, let's pay him and get on with our mission. We'll pay 25% each seems fair."
Digging around in his almost empty coin bag, he hands over the coin. As he turns back to them foul smelling beast of a man.
"Here's your gold."
Listening to the man discribe where Natalya is Gelbor looks to the drain.
"She was right under us. Thank you Fenster, no offence but i hope to never smell you again."
With a small smile and a little bow, Geblor walks off hoping the group moves with him and keeping up his cool exit.
"Well another lead, let's hope not another dead end. I say we head to the sewer right away times only wasting."
So guys should we head to sewer outlet at Underbridge? Want to pick some nose plugs up on the way for your delicate noses?
With reluctance Domingo hands over the gold.
I agree with gelbor on this, we should head straight for this sewer outlet, this is the best lead we have had and I am eager to see an end to this mystery.
Domingo puts his arm around ralph as they walk away and leans towards him conspiratorially.
so tell me my friend, do you have some sweet smelling potion tucked away somewhere that I could dose a handkerchief With, I suspect as you do that the sewers are even more rancid than our informant.
I do Domingo
Ralph fumbles through his pockets eventually pulling out a golden powder
This when inhaled will will cause you to not be able to smell it may also make you temporarily sterile for one to three days
"25% each seems fair enough."
Davos reaches into his coin purse and removes the silver and gold coins, and hands them over to Fenster
"Lets hope indeed that she is still in the sewers, I have no idea how someone can tolerate such a smell for so long. So thats the plan then to the sewers, lets get this over and done with."
Domingo looks at Ralph with a worried expression on his face
ah...sterile you say...... Well that's ok Ralph I'm sure it doesn't smell that bad down there.
I'll just , uh... Breath through my mouth or something.
"Well then seems we're all in agreement. Let's get a move on"
You will only be sterile temporarily, Not planning having kids in the next 3 days are you?
As the group walks along they split into two, Ralph off ahead talking with Dom and Gelbor with Davos.
"So Davos, you've lived in the city all your life then? what is it you did up in the lovely university. I've never been there myself they don't normally let my kind in that part of town."
Then over hearing the two in front joking Gelbor shouts over to them.
"What are you two talking about? The sewer will smell sweet next to what we would just assaulted by."
As they get closer to the sewer Galbor pulls up a black woollen over the low half of his face, seems more to cover his face but also to keep the smell out.
Davos walking along Gelbor, and responds back to him
"Yes one of the finest part of the city I must say which books sprawled across countless shelves, that can quench any mans thirst for knowledge, so which part did you say your from again"?
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The building you believe to be the correct one has certainly seen better days. Its clapboard sides are dark with mildew and marred by scorch marks.
In places fire has gutted portions of the roofs moss-covered tile shingles, but the building appears to be structurally intact. The building stands near the stark wall of the Seacleft, and scree from several decades of minor rockfalls has piled up along its southern face.
There appear to be two entrances, one in the South and one in the West. As you approach, two tough looking men dressed in ill-kept chainmail step out of the West door.
One addresses you rather more loudly than necessary;
I think you gents are in the wrong place. This 'ere is private. Move along now, like good fellows.
Sorry gentleman we must have made a wrong turn
Ralph turn and gestures the others to follow, when he gets out of sight and ear shot of the guards he whispers to the others
This is definitely the right place why would you guard a ruin other wise? so how do you guys want to handle this?
Eyeing up the two men, Gelbor frowns. Then walks back away with Ralph.
"They are up to something they are clearly signaling to someone inside, we have to get in no matter what. Natalya could be in there locked up or she could even have hired these two, let me talk to them first it may show our hand but i'm going to mention Natalya to them."
Gelbor then walks back to them men, flashing a disarming smile and putting his arms up almost mockingly to show he wishes them no harm.
"Hello I'm Gelbor, We've had a chat and i'm sure this is the place we were sent too we have business with your boss inside it's about Natalya." He raises his voice when he mentions her name.
Ralph watches Gelbor strutting off and sighs
I hope we don't have to fight again
He then pulls out a vial and drinks it.
Ralph sees what is happening and pulls out another vial and moves closer.
Davos not sure what his companions will do removes his crossbow from his side ready and takes a step back to have a little distance between himself and the guards
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The air is thick between the two groups. The distant lapping of water in the docks and the sullen cry of gulls are all that can be heard...
As the wizard reaches for his crossbow the tension snaps and the men rush forward to attack.
Initiative check vs DC 16
Gelbor
Ralph
Davos +10%
Domingo +10%
Heroes act first below 70%
Enemy act first
Hit
Miss
Heroes' Turn
Ralph seeing this attack takes a step to one side
He quick uncorks the vial in his hands mixes in a little bit of black powder and chucks the vial behind the guard
Domingo curses as the man swings clumsily at Davos.
Davos get back, ill keep his gutter rat off you!
you made a bad mistake here friend. Prepare to die!
Domingo's sword flows into his hands as he moves to engage the man attacking his friend
Dodgeing a bomb from behind, Gelbor wounded try to strike at the man in front of him.
Current HP:6/11
Davos shocked from the rush off the thug and heeds to Dom words moves back 5ft to and loads his crossbow
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Round 1 summary
Thug 1
The first of these men rushes forward and strikes the unsuspecting Gelbor hard with an uppercut blow. His morningstar knocking the wind out of the rogue and causing ragged tearing wounds in his abdomen.
Thug 2
The second charges Davos, seeing him draw his crossbow but being able to react quicker. His strike is clumsy though and hits nothing but dead air.
Ralph
Quickly mixing the ingredients for an explosive concoction, the alchemist hurls his bomb. At the last moment the thug is able to deflect it with his shield and it explodes at Gelbor's feet, showering them all in flames.
Domingo
With a warrior's calm, Domingo siezes the opening presented by the thugs poor swing and with a slash like lightning splitting the sky he opens up a huge gash along the man's ribs. The blade parts his armor like sackcloth and cuts the man nearly in two. He slumps to his knees, bubbles of blood on his lips, and dies with a look of surprise on his face.
Davos
The wizard steps back and prepares to fire.
Gelbor
Still shaken by the thug's threats, Gelbor's strike is weak and bounces harmlessly off the man's shield.
Cursing obscenities, the first thug lashes out again at Gelbor.
But having regained a measure of calm, the elf easily side steps the blow.
Heroes' Turn.
Still feeling shaken up, Gelbor hopes to at least hit the man that called him a scrawny runt.
But misses and feels helpless, just like in his last fight not being able to stand up for himself.
I gotta take this guy out before he kills gelbor, I hope he is quick enough on his feet to avoid this
Ralph take a another step to one side As he is moving he pulls out another vial uncorks it add the black powder and lets it rip straight for the guards chest