It has been three weeks since the masked hero Blackjack interrupted the Queen's ceremony and rescued Trinia Sabor. The streets of Korvosa are uneasy, but mostly quiet as life goes back to what passes for normal. The Queen has not been seen in the time since her speech and the Castle has been closed and locked. Some balance of power has shifted, and even the common folk can feel the difference.
You're out on a foggy early morning patrol along the northern edge of Korvosa, near Old Korvosa, when a sudden horn blast sounds from the river. It's followed by the TWANG-THUD of a trebuchet firing, then by several others. Shouts of alarm are raised in the foggy half-light as the sounds of siege engines blast. They seem to be coming from the defensive trebuchets set along the river, designed to defend against attack from the sea...
"Finally had some easy money going damnit." Slumper looks to the group before heading off towards the river front.
Pai walked happily along with the others, blissfully stroking Majenko as they patrolled the city. It appeared the worst might have passed them by. She even had time to craft a few scrolls to assist in her duties over the last 20 days or so.
"Someone's hitting us from the sea! Lets go," she exclaims, slightly embarrassed to notice Slumper had already beaten her warning, and was already underway.
As you race to the Jeggare River's edge, you are in time to see a ship with black sails and yellow lamps ablaze as trebuchets on the shore fire heated shot at it. It's a sleek ship, with no one aboard as near as you can tell and it's already begun to sink when you arrive. The Guardsmen manning the trebuchets look grey and green in the face as they frantically reload and fire again and again at the ship.
"Why are you firing at that ship?!? They are not firing back!"
Ruperta goes to the guards thinking in stopping them from firing.
One of the grey-faced guards turns to Ruperta briefly, his attention still deadly-focused on the ship. "Plague-ship, ma'am. If that vessel makes it to shore, it could spread like fire. We have to sink 'er or else..." His voice trails off, but he swallows hard.
As the heated shot and heavy stones hit the ship, it does indeed begin to sink rapidly and a cry of triumph and relief go up from the shore as well as from those watching. In a matter of moments all that remains is a mast before that, too, disappears beneath the foggy waters...
"Poor souls! Hurry! We need to check if there are survivors that need help!"
Ruperta starts running towards the coast, the nearest possible to the shipwreck.
"Ruperta, if they are diseased, you need to leave them be! It sounds harsh, but they could infect any of us, if we close enough."
The Guards as well run to stop Ruperta. "Ma'am we can't allow you to help them! They're diseased! If they reach land, the death... It would be catastrophic. Besides, we saw no one living on that ship. It looks like it's been drifting for some time. I doubt anyone still lives in there."
Slumper sighs with relief as the guards interpose.
"But...but... We just can't... Maybe we can do something... "
Tears starts to form in her eyes, but she seems unable to argue with the rest...
"In any case we should check for corpses that reach the coast, to properly bury... Or burn... Them... Right?"
She looks at the rest, asking for they support with her eyes...
The Guardsman grimaces, but nods, seeing that the cleric clearly wants to do something to help. However, despite the next few hours of searching, they find no bodies washed up onshore. Perhaps the Guards were right and everyone was already dead, entombed in the sunken ship. Or perhaps there never was anyone onboard?
Over the next three days, rumors of the sinking of the ship and the Guard's quick action spread. You see local guardsmen getting a lot more respect and even open admiration from citizens. After a day of patrolling, you come back to the barracks to find a familiar face: Grau Soldado, the soldier you saved from drunken desertion. He looks a lot more healthy and seems sober, but his face betrays a deep worry.
He apologizes for bothering you. "Look I'm sorry for this, but I didn't have anywhere else to turn to. You saved me, frankly and I hate to burden you further, but I need to ask a favor. My niece is sick. I don’t know what she has and neither does anyone in Trail’s End. She’s broken out all over in red pocks and can barely keep down food, or even the swill that good-for-nothing herbalist gave her. Her mother’s talking about going to the Bank of Abadar, but her family can’t afford to pay the prices their clerics would demand. Then I remembered how you and your friends handled yourselves during the riots, and how you helped me out, and I figured you all could help. A bunch of resourceful folk like you, I’d bet if you don’t already have a way to fix this you must know who can. Surely you can’t just sit by while a child suffers, can you?” He wrings his hands as he talks, the words coming out in a rush as he struggles to get it all out.
"Rperta, does Desna give you...or us, any special protections from disease? If not, you've seen what's going on in the city right now. Does sacrificing yourself to a disease make any sense, when there's so much needed of all of us in the city right now? The living need us more than the dead, I'm afraid.". Pai reaches out to hug the troubled cleric, and give her a bit of comfort.
[ooc]Conversation with Grau.[/oooc]
"When did she fall ill, Grau? Was she doing anything unusual at the time? Where does she live?
"She started getting sick two days ago. Just a cough, but then the pocks and the vomiting. She's my brother's girl and he's dead these past two years. I try to watch out for them, you know, and help their mom take care of 'em, but... I've got this!" He dumps out 10 platinum into his hand. "I've been saving for a while now. It's not enough, you know, for the clerics of Abadar, is the thing... I guess she was doing what she always does: the girl works as a maid for some rich folks in North Point. Her mother's a washer woman there and her brothers work for a friend of the family, who's a wheelwright for the caravans."
Paxs's head is spinning with all of the new tasks he has.
"I know you are right, my friend." - she answer Pai - "But to think of those poor souls... Might the night butterfly guide them on their travel to the other world. "
Later, to Grau:
"Glad to meet you, my name is Ruperta. Of course we will help in what we are able. No need to pays us."
She tries to identify the sickness with what the soldier told her.
"No idea what the disease could be, I will need to see it in person. Let's go, no time to lose"
"Keep your money, Grau. Perhaps you could do us a favor sometime in the future. I can't take a guy's last coins."
Still not used to the heroics of his companions, Corbyn shakes his head, tightens his sword belt and follows Ruperta.
Grau smiles gratefully and leads you north into Korvosa and from there across the North Bridge to the far side of the Jeggare River. There a small collection of ramshackle houses sits near the shores of the river in a settlement known as Trail's End. He leads you to a two story wooden house that looks in need of a paint job and some weeding. It has the sort of benign neglect that you'd expect from a family far too busy living to take care of their home. He knocks on the door and a woman in her early 40's opens the door. She looks worried, but even worry can't disguise her beauty. He smiles at Grau before looking confused at the rest of you. Grau says softly, "These are the ones I was telling you about, the ones who can help." She nods and moves to allow you in the home.
The inside of the house is cozy, but threadworn. A couch that doubles as a bed sits in front of the fireplace and two young men, both in their late teens pace the room. They have their mother's good looks, but also favor Grau, clearly a family resemblance. "Thank you for coming. Grau spoke highly of you. I'm Tayce. My daughter Brienna's upstairs with the cleric. He's been giving her herbs..." She trails off as a man comes down the stairs. He's young, in his mid-twenties and has dark hair and features. He wears the white outfit and holy symbol of Abadar and carries a mortal and pestle. He looks concerned, but smiles when he sees Grau. Grau smiles back, but it's a strained smile.
"This is Ishani Dhatri. He's the cleric of Abadar that I sent for." The man smiles and bows politely. He turns to Tayce and murmurs, "She's awake and asking for you." As soon as Tayce heads upstairs, his smile fades and he sits heavily on the couch. "I pray to Abadar you can do more for the poor girl than I can. I fear the worst."
Ruperta greets Tayce, while telling her they hope to be of assistance.
She then talks to the cleric of Abadar.
"Greetings Father Dhatri, my name is Ruperta of Hetzau, myself a follower of Desna, the tender of dreams. What do you know of the illness of the child?" - more softly she also enquires - "How much does Abadar requires from this family for your services?"
The man puts his face in his hands and rubs his eyes before looking back up at Ruperta and speaking very quietly. "Too little do I know. The disease acts like seven different diseases, but it's not any of them. She's suffering from a red rash across her face and upper body and a racking cough that produces blood. None of the herbs I've tried have done much more than keep her calm and it's progressing fast, far faster than any common disease I've seen." He looks at Ruperta gravely. "I fear she hasn't much time. And I've prayed for similar miracles previously this morning at the Grand Vault; I have no spells to offer, even if these poor people could pay. So I try my herbs and do my best and hope my superiors do not hear of this and decide to punish me. Perhaps you might know more than I, Lady. I fear I am out of my element."
From upstairs Tayce comes down, her face grey. "She's awake, if weak. If you'd like to speak with her?" She gestures up the stairs.
The creaky steps open up into a bedroom loft above the main room of the Soldado home. A young girl with auburn hair lies in one of the beds, her slight frame dwarfed by the bed’s size and the pile of pillows, afghans, and quilts surrounding her. Splotches of an angry red rash cover her face and arms, appearing in irregular shapes and sizes. Suddenly, her restlessness is interrupted by a violent fit of hacking coughs that jerk her entire frame, lifting her well off her pillows. The spasm passes after a moment, dropping her back to the bed, but seemingly having done little to ease her breathing.
Pai doesn't greet the greedy cleric. She wasn't a fan of the pay-for-heal plan that Abadar's church had established, even though she thought Ruperta might go too far in her benevolence. Surely there is a happy medium, she thinks as she follows and supports her new friend.
Fortitude save
Ruperta thank the cleric.
"If they bother you please look for me, so I can help. I thank you, and consider me your friend. Can you please assist me tending to the girl?"
Before going up she will cast guidance on everyone that goes up, and herself to help with fortitude save.
She will go up. She will tell the girl stories about Desna while examining and tending her. She will also ask for the source of the sickness, if the girl was at the coast near from where the boat was sunk or if she knows of more sick people at her work.
She will also ask for Aid Another to everyone there.
The girl coughs up blood as she speaks, making her seem even paler and younger. Ruperta's extensive knowledge reveals nothing of this disease, though as the cleric said before, it resembles several different maladies. When she asks the girl about the shipwreck, she blushes furiously. "I... I heard about it and when I was walking to work two days ago, I saw a small box washed up on shore. It was silver and when I opened it, I found 50 silver in it. I was so excited! I ran to spend it, I mean, I bought Mother a new dress and the boys new belts for their tools. But that's as close as I got, I swear!"
Ruperta, worried, asks if she has some of the coins, or the box, and will ask Pai to check them for magic (trying not to touch them). If present, she will ask Pai to burn them (she will reimburse the girl, of course).
"Pai, please check her, and her room, for magic. I fear the disease seems outside of my abilities."
She will ask the others to try and find the coins. They are dangerous. Maybe, while she tends the girl, they can locate them (specially if they see a sample). They should treat the coins as dangerous.
Her brow hardens. They can be in a lot of trouble.
Pai complies and searches the room for magic, taking care not to touch anything. She informs Ruperta and the others if she discovers anything.
"Where did you spend your coins, honey?"
Paxs is out of his element and decides to stay out of the room while the priest and little gnome take point.
Slumper having seen too much disease on the streets and in the arena decides to stay with Paxs, but is ready in case he is needed.
Downstairs
Tayce Soldado busies herself by straightening up a room that is already very clean and offering you each a cookie and lemonade. She seems to be eager to keep herself busy as the clerics examine her daughter. Grau stands to the side, scowling up the stairs at an enemy he can't combat.
Upstairs
Despite your best efforts at applying every skill or trick you've learned, the girl doesn't seem to be any better. She breaks into a wracking cough and only stops when blood begins to appear on her handkerchief. Her poor body is failing the fight and by your estimation, she has only a few days before the disease claims her.
"I.. went to Ollam's Textiles, on Half Moon Street. Ollam's an old friend of my father's and he's always been kind to us. Then... I bought some sweet rolls at Estelle's, the bakery on the corner near the statue of the horse and the lion. I'm afraid I spent it all. And the little chest I gave to Ollam. It didn't look like much and Ollam liked it." She looks worried and frightened, as if her greed in buying sweet rolls had lead to this horrible illness.
A search of the room reveals no magic.
"Now honey, thisis very important....do you still have any of the coins you found in that box?". Pai catalogued the names of the establishments, and as soon as she got the information from the girl, she was ready to head out.
The girl shakes her head. "I spent it all. I'm sorry." She begins to cry softly.
Corbyn is leaning next to the front door waiting obviously impatiently.
"Well, that's a good thing, sweetie. Can you think of anywhere else you might have spent those coins? Did you give any to your friends or family?"
The girl shakes her head. "I thought mum might think I'd stolen them. I spent them all."
"Rest well, child, I'll come tomorrow to see you again."
Ruperta goes down, with a tear in her eye. She embraces the mothers and tells her she will return the next day to see if there is more she can do.
"My friends, we need to find those coins. Let's hurry. What is happening to that girl should not happen to anybody else."
"You are the expert. Lets go."
Ruperta and Pai hurry back downstairs to find the others waiting and a worried Tayce wringing her hands. She looks hopefully at the heroes. "Can you help her?"
"Hopefully. We need to do some research about her sickness. We'll return shortly."
After leaving the home, Pai fills the others in on the developments discovered upon meeting with the child.
"Not yet, but believe me, we will try everything in our power. Do you know of anyone else who is sick like your daughter? Who has the box? "
Tayce shakes her head. "I've not left since Brienne fell ill. I sent the boys to the Vault for help, but I've not left. Please. If you can help my daughter, I'll... do anything you wish." She looks at Slumper, Paxs and Corbyn with an entreating look.
Corbyn will walk out of the house without returning the glance. "Even if you find these coins, which have probably already passed into other hands, how are you not going to get sick yourself?"
"Desna's blessing. Maybe you are right, but I can ignore the child suffering and her mother's pain. I need to do as much or as little as possible. And I know I am asking to much from you, without giving you anything in return. Sorry. But I need your help. I am nothing without you all. Please, I beg of you, help me. Help them."
Slumper sighs and walks over to stand beside Ruperta. "I needed help once as well."
Taking leave of Ishani, the cleric of Abadar, you head back across North Bridge to the store Brienna says she bought the clothing at. Ollam's Textiles is a cozy looking shop with racks of well-made, if utilitarian clothing in the window. As you step inside, you hear a man coughing, followed by a called "Be right with you!" from the back room. Inside are more racks of clothing, these a bit more decorative. The craftsmanship displayed is competent and stylish, and you recognize copies of several dresses you saw the nobles wearing at the execution.
The man who emerges is clearly blotchy on his face, but he's tried to cover it with thick make-up. His eyes are red and the handkerchief he daubs at his nose is flecked with blood. Still he smiles at you pleasantly as he emerges from the back, seemingly happy to see you.
"Pleasure to meet you! I'm Ollam, like the sign says. Are you ladies looking for anything in particular? My wife is the masterful one; I'm merely the seller. But if you need anything specific, I can fetch her. We do commissions!"
At Slumper words Ruperta gets near him, embraces him and say to his ear.
"You will never be alone again, if I am around. Whatever you need, I will help you, from now on."
At hearing the coughing Ruperta face gets ashen.
"I fear I bring bad news, as I fear the sickness you have is very dangerous. I need for you to let us check on you and your family. Slumper, Corbyn, Paxs please close the store. Pai, check if you find the coins. Mister Olla, please take me to your family for me to check it, and I'll try to inform you as well as I can of the situation."
She will check on him and his family, see how many are sick, tell them what is happening to Brienna and her fear she was unable to do anything for her.
She will get back to her companions after the revision, tell them what we all know is happening, and question them.
"I fear I want to cry. I can't help them, and we need to contain the sickness. I don't know what to do, and what I think we must do I don't want to do.
Pai waits for the infected man to show her the till, so she could look to see if any of the infected coins were there. Whether or not any of the coins remain, she asks the two if they noticed any of the strange coins, and if they might have sent them to other people.