Sabina speaks, "Good, thank you all, I shall send word to the Citadel to expect you at three then. Should you be in the need of fine weapons or armor, they may procured with the quartermaster at the Citadel's armory. Any other luxuries, good luck finding them in the city. Now, if you will follow me."
Sabina leads you of the throne room and back to the entrance, where your gear is returned to you and Penance's vest taken back.
The party arrives promptly at three, making your way through the city. Many sections are in ruin and ash and riots and looting still continue in some sections. You reach Citadel Volshyenek, as two guards weapons in hand stand at the entrance to the courtyard (or Yard as it is commonly referred to). When they see you, they are a little relieved you are not angry rioters trying to break in. They wave you in, acknowledging that you were expected, though they give Penance dirty looks. One of the guards escorts the party to the central Keep.
As you enter the central keep, an attractive but very weary dark-haired woman garbed in red armor and rises from her desk, "Pleased to meet you." She looks at a list on her desk and addresses you each by name. "Ah yes - you are the ones sent by Queen Ileosa. Greetings - my name is Cressida and heroes of your caliber are exactly what Korvosa needs right now. 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 herself 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. I don’t need to say, of course, that you’ll be well compensated for these services.”
"Our first priority has been to determine who set up the kidnapping attempt on Princess Natasha. Since I heard Lionel's report, I have been sick to my stomach that this was an inside job, planned by a member of the Royal Guard and his sick deranged sister. However, all through the night, I have used my sources to uncover that another was involved, one who contracted the scary half-orc you all met in the beach cave. And I have on good authority that it was a member of my own Citadel, Lieutenant Verik Vancaskerskin! Coincidentally, he has been absent for personal reasons the last couple of days from his post here in the Citadel and I have heard he had money troubles due to his alcoholism. Sad bastard, betraying his kingdom for some gold! From what my sources told me, he was seen in the city as of last night in the dock area, at a local bar, the Three Rings Tavern. However, by the time, guards were sent there, he was gone and the locals were not talking, especially not to us, not during the riots! The good news, however, is that he must still be in the city then! We have been under martial law since the King's death and no citizen has been allowed to enter or leave the city since then. As you can tell by the state of the Citadel, all of my guards have been ordered into the city to quell the riots. I do not have the manpower to scour the docks or the city looking for this man. But perhaps a team of specialists, like yourselves, could find him more efficiently. Now, you must be careful, he is an excellent weapons master, having achieved skill in the use of the spear and the bow. Your first priority is to capture him alive, if possible, so we can grill him for information on this conspiracy. What say ye?"
- Perception
More talking to people? I thought the life of an adventurer was more about action. Next thing you know they'll be having us fill out paperwork.
"We would be happy to help. If you would provide us a good description of the lieutenant, I'm sure we should be able to locate him. Did he have a residence aside from the barracks? Who knew him well at the barracks? What else can you tell us about his interests aside from drinking?
Perception
And now an agent of the guard. Penance decided he would have to flagellate himself extra hard for the next month to prevent whatever calamity was going to befall him next.
Penance looks about noting the distinct lack of something. This citadel was barely kept open. He simply nods an ascent allowing the more talkative members do what they do but watched the man carefully.
Sense Motive
Okay, I know I've been there... what do I know about the place?
"The docks, eh? I think we can probably find out some things there. But yes, what did he look like? Any reports on who he might have been talking to over there?"
Perception
Tristain takes a look inside the Citadel, too overwhelmed by the experience to notice much.
"Yeah, we can find this guy. What did you say he looked like again?"
Tristain will get out his chalkboard and chalks and begin to sketch Verik Vancaskerskin from the description.
Craft (Chalkwork)
"How big is his nose? Like this?" Tristain holds up his chalkboard drawing with the nose, then erases it and draws another. "Or like this?"
Tristain will go back and forth until he has a good drawing of the fellow. He holds it up for the rest of the group.
"I guess we're looking for this guy. Let's go to the docks?"
Tristain will cradle his chalkboard as to not smudge the picture too much on the journey over.
Knowledge (Local)
After a few details and corrections, Tristain has a very accurate portrait of the 6'2" brown haired lean lieutenant.
Looking at Serry and Todor, Field Marshal Kroft says, "I sent some soldiers down to the bar late last night but given the climate of the riots, no one was being cooperative. I don't blame them...the presence of the Hellknights and their slaughter of the rioters has turned public opinion against us. That's where I am hoping all of you, not directly associated with the Guard or the Queen can help. Well, at least most of you." She stares at Elric.
"I also sent guards to Lieutenant Vancaskerskin's home, as well as those of his brother and friends and they are monitoring them for his return. That's all the family that I am aware of his in Korvosa. However, as you all know, it is a big city. He could be hiding anywhere, biding his time, until he can escape. Anything else, before you go?"
"Why do you suspect Lieutenant Vancaskerskin of wrong doing? His absence does not help his appearance of guilt, but what else points at him?
Tristain listens to the question (and subsequent answer), but has no further of his own.
Penance merely shrugs and wait for his erstwhile companions.
Elric salutes the Field Marshal when the group are brought before her, then stands at-ease listening to her give the assignment.
...the presence of the Hellknights and their slaughter of the rioters has turned public opinion against us. That's where I am hoping all of you, not directly associated with the Guard or the Queen can help. Well, at least most of you." She stares at Elric.
"I understand your concerns, Field Marshal. I witnessed the current affections of the crowds towards the guard and the marines first-hand last night. Since I only now returned from my navy assignment, I am currently without a unit. Neither am I well known as a member of sable company. It would be a small matter for me to operate out of uniform during this assignment. I assure you, I would very much like to bring this traitor to justice."
"Why do you suspect Lieutenant Vancaskerskin of wrong doing? His absence does not help his appearance of guilt, but what else points at him?
Field Marshal Kroft frowns at the question. "Are you questioning my information, Priest? Let us say that I have, based on reliable sources, information that the Lieutenant was seen personally speaking with the half-orc, a mercenary known as "Bones" for obvious reasons, days before the attack. And now, the man has disappeared from his home and post. Coincidence? I think not. This is all highly suspicious, wouldn't you say? Obviously, I need confirmation, so if at all possible, capture him alive." The Commander's tone softens at the end.
Serry and Tristain know of the location of the Three Rings Tavern, which opens at 6pm every day.
Todor tucks away his holy symbol. "No one is going to appreciate a priest in the tavern either I suspect. I'm beginning to understand how to approach people and get them talking, but I bet Serry will have a better chance of getting them to share what they know."
"We could walk in as two groups of three or three groups of two and see what we find out. We should be relatively close together though in case something goes wrong. A couple of us could even loiter outside and rush in if needed."
"We should probably have a reason for looking for him too. Let's see...Old friends? No. Owes us a gambling/drinking debt? Likely. Looking to hire him? Probably not. Um. What do the rest of you think?"
"Maybe we should go offering to sell a 'secret' way of the City. Heck, maybe Todor and Elric could approach me and Penance because you guys have heard that I know a few ways out of the Korvosa, no questions asked. Penance is my quiet bodyguard...he sure looks the part."
Tristain talks offhand as they walk to the Three Rings Tavern.
"Todor, maybe you could 'pretend' to be loud, clueless oaf who wants out of the city. Perhaps Verik will overhear and want out as well. For the right sum, I'll offer to take both of you out...and down an alley or something."
Tristain's voice trails off.
"I'm just rambling. Any ideas from you folks?"
"From what I remember of that tavern, it's a pretty rowdy place, and not one where anyone official-looking is going to be very welcome. Elric, you might want to change clothes before going in there -- and Todor, I think you're right, don't want to let on that you're with the Church. The guy who runs it, name's Clayton, likes to have a place where things stay secret, if you know what I mean. So I think just walking in asking for this lieutenant isn't going to get us very far -- most likely thrown out on our ears." She pauses, thinking. "I doubt anyone would look more than twice if I went in -- they wouldn't know me, but a sailor showing up there wouldn't raise too many hackles. Tristain, you and our quiet friend here --" and she interrupts herself to ask, "Do you have a name I can call you? Um, write it down if you can't say it, maybe? Anyway -- you two probably would fit in ok too without too much trouble. I kind of like your idea about trying to sell a secret way out of town. I doubt the man himself will be there -- they'd've caught him by now if he came anywhere near it -- but maybe someone will have heard of someone who might want to be getting out of town."
Penance shrugs at Tristains remark about being a bodyguard and simply stands next to him. Penance has doubts about the plans feasability. How many would ask before they got there target? Probably more than they wanted.
Tristain and Serry already know the following and share it with the group:
The place is a rowdy sailor's bar. Anyone wearing medium or heavy armor will look severely out of place.
The place is a rowdy sailor's bar. Anyone wearing medium or heavy armor will look severely out of place.
"C'mon, Scars, let's see if we can spot this guy. You'll yell if you see something, right?" Tristain looks at Penance as he speaks.
Walking towards the bar, "Oh good, you already have your mean face on, Scars. I see you remember that you're supposed to my bodyguard. Let's see if we can spot this guy first, then we'll work on a plan to lure him away."
Tristain will enter the bar, hopefully followed by Penance.
In the bar, Tristain will look for a place to sit while going up to the bar to order drinks.
Perception
"Whatcha see, Scars?" Tristain addresses Penance. "Anything?"
The place is a rowdy sailor's bar. Anyone wearing medium or heavy armor will look severely out of place.
As your plan starts to take form, Elric excuses himself from the party, saying that given the current situation of the city, he has been called into action by the Sable Marines and wishes you luck, as he runs off to his new deployment.
Meanwhile, at the Three Rings Tavern, Tristain and Penance walk in around 7 pm, with Serry entering on her own a few minutes later. The crowd is starting to gather, as a few patrons fill the tables and seats. The air is dank with sweat and musk. As you walk to the bar, in the corner you could swear that in the darkness some men are being "serviced sexually" from under a table, but you cannot tell if it is a male or female doing the servicing. Other tables have card games going, while others just have groups of sailors in packs of 5-6 drinking and b#+&~ing about the city and its "whore Queen". Many of them are muscular with tattoos and Penance feels almost at home here. Tristain and the monk get some looks of curiosity but not much more.
Serry gets a few nods of acknowledgment when she comes in, they know she is a good sailor. Unfortunately, her odd behavior of speaking in unintelligible words at sea has classified her as sort of a misfit but a handy one.
As you reach the bar, you see a big, 6'4" muscular human behind the bar serving drinks, with three nose rings, whom many of the patrons address as "Cray" or "Blood". He seems to size each of you up as you come up to him to order. "What'll you have?"
In the bar, Tristain will look for a place to sit while going up to the bar to order drinks.
1d20+9 Perception
"Whatcha see, Scars?" Tristain addresses Penance. "Anything?"
You do not see anyone matching the Lieutenant's description as you walk in.
"Two of whatever you got. I don't care." Tristain will respond.
Tristain will lay a few coins down to pay.
* * *
Sipping his drink, Tristain will continue to look around.
"Drink up Scars. Keep your eyes open."
Todor loiters outside the bar looking for the lieutenant and listening for cries for assistance from inside.
The scarred up monk takes a cursory glance around the room before joining Tristain at it. He doesn't touch his drink, unless its water. He also takes a good long feel of the surrounding people trying to figure out who is the msot nervous of them, the fearful, or hostile towards them.
Perception
Sensemotive
Todor loiters outside the bar looking for the lieutenant and listening for cries for assistance from inside.
Todor feels confident that he has not missed anything, as he waits outside.
Tristain will call over the bartender.
"We're looking for a contact. He said he wanted a way out...and, well, we got it. He looks like ... (Tristain will share the description of the man we seek). Have you seen him?"
Diplomacy
Tristain will slide a gold piece onto the bar.
"Two of whatever you got. I don't care." Tristain will respond.
The bartender looks at Tristain and his mute companion and pours you 2 mugs of ale. "1 sp for both. Hmmm, never seen any of your kind here before. Now, him..., pointing to Penance, "Those are prison scars that he so boastfully shows off, but you, half-elf, why you in my establishment this wretched day?"
The scarred up monk takes a cursory glance around the room before joining Tristain at it. He doesn't touch his drink, unless its water. He also takes a good long feel of the surrounding people trying to figure out who is the msot nervous of them, the fearful, or hostile towards them.
You sense a few people recognize the prison scars on your body and they give you a wide berth, though they are not fearful, they just seem to mind their own business. Now, you sense no fear at all from the bartender.
Serry responds cordially to any acknowledgment she gets from fellow sailors, and looks around for anyone she knows particularly, or enough to strike up a conversation with. If she finds someone, she'll stop and chat. "Wild times in the city, eh? Could barely get back into town. How's it been down here?
Tristain will call over the bartender.
"We're looking for a contact. He said he wanted a way out...and, well, we got it. He looks like ... (Tristain will share the description of the man we seek). Have you seen him?"
Tristain will slide a gold piece onto the bar.
The bartender happily takes your gold piece and says, "Oh, Verik, yeah I know him. Ol' boy was in here yesterday. He told me he couldn't wait till he could get out of this hell-hole of a city. A way out, you say? And which way is that, if ye don't mind me asking? You all new with prison boy there, coming in, and asking all kinds of questions about me regulars. I feel I gots a right to know before I divulge any information. Get my meaning? How do I know you ain't with the law?"
Tristain smiles at the bartender.
"You might as well assume that I work for the law. Whether I do or do not shouldn't matter to you. What I do have is a way out of the City. Now, if you would tell us where to find Verik, I could, after completion of our deal, make sure you get a cut."
Tristain looks around.
Perception to see if anyone unusual is watching them
"Not sure many of the types here can afford my services or my route."
Tristain leans in closer.
"Now, can you help me out?"
Verik is a regular. Tristain makes a mental note.
The bartender thinks about it and says, "You ain't answered my question, fella. But you're right, this ain't my problem." He leans in and whispers to Tristain, "20 gp, right now, for his location, 'cuz I don't know ya." He smiles and goes back to wiping some mugs, while he waits.
Tristain nods at Penance and stares at the scarred man, while thinking.
"Uhm. 20gp, eh? Done deal. You should have taken the other offer."
Tristain will count out 20 gp and place it on the bar.
"There you go. What of him?"
Penance watches the barkeep carefully moving his hand on top of the gold should he decide to snatch it without answering. Should this happen he is sure to give a pointed look.
The bartender discretely scribbles down something on a napkin and then serves Tristain a mug of ale, placing the mug on top of the napkin. He collects the gold, smiles, and says "He's not going to be alone, so good luck." He then moves on to attend other customers.
The note reads "All the World's Meat."
Tristain finishes his drink before grabbing at the note, enjoying the seedy bar for all it is worth.
Knowledge Local
Looking at Scars, Tristain speaks, "C'mon Scars, we got places to go and things to do."
Tristain gives a half smile to the bartender on his way out.
* * *
He will walk out, ignoring both Serry and Todor, until he is sure they are not being followed.
Perception
When he is sure Penance and only being followed by Todor and Serry, only then will he stop and get the group together and share what he has learned.
Seeing Tristain walk out past him as silently as Penance, Todor decides to follow him. When Tristain finally stops, he will inquire about what he learned.
"I guess it's time to head for the butcher shop. I wish Elric was still here. I guess I will take the lead once we enter."
"We should try to see what's going on there before we rush in though. Maybe we can watch it from a nearby building or store."
- Perception
Serry will finish a drink, so as not to be too obvious, before moving off after Tristain and Penance.
[ooc]Perception:
After checking to make sure nobody's close enough to listen, Serry says, "All the World's Meat, eh? There's a gang of thugs that hole up there -- call themselves the Cow Hammer boys. They tend to give out meat to the poor, but they'll also hire themselves out for the right price. Maybe our missing lieutenant has holed up with them. I think there are about a half dozen of them or so. Could be trouble."
"Could be trouble."
"I don't think we'll exactly pass as 'poor' people coming to get meat. Do you know how we might get aside from knocking on the front door?"
Tristain scratches his head.
"I don't know that the gang is doing anything wrong. However, should they impede our efforts, we should address them appropriately. We are acting as the law now."
Tristain wishes Elric was here.
He was much more "the law" than we are. It just feels that way.
"I say we just go ask to talk to him, tell him we have a way out of the City if he comes with us. It may or may not work, but is simple enough and what he wants to believe."
Tristain is a big believer in telling people what they want to believe...if not, he would never sell his artwork.
Penance nods in agreement with the chalker.