Both thugs run. Literally. They are 120 feet down the road.
Aison had
spent a long time trying to move past his anger at Gaedran Lamm. In the end he had mostly succeeded in ignoring it, resigning himself to a world where Lamm continued to draw breath. This might be an opportunity to change that. Or it might be a trap. Either way, it warranted further investigation.
Aison whistled, and Happy came running into the room. He smiled at the sight of his familiar hurling himself bodily down the stairs. The little scorpion bounced off the wall at the bottom of the stairwell and used the ricochet to change direction and scamper over to Aison's feet.
"All right, buddy. We've got work to do."
Aison felt the wrinkles gathering on his face as he called upon the spirits of his ancestors. Though he couldn't see it directly he knew that his hair and beard were acquiring a silvery sheen. He knew the changes were supposed to be merely cosmetic, but he still could have sworn that he felt a creaking in his bones as he stood from his communion with Happy.
He eyed the closed door to the shop before resigning himself to the lost income and deciding to stay closed for the day. He had other priorities.
Aison spent most of the day puttering around the shop, taking care of the little projects that he had been putting off. As it grew closer to sundown he began preparing for the evening's events.
A cotton undershirt. The mithril chainshirt, itself almost as light. A baggy homespun overshirt. Aison eyed the combination in the mirror. He looked a little heavier than usual, but to a casual glance at least he didn't appear to be armed. His holy symbol went on a lanyard around his neck and lay unobtrusively under his shirt. He tucked his dagger into his boot and looked regretfully at his crossbow. As handy as it might be, it wasn't the kind of thing one could easily conceal.
He nodded at Happy, and the scorpion clambered up his body to rest comfortably atop his head. Aison pulled a cap on over top. The small holes picked out in the fabric to let Happy breathe and observe the world around him were hardly visible.
That done, Aison looked at himself in the mirror before calling on the power of the spirits. Before his eyes the image of a strong, distinguished middle-aged man faded, replaced with a decrepit old man. Picking up a cane to complete the image, he tottered on out the back door and began ambling toward destiny.
Aison, takes the day and wanders the town. Oddly enough it is a perfectly pleasant day. He strolls through the town, either dodging or tossing a copper to the beggars as he sees them. He slowly makes his way toward Lancett street. He stops when he spots a new antique store, filled with nicknacks...its tempting...
Bazzle woke mid morning, sleepily got dressed, scratching his head as he shuffled about with a yawn. "What time is? He looked out the window and figured it was still morning.
He ate a breakfast of muscili and tea. He looked up at one wall of his apartment where he had pinned notes a map of the city detailing what he had learned in the last few weeks about the cities Shiver trade and in particular Gaedren Lamm.
Shaking his head he reached for his spellbook reminding himself that he must prepare his spells. Going through the meticulous process of prepping his mind for the ability to manipulate the arcane energies. This was part of the process he hated. His innate magic came so easy but the magic Relias had taught him required work. Not mentally difficult but he found himself glancing back at his wall.
Free from his prep he gave full attention to the wall. He looked over a few notes he had learned from the night before about Gaedren Lamm. He tied a string to the note and pinned a spot on the map of the city he had on his wall. Wishing he had more space and a more detailed map. He stood looking at the wall his hands moved to his belt pouch and he pulled out his deck of cards, he recently got a new deck of playing cards, absently shuffling them and doing simple tricks.
Surprized he looks away from his wall at the card in his hand. "That's odd a harrow card." He spoke absently aloud but looked up and around like he was not alone. "How did this get here." He moved to his door. It was unlocked . . . is this unlocked because someone snuck in and planted a harrow card in my room . . . without taking something or did I forget to lock it . . . again.
He flipped the card over. "Hello, what's this . . ." He moved back to his chair and sat reading the message over and over. His mind racing. He remembered everyone he has spoken to in the last few days. Could someone be tipping him off. Setting a trap for him. Lots of folks warned him he was asking to many questions.
He held the card and looked at his wall looking for any information about Lancet Street. Any gang or guild activity out of there? Any mention of it ". . . hmmmm."
He realized that he spent hours thinking on the issue already afternoon. "Even if it is a trap I have to go. Be there at Sunset. Well I have time to get a bite to eat. Maybe I will ask around about it at lunch."
He made it to the soup kitchen a great place to talk to addicts and priests who deal with the misery of the city. They might not know all the movers and shakers but its a good spot to learn about the aftermath of events. As was his routine of late he helped serve lunch for awhile talking with the priests and poor. This time steering the conversation's to Lancet street anything that might come up.
As the afternoon dragged on he went to Lancet street. He looked around trying to evaluate the situation. Anyone with street smarts would try to look more nonchalant, but Bazzle thoroughly looked about, watching down alleys and looking about the area in front of the residence, looking for those keeping watch.
He notes a Halfling with a large dog coming down the street the fellow seemed nice enough chatting with those he past. He smiles in response to the greeting chuckling agreement about the weather. "That house there . . . no I have no idea who lives there."
Confused what to do next. Should I tell the Halfling I am headed there too. . . He is already going. Bazzle feeling a little foolish just standing there moved to the side of the street and watched the Halfling move to the door and knock.
You look at the front of the card. The Joke As you study it you think of the power of humor. How many times had you charged into battle laughing as you went?
Your knowledge of the city tells you that this is the home of a local fortune teller, but no one at the soup kitchen seemed to know of her.
You arrive and stand at the end of the alley way watching the halfling knock.
As the halfling knocks on the door you see a gnome standing at the end of the alley way watching the halfling knock.
You see a gnome standing at the end of the street watching the halfling knock on the door. Also you might have an encounter that happened earlier in the day.
The rangers hands creep to his bow and quiver as he watches the gnome.
Perception
She can make temporary bonds with two minor spirits (thus gaining two hexes) at 4th level, and with one additional minor spirit (and hex) every 4 levels thereafter.
This ability replaces spirit and alters hex.
gold silver copper
Someone was there before you donnen. This happens before you got off the stoop
You can choose to run and then we are back to where we were before. Result of PbP
'Allo inside?! He called glancing about slowly patting Sebastian on the head. He didnt really notice anything special, and Sebastion seemed to be busy standing there panting. With his faithful hound seemingly non-perturbed, and tried the door. He took a step back and looked up to the sky, it was pretty close to when the card said to be here.
Bazzle cranes his neck starring at the house and the Halfling. hmmmm. . . the card referred to others whom Gaedren has wronged. I wonder if this Halfling or his dog are victims of Lamm. If its a trap should I let him go alone? If its a trap its unlikely to be open to more people I mean it would be a one at time affair that just makes strategic sense. Not sure why they would use a fortune teller's house for a trap. It's getting to sunset. "I am sick of waiting."
Moving at a brisk pace Bazzle starts an impatient walk toward the residence. He takes another thorough look around as he moves down the street.
Darry you notice a gnome, one you passed on the street approaching you
Donnen looks at Kara and don't say much initially. He's more worried in analyzing her - it seems maybe he wasn't the only one lured there. Or, maybe, she was connected and it was all a trap.
Not sure I understand what you're talking about. I came here for business, but obviously entered the wrong place, as this one seems to be enchanted with some sort of foul magic, so I hurried outside as I don't want anything to do with it. I don't suppose you know where's Old Harry's tobacco shop?
Eugeni woke up to a fluttering of wings. The pigeons were quite awake today even if he wasn't. His first night back in Korvosa hadn't been kind to him. He had gone to Hod first, but the gnome wasn't too happy to have been stolen from all those years ago, even if he had left plenty of valuables to cover the worth of the pistol. It had taken him all his guile to convince his old friend to hold on to some of his more valuable possessions for a few days.
After spending a few silver on drinks he looked for a place to sleep. His old apartment in the Singles was as out of the question as had been his past drinking haunts from his time as an artist. He remembered a bell tower that he'd fallen asleep in once with 'Dana. The memory brought a smile to his face last night.
This morning, though, it just brought a scowl to his face. As he licked the dryness of his tongue off onto his teeth, he reached around for the half-empty bottle of spirits that he had not been able to finish last night. Gene took a swig and shook his head, in an effort to shake the groginess from his eyes. He stared off into the bright blue of the morning sky and thought of better days, the carefree days.
"I suppose I should start figuring out how I am going to avenge you, 'Dana." Gene said to himself. He got up and started to pack his things, while going through his own mental lists of who was who in Korvosa.
You begin to pack up your gear, as you lift your pistol you find a card resting under it. You pick it up. A harrow card. Specifically The Mountain Man. As you look at it you realize that if you find it, there are things that can give you great power.
On the reverse side you see this
He finished putting his gear away, trying to think of what to do before meeting this person at sunset. Gene decided it would be best to procure a few more things from the market. He gathered everything together and began travelling down towards the street.
You make your way to the market with ease. [ooc] go ahead and make any purchases you wish. You will arrive, if you leave from the market at around 1 pm at the spot listed on the card
Donnen refrains, looking at the guard with curiosity. He finally follows up, not exactly giving too many details.
I'm not lying about the foul magic inside, not knowing about it, hurrying outside because of it and... Neither about coming here in business.
He smiled, somewhat sinister, and crossed the hands behind the back - where he kept the daggers, but without pulling them or acting in any threatening manner.
I was searching for a man named Gaedren, and I heard I could find information about him here. But, maybe... It was all a big trap.
He now looks at her as if inquiring her of her intentions. He doesn't trust guards - and he imagines many of them might be working for Lamm.
The market had been bustling already as Gene arrived mid morning. He made his way around, looking for a few things here and there. He made a few purchases and decided to head to the address early. He had waited so long for revenge, the anxiety was getting to him.
Eugeni strolled down Lancet Street, heading towards the address on the back of the card. He kept his attention on the area about him, lest someone recognize him from two years ago.
Sebastian alerted him to the upcoming gnome and the halfling cocked his head for a moment pausing before his entrance to the doorway.
I will make an assumption you too got a card?
He asked not exactly hiding anything but not giving away too much either. The gnome certainly was flashy as he made his way torwards the door, too flashy he would imagine to have snuck that card to him and Sebastion.
"I've already knocked and no one answered... do you think we are to wait inside?
He asked the gnome following along to the door, Sebastion in tow
The room seems to be under some sort of illusion... I don't know. It had smoke-like incense, so it might be hallucinogenics. - he started, then completed - I was clearly under its effects, but maybe you'd be able to investigate it better... Assuming you select what you breath.
He pointed to the door. He had no intentions of going behind her - in fact, he was mostly curious on what would happen, but being convinced by the minute that she wasn't in fact against him. Maybe she was an ally. Nevertheless, he wanted to get out of there right now, and just come back at the set time.
You make your way inside.
The cozy chamber within this small home is filled
with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice.
The haze comes from several sticks of incense
smouldering in wall-mounted burners that look
like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke itself seems
to soften edges and gives the room a dream-like feel.
The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries,
one showing a black-skulled beast juggling
men’s hearts, another showing a pair of angels
dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third
tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figure
shrouded in mist, a flaming sword held in a skeletal
hand. Several brightly-colored rugs cover the floor,
but the room’s only furnishings are a wooden table covered by
a bright red throwcloth and several elegant tall-backed chairs. A
basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table.
On the table is a note which reads.
Had to step out for a while. I will return later. Thank you so much for coming. There is a basket with bread and wine under the table. Please make yourself at home while you wait. Should anyone else arrive please let them in.
You find nothing out of sorts, there is wine and bread in baskets beneath the table. Several hours later you hear a knock at the door. It takes you a moment to comprehend that when there is a second knock and discussion outside.
Donnen observes, takes notes, and then goes back to town, trying to gather information about the people he saw (the guard, the halfling, the gnome, etc.). He's going to use physical descriptions if needed - assuming some of them are remarkable, and others are locals.
Finally, he's gonna retire to his quarters, and get back to the place a little before Sunset, as per the note.
After your knowledge gathering you are beginning to wonder if you actually saw a haggling at all. Based on the timing, you pretty much just had time to see the halfling approach the door, with the gnome following. You don't stay to see what happens to them.
Bazzle sees the Halfling turn and he puts up his hands in a friendly 'means no harm gesture,' "Card? Ah yes . . . strange you got one too. Perhaps we should go inside its getting close to sunset. I am Bazzle by the way."
Bazzle? it is a pleasure to meet you, I am Darry, and this big galoot here is my friend Sebastion.
He said patting the big dog affectionately on the head right behind the ears. Its tail thumped a few times lazily.
Yeah I got one too, was just about to make my way in there, but well no one answered my knock so they might not be home yet? I dont think I am that early from when the card told me to be here.
He walked forward and knocked again, just in case.
"Pleasure to meet you Darry." He regards the dog and smiles. "You too big fella."
Bazzle cups his hands and peers through the window. he calls out. Returning to a normal volume, "I hate waiting."