Ward' nods repectfully to the Shoanti, "Thousand Bones, I assume your presence here means that a matter of some urgency has occured?"
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Ward' nods repectfully to the Shoanti, "Thousand Bones, I assume your presence here means that a matter of some urgency has occured?"
Thousand Bones gives a weary grin, but before he can say anything, the Field Marshall interjects...
"Indeed it has. This man is named Thousand Bones, and is way keeper for the Skoan-Quah. Please, Thousand Bones, would you explain your need?"
The old man looks at the group in front of him, and sighs as he begins “My people have worked hard to understand yours, yet it seems each day we see new examples of how your people work just as hard to foster old hatreds. My grandson is dead, beaten to death by cowards in your city street. I do not blame you, yet still Gaekhen is dead, and my son and his kin are not so forgiving as I. They wish to return to the Skoan-Quah in the Cinderlands, to join with the Sklar-Quah and rally to war against Korvosa. This would be disastrous, for both our peoples. Amends must be made.
“Our ways are not as yours. If a body does not go whole to the fires of the gods, the smoke of a warrior’s spirit cannot rise to the Great Sky. If I could send Gaekhen’s body to the Great Sky with honor and dignity, his father and brothers would listen to me and stay their wrath—the talks of peace between my people and yours can continue. But he was not just murdered. His body was taken from the scene of his death, sold by a peddler of corpses to a necromancer named Rolth, a criminal to both our people. I have spoken with the spirits, and they have revealed to me that Gaekhen’s body has been taken to a place below your boneyard, a place the spirits call the Dead Warrens.
“With this knowledge, I could surely lead a group of my finest warriors into your boneyard to retrieve Gaekhen’s body, but this would be seen as an act of aggression by your people. No, it falls to you to make amends for what has been done. You must bring me Gaekhen’s body, lest we be forced to recover him ourselves. And although it pains my heart to say it—we will not be gentle if it comes to this.”
Cal's face falls at the old man's story, and she takes a seat, even while the others all stand, before she falls, tears coming to her eyes at the man's loss.
Reth stands rigidly his warring emotions poorly concealed on his face. His voice trembling with rage he pointedly speaks with the Field Marshall and not the savage, "He threatens an invasion should we not do this?!" Getting a slightly better grip on himself has asks more calmly, "Would you have us retrieve this body Field Marshall?" She's right! By the Hells! We can't afford a Shoanti invasion while the city and guard are in such a state! His eyes narrowing at the old Shoanti, You'll pay for this.
From his place by the door, Atherton watches the elderly shoanti speak, his eyes narrowed. At the mention on the Dead Warrens, an look of obvious dislike crosses Atherton's face, tinged perhaps, with almost imperceptible fear.
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"Would you have us retrieve this body Field Marshall?"
The field Marshall Looks at Reth askance for a moment, and proceeds, slith a slight edge to her voice as though she may be talking to a child. "Absolutely Rethvian, otherwise I would not have allowed this meeting to occur.
"I understand that you have had two very exhausting days, I am sure Thousand bones will understand if you utilise the healers here at the Guard, and take a meal. Please though, do not delay. Also please take this" Here she moves to her desk, and brings out a box, about a foot long, by 3 inches on each side. In side, is a silk cover holding what appears to be a mages wand. "This is a wand that throws magical fire, the command word is In-Fe-re-oh" she voices this in pieces so as not to activate the wand "I'm sure one of you can utilise this, it has a full compliment of charges, consider it a gift, for the help this morning."
Noticing Ath's response, the Field Marshall moves to place a soothing hand on his should and whispers "Atherton, you have gone pale, I would think nothing could phase your good self?"
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Thousand Bones frowns, and in his deep, raspy voice says "Indeed, I can see from looking at you, that you have had an ordeal this day already, the corpse will not go anywhere in the next hour I would assume, though my fears fro it's final fate are many. Take the healing offered by the good Field Marshall, and my deepest thanks, in anticipation"
A few moments later, a young guard is summoned to take you for healing, food and a restock. The smells of the eatery are easily noticed minuets before ever getting to the right room, and then a long wait in line meets them before finally getting the long awaited hot meal. The food is good, and wholesome, and probably far better than could be expected from a run of the mill Guard. The Field Marshall evidently looks after her troop, better than she does herself.
Once re-equipped, you are allowed back out on the streets, to make your way across the city to "the boneyard".
Once re-equipped, you are allowed back out on the streets, to make your way across the city to "the boneyard".
As he begins to leave her office, "Will we have a guide to take us to these "Dead Warrens"? I assume it's in The Gray. Or should we talk to the priests of Pharasma there?" Leaving the Field Marshall's office Reth wonders for the first time whether he is cut out for working with the guard, The Sable Company would never stand for this. Mentally chastising himself, this is not the time for this. The best way to deal with this is to retrieve the body so we buy us some time. This just proves that the Shoanti cannot co-exist peacefully here in civilization. Feeling somewhat better after getting a hot meal and the fatigue magically attended too, he heads out with the rest of the group.
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As he begins to leave her office, "Will we have a guide to take us to these "Dead Warrens"? I assume it's in The Gray. Or should we talk to the priests of Pharasma there?"
“We have the man who sold Gaekhen’s body to Rolth in custody: a simpleton named Elkaris. He spilled everything when we told him what was going on and how much trouble he was in—in any event, Elkaris says he delivered the body via wheelbarrow to a partially collapsed mausoleum deep in Potter’s Ward, near the southern edge. A toppled and headless statue of a sword-wielding gargoyle lay in the dirt near the mausoleum’s entrance—he was told to leave the body behind the gargoyle. This location matches where Thousand Bones believes the Shoanti burial grounds called the Dead Warrens used to be located, so that’s the best place to start the search.”
Ok Sense Motive Reth'wards to get the gist of his feelings.
Once out of the office "Black guard.... Rethven, you should think about what was said more carefully, no threat was made, it was a statement the murdered mans family will push for an aggressive move and those of us who wish for peace will not be able to stay their hand should some thing not be done."
Atherton scowls at the Marshall, turning and stalking from the room "None of your business."
Ok Sense Motive Reth'wards to get the gist of his feelings.
Once out of the office "Black guard.... Rethven, you should think about what was said more carefully, no threat was made, it was a statement the murdered mans family will push for an aggressive move and those of us who wish for peace will not be able to stay their hand should some thing not be done."
For a moment fleeting anger crosses Reth's face only to be replaced by a weary look, "I get that you.....and maybe even this Thousand Bones are lookin for someway out of the war between out peoples but I think you both are few and far between when it comes to the Shoanti. There is alot of blood to wipe away....perhaps too much to ignore. I suspect that you might even be concidered Tshamek by your own people for havin anything to do with us. If your people really wish peace than don't you think that this is the time to show support rather than throw around threats? Is one Shoanti any more important than the many of Korvosa's own citizens that have perished in the madness that overtook this city and probably still remain unburied or in pauper's graves themselves? No....I'll do this thing.....but only because it protects Korvosa not because of some superstitions." Looking off in the direction of The Gray, "Let's get goin before I change my mind. I'm lookin forward to facin a powerful and probably mad necromancer in his den." this last is said with heavy sarcasm.
Her body tense Calandra speaks plainly, looking straight ahead as the group heads out "Rethvian, it says a lot about you that you considered it a threat rather than a concerned man explaining the way of a situation. Try to view this from the point of view of Gaekhen's family, how would you feel if a member of your family was killed just for the way they look?"
Looking close to tears she releases a long stressed breath and shakes her head a bit. "You can't treat a person with prejudice and expect them not to do the same to you.."
Her body tense Calandra speaks plainly, looking straight ahead as the group heads out "Rethvian, it says a lot about you that you considered it a threat rather than a concerned man explaining the way of a situation. Try to view this from the point of view of Gaekhen's family, how would you feel if a member of your family was killed just for the way they look?"
Looking close to tears she releases a long stressed breath and shakes her head a bit. "You can't treat a person with prejudice and expect them not to do the same to you.."
"You sure take alot of what that old man had to say on faith. You sure the Shoanti didn't provoke the attack but instead it was the cruel and viscous Korvosan people to blame? I understand grievin for a loved one but what was he doing in the city in the first place?! Especially during these times when the legitimate authorities are having trouble keepin order?........AND......if I knew that one of my loved ones went into the Cinderlands and got himself killed because of the way he looked, which happens ALL the time, I would grieve the loss and move on expecting that it was his foolishness to go there in the first place that proved his undoin." Clearly frustrated he begins to stalk off toward The Gray, "You comin or what?"
"Reth.." Calandra exhales in a long-suffering sigh "I'd have thought by now you'd have learnt to have a little more faith in me than that. All conflicts are two-sided but will go on being conflicts unless someone makes an effort to resolve things. You really need to let some of your prejudices go and take each encounter as it comes, evaluating it on it's own rather than jumping to preconceived notions.. Not every Varisian is going to cut your pursestrings, not every dwarf is a bearded axe and beer obsessed loon and not every Shoanti who visits our city is some scouting force for a war effort"
Folding her arms over her chest she gives another sigh and picks up her pace, heading onwards, not in the mood to say any more to Rethvian.
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An hour or so walking though Korvosa's streets, brings the group the to The Grey. They are not hassled by the people of the streets, they now have every appearance of a seasoned fighting force. The light drizzle and grey skys not helping to make anyone friendly.
The odd cry of "Usurper" or "Chelish B$*!~" can still be heard from some of the seedier taverns and Inns, and at one point a small skirmish causes the group to pause a moment, watching while it is put down by a sable company rider on his griffon.
As you enter The Grey, the general volume drops. This is the one part of the city that is peaceful, and quiet. But even the peace here is broken by an ominous feeling, one that causes call to shudder, and Zellera to partially manifest in order to shudder, and raise her shawl, before vanishing again.
The mausoleum that Elkaris described is easily found, and is indeed deep in the area known as Potter Ward. Elkaris' tracks are easy to spot, along with the tracks of his barrow.
At Zellera's appearance and shudder, Calandra instinctively takes the deck from her pocket and holds it proctectively to her chest. Her expression pale she keeps silent as the group approaches the mausoleum, only pausing as she spots the wheelbarrow tracks which she observes more closely, a small frown furrowing her forehead.
Nev:
Knowledge (1d20=20) +7 (Arcana/History/Nobility) or +8 (Local) or +3 (Every other knowledge)
Perception (1d20+4=23, 1d20+4=6)
Atherton sighs irritably as Reth speaks, finally turning to glare at him, growling "Would you shut the f%*+ up? We have a job to do."
He seems on edge, more so than usual as they walk through Potter's Ward. Every few seconds he looks over his shoulder, keeping his hand on his crossbow.
He tenses for a moment when Zellara manifests, raising his crossbow a few inches before recognizing her and lowering the crossbow slightly.
"Lets get this over with so we can get out of here."
Reth gets a not so nice smile upon his face at Ath's words, "I think I'll regale you with stories of my soldierin days all the way there. Have I ever told you how I got this scar....." Upon reaching The Gray, ".....and that's when I found out that they were actually three ladies. Not that it stopped me mind you...." Reth grabs Ath's tunic and yanks him to a stop, "Watch where your walkin." He pauses momentarily to look at the ground, "Looks like our boy with the wagon came this way and so did some other smaller friends of hi........BY THE GODS! Does she have to keep showin up like that?!" He is somewhat pale and still staring at the spot where Zellara appeared briefly. He gets up, looks around to make sure no more spirits are about, and leads the group through the graves following the tracks without another word. As the group approaches the mausoleum he holds up a hand so that they stop and again examines the ground. Taking note of the dirt and mud tracked across the floor to a place near the rear wall he stops for a second and closely examines it, "There's an entrance hidden here. Look on the bright side, at least if we don't make it out nobody will have to bury us. As soon as your ready I'll push it open. You ready?"
Nevyn:
"I'll go first, dealing with the unquiet is part of our tribal duties and with a Necromancer around theres bound to be some," the word necromancer is accented with more venom than you've ever heard in Ward's voice before, as he takes up poistion ready to head through the trapdoor,
Nev
Cal curiously looks at the smaller tracks "Derro.. Keep an eye out for small purple people on top of all things necromantic whilst we're in here.."
Cal curiously looks at the smaller tracks "Derro.. Keep an eye out for small purple people on top of all things necromantic whilst we're in here.."
Reth gives Cal an appraising look, "Hmmmm, never seen those tracks myself or run into Derro. I've heard some rumors but that's it. What do you know about them?" He nods to Ward' at his suggestion, "Yeah, I don't see the sneaky approach workin to well with us haulin lights around to see. Whatever is down there is goin to know were comin before we see it." He pulls out a sunrod, starts it glowing, and hooks it to his belt. Pulling out and activating another one he hands it to Ward' without comment.
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Reth gives Cal an appraising look, "Hmmmm, never seen those tracks myself or run into Derro. I've heard some rumors but that's it. What do you know about them?" He nods to Ward' at his suggestion, "Yeah, I don't see the sneaky approach workin to well with us haulin lights around to see. Whatever is down there is goin to know were comin before we see it." He pulls out a sunrod, starts it glowing, and hooks it to his belt. Pulling out and activating another one he hands it to Ward' without comment.
Ok, marching order, and last chance for buffs...
Now might be good time to roll Init :)
Reth follows second right behind Ward.
Malik checks if everything is in order and follows the others.
Ward' takes the sunrod and then with excessive care starts to make his way into the catacombs.
1d20+2=6 Initiative
Cal takes up a position in the middle of the group to keep an eye on everyone.
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Cal takes up a position in the middle of the group to keep an eye on everyone.
As you pass through the low door, you emerge into a small tunnel, around 10ft wide, and 5ft high, causing some of you to stoop, though Cal is probably ok...It is dank, and relatively dark, although obviously made by civilised folk
Knowledge Local or Religion DC20 (ward gets +10 to this):
As the tunnel moves down and to the left, a light ahead becomes obvious, and you move into a lit cavern, around 40ft square, lit by braziers on the walls. The walls themselves have bones, mostly adult and human, but some obviously halfling, or children, and long thin bones that could be elven, pushed into the mud, slowly fossilising away...
To either side of the room as you enter it, there are two pits, 15ft square, also containing bones.....
Perception DC20:
Spoiler for me!!
Coming up behind Ward, Reth carefully looks over the room and puts his sunrod in a pouch so not to give his position away too easily. Murmuring low, "Yep, this has necromancer written all over it. I hate to imagine what happened to these people to end them up here." Signaling to Ward to circle the other side of the room from him Reth begins to quietly walk around to the right glancing down into the pit while he does.
1d20+14, 1d20+3=[11, 14], [17, 3]
I believe thats 25 and 20.
"There the remains of those who are buried in the city interred by the followers of Pharasma," makes a sign of respect towards the tombs, upon noticing the movement, "Ware the bone pits the restless stir!"
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Ath moves into the room and to one side, popping off a bolt at one of the skeletons in a pit, but the bolt goes madly wild, the echo of it's clatter taking a while to fade.....
Meanwhile the skeletons in the left hand pit begin to shamble forward, taking the shortest route, if not the easiest, they clamber out of the pit towards the smell of blood....
Meanwhile the skeletons in the left hand pit begin to shamble forward, taking the shortest route, if not the easiest, they clamber out of the pit towards the smell of blood....
Reth waits with a swift look back toward them rest of the group, "There are alot of them. Back up into the tunnel where are flanks are protected. Ward' and I can keep them off of you there." He waits for the rest of the group to react.
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Reth waits with a swift look back toward them rest of the group, "There are alot of them. Back up into the tunnel where are flanks are protected. Ward' and I can keep them off of you there." He waits for the rest of the group to react.
As Reth waits, a low rumble comes from the right hand pit of bones, followed by a growing sound of bones clattering to the stone floor....A massive skeletal form lumbers out of the pit and begins making it's way out towards the group....
"Greeeaat, an owlbear skeleton.....and I thought they were tough when they are breathin...."