Kali suddenly realized that Shellin had said something to here and says "I apologize, I missed what you had said Shellin. Could you please repeat it?"
"Hmm!" A noise of interest escapes Shellin's throat.
Look at me, rubbing shoulders with a noble! A disgraced one though... probably can't rely on his family ties should we need it. Best not to ask him about it yet.
In answer Shellin turns his gaze to a weighted stare as his polite smile spreads a bit. "He has spent many a night pouring over journals and battlefield maps of your forebears!
Shellin was born son of Cyril, the town librarian in the wizard of some small talent, or so he said."
In the evening light the shadows run long, but Shellin casts no shadow himself. Instead, swarming around him are several shadows that resemble dragons in flight, circling Shellin. As he turns his stare to Tony, several of them "land" and sniff at his feet.
Responding to Kali, "Shellin simply noticed that this rally business has you somewhat out of sorts."
Beads slithered up next to Kali and sits on his haunches. His eyes swirling about trying to take everything in
"Beadsss sssssit with you. People noisssssy. Chasssse all they prey away. Can ssssssee and hear them from far away. Kali friend isssss quiet. Yesssss. Beadsss prefer quiet and waiting"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Tony sighed.
"Ah, to be the son of a librarian... To study journals and maps whenever you like would have been heaven for me.
"My own family have a strong military tradition however. It was expected that I would join the Citadel as a cadet. When I enrolled in the University, my family was aghast! I swear I was only going to go for a year or two, but..." He shook his head in disgust.
"They practically accused me of high treason! Can you imagine? My own mother...
"Well, I was incensed! I dug in my heels out of pure stubbornness, and so here I am, a mere University student, and also under a cloud of scandal nobody can put their finger on... My father hushed it up of course, so keep that under your hat if you please."
He paused, looking moodily out at the proto riot.
"But after years of military school, I had to make a change. I went to University to learn many things besides war and discipline."
He paused, then leaned in and winked at Shellin.
"That, and girls as well." He grinned.
"These fools do not seem to understand the basic tenant of the universe: The Strong Rule The Weak. What's worse, they seem not to pit their strength against their.." Kali looks at Shellin to make sure she uses the right word "Emperor's to prove that they are right. They just want to talk and talk and talk. They will probably be talking when the Emperor's warriors arrive and begin slaughtering them all."
Tony looked over at Kali.
"I say, that seems a little harsh don't you think? Not that you're really wrong of course.
"So many words, saying close to nothing..." He said sadly, looking at the protestors.
"I speak true, as both my worthless fool of a mother and my respected father taught me. Anything less is to demean who I am."
In time the rally disperses. Everyone said their pieces about a free Ptolus with a government of the people. And everyone had a reaction to it. Maybe in time, the Republicans will find the right time to make their words heard with actions.
As the rally disperses, Shellin will try to gather the rest of their little band.
"Well, we have little else of import until time for the meet tomorrow. Shall we all retire, and meet up tomorrow near the Warehouse district?"
"What sort of longhouses or tents do you have to sleep in in this den of wickedness?"
"Ssssleep isssss good. But asssss friend sssstated. Where we ssssleep? Ssssso many people here" he said a bit confused. His tribe was small. So it was not hard to find a sleeping spot
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Well, I have a dorm I can sleep at. I really should check in with my advisor anyway." Tony said.
"How about you fellows? If you don't have a place of your own, I can recommend some relatively cheap hotel rooms, if you don't mind sharing a bathroom." He suggested.
The rain wasn't going to let up. The drizzle turned into a drip. A flash of lighting and crack of thunder said this wasn't going to be a normal storm for Ptolus.
Shellin will take Tony's suggestion and, assuming Tony provides direction, lead the other non-natives to a tavern. "We can sleep outside in the wet for free, or pay for a room. Shellin supposes no one minds sharing one room?"
"Are you trying to bed me?" she asks of Shellin, dangerous twinkle in her eye.
Vallus laughs out loud. "I have a cell back in my church, but it would be cramped for us all. And they do frown up conjugal visits there, so I would advise celibacy this night."
It seemed there was a joke between the larger 2 legs. He did not get it.
"Anywhere dry issss good for Beadssss. Jusssst not sssstay wet. Other than that, Beadsss no mind rain. Rain hidessss scent. Good time to hunt" he nods
Another crack of thunder rages across town.
There are several hotels and taverns for the party to check in to.
Laughing, Shellin will say "Given what he knows of your tribe this would surely call for a show of strength, which Shellin would most certainly lose. Be secure in the knowledge that his intention is to simply stay dry and sleep."
Belleying his speech, his smile twists to a mischievous grin as small currents of charge dance between his fingers for a moment.
I do wonder how well she would handle my Reaching Grasp... but she would probably kill me before I tried a second.
Kali chuckles and says "too bad, your loss." before turning to Tony and saying "By all means, lead us to this In that you speak of."
"Well, if you need the cheapest, you can get a room with four bunk beds at Shangi Lil's down on Low Wharf street for a copper bit a night. Bring your own lock though.
"If you have more money and don't want to stand watches at night, The Green Goblin on the Gem Sellers Square is your best combo of decent price for a decent bed with decent security. A silver penny per bed per night."
Thinking for a moment, Shellin replies, "The Green Goblin it shall be then, as I lack the mentioned lock. Thank you Tony."
Shellin will bid Vallus a good evening as they leave to the inn, and do the same for Tony once they arrive, along with thanking him for the recommendation. Shellin will pay the three silver for three beds and show the others to their rooms.
Tony waves goodbye as he takes off to his dorm housing. There he dumps his project paperwork and gets some sleep.
The next day, the sun is shining through a few dark clouds, so it looks like it will rain again. Almost time to meet with a few ratfolk to see if they will move.
Shellin will take the intiative wake before the others in their shared room and prepare spells. He will then wake the others and head to Delver's Square to meet with Tony and Vallus.
"I hope the rat's have taken the diplomatic route. I am not looking forward to fighting in the dark and dank of the sewers."
"Kali is rubbing off on Shellin." she says, wicked grin on her lips.
"Yesssss. Let ussssss go meeet thesssse people of ratsssss!" he said in a cheerful voice
-Posted with Wayfinder
Meeting with the rats down in the sewers meant that the team had to go down there again. It's smelly and dark down there as raw sewage floated down to the drain where it drained out into the sea. But a city this big needed the sewers in order for it's inhabitants remain healthy. But the ratfolk seemed to thrive down there.
Shellin will cast light on one of their frontliners armor
Shellin will then set his Ioun Torch spinning about his head, draw his crossbow and knock an Arrow to it as they venture into the sewers
-Posted with Wayfinder
Vallus casts light on his light shield and unslings his mace, joining the band in the sewers!
After the Debacle yesterday, Kali has no interest in hiding. She waits in the center of the appointed place to see what the results of the offer are.
Give me a perception check.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Meeting with the others the next day, Tony's face falls at hearing the plan to descend into the sewers.
Kindling a torch, he held a handkerchief over his nose and mouth as he descended with the others...
You see the rats you dealt with before. It seems that they've come to an accord. The ratfolk approaches you. "Squeak, squeak, we are going to leave Ptolus and go to the swamp," he says.
Given they have now reached a peaceful accord, Shellin will unload and stow his crossbow. Unarmed (at least physically if not metaphysically) Shellin will say, "We will inform the guard to not harry you as you leave. Do you need any copies of the map Shellin gave you?"
With this Beads will step out of the shadows and approach too
"Beadsss will ssssshow you where to go. Ssssssso tribe no try to chasssse you out."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Do you need us to go with you Beads?"
Perhaps it will be faster if we all act as a caravan guard, just to ensure you are not harried en route. Good idea, Beads."
Vallus nods, a little spooked by the ease with which the party befriends ratfolk. "Yes, perhaps it's best. Safety in numbers, you know."
"I guess that's a yes then, unless you do not wish us to know the paths to your lands Beads?"