3rd of Zarantyr (Mid-winter in a winter-less city)
The Stores (Warehouse District - Lower Dura)
The midday heat in the depths of Sharn is overbearing despite the fact that this is what passes for winter in the south of Breland. Even in the absence of direct sunlight, heavy air thick with humidity and the stench of urban life has a way of settling on the lower wards. With any breeze blocked by the massive tower foundations, it doesn’t take long before a layer of sweat leaves your clothes clinging uncomfortably. But the tower block should be up ahead…
Halfling teamsters and their reptilian beasts of burden dominate the flow of street traffic in the district, though laborers of all races contribute to the flow of goods to and from the city. Not everyone can afford the more heavily patrolled or Kundarak guaranteed riverside warehouse towers of Precarious and so The Stores thrives in its own way as the constant procession of wagons, carts, and dollies attest. Noticing your approach, a halfling overseer in a white undershirt and loose black pants tied tight around the ankles breaks off from a trio milling about in the shade of a tower’s loading dock and waves you over. In the undershirt he manages to show off both tattoos and an impressive collection of scars… undeniably a record of his work history from a life spent on and around the docks of Sharn. The twin knives strapped to his belt and his hard appraising eye tell a bit more.
“You’ll be the Watchtower then? I’m Varlin. Other guy’s already up there…” The supervisor waves you into the tower loading dock and turns to lead as he talks, “Temple of the Host hired this guy.” He smirks and opens the lift gate before continuing, “But we’ve hired the six of you- and we expect results. Whoever this psycho is it’s time he learned that there are consequences for running wild in someone else’s territory. We like to keep things tidy.” Varlin slams the gate closed and the lift rises smoothly once he pulls a long lever embedded in the floor. “Deal stands as discussed; daily rate for the lot of you, three thousand bonus you bring this creep to us- alive. Dead…” he shrugs, “fifteen hundred. Watch got no time to find lunatics, then we got no inclination to see to if they know how to dole out proper justice.” The lift glides to a stop and Varlin grabs the gate grunting as he hefts it up.
The third floor of the warehouse is stacked high with crates dividing the floor into shadowy aisles illuminated by the occasional narrow window. A bobbing light spilling from one of the aisles marks the temple Inquisitive’s position. A pair of legs visible between another must be one of the victims.
The halfling ushers you in, “Here it is. Take a look around, I'll see you when you are finished.”
Background
Kn Local DC 15
The tattoos mark Varlin as an enforcer for Boromar Clan- Sharn’s entrenched halfling crime syndicate. The Boromars have had a stranglehold on smuggling in and out of the city for longer than anyone can remember. The Stores are an important district for them financially.
Feanor, covered in his voluminous black robes with his weapons jutting from behind his back, simply nods at Varlin's outline of the deal. He doesn't care much for the brusque manner of the halfling. Quite uncommon.
Feanor moves to the crime scene. He is careful not to step on anything that might be a clue.
Feanor, covered in his voluminous black robes with his weapons jutting from behind his back, simply nods at Varlin's outline of the deal. He doesn't care much for the brusque manner of the halfling. Quite uncommon.
Feanor moves to the crime scene. He is careful not to step on anything that might be a clue.
Var stands back, leaving Feanor room to survey the scene. He nods at Varlin - the details of the fee are recorded in the ledger in his office, but its good to hear them confirmed.
Var's thin face is pinched in concentration as his eyes try to take in the scene, and his hand moves restlessly on the hilt of the short sword in his belt.
"Watch out for footprints... I will search the surroundings first, then the victims in detail. One should ask the other one over there, where he was in this room and what he has found out, if he is willing to talk, that is...." The small gnome shoulders eagerly through the two big guys and surveys the surroundings. Then he begins to rummage around in his knapsack. "Somewhere I have these... hmmm.."
I'll move forward to the temple investigator to introduce myself and unobtrusively try to aid Feanor in his attempt to find try clues.
To the temple investigator: “I say my goodman, it’s just dreadful these attacks against the clergy. I’m Darel ir’Winthorpe.” Try to get him to talk about the latest victims stressing the need to find and rescue the missing cleric.
Built-in shelving rings the perimeter of the tower's third floor, but the interior is divided into walkways by pallets of cargo. The lift opens on the central walkway which divides the room down the center. Smaller aisles built up to varying heights branch off of the central one. Something quietly crunches under Var's boot when he steps off of the lift.
As you all step into the room and get your bearings, the light from one of the aisles rises begins to approach. The inquitive hired by the temple steps out from a walkway mid-room, nods curtly to you all, sets his lantern and a cane down on a crate and carefully pulls on a pair of white silk gloves. Inquisitive he might be, but the man dresses more like minor aristocracy. His deep red vest is elaborately trimmed in gold and worn over a light gray silk shirt. "Watchtower is it? Forgive me for not being more familiar with your body of work, but I haven't noticed you in any of the papers yet." He shrugs apologetically. "I typically work with a shortlist of established clients- but I'm sure we'll have a chance to work together in the future if you manage to stay in business for a while. The name is Victor Saint Demain." Gathering up his lantern and cane (which appears to be a dark polished wood studded with rubies, Victor offers a Darel a gloved handshake, before consulting a gold timepiece on a chain in his vest pocket. "Well... I'll be off then. I hear there's a killer on the loose." Victor calls out to the the halfling still waiting in the lift, "Thank you for your time good sir! I think I've found everything I'll need to close this case before another member of the clergy suffers at the hands of this madman. The temple should be along to collect the bodies soon..."
For those looking around...
The room is perfectly set up for an ambush. With multiple rows of cargo and a high ceiling one could strike from above or behind any number of places.
The first body's legs are sticking out into the center walkway. He was hit in the chest three times with bolts or arrows, though they have been removed. The second body fell further down the same row with one wound to the throat. A third was on the perimeter on the opposite side of the room. He bears the distinction of being the only one shot in the back, though he was also shot in the chest. Each of them has had an index finger severed. As the teamster rep explained earlier at the office, two of them appear to be temple bodyguards for Vellen, the unfortunate priest of Kol Korran who was hired to bless a supposed warehouse full newly arrived goods. The third would have been Vellen's manservant, Molo.
“You’ll be the Watchtower then? I’m Varlin. Other guy’s already up there…” The supervisor waves you into the tower loading dock and turns to lead as he talks, “Temple of the Host hired this guy.” He smirks and opens the lift gate before continuing, “But we’ve hired the six of you- and we expect results. Whoever this psycho is it’s time he learned that there are consequences for running wild in someone else’s territory. We like to keep things tidy.” Varlin slams the gate closed and the lift rises smoothly once he pulls a long lever embedded in the floor. “Deal...
Issac eyes Varlin warily. "Most disagreeable business I am sure. However, we are all experienced with such affairs and you are right to expect results."
Knowledge (local)1d20+6=15
As you all step into the room and get your bearings, the light from one of the aisles rises begins to approach. The inquitive hired by the temple steps out from a walkway mid-room, nods curtly to you all, sets his lantern and a cane down on a crate and carefully pulls on a pair of white silk gloves. Inquisitive he might be, but the man dresses more like minor aristocracy. His deep red vest is elaborately trimmed in gold and worn over a light gray silk shirt. "Watchtower is it? Forgive me for not being more familiar with your body of work, but I haven't noticed you in any of the papers yet." He shrugs apologetically. "I typically work with a shortlist of established clients- but I'm sure we'll have a chance to work together in the future if you manage to stay in business for a while. The name is Victor Saint Demain." Gathering up his lantern and cane (which appears to be a dark polished wood studded with rubies, Victor offers a Darel a gloved handshake, before consulting a gold timepiece on a chain in his vest pocket. "Well... I'll be off then. I hear there's a killer on the loose." Victor calls out to the the halfling still waiting in the lift, "Thank you for your time good sir! I think I've found everything I'll need to close this case before another member of the clergy suffers at the hands of this madman. The temple should be along to collect the bodies soon..."Issac nods amicably to this dashing fellow but his eyes linger enviously upon the man's finery. "Good evening to you sir." Vale tips his hat but leaves it at that as the competition is unlikely to be of much help...
Sense Motive 1d20+4=23"Now to the job at hand." Vale moves about the scene with a fine comb looking for clues... Feeling something underfoot he stops to inspect the floor around the lift.
Search 1d20+4=16
"There seems to be some type of residue here. I would hesitate to say alchemical in origin but alas that it is not in my vein of pursuit."
Vale shares the following: There are tiny glass shards scattered in a radius around the lift.
The gate of the lift and parts of the frame of the 3rd floor dock are covered with a
nearly imperceptible residue- miniscule bubbles that have since dried out. They are sticky to the touch."Interesting." Vale's face frowns in puzzlement as he scans about the warehouse trying to determine the perpetrator's attack.
Search 1d20+4=21
"Our assailant or assailants used the heights to bring down their quarry and they no doubt a very agile killer."
He shares the following observation: Nearly all of the arrows must have hit from a high angle. The ceiling in this level of the warehouse is fifteen
feet high, so the attacker was likely shooting from on top of the crates.
With the crates blocking field of vision between some of the body locations,
the attacker must have been highly mobile.
Lastly he stoops down to the bodies. His expression turns grim as he inspects the grisly handiwork of this lunatic.
Search 1d20+4=23
"Stranger and stranger. What do you make of this?" Vale holds a white dander on his fingertips and points to more throughout the room. Moving the cloth away from the body Vale remarks "An ashy smudge on the chest and an ashy ring encircling the forearm of the hand with the severed finger... Baffling. Some type of cauterization or heat mark?"As Vale moves about the scene he quietly notes to his fellow inquisitives regarding the nature of Varlin; "This chap seems to be of the Boramor clan, smugglers with some important stakes in this district. Nothing like working for a halfling crime syndicate I suppose.."
As the lift moves away I’ll say “That was a rather pompous man” to my companions.
I’ll aid in searching around the lift.
Once the search around the lift is complete I’ll examine the bodies.
And then aid in searching the bodies
Sense Motive, Appraise, Heal, Search Checks, respectively (1d20+2=19, 1d20+2=4, 1d20+2=8, 1d20+2=9)
Feanor moves to a shadowed portion of the crime scene to observe. He uses his superb senses to read the lips of any one there.
Sense Motive (1d20=17)
Appraise (1d20+5=7)
Janras was busy getting out his Armrings of the Feathers from the backpack. "Ahh... Here they are." He puts them on and the feathers begin to move and Janras starts to float up into the air... "From up here, you can see something around the elevator entrance. It sparkles." He calls out in Gnomish and watches, if the inquisitor shows any signs of recognition of the language.
(Search at the elevator) (1d20+12=22)
Janras drifts over to Isaac. "Tsts, this fellow seems already to have solved the case. I will have a look at it later... when we are alone, okay?"
He looks at the victims, and the wounds they suffered from their mysterious assailant. "The murderer used either the crates or the ceiling for movement, since I don't think the victims were hanging upside down from the ceiling. I will have a further look up there."
Than he floats back to the top of the room and begins to examine the crates and the celing itself, in case someone used Spider Climb.
Search on top of the crates and the ceiling (this will take some minutes.) (1d20+12=22)
___________________________________________________________
A little later when Victor Saint Demain has left, Janras examines the sticky substance.
"That was a tanglefoot bag, or the remains of it, after it has broken down." He calls out. "But why here at the entrance and not with the victims?"
Afterwards he comes back to Isaac. "Any clues about these flakes, Isaac?"
Knowledge(Arcana) (or +14 Craft(Alchemy) or +16 Spellcraft) (1d20+12,14,16=13,15,17)
Victor doesn't take much notice of the gnome floating into the air and calling out in his own language. He steps into the lift and turns back to face the lot of you as he taps his cane on the floor. "Good luck to you then" he says with a wink.
___________________________________________________________
"That was a tanglefoot bag, or the remains of it, after it has broken down." He calls out. "But why here at the entrance and not with the victims?"
"The entrance is also an exit, perhaps it was to ensure the victims didn't use the lift to escape."
Phia wanders around not noticing anything more than what Issac already discovered. After discovering there was little to learn she decides to find the halfling and ask him some questions. Phia sees the halfling and walks up to him. She is has currently taken her human form and feels that the halfling will be cooperative with her. "Hello my name is Tabin Smyth and I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions? I would really like to know why these people were here to begin with?" Phia looks around to see where the rest of the group is as she waits for the halfling to answer.
"Hey, what have we here?" Janras calls out as he sails above the crates. "Someone was waiting for a long time for those three to arrive."
He drifts down to the crate in question, examines the items he found and touches a "thing" around his neck.
Search for the "new" items. (1d20+12=28)
The items he found drift down to the others. "No touchy, please."
A small greasy sack is spread out and covered with gnawed chicken bones and a small clay pot of greasy potatoes. And a fist sized bottle, the label designed in a fluid script reads "Osram's Miraculous Elixirs. Below that it states more simply 'Jojoba Oil, A moisturizing lotion like no other!'. Everything is covered with a layer of ashy-dander (except for the bottle, that was wedged between two crates).
___________________________________________________________
"That was a tanglefoot bag, or the remains of it, after it has broken down." He calls out. "But why here at the entrance and not with the victims?"
"The entrance is also an exit, perhaps it was to ensure the victims didn't use the lift to escape."
"Mayhaps the tanglefoot bag was used to immobilize the missing priest? Bodyguards dispatched, the priest tries to run but is caught..."
"Now the question is who knew the priest would be here? This obviously wasn't a random attack but one that was carefully planned and coordinated."Issac looks for Varlin if he is still here to follow up those questions.
Varlin pulls the gate down and sends Victor back down with a smaller lever on this floor. Once the temple's man is below floor level the halfling replies to Phia, "Seems to be somebody contracted our missing priest here from Kol Korran's shrine over in Granite Halls. I know cause another of their men came round looking for this one when he didn't make it back last night. Funny thing about that is, we own this merchandise and we certainly didn't contract out for it's blessing."
Janras
Varlin pulls the gate down and sends Victor back down with a smaller lever on this floor. Once the temple's man is below floor level the halfling replies to Phia, "Seems to be somebody contracted our missing priest here from Kol Korran's shrine over in Granite Halls. I know cause another of their men came round looking for this one when he didn't make it back last night. Funny thing about that is, we own this merchandise and we certainly didn't contract out for it's blessing."
Janras
Varlin pulls the gate down and sends Victor back down with a smaller lever on this floor. Once the temple's man is below floor level the halfling replies to Phia, "Seems to be somebody contracted our missing priest here from Kol Korran's shrine over in Granite Halls. I know cause another of their men came round looking for this one when he didn't make it back last night. Funny thing about that is, we own this merchandise and we certainly didn't contract out for it's blessing."
Janras ** spoiler omitted **
Issac turns to his companions; "Well what does anyone make of this? So far we've found sticky goo, an attack from above, strange wounds and a lot of dandruff... All on account that someone was hired to bless this warehouse who hadn't been contracted by the owners... A setup for this ambush? Any thoughts, my esteemed colleagues?"
" I too am baffled by all of this, Issac. I think that it might be an ambush as well but for what reason I do not know. I guess we should see if these folks had an alternative motive for being here other than a blessing. And we should figure out just who hired these men as well. I guess that would be a good start. Anybody else have any ideas?"
Jandras seems to spot something unusual aboutt he gnawed bones he brought down from the top the crate.
"Lookee here. This bones are splintered, nearly ground to dust. Sharpie teeth. Very sharpie. A normal civilised humanoid is not capable of that feat. So he waits here for the victims to arrive, equipped with food and drink, traps the envoys from the temple with the tanglefoot bag. They've even sent a fake envoy to order the priest for the blessing. This reeks of conspiracy to me. Stinks more than an Eldeen goat cheese."
"Lookee here. This bones are splintered, nearly ground to dust. Sharpie teeth. Very sharpie. A normal civilised humanoid is not capable of that feat. So he waits here for the victims to arrive, equipped with food and drink, traps the envoys from the temple with the tanglefoot bag. They've even sent a fake envoy to order the priest for the blessing. This reeks of conspiracy to me. Stinks more than an Eldeen goat cheese."
Var, as usual, has been saying little. He has been diligently noting down his colleagues' comments in a small leather bound notebook. His neat script covers page after page with careful lists.
"So, if they were arranging for the priest to visit, why the need to wait and bring food? That seems more like an opportunistic ambush than a prearranged conspiracy."
...after a moment...
"Anyone think there's more to learn here? What leads do we have to follow up on so far?"
"Feanor are you able to speak with the departed?"
"Good sir Varlin, did you discover the bodies? About what time were the they found?"
"With some preparation, yes."
" I too am baffled by all of this, Issac. I think that it might be an ambush as well but for what reason I do not know. I guess we should see if these folks had an alternative motive for being here other than a blessing. And we should figure out just who hired these men as well. I guess that would be a good start. Anybody else have any ideas?"
I would concur with Phia. Our best lead that I can see is finding out the circumstances behind the priest's contract. As Janras notes something stinks about this. Granite Hall? or should we wait until Feanor had an opportunity to speak with the deceased?"
"I need some time to meditate overnight to obtain the necessary strength and focus to cast the spell required. But I am not sure that the body will wait for that long. Perhaps, someone can talk to the watch regarding the need to sequester the body till then. Otherwise, the body might be buried or cremated beyond our reach."
"I need some time to meditate overnight to obtain the necessary strength and focus to cast the spell required. But I am not sure that the body will wait for that long. Perhaps, someone can talk to the watch regarding the need to sequester the body till then. Otherwise, the body might be buried or cremated beyond our reach."
"Let's check with Varlin, and then move the corpse back to the cold-room of our office overnight. I doubt the watch will care - or even find out.
I suggest we want the bodies of both bodyguards and the priest's servant."
"We found em late last night. Another acolyte from the shrine came round looking for this lot eventually. Must have been after the 10th hour..." The halfling leans back against the wall and pauses to recflect before he continues, "The priests keep records of all their business transactions and this guy, Vellen, had this tower listed in his log. Funny thing about that though... this tower wasn't even in use yesterday. We run a skeleton crew in this district every Mol. Patrols, sure, but no load-ins unless someone wants to pay premium rates. That being the case, I was sure this guy had jacked up his log, but came out just to prove the point and get back to the tavern. Someone popped the lock and jammed the security to get in here on an off day."
When Var suggests moving the bodies, Varlin eyes the the Jhaellian priest soberly and explains, "No, not the Watch. That other acolyte, Evandus, was arranging to have his functionaries taken back to the shrine and laid out, but wanted to have his man examine the scene first. But this guy does want his man found. If you can talk to the dead and it helps find the other one, I don't see why he wouldn't want you to."
Upon mentioning that Feanor does not jave the necessary spell prepared, Janras' right eyebrow arches a bit upward. "Hmmm." He then snaps his fingers.
"Preserving the body? Nix problem... I have here... " And Janras begins to rummage thorugh his backpack again... "No... not that one.. ah, yes, here it is." Janras gives a big flask, with a honeylike pinky substance in it, to Feanor. "That should help."
There is written something in Gnomish on the flask:
"But use it only if you are allowed to speak with those poor lads tomorrow."
Janras turns around and goes muttering something under his breath over to Varlin.
Listen Check (DC 18):
"No watch? No Problem. But I'd like to have a look at the lock, when we are done here, Master Varlin. Can that be arranged?"
When Var suggests moving the bodies, Varlin eyes the the Jhaellian priest soberly and explains, "No, not the Watch. That other acolyte, Evandus, was arranging to have his functionaries taken back to the shrine and laid out, but wanted to have his man examine the scene first. But this guy does want his man found. If you can talk to the dead and it helps find the other one, I don't see why he wouldn't want you to."
"Thanks for the information that you have given us. Well I see that there is little left for me to do around here so why don't we get going on this whole moving the body thing so that we can figure out what is going on."
Capitol. Well where can we put these bodies for storage? In the meantime, shall we pay a visit to this Granite Hall? Unless anyone else thinks there's some further looking about here we can do? Of course if someone at this hall arranged for this bogus blessing they may not wish to speak with a band of Inquisitives... Perhaps an inquiry about contracting their services could serve as a pretense?
"I suggest sealing off the area, if that is possible. This is a crime scene after all."
Capitol. Well where can we put these bodies for storage? In the meantime, shall we pay a visit to this Granite Hall? Unless anyone else thinks there's some further looking about here we can do? Of course if someone at this hall arranged for this bogus blessing they may not wish to speak with a band of Inquisitives... Perhaps an inquiry about contracting their services could serve as a pretense?
Feanor and I can arrange a cart to take these to our cold-room. Issac, Phia, do you head to Granite Hall and ask some questions. Are you comfortable with that or do you want more backup? I can head to meet you if needed.
Janras, are you done here? Anything else we need to follow up on?
"I will take some of those ashes with me. And we should take the bottle and the sack with us. Then the lock should be examined. But that should be all. Any further ideas?"
Using the thing around his neck (i.e. a hand of the mage), Janras directs a piece of the ash into a small vial, and the remains of the meal into a small sack he produces from his unfothomable backpack. Sack and vial are returned to the backpack.
"Ready when you are. And don't squander around with the ointment, Feanor. It is meant to last for 5 more bodies."
The Stores / Callestan (Lower Dura)
12:00 (Var, Feanor, & anyone else who is heading back to the office)
Finding a cart to transport the bodies in a district run by teamsters is no challenge and Varlin recommends a nearby office with fair rates. Soon enough two burly middle-aged halflings are loading the bodies onto a mule drawn cart. The driver takes his seat while the other secures a tarp over the cart.
Beyond The Stores midday traffic slows to a crawl before working its way through a depressing district full of grimy rat trap inns. The traffic thins out eventually and the cart rattles along, but it is less than comforting to be moving through the bowels of a poorly lit tower in Lower Dura. Conversations stop for people to eye you and the cart as you pass. Balconies overlook your progress from both sides of the road and you can smell the filthy butcher shop up ahead before you see it. Nearly twenty minutes pass in quiet tension before your driver nods, "Here we are then" and turns left where you can see a procession of wagons and carts lined up to take a wide road spiraling around the edges of a central courtyard at a slow grade into the wards above. Some natural light even filters down into the courtyard with it being not far past noon. Eventually you are able to merge into the queue and slowly make the ascent. Filthy and dark gives way to the noise and smells of the bazaar and the teamsters take an exit for the bridge to Central Plateau.
Ambassador Towers (Middle Central)
1:30
At your direction the driver navigates the network of smaller bridges between (and roads through) the towers of Middle Central. On the street passing through your tower, the halfling stops the mule, "Alright boys, where you want em?"
As preparations are made to put the bodies in storage Vale nods at Var, "I hope nothing untoward occurs but if others wish to come with Phia and I well... hope for the best, prepare for the worst, eh? A few more eyes can always help."
As preparations are made to put the bodies in storage Vale nods at Var, "I hope nothing untoward occurs but if others wish to come with Phia and I well... hope for the best, prepare for the worst, eh? A few more eyes can always help."
"Then I'll come," Var decides. He overseas the halflings unloading the victims, then heads briefly to his office. His eyes skim over the sparse, neatly arranged furniture, papers stacked neatly under a small black box that serves as a paper-weight. All seems in order.
Var pauses briefly by the great-axe hanging on the wall over the desk, then leaves it in place. No need for a big stick approach just yet. He takes the shield from the armor rack in the corner though. Just in case.
Back at the entrance; "Vale, Phia, ready to go?"
Feanor accompanies the teamster as they unload the "cargo." Taught to view death as another stage of existence, Feanor is not squemish about anointing the "cargo."
"Var, I'll stay here the office and proceed with the preparations. You and the others try to find out whatever you can."
"So a trio? Well without any further ado let us make our way to Granite Hall."
failed knowledge local check
"Then I will stay here and make some tests with those ashes we found. And by the way, can you check out the shop 'Osram's Miraculous Elixirs'? Somone's been buying bottles of 'Jojoba Oil' there. That might bring some clues. Thanks." Janras disappears to his laboratory, humming a song with 'Jojoba' switched in for the appropriate text...
Analysing the Ashes in the lab.
Craft(Alchemy) or Spellcraft (1d20+16=29)
"So a trio? Well without any further ado let us make our way to Granite Hall."
Granite Halls (Lower Central)
2:00
Phia, Isaac, & Var
Even the lower wards of the central plateau never sink to the poverty and wretchedness of dura. Though it exists nearly entirely within enormous tower foundations, Granite Halls is lit to a comfortable glow by evenly spaced everbright lanterns and even though it is still warm enough, the heat is less brutal here than the unaltered weather of Dura. Tiny boutiques and galleries sit alongside lively cafes and bars still quiet so early in the day. An old ragged banner stretched across the road ahead reads, "Murder is still murder! Equal rights for ALL citizens of Sharn!" Smaller lettering along the bottom of the banner reads "Sovereign watch over Khemel Ansell. He lives in our hearts." Isaac leads the trio through streets lined with the occasional bookseller, a silversmith, an adjoined bakery and cheesemonger, a butcher's shop where a stray dog dozes peacefully outfront- and in time the street opens into a courtyard stretching up three levels. On carts around the courtyard fruits, vegetables, and grilled meats are on offer and people are still milling about, though the morning's business is drawing to a close. A group of young boys run back and forth shouting and chasing a ball, while a dwarven boy struggles to stay in the game despite his lack of speed.
Paths lined with busts of influential residents of Sharn throughout the ages lead to a small circular freestanding structure in the center of the courtyard. Ringed with columns painted a deep red banded with gold, the smooth wall of the shrine itself is a rich cream color. Above the columns a painted marble frieze depicting the varied aspects of Kol Korran wraps around the structure. From your approach a white dragon reclines on a bed of blue gemstones. Halfway down the path someone has scrawled across the base of a bust, "How much would you charge for a child's life? Marks for the people, not the purse!" Silk curtains hang from and obscure the open doorway, but a flickering fire is visible beyond. From within a tired voice calls out, "Enter and be blessed."
Kn Local DC 10
Kn Local DC 15
Issac notes of the markings and signs throughout the district. "Khemel Ansell... Ah yes I recall. That was sometime ago. Goblin that tried to stop a robbery. Murdered in cold blood and not a shrap of care from the watch... No good deed goes unpunished. Not much justice for non-citizens I suppose. Hard to be a citizen when you've lost your country."
Arriving at the shrine Issac turns to his companions. "So we're looking to contract a blessing or just be straight up?"