Korvosa's Streets
Ty will stand behind Bosch but will say nothing. Just stands and waits.
Not sure i disagree with this bloke but don't know for sure if this noble has caused any harm or not. I'll support my new friends tho.
At Tessa, Bosch, and Bandru's threats, the laborers mutter "We's didn't mean nothing. Let's get otta here, boys." They drop their weapons and quickly disappear into the crowd.
The young nobleman breathlessly gets to his feet."You... you saved my life! They would have killed me. Thank you." He presses 5 platinum pieces into Tessa's hand and takes off running down the street, obviously eager to get to safety.
Intimidate Checks:
Tessa rolled pretty well. If either Bosch or Bandru make a DC 10, they will count as assisting Tessa, getting the DC 20 intimidate check needed. Otherwise, it is a DC 15 diplomacy check. Bosch's Diplomacy:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Bandru's Diplomacy:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
Castle Korvosa
At Bosch's proclamation, the guards converse among themselves for a moment. "Leave your weapons here. No weapons are permitted in the Queen's company. They shall be returned when your business is done." Assuming that you hand them over, one of the other guards moves your weapons to the guardhouse.
Another group of guards armed with heavy crossbows and swords escort you up to the castle courtyard. They are obviously nervous. As you reach the top of the pyramid and the wide stairs curling up to the castle’s third floor, you are greeted by a beautiful woman dressed in magnificent full plate armor.
"Greetings. I am Sabina Merrin, Queen Ileosa's bodyguard and handmaiden. They tell me you’ve something that belongs to the queen. Is this correct?” As soon as you answer, Sabina impatiently asks "How would you like to be introduced to the Queen?"
KORVOSA STREETS "Would you look at that. With one good deed, we just made more than I make on a good year." Bosch says with an easy smile.
CASTLE KORVOSA
Bosch hands over his sword immediately but keeps Roscoe with him. The big dog sticks close to his master in such an unfamiliar place and is on his best behavior. At the appearance of Sabina, he gives a polite bow.
"That depends, Lady Merrin, on whether or not the Queen would wish to meet us. We understand that both you and the Queen likely have other duties to attend to on such a day as this. We are but simple citizens trying to do the right thing." Bosch seem capable of conducting himself well in such a courtly setting. However, it remained to be seen whether such efforts would merely be lost on Sabina.
Diplomacy to improve disposition:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Sense Motive for a hunch:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
When they ask for his weapons Ty gets a look of dismay on his face. Then he ducks his head and mumbles"ok. hold a sec."
He then proceeds to unbelt the 3 daggers on his waist, pulls one out of each boot, and with a gesture and a 'sproing' sound a dagger pops up from inside his sleeves into each hand. Looking a little embaressed he shrugs and says."Thats it, we can go now." Sabina Wow she's cold as Ice and really hot at the same time.Wonderful.
Ty stares awestruck at Sabina, and again doesn't say anything.Thunderstruck.
Castle Korvosa
Sabina smiles. "The Queen has a few minutes to meet with those who are returning a beloved family heirloom." She seems to be scrutinizing each of you as you introduce yourselves.
We'll give Corwin a few more hours and then I'll move things along.
Chelaxian Male Professor of Thassilonian History 2 || hp 13/13 || AC 11(15), touch 11(15), flatfooted 10(14) || Perception +3, Sense Motive +3 || Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +7 || CMB +0, CMD 11 || Init +1 || Harrow 4
"Handmaiden Merrin? Or Lady Merrin...I am sorry I am out of practice with my court titles...well unless they are Thassalonian. In any regard, I am Corwin Avelard, Acadame Graduate and Professor of Thassalonian History."
"But to be honest, I believe that we should just be "concerned citizens" to Her Majesty. I would much rather remain below her notice if at all possible."
Sabina smiles at Bosch. "The Queen has a few minutes to meet with those who are returning a beloved family heirloom."
To Corwin, she replies "Very well."
Sabina steps forward, beckoning with a hand to welcome you into the throne room. As the guards make to follow, she makes a sign of dismissal. “You may return to your posts. These heroes pose no threat to the queen.”
The Throne Room
Queen Ileosa sits upon the Crimson Throne. She is a vision of celestial beauty despite the black mourning dress and veil she wears in honor of her husband’s death. A small silver coffer sits in her lap. The throne room itself is pristine but strangely empty—an open area with a vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows of past kings and queens looking down from the eastern wall, and crimson tapestries hanging along the others. An immense fireplace offers additional light and heat to the hall, and a silk carpet provides a gently arching path to the throne’s base.
"I present Your Majesty, Queen Ileosa Arabasti, First of Her Name, Ruler of Korvosa," Sabina announces, bowing before the queen.
With a sweeping gesture, Sabina indicates you as a group. "Your Majesty, may I introduce several concerned citizens of Korvosa, who seek to return your brooch." The bodyguard takes the brooch from Bosch, hands it over to her queen with a flourish, then takes up a position at the throne’s left side as Ileosa addresses you.
“This brooch was stolen from me some time ago—I had not expected to see it again, truth be told. And yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with kindness. The return of this brooch is much more than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope.
“I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. His death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart. All Korvosa stands at the precipice of a disaster wrought by her citizens—these riots cannot continue. You have already done my heart a great service in returning this bauble to me on this dark day, and you shall be rewarded. Yet, perhaps you can serve your city more."
“If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have an escort of guards when you leave here—they can see to your safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of you to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft to let her know you are on the way—the Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it can certainly use the aid of heroes such as yourself. Now, I need to retire to my personal quarters—my grief has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning, my humble citizens.”
With this, the queen motions to Sabina. The bodyguard swiftly retrieves the small silver chest from Queen Ileosa and hands it to Bosch. Inside the red-velvet-lined interior rest 12 gold ingots imprinted with the royal seal of Korvosa. At this point, Queen Ileosa excuses herself. With a whirl of the hem of her mourning dress, Queen Ileosa is gone from sight.
Sabina stands at the doorway, prepared to escort you out of Castle Korvosa. "Do you wish an escort to Ctadel Volshyenek?"
You receive 12 gold ingots each worth 100g (1200g total). The chest itself is worth 50g.
The Queen is beautiful as well.But there is something truly atractive about Sabina, I wonder , if we work with the guards, can I see more of her......
A smile crosses Typhon's face as he gazes at Sabina, he starts to speak but then notices his garb and the dirt and stains upon it and stops.
Bah! who am I kidding, I'm just a river rat she wouldn't look twice at me.
He instead turns to Bosch, with a considering glance at Corwin first."Well Bosch, you appear to have become our impromtue leader, should we go talk to this Field Marshal Cressida Kroft then?"
Bosch accepted the box with a gracious bow, "The company of soldiers will likely be unneeded. I find most ruffians choose not to risk the ire of a group of well armed and armored fellows, especially when they have the command of a stalwart hound. We will be careful," Bosch says, undoing the clasp of his cloak and wrapping it in a bundle around the expensive looking box.
"Thank you for your indulgence, Lady Merrin." Bosch bows one last time and turns to go.
Once outside he lets out a slow breath.
"I see why my mother did this sort of thing regularly. I could buy a house with this, maybe even get Bee some proper lessons or an apprenticeship." He collects himself when Typhon adresses him.
"I suppose we should," Bosch agrees, looking a bit uncomfortable at being ascribed the moniker of 'leader'.
Tessa gasps at the display of wealth casually granted to her impromptu band. Gosh, if this keeps up I can travel anywhere and study what I please!
As Bosch turns down the offer of an escort, Tessa shifts nervously. I sure hope he's right, those mobs outside look pretty fearsome.
Outside, Tessa pipes up. "I think we should do whatever it takes to keep the city safe. We all have reasons to want the peace back, and we're not going to find a home for those kids with mobs on the street. I say we help the guard."
Chelaxian Male Professor of Thassilonian History 2 || hp 13/13 || AC 11(15), touch 11(15), flatfooted 10(14) || Perception +3, Sense Motive +3 || Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +7 || CMB +0, CMD 11 || Init +1 || Harrow 4
"Wait, why should we? I am not suited for crowd control or dealing with mobs. I am a scholar and teacher...not a guardsman."
"Besides, I am more concerned with ensuring the safety of the children, including my daughter, first. Running about the city in the midst of a riot is a quick way to get killed. That would defeat the purpose of rescuing my daughter, save her then get my old-fool self killed."
"I tell you what. If we can get deputized to protect our neighborhood, I will support that and assist. But I want to go back to the inn to keep an eye on things there."
"The other option is for the children to be housed in a guardhouse. That would be the safest place....I doubt anyone would agree to that though...but its worth a try."
"Fine." he says, turning to Bosch, "Let's go talk to Field Marshall Kroft and see if we can get the children to a safer place."
Typhon spends a few moments checking his weapons as they head out past the guards. He fiddles with this wrist sheathes and with a click each accepts its dagger back into place. He then drops his sleeves back down along his forearms.
" I gotta admit, I was wary of dealin with the Nobles and Royals, but with that kinda swag, I'm thinkin this might be a good thing." And if I help I might be able to see more of Sabina
He seems unconcerned about mobs or dangers.
As they walk toward Citadel Volshenyk, Bosch elbows Typhon in the ribs. He did not intend for it to hurt but he was considerably larger and stronger than Typhon. "Are you sure that was the only thing that changed your tune?" He asked giving the half-elf a knowing grin.
"I could of sworn I caught you gawking at something metal and it certainly wasn't our reward."
The walk to Citadel Volshenyk is fairly uneventful, compared to the last few times that you've walked Korvosa's streets. It seems Korvosa's many dock workers are on strike, protesting the Queen taking the throne. Although it is mid-morning, many houses and shops are shuttered with their doors closed. None approach you. For now, they seem content shouting about the usurper queen and low wages.
Citadel Volshyenek is located in Midland, overlooking Jeggare Harbor, where it serves as the base of operations for the Korvosan Guard. Two nervous guards stand at the entrance, but as the queen promised, you are expected. They quickly wave you through the gates. Surprisingly, Bee and Wren greet you inside the Citadel. "We're helping the Guard," Bee explains. "Mr. Grau asked us to stay inside and help."
"He took some of the other children to find their parents," Wren adds.
The two children lead you into the central keep. You notice that besides the two guards at the front entrance and the two children, there seems to be no one else in the Citadel. When you reach the central keep, a harried and tired-looking woman rises from her desk to greet you. Field Marshal Cressida Kroft is an attractive, dark-haired human woman dressed in red armor. She motions for you to sit in the chairs surrounding her desk.
"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 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."
Cressida pauses for a moment. "As for the children, Sergeant Soledado -" referring to Grau - "has taken some of them back to their parents. Sadly, some have no family, or are better off without their family. Those six that remain are just down the hall, doing what they can to help. Sharpening bolts for the crossbows, mending armor, and the like."
At Bosch's comment and nudge, Ty ducks his head and grins back.
"Yeah, Sabina caught my eye, but I'm pretty sure she glossed over me." He blushes a little as he says this then." But if I see more of her, maybe she'll notice me."he continues raising his head slightly.
That and if I use my share of the reward to get some better clothes....
Citadel Volshyenek
Ty stands at the back of the group, snorting when he hears what the kids are doing.
"If you put them in the Armory, you should prolly count the knives when they're done. They might have good hearts but they are street rats. At least some of them. " " As to the rest..."He glances around." I'm in if the rest are."
Bosch sits and Roscoe wanders over to Cressida's side. The big dog wags his tail enthusiastically and proceeds to rest his blocky head on Cressida's thigh without much preamble.
"I'll take responsibility for them," Bosch says without hesitation to both Typhon and Cressida, "I could always use more help at the forge but my home certainly isn't large enough for nine. We found the deed to the property Lamm was squatting in. Is there any way I could take official ownership of it? With the space I could teach them an honest trade and house them."
"Regardless, I'd be honored to help your efforts."
Skills Acrobatics +12, Climb +5, Escape Artist +7, Know(religion)+4, Know Hist3 Perception+13,Sense Motive+8,Stealth+12, Swim +5 Survival +5 Craft Bows +6, Ride 7Languages Common Tien Draconic Celestial
Human
BowStats:
MW Comp LB(Str +1)+10(1d8+3/x3) SB +4(1d6/x3) Flurry(2Atk), Defl Arr, Perf Strike(2d20)(2/day), Point Blank Shot+1+ 1 30ft, Precise Shot, Point Blank Master No AoO, Deadly Aim -1 +2 Many shot 2 arrows at once
Monk (Zen Archer) 32Arr 40Blnt 50Slvr
Vitals:
Init +9; Senses Perception +13 AC 19, touch 19, flat-footed 15 (+3 Dex, +1 dodge +5Monk) hp 35/41 Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8
I am duty bound to help
Bandru bows and when he raises
I will do whatever it takes to help keep the peace [\b]
Turning to Bosch
[B]Being a former child worker I feel honor bound to help with the children as well. Consider me bound to the cause of the children now until I am no longer needed by them.
Chelaxian Male Professor of Thassilonian History 2 || hp 13/13 || AC 11(15), touch 11(15), flatfooted 10(14) || Perception +3, Sense Motive +3 || Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +7 || CMB +0, CMD 11 || Init +1 || Harrow 4
"I suggest that the children remain here, in the Citadel for the time being. I think that from our other source of information, as well as the general disturbance from the city, I do not want my child out wandering the streets where they could get killed or injured. Lamm's old warehouse is a tinderbox. If it survives, it will be useful, but I am not taking my child there."
"Food, warmth and some simple work will not harm her. I will give them lessons when we have time, but for the interim, Wren will remain here." he says.
"As for giving my assistance. I am interested. I am a patriot, and would hate to see the city go to ruin...and I need a paying job."
"I'm in!" chirps Tessa. "I won't let this city burn on my watch - and besides," she smiles "I'm holding more money right now than I've had in my life! I could get used to this!"
And when I show those Acadamae fools what they turned away, and they beg me to attend their stupid school, it'll be the sweetest thing in the world!
Cressida nods as you ask about the fishery. "Reclaiming an abandoned building would be a burden off of the city's back. I've heard many reports of Lamm, but that piece of slime would ooze away whenever we got close to catching him. It seems like he chose his hideouts carefully. Under Korvosan law, if the owner of a building dies, the building immediately reverts to the city and is held in escrow for 2 years, during which time any rightful owner who can prove a claim can regain control of the building. After the 2 years, the city claims the building, yet even then, they are slow to handle it, making it the perfect place to enslave children and fence stolen goods." She takes some notes on a sheet of parchment on her desk. "I will have someone look into the records to ensure that all the legal bits are in order and get some paperwork together so that you have something official. It should be straightforward to put the fishery in your names."
"As for the children, Corwin is correct - they will be safe and well-cared for at the Citadel for the time being. The work is mostly to keep them occupied and from thinking about causing mischief." Cresida adds hastily "Belvia and Wren are quite well behaved, which is why they've been running minor errands within the citadel - bringing visitors in from the gates, fetching things, and so forth."
Cressida looks releived at your offers to help her and the Korvosan Guard. “Here is what you can do for the city. Korvosa’s got enough troubles as it is without my own men losing their way and going rogue. As much as it pains me to admit, though, this has happened several times already. Many guards have deserted their posts, more concerned about friends and family than the city. I can understand this, yet not all of the deserters have family—some of them are simply using the riots as an excuse for personal gain. One such man is Verik Vancaskerkin. Worse than a lone deserter, he’s convinced a small group of fellow guards that Queen Ileosa is going to ruin the city"
The Field Marshall sighs. "Whether she does or doesn’t isn’t the point—right now, we’ve got a city-wide crisis on our hands, and I need all of my guards working with me to see us through. A deserter is worse than a lost resource—it’s an infection. I can’t afford to pull any of my other patrols off duty to deal with Vancaskerkin, and I’d rather not expose any of them to him anyway, since I neither want Vancaskerkin to infect more guards with his talk of secession, nor do I want some overly patriotic guard killing Vancaskerkin outright. I need impartial, skilled talent. Like you."
Cressida retrieves a detailed map of the city and uses her quill to point at it as she continues. “Vancaskerkin and his men have holed up in an abandoned butcher’s shop up in Northgate—the place was called All the World’s Meat. I need you to check out the place. Try to avoid killing any of the deserters if you can, but if you must, they brought it upon themselves when they threw in their lot with Vancaskerkin. For him, I’d really prefer it if you could capture him alive and return him to me for interrogation, but if he makes that impossible, I’ll accept his body as well. Finally, see if you can find out why Verik deserted— if there’s more to it than simple personal politics, I need to know immediately. Bring me Verik alive, and there’s a thousand gold in it for you. Dead, he’s only worth half that.”
Cressida moves her quill to another point on the map. "If you need a place to stay, I recommend the Fainting Peacock. I'll put a good word in with Theandra, the owner, as well as a line of credit for food and lodging."
Hmm. haven't really trained for the 'bring em back alive' plan. not sure how I'd go about that. " Looks like we're All In. Gotta tell ya tho, alive might be harder to do. Not my style at all. Have to play it loose and see how things go."He says with a look of being vexed. "Anybody got a plan?"
Chelaxian Male Professor of Thassilonian History 2 || hp 13/13 || AC 11(15), touch 11(15), flatfooted 10(14) || Perception +3, Sense Motive +3 || Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +7 || CMB +0, CMD 11 || Init +1 || Harrow 4
Corwin looks at Tessa for a moment, a bit of a frown on his face. "I think that is the first time that I have ever been asked a question of that nature. I honestly don't even know if it is possible...to subdue with fire?"
"The easiest answer is to not use the fire at all in the normal manner...to perhaps bluff them into surrendering? That actually might work...your spells are certainly impressive enough, even if you have only one setting..."ultra-charred"" he says, a small smile beneath his mustache.
"Under other circumstances I might suggest that we try flushing them out with fire but I don't think you would much appreciate that, ma'am," Bosch said with a grin to Cressida. Thankful that the group was meshing as easily as they were.
"Do you have any manacles we could borrow for this excursion?"
"Yes, you can borrow some manacles." Cressida tells Wren where they are located in the Citadel's storage and sends her to find a pair. She returns a few minutes later with four pairs.
While she is gone, Cressida says "That reminds me- Grau brought a gnome back with him as well. I believe his name was Hookshanks. He's locked up for now, when I have a few minutes to spare, he will be questioned. If he's worked with Lamm for long, he probably has committed more crimes than petty theft."
Those of you from Korvosa know that the city's laws for violent crime are quite harsh.
DC 10 Knowledge Local:
Crime Punishments
Treason: Torture, death; no appeal
Murder: Torture, death; no appeal
Rape: Torture and castration, imprisonment (10–20 years), death; no appeal
Armed Robbery: Pay restitution or lose a hand, imprisonment (10–20 years)
Arson: Pay restitution or branding, imprisonment (10+ years); plus murder charge if fire kills
Unionizing: Branding, imprisonment (5–10 years); no appeal
Accidental Death: Pay restitution or torture, imprisonment (5–8 years)
Robbery: Pay restitution or lose a hand, imprisonment (2–10 years), pay restitution
Drug Use: Imprisonment (4–6 months pre-trial, plus 2–3 years if guilty)
Manacles can bind a Medium creature. A manacled creature can use the Escape Artist skill to slip free (DC 30, or DC 35 for masterwork manacles). Breaking the manacles requires a Strength check (DC 26, or DC 28 for masterwork manacles). Manacles have hardness 10 and 10 hit points. Source.
We'll move along to All the World's Meat tomorrow unless you have more questions.
Untrained Knowledge (Local):1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Why do I bother putting ranks in skills when I roll this well on untrained checks?
"Thank you ma'am. Roscoe!" Bosch calls to his dog, the beast lifts his head out of Cressida's lap and faithfully returns to his master's side.
"Before we go, there is a final matter I'd like some input on," Bosch said pulling the letter out of his breastplate and sliding it across the table to Cressida.
"We found this amongst Lamm's possessions, what would be the punishment for arranging a kidnapping?"
On the way to All the World's Meats, Ty will buy a Sap. Also a light crossbow with 20 bolts and a tanglefoot bag. 87gp. Also on the lookout for a cheap( a couple of charges or so) wand of web, grease, command, or cure light wounds. " Err, Bosch could I get one o' them gold bars? gotta get some stuff."
Cressida reads the letter, frowning at its contents. "Should it be proven in a court of law, or if the criminal confessed, the person that wrote this would lose a hand and spend at least 10 years in prison, or possibly be put to death. If you bring in a suspect, I will see that they are questioned," she says gravely.
Typhon discovers that Korvosa's merchants are eager to sell their goods and have gold, rather than items, on hand. Typhon is able to find
Wand of Web with 42 charges (630 gp)
Wand of Grease with 5 charges (75 gp)
Wand of Command with 2 charges (30 gp)
Wand of Cure Light Wounds with 20 charges (300 gp)
Dice Rolls:
75% chance that any specific minor magic item is available in a city the size of Korvosa. If the d100 roll is 75 or less, the item is available. The second roll is the number of charges. Wand of Web:1d100 ⇒ 41d50 ⇒ 42 Wand of Grease:1d100 ⇒ 11d50 ⇒ 5 Wand of Command:1d100 ⇒ 201d50 ⇒ 2 Wand of Cure Light Wounds:1d100 ⇒ 81d50 ⇒ 20
If a purchased wand casts a spell that allows a save, it is the minimum possible. These are all first level spells by casters with minimum scores to cast them, so the save DCs are 12. Also, that makes the Cure Light Wounds 1d8+1.
Wow, all the rolls seem to be going in your favor so far
Any particular time you'd like to arrive at All the World's Meat? If you go straight there, you will arrive in early afternoon.
Skills Acrobatics +12, Climb +5, Escape Artist +7, Know(religion)+4, Know Hist3 Perception+13,Sense Motive+8,Stealth+12, Swim +5 Survival +5 Craft Bows +6, Ride 7Languages Common Tien Draconic Celestial
Human
BowStats:
MW Comp LB(Str +1)+10(1d8+3/x3) SB +4(1d6/x3) Flurry(2Atk), Defl Arr, Perf Strike(2d20)(2/day), Point Blank Shot+1+ 1 30ft, Precise Shot, Point Blank Master No AoO, Deadly Aim -1 +2 Many shot 2 arrows at once
Monk (Zen Archer) 32Arr 40Blnt 50Slvr
Vitals:
Init +9; Senses Perception +13 AC 19, touch 19, flat-footed 15 (+3 Dex, +1 dodge +5Monk) hp 35/41 Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8
Do you happen to have any composite longbows lying around I could use. Maybe one of great quality and takes a little strength to pull?
If not I may go keep Typhon company and see if I can't pick one up
looking to get a +1STR Master Comp Longbow to go with my level 2 Weapon Focus Longbow feat
On the way to find Verik Vancaskerkin and his renegade guardsmen, you learn that the group's taken to calling themselves the Cow Hammer Boys, and that their program of free meat during the time of unrest is keeping many families from going hungry. Bosch also learns that the Cow Hammer Boys hire themselves out as mercenaries - if one wishes to hire them in this manner, all you need to do is ask about "the night's special cuts."
In the early afternoon, you arrive at 22 Stirge Street, the location of All the World's Meat. A sign bearing the image of a fat, smiling cow hangs above the entrance to this shop. Inside, a long counter runs over half the room’s width, beyond which a door stands ajar. A low bench sits against the east wall, while to the north a marble-topped table displays cuts of meat before a wide, grimy window. A few flies crawl and circle in the air above the meat. One man stands just inside the doorway. Another stand behind the counter. Both have crossbows and longswords at their sides. You see a woman enter the shop as you approach and speak with one of the men, who shakes his head. She looks disappointed as she leaves the shop without any meat.
Bosch has been frowning since they found out about the Cow Hammer Boys' acts of charity.
"Bandru, Tessa, Corwin, please cover me from the doorway. I want to try and talk them in and remember, if it comes to blows, take them alive," Bosch brings Roscoe to heel and turns towards the storefront.
Ty will purchase the wand of grease, wand of command, and the CLW wand, tho the last one will be purchased with the party loot that Ty turned in last time, as I'm not sure of my split this time and may not have enough. I'm not great at wands yet, but on an 11 or higher I can use them.
So Ty shows up with a sap and 3 wands tucked into his belt, a crossbow and bolt case hanging off of his pack and a big jello-y looking bag in his left hand.
Before getting into visible range, he'll drape a dirty blanket around himself so as not to attract too much attention.
"Man, i'm a little weighed down now. Feels wrong, much prefer being light on my feets."he says, after arriving in time to hear Bosch remind everyone to take them alive.
That's the plan. Expensive plan tho. he frowns in thought.
Oh jeez, thinks Tessa as she hears about the actions of the deserters, these guys don't sound too bad. I hope we don't have to hurt them. Speaking of which...
"So, what's the penalty for deserting? These guys are gonna be cooked geese when we bring them in, aren't they?"
tessa will aid bosch's diplomacy roll when he makes it aid another, diplomacy:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Bosch walks slowly up to the storefront, perfectly aware of how well armed and armor he was. Roscoe trailed slightly behind his master, panting slightly.
"Gentlemen, I take it you are the Cow Hammer Boys? I would appreciate a chance to talk to Mr. Verik Vancaskerkin. My friends outside are there to insure my safety. Also... is there any chance I could get a thighbone? Roscoe here loves to chew on them."
The guard near the door immediately relaxes now that he knows the reason for the group outside his door. He has bushy hair and a unibrow. "Yep yep, we're the Cowhammer Boys. All you come inside, why dontcha shut the door behind you too, if you want to talk. Keep anybody from interruptin us." He beckons the rest of you to come inside. "Thing is, ole Verik don't like to be bothered none. We can take care of whatever it is you need."
Unibrow turns to the fat guard behind the counter, whose chainmail doesn't quite fit his ample frame, and says "Malder, go sees if we got any nice bones left for 'is dog."
"Alrighty," Malder wheezes, leaving through the door in the back of the room. He returns a few minutes later with a large bone with a bit of meat still on it and hands it to Bosch. "We're outta the good stuff by this time a day, but we stills got some bones left," Malder explains. "We got lots of free meat for keepin the good people of Korvosa from goin hungry, but boy does it go fast."
Bandru, you can only take a standard action when you ready, flurry is a full round action. If the guards get aggressive though, you can take a single shot.
"Thanks," Bosch said, handing the bone to Roscoe who carried the thing into a corner and promptly began crunching on the cartilage on the ends. He nods to the others.
"I think Mr. Vancaskerkin will be very interested in what I have to say and why we're here. If it make matters easier, I'd be willing to go to him. I'll even hand over my sword."
"Nah, Mr. Vancaskerkin isn't interested at all in what a bloke like you has to say. Now kick off! the guard with the unibrow growls. He puts a hand on his longsword and points at the exit.
Yeah! We-we don't want you talkin to him," Malder, the fat guard adds from behind the counter, getting out his crossbow.
Bandru:
Bandru notices that the guards became very nervous as soon as Bosch said "I think Mr. Vancaskerkin will be very interested in what I have to say..."
If you guys are going to fight, Bandru, you can take your readied action as part of the surprise round at either guard, then we will go to initiative count.
Tessa, you suspect that the penalty for deserting in this case might depend on what the deserters were doing and if they were willing to return to their posts. Cressida would probably be eager to get men to help the city if they just fell in with a bad apple. But if they were up to no good anyway, that would not bode well.
Note: It wasn't really clear who went into the shop besides Bosch and Roscoe. If any of you would prefer to be inside or outside the shop at this point, that's no problem.
"It is about your desertion!" Bosch said, putting his hands up and backing towards the door but not drawing his own sword.
"We were tasked with bringing you lot in but I'd rather do it all as free, happy, and healthy men. The city is going mad out there and if we can't restore order, it won't be the queen that suffers. From what I've heard, you've done the folks around here a damn sight of good, you can keep that up. I'll appeal for pardons if you agree to return to your posts. Please."
The guard with the unibrow takes his hand from his sword. "Okay, okay, we just thought maybe you was gonna arrest us or somethin. Verik, he got this notion that he'd be better off givin away meat to poor people than goin back to his post at the Guard. It sounded better to us than playing at riot control, you know what I mean?"
Malder puts down his crossbow and adds "But we aint going back to the Guard. We get good money here. We do some work for hire on the side. Protecting people, making sure other people don't cause no trouble, you know. That's why we didn't want you talkin to Verik. He doesn't know about that stuff. He's turned into a shut-in now, hardly comes out of his room."
"I can understand that. As long as you're not actually hurting the situation, I'm sure we could figure something out," Bosch said, "The only one the Marshal was really worried about was Verik. He's no help to anyone right now, could I please talk to him? The city needs help right now, any help it can get. Hells, I'm a smith, she's a lamplighter, we've got a river rat, a professor and a holy brother out there."
Roscoe snorted in his corner, "One dog, too," Bosch added, and the big dog went back to noisily chewing. "I'll leave my sword here."
