Inigo follows her without any attempt to hide. Inigo waves at Owlen.
Inigo follows her without any attempt to hide. Inigo waves at Owlen.
Owlen seems wrapped up in her own thoughts. She doesn't notice Inigo, or anything else. Head down, she walks through the square, exiting to the west. Eventually she reaches the streets ringing Castle Korvosa. A large crowd is gathered on the south side of the castle, a vigil for the health of the king. The castle is perched on top of a huge truncated pyramid. Guardsmen line the top edge of pyramid and circulate through the crowd.
Rumors of all sorts circulate through the crowd. "The king is more than sick, he's dying." "He's been assasinated by any of the noble houses or political factions in the city." "A demon was on the high tower at midnight." Occasionally a passing guard hears one of the more accusatory rumors and has a talking to with the speaker.
To Inigo's left he hears something about Azmodeus, slavemaster of hell.
"Who maligns the First Lord like a coward?!" Inigo scans the area.
"Who maligns the First Lord like a coward?!" Inigo scans the area.
The crowd goes silent around you, but whoever made the remarks is intimidated by your mail and arms. No one even meets your eyes.
Owlen walks on.
Inigo proceeds after Owlen without any further thought of the defamatory remarks.
Inigo proceeds after Owlen without any further thought of the defamatory remarks.
Owlen continues west, then when she runs out of west turns north on Field Marshal Way. She's obviously returning to the temple.
Inigo runs faster and through a shorter route to the temple, if that is all possible.
Inigo runs faster and through a shorter route to the temple, if that is all possible.
Inigo waits for Owlen at the steps to the temple.
Inigo waits for Owlen at the steps to the temple.
20 yards south of the temple, Owlen stops and rubs her eyes and face. Then, head held high, she marches to the temple steps. "Good Morning, Inigo." She says neutrally as she enters.
"The peace of the First Lord be with you, Preceptor." Inigo flashes her a smile.
"Master Vertas requests a moment of your time. He is waiting in his quarters."
"The peace of the First Lord be with you, Preceptor." Inigo flashes her a smile.
"Master Vertas requests a moment of your time. He is waiting in his quarters."
No sign of the twins.
Now that you're looking for them, there's beggar kids everywhere. It's a wonder anyone can get around town without tripping over them.
Plenty of shady people in the riverfront/warehouse area. Nobody wants to talk about them. Plenty of bad rumors about the sewers: otyughs, dire rats, filthfever, giant crocodiles. Only a desparate case would live there.
"Hmm, I wonder ...." Darthen motions a small group of kids over. "Hey guys listen. I need some help finding a couple of guys. The first person that can tell me where they are gets a a fistful of silvers. You need to be careful though because this is a game I am playing with them. If they know I am looking for them they will leave and go somewhere else. Which means I have to find some other kids to give this money to. Do you all understand? Good, good. The two guys are twin brothers. That should be easy to see, right? They both have bald heads to so make sure you get the right ones for me, Ok? Remember don't let them see you or the game is over and you lose."
Once back in the courtroom, Jeorik waits patiently with Arando for things to begin again, hoping that the second session is a little more interesting than the first for the spectators.
"How long do you think this will take?" he asks his companion in waiting.
"Hmm, I wonder ...." Darthen motions a small group of kids over. "Hey guys listen. I need some help finding a couple of guys. .... They both have bald heads to so make sure you get the right ones for me, Ok? Remember don't let them see you or the game is over and you lose."
The kids agree excitedly and gleefully spread oout to cover the area. One small bedraggled girl remains behind. "How many silvers?"
Once back in the courtroom, Jeorik waits patiently with Arando for things to begin again, hoping that the second session is a little more interesting than the first for the spectators.
"How long do you think this will take?" he asks his companion in waiting.
Dorman overhears your question. He answers dryly, "COuld be forever, with appeals and all."
The proceedings drag on. In the mid-afternoon, Dorman straightens suddenly and motions for Jeorik and Arando to lean closer.
Arando:
Keliwyn is frustrated waiting for things to fall in place and waiting for the evening when he can call on Dorman, Arando and Jeorik. He briefly considers going to the Courthouse to observe the proceedings, but remembers that court is often less glamorous than people believe, and usually involves a lot of waiting punctuated by brief moments of drama. Being at the Temple already, he decides to call on Inigo, partly to see what else he can find out about Garven, and partly because he found the priest to be quiet interesting.
Inigo:
Owlen follows Inigo to Vertas' room, where he has her wait outsidee. Vertas' interviews Inigo briefly regarding her state of mind and possible actions this morning. He lights the candles. Then he has Inigo lead her in.
Vertas conducts a low-key, mild interrogation of Owlen starting by instructing her that she owes him, and by extension the First Lord obedience. Then using what you already know he wedges open the story, switching subjects frequently between her relationship with Morten, the accounting, recent events, and Morten's intentions.
Under his questioning it becomes apparent she loves Morten and he has been using her to forward his scheme. She doesn't know much about it other than he's buying something in CHeliax to return to the Mierani elves. When Vertas asks why she put Morten in front of her duty to the First Lord, she replies it is the First Lord's will. Vertas says, "I doubt that."
A knock at the door disturbs the comversation. An initiate says, "Master Keliwyn, waits in the garden. He requests an interview with Inigo."
Vertas smiles. "Inigo, hadn't I asked you to find out more about him?"
Keliwyn:
When asked, an initiaite tells you that Inigo is with Master Vertas. If you wait in the garden, he will send INigo to you.
Vertas smiles. "Inigo, hadn't I asked you to find out more about him?"
"It appears that the First Lord arranges for things in his own time." Inigo bows to Vertas and turn to tell the initiate, "Lead me to him."
The initiate leads Inigo to the garden.
The kids agree excitedly and gleefully spread oout to cover the area. One small bedraggled girl remains behind. "How many silvers?"
Seeing the little girl hold back he feels a bit of pity for her. He takes a handful of silver pieces from his pocket and counts them. He looks her in the eyes and gives her a warm smile, "Hmm, lets see here. It seems that I can hold 5 silver pieces in my fist. That's how much the winner will get." Looking at her curiously he adds, "Do you already know where they are at?"
"If you know the way, lead on," says Jeorik to Arando.
The two immediately head out of the courtroom towards the docks, though Jeorik tries not to appear in any sort of a hurry until they are on the street.
Seeing the little girl hold back he feels a bit of pity for her. He takes a handful of silver pieces from his pocket and counts them. He looks her in the eyes and gives her a warm smile, "Hmm, lets see here. It seems that I can hold 5 silver pieces in my fist. That's how much the winner will get." Looking at her curiously he adds, "Do you already know where they are at?"
"Sure, I do" she says, "but it's a secret. We aren't sposed to tell."
DC 5 sense motive
Seeing the little girl hold back he feels a bit of pity for her. He takes a handful of silver pieces from his pocket and counts them. He looks her in the eyes and gives her a warm smile, "Hmm, lets see here. It seems that I can hold 5 silver pieces in my fist. That's how much the winner will get." Looking at her curiously he adds, "Do you already know where they are at?""Sure, I do" she says, "but it's a secret. We aren't sposed to tell."
DC 5 sense motive ** spoiler omitted **
Diplomacy, Gather Info (1d20 2=17, 1d20 6=24)
Smiling at the girl he says, "A secret you say. Well now that must be part of their game. It isn't supposed to be easy you know. If they made it easy it wouldn't be a fun game, would it?" Seeing an opportunity to maybe make a difference in the little girls life. Darthen looks around the area, spots a small stand selling wooden carved trinkets and toys. He brings the girl over with him asks her which one she likes the best and gets it for her. He then takes her to another small stall and buys her a few sweet meats and a chilled drink. Afterward he finds a empty bench and sits down beside her. "Whew, you sure drive a tough bargain." He lets her enjoy the treat and check her new toy out before saying anything else.
Darthen:
The enticements have their desired effect. The girl grows friendlier and more comfortable. It seems she especially likes nuts. "It's 5 blocks down to the twins house from here,"she says. "One for each silver shield." She leads Darthen down an alley, 3 blocks north along Warehouse Way (the first main street paralleling the MIdland waterfront), and then stops at a corner. She looks furtively around. "There, " she says, pointing. "They live in that old fishery. Though only one of them at a time is there any more."
When asked, an initiaite tells you that Inigo is with Master Vertas. If you wait in the garden, he will send INigo to you.
Keliwyn waits in the garden, and greets Inigo warmly when he sees him.
Darthen:
The enticements have their desired effect. The girl grows friendlier and more comfortable. It seems she especially likes nuts. "It's 5 blocks down to the twins house from here,"she says. "One for each silver shield." She leads Darthen down an alley, 3 blocks north along Warehouse Way (the first main street paralleling the MIdland waterfront), and then stops at a corner. She looks furtively around. "There, " she says, pointing. "They live in that old fishery. Though only one of them at a time is there any more."
"Why is there only one there at a time? If one is there where does the other one go?" Giving her a big hug and the handful of silvers he says, "You take care of yourself." Looking towards the fishery, "You might not want to go near those two anymore. They are not going to be to happy that I found them."
After the young girl heads back the way we came Darthen starts strolling down the street towards the fishery. He nonchalantly walks with crowds of people stopping at stalls here and there. He constantly keeps an eye out for the twins, or anyone that might be shadowing him.
He tries to gather some information about the fishery as he talks with merchants and the occasional pedestrian.
Keliwyn waits in the garden, and greets Inigo warmly when he sees him.
When asked, an initiaite tells you that Inigo is with Master Vertas. If you wait in the garden, he will send INigo to you.
"The peace of the First Lord be upon you, Master Keliwyn."
"The peace of the First Lord be upon you, Master Keliwyn."Keliwyn waits in the garden, and greets Inigo warmly when he sees him.
When asked, an initiaite tells you that Inigo is with Master Vertas. If you wait in the garden, he will send INigo to you.
"And upon you, Inigo," Keliwyn replies. "Tell me, have you had lunch yet? I came to speak with Grandmaster Morten again, an am now off to grab something to eat. Since I found our conversation yesterday (?) to be interesting, I thought maybe you would care to join me."
"Why is there only one there at a time? If one is there where does the other one go?"
The little girl looks puzzled momentarily. "Maybe they spilt up cause you're lookin' for both together! They used to go everywhere, but now just one at a time."
Giving her a big hug and the handful of silvers he says, "You take care of yourself." Looking towards the fishery, "You might not want to go near those two anymore.They are not going to be to happy that I found them."
The little girl grabs the silvers, and slips away from the hug. "Well I hope they won't be happy, but I got to go near 'em. I live there."
Early evening. Detecting is long hard work.
Jeorik: I've been waiting for Arando, but let's move ahead.
Once outside Arbiter's Hall, Arando takes Dorman's suggestion to hurry quite literally. Running while he leads Jeorik westward through the city streets, turning briefly north to cross a rickety wooden bridge over the narrow Straits of St. Alika. "Careful now. Not the best neighborhood, " he huffs while crossing the bridge.
His speed helps keep the beggars off. You are by before they can begin asking for money. About 10 minutes later, breathing heavily, you stop near the western extremity of Endrin Island. Looking out to sea you can make out a small tan sail near the horizon.
The pilot boat is loading up. Dockhands are releasing the lines.
"And upon you, Inigo," Keliwyn replies. "Tell me, have you had lunch yet? I came to speak with Grandmaster Morten again, an am now off to grab something to eat. Since I found our conversation yesterday (?) to be interesting, I thought maybe you would care to join me."
"An invitation from such a generous (?) host, how can I refuse? Please lead on."
"Why is there only one there at a time? If one is there where does the other one go?"The little girl looks puzzled momentarily. "Maybe they spilt up cause you're lookin' for both together! They used to go everywhere, but now just one at a time."
Giving her a big hug and the handful of silvers he says, "You take care of yourself." Looking towards the fishery, "You might not want to go near those two anymore.They are not going to be to happy that I found them."
The little girl grabs the silvers, and slips away from the hug. "Well I hope they won't be happy, but I got to go near 'em. I live there."
Early evening. Detecting is long hard work.
Shaking his head as she vanishes in the crowd a sudden thought crosses his mind. He abrubtly stands up and checks his coin pouch ensuring it is still tied down inside his waistband.
Darthen keeps as unobtrusive as possible while casing the fishery. Since it is early evening the shadows seem to provide enough cover for him.
"Let's see if we can make the pilot boat," says Jeorik to Arando as he tries to put on a bit more speed.
Shaking his head as she vanishes in the crowd a sudden thought crosses his mind. He abrubtly stands up and checks his coin pouch ensuring it is still tied down inside his waistband.
Darthen keeps as unobtrusive as possible while casing the fishery. Since it is early evening the shadows seem to provide enough cover for him.
Your tail is clean.
The fishery's been abandoned, but a bunch of beggars are sqatting in it.
"Let's see if we can make the pilot boat," says Jeorik to Arando as he tries to put on a bit more speed.
As you reach the landward end of the dock, the dockhands push the pilot boat off. The gap between it and the dock slowly begins to widen. The crew begins to set the sails.
"Let's see if we can make the pilot boat," says Jeorik to Arando as he tries to put on a bit more speed.
As you reach the landward end of the dock, the dockhands push the pilot boat off. The gap between it and the dock slowly begins to widen. The crew begins to set the sails.
Jeorik runs down to the edge and attempts to leap across to the pilot boat, yelling, "Wait!"
Unfortunately the edge of the dock seems to be wet and the next thing Jeorik knows, he is in the water between the ship and the shore.
With no one he can see following him he decides to get closer to the fishery. After a quick check it appears to be abandoned except for the large amount of squatters who've taken up residence.
He finds a couple of squatters near the door to speak with them, "I'm looking for the people that were here before. Twins, bald heads, anyone know them?"
"An invitation from such a generous (?) host, how can I refuse? Please lead on."
"And upon you, Inigo," Keliwyn replies. "Tell me, have you had lunch yet? I came to speak with Grandmaster Morten again, an am now off to grab something to eat. Since I found our conversation yesterday (?) to be interesting, I thought maybe you would care to join me."
"Great!" Keliwyn says, "I know a nice place a few blocks aways," he continues, patting Inigo on the back as they turn to leave. "Fantastic wine list, great beer, and the best chicken this side of the city!"
With no one he can see following him he decides to get closer to the fishery. After a quick check it appears to be abandoned except for the large amount of squatters who've taken up residence.
He finds a couple of squatters near the door to speak with them, "I'm looking for the people that were here before. Twins, bald heads, anyone know them?"
Darthen's persistence and generosity earn him the company of a retired old salt, Jevry Buckman. "It's a half dozen gents including those twins and a passle o' kiddies squatting there. Kids are beggars 'n' thieves, but harmless mostly, if you watch 'em sharp-like. Been in there a couple months. Keep to themselves and don't care for company."
Jeorik runs down to the edge and attempts to leap across to the pilot boat, yelling, "Wait!"
Alerted by your pounding footsteps, the dockhands whirl just in time to see Arando and Jeorik flash by. Unfortunately the edge of the dock seems to be wet and the next thing Jeorik knows, he is in the water between the ship and the shore. The lightly burdened Arando is more fortunate and tumbles onto the pilot boat's deck.Arando's jump (1d20=12)
When Jeorik hits the water the dockhands immediately throw him a line, as do the two deckhands of the pilot boat. Arando engages the skipper in conversation as Jeorik is hauled aboard. One of the deckhands fetches the Ilsurian a blanket before returning to the halyard.
The captain and pilot seem amused, barely stifling chuckles. "Arando here tells us you're Dorman's nevvie. Good man, Dorman. We'll be happy to take you out to the Maggie Bright."
Darthen's persistence and generosity earn him the company of a retired old salt, Jevry Buckman. "It's a half dozen gents including those twins and a passle o' kiddies squatting there. Kids are beggars 'n' thieves, but harmless mostly, if you watch 'em sharp-like. Been in there a couple months. Keep to themselves and don't care for company."
With a sheepish grin, Jeorik accepts the hospitality of the ship captain and sets to drying himself and enjoying the voyage out to the ship.
With a sheepish grin, Jeorik accepts the hospitality of the ship captain and sets to drying himself and enjoying the voyage out to the ship.
The sun is bright and the breeze, fresh. Once clear of the headland of Endrin island, the pilot boat heels over and shows its speed. Water sings down the hull. Gulls follow the boat, drifting side to side across the wake.
The pilot, captain and Arando discuss common friends and the business of the docks and shipping. All the time the sail on the horizon grows.
Finally you can distinguish the hull. Even a landsman such as yourself can tell the proportion of sail to hull is too small. As you draw within hailing range, it's clear that the Maggie Bright has suffered terribly. The sail is threadbare and patched. The mast is a makeshift hodgepodge of lumber. Arando exclaims at the absence of the deckhouse.
Crewmen are waiting on the rail, obviously happy to see you. A ragged cheer runs down the rail. The two captains exchange words. The Maggie Bright is damaged and the pumps must be continuously manned to prevent her from sinking. The pilot, Jeorik, Arando and one of the pilot boat's hands are transferred to the Maggie Bright. The pilot boat's captain and the other hand promise to return with help.
Jeorik, Arando, and the pilot boat hand are pressed into service on the pumps. Relieved, exhausted crewmwn stagger to the fo'c'sle. Once the pilot has taken command, the captain, Horas Smalls, comes down to discuss things.
The place looks closed up tight. No one lurking outside. No one passing through the doorways.
"Thanks, take care now." "I really should check and see if Darvyl is up for some work. An extra sword hand would be reassuring." Darthen looks up checking the position of the sun. "I better report back to Thalus before he gets jumpy.
'Well, it appears there's another thread in this web, and yes, you heard me correctly, Darthen. I do know the name, but it's not the name of a person. It's the name of a ship, and more precisely, it's the name of the ship I've been talking about. It's the ship my friend left on some time ago, and it's the ship owned by Dorman Vander," Keliwyn explains, "and if I'm correct, it's also the ship that carries the object I'm interested in, and in which Garven Fellstone has some interest."
Jeorik, Arando, and the pilot boat hand are pressed into service on the pumps. Relieved, exhausted crewmwn stagger to the fo'c'sle. Once the pilot has taken command, the captain, Horas Smalls, comes down to discuss things.
Jeorik works the pumps as well as he is able but when the Captain arrives Jeorik and Arando can't help but have questions. Jeorik is curious to know what has happened to the ship but he is also anxious to convey his uncle's wishes.