Jeorik, after some thought, agrees to the two witnesses, so long as the Marshall feels she can trust them.
Jeorik:
At the Sable Company's tower headquarters Jeorik is shown directly to Endrin's office below the hippogriff cells. Through the narrow window he can see the bay and bright sky. Unlike Croft's, Endrin's office is roomy and almost bare. He seems to conduct his business by pacing the room and dictating to two scribe's who record everything. He frowns while reading Croft's note, twice brushing back his long black hair. "One of my men will meet you at Citadel Volshynek."
Indeed, by the time you reach the Citadel a Sable Company hippogriff is in the coutyard. It's an unusual opportunity to see one of the famous beasts up close. Not too close however. The beast snaps at anyone who comes within arms length.
If you're interested the saddle makes a good study, gleaming finely worked leather nearly covered, except for the seat with fancy stampings and detail. Several additional straps enable the saddle to hold the rider in flight and insure that it doesn't shift on the hippogriff's back.
The black clad marine strides toward you as you enter the gate. "You must be Vander. I am at your service. " He still wears his helmet, goggles, and has a scarf wrapped around his lower face and neck.
After a short wait Halstam appears. Tall, erect, firm handshake. "I've heard a lot about you Vander. You've done well." He frowns at the masked marine, but seems inclined to let that slide.
Jeorik arrives back at Grey with two witnesses in tow. One is a tall, straight, very Cheliaxian captain of the Guard, Halstam. His uniform looks like he just put it on. The other is a Sable Company Marine. Like most Marines he is a little on the small side, but smoothly muscled. The marine leaves his flying helmet, goggles, and scarf on. He is effectively masked.
Heather raises an eyebrow at the arrival of the two outsiders..
"I take it the Marshal had..pressing business elsewhere Jeorik..who might these gentlemen be?"
Emerion, having re-doned his coat and hat, looks decidedly out of place in the sombre Grey district. He raises an eyebrow at the two figures accompanying Jeorik, but remains silent.
Kenan greets anyone he recognises with a smile and a wave, and that includes the soldiers.
"Good day to you, a fine one for waking the dead don't you know."
The tall dapper Cheliaxian steps forward and bows formally, "I am Captain Halstam, representing Her Excellency, Marshal Croft." He straightens. "And this gentleman represents the Sable Company. We have the honor and duty of witnessing whatever testimony you call forth this evening."
The Marine nods. "Show me what you will. Should your story be doubted later, I'll provide surety of its veracity."
"The Marshall thought we would do better to have two witnesses over her one and recommended these two good gentlemen to us. They have her full confidence and thus, I am sure, ours."
"A pleasure to have you with us, gentlemen," Emerion sweeps a bow. "May I introduce Istas Wraithscar, Priestess of Pharasma, Heather Whiteraven, Kenan O'Flarna and myself Emerion Brightsmith. We have reason to be suspicious of current events - as you may know we recently descended to the shipwreck in the river who's sinking heralded the plague that grips the city. We confirmed it as the source of the odd boxes that seemed to spread the plague, and retrieved the corpse of the helmsman to question ... but more worryingly we found this in a cabin," Emerion produces the doctor's mask. "I am sure you are familiar with such items."
Halstam steps forward and takes the mask from Emerion. He turns it over and over while he examines it. "Odd. From the wreck sunk just before the plague broke out you say?" The Marine says nothing.
Halstam hands the mask back. "What else do you have?"
"There is also the unholy icon worn by the corpse we pulled from the wreck. Thus our desire to see what more we can learn."
"As well as one of the boxes similar to those that were washed up on shore we found in the hold of the sunken vessel, confirming it as the source. There was a sea-hag in residence of the hulk, but we think it had nothing to do with it prior to the sinking."
"The Hags are children of Lahmastu..I doubt any of them would be in favour if assisting the cult of Urgoatha. Besides as I understand this ritual..her spirit may not chose to return to answer us.."
Heather looks to Istas for comfirmation.
"The hag isn't the one we are most interested in anyway - it's the helmsmen that died chained to the rudder we want to speak to," Emerion shrugs.
Near the entrance to Grey there are two large buildings. Giant mausoleums in which a large portion of the middleclass' dead are interred. The ground floor also has the preparation rooms for the bodies. One of Pharasma's grey-robed acolytes leads you into one of these sparely furnished white rooms. The air is heavy with incense.
The hag and the helmsman lie on two tables near the center of the room. Ropes run over their limbs and torsos and under the table, briefly giving a mummy-like impression.
Istas is already there. She stands at a small lectern near the head of the hag. She is in her typical garb and her spear rests casually against the lectern.
She notes the presence of the witnesses but says nothing. A sweep of her hand invites you to surround the hag's table.
Wordlessly Jeorik moves to the indicated location.
Heather takes position at the end of the table opposite Istas..looks at the Priestess and nods.
Kenan retreats back into the shadows to listen.
Emerion assumes a position at the table, next to Heather.
DM:
Istas assumes the sailor they found will have most of the answers they need, finding it hard to believe the hideous hag would have much reason for infecting Korvosa with a plague. With a look of grim determination, she catches Jeorik's eye and nods at his sword. "Have that ready to take this one's head," she explains, "The last servent of Urgathoa we questioned attempted to attack us as the goddess herself reached through the body, animating it as an undead."
She then lays out a variety of crude implements, most of them from her time living in the Cinderlands among the Shoanti tribes. She then proceeds to chant and call for the blessings of her ancestors in addition to those of Pharasma, shaking a rattle and casting various reagents into the air and onto the body.
Once the body's spirit seems ready, the priestess addresses it in a clear, controlled voice and a tone as dispassionate as the Lady of Graves herself. She holds up one of the coffers they've found over the past few days as well as the physician's mask.
"Did you and your ship knowingly bring these coffers filled with disease to Korvosa under the guidance of the cult of Urgathoa and in collusion with the Queen's physicians who wear these masks?"
She waits to ask her next question depending on the answer the corpse gives.
Emerion raises his brows at her words to Jeorik and draws his mithral rapier as well.
Will save
The corpse draws a long bubbly breath of air before speaking, but otherwise remains quite inert. A fine spray of stagnant blood-tinged water precedes its answer, "We brought the Pallid Princess' gift to the shores of this loathsome hive. The masks protected us while we furthered her will. I know no Queen's Physicians, but death to them should they oppose Urgathoa's will. May the Pallid Princess reign forever!
Neil:
Scrolls are available.
Thanks for dropping by, I know you are wicked busy this season.
"We brought the Pallid Princess' gift to the shores of this loathsome hive. The masks protected us while we furthered her will. I know no Queen's Physicians, but death to them should they oppose Urgathoa's will. May the Pallid Princess reign forever!
"Who leads your cult in this endeavor and assigned you this task?"
"Lady Andaisin, high-priestess of Korvosa, favored of Urgathoa, may her enemies die choking on their own bile."
With that the corpse slumps back into lifelessness.
Istas:
"This one spoke true," Istas announces, "Without guile...though obviously confident in those it once served." She proceeds to sprinkle some of the temple's holy water on the corpse to ensure any further infusions by Urgathoa do not go unpunished. Then, she regards the witnesses.
"What do make of this one's words? And the evidence brought forth from sunken ship?" she asks.
For now, she leaves the hag's body alone, since they may already have what they need from questioning the sailor.
"We have a very big problem," Emerion declares seriously. "The Queen's Physicians wear these same masks. When the call went out for physicians, the servants of Urgathoa could easily have masqueraded as such and presented themselves as such to her agents. Who would know, were they able to demonstrate a modicum of skill and swore false fealty to her majesty?" Emerion deliberately does not mention what he most fears: that the Queen herself may already know and be a party to the cult. "Or they may merely masquerade as such - though the Queen's Physicians are not renowned for their successes. In any event, we do not know if none, some or all of those under the masks of the Queen's Physicians are involved not in curing the plague but actively spreading it. Just one such would be able to spread the disease unchecked and turn the crowded places into morgues, and there were enough of them to man a ship and enough masks that one was overlooked and left behind."
He looks around those assembled.
"We cannot tell no-one, but on the one hand we know not if there are others in this conspiracy either, yet on the other if we make this common knowledge there will be rioting and insurrection, and the plague may spread yet further."
Kenan whispers out at Halstram, "what can you tell us of the Queen's Physicians? I have not had dealings with them, well not before the spreading plague that be."
heather suddenly looks up sharply.."Rolth..his connection with the Derro and his experiments in the catacombs..could he have been this cults local agent..and if so could there be a clue to this disease in the writings we found there?"
"The foul necromancer?" Istas responds, "Quite possibly. We already know he worked hand-in-hand with the derro. And our clergy already interrogated the one slain by my own hand. He possessed a deep-rooted faith in the Pallid Princess. Enough so she could reach through him and attack one of our elders. That's the one we had to put down a second time."
"I believe the Field Marshall mentioned something about Rolth being a thorn in side of the Korvosan Guard for some time now. If he's involved with the cult of Urgathoa, it may be because they sought him out...rather than the other way around. I'm more concerned about this Lady Andaisin. This one holds her in high regard. And, if she truly is the leader of this cult, we can already see the potency of her handiwork and the effect it's had on the city."
"Heather and I should prepare what divinations we can to determine our next steps," the priestess decides, "And these gentlemen, along with Jeorik, should privately make preparations in the event we need to apprehend and unmask some or all of the Queen's Physicians for their part in this. And perhaps Emerion and Kenan can utilize the mask we retrieved. Get close to the Physicians and study them. We must determine where they're operating from...who they consult with...and where they go when they're not 'treating' the sick."
Emerion grins at the sound of this.
"Why Istas, anyone would think we were nought but common ruffians at home with duplicitous activities," he nods at Kenan. "What say you, Keenan? Could we manage to descend to such depths of disreputable behaviour?"
Heather nods at Istas' words her hand sliping into a pocket of her coat to finger the box of her Harrow Deck.She thinks back to that last reading of hers it seems all so long ago even though it is only a few days.
"I am looking to Halstram to help me stalk them. I be hoping that they have a base of operations where I can start from. Otherwise Istas is saying what I am thinking to do."
Kenan whispers out at Halstram, "what can you tell us of the Queen's Physicians? I have not had dealings with them, well not before the spreading plague that be."
Kenan:
Halstam answers quickly, "We in the Guard accompany them on their rounds. To prevent infection to ourselves, we seldom go inside unless requested by the physician because there is trouble. Most people seem grateful for the attention and treatment, but a few don't want any. Unfortunately we can't allow such cases their will. The risk of them spreading the disease among the public is too great."
"I am somewhat surprised by their demeanor however. Many of them are cold and haughty. You would expect warmer personality in a healer."
Jeorik,
.... Then, she regards the witnesses.
"What do make of this one's words? And the evidence brought forth from sunken ship?" she asks.
....
Halstam replies, "Apparently some agent, or agents, of Urgathoa are in Korvosa working to spread the disease. They may have infiltrated the Queen's Physicians. The mask raises that possiblity."
"I am looking to Halstram to help me stalk them. I be hoping that they have a base of operations where I can start from. Otherwise Istas is saying what I am thinking to do."
Halstam nods again, "I am ready to assist you in any way possible."
Public knowledge, the physicians are headquartered at a warehouse in Midlands that they have converted into a hospital. The hospital, depending on which story you hear was donated by, bought from, or taken by eminent domain from, House Arkona, the philanthropic nobles of Old Korvosa.
"Well much as I hate to say it we probably need to get into that hospital at some point..and soon methinks"
"We are overlooking our biggest lead here, we have a name: Lady Andaisin. Is it possible to find a woman with this name in the city?"
"We are overlooking our biggest lead here, we have a name: Lady Andaisin. Is it possible to find a woman with this name in the city?"
Knowledge (nobility): ... is there any noble of that name? Emerion's Knowledge (local) is at the same level, should it be more appropriate.
"We are overlooking our biggest lead here, we have a name: Lady Andaisin. Is it possible to find a woman with this name in the city?"
"I'm hoping Heather and I may be able to turn our collective divinations toward locating and learning more about her," Istas affirms, "Leave that to us. Though, as you're about, certainly see if you can learn anything more involving that name from either the doctors, the Guard, or anyone else."
The priestess then regards their other visitor, the marine who's remained silent and masked the entire time. "And what is your counsel in this matter? Perhaps you should remove your helmet and scarf so we may better hear your words."
DM and Heather:
I intend to have Istas utilize some shiver to once again trigger one of her dreams while contemplating Lady Andaisin. Also, a simple augury or two in combination with Heather's harrow deck might prove helpful, too.
"Is the Lady part of House Arkona by any chance? What do we know of that family then, I walk the streets not the corridors of power."
Aid another rolls
Knowledge nobility
Knowledge local
Heather is able to fill in some of the gaps in Emerions knowledge.
...
The priestess then regards their other visitor, the marine who's remained silent and masked the entire time. "And what is your counsel in this matter? Perhaps you should remove your helmet and scarf so we may better hear your words."
...
The Marine looks at Istas and brushes a few long black locks back from his cheek, "Before I do so. I was told that you had information, both important to Korvosa and politically dangerous to its holders. What we've learned here is important, but I see no danger. Is this all you have, or is there more?"
"Who appointed the Queen's Physicians to spread, sorry save the city from the plague. Someone high up and important I be guessing, marine. When we expose them, then that could make things uncomfortable for them. With the Queen, of course."
"Yes, there are too many coincidences and these cultists were very well prepared. Do the Grey Maidens normally man the sea defences of the city? Do they always sink every ship that does not respond to a hail? If not, then why did they do so to this ship, and how did the crew know that they would do so? Who could give them such orders?"
Emerion turns to Halstam.
"It may be that to ensure their protection from potentially hysterical patients or their kin, the guard should ensure they accompany these healers even when they are treating their patients. That may hamper their ability to spread the plague while our investigations progress."
The Marine looks at Istas and brushes a few long black locks back from his cheek, "Before I do so. I was told that you had information, both important to Korvosa and politically dangerous to its holders. What we've learned here is important, but I see no danger. Is this all you have, or is there more?"
"If rumors got out that the Queen's Physicians were complicit in spreading the plague rather than curing it, I'd imagine that to be especially dangerous, politically-speaking, to the Queen's image in the eyes of Korvosa's citizens. We've already lived through one major riot upon the king's death. Would you care to experience another? With many among the Guard and Sable Company already weakened with the same sickness, it's unlikely there'd be enough manpower to contain such an uprising. And I doubt a force as weak as the Gray Maidens could hold back the mob that would descend upon the Grand Mastaba."
"In the meantime, someone has visited a plague upon the city. And this Lady Andaisin and her cult must have some purpose behind infecting and weakening so many. Perhaps this is indicative of a political move on someone's part? Only a thorough investigation of the Queen's Physicians will reveal the full truth. In the meantime, we must stop this disease and excise those responsible for it."
Heather listens to her friends reasoning and nods grimly.."Every minute we spend talking is one less in which we can be actively working to save Korvosa from this scourge..we should be about our business."
"I am ready whenever you want to begin Istas."
"Who appointed the Queen's Physicians to spread, sorry save the city from the plague. Someone high up and important I be guessing, marine. When we expose them, then that could make things uncomfortable for them. With the Queen, of course."
The marine bristles, "This Lady Andaisin and her Urgathoan allies may have brought the plague on this ship. They may even have suceeded in infiltrating the Queen's Physicians. These are serious matters and should be dealt with.
"Vander here could even bring up the issue through normal channels. Having an external enemy could actually be beneficial politically. It would give the citizens a focus for their anger and frustration. Ileosa, may not be popular, but she can be vindictive. If someone has infected her city and toyed with her measures to releive it, I am sure she would be the first to hunt down and punish the offenders, and to reward those who brought the matter to light."
"Yes, there are too many coincidences and these cultists were very well prepared. Do the Grey Maidens normally man the sea defences of the city? Do they always sink every ship that does not respond to a hail? If not, then why did they do so to this ship, and how did the crew know that they would do so? Who could give them such orders?"
Halstam speaks up, "The Grey Maidens were given command of the bridge the day before the ship was sunk. Losses among the Guard in the riots, and the need for more check-points and patrols led to the decision.
"One of my friends was on the board of inquiry for the event. The Maidens on the bridge were relatively inexperienced junior officers. They were on edge, as were we all at the time. They felt there was no time for consultation with higher authority and acted in what they felt were the best interests of the city.
"Sinking the ship may not have been the 'right' decision, but if what you're telling me about the coffers is true then we are lucky indeed they sunk the ship. Imagine it had docked and unloaded its cargo . That could have been truly disastrous."
"It may be that to ensure their protection from potentially hysterical patients or their kin, the guard should ensure they accompany these healers even when they are treating their patients. That may hamper their ability to spread the plague while our investigations progress."
Halstam requires no time for thought, "The Queen's edicts and our orders are quite clear. Her Majesty's Physicians are in charge and we serve under them. If they require the Guard to wait outside, we will comply. In fact I am sure most of the Guard prefers to remain outside rather than face a house filled with Bloodveil. I may be able to encourage a certain vigilance among my subordinates, but anything more will border insubordination during a State Emergency."
"If rumors got out that the Queen's Physicians were complicit in spreading the plague rather than curing it, I'd imagine that to be especially dangerous, politically-speaking, to the Queen's image in the eyes of Korvosa's citizens. We've already lived through one major riot upon the king's death. Would you care to experience another? With many among the Guard and Sable Company already weakened with the same sickness, it's unlikely there'd be enough manpower to contain such an uprising. And I doubt a force as weak as the Gray Maidens could hold back the mob that would descend upon the Grand Mastaba."
The marine replies, "You're right. This matter must be handled delicately. No one wants another riot or more unrest. As for Castle Korvosa, I can assure you that its defenses are sound. I could hold it with a handful of marines. Sabina and a few dozen Maidens would be sufficient. There is no danger there."
"In the meantime, someone has visited a plague upon the city. And this Lady Andaisin and her cult must have some purpose behind infecting and weakening so many. Perhaps this is indicative of a political move on someone's part? Only a thorough investigation of the Queen's Physicians will reveal the full truth. In the meantime, we must stop this disease and excise those responsible for it."
The marine says, "Great Urgathoa, what wrong have we done you? What honor have we not paid you? We set your altar higher than any others'. The first fruits of the first fruits we lay before it. Why afflict us?"
Know(local) or know(history), DC 17 (no penalty for out of towners, +2 for Jeorik if he's done any reading while at Dorman's, +2 for anyone with pretentions to culture):
Heather listens to her friends reasoning and nods grimly.."Every minute we spend talking is one less in which we can be actively working to save Korvosa from this scourge..we should be about our business."
"I am ready whenever you want to begin Istas."
Heather: