Once business is concluded with Lady Elaydren your group books passage to Sharn utilizing a House Lyrandar elemental galley.
The vessel exits the Ghaal River slipping out into Kraken Bay. From there it turns south towards Zilargo waters and into Brelish territory. It hugs the southern coast as the galley makes its way through the Straits of Shargo sliding into the Hilt and then to the base of the Sharn cliffs.
Even though you have been gone for a short period of time, eyeing the city from this direction it is still a stunning site to behold. There is truly no other place like it. Its vertical districts seem to reach into the clouds. It is a place to dare to make dreams become reality.
The four day trip was uneventful with the exception of a brief stop in Korranberg to load and unload goods and passengers. Soon enough the group finds itself in Mickey P's humble abode. He sits on his couch a drink in one hand and a half eaten sandwich in the other. He grins and jumps up, "You did it!"
It's the most animated those of you who have known him for a long time have seen him in a long time, "Wait, there are some of you missing..." his countenance turns grim and he sobers up a bit at that realization.
Gauntlet looks dejected.
"The journey was not without its...casualties. We are missing some of our former comrades. If they are dead or alive, we do not know. I was hoping you could check your contacts in Karrnath? We believe they are, or were, being held captive by members of the Emerald Claw."
Frank nods along with Gauntlet's explanation soberly, even though he wasn't really familiar with those who are missing.
"Yeah Mick, we did our best. Booked it to em soon as we arrived even. Still didn't make it in time though. But well, did manage to recover Pinky and Scales and General Gauntlet here. Tell ya the truth, it's good you hired us when at you did. Might not have found anybody left breathing. Plus whatever Gauntlet here does to be alive, he probably wouldn't have been doing it anymore."
Dev pats Gauntlet on the shoulder with a good natured smile.
"Glad you're still with us, pal."
Nodding, Gauntlet takes the complement for what it is.
"I do tend to keep functioning...somehow. Nor do I intend to stop doing so if I can help it."
After all the compliments and salutations, EE gives way ro his curiosity.
<Uh, Mickey... Do you know a Lord of Blades?>
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Mickey P. contemplates what you have told him, rubbing his chin with his left hand slowly.
"Damn, that thief was an Emerald Claw agent. Gotta watch out for that but it's hard ya' know. So many brokers out there and business competition is stiff. I need and so do... uh... most of you.
Not sure what Karrnath contacts I have but I am sure I have contacts that have contacts.
I can certainly reach out to House Orien and see if they received any ransom notes on Caelan or Erix.
Ama and Xetovia are a bigger problem, slavers love to get their hands on attractive fiesty females. With no house to ransom them to it'll be harder to track them down. Hopefully Lady Elaydren will keep her word and leverage House Cannith to aid the Ladies".
He shakes his head, "It's a terrible thing losing companions".
He sighs and gets a faraway look in his eyes, he snaps back too in a moment and continues, "Lord o' Blades. I heard that character was hiring only Warforged. Might want ta' check with Pierce on that one.
Well, like I said, I've got a new job. Tried ta' find Carduus and Taryn while you was gone but they've flown the coop it seems.
Anyhow, there was a break in about five days ago in the manor of a Kaelys Tela. She is some kind of aristocrat but low profile. Travels in and out of the city on business. Well she happened to be in the city but out of her home when thieves broke in and took a priceless trinket from her private collection.
I get the sense that she does not want the Watch looking into her affairs so she reached out to me to seek aid in acquiring her trinket back. The trail might be a bit cold by now and she may well have hired someone else but it's worth following up on I think".
Frank perks up immediately at the mention of a new job. "Priceless, you say?" he says, nodding.
Nodding, Gauntlet will agree and wave a hand.
"Sounds like it is worth checking out tomorrow. I'm sure we will need the gold sooner than later. In the morning then, meet you all there? The journey back was slow and uneventful, so a single good night's rest should do us all well enough. Pink-eye? Unless you already have a place to stay, Mickey and I can bed you here tonight, then find you a place tomorrow to stay that you will find infinitely more comfortable for your size and weight than a straw and fur-covered floor."
<We will have a look at this trinket; I guess talking to this noble would be the wisest - I don't want to investigate all the job and then not getting anything in return if she's hired other group.> EE takes note of the noble's adress. <Also, who's that Pierce you mentioned before?>
I have an arrangement just outside town with farm of worshippers of Balinor who offer their barn for me. It is all the bed I need and costs me morning worship with the farmer and his family and a few donated silver to their needs. I have never slept in a bed and guess I might find it... Uncomfortable Pink Eye says with a smile
Zabeth nods in agreement with Electric Eye.
"It's certainly our best chance at a lead."
Pink eye will retreat to his farm and invite Gauntlet for the evening if he likes as there is room in the barn for a friend
"Pierce! It's been a minute. I'm happy to head over there with ya EE, see what the ol fella been up to. Maybe he knows more'n he did before bout the ol' Lord."
One of my contacts speculated that he is the last creation of House Cannith before the forges were shut down by the Treaty of Thronehold. Others believe he was formed in secret by Warforged who fired up a forge one last time to create their own leader who was free of Cannith influence. The last story I heard was that he was the warforged Bulwark who served King Boranel of Breland.
The truth at this point is unknown. What is known is that he has operatives here in the city and that they have murdered at least one person, the Professor. What else they are doing here and why is not clear as the one that was captured refused to speak and escaped before clerics or wizards could be brought in to fully interrogate him.
His stronghold in the Mournland, if that is truly where he resides, makes him a difficult enemy indeed to deal with as it is not a place fit for the living."
Viorr, happily counting it a good day's work, mentions that he will see them all in the morning, then goes immediately to the stable where he lodged his warhorse while off in the Mournland. After a thorough rubdown and a quick ride around the lower districts, he leaves a bag of apples with the stable, makes sure his fees are current, and, promising the horse to see it on the morrow, seeks his bed.
Gauntlet finds Mickey doing well enough after he doles out the rewards to the brave souls that rescued his friends from the clutches of the Emerald Claw. Despite his prior drinking, his worries about the fate of you all had him off of the sauce for a few weeks.
The rest of the group either finds places to bed down for the evening or head to find Pierce...
------
In the morning you all reassemble at Mickey P's humble abode to obtain the location within the City of Towers for the next job. A good nights rest in comfortable beds has you all, with the exception of the 'Forged, feeling as spry as you've felt since leaving.
The building you seek is a tower of polished black denseflood. Patterns of ivy have been carved Into the wood-and Inlaid with-silver. A Massive bugbear guards the gate; his deep red fur is oiled and brushed, and he
wears a beautiful breastplate covered with black enamel.
His armor is marked with the same coat of arms that hangs above the
door - a stylized silver dragon surrounded by an ivory wreath.
"Welcome to Silvervine," he growls,his voice deep and resonant.
"If you are sent by Mickey P., you are expected. If not, state your business".
Freshly cleaned and polished, Gauntlet steps only a little closer to present himself as the speaker for now.
"Mickey did send us. We are here about the 'job' offer of course."
The massive Bugbear grunts, "Very well, follow me. Mistress Kaelys awaits".
He leads you group through the posh mansion full of the usual trappings of wealth. Up to the third floor you all go where eventually he opens the doors to a large sitting room where a regal elf waits.
Her glamerweave gown seems to be woven from dark silver smoke and her long platinum blonde hair is bound with ornaments of silver and opals. She stands in the center of the room next to a large object hidden under a black cloth on the floor. She appears a bit cold, perhaps she is annoyed at the delay of your arrival.
"Well met, I am Keelys Tola, I am a scholar of antiquity and a collector of curiosities from past ages.
Several nights ago, a group of people broke into my home and stole an object from my collection. The item in question was a curiosity of trivial value, a piece of a white marble statue—specifically a delicate hand recovered from the district of Fallen after the collapse of the Glass Tower.
The thieves ignored dozens of items of considerable value, moved directly to the hand and left as soon as they had acquired it. But they did leave something behind".
At this point Keelys pulls the cloth from the object on the floor, revealing the corpse of a young human man. The man is dressed in rags, and his skin is covered with dirt, scabs, and aberrant tattoos.
"Ooh, a right regular mystery! Now that's the stuff!"
Dev looks excited at the prospect before recalling the concept of decorum.
"Oh and o'course we're very sorry you've been burgled and all that. Have ya asked the corpse any questions yet? Dead Men Tell Tales, or something like that."
Frank nods along solemnly. "I take your turn of phrase to mean you have no idea who the dead fellow is. Did you want us to find out about him too?"
I wonder how fresh the scent is. Maybe we should've brought a dog...
Frank looks around the room, trying not to bump into any furniture.
can you tell us anything... more specific about this hand you lost and why exactly anyone would wish to take it?
Gauntlet quickly looks around the room and at the corpse as the others begin asking questions, moving slightly to get a better view as needed.
Once the lady is through answering the others questions he finally speaks up.
"If the others agree, we will take the case depending on what you stipulate as the terms: Do you want the item retrieved or merely the culprits captured or eliminated? I warn you however, we are not assassins. Do you want the local law enforcement involved or kept out of it? I am also assuming Mickey already negotiated a payment fee structure..."
Buildings: Temple (The Silver Flame), poor lodging (2), poor food (12), poor trades (40), poor services (20), poor residences (285)
First Impression: At first glance, this district looks like a ruin. Huge chunks of stone are scattered around the outer streets. Statues of the gods look down upon you, but many have shattered features or missing limbs. A few buildings and bridges have collapsed, in whole or in part, and most of the surviving buildings show some amount of scarring and damage. Social Class: Lower class; Fallen is the worst district in a bad ward. A century ago, it was known as Godsgate, Sharn's first temple district. But as the city grew, the primary temples relocated to the higher wards, and the most important relics were taken to Sovereign Towers. Some of the temples remained in service, but most were converted to serve as housing for workers in the Cogs. For hundreds of years the district slowly decayed. The final blow came on 9 Olarune 918 YK. The Glass Tower broke apart as it fell, and while most of the floating citadel landed in the Dagger River, some of its spires struck the district of Godsgate, shattering buildings and killing hundreds. The city council had no intention of pouring gold into Lower Dura, and people of the district were left to repair the damage as best as they could. Many left, but some of the people were determined to remain in their ancestral homes or maintain their family businesses. Others couldn't afford to go anywhere else. The folk of Lower Dura also talk about that the spirits of the restless dead that haunt the worst ruins of the district, and the mysterious and apparently mad "ravers" who commune with them. Within a year, the district became known as Fallen, and ever since then the citizens of Sharn have shunned it. The extent of the devastation varies considerably. In much of the district the original buildings remain largely intact; any gaps in walls and ceilings have been blocked off with boards or chunks of stone. A few businesses can still be found in these areas — taverns serving stew of questionable origin, crafters producing rough clothing and other necessities, merchants selling scavenged goods and materials. While the merchants of Fallen happily take any coins offered them, most are used to bartering with customers.
EE makes a face gesture when the burgle is revealed... which only intensifies when the corpse is shown. Investigation is what he was made for.
He quickly scans the room for any details, including the corpse obviously.
<I'm afraid I'm not quite used yet with human anathomy, but surely some of my peers would have a look at the body and tell us something useful.>
While looking everywhere and wandering around, he asks <Could you give us a description of the stolen piece?>
Zabeth - who'd been distracted poring over the decor and antiquities, snaps out of it and nods repeatedly as she moves to the corpse.
"Yes, yes.. I will speak with him in a moment. First allow me take a look."
As she inspects the body, "Did you see the thieves?"
Well EE, perhaps we can take some time to give you anatomy lessons at some point in the future. I have some questions about Warforged anatomy and possibilities as well.
Kana gives EE a broad grin.
Then she leans over the dead body as well to inspect it.
to see if she knows something about him, somehow.
"Well there you go, Inspectric Eye, got yourself a 'tutor', look at that!" Dev says laughing and clapping EE on the back.
"Plenty of space back at the workshop if'n ya need someplace to study."
His eyes snapping back to Keelys, he tries to catch a glimpse of her reaction, looking to see if she's taking offense or carrying undue concern as the conversation ebbs away from her mystery and its evidence.
'What do we think Shiver, is she on the up and up?' he thinks to the jagged hunk of crystal perched on his shoulder.
She sighs, "There is nothing more I know about it other than the fact that it is an interesting curiosity. Though I admit to being even more curious about it now.
Slain? No, not specifically any way. If you can retrieve it without bloodshed so much the better. If it is returned here I will seek protection from the Watch hereinafter as I would assume that whoever you steal it back from will not take kindly to its retrieval.
The cleric I hired questioned him and the following was revealed: first, the thieves are trying to reassemble a statue, second they are based in the district of Fallen, and finally, they are "guided by the wisdom of the past".
I am more than happy for you to question him again and perhaps learn more.
I am confident that the thieves came from Fallen based on the questioning 1 don't know if you know Sharn but there are few places more wretched and dangerous.
I don’t dare go there-myself and that's where you come in.
No, Mickey P. and I have not discussed a fee. If you go to Fallen and recover the hand I‘ll pay you each 200 pieces of gold. If you can recover the entire statue they hinted at, that gold becomes platinum.
Are you interested?"
Shiver throbs in a neutral response. If there is more than meets the eye, it is not apparent.
Skill Check Results:
Nodding, Gauntlet will respond then look at the others.
"Then we will take the assignment as long as my co-workers agree. Retrieval of the missing piece is mandatory. The whole statue a bonus. I have no real difficulties taking this assignment. Do any of you?"
He then turns to Madam Skoata specifically, assuming the others intend to agree.
"Feel free to question the corpse if you can, but keep in mind what the 'customer' has already revealed first. No point on wasting magic on the same information I think."
Frank shrugs. "I don't-" Frank starts suddenly before stopping abruptly and frowning.
"Anyone know how to speak with the dead?" he asks, looking around at the others.
"I do... I can think of one question to ask.. any other suggestions.. let me know."
Zabeth props up the corpse, then sits cross-legged in front of it. She begins to chant and thrum while slowly rubbing her thumbs across her fingertips.
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Zabeth grumbles and shakes her head as she gets to her feet.
“I apologize.. it can’t be done so soon after another has spoken with the deceased.”
Gauntlet nods.
"Understood. We will have to go with what we know. Do a complete search on the body for clues, use magic if needed. Can anyone draw well enough to produce a picture of the deceased, or create a temporary magical image? This may prove useful later in the Fallen when we must inevitabley must ask questions."
He then turns to the lady benefactor who still stands nearby.
"We will be gone in a few minutes once our initial investigation is complete. I will send messages to you through Micky P. o our progress as needed."
He then turns to Pink-Eye.
"You are our expert on things religious. Does this sound like some lost religion to you? Or worse? If the hand isn't magical, then maybe the statue they want to rebuild is...?"
Wait! Could there have been someone turned to stone ages ago? Could they be trying to rebuild a 'person'? Is that even possible?
<Strange thing is, they knew exactly where to look for. They either were superb investigators, or had someone inside.> EE wonders if it would be worth interrogating the servants.
Zabeth nods to Gauntlet... "Now this I can do...."
After studying the corpse for a few seconds, her face and form morph into that of the dead fellow. A moment later, the color and material of her clothing seem to change as well... again matching the deceased.
Frank's eyes go very wide at Madam Zabeth Skoata's performance.
"Geez. That's even creepier than anything B gets up to..." he mutters as he slowly tip toes to the opposite side of Gauntlet.
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Frank's eyes go very wide at Madam Zabeth Skoata's performance.
"Geez. That's even creepier than anything B gets up to..." he mutters as he slowly tip toes to the opposite side of Gauntlet.
Dev raises an eyebrow.
"You sure about that, Frankie?"
Frank stops to think about it. He gives a small nod and then adds "you have a point, but in my defense, I didn't say the difference was large."
"She's a dead guy, now. A dead guy." He reminds Dev (from behind Gauntlet).
Gauntlet would smile if his face allowed it, finding his new friends' antics quite humorous.
"Excellent Madam Skoata. That would do nicely...and it gives me an idea. How long can you hold that shape and how often can you do it? If needed, I think I can produce a temporary magical image too."
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After flashing a wink and grin at Frank...
Zabeth's voice is unchanged as she answers Gauntlet - still wearing the dead man's face.
"I can do it whenever and for however long I wish... though it grows more difficult to be precise the more time passes since studying the face."
Frank grimaces at the wink.
Greeeeaaaat. Wait 'til B finds out...
on the bright side she doesn't sound different. Maybe she's fine?
"Still feel- erm- like yourself, Zabeth?" Frank asks, not quite yet coming out from behind Gauntlet.