"it seems to me that the hellknights might actually bring things back into some semblance of order around here. Sometimes a sledgehammer is exactly what you need." Maria pauses thoughtfully, " After zellaras reading however, I am convinced that we need to get things under control ourselves before that becomes necessary. I think something dark is orchestrating the problems we are facing, and it strikes me that bringing a sledgehammer into the situation could well escalate things."
"And you know, I have a thought about where he might be hiding . . .. East of the river."
[b]Excellent, thank you all for looking for him. If you need somewhere safe to store anything, we have a few spare lockers, with locks, that you can use while you are out. While, miss... Maria, I understand the wish to bring quick order, Korvosa has had longer periods of unrest after such attempts. My hope is that isn't used, or at least it's used sparingly. I have no wish to see the tyranny that befell earlier generations of Korvosa's rulers.[/ooc]
Right. She's an Asmodean. I'll need to mind my tongue and pretend the Hellknights aren't a tyrannical nightmare...
Dennvyn carefully avoids nodding as the Field Marshal speaks, Plus the small matter of their reputation for brutality and collateral damage... and not wanting Korvosa to fall back under Chelish rule...
He quickly jumps in before Maria can reply, "If Tawni's got a lead, then let's go. People are getting hurt out there right now - and the sooner we find him, the sooner we can be stopping that.. That said, if we run into something on the way, I'd rather not let those people suffer.."
Maria is about to respond, but pauses as Dennyn interrupts and quickly changes her mind, "Agreed Dennyn. Let's check out this lead. Perhaps it will bring us closer to restoring order ourselves. "
With a twirl of her purple cape, Juliet is already out the door, headed towards the Jeggare. It is all for show, of course - she has no idea where she's headed.
Following Juliet, "I agree. It seems the best course of action to help the most amount of people possible."
Knowing so little about the ruling class of the city, Riren has to trust the people around him who speak on the topic. I might want to read up on this city's history and its rulers when I have some downtime
"Well, if everybody's ready, let's see if we can't find Grau. Looking ought to be entertaining, at least. If we see something on the way, well, we can decide what to do then."
Getting to the east side of the Jeggare proves easier than expected. Although above, there is a cloud of imps in the sky anove hundreds and hundreds of imps. Your Pseudodragon friend squeaks and hides.
Walking into what's locally known as the Thieves' Camp, the group gets a number of odd looks. There are a couple of structures in the area, a tavern and a store, as well as many Varisian wagons. It could be very interesting to explore any of them, although some of the Varisian women are shooing their children into their wagons. Some of the men are sharpening swords in obvious manners.
Where to?
Maria pointedly ignores the men with their swords, distinctly unimpressed. "You think he will be hiding here?"
Tawni laughs. "Kinda. I think he's likely in there, or the like." He points at the tavern. "Grau has a thing for dancing girls. And the Varisians have the best dancing girls." He winks as he says the last, before slightly bowing and extending an arm in front of him, as if to say "after you."
Dennvyn shakes his head with a chuckle, Survived Lamm, and now I have to worry about Tawni getting us lynched by a pack of Varisian toughs..
Pretty sure I am going to stand out in a place like this Riren pulls in his sword closer.
Looking up toward all the imps, "That can't be good"
"Dancing girls? Oh" Riren's cheeks visibly turn red. "Well, um, I will follow you in. Just let me know if I should act, I don't want to jump.. the gun"
The Broken Tails Tavern feels like you're in a Dancer's caravan. The walls are bright green and gold, with red cloth streamers on the ceiling and along some of the walls. The bartender is a rather strong looking Varisian man, and several Varisian women man the tables. It's quite easy to see the Chelish man drinking, alone, at a booth further down in the corner.
A Varisian girl brings him a drink in a copper cup. He pays and smiles, and she leaves him be.
The room is otherwise fairly quiet. There are two other Varisian men here nursing their drinks, as well as a dancer drinking wine. There isn't much smoke in here, a blessing in disguise, as it would have made this place almost foglike in an instant.
Walking behind the others, scanning the room looking for weapons. Both on the men and the dancers. Having heard of dancing fighting styles among the Varisians, he is wary of everyone.
Grau is Varisian. I put in Chelish by accident. My apologies.
Dennvyn looks around, a friendly smile on his face, then whispers, "Is that him at the table, Tawni?"
Tawni saunters over to the table where Grau is sitting, careful to leave an unobstructed view of any active dancers. "Grau! My new associates and I were just having a conversation with someone, and your name kept coming up. She asked us to find you. Somehow, I had a thought about where you might be relaxing. She said you should be able to help her with a couple of little problems. What was her name?" Tawni makes a show of trying to remember, but even a child could tell he's actually just milking the moment. "Mrs., no, Field Marshal, Croft." The Varisian drops the playful presentation and drops into a far more business-like tone. "She thinks you may represent one of the last chances to keep the Hellknights from siezing the streets. How? You can find the guards who are hiding and drag them back to their posts. Maybe stop the "guards" who are executing citizens by throwing them off rooftops. You know as well as I do that the Hellknights will shut this place down in the name of order. How can we help you get the streets back?"
"Hi Tawni! Come here for one of these 'Pale Devils'? Dey's really tasty! Oh wait, is that Neffi with you? Hi Neffi!
Grau is obviously drunk and is addressing Maria as 'Neffi.'. He appears to be referencing his drink as a pale devil.
Upon hearing Field Marshall Croft's name...
"I dun wanna go back to Citadel Volshyenek. King's dead. People are going crazy. She left me. My only friend is right here...
Grau finishes his nearly full drink.
"Barkeep, I could use another of these lovely Pale Devils. An' Neffi would like a fancy drink with an umbrella in it.
The Barkeep and the dancer are quite efficient, and have everything out before anyone can really protest, with Grau paying.
So, Tawni, how'd you get Neffi away from Sandpoint? And Neffi, that a really good dishguisze
Maria gives him a cold smile and turns the drink away. "this is the man we are relying on to save the city?"
|
"I'm afraid so."
Ernhild clears her throat, and steps forward.This will require a little more tact than she thought.
"Sergeant, while I do share your dismay at the recent escalation o violence, I don't believe that we'll resolve anything by feeling sorry for ourselves. Some years ago, you made a vow to protect this city, and today it happens that your help is needed. I can't believe that a man of action such as yourself would be delighted at the prospect of sitting back and doing nothing. Surely you have greater ambitions for yourself."
Tawni stands slack-jawed for a moment. He doesn't seem to even realize anyone else has spoken.
"Right now, Grau, I don't think I care. We were told to find you and bring you back. I really don't want to have to carry you that far. Do the math. Six versus one. We're sober. You're not. We offer to leave them whatever's still in your purse, and no one here has a reason to help you."
Dennvyn winces, This has taken a turn...and I'm not convinced the contents of his purse would have the effect Tawni's promised....
He holds up a hand and says, gently, "But I don't think it'll come to that. You've come to mourn, and that's fair, but now it's time to get to work so the whole city doesn't die just because the King has... So why not come with Tawni, Neffi and the rest of us and try to help make things right?"
Riren stands back, watching the somewhat verbal jabs.
Grau sits there. Staring at Tawni, incredulous at his words. He waves down Dennvyn.
"Having to cut down your own men because they think it's cute to murder the poor dancers here. Orisini Academy taught me better. I may have lost my girl, but you can't just let that happen.". He growls.
He stands up. Maintaining a piercing eye contact with Tawni. "You fancy yourself a swordsman. I am happy to go back with a better swordsman. First fencer to three blows is the winner. Unless, you are afraid of losing in front of Neffi, Tawni."
Fencing Rules
Maria rolls her eyes and perches on the edge of a nearby table, "boys and their toys. Well don't mind us. We'll just wait until you finish swinging your pointy sticks around. Im sure the city is in no hurry. It's not like there's a riot going on or anything."
Despite her words, she seems happy enough to sit and watch the fight.
Dennvyn sighs, At least he agreed to come with us if Tawni wins, but this is still ridiculous... Hopefully he is as drunk as he seems.
Tawni moves into a clear space big enough for the dance. "I agree that people do horrible things, and that we have a responsibility to stop them. That's why we're here, actually, to get your help stopping people form doing more horrible things. I can't believe you can both own that responsibility and refuse to meet it without losing a fight in the same breath."
After speaking his piece, the young sailor draws his blade, salutes his opponent, and sees if he can't get a quick point off the drunken fool.
Takes everyone outside. He makes a special point of handing Maria "Neffi" her drink. The two set paces at fifteen, and then circle inward. It is worth noting that several Varisian men come near, eyeing your group suspiciously.
Swords clash back and forth with Grau swinging in with a powerful blow, one that should be reserved for real combat, taking Tawni off-guard. While Tawni expects that later, the two miss each other completely with attack and defense.
It is when Grau tries to close in and begin using the hilt of his blade to wear Tawni down that Tawni's sobriety helps him the most. He cleanly dances around the maneuver, slashing at Grau.
At the end of it Grau is smiling, if not panting a bit. "You've been practicing, I see."
He then launches into a similar pattern of attacks.
Riposte
Riposte
Lunge
You had it right, use your BAB plus dex.
Grau goes into the same pattern.
Third round won't be needed.
Grau, not using any of his skills, chooses the same opening pattern. Tawni sees it and dances around it, getting two clean slashes in on the sergeant. At this point, Grau stops his advance, stumbling back and then tripping and falling on his backside.
"Magic, curses and magic!". He exclaims. He picks himself up, sheathing his sword. "All is fair. I lost. I will go to Kroft. One can't say, even drunk, I don't play by the rules."
He turns to Maria, and smiles that drunken, yet charming smile, "So, Neffi, any chance I can get a consolation prize and a kiss, just for old times sake?"
Dennvyn nods his head in thanks and offers, "To be fair, Grau, I'm thinking it's that kind of integrity that made the Field Marshal send us to get you."
Riren sits back, somewhat disgusted at this whole state. Dueling for sport like this. Then again, it did lead to him getting back on track..
Looking over to Maria. Pretty sure she can take care of herself. Stepping between her and someone might just cause more trouble.
Riren stands straight. Hoping to avoid talking and ruining the path everyone seems to be following.
"Now, now, pretty dwarf woman, I asked Neffi for a kiss. No need to getjealous. My apologies if I seem upfront. Neffi and I go way back to Sandpoint.".
He takes a small bow towards Ernhild. "I am sorry, but I don't remember new names when I am not sober. What was your name again? You have good friends. I'm a bit jealous. "
"I'm sorry, Grau. I should have thought to do this sooner. This is Ernhild, Riren, Dennyven, Majenko and MARIA. Neffi's not here. They helped me find Lamm."
Grau looks to Maria, rubs his eyes. Looks back to Tawni, and then looks downtrodden. "Then I guess she's still lost to me, too." He sort of half-mumbles.
He perks up a moment. "I'm going to have to get cleaned up for duty anyways. I believe I owe you all a drink for the road. Then let's go by my place for a proper uniform and cleaning up, and I'll go see the Field Marshall. Sound good? They make an excellent Spicy Mariner, Tawni!"
Grau smiles at Tawni.
Tawni looks at Grau with obvious disappointment and seems a touch perturbed. "The justification for that little swordplay was to get you up out of that seat and moving. Now. I can't win that fight and then give away the reward. C'mon. Let's go get you cleaned up. Besides, Maria's a nice sort. Try being nice to her, instead of calling her Neffi. The night might look up." Tawni makes shushing motions with his hand towards Maria, that he's hoping Grau won't see.
Maria raises her glass in salute as Tawni wins the fight, her face a mix of entertained disdain, sniffs it distastefully and puts it to one side.
As Grau propositions her she gives him a cold look and is about to give a cutting putdown as Ernhild cuts in. Tawnis description of her as 'nice' almost gives her pause, but she hardens her look and lets rip regardless.
"Damn right you wont get a kiss in that state. Flailing around with a blade and then tripping over your own feet is hardly going to impress anyone. If I were you, Id get cleaned up quick before we find this Neffi girl and show her what she is missing. Now if you boys have finished comparing testosterone levels I beleive we have work to do." She turns her glare on Tawni, "Unless of course you feel the need to demonstrate your prowess by dueling any more drunks?"
"Not if we can get them to honor their own deals, I don't think I'll need to. Why, did you want to give it a go?"
Dennvyn fails to withhold a short laugh at Tawni's reply, then steps behind his colleagues to avoid Maria's glare. This is between you two, even if I think he's right... Plus, I think Maria is still upset with me about how I described the Hellknights.
Maria ignores the retort, smart enough to know that Tawni is more than her match in terms of clever wordplay.
She throws a look of pure disgust back towards the bar
"I doubt anyone else in that hole has made any deals that are worth our time. How about we return your friend to his post and hope there are at least some guards left who are worth the cost of their uniforms. Say what you will about the hellknights, but at least they take their duties seriously.
Tawni takes an opportunity to ignore verbal baiting as well. "Yes, 'let us away' is the phrase, I think. C'mon, Grau."
Grau leads you into Midtown, to his small, one-room apartment. He quickly gives himself a once-over and washes his face and some of the grime, as well as Tawni's cuts up.
About this time, there is another riot flare up, and Grau is in full uniform. The crowd is chanting "down with the guard. Down with the Sable Company. Down with the Queen!".
What do you do?