"I'd be happy to accompany you folk, to the garrison. Do you have any other family in the city?" Durok says as he tries to sound reassuring.
As the girls get their bearings, Durok looks over the sword left behind for marking that might give a clue to a possible motive.
"Wha-? LEGGO YOU CRAZY B~*!&!"
The assassin screams as Calli grabs hold of her foot. She kicks down at the Grundian and while she isn't able to avoid being pulled from the wall, she does manage to get loose. She draws her sword and slashes at Calli, aiming for whatever vitals she can reach.
But fails to even nick Calli's clothing as she backs away. Unfortunately for Calli, however, the crabapple merchant from earlier seems to have caught up to her.
"You! You ruined my crabapples!"
You hear more commotion and avoid the Half-Pint and the Street of Colored Veils entirely as you follow your ears. You see two of the assassins slip into a maze of narrow streets and alleys that looks to be where the less affluent of Widewaters' citizenry lives. As you enter into the maze, you see two of the assassins picking their way through and arguing quietly.
Round 2
Section 0: The Crabapple Merchant PASSED!
Section 1: The Scene of the Crime PASSED!
Section 2: Dwarven Feud PASSED!
Section 3: Drunkle Gnome PASSED!
Section 4: Shortcut through the Half-Pint PASSED!
Section 5: The Street of Colored Veils
Characters: Calli (Being chased by the Crabapple Merchant), Alpha Assassin, Crabapple Merchant
Sunlight filters through a thousand veils of every color as they hang between buildings. Here clothes of almost any style can be found or made.
Obstacles:
- To the rooftops! (DC 13 Climb Check)
- There! A shortcut! (DC 15 Perception Check)
Section 6: The Warren
Characters: Assassin 2, Assassin 3, Jeram
Past the Street of Colored Veils is the Warren, a maze of closely packed buildings that house the less affluent citizens of Widewaters.
Obstacles:
- Find a guide (DC 15 Diplomacy or Intimidate Check)
- Where's the path? (DC 17 Perception Check)
Section 7: Party Crashing
Characters:
A thriving party fills the streets around one of the buildings at the edge of the Warren. Dozens of partygoers mill about in a half-drunken stupor as they sing offkey songs.
Obstacles:
- Keep your feet (DC 14 Dexterity Check)
- Make a hole! (DC 14 Bluff or DC 16 Intimidate Check)
Section 8: ???
Jeram slows his pace slightly as he knows the assassins have him outnumbered. Still resolving to get the upper hand he peers around him at the area trying to determine where the path lies...
...unfortunately each twisting curve of the alleys and streets look the same. Thinking quickly he spies a young girl who watches the scene unfold with wide eyes. Pulling into his pouch he pulls out a silver coin holding it up in front of her eyes. "Get me through here and this is yours."
the guards lead the two of you and the two women to the garrison. As you walk through it, you notice that there are several coats of arms emblazoned on the signs above the door. All four of you are lead to a comfortable, if small, chamber with a fire crackling in the hearth to help lift the chill inside. The guards ask for the elder of the two girls to come with them, leaving you and the girl who had been injured.
"Why did you come help us," she asks after a little while. Her voice is rough with grief, but steady for the moment.
You have little luck finding someone to help you after the young girl runs off. You also have little luck in finding a path to get ahead of the two assassins, but as fate would have it they aren't having much luck getting out of this maze either.
Unswayed by your words as you half-lunge, half-stumble at the assassin, the merchant lets out what sounds to him as a fearsome warcry that's more like a squeaky wheeze and tries to grab you. You easily sidestep his attempt and he stumbles into the assassin cracking heads with her.
She tries to use the merchant as a distraction, but her head is still spinning as she reaches for him and stumbles as she misses and smacks into the other wall of the alleyway.
"AH! By DOSE!" she cries out as she holds a hand to her face as blood soaks the scarf hiding her face.
"You murdered my crabapples!" the merchant cries, seemingly missing the woman in black that had just tried to grab him.
Something will happen in 2 more rounds
Jeram knows he only has seconds and decides to take a bold risk, praying he can back it up.
Brandishing his sword out he announces himself loudly to the two assassins, "Give it up now. The Watch has already captured your leader and it will not go well should you resist further!"
"Is that right? What's to stop us from just guttin' you and slippin' the noose? Ain't seen no guards about," one of the assassins says as he and his partner draw their knives.
As you leave the alleyway, you see a troop of six guards trotting up the street.
"Hold! State your business," the leader of the troop shouts as they spot you. Behind you, the sounds of the merchant and the assassin arguing echo from the alley.
"So, you're not from here," the girl asks, her voice still soft, but a bit brighter than before as curiosity overcomes her grief for a moment.
Jeram points the end of his own sword to the side of the alleyway, "Look there you fools," he adds with just a hint of false bravado, "Already they are moving to seal off your escape. This is your last chance for quarter here."
"I am not from here, But tragedy knows no home and I have seen it before. It visits us all at one time or another. But I do know this, no matter how bad things seem to get, you will laugh again. You will never forget the pain of today, but the promise of tomorrow is still just as bright." Trying to get back to the more pragmatic part of the situation, he asks "Is there anyone in the city who could look after you for the time being? An uncle or cousin? A business partner of your fathers that could get you back to kin?"
"What?! I don't see nuttin'!" Both of the thugs turn to look down the way you pointed, giving you the chance to take them by surprise.
The guards move around you to take the assassin and merchant in the alley into custody as their arguing grows louder.
"Well Miss, I think you'd better come with us. If you were a witness to a crime, then we'll need to get all of the information we can from you. If you'd be so kind as to join us, we'll do our best to be polite," the leader of the squad says, somewhat cowed by your temper.
"My sister and I have never left Widewaters," the girl says, her expression turning glum. "Delania is old enough to inherit, but we're all we have now."
Jeram waves his sword off to the side, "Keep looking..." just before he strikes the closest one!
;
"The next few days will be hard, there's no denying, but I think I know someone who can help. There is a temple nearby. It's high priest is known to me. He is a good man who can help you through this time. You will need both counsel of affairs and counsel of your spirits. He can point you in the right direction for both. I assure you, the danger to you has passed, but I fear for those who pursued your assailants."
Looking to Senna, he continues talking to the girls, but seems to seek an answer from her.
"I would like to head back out to offer what assistance I can."
"My sister and I have never left Widewaters,"
"It might be good for both of you to get away from town for awhile. See new places and meet new people. I've traveled a lot and I've always found it a something of a cure for a heavy heart." She glances at Durok and gives him a minute nod, "I think the good priest's suggestion are wise. It will give you both the time to get your bearings."
She warms herself by the fire again, "As soon as the police are finished speaking with Delania, perhaps we can find out if the assassins have been caught."
Your first blow goes high as the assassin ducks under it with lightning speed.
"C'mon, let's just get outta here," the one who wasn't attacked tells the other as he takes a step back.
"NO! His ass is mine," the other screams as he pulls his sword and lunges at you. The blade draws a deep gash in your side as you manage to avoid getting skewered, but the flash of red hot pain just below your ribs isn't exactly pleasant.
Before the young girl can speak, the door opens and Delania is ushered back into the room by a couple of guards and a stern-faced captain with gray hair. She looks over all of you before pointing to the girl you had been talking to.
"Come with me Miss Goldson. We have much to discuss," she commands.
Jeram barely has time to react before the blade slices deep into his side, and a wave of dizziness passes over him from the blood loss.
This probably wasn't the best of plans... he thinks crazily as he clumsily returns the blow...
;
"Heh, This'll be easy! He doesn't even know how to fight," The thug whom you attacked sneers, but his partner isn't up for a fight, especially with the possibility of the guard coming down on their head. He's running before the thug finishes speaking.
"Wha? HEY! Get back here," He shouts before turning back on you and cursing the fleeing assassin as he tries to kill you.
"Dammit! Just die already!"
As consciousness flees him, Jeram's last thoughts are of his friend Ithus.
Looks like you will need to find another one for your Order...
Nevertheless, she presses on. "Before you go, Captain... have you received any word about our acquaintances and the assassins they chased? We're concerned about them. If they haven't returned, could we join the search for them and the assassins? We're fifth wheels sitting here and we have skills that may benefit your men."
"I'm afraid that I cannot allow you to leave just yet," the captain says with a note of sympathy in her voice. "You are all witnesses and your actions have marked you as the kind of capable people I'm afraid we'll be needing shortly. That said, I have reports that indicate that your companions have been found. If you can be a little patient with us, we'll have this all sorted enough before supper."
Your eyes flutter open as you feel an ache all over your body. The first thing you see is a wrinkled face framed by lanky, white hair and set with mismatched eyes in almost every sense of the word. A smile reveals the yellowed and crooked teeth behind the thin lips above the craggy chin.
"Shooooooo-ey Sonny. I'd thought we'd lost ya that time fer sure!"
Jeram tries to struggle to his feet but his body fails him and he collapses in a tangled heap.
"Wha...where am I? Where are the...Whoa re you?" the words tumble out of his mouth in a rush.
After the Captain leaves to question the other daughter, Senna take Durok aside. "We're the sort of people they'll 'be needing shortly'? That sounds ominous."
"You thought it sounded ominous?" Durok muses "I assumed she meant that we would be needed to be properly commended. A few drinks to wash away the taste of a bad day, or perhaps a small ceremony....followed by a few drinks...."
All this talk having gotten him a bit thirsty, Durok uncaps a small flask hanging from his belt and takes a sip,
"I'm Durok, by the way" he says with a tone almost too cheery and hopeful for the days events. "Durok Greymane, and I'm very pleased that you were here to help these poor young ladies through this unpleasantness."
...and supper....she spoke of supper. how could anything be ominous if it ends with supper?....
"My humblest apologies, My Lady!' Durok stammers as he realizes the open flask is in his hand. Passing it over to Senna, she is greeted by a cool, sweet cherry wine with a nice rose blossom finish.
"It's gotten to be a bit of a habit. And my mother, hahaha, she warned me of a great many things, but the one that comes to mind deals with Doe-eyed temptress'....." He responds, with a smile.
To his observation about temptresses, she quips. "I wouldn't gainsay your mother's wisdom, but I'd think it would be preferable to have the attention of a doe-eyed temptress than a cross-eyed hag. If I spy either one, I'll be sure to let you know." She gives the dwarf a friendly hip bump. "Or were you speaking about me, you rascal? If so, perhaps I should get your mother's advice on honey-tongued dwarves."
Delania gives a watery chuckle at the banter between the two of you, but sobers as she considers your concerns.
"The guard doesn't operate that way. They are honest, for the most part, but many have ties to one faction or another in the guilds. Given my father's position and wealth, they're going to need a neutral party
that has the skill, honesty, and gumption to solve this," she says after a moment, "they're going to need you since you don't have those ties."
The figure pulls back, allowing you a chance to see that the person addressing you is a woman, a very ugly woman.
"Ah, full of spirit already! I'm Mammy Janks, the best damned healer in the guard. You're lucky they found you when they did. Might've died out there sonny!"
Jeram's mind flashes back to when the assassin's blade struck him down. "So the two killers I was pursuing, they both got away?" Shaking his head bitterly at the failure he slowly rises to his feet. "I must thank you again for saving my life Madame...err...Mammy," offering her smile of appreciation. "What of my companions who were with me? The Sraelani woman and the...other lady?"
"Well, I won't claim any particular expertise in such matters, but I will lend my assistance as best I can." Durok replies, still a little unsure of what is being asked of him.
I did come all this way to meet new folk and experience new things...
"Think nothing of it sweety, just be sure to give Mammy some sugar before you go," the old crone coos. "The others are waiting for you outside, though you might want to put some clothes on. I think Captain Widdershins will be mighty cross if you go distracting all the ladies by prancing about with your bits on display."
"Thank you for your kindness, but I fear that you have misjudged the guard. Widewaters has no lord. It's left to the guilds to supply the guard, and many of the guard's officers are sponsored by the guilds who pay for their training and equipment. I won't deny that there are some who pander to those sponsors, but many are true to their oaths. It's just that those with opposing factions will never believe that," Delania says, her words ending on a sad note.
Jeram glances down and sees he is indeed in his birthday suit. Fighting back a crimson flush he quickly gathers up his clothing and dresses himself up in his clothes, now looking rather torn and disheveled.
He quickly moves to the door and opens it up. "I, uhh, will get you some sweets...ahhh...when I return OK?" He responds hurriedly before quickly exiting the room.
"Oh my," Mammy Jank says in a demure voice that might fool a credulous infant, "Take care of yourself, you naughty boy."
Delania gives a helpless shrug, and it's clear her composure is starting to crack.
"I don't know! It could be any of several dozen families or groups. My father wasn't... He wasn't..."
As her voice cracks, she turns away and tries to discretely wipe away her tears.
Jeram smiles weakly in reply, "I sure will Mammy," after fighting off a shudder. He then hurries off to find Senna and the others.
"Do not hide your tears, little one. You have earned them this day. Let them out without shame, they are the first step toward healing." Durok says, handing the young lady a kerchief from his pocket.
Trying to comfort her, he recalls an old trick,
"Do this for me, exhale slowly, and when you breathe in, think of a fond memory of your parents, then exhale again."
The girl just nods as she listens to the two of you. For a moment, there's just silence, then the opening of the door.
It only takes a little bit to find the room where the others are being held for the moment. Opening the door, you see the dwarf, the sraeli woman, and one of the two younger women, but no sign of the Grundian woman nor the one that was injured.