Asking around about the items, no one seems to recognize either the items or names associated with them.
Since we can't find any info about the ring or dagger should we sell them before we head to see the Queen
I say we just hold on to them for now. They could come in handy later. They wont fetch of a price anyway. I say we head to the castle
Do we need to bring it to the castle? Is there a guard house somewhere else we can turn this in at?
I think it will be fine. I can be rather persuasive. I say we walk up to the guards and say that we found an item that has a bounty on it and wanted to give it back to the Queen. Seems like with all this craziness looking like good citizens to the guards would be a good thing.
Ok guys I will take the lead on this one if you don't mind. Let's be on our way.
You spend some time wandering the streets and after a few hours you luck out and find the guard you were searching for. He and three others are breaking up a scuffle between a large group of citizens.
Overhead there is a squadron of the Sable Company that swoops past.
Faust will try to wait and grab the attention of the guard.
Tensei will follow Faust for this is not his area of expertise. Tensei will look at the scuffle and see if the guards are having a tough time with breaking up the fight
The guards are pretty heavily outnumbered, but aside from fisticuffs and the random thrown bit of produce, they don't seem out of their element. It does however take some time to quell on their own.
Once things finally calm down a bit, a few of the citizens are shackled and being led towards the Citadel.
Can Faust try to wave the guard down or is he taking the citizens in.
The guard notices you trying to get his attention and steps over for a moment, the others continue leading the troublemakers on to the Citadel to cool their heels.
”Do ya need somethin’?”
Yeah, I had a question for you. Where would we bring an item that there is a bounty for? Would that be something that you could handle?
He eyes you curiously.
”What kind of bounty are we talking about here? Normally you’d goto whoever issued the request I guess, since they’re the ones payin’ and all.”
We found the Brooch that belongs to the Queen and we want to make sure that it's returned to her. Is there someone that we would need to talk to?
He steps back a pace and gives you a much sharper look.
”And how exactly did you come into possession of something belonging to the Queen?”
You're familiar with Gaedrin Lamm? We set about freeing this city from his curse last night and found it on him. Don't worry, we saved the children he was abusing.
Then when we learned more about what we found we came here to bring the item to who it belongs to.
”So, you roughed him up or what? And you ‘found’ the item on his person? Look, it’s been a long day already, and I’ll be honest, if you say too much more, I’m going to have to arrest you. So, let’s just pretend I didn’t hear that, that man is human garbage, but we do have laws here. Ok?
He pauses a moment, then continues.
”If you really do have something that is the Queen’s, you’ll need to take it to the castle if you want to collect. Likely talk to Sabina Merrin.”
OK thank you. With all the craziness going on do we just walk up or do you need to escort us?
Agreed. This is a City of Laws. None were broken, I can assure you. I'm sorry you're having a hard time completing your assigned duties, but you need not threaten us with arrest to get rid of us. We will be leaving.
”You can go yourself, but, it’s... uh. It’s crazy up there right now. You may want to give it a day or two to avoid all the chaos.”
With that he turns to leave and rejoin his team.
I'd rather not sit on a hot item, that could land us life in prison, for a "day or two" based on his judgment. He seems less than helpful, and we didnt catch his name. I doubt explaining "an unnamed guard told us to wait..." if we do get caught with it, will do us any good. Let's just get this over with.
I agree with Hue, holding onto this item is a horrible idea. I know we don't want to go up to the castle but its better to just get this done and over with.
Faust will try to make his way and find Sabina Merrin.
Once we know where she is located Faust will try to approach her.
As Faust is talking with people asking afer Sabina.
"Oh, yer lookin' for Sabina? You won't find her mor'n a few feet from the Queen. Like lil' pup that one. Always underfoot and shows her fangs to anyone what doesn't make nice with her master."
As you proceed towards the castle, the streets become increasingly crowded, with a general loudness from the crowd. Entering into The Heights, the streets are nearly impassible with many folks trying to press into the area. Small pockets open up as citizens exchange blows, but these fights don't last long as the crowds move to fill them back in. You do spot guards trying to keep the peace, but as their mobility is also hampered, they are having a great deal of difficulty breaking up the gathering.
In the distance you can see the Castle grounds, that appear to have all the gates closed, with guards maintaining the perimeter and crossbow men up on the ramparts.
I say we get to the perimeter guards, explain what we're after, and hope they let us in. And let's try to do so with as low a profile as possible.
Yeah that's a good idea Hue. Faust will continue towards the gate to get one of the guards attention.
After a tremendous amount of effort and time to push through the crowd, you reach the gate. The guards on the ground there motion for you to stay back, which those above aim crossbows at you.
”Back away citizen, the castle is closed while the Queen is in mourning.”
As we pass through the crowd tensei will pull down his face covering and let out a intimidating presence to help clear the way for him and his companions
We recovered an item belonging to the Queen, and wish to return it to her. Perhaps being reunited with this heirloom will bring her some small measure of peace in these troubled times. I'm certain that decision is above your pay grade. We shall wait while you consult a superior.
As Hue shouts towards the guard, citizens surge forward towards the gates, pressing the party into the bars. Inside the locked entry, they do their best to calm the situation, but the roaring of the crowd makes it hard to determine if their words were even heard.
Faust leans over to Tensei. we are gonna need your help to get this crowd back, could you take care of it please.
Tensei nods to faust and removes all head coverings and let's out a vicious roar towards the citizens pushing!
So much for low profile...
Some of the citizens seem startled by Tensei shouting at them, but with the crush of people, it's difficult for them to escape immediately. Almost as quickly, more shouting individuals fill the gaps left behind.
The guards inside the gate have weapons at the ready to defend themselves should there be a breech.
Seconds later, the sky overhead darkens. Flecked with tiny lights of blue and red. Very quickly you are able to pick up on what is happening, and so is the rest of the crowd. As the clash in the sky is taking place, the clouds let loose with bolts of electricity, slamming to the earth, decimating whatever they strike. The people of Korvosa scatter for cover, including the guards within the gates, seeking shelter from whatever is to come next.
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Behset will marvel for a moment at the aeronautics, and then hurriedly ask the party sky beasts to which side? We get involved? She would also like to wrack her brain for any information on these creatures, either in heraldry or nature.
Also if those flecks of light were anything other than the creatures coming into view, she would want to try and suss out the power of the magic's involved in summoning numbers like this
Behset takes a moment to marvel at the elegant dance as the creatures try to rend each other to pieces. Claws and fangs, strike out, and the tiny dragons breathe silvery-blue mist.
Recognizing the first as the House Drakes of Korvosa, these pseudo-dragons are specific to this city. Having spent hundreds of years under assault from the Imps they are currently battling, this species evolved some interesting defenses against them. Their eyes adjusted to battling their would be attackers allowing them to see them, even when they had become invisible, and their attacks became infused with silver. Most of the people of Korvosa see the House Drakes as a good omen when they find one has taken up residence in their home and will often leave treats for them in some fashion.
The other creatures in the sky are also easily recognizable, as common Imps. Having spent at least some time in the city, you recall that the Acadamae to the north of the castle has a long history of teaching newly minted wizards and sorcerers the ways of spellcasting, but also, each of them must be able to form a bond with an Imp as their familiar. Those that fail to bond with it, the Imps usually escape into the city.
Every few years the Imps erupt into the city and try to cause as much chaos as possible, and the House Drakes greet them in battle. Citizens know that when this happens, it's best to clear the streets as quickly as possible. The energies released from both of these beasts charges the air with magic and has been known to generate some unpredictable and potentially deadly effects.
Not this again! Where to?
Let's hurry to shelter guys!
lead the way! I'll keep an eye to the skies and protect from attacks
Let's head to Zelarra's house. It is more familiar and close.
Good idea.
With the crowds rapidly dispersing and the skies growing even darker, you four dash for Zellara's home. Up ahead, you spot a group of imps that break from the skies and attack a group of citizens. Before you can draw close, a trio of griffons flashes out from a nearby alley, each with a rider on it's back. A human male in heavy armor, springs off his mount and slams heavily into the small creature. His hands lock onto it and he slams the imp to the ground where it flops to a rest. A female half-elf draws her bow taught and looses an arrow that streaks silver and buries itself into another of the imps. The third rider lands gently near the citizens and begins radiating healing energies and assisting them to their feet.
The remaining imps flap hard and head back into the skies, while the griffon riders mount back up. The heavily armored one spots you on your approach, nods and gives you a thumbs up, then the group takes sprints off down an alley.
Pressing forward, you are able to reach Zellara's and secure yourselves inside. The home is dusty and lacking any fresh provisions, but it is sturdy and seems safe to wait out the conflict. The last one of which continued on for two and a half days.
Does anyone have enough food for us to last a while? Faust will call out to Zelara. Hey Zelara, you have any more of the food and drink you had when we first came here?