"Ugh...I just don't understand who this guy is. Is he working for the King? Is he the King? Arrrg!" she howls in agony in her mind. "I just don't want to ruin my chances. Then again, I don't want to burn down buildings...cleaning slop was harmless. It comes down to what you'll agree to do to have a chance for Magarand to see you." She then thinks further. "If he works for the King, or is the King, and isn't just down here by chance, then do we still need to clean the pens? I don't think so."
Scarlet moves forward to the pile of gold and examines it, even picking up a piece to ensure it isn't an illusion. The now demoralized, weak-willed tiefling seemed strong in her words before, but now, when it comes to deciding, she gives in, knowing none are below her. Who is she to argue with what is causing issues of stability? She is a nothing. A nobody. Yet, as she thinks of what she must do, somehow, she feels like a piece of her soul is dying or drawing closer to the abyss.
"You are now a terrorist. Congrats. I hope he can even love you after this...," she thinks to herself as she shuffles in defeat. If no one stops her, or voices in opposition, she will state, "I Know None Are Below Me."
Cordelia sighs and lower her eyes. So long as nobody gets hurt...
"I know none are below me," she says as well.
Edwyn's eyes dart back and forth between the gold and the... unsettling person offering it, clearly torn. As each of his compatriots agree to the terms, he lets out a sigh, calms his nerves, and...
A shining glint appears in his eye, as he peers into the stranger's soul. What, exactly, could he-- or it-- desire?
The figure observes the interactions with peaked interest. Its faceless masked persona seeming to flick from focusing on one of you to the next. At Philip's confirmation of the task at hand, you can almost hear the smile on his lips as he claps."Oh? Truly???"
He takes note of Edwyn and his attempt of insight, flicking a particular coin as he gauges interest before offering a shrug."Is it not often we find ourselves in service to a King that doesn't always ask us to do what we're comfortable with? Too often in my case I'd say. Try having four demons behave shoveling shit before they find their way down here. Ha ha ha! Oh the oddities of the King are a mystery unknown even to his Broker."
You can determine that this being is the "Broker of the King" from his many implications, and that he is at least somewhat aware and expectant of the discomfort for the given task.
There is a particular and prolonged look from the faceless mask toward Scarlet as it speaks those words before another shrug ensues,"You were brought to this realm because the King has identified each of you with but one, or perhaps soon a few, special qualities. As a gesture of good faith... I am allowed something to define my authority. Very much like, yet very much unlike, the Angel of the King and those dreadful marks cast upon your figures. Behold! A reward for what you are yet to have done for the sole purpose of instability. I offer you the opportunity to withstand a reward with no strings but those you've created yourself. To dance on a stage of nothing but your own making. How you dance... Well those methods are your own. They're your strings. Ha ha ha ha ha ha."
A fire shrouded in runes of all sorts appears in his opposing hand, catching the particular coin and pocketing it in a hidden sleeve with the others. The fire is offered to each of you, a gentle warmth and comfort emanating from it as if to draw you in."Do you truly know that none are below you? Take, then."
The hand and flame is offered to each of you in kind with yet a final shrug, an opportunity to receive an unknown gift. Spellcraft DC 30
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you enjoy the instability of making us uncomfortable...but...you are not wrong, Broker of the King," she thinks to herself as he stares lingeringly to her. Eventually, she lowers her eyes in submission.
When he sparks back up in conversation, she listens and considers his words.
"Confusing...he is very much like, yet very much unlike? Withstand a reward with no strings? But we've created ourselves?"
Her eyes look toward the "gift". "I have no control over this gift. It's either good or bad. Even this money in this room is a message to that message of do I know that none are below me? We can think, "we are worth something if we get this gold". That won't change for me. I have nothing. Even this 'gift' is not mine. There are none below me." She then will take it.
Edwyn finally speaks up. "I would not take that 'gift' if I were you. This may be the King's representative, but that does not mean we shouldn't be wary."
Cordelia struggles to make sense of the odd being's ramblings. She's uncertain about the gift, but Scarlet takes the fire, and that seems to be good enough for the rogue. She accepts the gift as well.
Scarlet hesitates with her hand, only to reply to Edwyn, "Does the one truly at the bottom have any choice but to accept gifts? That's who I am..." and she takes it.
Filip nodded in agreement with Cordelia and Scarlet. He turned to address Edwyn but made the deliberate decision to not call him by any name, “Come now, friend, look around you. We are, quite literally, below rock bottom.” He gave Edwyn a weak smile as if to say “Trust me.”
The Doctor then approached the figure, accepted the fire and spoke the words, “I Know None Are Below Me".
Those who take the fire- Dr. Filip, Scarlet, Cordelia; you feel a renewed power invigorate your body. Your fatigues and exhaustions fall away; the heavy stench of pig feces no longer fills your nose, even when it isn't there. Your minds clear, and at the apex of power gained you observe three of the five piles of gold begin to slowly and surely organize themselves, one by one, to fill your pockets.
"There, children. Satisfied now? You did shovel for two days, after all. Travelled a tunnel to find me- and, well, by cover of night or not, I can't imagine burning a few buildings in a pirate syndicate run city is particularly safe. Ha ha ha ha!"As each one of you partakes in the rune ordained flame it grows smaller, until it is but a fourth of its size. The faceless mask hovers over Edwyn once more as gold dances single file in three rows past him.
"Is this truly what your strings pull you to do? Will you earn your reward, then? It is true, the strongest of metals are forged in the most resilient of fires."
For just a moment, that flame in his hand dances about. Catching your attention inside the flame your insight activates again, though this time without your initiation. You see heavy black iron boots stomping through the snow and hear the air filled with heavy breaths that emit no mist despite the apparent cold. Looking up you see a black iron clad figure mounted on a terrifying appearance of a steed while a hand reaches out to you. Just before it feels as if it were going to reach you, the vision fades, and only the rune adorned fire remains.
"Will we incur the wrath of the Angel of the King if we do not go back and clean the pens now?" she asks of this being.
"Hmmmm? Oh no that was the first test, for stability and all that. You are more than free to leave now. You may take your time as you wish to set the fires, but I don't imagine you'll have that much difficulty as you proceed."
The faceless figure turns from his piles of gold and walks forward, placing his hands along the wall before a door and staircase upward make themselves known. You can feel the night breeze flow through the open door, the night sky teasing from outside.
"You are currently just under the western end of the Arch of Riddleport. I don't imagine any would be hostile towards you outright, at least, not outside the usual particulars of Riddleports vagabonds and derelicts. Should you be in need of materials, I am able to be of service as well." The figure hands out coins to each of you, each one similar to a gold piece but instead having your own faces chiseled onto them.
"Simply rub the coin between your fingers and utter the usual words, I Know None Are Below Me, and I will appear. It is quite rare a request is made for something I don't have. You are welcome to use the local shops at your discretion as well."
The Broker moves out of the way of the door, lounging on his pile of gold with no coins to flick between his fingers anymore."And I suppose should you have any other questions, I may be of some service. Though it's no fun if I don't get to watch you overcome it yourselves. Ha ha ha ha!"
Scarlet will take hold of her coin and look it over. When he begins to open the door for them to leave, his words and actions stop her in her tracks.
"Wait...you mean..." Tears begin to stream down her face as the fullness of the gift is realized within her body and before her. Not that the giant piles of money weren't realized, but with him seemingly leaving, it resounds that this is hers. She trembles at the sheer amount of it. "I thought he was lying..."
"I would work near a week to save one of these...This many are mine? Truly the King is good!" "May your paths be blessed, sir."
She lifts a gold piece again to see if it is real.
"D...do you have...a bag to put it in?" she asks, as her now full pockets are far too small to hold anything else.
Cordelia offers Scarlet her backpack. ”Here, love. You can share mine. Plenty of room in there, and I promise I won’t cheat you out of none of your coin.”
For a moment, Edwyn loses focus-- or perhaps he's too focused, but on something far from here. When his attention returns to his surroundings, he shudders. His attention is quickly drawn to the vast wealth passing him by. On instinct, he scowls, but he notices, and with a wince, tries his best to maintain a neutral, detached expression.
“Would anyone mind if I take a few minutes to go over a few things in my book?” Filip asked the others. I found my mind wandering a bit through all of this and I think I’ve stumbled onto a new formula or two.”[/b]
He pulled the book open but waited to see if there were any objections before he set to scribbling in the pages.
"Thank you," the tiefling responds to Cordella with a brief but curious look toward Edwyn.
"No," she answers Filip. "I will be gathering gold. Take your time."
Once most of the gold is collected, she will stand and look to the unique host of theirs.
"I could use some components."
She will begin to describe various components for crafting magical items. If he has them available, then she will purchase them here. If not, then she'll have to get them at the stores.
When their commerce is done, she will nod to the others.
"Let's go." Her voice cracks, as she is still emotional. With that, she would head upstairs.
The Doctor nodded and pulled a bottle of ink and an inkpen from a pocket. He unfolded and clipped a small device to the back cover of his book, forming a little holder for the bottle ink. He then started to pace back and forth while scribbling notes. Periodically he would stop to mumble to himself then either nod or shake his head before continuing.
When he was done, Filip held the large book in the crook of his left arm - the bottom resting against his hip - and began adding various ingredients to a vial he, awkwardly, held in his left hand. He stoppered the vial, slipped it into a coat pocket, and repeated the process two more times. He refastened the leather strap that held his book in place and looked up at the group.
“Shall we?”
”Let’s do the damn thing,” Cordelia mutters.
With as plain and neutral a face he can muster, Edwyn nods. "Yes, agreed."
You overhear, walking the streets of Riddleport, that the Druid School was started originally by outsiders from the city, brought here by an event at the Goblin Gambling Hall. They go by the name Harry Tipper, and can often be found anywhere there is a rather obnoxious gathering of seagulls, or the Publican House Tavern.
The most prominent of Lumbermills is owned by one of the Crime Lords of Riddleport, Boss Croat. He and his orcs slap axe to trunk from sunrise to sunset on the western side of the River District. They are often drunk at the Gold Goblin Gambling Hall, supposed patron favorites of its current new owners.
There is one thing you know about the streets of Riddleport as the night takes over and the Guidarmes begin their march- crime is absolutely rampant. Anyone who appears new to the city, especially, is at extremely high risk of being robbed, mugged, or worse. The best thing to do would be to establish a relationship somewhere, anywhere, or security and safety.
You may roll survival for the city to end up somewhere that may aid you in your quest, or just be a random tidbit of interaction. A very simplified version of exploring and conquering hexes from Kingmaker.
You may have other skills or tactics you wish to use to obtain the information you need to succeed. Simply perform the roll and properly label what you'd like to do. If you wish to keep it from others, you may do as I have done. Roll a blank roll and PM me what you would like it to be for. I would prefer, if this method is used, you ask me before making the roll.
"So, this druid's school was built by a group of outsiders who call themselves Harry Tipper," Cordelia tells the rest of the group. "They usually frequent the Publican House, so we should try to avoid that tavern if we don't want to draw attention to ourselves. We also ought to be careful on the streets at night. Lots of criminals prowling about, looking for an easy mark."
She tries to guide the group on a safe route through the city.
Filip slipped a faintly luminescent vial from a coat pocket. He held it up to his lips but stopped at the last moment and let out a little chuckle while popping the cork back in. “Oops! That one might have made it a tad bit harder to skulk around!” He pulled a second vial free and held it up to get a better look in the moonlight. “Ok. Yes. This is the one.”
The man downed the contents in one gulp. An instant later, the features of his face began to soften like wet clay. His nose and cheeks plumped and his hair lost most of its gray color. Standing where Filip had been was a completely different man.
“That is very good to know. Thank you, Cordelia,” he said. When he spoke, his voice had lost much of its nasal tone and he sounded like someone’s loving father. “I suppose we should pick a target and head out? This look will only last me a few hours.”
Other than being naturally charming, there is little that Scarlet has in her repertoire for training on how to deal with humans and their world. She could be naturally kind to people, but due to the fact of her being poor for so long, she's drifted away from seeking people out for help; The King being the exception to the rule.
Now that they ascend into the streets of a city, the wary tiefling mostly makes sure no one so much as gets close to Cordella's backpack, and if someone is following them, mostly she will give them enough of a stink-eye that they back a respectable distance away.
Not long after getting up onto the street, she will feel incredibly unsafe.
"We need to find an inn or something. Can you ask someone, mystery man?" she refers to the good doctor, who has changed his appearance for some reason. This has made her feel all the more nervous, as so far he's seemed to know what's going on. For her, seeing him become disguised means that she probably should be as well, but without any equipment to do so, she's a blazing, bright, blue beacon for anyone looking.
Filip did his best to skulk from shadow to shadow as he group moved through the streets.
”Hmm? No, no, no. I’ve never been very good at dealing with people.” He gave a warm smile to Scarlet. ”Too many variables, you know? That’s why I went into the field of study that I did.”
“Now that we’re away from that place, I think it’s time I shared a few details with you all,” The nicer Filip said. Though the inviting smile never left his face, the new doctor struggled to keep the jovial tone in his voice. “That phrase that our benefactors keep making us say,” he purposely avoided it out of worry it may accidentally summon the Broker. ”It’s one of the Five Laws of the city of Vyre and discourages discrimination. Vyre is The City of Masks. The birthplace of Norgorber. You’re familiar with the deity, no?” Filip held up a hand and began counting off the various names for the god. “Reaper of Reputation. Father Skinsaw. The Gray Master. Blackfingers. King of Thieves.”
Filip paused and scratched at the back of his head before he continued, this time counting off on the other hand, ”I Shall Honor All Coin: No theft within the city. And while prices are negotiable, all sales are final. I Shall Speak Many Names: If someone gives a name, it is to be accepted no matter what.” Filip’s mask slipped more and more as he spoke. Clearly, unused to maintaining an actual disguise as the words came faster and faster as well. “I invoked this earlier this evening and Ms. Scarlet was clever enough to pick up on it. I’m sorry that I was unable to warn you all ahead of time. I May Wound Yet Shall Not Kill: One is obligated to avoid killing blows within Vyre. And finally, I Shall Let Closed Doors Remain Closed: all private acts and secrets are to remain so. However, a broken promise is also to be assumed unbroken unless proper evidence states otherwise.”
The man stopped to catch his breath.
Edwyn nods along with the explanation.
"An interesting set of laws, I suppose. Still, I fear your precaution was not enough. You'll note that I gave no name to that... person, not even a false one. Something about him gave me cause for concern, something that I cannot articulate."
He stops for a moment, and rubs the bridge of his nose. He glances about, looking for any passers by, and with a shimmer of magic, his clothes appear to change to match the fashion that a local might wear out on the street.
"I expect I can find us a place to spend the night, but it may cut into these precious moonlight hours. Surely, we'd do best to burn our orphanages, or whatever terrible sin we've agreed to, under the cover of night?"
Beginning a full debrief of your previous 48 hours in what you now know to be Riddleport, Cordelia finds herself nearly upon the Publican House as she cautions going near it.
Walking through a brilliant and beautiful posh part of town you take note of scholars walking with a book or two in hand, wealthy and well dressed with silken robes. Merchants pack their carts for the night, and you hear one of them bid goodnight to the Ferryman as he walks towards his docks to the east of you. It would seem there is a rather fancy and tall building up on the hill to the west that you hear them call out as the "Cyphergate."
The Publican House, and "Harry Tipper" is a rather big piece of conversation amongst the rich and famous apparently. They wonder aloud in their groups what he may turn into today, or what formation of birds he may put into the sky.
Cordelia scouts a bit more, and puts together that this is in its entirety a rather nice part of what is a very bad town. It would appear the Ferryman works through the night, and may be able to take you across the Velashu River and away from the Publican House.
The more information she hears about the deal, as well as Edwyn's insight, she wishes she had as much. However, at the same time, she didn't really have a choice. She was at her lowest.
"Yes, but not tonight. I'm tired," she answers Edwyn. "Let's find this place to rest our heads sooner rather than later."
In fact, she will approach a kinder-looking wealthy soul with a book, not even waiting for the others to approve. She didn't want to keep discussing it while there was such an opportunity in front of them.
"Good sir," she toys at her garment along her neck. "I do not approach to beg of you. My companions here have just arrived in the city. We have some money and are willing to pay for lodging, food, and baths if you can supply them. Please? We'd appreciate getting off of the streets."
Taken aback by the tiefling's approach the scholar looks her over but a single time before giving a hesitant inquiry,"You are asking to... stay at my home? Well that would be preposterous. I'd imagine you could stay at any number of taverns here in the city. Perhaps The River Runner will suit you? The Ferryman, Grimas, could most likely take you for a modest fee."
Cordelia chuckles and puts a hand on Scarlet's shoulder. "Think you might want to dial it back just a bit," she says with a smirk. "River Runner sounds good to me."
"I know it's not normal...," she looks disappointedly to the wealthy man. "What else were you expecting? That everything would change? They'd just start being nice to tieflings and the poor?" With a bite of her lips, she will let the man go if he wants to. "We just wanted to get off the street. Not terrorize your home...sorry."
Dejectedly, she looks to Cordelia. She mirrors the smirk, albeit with more disappointment and with knowing eyes, she relents. Her cute, lengthy, little tail instinctively wraps about her waist. If there is nothing else from the man, she will continue on.
Once the man is gone, Edwyn gives the tiefling a look. It is not one of amusement.
"What was that? Looking for a place to sleep, and your first instinct is to whore yourself out to any random man on the street? No matter, we've the name of a tavern now, we just need to find this ferry."
Not-Filip opened his mouth to speak but clapped it shut when Edwyn chastised Scarlet. Sure, Filip thought it had been a bit foolish as well, but something about the way the man had snapped at the Scarlet put him at unease.
“Fingers and toes!” Filip exclaimed. “At least - what was the name? Roderdis! - is trying.” He wagged a disappointed finger at Edwyn, ”Like it or not we’re a team. I certainly have never liked relying on others. The last time I had a partner was back at Sincomakti and we all know how that turned out!” He dragged a thumb across his neck. “But these are peculiar circumstances, no?” Not-Filip leaned in conspiratrily, “I’d rather not spend a bunch of time in this awful place. Can we just head straight to one of our, er, destinations?”
They would find the Velashu Ferry, and the man who ran it, just a tad to the east of their current location. His name was "Grimas" as you had heard told from the scholar previously, and seemed to be a rather old and uncaring but pleasant man.
Upon the group's approach he'd simply remove his straw hat with a "swish" and a nod before going back to his drink. A single thumb lazily pointed at the Ferry at the end of the docks,"Here to use m'eh Ferry? Nothin' to it if y'are. Think this late in the day.... 1 GP each should cover it no problem. That is, dependin' on where you want to be goin' now."
The weather was gentle, the waves in the Velashu River small. The Ferry gently ticked and tocked from the motions against the dock, a resounding but dull "dum" every time the rope gave and let it clap against wood. On board were only a few crew members, most lazily toying with the sail or handing out drinks as they dimmed their lanterns.
It is not a surprise that the man hurries off after being rebuked so openly by her own teammate. She blinks in pure shock. It is hard felt, and that is clear on her face; as if confirming the suspicions that not even her own group here has her back. Scarlet's eyes travel elsewhere, burnished red with flame. For the sake of party cohesion, she will not sock him in the mouth, nor verbally rip Edwyn's head off. It is just that now she is considering going out on her own. "I could just push him into the river and make him take the ferry wet..." she considers as Dr. Filip changes the subject.
"I'm fine to go wherever you all want to go," she answers him and follows in silence. Before they get to the ferry, in a quiet, unobserved place, she will pull a few gold out of Cordella's backpack and keep it in her pocket, just in case.
When the need for it arises, she will let the others speak and barter for the ride.
Seeing Scarlet upset, Cordelia reaches over to squeeze her hand. "Don't let him get to you, love. It was a good idea, we just didn't have the right mark to try it on. Keep her chin up, yeah?"
Scarlet's fist is balled up as Cordelia reaches over. She softens at the touch and whatever anger that is there is dissipated. Blueberry opens her palm to the girl and takes in a deep breath.
"Yeah, evidently," she agrees considering the right mark.
Not-Filip’s face scrunched up as the two women spoke. Not even the false identity could hide his…distaste for the emotional aspect of sentient beings. Ask him what the severe swelling of the lips exhibited by a patient might be an indication of and he could give you an answer. Ask why different actions or words elicited different emotions in people and, well, you would get a response in the form of a scrunched up face.
Filip wrung his hands together, ”Right then. So…what’s the plan, then? I’m not usually the one putting oil and torches to buildings,” he said. He left out “I’m usually the one the oil and torches are for.”
"I should hope you mean metaphorically," Edwyn begins. "If only because even the least prepared criminal would know better than to announce his crime in earshot of others.
He turns to the ferryman and continues. "We're not familiar with the layout of the city, but we have business in the outskirts, near the lumber yards. Are you able to take us there?"
The Ferryman nods, and, upon taking 1 GP from each of you on entry, begins to give a gentle fight against the river as the ferry is loosed from the docks. As night fully forms in the sky the air becomes cold, a light wind making small waves lap up at the sides of the boat. Owls can be heard in the distance, and the occasional bat is caught in the moonlight. Ferryman Grimas' oar fights the river as he pulls them against the gentle current.
"Well, depends on just how outskirted you wanna get. This Ferry does go practically all the way up the river- lumberyards are just across from the River Runner! But... whatchya want with a lumberyard this late? Oh- lookin' fer work? If so I got a job fer yah! Somewhat good pay. Risk is high. So on so on."
Grimas gives a hoarse chuckle before spitting over the ferry's side before a breath of relief. "Damn mucus. Kill me one day, I'm sure of it."
Scarlet listens to the ferryman and considers his comment.
"We'll probably go to the River Runner?" she asks her companions. Then in response to the ferryman's inquiries, she answers, "We wouldn't be wanting anything for a job right now, of course. It's night. Probably tomorrow some of us will see about applying. What type of job do you have available?" "Can I ask this, or am I 'whoring' myself to this guy too?" she thinks with a brief look to Edwyn.
"Oh sure, sure. Well there's these damned river thieves. Very fancy, very dangerous. They run right across the water sometimes, when'm ferry is going, and rob me point blank! Most the time I don't mind- easy enough to make it all back runnin' a ferry and near the only one in town. Havin' said that... Bastards stole a family heirloom of mine. Necklace, not worth much to them I bet, but it had my family crest on it. Gift from my pa when I started runnin' the ferry service. You know the one- "Yer a man now, son." and all that."
You swear you saw something run across the water as Grimas speaks. As you take a closer look you see a big ripple in the water going against the waves. A big fish? A shark? A rock thrown from the river banks? You aren't quite sure.Spellcraft for further identification
"Anyways- the River Runner eh? Not too bad a place. It's a bit pricey, but that price comes with it the protection of a crime lord. Oh no, no one'll bother ye once your inside. On the streets, however... Well, luckily I can take you right to their docks! 'specially as late as it's gettin'."
"The River Runner sounds right up our alley," Cordelia agrees.
At the mention of the River Thieves, Scarlet becomes hyper-alert. Thanks to her keen eyes, piercing the darkness of the river, she sees something as the man's tale comes to a finish. She casts a quick detect magic spell and looks out over at it from the side of her view, so as to not fully express that she is staring at it.
"There is something on the water there. Do you see it? Going against the flow?" Her head nodding in its direction ever so gently.
I currently assume you are trying to bluff / sleight of hand the cast of detect magic?
Your Spellcraft is not quite high enough to identify the spell, but it is enough to confirm that it is a spell of some sort at work here in the river. With the addition of your round 1 of detect magic, you know there is indeed something magical going on here. You would certainly determine, based on the story, that something dangerous is going on. Your cast of mage armor would activate, interrupting the continuation of Detect Magic.
"Wellp then River Runner it is. Might end up in it meself, take a nap, eat some food. Anyof you got food? I always seem to remember to drink, but never to eat. It's a real problem."
”Food? No, sorry.” Filip turned to look at the front of the ferry. ”Does the Runner have anything they specialize in? Food-wise I mean.”
At Scarlet’s comment, Filip squinted into the dark, ”I don’t see anything. Are you sure there’s something there?” He glanced back at the ferryman, ”How much longer?”
"If she says there's something there, then there's something there," Cordelia says to Filip. Though she doesn't see the moving thing herself, the rogue draws her sword just in case and keeps a wary eye on the water.
Scarlet gives a well hidden indication that something isn't quite right, giving the Ferryman pause to the Doctor's question as he hesitates with the oar. Cordelia draws her sword in readied preparedness as Scarlet's magic armor cloaks her in its usual design and fashion. Just in time, as well, as the sound of something whistling through the air can be heard from either side of the river. A violent splash sounds with a dulled sound before the Ferryman's boat is riddled with loud claps of thunder and a massive fog rolls in. Scarlet can almost make out a figure rising from the water to their feet before a shroud of fog encases the boat.
You hear loud noises that you can assume are people shouting, but cannot currently make out the words as your ears are filled with a dull "hum"
The Good Stuff / Intiative None Flat Footed
Random 20
Random 17
Cordelia 16
Dr. Filip 14
Random 12
Scarlet 11
Random 9
Strong Random 9
Edwyn 2
Though you cannot see or hear it- you feel two solid thumps against the boat, giving it a gentle rock and challenging your balance. You note that it begins to turn ever so slightly as the Ferryman cowers, ducking under the lip of the boat. Through the fog you can barely make out one another, though are able to at least know your other 3 compatriots are nearby due to their proximity.
Cordelia- it is your turn in Initiative. Note that for all talking is a free action.