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Vedika takes the warning about attending priests getting infected with some trepidation and says, "Kayleigh... this means we need to be extra careful to make sure you don't get the blood veil, from treating someone who had it."
"Also, we are gonna be in a bad position of needing to quarantine as best we can, but also having to be around lots of people in order to deal with this problem. Sucks to be an 'essential worker'."
Reaching Citadel Volshyenek poses little problem, despite Ishani’s fear to the contrary. Although many in the city attempt to conduct life as
normal, whispers and quiet conversations replace the raucous chatter of any normal business day, as if noise might attract the plague’s lethal notice.
At the gates to the citadel the guards greet you warmly. They remember your many deeds on behalf of the Korvosan guard.
You seem to have arrived at an interesting time?
The echoes of forcefully spoken but unintelligible words resound off the imposing granite and iron walls of Citadel Volshyenek’s outer curtain. Dozens of red-and-silver armored guards stand in assembly upon the pitted stone mustering ground here, muttering in hushed, somber
tones.
Before them, atop a weathered wooden platform, paces Field Marshal Kroft, her eyebrows arched sternly as she momentarily tolerates the crowd’s murmurs. Behind her upon the scaffold stand three grizzled veteran guards at attention, as well as an ominous-looking group.
These newcomers wear cowled robes of oily-looking leather, supple
gloves, and wide black hats. Some grip heavy canes, others dark satchels. Each of them, though, wears a dark-goggled mask tapering to a pointed beak. Among them stand two others. The first is a middle-aged gentleman in a simple black overcoat with streaks of white gracing the sides of his short, dark hair. He watches the gathered guards with a soft, concerned expression, his hands tightly clasping a heavy looking
doctor’s case.
The second figure is an imposing one indeed—one of the queen’s new Gray Maidens, clad in her resplendent plate armor and crimson plume.
The Field Marshal’s fierce tone cuts through the rumble of whispers as she addresses her gathered guards. “You will escort Doctor Davaulus and his physicians in their royal duties wherever those might take them. Furthermore, you are to consider orders from any of the queen’s Gray Maidens to be as binding as those of any superior officer in the Korvosan Guard. You are the Korvosan Guard. You will not balk. These are dire times, and your city needs these healers. Your city
needs you. Your patrol leaders have your assignments. Dismissed!”
As the assembly ends, the guards gathered in the courtyard break up into
groups, many reporting for various duties while others loiter for a few moments to quietly gripe about their new orders.
The armored woman is Kordaitra Destaid, the quartermaster and second-in-command of the Gray Maidens.
Kroft and her veteran attendants begin to head into the citadel with Dr. Davaulus and his Queen’s Physicians.
What are you doing now?
So the Queen was actually doing something. Looks like he was wrong. Hun, it happens sometimes. "Well, it seems part of the problem is solved with those doctors." Assuming they actually knew what they were doing, of course, but Zahur had no reason to believe otherwise. They were doctors, after all.
His attention then lingers on the Gray Maiden. "So it would be absurd to believe those cross scars on her eyes were a combat accident. What the f~$! is up with that?"
Kayleigh frets a bit at Vedika's words but doesn't seem to have any idea how the risk can be averted. "Maybe covering one's mouth and nose with a cloth might help, if it's an airborne sickness."
Inside the field marshal's office, the cleric simply watches and listens, unsure that she's important enough to interject herself into the conversation.
"Marhal Kroft, if you can spare a moment, there's someone you should meet who may be able to help in this difficult time." Ariadne says, loudly enough to get the Field Mrshal's attention as she indicates Ishani
Brig is practicing silent mode, maybe out of pure embarrassment at her inability to speak in the wake of having to perform, or maybe because she is just that way most of the time.
She crossed her big arms and listens.
Noticing you Marshall Croft immediately gestures for you to join her where she stands with Doctor Davaulus. Davaulus.
While Marshall Croft seems gladdened to see you she also seems guarded in her current company. She introduces you to Dr. Davaulus, leader of the Queen’s Physicians.
A calm man with a polite demeanor and deeply analytical mind, Dr. Davaulus greets you warmly and welcomes any questions, saying he hopes to ease the concerns of as many of Korvosa’s people as possible in this trying time.
If questioned about his plans to help Korvosa, Davaulus admits he must still confer with Field Marshal Kroft to form a sensible plan, but produces a public announcement from his bag—one of numerous such writs soon to be distributed throughout the city, to convey the queen’s initial expectations.
.
What are you asking?
"I believe Ishani here had a question along the lines of: 'How will the clerics of the city's temples be utilized to stop the spread of this blood veil and heal its victims,' right?" Kayleigh finally speaks up, stepping aside so Ishani can move forward to hear the answer and ask whatever follow-up questions he might have. The servant of Milani then falls silent and tries to judge Davaulus's answers.
Doctor Reiner Davaulus heads Korvosa’s efforts to combat the blood veil plague preying upon the city.
A Chelaxian in his mid-40s, the doctor is deliberate in his speech and
conducts himself like a concerned father, seeming to take genuine interest in assuaging the concerns and maladies of those around him.
He states he has served Queen Ileosa’s family in Egorian, the capital of Cheliax, for many years. When she contacted him several days ago, begging
for his assistance on her city’s behalf, he couldn’t refuse.
After accepting her gracious offer of magical transport to Korvosa, he has spent his time assembling a group of the city’s most talented healers to help stem the tide of the spreading plague. In all cases, he speaks highly of the queen and her attentiveness to her city’s needs.
"The temples will of course play a vital role in combating this dreadful plague. But at the moment we are still organizing the response. The Physicians will first be investigating the disease and where it is spreading in the hope to contain it before it spreads throughout the whole city."
He did say he still needs to consult with Croft before he can develop a real plan. Currently still in the initial stages of responding to the plague.
Lots of talking. Action very little yet. What else do you want to discuss?
Brigita has a strong streak of distrust for authority. She had also never seen a single doctor in the slums around the orphanage when she was growing up. The two facts combined to make her assume Davaulus and his most talented healers would be for the rich people alone.
But anything she could pass to them might make a cure, and once a cure existed it could get deconstructed. So she tells the doctors what they learned about the illness, the symptoms they saw, just in case it will help in anyway.
She did so in calm measured tones, in hopes that would get a kernel or two of any additional information they had on the plague.
Getting good vibes from Dr. Davaulus, Kayleigh thanks him for his time and asks the Field Marshal to keep her and the others in the loop regarding the outbreak.
Vedika elbows Zahur and says, "Probably part of some kind of initiation ritual. Maybe cultic? Former Hellknight?"
"What say we get some street food after this? I could do with a nibble of spicy meat."
Something about the doctor was Cage-y. Also, he could not notice that for a queen so worried about saving her people from this wicked disease, her decree had included a freaking huge amount of death threats. Hum, he as probably just cranky.
"Perhaps you are right. It doesn't seem right to me whatever it is."
At the offer of street food, he raises an eyebrow. "Bold uhn? With all the talk about the disease?" He then shrugs. "I'm in. When plagues are concerned, any of us can die so I'd rather do it with a full stomach."
"Yeah, you only live once. Also the vendors are probably going to be hurting to sell, since everyone's scared. Also also we might hear some useful information, and even if we don't, we get spicy fire-meat on a stick."
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When you are finally alone with Marshall Croft she explains she would like you to do some investigating. Specifically the ship that sunk in the harbor while flying plague lights.
It is now 80' down in the murky waters of the Jeggare river and she feels reaching it and searching it safely are beyond her guards. So she wants more experienced adventurers to do it. That's you by the way. You are now trusted by her. :)
She can supply you with 2 potions of Water breathing each for this.
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What is your response?
"I think I can speak for all of us in saying that we'd be happy to investigate. The ship's appearance in the bay and the sudden outbreak can't possibly be a convenience given the plague lights." Ariadne says. "These potions will definitely be a great help, and we'll report our findings as quickly as we're able."
Brig takes the potions of water breathing with avid interest. Swishing, sniffing, and wondering silently about the ingredients. Also wondering if she could make something like this herself.
With distraction, she also agrees to help, but whether it is because it will help the city, or that she WANTS to try these out is up in the air.
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Zahur glances at Ariadne. Well, he wouldn't be happy to investigate, even if he'd do it anyway. More like he'd be grumpy to investigate. And the whole water breathing thing? Disgusting. Everyone knew where a good amount of the piss and shit from Korvosa went and if a swim or two in the bay was already asking for a case of runny shit, purposefully breathing it? Argh.
"Happy. To. Investigate."
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Kayleigh's quick to agree to Cressida's mission as well, but as soon as the group leaves the office she gives a terse whisper to the others: "I CAN'T SWIM!"
Cressida Kroft cas give you the exact location the ship sank in the Jeggare river. However even with Water breathing finding it at 80' down in the dark, muddy waters will be tricky.
"We'll need light, or anything else that will help with seeing in the dark, or the murk of the muddy water." Ariadne says, as they plan the excursion. "If we're able to breathe underwater, you can just walk along the bottom, Kayleigh. You may not be able to swim, but you won't be able to drown either."
Kayleigh sighs, still sounding rather dejected. "I can provide magical light," she says, "and I guess I can meander along the river bed."
As the party tries to discern where the plague ship sank, Kayleigh chats convivially with locals along the Jeggare River to better ascertain exactly where the party should conduct its search.
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"I'll go with you, Kay," says Vedika. "I can swim a little so I'll try to help if things go awry. Let's stick together."
"Can't you pray to your Goddess for swimming? Seems pretty less complex of a task than mending a bone if you ask me."
Kayleigh nods and smiles at Vedika's offer. Then she answers Zahur.
"I've wracked my brain for any spell that might aid me but haven't come up with anything," the cleric grouses despondently.
"Eh, makes sense, actually. If I was a God myself and a follower of mine wastes my time asking to teach her how to swim, I'd sooner appear and throw her in the water." While he says 'throw', his gestures indicates he'd kick said worshiper. "Be blessed with the opportunity to practice, I'd say before disappearing."
He'd be a great God, he was sure.
.
When you finally discover the Direption, you find that obvious scars from fire and trebuchet strikes mar the ship’s hull, which lies on its side in two pieces amid the splinters of its masts.
The ship’s hull split into these two halves over a rock outcropping, its bow fallen to one side and a larger section of the stern on the other. Two
relatively intact interior decks lie within both halves of the ship, along with the captain’s quarters situated at the stern.
While the bow sunk in a way that allows explorers easy access to any of its levels, the stern cleaved to the rocks it fell upon, limiting entrance to its lower decks.
Upon the stern section’s upper deck, the 10-foot-square main hatch and a covered ladder lead to the berth below.
A PC who succeeds at a DC 20 Knowledge (local) or Profession (sailor) check identifies the shipwreck as a Nidalese merchant ship.
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A1 The Direption’s Bow
The front portion of the ship broke away and landed awkwardly here, revealing two splintered decks inside. Its bowsprit shattered and decks filled with debris, the vessel bears an ominous moniker along its fire-scarred hull: Direption.
You are either swimming or walking along the mucky river bottom as you approach the wreck. The only light is that provided by Kayleigh as it is pitch black this deep. What are you doing now?
Kayleigh slogs forward through the muck that lies on the riverbed, her light spell illuminating the party's surroundings but also a likely beacon to anything unfriendly lurking near the shipwreck. The wide-eyed cleric, who's obviously never been in deep water before let alone while breathing water, turns to Ariadne to make the decision of which part of the wreck to explore first.
Brigita had never spent time swimming either, but she understood the mechanics enough to think it would be manageable. That is until they were faced with going so far down in the water. All the cold dark water weighing down on top of them, while they couldn't breathe
Suddenly this plan sounded really crazy.
But she swallowed the very rational fear, drank, and followed.
Moving in the water felt sluggish, swinging her hammer like her arms were three times smaller.
But she was here.
Drinking the potion, Ariadne trusted the magic to keep her breathing while she swam, an odd experience, as she felt both the buoyancy of the water, and the weight of her armor, along with a unique pressure, the weight of the water above and all around her.
Casting a light spell on her breastplate, she wims along just a bit above her companions walking along the bottom, fully understanding that down here, she was literally a glowing target for anything dangerous. As they come to the wreckage, she considers the best course of action. While whatever might be the cause of the plague colors the ship displayed before being sunk was likely in the main body, the front of the ship would likely have information on what they were dealing with.
Thinking through the options she settles on a course of action, at the same time considering that it was best to be prepared for anything. Handling of a small piece of polished metal in her hand, she casts a spell, in the back of her mind cataloging the bizarre experience of speaking the arcane incantation through water instead of air, the way the spell feels different in her mouth, as the water around her ripples, reacting to the displacement caused by her wrapping her body in bands of force, adding a layer of protection against anything that might be lurking in the wreckage.
"I think we should check out the stern first. It's easier and should go more quickly, while we're getting a handle of things down here."
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Zahur swims like a fish, unlike Kayleigh and Brigita, and quite graciously. This, of course, doesn't make him faster than them, but this is not the point. The point... there is no point actually. He just wants to freaking swim.
"Don't mind where to start. Let's just get things done."
Vedika has a bandana wrapped around her mouth while underwater. Seems like an odd affectation until one remembers Zahur's prior comments about what fish do in water.
While she could also create magical light, she chooses not to do so, so that Ariadne and Kayleigh can serve as the centers of illumination for the team. As good as her word, though, she sticks close to Kayleigh.
"Where's the most likely place for our quarry?" she says. "No sense wasting more time down here than we need."
"Okay, let's start with the bow!" Ariadne says, swimming toward the broken of front of the ship.
Having split from the rest of the ship as it sunk, the Direption’s bow emptied most of its contents into the river’s currents, leaving little of interest inside.
The doors into the forecastle and galley here swing open in the current,
their interiors wrecked and disordered.
A DC18 Perception check while examining either of these areas reveals no evidence of supplies in the galley or personal goods in the forecastle.
There is nothing to be found in the wreckage of the bow, as you turn to make your way to the stern a shape swims out of the murky water into the light and attacks Ariadne!
You all may now act.
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Kayleigh's having difficulty adapting to the underwater setting, looking around without much focus and trying to swing her morningstar while submerged. She only snaps back into the present when a large shark swims out of the darkness and attacks Ariadne. Though it's a weird feeling, the cleric finds that she can, indeed, cast spells underwater as she uses a bless spell to enhance her friends' ability to fight. Then she switches out her morningstar for a dagger, feeling that the small stabbing weapon will work better beneath the waves.
Between the murky water and trying to keep an eye on her friends, Ariadne is caught completely by surprise as a shark jets out of nowhere to attack her. Fortunately between her training and armor, the oceanic predator is easily deflected, as she draws her punching dagger from her hip, driving the blade deep into the shark's side as it swims past.
Brig drinks her mutagen, becoming bigger and bulkier. Drinking while breathing water is a new experience. One potentially very interesting, her scientific mind wants to experiment a bit, but... Shark.
Surprised by the shark as he was looking at the wreck, he frowns then smiles.
"Hello dinner!" He proclaims as he swims towards it while drawing his hook!
Wounded by Ariadne the Jigsaw shark snaps back pointlessly at her.
.
Party may now act
You can just make out a faint sound of someone casting from within the hull as you fight.
Uncertain that she can scale the rock formation that split the Direption, Kayleigh chugs--in slow motion--around the southern edge of the stony outcropping.
Now close to the shark, Zahur quickly strikes twice with his hook.
Vedika continues doing a lot of nothing.
As the shark sinks dead to the ocean floor, Ariadne looks around for signs of another before continuing to head toward the stern.
Brig fights with strength, smashing her hammer into and sometimes through an opponent. Not a style of fighting that works well when hampered with the tons of water around and on her.
Zahur guts the already wounded Jigsaw Shark and its corpse slowly drifts down into the murk.
There is a shriek of rage as this happens and a female figure swims out of the wreckage towards you.
.
The party can now act!