GM Harrow’s Curse of the Crimson Throne - AE

Game Master GM Harrow

With the Shoanti
Initially silent out of respect for the Shoanti and their customs, Elric listens carefully to the strained exchange between Pava and Thousand Bones. By now, he understands that there is some painful history behind Pava’s behavior and attitude, but it is clear that their dismissive retelling of their recent experience does not do much to comfort the grieving grandfather nor satisfy the Shoanti’s storytelling traditions.

When the tribespeople move to wrap the body, he steps forward, standing tall as he addresses the gathering.

”Thousand Bones, with your permission… I was with Pava and the others who recovered your grandson’s remains. And you may be right that the tragedy of his death and the horrors we faced while exploring the Dead Warrens may cloud out any desire to relive the experience in story or song.

Gaekhen’s killing was a senseless loss, and just one in the countless innocents who have lost their lives in the turmoil of the last days. You do not need to consult the spirits to sense that something is indeed evil and wrong in this city we all call home.”

Elric pauses, letting his gaze wander over the assembles faces, gauging their reaction and pacing his story.

”Still… despite everything, there is some small measure of meaning and honor to be found in Gaekhen’s death. If the spirits had not shown you the location of his body, we would not have found the warrens. And in the process of recovering his remains, we liberated a handful of captives, including an injured child and a missing friend. We also managed to disrupt the unholy practices of the necromancer Rolth Lamn and his mad Derro minions. While that may be a small ray of light among the clouds of evil covering Korvosa, it’s not nothing.”

Pausing again, Elric steps forward and gestures to emphasize his words as he retells the exploration itself.

”Clearing out the warrens was no easy feat. It would not have been possible without the combined might and magic of our entire band. We had barely descended into the darkness before we were set upon by skeletal undead, including an owlbear that could tear through the steel of a breastplate with its claws and beak. We fought Derro, insane dark gnomes with poison on their blades and gibberish in their brains. Bloodthirsty stirges and reanimated bone snakes whose bite could paralyze. A shambling carrion golem and a misshapen brute, dimwitted but tough as stone.”

”After smashing our way through all these foes, we finally stood against Lamn’s lieutenant, a crazed wizard who summoned more undead and died to the echoes of his own erratic laughter. Only then were we able to free the captives and bring Gaekhen to his final rest. And from what we found and heard from the prisoners, there have been few places in Korvosa that have been more deserving of being cleansed of evil.”

Taking a deep breath, he looks straight at Thousand Bones as he finishes. ”That is our tale, no more, no less. It was nasty, bloody and painful, that's true, but it was no worthless feat.”

Later at the pub
Elric follows Pava and grabs one of the offered glasses. ”Much obliged - Gin will do the trick just fine. It’s as good as anything to wash down the taste and stench of the filth we waded through today.”

After raising his glass in a salute to his companions and drinking deeply, he stares a bit into his glass before turning to face Pava.
”What’s your story, if you don’t mind me asking? What lit that blazing furnace of rage and resentment you seem to carry inside? You and Shrike are two birds of a feather on that count…”

Pava leers at Elric with a vicious smile made sloppy more by sleeplessness than gin, for now. "Normally I'm the whole barrel of laughs and all the monkeys that came out of it, soldier boy. Only see, one of my best friends in the world, a kid who used to be like a brother to me, just got beaten to death the night before last.

"And if you want to know why there was already so much 'fuel in my furnace,' I can't even revenge him without a pile of bodies big as Lamm's. That's how many hands were willing to put a cobble or a cudgel through his skull since they could find a Shoanti to pin their rage on. Just one less horser, innit?"

They drain their glass and pour another.

"Not that most of my kin even think I count as more than half a Shoanti myself, ink or no... Look, the world is at least half terrible, and that's with me being the sunny optimist you love and revere. The world is terrible and life is short, and it gets shorter with every glass I drain, or any of the other myriad of ill-advised things that leeches like Barvasi could give me to distract me from the rest. But I can't stand being numb, any more than I can stand playing blind.

"I'm angry because I haven't drowned it out of me, the hope that one day we could make this s#$@hole of a city beautiful."

”I didn’t realize you and Gaekhen were so close. You have my condolences. And I understand your anger, he deserved a longer life and a better death.”

Elric drains his glass and pours another drink to keep up with Pava.

”I’m also glad to hear that you haven’t managed to drown out that last bit of hope yet. It’s what will keep you going in the long run, in my experience. Hate and anger can push you past any limit of endurance, but it either consumes you or burns itself out, leaving you feeling hollow and spent. I’ve been down that path and it does not lead anywhere worth going. So, I’ll drink to hope and loving this city despite all its uglyness instead.” he says, raising the refilled glass.

Pava nods, but can't help but work some sarcasm between Elric's ribs. "My thanks then for the wizened experience of your many, many years." They snort and raise another glass. "To Gaekhen's valor. It wasn't made for battle or mobs, but he stood in front of me and his brother when we needed him. If the world was just, neither of them would've been asked for more than they could give."

They turn their glass over as they finish the next slug and peer around the room with a little more effort than usual. "None of you all knew him, but there's still offerings to be made to what he leaves behind. Either that or I spill a drink on Lord Foppington over there and see what other offerings the night'll give me."

”It’s not there years that teach the lessons, is it…but what do I know, I’m just a knucklehead marine and everyone knows they are only good at crackin’ heads and taking orders, right?” Elric says with a wry smile, refusing to take the bait. He raises his glass. ”To Gaekhen and all the other good souls standing in line before Pharasma’s spire. May their wait be short and their judgement fair.”

He drains the glass and accepts another pour. ”I’ll match you drink for drink, but if you go looking for another fight in here, I’ll settle for hanging back and watching the show if it’s all the same to you”

Abella smiles as the subject turns to death, her favorite. ”The thing about death is that you are not really gone. You are just somewhere else. If you are good enough at the right magic, you can just bring them back. It’s just an inconvenience, no different than getting thrown in jail for a while. That’s what Cainabeth is dealing with right now. All I have to do is get enough power and resources and she’ll be back getting everyone in a five mile radius to fall in love with her. Probably already seduced a few psychopomps with that breathy purr of hers.” She pulls out a well-wrapped object from her pack and carefully pulls the cloth away revealing a polished unbleached skull. She holds it up next to her face and pulls her lips back to show off her teeth. ”The resemblance is uncanny, don’t you think?” She returns her face to normal and looks into the skull’s eye hollows. ”The bones aren’t exactly the same despite us being technically identical, as diet and lifestyle has measured effects on such things, and she needs more food than I for all those muscles.” She nuzzles the skull and closes her eyes, smiling with a loving ease she does not typically seem capable of. Finally remembering she is amongst company, she holds the skull on the table in front of her. ”Speak to her and I’ll have her pass on whatever you say to your own people waiting in the queue in the Boneyard. She is the people person of the two of us, and I am sure she would love the socializing.”

Pava leaves their glass turned over but takes a long pull straight from the bottle. "You're so lucky Thousand Bones is out of grandkids. And that you're a tshamek. Guitonga and Gaekhen were always brave in their different ways, but they never were spooky enough for the old man." They smile, but it's drenched in melancholy. "They don't even want to come back from the dead. I skipped Guitonga's funeral back when. I didn't want- Couldn't- Look, I was fixing to bring him back, so what would've been the point, eh? Had a plan to nick the diamond and everything. Only Gaekhen gets Lina, they're both furious and she knows all my hideys, and the first I know of either half is them hammering on the door.

"So it's a good thing he tried to hit me, 'cause otherwise that list of regrets would be even longer, eh?"

They look off for a moment. "I probably would've believed him eventually, but Lina got me to link up with a Milanite friend of ours and her pearl went black. Three times actually, I'd heard divinations could go wrong. So this time I believe Gaekhen. Can't imagine he changed his mind in the last year and change."

They take another long drink and grimly focus in on Cainabeth's skull with a slight sway to their head. "Right, Cainabeth? Pava, it's a pleasure. Hey do me a favor and stay still for now, yeah? Still all helter skelter with wriggly bones, and I'd rather your sis not be sore with me, eh? Can you- I know they're passing through where you're waiting, and maybe you won't have all that much time for it, but show 'em around if there's time, yeah? They're good lads, great ones actually. If you want, Guitonga's not bad at all if you dabble. If you can, err, ghost dabble, that is. Dunno about Gaekhen, but he was a dancer-acrobat, yeah? Ever known one of those not to be fiendish when they put the time in? Great lads either way, and just tell them... I dunno, tell them they were right, and Ayotah's sorry. They can apply that to whatever argument they think it's about for now, and I'll settle accounts with them later. Tell Guitonga we still miss him, and tell Gaekhen- Tell him I'm glad I gave him the rose, and I just wish I'd gotten to not miss him again, at least for a little while, you know?"

They squeeze their eyes shut tight and their fists tighter until they pop. "Right. Thanks, love. Second round's on me when she gets you back."

Shane had been most impressed by Elric's speach but clapping didn't seem aporpos.

"We will not have war this day, then. But the spirits are still troubled. Something is hanging over this city like an ill shadow, something that this second Lamm has a hand in. Beware of misdirection, young ones." He includes Shane and Abella in that last proclamation, giving them a slow nod that is part thanks and part warning.

A respectful nod. Shane's been quiet, the better to learn of Shoanti culture, but also to show his respect , "Good advice at the best of times, and these are not the best of times."

They snort and raise another glass. "To Gaekhen's valor. It wasn't made for battle or mobs, but he stood in front of me and his brother when we needed him. If the world was just, neither of them would've been asked for more than they could give."

"I'll drink to that," Shane , who has been quite quiet, does join them there.

He listens to Abella's comments on death with interest. Not his area of expertise, but with his 'questioning' of his mother's spirit, one can't say it's not on his mind.
As the new guy, he actually listens more than he speaks... (Some might joke for once) and nurses his drink after the initial toast.

Elric does his best not to stare in bemusement when Cainabeth's skull makes an appearance, but manages to stay respectfully silent during Pava's communion with the cranium.

"Now, that's what I call keeping a positive outlook despite life handing you a raw deal. Cheers, Abella. Once Cainabeth gets done with Guitonga and Gaekhen, I know a dozen good marines she can hang out with, every one of them taken too soon from this world." he adds once the somber moment has passed.

With Thousand Bones

Perhaps wisely sensing that Nips at Heels was still too raw and hurting, the elder shaman disregards his outburst - but a private conversation will be forthcoming one of these days. Instead, Thousand Bones listens to Elric's tale, his features betraying none of his feelings. When the marine is done, the Shoanti man takes a deep breath which he releases in what might be a restrained sigh.

"It is good to hear that some good came into this world on the heels of our tragedy and loss. Perhaps we might wish that for once the good would be bestowed onto our people and the tragedy onto others, but such is our fate."

He nods to Elric. "Thank you for the tale. Your Field Marshal will no doubt see fit to offer you recompense for your courage and thoroughness."

Lania in South Shore

The elf woman examines the sword, lifting it into the light and sighting along the blade, running the back of her thumbnail over the edge before setting it down. "A blade, used too much or too harshly, will chip and shatter. Used too little, it will dull and rust. So it is with people. We need the right amount of tension so that we keep learning and growing, but too much of it will break us." Her gaze rests on the stunted tree.

"I will give this blade new life, just as you give it a new purpose. And perhaps a new home for this seedling; I have tried my best, but its place is not here."

Gaekhen's funeral is held outside the city, in the copse of trees known as Skaldwood - a sacred place to the Shoanti and a place where many of them reside following a century-old treaty with Korvosa. Dozens are gathered for the ceremony, which is led by Thousand Bones. The ululating cries of the mourners are punctuated by a slow drum beat as the guests file past the unlit funeral pyre where Gaekhen's wrapped body lies and place tokens and offerings on it.

The drums pick up as lit torches are passed out to Gaekhen's immediate family, followed by Nips at Heels, Catalina, Saratha Florescu and everyone present who ventured into the Dead Warrens. The wood of the pyre isn't fully dry and it takes multiple torches to light it; when it does catch fire it burns fitfully for a while before suddenly erupting into a blaze that makes almost everyone in the front row to take a step back.

There are no speeches from the Shoanti, although they make a respectful space for anyone wishing to say a few words.

Is the rest of the party besides Pava invited to the Shoanti funeral? I figured we wouldn't be, but if Thousand Bones said that we should come and Audria or Abella mentioned it to Shrike the next morning, then she would go. Probably a few hours for that would still be compatible with taking the children home.

Yes, the party is invited, apologies for not making that clear. I'll try to move us forward this weekend and onto the remainder of this book.

Gaekhen's funeral is held outside the city, in the copse of trees known as Skaldwood - a sacred place to the Shoanti and a place where many of them reside following a century-old treaty with Korvosa. Dozens are gathered for the ceremony, which is led by Thousand Bones. The ululating cries of the mourners are punctuated by a slow drum beat as the guests file past the unlit funeral pyre where Gaekhen's wrapped body lies and place tokens and offerings on it.

The drums pick up as lit torches are passed out to Gaekhen's immediate family, followed by Nips at Heels, Catalina, Saratha Florescu and everyone present who ventured into the Dead Warrens. The wood of the pyre isn't fully dry and it takes multiple torches to light it; when it does catch fire it burns fitfully for a while before suddenly erupting into a blaze that makes almost everyone in the front row to take a step back.

There are no speeches from the Shoanti, although they make a respectful space for anyone wishing to say a few words.

Shane has been studying his Shoanti, though he uses his basic vocabulary quietly and rarely around such a time of grieving where he is a guest at best. He does not give a speech but he does lower his head and mutter "Neka vas vaši preci dočekaju s toplim osmjesima."

Having already spoken his piece, Elric attends the funeral without drawing further attention to himself, observing a respectful distance and silence unless directly invited to conversation.

The following day, he rises and scrubs the traces of the night's carousing away before heading to give a full report to the Field Marshal.

In Skaldwood

The mood shifts as the fire catches and smoke begins to rise. The drums beat faster and people begin to shout farewells as small groups dance. They toast and laugh and wish Gaekhen well on his journey to meet his ancestors. The ceremony lasts long into the night as the pyre burns down leaving only embers and ash.

Back in Korvosa

As the group returns to the city, the streets seem gripped by some new fever, with clusters of people crowding together to whisper about the news - the king's murderer has been found! Some look skeptical, but most seem angry, and the atmosphere is charged and tense.

I'm unclear on which day the funeral in the Skaldwood is supposed to be taking place, but I'll leave this as a placeholder for now.

Shrike attends the ceremony in the Skaldwood, staying by Elric, Shane and the rest of the group who entered the Dead Warrens. She receives a lit torch when it is her turn, and participates in lighting the pyre before backing away to a safe distance, all in silence. Sometime between the fire erupting from a smolder to a blaze and the drums picking up as the dancing begins, she quietly slips away into the twilight forest, and is not seen again until the group returns to the Sanctuary of Shelyn. (Or Citadel Volshyenek and Cressida Kroft, whichever.)

Skaldwood

Nips at Heels doesn't speak at the funeral. Even when some of Gaekhen's family approach them, to offer thanks for bringing his remains home, all that rings in their ears are the words they see in the eyes of those who still greet them with a glare.

"...Not back in his life a day before he catches a cudgel."

"We wouldn't be burning him today."

Nips at Heels and Natalina go up together to the pyre, placing mementos that have already been worn away to more memory than matter. A twist of cloth. A button off a rich man's coat.

And as speeches are given of Gaekhen's life and loves, of the beauty he brought when he moved through this world, of the dreams he held for its future, Ayotah gives their final offering; they weep.

At the funeral

Thousand Bones frowns a little as Audria presents him with his grandson's portrait, but it isn't a frown of disapproval; rather, she gets the feeling that he's struggling to contain his emotions at the sight of the likeness. He inclines his head to her. "I accept this gift in the spirit in which it was given. You have a kind soul, and I wish Gaekhen would have lived long enough to be your friend."

On the streets

"...artists! Can't trust the bloody lot!"

"...heard from my neighbour's niece that some of the guards were in on it! One of them confessed, that's how..."

"...execution, mark my words! Gotta make an example outta her!"

"...heard it was poison. What an ungrateful wench, after the king showered her with attention and riches!"

From overheard fragments, Talanaliel can piece together that the artist who painted the king's portrait before death is now accused of having murdered him.

Indeed, a few dozen paces farther, a street crier is shouting at the top of their lungs, almost drowned out by furious clamour from onlookers gathered around them.

"Hear ye, hear ye! By order of Her Majesty Queen Ileosa the First, the artist named Trinia Sabor is named as MURDERER of His Majesty King Eodred the Second! The vile criminal is on the run! Keep watch for a woman yellow of hair and slight of build! Report all sightings to the guard! Hear ye, Hear ye!"

Audria notices that most of the glances are directed at her hair and her symbol of Shelyn.

Late Night of Toilday, 19 Desnus, 4708 — Somewhere in North Point
Shrike stares at the card of the snake-woman holding a bouquet of roses and the hair rises on the back of her neck. It's the second time the Harrow deck has surfaced this ominous depiction of poisoned love.

"Thanks. I think." Shrike sighs silently and puts the Harrow deck away. She has shaken all the trees she can think of to shake, and has precious little to show for it — but it's still more than before. A 'crazy elf girl' is probably not as good at hiding as Lamm. It's a place to start. She'll tell the others what she has found in the morning.

A vague disquiet grips her as she begins making her way home while staying as unseen as possible. Kroft had wanted the whole squalid business kept secret because she thought the truth would cause riots. But in the absence of facts, all it had taken to spark a riot was one false rumor that blamed the Crown. And on the other hand, that Guardsman who escorted Aylos to the theatre had said that things actually became worse when the mob learned part of the truth.

Had it been a mistake not to make a public, unambiguous statement of the butchers from the beginning, declaring what they had done and why, for the world to see?

Commotion in the streets below soon draws her from her dark thoughts, and then the words of a distant crier filter through. She immediately changes her direction for the Sanctuary and her pace to the fastest she dares over the rooftop routes. With any luck, she will not be too late to prevent the girl from running directly to her friend's aid alone.

Shrike lands in the atrium with an uncharacteristic thump of haste and goes to search for Audria and Abella. Given how long the Shoanti ceremony had seemed set to last at the point at which she had left to go shake some trees, they may not have arrived yet, or be only recently arrived back in the city. If they aren't here, she will have to trace the most direct route from the Sanctuary to the city gate nearest the Skaldwood, and hope to catch them on their way.

The simmering streets cut through Pava's fog, and the ugliness surrounding the group comes into sharp focus.

They give Lina a quick tap on the shoulder, and nudge them towards the center of their pack before lengthening their stride and catching up to Audria.

"Hood up, Duckling." With a hiss of leather straps they secure their cut-down klar to one hand. "Let's not give them a reason to get badly, badly hurt."

Now
Audria stands frozen as she hears the crier call out just as Talanaliel flits back to land on her shoulder. She couldn't have heard that right. This has to be a nightmare or a sick twisted joke. She knows Trinia. She's known the young artist for years, almost since she and Eliana started sneaking off to the Sanctuary when they were barely ten years of age.

But no, the city has well and truly gone mad, and in its madness its people would kill one of her friends, the first true friend that she and Eliana had made beside each other. Trinia is as much a sister to her as Eliana is, and now someone has accused her of murder-- No, of regicide, of assassination.

Exhausted panic paralyzes the young paladin as Pava sidles up to her and hisses for her to cover her hair. Her hands move hesitantly up to pull the hood of her cloak over her head as she mutters over and over to herself that Trinia would never do something like this, that she would never hurt anyone. Play a prank on, embarrass, or even needle with her tongue, but would never, ever physically harm someone. She doesn't know who guided her back to the Sanctuary, but someone did, and as she walks into the temple and sees Shrike waiting the atrium, her mind begins to work again, thoughts clicking through her mind with mechanical precision.

"Is Jessica still here," she asks one of the acolytes in a calm voice that fools no one that sees the cold determination in her blue eyes.

After a quick search of the temple of Shelyn, Shrike has returned to the atrium to leave by her usual route when she hears a group arriving in the front room. She turns and sees Audria, cloaked and hooded and accompanied by the others who had entered the Dead Warrens, along with the woman who had been with Pava at the Shoanti funeral. Shrike crosses the distance in a few strides and looks them over for a few moments from behind the motionless mask. No injuries or sign of any scuffle.

"Think she'll have heard. Gone to ground somewhere?" Shrike takes it as a given from Audria's pale but determined face that she — they, judging by how the rest are still ranged around her rather than splitting off for their own homes and beds — will be going after Trinia Sabor tonight.

"Trinia," Audria asks quietly before shaking her head. "She's probably at her flat if she's not here."

The town crier voice is piercing and would lure a cautious Shane even if concern over the angry crowds didn't. He is tempted to invoke his indivisibility or disguise spell and retreat.

Triana? Where have I heard that name before. Oh, right. as the towns folk start ranting about the dangers of artists of all things, he winces, Fools. Narrowminded fools.
He thought he spotted some of his allies, but the ladies are moving quickly to..where he knows not. He follows them trying not to lose them. Of course, they may glance back and see a robed figure trailing them inexpertly, with hood down over most of his face. The keen eyed might still recognize the tiefling's lower jaw. His complexion is..odd.

"Then let's go get her. We'll probably be ahead of the mob, might not be much ahead of the guards." Their grin is less jagged, but still doesn't look particularly wholesome as they add, "Worst comes to it, there's one kind of mob violence I wouldn't mind having a hand in."

Jessica is not at the Sanctuary, so the group backtracks a way before heading into Midland towards Trinia's apartment on 42 Moon Street. As they get closer to Midland, the crowds grow larger and increasingly more agitated. The Korvosan Guard is out in force as well, and the criers are now shouting about a reward for Trinia's capture - or for tips leading to her capture. Gossip and rumours fly unchecked, and the story grows to absurd proportions. Trinia is a Varisian witch who seduced the King. Trinia is a shapeshifter. Trinia is a cultist of Norgorber. One element remains constant, however - that Trinia poisoned the King.

What precautions do you take - if any - as you travel? Feel free to roll for whatever makes sense to you.

Audria nods at Pava's remarks, whether in agreement or just recognition is unclear, as she waits to hear if Jessica is still around. The paladin's lips thin as she hears that Jessica isn't about. She can't go looking for her, and time presses in on her.

"Tally, find Jessica and bring her to Zellara's," she says quietly while giving Shane an apologetic look. "Tell her to bring a few different hair dyes, ones that she thinks would look natural on Trinia and me; those scissors she uses when she needs to cut Ellie's or my hair; and that tonic she used on us the night we met," she continues as she walks back towards her room as she pulls off her cloak. "While you do that, I think the rest of us should go get Trinia. I don't know if anyone knows where she lives or what she looks like besides her hair color, but I'm not leaving her in danger."

Tally nods and flies off to find Jessica L'Morie

After changing into an outfit more conducive to moving quickly through the city, she comes out of her room armed with a dagger and a shortsword on her hips and her bow and halberd on her back. Strangely, she doesn't wear her breastplate.

"Well, shall we go get my friend and take her to her new stylist," she asks with a smile that never touches her dark-circled eyes.

===

Seeing the crowd growing thicker and thicker, Audria ducks into an alleyway and looks for a way up into the shingles.

"Well, do we split up or do we try and stick together," she asks the others as she looks.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Note: Audria's AC is currently 13/13/10. Any skills that are affected by the ACP went up by 3.

Shrike nods, and says nothing about Audria leaving behind her armor but taking her weapons. Though the armor offers good protection, being able to retreat to the rooftops more easily could be the difference between life and death.

She checks that she has the disguise kit in the magical haversack, making sure Audria glimpses it as well. It has plenty of tools for creating a disguise: false facial hair and the spirit gum to apply it, thick stage makeup in various colors, moles and glasses and eye patches, colored lenses for the eyes, a few wigs and simple masks and hats, various small props and prosthetics like false teeth and ears, rolls of cloth for stuffing or binding, and pins. "For backup." It is a lot to ask of a lone young woman to cross the entire breadth of the city from Old Dock to West Dock on a night as uncertain as this one is becoming.

For it's obvious once they set out that the crowds and the rumors are swirling ever thicker, and Korvosa is once again balanced on a knife's-edge. "Stick together. But take back alleys. It's safer. Some can't climb or jump." The jerk of Shrike's head indicates Shane and Abella. It tilts in a more considering way toward Elric. He had made swarming up the rope in the Eel's End look easy enough, but that armor does not inspire confidence about his ability to navigate long leaps and narrow ledges.

Midland is Shrike's district, and she is more confident traversing the stones and shingles here than anywhere in the city. She tries to direct the group from shadow to shadow on their route, keeping them away from main thoroughfares and if possible, approaching 42 Moon Street by its back entrance. If mechanics are needed, she'll take 10 for 25 Stealth and/or 15 Knowledge (Local).

"Why blame her? She even paint him?" she asks almost as an afterthought once they are off the main streets in whatever direction. What was it Audria had said about her friend Trinia?

"While she has a questionable sense of humor, she's harmless as long as she's not painting your portrait."

Shrike does not give much weight to the idea that the slight and pixieish young woman she had met had actually murdered anyone. Certainly not that she is some kind of malevolent cultist or witch. The notion is preposterous on its face. Trinia had been one of Audria's closest friends for years, and the girl has a street urchin's sharp instincts for people and when they mean harm.

Still, under the right circumstances, even a good person could do murder. Suppose Sabor actually had been contracted to paint something by the King or Queen, and been in close quarters with Eodred at some point, giving her the opportunity to poison him. She would still have no motive, since the work and money that might otherwise make her name and lead to greater things would certainly dry up with his death. No motive that you know of. He was a famous lech. If he had tried to cajole or threaten her into his bed, or interfered with her... But he was old and had been sick for so long. And even then, it would do her far more harm to kill him.

For even then, assassination by any means a common-born painter could afford or carry out would have had no chance of going undetected. She would be caught, leading to the loss not only of her career but her life. And to only put the information about at this late date, a week and a half after the King's death, without ever breathing a word before now that there might have been foul play? No, it was not creditable. For some reason, the Crown had decided to place the blame on a nobody who could not fight back, instead of somewhere that made more sense. For instance, the still-missing Seneschal Kalepopolis, whom at least one person at the Remembrance had blamed out loud for the king's long illness and death, would be far more believable than this.

That he has not even been mentioned makes Shrike all the more suspicious that the Queen is trying to cover something up. Indifference was one thing, but this seems like clear evidence of malice. Perhaps the Seneschal had poisoned the King, but on the Queen's behalf. She, after all, was the only one who had materially benefited from his death, and she had not seemed particularly distressed about it in their brief audience with her. Then she had made the Seneschal disappear to tie up loose ends. That would be the neatest answer to the mystery if it were happening in a half-pinch dreadful. They are full of such 'Black Widows.' Or so she has heard.

Headed back through the agitated crowds, Elric keeps careful watch and feels his combat-honed instincts flare to life.

He nods in agreement to Pava's suggestion for Audria to keep her hood up and keeps a tight formation, ready to respond to any sudden hostility.

"Trinia Sabor? Was she one of the young women who went with us to see the play? he asks, then realizes that the group's intent to find her is centered on rescue, not capture.

Trusting his new companions, he says.

"I agree we should find her and get her somewhere safe if we can. Let's just remember that there could be more to this than meets the eye. She could be under magical influence or worse, so we must be careful."

When Audria asks if they should split up, he says "Better to stay together. We've seen first hand what an angry mob can do, and I don't want any of us caught without backup. Enough blood has been spilt already."

Did we give our report to Field Marshal Kroft already or did this happen before we got the chance to?

Shane mutters, "What does this woman look like?" He checks to see if 'wanted posters' depict her

I'm just assuming he's with the group now.

She checks that she has the disguise kit in the magical haversack, making sure Audria glimpses it as well. It has plenty of tools for creating a disguise: false facial hair and the spirit gum to apply it, thick stage makeup in various colors, moles and glasses and eye patches, colored lenses for the eyes, a few wigs and simple masks and hats, various small props and prosthetics like false teeth and ears, rolls of cloth for stuffing or binding, and pins. "For backup." It is a lot to ask of a lone young woman to cross the entire breadth of the city from Old Dock to West Dock on a night as uncertain as this one is becoming.

Audria nods, though she desperately hopes that Jessica can make it to Zellara's without any trouble. It should be fine, she tells herself. She'll have Tally there to guide her.

"Stick together. But take back alleys. It's safer. Some can't climb or jump."

"Better to stay together. We've seen first hand what an angry mob can do, and I don't want any of us caught without backup. Enough blood has been spilt already."

Audria stops looking for a place to climb up and sighs. They're right of course. Splitting up is dangerous, and if someone decides that Pava or Shane--

She shakes the thought away and starts leading the others through the alleys, though Shrike proves more adept at navigating the twisty pathways, mostly because she's probably had much more recent experience doing it than Audria. As the others begin asking about Trinia, she answers them in a soft, quiet voice.

"Trinia was with us the night we saw Hommel and Brekka. She has short blonde hair and brown eyes. She's not much taller than Ellie and I, and only a little older. We've been friends for years, almost since Ellie and I started sneaking off to the Sanctuary," the young paladin explains. "Sh-she wouldn't do this. I know she wouldn't. She'd have to be under a spell or something, but even then, I don't think she would." Tears stream down her face as the full weight of what's happening hits her. She squeezes her eyes shut for a moment and takes in a deep, shuddering breath.

"I don't know if she was hired to paint King Eodred's portrait. She kept teasing Ellie and I about some secret project, but we never found out what it was. It could have been that." She wrings the haft of her halberd as she tries to keep her composure, but it's hard. She wants nothing more than to run to her friends side and get her to safety, but she can't not only because her other friends are depending on her for their safety as well, but because she could very well lead the mob right to Trinia's doorstep.

"Wh-why would someone do this," she asks no one. "Why blame Trinia for the king's death?"

Audria should know how to get to Trinia's flat. She'll take ten on stealth and perception for a 21 and a 16 respectively.

Radiating menace like a bared blade, Pava stalks along a half-step behind Audria. "Blame wouldn't stick to a painter without someone applying the paste. Probably the killer, could just be someone who wants her dead."

Staying quiet and watchful, eyes up for any local bounty hunters, glaring hard to scare off any onlookers.
Take-10s: Stealth 22, Perception 17, Knowledge (local) 16, Intimidate 19

Partly due to Pava's glare, partly due to the group looking more capable and dangerous than the wannabee bounty hunters roaming in disorganized gangs, nobody bothers Audria and the others as they wind their way through the streets and back alleys of Midland.

Trinia's place is on the top level of a tenement building, four stories up. In this densely built area of the city, direct sunlight is a rarity. Jury-rigged catwalks, overhanging roofs, lines of laundry and homemade rope and board bridges crowd the skyline above in a cluttered tangle, a multi-level mess of gutters, upper floors and rooftops.

Audria sees a small group gathered in front of the entrance, and for a moment her heart skips a beat - then she recognizes them as Trinia's neighbours. They seem to have formed some sort of protective cordon in front of the sole entrance into the building, and most of them are half-heartedly concealing rolling pins, mop handles and other improvised weapons. Old Hettie, the building caretaker and self-appointed doorwoman, is sitting in her habitual chair next to the door, but her peg leg is laying across her lap, in easy reach.

They all tense as the group approaches, hands tightening on brooms and fists clenching. Even as some of them recognize Audria, they remain wary and do not move aside.

On the way to Trinia's
"Who," Audria asks in a despairing voice. It's obvious the thought that anyone could want Trinia dead is alien to her that she's having trouble wrapping her mind around it.

42 Moon Street
Audria abandons all caution as she rushes up to the crowd as fear and hope war in her heart and mind.

"T-trinia! Is she alright? Please, tell me that she's still here," she begs them, her eyes darting to each of them before settling on Old Hettie. "Please, she's my friend. I know she'd never, could never, do what they're accusing her of." Tears stream down her face as her composure crumbles and she falls to her knees, clinging to and leaning onto her halberd for support.

"Please," she sobs, "Trinia's my friend. I don't want her to die. Please, let me past so I can help her."

Shane changes the color of his robes now and then, when they turn corners or seem to have the moment, a simple spell prestidigitation... and he'll save his more advanced ones for now.

Though he's glad of Pava's glare, better their glare be directed against others than him he figures.

Audria sees a small group gathered in front of the entrance, and for a moment her heart skips a beat - then she recognizes them as Trinia's neighbours. They seem to have formed some sort of protective cordon in front of the sole entrance into the building, and most of them are half-heartedly concealing rolling pins, mop handles and other improvised weapons. Old Hettie, the building caretaker and self-appointed doorwoman, is sitting in her habitual chair next to the door, but her peg leg is laying across her lap, in easy reach.

THey're ready to defend her? Good sign. Could get them killed but good folk.

Audria abandons all caution as she rushes up to the crowd as fear and hope war in her heart and mind.

"T-trinia! Is she alright? Please, tell me that she's still here," she begs them, her eyes darting to each of them before settling on Old Hettie. "Please, she's my friend. I know she'd never, could never, do what they're accusing her of." Tears stream down her face as her composure crumbles and she falls to her knees, clinging to and leaning onto her halberd for support.

"Please," she sobs, "Trinia's my friend. I don't want her to die. Please, let me past so I can help her."

SHane steps up, "I've seen myself what happens when a mob howls for blood rather than true justice. We'd like to know the 'other side' of things. Not just what's being pushed into our ears."

On the way to Trinia's

"Who," Audria asks in a despairing voice. It's obvious the thought that anyone could want Trinia dead is so alien to her that she's having trouble wrapping her mind around it.

The shrike mask tips toward Pava in grim acknowledgement, but it's Audria she answers. "Not 'wants.' Who benefits." It's not quite a question. Shrike has a fair idea of at least one part of the answer, and is confident the girl will too once she stops to think about it.

Outside 42 Moon Street
Shrike says nothing, but watches the makeshift weapons, ready to react if any of them is raised against Audria or the group. She keeps her own hands empty and still.

On the way to Trinia's
Audria looks at Shrike, dumbfounded for a moment before her mind starts working again, and she shies away from the implications of what the vigilante is saying.

Old Hettie moves the stem of her pipe from one side of the mouth to the other. She is affecting lazy detachment, but observant eyes can see fresh teeth marks on the polished wood

"T-trinia! Is she alright? Please, tell me that she's still here,"

"That depends on who's doin' the askin'. I know you, but I don't know these other folk. That one," she takes the pipe out of her mouth to point with it at Elric, "looks like a gabor and that one in the back is an imper for sure." She looks expectantly at Audria, with that why should I trust you expression.

Please roll Diplomacy, Intimidate or Bluff.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Audria visibly pulls herself back together, and climbs to her feet.

"Trinia is like a sister to me. I'll die before I let anyone harm a hair on her head," she says, her eyes flashing in a kaleidoscope of colors. "I trust all of these people with my life. Please, I just want to save my friend," she begs.

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Abella gives a smug smile. ”I killed Lamm, darling. I’ve contributed my share to the community. Besides, little Canary here is a paragon of virtue. Trust her.”

The shrike mask tips slightly toward Elric. "Off duty."

It tilts toward Shane. "Impless."

And refocuses on the old woman with the pipe and pegleg. "Not here to nab her." The croak is flat but patient.

Diplomacy, Aid Another: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Shane gives a sour look as the word 'Imper' is used but for now he clamps that mouth shut. He's aware it is an insult meant on his academic studies, not his tieflinghood, but it rankles.

It tilts toward Shane. "Impless."

At that, however, he actually feels his annoyance fade a touch, replaced by dry humor "I prefer very tiny dragons." Wryly.

Old Hettie opens her mouth to reply, but then her gaze shifts focus onto something behind the group. She jerk her head with an abrupt motion, and the gathering of Trinia's neighbours grab their makeshift weapons by their business ends and take a few steps forward.

Curiously enough, their attention seems focused on the far end of the street, not on Audria and her friends. There, an armed gang has just turned the corner and is striding purposefully towards number 42.

"Get her out of here." Hettie grinds out between her clenched teeth as she hefts her peg leg.

Trinia's apartment is on the top floor of the building. Please roll a Constitution saving throw (DC 12) to see if you get winded as you sprint up the stairs.

Audria turns to see what has caught Old Hettie's attention and her jaw clenches as she sees the armed gang marching on 42 Moon Street. She doesn't waste any breath and just nods before bolting into the building and racing up the stairs.

Fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Whether by divinely granted strength or just pure adrenaline, Audria arrives at the door to Trinia's flat no more winded than she'd taken the stairs at a leisurely pace. Knowing that time is short, she tries to barge in through the door.

"Trinia! It's Audria," she calls out to her friend as loudly as she dares. "We need to go, there's a gang on it's way and they look like they mean to do harm."

At first Shrike seems tempted to try to fight or scare off the approaching gang of citizens herself, reaching automatically for her spear as her head turns to follow the old woman's gaze. But Audria darts into the building without another word, and so she shakes her head briefly and follows. Her breath is coming harsh through the mask by the time she reaches the fourth floor, though it gives no indication of the stitch in her side.

Fortitude, DC 12: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4