Usgar looks at his claws and tusks and is confused.
”Ehh … I can just lower my hands if you want … “
Lia lays her bow down and takes a step forward.
"We had just met up here when a figure jumped over the bridge. As we went to see what was going on, we almost stepped on the body of this older human. As we were discussing what to do these," she points at the goblins and their leader, "approached us and demanded we leave the body to them and threatened to kill us if we did not. Needless to say, we failed to acquiesce to their demands and they attacked. That one Goblin is still alive if you'd like to question him about it."
Kaine had already sheathed his blade after the fight ended, so he just looks askance at the dwarf. he puts his hands up and away from his weapon slightly.
"We want no problems with the watch, we witnessed a murder and then were attacked. All we did was defend ourselves."
"These speak truly."
The half orc drops his coiled whip.
"Would you mind coming down to the precinct so we can take your statement?" says one of the watch.
Usgar shrugs again.
“Yeah, I don’t care. Usually, that’s not a good idea but we’re totally innocent!!“ he says.
"Of course. Lead the way."
Escher's blade went down as soon as they asked for it. He'll indicate the goblin that is merely unconscious. [b]"Though I suspect the goblins may have been gired."[/]b
Beren watches from the sidelines, not yet participating in the conversation and trying not to attract attention to himself.
Usgar studies the guards to be sure there is no foul play.
Beren watches from the sidelines, not yet participating in the conversation and trying not to attract attention to himself.
It's Sergeant Dolom, and yes you know him. You were friends at the Academy. It's a good friendship, one that can last for years. The sergeant wants justice in the city, and you know him to be a poor inquisitive as well. You can convince him that you and your fellows are innocent.
Dolom. Hey. Beren finally shows his face. A crooked smile and sad eyes. How are you, how is your wife's health? I hope everything is fine? Beren comes closer, hands in plain sight. Heh. About this mess... Basically, everything is as they say. Those who attacked us - they were coming from there. We were talking over there when we saw a falling body... For a while he describes the situation in precise detail, pointing out traces and clues. ...and now we are standing here and cooperating with the guards as decent citizens. Beren smiles mirthlessly at his former colleague and lights a cigarette, covering the light of a hand-rolled cigarette with his palm.
"Ah, my wife is well," says Dolom. "Beren, so you weren't connected to the death of this man? That's good to hear."
Dolom listens to your story, knowing that you, Beren, are trustworthy. He takes it down as a statement. "You got to get out of this rain, Dolom. Both you and your new companions."
"Good to meet you, Sergeant Dolom." Escher says with a nod. He had been watching the two men as Beren presented the case. He noted the relationship. They easygoing trust, the shared language, the shortcuts in their speech.
Beren nods. Thank you. He doesn't say the word "friend" in front of strangers, but Dolom can read it in his eyes.
Usgar shrugs again.
“Ehh .. we go to a bar now?!!“
Lia raises an eyebrow. Perhaps a... quieter and less crowded place to take a good look at this journal.."
Usgar thinks.
“You mean a brothel? Ehh … ok … if that is what you want!!“ he says grinning.
Lia puts her palm over her face and walks off towards... somewhere quiet. If this odd group doesn't suggest something she'll see if she can get them into an antechamber or meeting room at the embassy..
Lia gets a note from a flying humuculus. It says, "Meet me at the Broken Anvil, tonight. All of you. IF you want to know why this man died."
Kaine watches the byplay with the watch, a tinge of sorrow that he can't remember anyone enough to have the connections the others have. He will follow the Elf, Lia he thinks her name was, as she seems to have a destination in mind. The brothel idea he assumes was a joke, but is stil leery of that destination as it will not be as private.
Karsh'e winds the whip around his waist and gathers up his pack. He edges around the group to come up beside Beren. "The watchman, Dolom. You're friends? "
Yes. And colleagues, exes. I was a guard myself. He sighs, and then starts coughing with his hand over his mouth. He manages to cope with this quite quickly, although clearly making serious efforts. Okay, let's go. I know a dozen places here and in a couple of them beer is even a little different from donkey piss. A little bit...
"Mulled beer?" Karsh'e asks with interest. Something warm in a dry spot is an appealing prospect.
As the homonculus flies away Lia turns back to the group.
"Well, we have received a mysterious note. Anyone know of an establishment called The Broken Anvil? That would seem to be our destination."
Beren stretches out his hand to read the note. Curious.
Yes, I know this place. Come with me.
Usgar grunts.
“Let us Go!! I love mystery!!“
Beren stretches out his hand to read the note. Curious.
[dice=Local]1d20 + 6
Yes, I know this place. Come with me.
Karsh'e nods at Usgar's enthusiasm. "Let us hurry and be out of the rain."
He asks Beren, "Does this Broken Anvil have mulled beer?"
Karsh'e nods at Usgar's enthusiasm. "Let us hurry and be out of the rain."
He asks Beren, "Does this Broken Anvil have mulled beer?"
Usgar nods.
“Let us Go!!“
Escher is a bit reserved. He has nothing to say except: "Let us go up to this tavern."
Botting for Escher since he's sick.
Yes, there is this beer. And not only that. In this tavern, some people often look for certain people for certain sensitive missions... Which is not surprising considering that the tavern belongs to the House Ghallanda. If I wanted to hide from the law, I would have gone to such a place... Beren coughs slightly, then nods to the others to go there and leads his new acquaintances along the wet bridges and parapets of Sharn.
A slippery slope in the literal and figurative sense...
"Then maybe a good place for a trap. Someone was watching, maybe a friend to the warforged. Maybe the sent the message to bait us."
"That is always a possibility, and we should keep our guard up. But it could be the legitimate owner or even a third party. Either way, we can possibly learn more about what's going on."
The warforged definitely seems excited to go. Of course having adamantine plates bonded to his body changes the perception of risk.
You enter the Broken Anvil hoping for some mulled beer or something strong. There is a few everbright lanterns around the beautiful sight. There are some tables and chairs. You find seats at the bar. There is a jovial young halfling woman that sees you and directs you to a table where their is a woman in a shimmer weave gown that appears to be waiting for someone.
"My Lady,” the halfling says to the woman already seated at the table, “your guests have arrived.”
Usgar looks at the lady and tries to see what she wants.
The human female in the dark blue cloak has delicate features, dark blue eyes, and sleek black hair bound with silver and turquoise ornaments. She wears a signet ring of House Cannith on her right ring finger and speaks in a soft but clear voice. “Thank you for coming. We have important business to discuss that relates to the unfortunate death of Bonal Geldem. Please, sit down.”
Lia gives a short bow and sits. "We did not know his name. Was he part of your house?"
She will also pay attention to her words and body language...
Escher will bow out of respect for the dead and sit. "I am sorry we couldn't have interrupted the attack."
Lia gives a short bow and sits. "We did not know his name. Was he part of your house?"
"He was a historian," the woman explains. "He was working for the University on a project that concerns house Cannith."
Karsh'e tries to shrink in on himself at the Broken Anvil. The place is a little too fine for him. His rough dripping clothes and huge, clinking pack are out of place. He finds the woman's dress nearly unimaginable, alien.
He sits quietly when bidden and listens to the discussion.
Why did the assassins mention the Lord of Blades? What was the late professor looking for or found? Beren looks at the woman calmly.
The evening is getting more interesting. Usually such evenings end with a lot of deaths. Usually good guys like us. Not the same evening, but at the end of the journey...
Usgar listens to Beren and grunts.
“Hey, you called us here! We don’t know you! So start spilling the beans and don’t just give us a couple of pieces of bread! I want the whole bread now! Who are you and what happened there!? Who is this automat that attacked us?“ he says bluntly but calmly.
Kaine also inpsects the woman closely, especially after Usgar's verbal attack. He finds it strange that he understands fully when people mention Houses and places and such, but still not a glimmer of who is or where he comes from.
“I have been working with Provost Geldem to recover a family heirloom," Lady Elaydren explains. “We were to meet earlier tonight, but as you know, he never made it. I learned from the Watch what had transpired, and so sent one of my men to track you down.”
She continues. “The heirloom, according to family legends, was locked away in a foundry that dates back to pre-Galifar Sharn. Poor Bonal believed he discovered the location of the foundry in an ancient House Cannith journal. I was going to fund an expedition to go to the site, but without Bonal . . .” Her voice trails off. Then she leans close.
“Perhaps you would be willing to recover the heirloom for me. For a generous reward, of course.”
Kaine also inpsects the woman closely, especially after Usgar's verbal attack. He finds it strange that he understands fully when people mention Houses and places and such, but still not a glimmer of who is or where he comes from.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
So far, you think she is genuine.
Usgar smiles.
"YES!" is the only thing he says but he claps his hands!!
Lia eyes the woman for a few seconds and then pulls out the journal and lays it on the table between them.
"We found this but it appears to be blank. I have a feeling you may be able to glean some information from it."
She raises one eyebrow.
Lia eyes the woman for a few seconds and then pulls out the journal and lays it on the table between them.
"We found this but it appears to be blank. I have a feeling you may be able to glean some information from it."
She raises one eyebrow.
"That's because it's magical, watch," she says. And she takes the journal and opens it. She begins to wave her hand over it and inscriptions began to appear.