Lenrelle also looks at the ledger atop the strongbox. It seems to be written in some kind of code mixed with a different language than she can read.
Sable doesn't notice anything of note about the broach other than its potentially immense value.
"Sable.. It's some kind of code. I don't know Varisian but you do, with your help we might sort it out, take a look." She offers
Billi was shocked to see all that Shiver. For more than a few seconds he thought of the value of the stash of drugs.
"We have to make sure that drug gets destroyed!!"
He couldn't imagine the damage it could cause to others, but he did know the damage it caused to him personally.
"I would dump it in the river if I wasn't afraid of the damage it would do to native wildlife."
Sable walks over. "I'll try.". Sable looks over the documents to see if she can make anything out.
But, after she looks it over, Sable shakes her head. "It doesn't make any sense to me..
Then she walks over to Billi and offers him the vial of alchemical fire. "You can always burn it with Lamm's own stuff." she suggests.
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Talindra steps out of the little room where Lamm holed up and focuses her mind on making sure the two children are okay. First, she addresses Lenrelle in the practiced quiet, soft voice reserved for use in the temple. "Gods, be careful! I was terrified you were going to make yourself bleed out after all we did to make sure Lamm failed at the job. Can I borrow the kit?" She points over to the kids. "They need some help, particularly before we start moving again." Assuming Lenrelle acquiesces, Talindra walks quietly over to the children. "Hey, hey. I'm Talindra, you can call me Tali, okay? Just don't tell the adults that. You're gonna be safe now. We're gonna take you somewhere safe. It's all okay now." She looks over the two and tries to triage, but then focuses on Graykos as Perivolt comes over.
Not recognizing any of the Varisian on the containers, she does note the holy symbol once everything is organized. "Oooh, that is so beautiful! I know we could use some money if we're to stay here any length of time, and I want to be clear I think we should sell this, too, but it's just so beautiful! May I?"
"Oh!" Lenrelle moves towards Talindra "I was going to.. oh nevermind what I was going to do." She hands the ledger to Ioca.
And do so herself if needed
"Hey, Tali's right. She's a friend. I know, she's MY friend. I'm Lenrelle by the way."
At mention of the holy symbol, a smile to Talindra, "It's beautiful and should be in the care of one of the faithful of the Eternal Rose. And you definitely are."
Billi breaks out his keg of special dwarven ale.
"I can't carry this back with all the loot. So let us finish it before we return."
Ioca throws the shiver into the gurgling stream of the Jeggare saving the darkwood box. "I don't think that will harm any wildlife while still in the bag. It will diluted by the river soon enough, in any event. " He then peruses the ledger if offered. "I can't really make heads or tails of this. Some of it is written in Varisian, but there are lots of other symbols and entries I just can't understand. Maybe Lenrelle and I can work on it together later." He watches as Talindra provides simple healing to the wounded children and hugs his little sister close when she revives, eventually putting her on his shoulders for a while.
While holding her close, Ioca examines the valuable brooch in the treasure trove. When he sees it, he sucks in his breath with an audible gasp. "How did this get here? Lamm truly must have had fingers in all pies. This symbol is from the house of Queen Ileosa, the young Chelaxian wife of the old King Eodred II. The story on the street is that she lost something recently of very expensive make, and that the Guard has been out looking for a fine piece of jewelry. This must be that item. I bet there is a reward for its return!"
Finally, the young rogue points at the hatbox with flies hovering around it. "What in the name of the Grey Lady do you think is in there?"
While waiting for the administration of medicine on Graykos, Perivolt glances at the ledger Ioca is examining.
He frowns as the words puzzle him as well.
When Ioca points out the fly-ridden box, Perivolt wrinkles his nose. "Well, I suppose we should open it seeing as we haven't found that which over Zellara's son was killed."
The wizard whispers some words and makes a few motions with mystical energy trailing from his fingers. A disembodied hand made of magical wisps of energy appears and slowly floats over to the hatbox. It makes a small shooing motion at the pests to no avail before slowly lifting the lid.
"We can get it translated later..." She says as she tends the kids, then Ioca gets excited about the broach
While holding her close, Ioca examines the valuable brooch in the treasure trove. When he sees it, he sucks in his breath with an audible gasp. "How did this get here? Lamm truly must have had fingers in all pies. This symbol is from the house of Queen Ileosa, the young Chelaxian wife of the old King Eodred II. The story on the street is that she lost something recently of very expensive make, and that the Guard has been out looking for a fine piece of jewelry. This must be that item. I bet there is a reward for its return!"
"Well, Civic duty if nothing else demands we return it... amazing. How did he even get... well, we don't know and he's too dead to ask. Yes, good eye, Ioca."
Billi downs two mugs of dwarven ale in slow steady drinks, relishing the taste of the brew from the mountains. It reminds him of drinks shared with his family, and he solemnly thanks Torag for his survival with a quick prayer.
Seeing the shiver destroyed, Billi is torn. He would have liked to destroy it, he just hoped he COULD have destroyed it. The amount of armor and weapons it could have purchased was staggering, but the amount of destruction it would cause even more staggering. Billi had learned how to carry even more, and Billi was going to bring back all the armor and weapons they found to resell. It made him feel less sad about the coin value of the shiver. Weapons and armor could be used for good, but he couldn't think of any productive use of the drug that had reduced a proud dwarf to a dependent addict.
"Maybe we should keep these more valuable items for later and save the rest. I am hoping to upgrade to the most sturdy set of armor."
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While holding her close, Ioca examines the valuable brooch in the treasure trove. When he sees it, he sucks in his breath with an audible gasp. "How did this get here? Lamm truly must have had fingers in all pies. This symbol is from the house of Queen Ileosa, the young Chelaxian wife of the old King Eodred II. The story on the street is that she lost something recently of very expensive make, and that the Guard has been out looking for a fine piece of jewelry. This must be that item. I bet there is a reward for its return!"
Talindra's eyebrows fly up her forehead. "Lamm, that bastard--"she looks toward the man, narrows her eyes, her brows furrowed a bit, shakes her head and sighs. "--definitely spread his corrupting touch through much of the city. You're right, there's certainly a reward for its return. It'll get us enough money that we can, if nothing else, get a place to stay while we get our lives sorted now that Lamm won't be hurting anyone. And--" with a sad, soft smile toward Graykos and Mela "--we can take care of the little ones." If either of them are awake and looking at her, she'll wave and give a genuine smile for a moment, then resume her super serious adult countenance.
Finally, the young rogue points at the hatbox with flies hovering around it. "What in the name of the Grey Lady do you think is in there?"
She sighs, shrugs. "I don't think we want to know! Are you sure you want to open it? Looks like whatever's inside spoiled many, many moons ago. Smells like it, too."
"Maybe we should keep these more valuable items for later and save the rest. I am hoping to upgrade to the most sturdy set of armor."
"Wise even when you're drinking. I can respect that. I think--" She pauses here, looks down at her feet, takes a deep breath, and says the next words quickly in an effort to get them out so the tension fades "--I think, Lenrelle, I'd like to talk with you about something when we have a moment tonight. But we do have a lot to do. I can carry some of the things we've recovered."
"Maybe we should wait to start spending money until we actually have it. We still don't know what's going on in the city. The other children likely have family members like Ioca and Perivolt that are looking for them. The temples or the guard are better suited to find them than we are."
Sable then says "I think there has to be a hidden door somewhere here. Do any of you really think a crime lord jumped into a boat, then crawled through a door to get into his room? If there isn't one, we need to figure out how to get those two kids upstairs."
Billi nods and moves under where the door above would be and begins to make hole in the ceiling to lead directly upstairs. He looks to pick a weak spot in the ceiling if possible. Hard work was something he could do.
"I can make a third opening Sable. Probably faster than a search for another door. If Lamm had a way out of that room, I think he would have taken it. As soon as the opening is wide enough I can pass them upstairs if some of you want to head up there."
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Talindra nods to Billi, grips her glaive ready to help. "Going straight up would definitely be easier than going through the water again. And just between you and me, I'd rather not have to even look at that shark again. Only thing I'm worried about is the top floor collapsing if we do this wrong. Does anyone still have their rope, or better yet, a climbing kit? That'd make this a lot easier."
When Ioca points out the fly-ridden box, Perivolt wrinkles his nose. "Well, I suppose we should open it seeing as we haven't found that which over Zellara's son was killed."
The wizard whispers some words and makes a few motions with mystical energy trailing from his fingers. A disembodied hand made of magical wisps of energy appears and slowly floats over to the hatbox. It makes a small shooing motion at the pests to no avail before slowly lifting the lid.
The magical hand guided by Perivolt reaches out and lifts the lid off the corrupted hat box. From wherever you stand, you can see only a shock of long thick black hair. Moving closer, much as you might not want to, you can see that it is in fact a poorly preserved human head that rests inside the box. The face has been smeared with cosmetics in a garish attempt to give the flesh a semblance of life, but you are all astounded to see the severed head of Zellara, the Varisian fortune-teller who brought you together and sent you to this place for vengeance on Gaedren Lamm.
“Um…that’s definitely not what I expected.”
Perivolt sustains the spell and uses the mystical hand to gently lift Zellara’s head up high enough for all to see it.
As the mage hand lifts the ghoulish head, something falls into the bottom of the box that was resting in there with Zellara's remains. Further investigation reveals a small oil-skin pouch worked with intricate and arcane symbols. Inside the pouch is Zellara's harrow deck.
Sable is just shocked and stands speechless as she sees the head lifted up from the hatbox.
Billi is so shocked.
"We left her and she was fine. This has been here a while. Did we talk to a ghost??"
Billi touches the head to make sure it is real.
"It would appear so, Billi.. the signs of decay indicate she was dead for weeks" She gapes in wonder "May the gods be kind to her soul."
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Talindra gasps, hand over her mouth. "I... what? How did this happen? When will we see the last of Lamm's evil?" She exhales a heavy, shuddering sigh. Then... the questions she doesn't want to ask. "But... where's the rest of her? Why did he have just her head?" A shiver takes control of her body, and she looks away, sighing. "I am eager to quit this den of horrors. Shall we start making an escape hatch?"
Perivolt covers his nose and approaches the hatbox while futilely waving away flies with his other hand. He retrieves the pouch containing the card deck. He allows his spell to redeposit Zellara's head into the hatbox and then closes the lid. The hand dissipates into wisps of smoke.
"Ioca, would you be a dear, and please take this hatbox? I'd like to know what our benefactor will have to say when shown this. A twin sister maybe? Or a doppelganger perhaps? There are layers to this whole affair which...forgive the saying...stink to high heaven."
Perivolt returns to his brother's side and waits for the others to enact their escape plan.
When Perivolt grabs the harrow deck, everyone sees him start like hit with a shock of electricity, thought he exhibits no pain. After a few seconds, his visage clears, and he returns to normal.
When the head falls back into the hatbox, Ioca takes it and carefully lowers the lid back onto it. "Will you join me in returning this to Zellara's cottage? I can bury it there and perhaps Lenrelle can say a blessing over her?" He hugs Mela close. "After that, I will take my sister home. If you share with me the means, I will take the other children to the orphanage or help reunite them with their parents or families. With Lamm dead, and my sister returned, I don't see the need to continue to fight. But I will be at your disposal, should the need arise again."
Prior to his request of Ioca, Perivolt experiences a slight vision and hears the voice of the fortune teller.
"Well, my new friends. I have news. Zellara's spirit lives within these cards," he holds up the Haunted Harrow deck so the others may see. "As I made contact, she spoke to me apologizing for her deception."
He looks at the hatbox sadly, "She confirmed this is in fact all that remains of her following her last encounter with Lamm and his thugs. Now we know the price she paid to find him..."
Looking at the rogue, "Ioca, would you be a dear, and please take this hatbox? I-I just can't imagine leaving her here in this place."
He approaches his brother Graykos and sweeps him up in a big hug, squeezing him close while tears run down the wizard's face at the injustice of the whole situation.
"Yes, I think that will be best. I imagine we should be able to find where she had buried the remains she received of her son. We can place her next to him." The finely dressed man's voice doesn't waver, but his body trembles from silent tears.
Billi completes his opening to the room above from the water filled room. He helps hand up the children before packing up everything.
They could return and explore the boat later.
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As Ioca is setting off, Talindra tries to sort through what they've found to make sure he has an even share. Beyond that, while doing the math, she sets aside her own share, and gives that to him as well. "No, take it. I mean it. You need to take care of yourself and all the kids. That's a lot of responsibility, and you know better than I do that in a town like this, money talks. The temple will take care of me, and if it helps your conscience rest, I'm sure the reward for the brooch will be more than enough for all of us." There's a firmness to her voice, a matter-of-fact resoluteness.
"Zellara... now I know why she was so eager to give us a reading. I expect there may be more going on with her than we realize, even now. Yes, we'll accompany you and Lenrelle and I can both say blessings and give her a proper burial."
With Lamm dead, the shiver destroyed, the little Lambs in Ioca's care, and the loot from the fishery hide-out recovered, the group works their way back through the rickety structure, eventually emerging out on the darkened street in front.
To the shock of all, the sight of dozens of flickering fires across the city is impossible to miss. The frantic clang of alarm bells sing out in harmony with a multifarious cacophony of screams, the clash of steel on steel, shrieks of terror, and even the periodic detonation of arcane power.
A wing of Sable Company hippogriff riders swoops overhead, angling toward Castle Korvosa at a breakneck pace. One of the badly wounded hippogriff mounts rains blood down on the street in front of you, before it succumbs and crashes headlong into a statue, taking its rider and itself into a messy, bone-crushing demise. The others in the flight do not pause to check on their fallen ally. Amid the chaos, the voice of a Korvosan herald cuts through the din. "The king is dead! Long live the Queen!" only to be shouted down by ragged cries of "Hang the Queen!" or "The usurper must die!"
Apparently while you battled your arch-nemesis in his filthy lair, the city has gone made around you!
Sable's eyes go wide as the rider crashes. She takes in what we can see, and she seems a little unhinged.
"I knew it! I knew something was wrong. The bells, the explosions! My parents! I need to get to them. I need to get across the river.".
With that, all thought of anything else leaves her for the moment, and she starts to walk. Sable does not, however, head towards where she lives among the seedy docks, but rather she starts to head towards the river, and the bridges across it, to get to the nicer parts of the city where her family lives.
Billi sees the fall of the hippogriff rider, and shakes his head at the loss of a rider and mount. He notes the disadvantages of a flying mount that are often overlooked in the excitement of flying.
"We should probably stick together and get the children to safety rather than split up. Ioca, you know the city well, lead us the quickest way to the biggest sanctuary we can secure them in."
Billi is also intent on getting their loot to the sanctuary too (he is a dwarf after all). He helps stow the goods in the cart they had found earlier for easy transport and is quickly ready to depart.
Billi has no idea where to go in Korvosa.
Lenrelle makes a holy gesture for peace on a soul when Perivolt informs them of Zellara's message to him, "It cost her much, but she may now find peace."
At Ioca's talk of the orphanage, Lenrelle smiles , proud of him.
And she's prouder still of Talindra, "Aiding the burial of such a woman would be my honor." And mentally she thinks maybe she should offer half of her share to Talindra after all, both of them have religious support, "You must keep the holy symbol of Shelyn though. I do not believe in fate often, but I think you were meant to have it."
**********
Later...
To the shock of all, the sight of dozens of flickering fires across the city is impossible to miss. The frantic clang of alarm bells sing out in harmony with a multifarious cacophony of screams, the clash of steel on steel, shrieks of terror, and even the periodic detonation of arcane power.
A wing of Sable Company hippogriff riders swoops overhead, angling toward Castle Korvosa at a breakneck pace. One of the badly wounded hippogriff mounts rains blood down on the street in front of you, before it succumbs and crashes headlong into a statue, taking its rider and itself into a messy, bone-crushing demise. The others in the flight do not pause to check on their fallen ally. Amid the chaos, the voice of a Korvosan herald cuts through the din. "The king is dead! Long live the Queen!" only to be shouted down by ragged cries of "Hang the Queen!" or "The usurper must die!"
Apparently while you battled your arch-nemesis in his filthy lair, the city has gone mad around you!
"The King is dead? No wonder there was... oh this city is going to be in turmoil." a breath "More reason to return the broach, we maybe needed to help keep order."
"I knew it! I knew something was wrong. The bells, the explosions! My parents! I need to get to them. I need to get across the river.".
"We should probably stick together and get the children to safety rather than split up. Ioca, you know the city well, lead us the quickest way to the biggest sanctuary we can secure them in."
"If we're going to stay together then we should probably go with Sable while Ioca tends to the orphans. I'm reluctant for us to split up anymore than we already are with Ioca going his own way with the kids but Sable is absolutely right to be concerned for her family."
"The King is dead? No wonder there was... oh this city is going to be in turmoil." a breath "More reason to return the broach, we maybe needed to help keep order."
"I hate to burst the bubble of your good intentions, but those rioters over there are screaming for the overthrow of Ileosa as queen or even her execution. If you think the Guards or Sable Company is going to let us anywhere near Castle Korvosa right now, I fear we will swiftly regret such an attempt."
"I knew it! I knew something was wrong. The bells, the explosions! My parents! I need to get to them. I need to get across the river.".
"We should probably stick together and get the children to safety rather than split up. Ioca, you know the city well, lead us the quickest way to the biggest sanctuary we can secure them in."
"If we're going to stay together then we should probably go with Sable while Ioca tends to the orphans. I'm reluctant for us to split up anymore than we already are with Ioca going his own way with the kids but Sable is absolutely right to be concerned for her family."
"I disagree, Lenrelle. Sable you'd be best to come with us to safety. These riots aren't aimed at the commoners. They are aimed at the law and those who represent the king, er, queen of Korvosa. As long as your family isn't likely to be running in the streets with these mobs, I'm certain they are going to be just fine. I believe we should go to Zellara's house as planned and set watch as a group. Perhaps the Guard and the Sable will have the riots sorted out in a few hours once they've time to react."
Perivolt shakes his head. "If we are not to follow through with burying her head and you are going to charge off in pursuit Sable's family, I'm afraid our paths will split here. I need to see my brother home safe to his mother back at the Ornelos estates. I will seek you out later to repay my debt for your part in his recovery, but I must prioritize his safety. Now especially, after all this time."
” I just want to go where I, and hopefully we, can do the most good. I think that is together. I hope this wasn’t a temporary alliance of convenience.”
Billi is looking sad.
”I have nowhere else to go!!”
"I still believe the best move is to retreat to Zellara's home. We know it's otherwise unoccupied aside from...well, I suppose it's just unoccupied. I imagine that neighborhood should be fairly safe from the rioters since it has such a low presence of the law or other royal representatives."
Perivolt extends a hand to the dwarf. "If we are to part ways with the ladies, then I would be willing to accept your help, Master Hardstone. I will lead Ioca and these lost children to the Ornelos estate grounds. I know my family or, at the very the least, the servants will be able to house them until suitable arrangements can be made to return them to their families or find places at one of King Eodred's orphanages or religious sanctuaries."
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Make a decision. Your friends are panicking. Talindra surveys everything going on in the city, and while not accustomed to this level of chaos, her training still affords her a level of detached effectiveness. "Go, Sable! We'll be at Zellara's! Perivolt is right. Getting back to Zellara's home is the best course of action for now. If nothing else, it'll give us a quiet (well, quieter) place to think and plan what's going on next." Talindra shouts, hopefully loud enough to overcome the cacophony and loud enough for Sable to hear so she knows where to find the group after she's finished checking on her parents. Then she starts marching, not walking, back to Zellara's, retracing her steps from earlier that evening. "We're not splitting up just yet. This town clearly needs help right now and I cannot think of anyone I trust more with its safety. Come on, let's go!"
For a moment, Sable almost says something back to Perivolt, but she doesn't. She does, however, respond to Talindra. "Have fun at the ghost house. But look out for thieves. With this happening, there will be less law than usual, and so there will be gangs working for men like Lamm that will try to take advantage of it."
Sable doesn't ask or expect anyone to come with her. She won't turn anyone away if they choose to, but she assumes Perivolt will want to get his brother home. She knows where to look for them later.
Lenrelle winces, then sighs "Yes, respect for the dead and tending to her head. I'll see to the rites. Be Safe, Sable."
Billi escorts the children to safety with Ioca and Perivolt. He takes the bulky chain shirts to sell as he can now haul more equipment and some other items of value to make up his share now that they are splitting up. His second priority is to trade in three sets of chainmail and loot for some full plate armor.
"If you want to join us in helping out where Korvosa needs us, meet us at Perivolt's estate in three days time."
Billi speaks to Perivolt. "Can you detect magic on the treasure so we can get the most value out of the ones that are magic? There may more dangers in the city and I want to have the best resources to deal with them."
As they begin their journey. "Do your parents have enough beds? I am handy with tools, let's pick up some lumber on the way and I can make some bunk beds. Dwarf children love bunk beds because it is not like sleeping alone, you have someone right above you or below you to whisper to at night. And these kids can use that. I just have to see them get settled in. I can make a toy mining cart just like the first toy I got as a kid."
After seeing the scenes of chaos and anarchy explode about the city, Sable is very worried about her parents and leaves the others to head back to the old part of town to ensure their safety.
Ioca takes his share of the loot, and nods in thanks, when Talindra offers hers as well. Rather than coin, he takes valuable items in kind, knowing he can pawn them off or trade them for the safety and security of the former Little Lambs. "I can take Graykos to your estate if you wish it, Perivolt. But I fully understand why you would not want to part from him. No pressure, just an offer." He squeezes his own sister a bit to show how important she is, and shrugs at the wizard, not expecting he will take him up on it. Once Perivolt replies, Ioca hurries the children along, making a bit of a game of keeping them out of sight of the any rioters or looters.
Finally, the four of you agree to go to Zellara's to bless and inter her remains at the cottage. The way is not far, and you backtrack your steps from earlier in the evening. Fortunately, no one accosts the small group as they cover the short distance to the tidy cottage in West Dock.
The group is a bit surprised to see the state of the home. Earlier it was tidy, neat, and well-tended, but tonight it appears abandoned, and shows clear signs of having been empty for weeks. Entering, you see that there is no sign of the food, the wall hangings, the rugs, or Zellara herself. A thick layer of dust lies about the place, and any furniture remaining is scattered in pieces on the floor.
Not long after you enter, a ghostly version of Zellara manifests, though much weaker and flimsier than whatever you saw before. You watch as she speaks with you:
"I am sorry to have deceived you, my friends, but I could think of no other way to bring down Lamm. In this you were successful, but now my beloved city is faced with a more grave threat. The civil unrest is only the beginning I fear. Please do what you can to help Korvosa and its people. They have so few who will defend them." She looks quite sad, but earnest as she flickers in and out.
"I will help you in the small ways that I may. My spirit still resides in my harrow deck, and its power may assist you from time to time. First, I can do more readings for you, but only occasionally. The deck will tell you when it is time. Next, I can communicate with anyone who holds the deck though my ability to manifest as I am now, is quickly waning. I can create an illusion of myself reading the harrow once per day, should you need it. Last, holding a card to your forehead will allow you to identify the properties of magic items up to 3 times per day. You do not need to be trained to accomplish this."
"Again, thank you friends. As you can see, I was not fortunate to survive Lamm's crime spree, but you have ended all that, taken my vengeance, and now hopefully will defend the city in her time of need. May the fates always favor you!"
And with that, she disappears.
You pass a solitary figure, who seems to be muttering to himself quietly, his hair disheveled, and a loud coughing coming from him from time to time. Smartly, you cross to the other side of the street, but the man spies you and cries out breaking into a trot to follow you. "Wait!" he calls hoarsely. "The Eye of Groteus has returned from the Boneyard to stare into the heart of all of Korvosa. All shall be judged and found wanting! You! I have seen you in a dream! I know you have the answers, please, please let me ask you the questions!" He continues pursuing you coming uncomfortably close, enough so that you can see his sweaty, pale features even in the darkness. The man is clearly not well, either physically or mentally.
"I don't promise to have any answers, especially about Groteus, but I'll let you ask the questions.
Billi wanders through the house, touching pieces of it to confirm it wasn't the same place they went to less than 24 hours ago. He has a sadness for the spiritualist's death.
"This is some powerful magic, but I feel some comfort in knowing Zellara is trying to help the city and us."
He takes the harrow deck and begins to touch it to the his forehead with the wand in his other hand. Then he places the dagger Lamm attacked them with in his hand followed by the hand crossbow. The wand seemed an obvious choice, the weapons a second choice. If someone detects magic and the wand or weapons are not magic, he will prioritize magic items over non-magic items.
Billi, being naturally inquisitive, would like to see if placing a nonmagic item in his hand and using the deck counts against the thrice daily limit. He is pretty sure it does, but the alternative is even better.
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Lenrelle shoves the confusion and disagreements to the back of her mind. She'd never taken part in a venture like recently, and had found it a raging nightmare of wild beasts in the belly of the city used by an evil man to harm them. That evil man had been defeated at great pains, and while others assured her she had done well, self recriminations about her actions threatened to bubble up. When it came to healing, it was easy. He or she who had the most healing expertise and ability was in charge. In the temple, honor was given those who were the most wise and the most in the goddess' favor. In an eclectic group like theirs, it was a bit harder to get all the flock going in the same direction.
Flock? Ha. More like a herd of Kittens it would be easier if someone were clearly wrong or right, but these were good people, and each had understandable reasons for feeling how they felt or wanting to do things 'this way' rather than 'that way'. And Sarenrae was not a bullying goddess. Lenrelle felt there were lessons in this endeavour, but she wasn't sure she was enjoying the teachings. Then add to that, a city now in unease and building chaos. What should have felt like a moment of victory, or at least relief, was now more tension. She wanted to FIX .. oh everything. And there is your hubris, Lenrelle. The world is not your healer's hut. It is not your churigan table. Here, you're just another pair of hands. What you do with your hands is your choice but you cannot account for the hands of others and it is rude to think you have the right to do so.
She wondered if Sarenrae ever listened on these thoughts? Lenrelle supposed not, the goddess was, after all, rather busy, but it was fun to imagine Sarenrae getting a gentle chuckle if not outright laugh at hearing the 'plans' of her clerics. No. I am just one Kitten among the others. And should be glad to have such a fine if somewhat still new to their claws and paws pride.
All this thinking has made her quiet as some of them go to Zellara's house for the blessing.
The change to the dwelling there makes her raise a brow. She enters and...
"I am sorry to have deceived you, my friends, but I could think of no other way to bring down Lamm. In this you were successful, but now my beloved city is faced with a more grave threat. The civil unrest is only the beginning I fear. Please do what you can to help Korvosa and its people. They have so few who will defend them." She looks quite sad, but earnest as she flickers in and out.
"I will help you in the small ways that I may. My spirit still resides in my harrow deck, and its power may assist you from time to time. First, I can do more readings for you, but only occasionally. The deck will tell you when it is time. Next, I can communicate with anyone who holds the deck though my ability to manifest as I am now, is quickly waning. I can create an illusion of myself reading the harrow once per day, should you need it. Last, holding a card to your forehead will allow you to identify the properties of magic items up to 3 times per day. You do not need to be trained to accomplish this."
"Again, thank you friends. As you can see, I was not fortunate to survive Lamm's crime spree, but you have ended all that, taken my vengeance, and now hopefully will defend the city in her time of need. May the fates always favor you!"
And with that, she disappears.
"You should go to your reward, not linger in some deck , Zellara I..." A realization that her voice will not sway this choice occurs, "But we thank you."
Ghost in the cards or not, Lenrelle tends to last rites and the burial of the head such as it is."May new dawns be gentler than your last dusk, may your soul become light and that light shine in a world spiritual and wondrous. May every sin you carry be shed and left behind, so you may fly lifted by the virtues and goodness you cultivated and keep. We go on our way, you go yours, but new dawns await us both. The Dawnflower bloom and guide. So mote."
After a time, and seeing Billi is testing the cards, she smiles weakly. Then an idea occurs to her "I wonder if Zellara would mind if we used this small place as a haven or meeting place? A bit of a fix up and it could be servicable. We may yet need a bolt hole if all does not go well"
Perivolt politely declines Ioca's offer and squeezes Graykos' hand to let him know he gets to stay with his brother. Graykos has been very quiet since his rescue, and Perivolt is more determined than ever to get him home.
Perivolt is probably not quite as surprised as the others since she had said something similar to this when he first touched the deck. He surveys the state of her home wishes he had studied the mending spells other students often used to reconstruct the targets of particularly destructive spells.
When Billi abruptly takes Zellara's Harrow Deck from his pack, Perivolt opens his mouth to protest, but seeing the dwarf is oblivious to his rudeness, the wizard just shakes his head and keeps his peace.