The corridor you are currently in seems to be a little more decent as the sewer tunnels. No apparent exit tough, you'll have to move forward to see where it leads to.
Shannon:
The singing is quite clumsy and the creature has difficulties keeping a good tone, but there is a certain sense for rhytm.
Ozer:
You take a look upon the creature as it comes near: tentacles waving in every direction and stinking of garbage. It comes as near as possible to the gate, but doesn't seem to make an effort to go beyond. Yet it keeps singing, the creature seems to be in an awfully good mood.
Maxis:
You take a look upon the creature as it comes near: tentacles waving in every direction and stinking of garbage. It comes as near as possible to the gate, but doesn't seem to make an effort to go beyond. Yet it keeps singing, the creature seems to be in an awfully good mood. Are you going into the corridor of the opened door with the others or not?
When you open the door, a slightly more decent corridor becomes visible. It's completely dark tough, and even with the rod Janiven gave you it's difficult to see further as 20ft.
As you move inside the corridor, a voice sounds from the tunnel behind the gate. It seems not only a large creature is approaching, it seems to be singing as well.
Jellyfish with rotten wine
Human clothes complete the dine
All mixed up with goblin loot
Who'll be the next to give me food?
Any predatory food would have done to lure them towards something, as Ronwn figured.
The insects seem to doubt for a moment when they see the size of the group they were about to face. They don't come closer as the point the two bravest of their comrades went first. When Ronwn throws meat in the area they came from they wait untill the party moves out of the way, then they move towards the jerky. As soon as they start eating from it, the color of their body changes and takes the exact colour of the meat.
Just before the gate, on the right side you discover a door -white spot on the map- and a silver sword above it. Behind the gate, the tunnel continues for another 50 ft and then turns left.
If you squeeze trough the gate and take a few steps, you become aware of the penetrating odor of rotting garbage. Even if you started to get used to the smell of the sewers, this one is overwhelming you.
Maxis and Mazon, Perception checks please. Anyone else wishing to make this check must pass the gate.
DC16:
It seems you are not alone here. You hear a large creature moving towards you, it's about to turn around the corner.
I intended these new perception checks for what was coming up, but it is easier indeed if I just give the what you're rolling for beforehand. I'll do that from now on. This result (right after description) is still for your last Perception check.
From the same tunnel as the rats, an insectoid creature appears. This scuttling thing looks at first glance like a colorful, animate blob of slime, but its thin insectoid legs and eyestalks suggest it is a more advanced creature. Its antennae-like appendages wave about curiously, and its multiple legs carry forth its transparent, hand-sized body at a surprisingly swift scuttle. The creature is not alone, soon 8 of them are coming your way.
Perception DC 20:
When you look deeper into the tunnel, behind the insects, you see something that looks like a slimy nest. You do not see any other creatures as the 8 approaching you however.
The creatures don't seem to be as afraid as the rats, they come your way directly. And they're not fleeing.
Round 1:
1. Creature8 moves 3 squares to the west.
2. Creature7 moves 3 squares to the west.
You can make a Knowledge Local, Nature or Dungeoneering check to find out more about these creatures. Check following spoiler upon succesfull check.
DC15:
These creatures are called Torbles, or more commonly "Ooze bugs". They are vicious enemies of rats and therefore particularly liked by people dwelling the sewers.
After some searching, you finally find the mark - a silver sword - painted on the floor. It is right in the middle of the crossroad on the ground, but it was difficult to spot because of yet another bloodstain. Like the blood on the dagger, it's dry and at least several days ago. The mark itself is pointing straight ahead, to the tunnel towards the gate.
From the tunnel to the left, two rats are coming into your direction. They don't stop or turn around, they just keep running and disappear into the tunnel you came from.
The potions look all the same. When you investigate one, you recognize the typical colour of healing potions. You spill a small drop on your finger and try it just to be sure. Boletus edulis, penny bun. You are completely convinced now: they're healing potions and they're excellent quality as well.
Potion of Cure Light Wounds, 1D8+3
Janiven nods to you all with a grateful smile. "Thank you. I will not forget this, you're all good people. Including the drunk. We'll meet you at the Safehouse. Come on Morosino, let's go."
You follow Janiven trough the sewers of Westcrown and at first, it seems like the two groups move at an equal speed. But after the next corner, you realise why Janiven asked to split up: the path goes trough a rusty gate, half broken but still strong enough to resist a grown man from pushing it down or destroying it completely. First Janiven goes trough, then she helps Morosino. She keeps her thumb up as a good luck for the adventurers, and swiftly moves. She disappears in the dark as the party slowly moves trough the rusty gate.
Shannon:
At two steps from the gate, against the wall, you find several metal pieces. They seem to be what remains of a small, strangely shaped dagger. The owner doesn't seem to be around, but the blood on the knife makes you think you won't find him either.
You go into the direction where you saw Janiven disappear, untill you reach a crossroad. You can't find a sign right away. There is a tunnel to the left that seems to be a bit smaller and darker as the one you're currently in. The other option is to continue the current tunnel, but you already see a large gate that might block the way.
You see several armed men, about 5 of them, walking towards the inn and a couple more who who close off the street.
Ozer:
You see several Hellknights of the Rack, about 5 of them, walking towards the inn and a couple more who close off the street. Alltogether there are at least 10 Hellknights visible from the window.
The boy confirms the questions and fears. "Yes they followed me, they should be here by now! What do we do Janiven?"
The discussion was abruptly interrupted by quick knocks on the door. Janiven immediately gets up and peers trough a window. She moves swiftly to the door and opens it. An out-of-breath and frightened-looking teenager stumbles in and calls out: "They've got him, they've got Arael!" He doubles over in a fit of coughing brought on by his long run. Janiven’s face grows grim as she comforts Morosino and asks him to explain himself; in a moment the lad recovers enough to spurt out, “The dottari nabbed Arael, and the Hellknights of the Rack are trying to get custody of him!"
You recall having heard the name before. Yesterday you overheard one of the musicians of the opera. She explained the director that she could not attend the previous rehearsal because she was hired by a halfelf named Arael, to perform on a private celebration for Iomedae.
Elden didn't look surprised. In fact, he sighed and looked a bit disappointed.
Ozer, you really should try not to drink too much when having this kind of conversations... Didn't hear a damn thing you two said, but you were having difficulties keeping it quiet. That woman had to remind you every two minutes to keep your voice down. She came here looking for a person to trust for a special job, and I asked you to hear her out. For what it's worth, I have heard about this Janiven. She's quite known as a bodyguard, sometimes a caravan guard. Excellent reputation, never disappointed a merchant. So if she's looking for help... Well, I'll let you conclude for your own. For now I suggest you go take a look. She might help us in the future in return. As I told you yesterday before... Ah, nevermind. Think you can do this?
As you arrive in the Rego Pena, where Vizio's Tavern is located, you notice the contrast of this quarter with the rest of the city. The "Coin Sector" houses several succesful merchants and fine establishments. Vizio's tavern, located close to the docks, is an exception to that. As if more in tune with the rest of the city, it looks a little old, with a few minor repairs covering the otherwise poor state of the building. The door is closed, but every now and then a tavern guest walks in or out.
Mazon:
While you observe the Tavern from the shadows from half an hour, you see nothing unusual at the tavern itself. At the docks however, you see a patrol of Dottari passing twice the past half hour, without checking the street of the tavern.
Last customer who walks out is a halforc with an awkwardly large scar on his face and a huge axe on his back. He quite loudly slams the door, but apart from his behaviour, nothing seems to be out of order. A few seconds later Janiven opens the door and calls the orc.
Hey! You paid too much, it was only 6 silver pieces for an ale!
The orc turned around, and Janiven gave him his change. She bids him a good day, and then notices your arrival. She invites you in.
I hope you haven't had dinner yet? I prepared something. Not that I'm the greatest cook, but haven't got many complaints either. And yes, I expected all of you, there's food enough for everyone.
She looks around.
Almost everyone is here. But come in and have a seat, it's not the time of the year to keep waiting outside. What can I offer you to drink?
A man watches as "The Invincible" leaves the port of Westcrown. The sails profit from a light wind, a breeze that gently removes the long black hairs from the face of the spectator and thereby reveals he is crying. From the galley, a woman and a child wave at him, he replies as enthusiastic as he is able to, trying to hide his sadness from his daughter. Slowly the ship disappears in the vague border of sea and sky, behind him the sun does the very same thing.
Sadness is a dangerous councilor in times of eminent danger, a fact the man realizes when light makes way for shadow. After the statue of Aroden reflects a last sunbeam, his will to survive urges him to make haste. He hurries through the streets and starts to distinguish figures in the shadow. Just a bit further, just... Escape routes race through his head. Doors are closed with many locks in Westcrown, but if he can make it to his brother’s house... The thing is behind him. It's definitely there... But there is a safe place just around the corner. Just a bit further…
The man knocks on the door. Nothing. He tries again, using all his might now, but the only sound he hears seems to be a hissing laughter from behind him. Names are being called, the brother’s name, his own name, names of the gods and later on curses, but the door remains closed. Desperately, the man tries to make it for his own home, but he is tired… That night many screams echo in Westcrown, but the Wiscrani have grown used to it. No door will open at night.
Westcrown, Lamashan 11th
When the sun reappears, a man sits on the floor with his back against the threefold locked door, his hands over his head, repeating the same phrase over and over again. “May the Devil take them… May the Devil take them… May the Devil take them…” At the other side of the city, the corpse of a woman is discovered.
Ozer:
Lamashan 11th. You awake with a terrible headache and a dry mouth, as usual. You get up and stumble to the window to let the sun enter, even if it hurts your eyes. You need to get up, you have a job to do today. If only you could remember what it was… It was discussed yesterday evening, some woman came to the bar and you have been talking with her for hours. Later on the day the job was offered. But your memory refuses any further cooperation, you don’t even know if you accepted it in the end. You put your clothes on, and find a note in your pocket. “Meet me at Vizio’s Tavern at 5 in the afternoon. Be careful. Janiven.”
Mazon:
Lamashan 11th. The screams during the night didn’t escape your notice, but you were too far away to intervene with anything. At dawn, you find the Dottari investigating the leftovers of a Tiefling, already heavily mutilated by scavengers. Their numbers seem to be awkwardly high in this city. The Dottari don’t look like they wish to discuss anything with you, so you keep your distance. While you watch them, you start to get a feeling you’re being observed yourself. A human woman is staring at you. She comes right at you, and addresses you. “It seems our information is correct, you are indeed quite curious about what is happening at night. I don’t like your kind, but you seem decent for your race and perhaps we can help each other out. If you are interested to change something in this city, seek me out at Vizio’s Tavern, 5 in the afternoon.” She doesn’t wait for your answer, and turns her back. Shortly after, he disappears in one of the many small alleys.
Shannon:
Lamashan 11th. For some reason, you couldn’t get any sleep last night. No matter how hard you tried, something kept you awake. The effects become all too clear in the morning, your voice isn’t as pure and powerful as it should be. Luckily there is no performance planned for today. Later on that morning, Fiodor is late on his appointment with you. As you start to worry that something would have happened to him, he finally arrives. With an unusual tone, one that almost looks like jealousy, he tells you about a woman at the door that couldn’t keep quiet about you. Apparently, she would very much like to meet you. After insisting, Fiodor reveals that the name of the (quiet pretty) woman is Janiven, and that she is waiting for you at Vizio’s Tavern at 5.00 after noon.
Ronwn:
Lamashan 10th. You were late on your latest trip from the Dhaens, it was nearly completely dark when you arrived at Faed’s shop. The only other you saw was a middle-aged man running a little harder as you, you could only hope he arrived home in time. Faed was visibly worried, but didn’t say too much about it. The only thing he mentioned was that one of the customers asked about you. A lady named Janiven requested that you would deliver her 7 ounces of¨powdered silver at Vizio’s Tavern, tomorrow at exactly 5.00 in the afternoon.
Maxis:
Lamashan 11th. “You are late” says Edwin with a frown. Indeed, you were supposed to meet him earlier that morning, but that night you were far too interested in the effects of combining an extract of quicksilver with vermilion. The outcome: nothing and the fact you overslept. But as usual, Edwin’s face changes fast. He had never been able to remain angry at you for longer as a minute. He chuckles a bit, and introduces you to his guest. “Maxis, meet Janiven. I’ve known her for some time now, she’s a good woman. I have told her about you and I think you two would get along fine. She needs help from talented people as yourself…” At that point, Janiven interrupts. “We need you as well, Edwin.” The man shakes his head. “I’m too old for this, Janiven. But Maxis will do fine, he will surprise you.” The lady named Janiven nods and stands up. “If such is the case, I would gladly meet at 5.00 this afternoon at Vizio’s Tavern, Maxis. I understand you have questions, but I’m afraid I must take my leave now.”
If your character decides to accept the invitation, feel free to describe untill he/she arrives at the street of Vizio's tavern. If anything else, write it out.
