Ishiro's page

Gregor opens his eyes for a second and with much difficulty manages the following words before expiring, "Sorry, I could not be more help...." Ishiro says, "I'm sorry for your loss, I'll clean up here. Have a look around upstairs and see if you can find something to soothe your pain." After the party has stripped the bugbear and the hobgoblin of his treasure, he remains behind to clean up. A few minutes later, Ishiro emerges from the room, locks the door to the trophy hall, and gets blankets and such for those who need it.

"I think the smelling salts will wear off soon. I recommend you stay the night, as it is past curfew and you are not in any shape for further combat. Please use the servants' quarters you passed (L20 and N20). There are two upstairs bedrooms as well, one for the family, one for the child. If you need anything, I can get supplies for you from the linen closet. However, I must alert the dottari first thing tomorrow morning of what has occurred here."

"Your words have moved me, Jerod. You are an expert at your craft. But I cannot in good conscience take my fair share of the Levingtons' gold and jewels for myself, as you say. I would not feel right. If they wanted to leave it to me, they would have included me in their will. As I know not its contents, I will learn upon my fate at its reading one day soon and I must respect their wishes. Then I will know how to proceed with my life. If they left me something of value, perhaps, I can do something for the betterment of the city, as you ask of me. I commend all of you for your beliefs and your bravery. I could not have asked so much of you today. I am honored to know you. If I can repay your gratitude, please let me know. I am glad the city has such wonderful defenders."

Ishiro sighs, "I will think on your words, warrior. But know this, I have grown from servant to mayordomo in this household over my 10 years of service. I believe in the rule of hierarchy and order and that it works, whether it's running a household or a government. I chose to live in this city and therefore, I must respect its laws and institutions. What you are asking is for me to break the law and I am not comfortable with that, though I understand the current predicament of the city. The shadow beasts, that's what's responsible. And I still hear news that the dottari die every once in awhile during the night at their claws. So, if the dottari are not responsible, then who is?"

The bugbear has the following:
Leather armor
2-handed Cleaver (same stats as a greataxe)
3 javelins
2 potions
Silver Ring
Gold Earring

Ishiro hears Pallius' impassioned pleas. Diplomacy roll if you don't mind, Pallius. You will get circumstantial bonuses based on the contents of the post.

Ishiro's face tenses. "Though they have passed, I will not stand here and let you besmirch the good name of my former patrons. They were not involved in anything. They were good people and they did not deserve this. It is obvious the safe was target of these despicable goblins, as evident by the large hole in the side of the pedestal, the pickaxes on the floor, and that those two bodies are drenched in sweat. I don't know why this attack. I can only thank all of you for your help in meting out justice to them. I see it came at great cost personally to each of you. Now I have to clean up here so I can give a full accounting to the dottari in the morning. The rooms are upstairs, if you wish to rest." Solemnly, Ishiro begins to pick up all the jewels, coins, and scrolls laying on the floor and putting them back inside the pedestal.

"I don't know if the Levingtons have any living heirs or if they established a will. I assume if not, the estate will pass to the city to pay off any creditors." Pallius finds the smelling salts and everyone is conscious. Waiting to hear from Gregor to see if he wishes to continue so we will assume for now that they did not work on him.

"Will you and your comrades be spending the night?"

"Inform the dottari, I'm sure they'll want to conduct an investigation. After that, I have no idea. I have some coin saved up. Look for work maybe with another family. What about you guys?"

Once the sounds of combat die down, Ishiro asks, "Is it safe to come down now?" He comes down the stairs and sees the beheaded bugbear and the dead hobgoblin and the broken safe. "So this is what they after? Jewels and coins...They kill a whole family and staff and destroy everything I hold dear for that?!" He kicks the dead bugbear's corpse out of anger. "Not fair..."

Then, he stands, turning to Ishiro, "Pardon my asking, but might the Levingtons have possibly hidden some valuable or otherwise extraordinary object somewhere? Perhaps you have some idea what they might be looking for? They weren't taking the hostage route, so there must be something else..." he asks, staring ponderously while looking about.

Ishiro, seemingly lost, says, "Huh?...I'm sorry...yes, I believe the family kept their coins and jewels secured downstairs."

"No, only through the ones in the Exhibit Hall."

Ishiro pats Gregor's hand on his shoulder "Thank you."

The door leading down is E7; G8 leads to upstairs area.

Pallius reaches the door at E7 and opens it, revealing an exhibit hall displaying many hunting trophies, mainly animals, previously well-preserved by taxidermy. However, the animals are laying on the floor, their insides ripped out. In the corner of the room is a staircase leading down. As Pallius reaches the center of the room, he hears from downstairs the sound of something heavy and metallic falling to the ground and then what sounds like laughter and gibberish in Goblin.

Updated Map

The foul smell is the first thing that overwhelms Gregor as he opens the door, but a close second is the grisly sight of the eight bodies piled in the middle of the room, which was the library, in the midst of a giant blood pool. Flies have already gathered and are buzzing over the corpses. The bodies have various wounds, mostly in the neck and stomach area and their hands are still tied behind their back. The room looks ransacked and your heart breaks a little when you see the body of a young boy among the dead. By their attire, you can tell five of the bodies were servants (i.e. cooks, groundskeeper, or maids). Besides, the boy, the other two bodies looks middle aged and wear elegant clothing. Ishiro puts his hand to his mouth and drops to his knees, when he sees the couple, "The Levingtons...."

"Yes, through that door (pointing to door at E7), you can reach the basement area." Staring at the blood pool, Ishiro says, "There (pointing to door at C10) is where those bastards killed the Levington's son..you don't think..."

"Yes, Jerod, whatever you need me to do. I just want to find my patrons alive. The wound is still there but I can swing if needed. If you want the stairs up, it's through that door (pointing to the door at G8)." Ishiro looks at the dwarf, "Pleased to meet you, I apologize I cannot bow at this moment. Where did they find you? You were not in the tavern when I came in, earlier tonight." You see his ribcage is bandaged up.

Ishiro thanks you and comes in, as he dries himself off. He pauses to think, "I've never seen much use for bandages in the house, but the family has a laboratory on the second floor. It belongs to the Mrs., but she said the ingredients were expensive, so it fell out of use these past few years. By the way, have you found my patrons?"

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Ishiro's eyes widen, "Whose blood is that?", pointing to the blood leaking under the door at C10.

"Like I said, I came to check on my patrons. I couldn't just sit in a tavern and wait. Besides, I thought you might need my tactical assistance, since I know the layout of the house. Can I come in? I'm drenched out here. So did you find anything? Any goblins left?"

Pallius throws open the door and there sneaking up to the entrance is..Ishiro, key in hand! He reflexively puts up his short sword and when he sees you, he whispers "Oh my god, you almost gave me a heart attack! I didn't see you guys, I thought the worse."

Ishiro pauses to think. "Around the back of the manor, there is the ballroom entrance. Well, at least that's what the room was used for in more prosperous times. Now it's a dining area. The doors there lead to the grounds. On the eastern side, there is the kennel entrance. The Levingtons are fond of dogs. Those are the only other entrances I can think of right now."

Before the party leaves, he says, "Last time, I saw the Levingtons and the staff, they were being held in the library, if that helps any."

Ishiro sighs in frustration but reluctantly consents to waiting in the inn for your return. "I await your good news with anticipation."

"Lord Levington and his wife...they're like my family. If you don't want me coming along, I understand. But please, look out for their safety. They must have suffered much at seeing their son..." His voice trails off.

Ishiro appears inspired by the speech but as he looks outside, he says,
"You're willing to help...even at night, with the shadow beasts around? If so, may the gods bless you! So what's the plan? Do you need me to come with you to show you the home? Though it hurts, my man there did a good job of patching up this wound and I can walk. If you hand me my sword, I'm at your service."

"There is no one about outside," she whispers. "I think he's cracked."

She offers the man a hand. "Naeli, late of Senara and newly returned to the city. Funeral drafts? Men bleeding in the streets? Is this madness the norm?"

"My pardons, beautiful lady that I cannot bow to properly receive you for fear it would reopen my wounds, but I can assure you I am not mad. The family is in danger..." Though as he peers outside and sees that night has fallen, his look turns to that of dismay. "I guess their fates are sealed...no dottari would risk his life at night, not for the Levingtons...perhaps if they lived in the Rego Corna or the Rego Sacero, then they'd send legions of men for those families. Fu*king bastards!"

The Rego Corna (Crown Sector) is the richest district in the city on an island apart from the commoners and the Rego Sacero (Priest Sector) is obviously where the clergy lives.

You are most welcome friend. If I may ask how did you come by your wounds? Goblins...did you say?

Ishiro sits up, a look of pain on his face as he reaches for his side. "Yes, at least that's how I have heard them described. But the big ones, not the small three foot singing ones that you tell stories to your children to scare them. These are over 6' tall, muscular, wear armor, wield swords and shields. As I said, I am the mayordomo of the house, been with the family for over ten years now, when they were really wealthy. Now, the Levingtons are a minor noble family, of some renown." He grips his side again.

"They own a two-story home in the Parego Spera section of the city, a modest abode. As I was coming home this night from dealing with some family business (paying debts and the sort), I found odd that there was a covered wagon at the front of the property. When I went in, I called for the maids and my employers. That's when I saw the dead guards...the goblins were in the house! They had the servants and Mr. Levington and his wife hostage...and had already killed their 14 year old son! They were threatening to do the same to the rest of us."

Ishiro pauses, as he remembers the sight of the boy. "It was horrible! I could see the looks on the faces of my employers, could see their fear and desperation. I reached for my sword, stabbed the nearest one and ran for it, crashing through the window." As he recounts the events of the night, now that he mentioned it, you do notice small shards of glass on his clothing. "I ran into another one of them monsters outside and he stabbed me, though I got in a good lick too. Then I ran and ran. But with the night getting late, I found no guards to help me, till you rescued me. I still can't believe this is happening...feels like a nightmare! And my employers, what about them?"

Ishiro is a little reluctant, probably due to his prior experience with the gnome, but due to the pain, finally consents to the treatment. Gregor does a decent job of treating the wound, and though he does not help Ishiro recover his health, at least he stops the blood loss. "Thank you, kind sir." Ishiro smiles faintly.

As the man comes into the light, panting and huffing, drenched in sweat and rain, you see he has the eastern facial features of the Tian Xia lands, complete with Fu Manchu-style moustache. In response to Pallius, he says, "I..am...Ishiro, mayordomo to Levington estate." He pauses, as pain sets in and he struggles to get words out. "Goblins chasing, big green goblin men, clawed feet, swords." He points out his wound as he clutches it. Poshment comes over to help but inadvertently sticks his finger in the wound, causing more blood to flow out and Ishiro to scream in pain! "You stupid midget, that hurt!" He walks into the tavern, dropping his short sword on the floor with a clang, as he grasps a nearby table to avoid falling over.

Pallius scans the streets and even with Jerod's magically conjured lights, the streets are bare and the only sounds are those caused by the rain. Poshment detects no evil in the stranger or the area. The rain quickly washes away the blood from his hands.

Inside, Lou and some tavern folk are clearing a space for the man and gathering water in a basin, as well as bandages. However, no one there appears to be trained in first aid.