I think Lara quit.
Thank you for the invite, Eltonj, but I've decided that this game is not for me. Please remove Pak from the campaign. Good luck to everyone in your future adventures!
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Pak nods at the boys and smiles. "Alright. Good. Be sure to warn any other kids who might return to keep out as well. With Abadar's blessing, I'll be back soon." With that, he enters the fishery to rejoin his companions and closes the door (or what's left of it) behind him. Pak then quickly takes cover under the desk, amid the ratty furs and readies himself for an attack.
I wonder just how many children Lamm has conscripted and abused over the years... I pray we can save all that remain. Pak exits his hiding place to confront the approaching children. He keeps his crossbow lowered as not to frighten them outright before speaking. "Now is not a good time to be here, young ones. It is not safe. I suggest you move along quietly."
He points his weapon down the street away from the fishery. "If you have nowhere else to go, then simply wait outside across the way until I return. I will help you find proper food and shelter for the night."
Is combat over or are we still in rounds?
Pak remains outside for now, keeping an eye out for trouble from the nearby streets or around the exterior of the fishery. He takes cover behind a barrel (or some other suitable object), attempting to hide.
DM, if you'd like moving forward I would be okay if you rolled the groups initiative. That way we wouldn't have to wait for everyone to get on and roll. Figured I'd through that out incase everyone else felt the same. I'm fine with the GM rolling initiatives as well.
Pak stays to the rear of the group. He scans the area for any passersby that might notice this blatantly aggressive activity. It'd be best not to have to explain to anyone what this looks like on the outside...
Once satisfied that they are clear, he nods to Neghed, signaling that he's ready to proceed. Pak loads his crossbow with a bolt in case they meet with immediate resistance ahead.
Pak arrives at the fishery and greets the others just as he sees the smoke rising from the palace. Oh no... this is not good. He hands out the goods he purchased at the market to his companions with haste. "We don't have much time, I'm afraid. My duties to the city will soon take precedence. However, my word is not so easily cast aside. I promised you all, Abadar, Zellara and myself to see this done. I must do just that before I am no longer able." He points to whatever most resembles a public or front entrance to the building. "Once all are present, I suggest the most direct path forward."
Pak replies to Thoric. "That has potential. I'll have to think about it. A loud noise could also be distracting if placed correctly..." Packing up his things and pocketing the credit, Pak nods to Azig. "I'll leave the reconnaissance to you and Lara. I'd be good to know if we're up against something more dangerous than the children in his employ. Should any trouble arise that we can't handle or we become split up, let's use this house as a rendezvous point. Perhaps the youngsters could even stay here for the night until we can get them settled into an orphanage. I happen to be quite familiar with the staff up on Pillar Hill... Unless there's anything else, I will attend to the errands and meet you all by the fishery at dusk." Lastly, turning to ghostly image. "Thank you for your most gracious assistance, Zellara. The justice we deserve is long overdue. It will be done as soon as possible and I promise we'll all rest easier after tonight."
Wand of Cure Light Wounds w/ 50 charges (750g) -> Thoric
The ghost looks like it won't fizzle with the added light. "Do you have any questions for me?" it asks. "Since I'll be returning to the bank with this credit. What shall I tell them is to become of this house once your vengeance has been slaked and your soul is at peace?"
Pak nods with satisfaction at his assessment and asks one final question of the ghost. "This will be most helpful to us. Since I'll be returning to the bank with this credit. What shall I tell them is to become of this house once your vengeance has been slaked and your soul is at peace?" He also addresses Thoric. "As we've already discussed, the Guard does not have the resources to assist us. Nor would I risk involving my friends outside the Guard in this dark deed. However, I am taking on this mission as a personal quest. I've trusted Lara thus far in selecting capable companions such as yourself. If all goes as planned, perhaps one day, we might call each other friend. For now, back to business..." Pak scratches his chin in thought and nods at Azig's suggestions. "I agree with the idea of purchasing a wand of healing. However, not everyone has the "eyes of the mines" as you put it. I've heard of some magical illumination that can be easily concealed and might be helpful if we plan to infiltrate this fishery at night."
Looking from the ghost to Azig and then to the mantle. "I can handle matters of money... A bit of healing magic would not be an unwise expenditure in preparation for this task." Though I must try, I doubt this man will submit to arrest willingly. In the end, his sentence will be death in either case. Pak walks over to the fireplace to find the box Zellara described. He inspects its contents closely to verify her claims.
Pak springs up from his chair upon seeing the appearance of Zellara as a ghost. "So the rumors were true... We all want the same thing here. Can you help us put this matter and your soul to rest?"
I did not expect that!
"Well. It did taste good as promised but wasn't very filling. Azig, any bread or cheese left in that basket?" Pak finishes his less than satisfying meal and takes a large swig from his waterskin to help things settle. He then begins cleaning his mess kit and continues speculating in a skeptical tone.
"So where do you suppose this ghost is now? From what little I know of ghosts, they are more interested in keeping the living out of their domain. This house feels rather inviting. Maybe Thoric can get that crystal ball to tell us what's really going on?" I'm beginning to wonder if we're all fools for waiting here when Zellara may never return... Can't say I'd be surprised at that. Ah well. At least we'll have gotten a meal for our troubles and I can safely report back that the property has been abandoned.
Pak raises an eyebrow with skeptical curiosity as he witnesses Daranil's culinary process. And here I thought he was just some odd beggar. No wonder he never asked for food at the temple... "Can't say I've ever had magical food before. Thank you, my friend." He begins eating the makeshift meal with his spoon daintily. "So tell me, what did this ghost look like?"
As the others take seats around the table, Pak does the same. "Somehow I doubt we are the intended recipients of this message. Although, it's entirely possible that Zellara has not "disappeared" but has in fact been busy taking matters into her own hands to track down Lamm, much like ourselves." He then turns to Lara and speaks with sadness in his voice. "From what I recall, Zellara was unfortunately not able to elicit any resources from the Guard to find her son's killer. In truth, this is the very same reason I came in search of your help. I scarcely believed it possible to identify my own mother's murderer and bring them to justice until I recently found her ring for sale in Gold Market and got a name. It's even harder to accept that this one person is responsible for so much... pain." After a few moments, he looks up and wipes away a tear from his eyes. "Right then. I suppose it won't hurt to wait a bit for our elusive host's return. Revisiting these old memories has worked up my appetite." Pak takes out his mess kit. "What have you got, Daranil? You seem knowledgeable about the finer things in life. All I've had is coffee today. Maybe some Jigsaw Fin Mahktasha or a Reefclaw Pasty? I'd even settle for a bit of Hillcake."
Pak walks over to Lara near the table and reads the note. "Very curious indeed. The remains of incense burning does lead me to believe that someone has been here recently as well." He pauses in thought and tries to recall anything specific about her case.
Additionally, at Azig's suggestion, he focuses his divine power on the piece of paper to determine whether or not it is legitimate or perhaps magically altered in some way.
After about an hour, Pak rejoins his associates at Zellara's house. "Ah. Thank you all for waiting. It seems that the bank of Abadar is most agreeable to our endeavor. Shall we enter?" Time to put the accuracy of these rumors of a haunting to the test... Hopefully what we actually find is a tangible clue to the wherabouts of Gaedren Lamm. When the others are ready, Pak produces the key, unlocks the door and enters the house slowly.
Pak will head over to Zellara's house once he has the necessary approvals/paperwork.
Pak nods to Lara. No harm in looking. I only hope the others are trustworthy. "Very well. It's settled then. I'll make the arrangements with the bank for an inspection and meet you there. With any luck, we'll be able to solve this mystery with haste." He whispers to Lara. "You have my good faith in this matter. I hope that our new companions prove themselves equally." He offers Thoric a stern glare for his tactless comment on the Guard before departing.
Pak pays for his coffee and politely thanks the keeper for the information before returning to his new companions. He sighs when he sees the others counting coins.
"You can put your coin purses away. Even a haunted house in good condition is likely to value at over two hundred crowns... not to mention the property taxes. However, I'm sure I can arrange a permit to investigate the house properly. We'd be performing a service to the bank if we can remove a small obstacle to the real estate market."
Pak shakes his head and continues to whisper. "Once again, I am sorry to disappoint you all. I have no further information regarding Gaedren Lamm's current whereabouts. He motions over to Lara. This is the reason that I contacted Lara in the first place. I was hoping she might have a few leads... Pak raises a brow and eyes the curious elf with suspicion. He then springs up from his chair. A little early for this kind of talk, I'd reckon. Thoric had the right of it. I'd better get something to eat too. It's going to be a long day. "I'm getting hungry. No sense in visiting a "haunted house" on an empty stomach. I think I'm going to join our dwarven friend and place an order." Once there he addresses the keeper. "I'll have a cup of coffee and anything freshly baked from Gold Market, if you please."
"Tell us more about this mysterious house. How long has it been haunted?"
This place looks far worse when the sun shines on it. Pak arrives to the group meeting later than he expected but finds the table quickly and takes a seat. "I do apologize for running late. You are quite correct in the assumption that the Guard has extremely limited resources to spare and my duties are not so easily delegated on such short notice. I must consider this a joint effort in resolving a personal matter. By the sounds of it, more than a few "upstanding citizens" will profit by its success." After a moment, he observes the others speaking in hushed tones and responds in kind. "If you worry for spies, A change in scenery might be welcome in order to speak plainly amongst ourselves. While I truly doubt this building is actually haunted, it might be a good place to start."
Pak smiles at Lara when she arrives at the table. "Good evening, Lara. A little wait is no trouble at all. Though I expected to meet somewhere a bit less... interesting. Are you sure you want to discuss the matter at hand here?"
Pak approaches the rather seedy looking establishment in front of him. Why in the hells would Lara want to meet here of all places? Well. She's not led me astray in the past and I've no reason to believe she will now. There's nothing for it then. In I go. He enters the building and looks around for his contact. After collecting a fair quantity of suspicious stares from various patrons, he spots her at the bar conversing with some unsavory looking characters. Hmm. She looks busy. I'd best not interrupt and wait until she sees me... His stomach grumbles from a long day on patrol as he hears the fortune teller's call for customers. AHA! He seems friendly enough. Perhaps fortune smiles on me tonight after all. Pak confidently strides toward the distracted Varisian man's table and takes a seat. He slides over a single coin. "I'll take the TRUTH for a silver shield if you please, kind sir."
@Pak: My suggestion to you is that, having worked with Lara in the past, you try to get in touch with her to get more info on Lamm. Maybe leave a note for her with the orphanage she's been donating to, setting up a meeting? If you agree, I'll follow up on that when you post. Hello all! I very much agree with Lara's idea on this. Let's roll with it. However, Pak is a cautious fellow by nature and would want to gather more information. Perhaps even seeking out a diviner's consultation with Nicolai?
"My apologies, the church of Abadar does not give alms to the poor. However, if you wish to feel the warmth and nourishment of our great community, you may come inside and join us harmonizing our morning prayers?"
Updated Backstory in spoiler on profile. May fortune favor the bold!
x10 = 200 Pak Miniweathers. Halfling Paladin of Abadar. At your service. I'll add in the backstory write up to the profile later. |