Branahm:
"What do you mean, a pile of dead and dying? When did you see this?"
Branahm looks closely at the man to see if he seems familiar.
"Thanks, Keth. I owe you one."
"Anyone else? We can leave some of the gear and treasure here if we don't want to risk taking it into the streets right now."
|
Arius pales. "Wait, the King is dead? Do you know how it happened?"
"I'm not sure of the specifics. I heard people on the street gathering in groups and shouting about it. It looked like some of them were getting pretty rowdy and could very easily have caused a scene. If that's any indication of what the rest of the city is like, then it may get a little hectic out there."
She turns and addresses everyone."I wouldn't mind staying with you if you are going to be venturing onto the streets. I'd feel a lot safer in numbers."
Garth shrugs, "If you are crazy enough to go back out there, I will help you get where you are going. I agree that right now there is probably safety in numbers. I would hate to be sleeping here alone and wake up to the building on fire." Garth gets his things ready to go.
|
"Thanks, Keth. I owe you one."
"Anyone else? We can leave some of the gear and treasure here if we don't want to risk taking it into the streets right now."
Anju gazes out the window in amazment.
"So many people...more than I have ever seen..."
Anju appears obviously uncomfortable with the idea but figures that it would be best for everyone to stick together.
"I'll come along as well."
"Thanks. Let's try to catch up with them quickly. I think I know where they'll go."
His unease not showing on his gruff exterior, Keth grips his spear tightly and steps out into the street first, looking this way and that. a low growl escape out of his throat as he sees the throngs carrying torches.
"It seems to be getting worse, we needs make haste"
Branahm:
Everyone else:
You go out into the streets towards the closest guardhouse, You only get past the tavern next door before a Drunken man in the tabard of the city guard stumbles into your party. He’s a mess—he hasn’t changed his uniform in weeks and reeks of stale sweat and ale. He looks up at Keth and slurs Neffi? *Hic* Neffi from Sandpoint? Come let me buy you a drink on this Evil night - its the begining of the end for our fair city! *Hic*
Branahm shrugs aside the odd encounter for the moment. "Hurry, Alika. The guardhouse is just ahead."
|
|
Anju puts the leash on Tikaani and follows Arius and the others out the door.
Once outside Anju realizes how loud and insane the streets really are. People shouting with torches and yelling. Anju is completely terrified and her head darts every which way. She sees a drunk guard approach Keth.
With one hand holding the leash Anju reaches out with the other and grabs onto Arius's cloak.
Anju puts the leash on Tikaani and follows Arius and the others out the door.
Once outside Anju realizes how loud and insane the streets really are. People shouting with torches and yelling. Anju is completely terrified and her head darts every which way. She sees a drunk guard approach Keth.
With one hand holding the leash Anju reaches out with the other and grabs onto Arius's cloak.
Tikaani stays close to Anju ears back and emitting a low growl.
not being the most diplomatic of sorts, keth takes a step away from the drunk guard, and one hand on shield other on the spear, looks down at the mans hand on his clothes, and then looks right into the drunk guards eyes with a cold stare.
"Neffi? I am not Neffi. I go by Longstrider hereabouts. Please to unhand me sir. I have urgent business that does not allow me to drink at the moment."
Arius notices Anju's grasp--and her nervousness. "Don't worry, Lady Anju. If we can take care of Lamm, we can handle a little trouble in the streets."
Arius scrutinizes the man's face. He's sure that he knows him from somewhere.
Arius looks surprised for a moment, as if he recognizes who the drunkard is. "Ah, don't mind my friend here; he's just a bit distracted by what's happened lately. Here, have one on me." He quickly pulls a silver piece out of his pouch and gives it to the man.
"We have to run now, but maybe we can have a drink with you later. Where are you headed?"
Garth walks at the rear of the group, keeping out an eye behind them. Given his earlier experience with the mob, he doesn't like the look of where things are going. "We should keep moving!"
Keth growls low in his throat again..."This is getting us nowhere. We should hurry, with the way these crowds are turning...Lamm could easily break away from Ox." To the guardsman he says "Arius thinks you're ok. So have that drink on him and let us be." with that Keth moves past the Sergeant and heads in the direction Arius had indicated, keeping a tight grip on his weapon and using the side of the spear and the shield to push his way past any that get in his way...
Branahm:
Everyone else:
The Guard looks at Arius and scoffs I was on my way out of the tavern, I was offering one for my *hic* friend 'ere at this point he passes out onto Arius' feet.
Arius shrugs, then hurries after his companions.
"Commander, my name is Branahm Pelgane, a priest of Torag. I saw what this scum was doing, and I would be happy to testify against him if it would help put him away."
Tikaani sniffs the guard and licks his face before following Anju.
Garth looks at the guard passed out in a drunken stupor. A pang of guilt prevents him from leaving the man laying in the street. He quickly drags the man over to the side of the inn and props him up in a sitting position. "You'd do the same for me, right friend?" he asks the unconcious gaurd. His guilt reduced sleightly, Garth hurries to catch up with the others.
Arius' group:
You reach the guard house without further incident, a guard stops you as you go to enter and asks your business. Upon hearing your claims to be with the 3 people who came in with a prisoner earlier, he calls a junior officer over, telling him to interrupt Field martial Kroft, and ask what should be done.
Branaham's group: At this point a low ranking guard comes in nervously, and whispers some things in Kroft's ear. She smiles and says "bring them in" she looks at you and says looks like the rest of your merry band didn't want to wait behind after all.
Everyone:As Arius' group files into Kroft's office she looks them over expertly. I have 3 things I was about to tell your friends here: First off, I want to thank you for bringing this fugitive to justice, I would have loved to do it with the regular guard, but we just don't have the manpower to chase every criminal in the city. Secondly, you handled yourselves well out there, not destroying much of the city in the process or killing innocents, would you consider doing similar tasks for me as 'consultants' of sorts? and Lastly, your friend Rags told me that you looted a Broach from this worm's lair, may I see it? Yes, this is defiantly the Queen's. If I were you, I would go to the palace to hand this in and claim the reward that she posted on it. If you would like to take me up on my 'consulting' offer, I will have some issues lined up for you when you get back
Arius hands the Commander the brooch when she mentions it.
"I'd be interested in your offer."
"If 'consulting' work will allow us to stop people like Lamm, I am interested as well."
"Would we be paid for this consulting work?
Of course, it wouldn't be much by way of 'work' if you weren't compensated!
"I would be interested as well." says Garth.
Field Marshal Kroft smiles as she pens a short note and hands it to Arius. This will get you past the guards stationed here for when you need to talk to me. I will go get a case for you to review, but in the meantime, I urge you to give back that broach, the queen seems very protective of that bauble, and if she hears its been found and not returned to her, she may send her personal guards out to find you, and I have no control over their actions.
Arius takes the note.
"Thank you for this--and the warning about the queen's private guards. I need to know at least one thing more. What will happen to Lamm now?"
The field marshal grins, Well... like I said the queen is rather one minded, if she finds out this lout was holding her beloved bauble, you can be sure he'll get the worst sentance his crimes will allow... and stealing from the monarchy is TREASON.....
"In other words--torture, followed by execution. I'd never thought that I'd feel pity for Lamm."
Arius looks at his sister for a moment.
"But not enough to make me forget my duty. Please let me know if you need my testimony at his trial. I'd be happy to detail exactly how and where we found the brooch."
"I was hoping to escort Alika to a safe place first, but perhaps we should return it immediately."
"Surely it can wait till the morning. If we hope to make a good impression on the Queen's Guards, prudence suggests washing off the blood and filth from tonight's work."
Keth stayed to the rear of the group as they entered the guardhouse, not wanting to get in the way of those more intelligent then he as they negotiated Lamm's fate and possible employment bringing in more such as he...As they prepared to head to the palace to bring the broach back to the Queen, The Ranger came up beside Arius and said "How is this helping Anju with the shivers problem?...and Isnt the Queen known as someone not too nice?"
|
|
Keth stayed to the rear of the group as they entered the guardhouse, not wanting to get in the way of those more intelligent then he as they negotiated Lamm's fate and possible employment bringing in more such as he...As they prepared to head to the palace to bring the broach back to the Queen, The Ranger came up beside Arius and said "How is this helping Anju with the shivers problem?...and Isnt the Queen known as someone not too nice?"
Anju stayed in the back of the group with Keth while negotiations were being made. Despite the differences in their race, Anju could relate to the blank look on Keth's face as the others spoke about money and work. Upon hearing his sentence, Anju couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the old man. But just like nature, the law is very unforgiving and those who deserve punishment shall get it! Anju tells herself this as she follows the others out the door.
While they're leaving Anju sees Keth walk over to Arius and say something to him. She can't hear everything he says but can hear a sceptic tone in his voice.
Anju looks down at Tikaani and says "I'm not so sure about this..."
Arius looks sheepish. "You're right. Let's ask Commander Kroft about shivers when we return to talk about this job that she has for us."
He continues softly, "As for the Queen, I think that she's Chelaxian to the core--the new breed of Chelaxian, not like the old days. We need to give her back her bauble, but your wariness is wise."
With a nod at Arius, Keth glanced back at the Cleric who was his brother...odd that these two would take up Arcane and Divine paths. He said "yes we go back to the house" and shivered unconsciously at the thought of staying for the night with the spirit..."wash up and go see this Chelaxian Queen in the morning, before she sees us." The last said with a hint of venom and intrepidation.
|
As a terrifying testament to the power of whatever mighty overlord ruled this land thousands of years ago, Castle Korvosa’s long shadow looms over the city. A magnificent achievement of architecture, the castle walls and spires rise high into the sky above. The entire structure looms even higher for its ancient foundation—a Thassilonian ruin in the shape of an immense flat-topped pyramid. Although one corner of this impressive foundation has fallen into ruin, the additions built onto the sides by eager and talented Korvosan masons have created one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Varisia. Castle Korvosa can be approached from all four directions—ramps or stairways allow access up the sides
of the pyramid to the courtyard surrounding the central structure. Normally, petitioners to the monarchy (such as PCs seeking to return a stolen brooch) would approach from the Great Ramp, wait in the Public Courtyard to speakto the Korvosan Guards on duty, and hope for a chance to
be heard. In these frantic times, the Castle itself has been locked tight and bristles with pikes and crossbows. Guards demand to know your business as you approach
In preparation for the trip to the castle, Arius magically cleans himself off via Prestidigitation and wears his better tunic. Branahm does the same, but also wears his holy symbol prominently to indicate his priestly calling.
Before the trip to the castle, the brothers leave on an early errand with Alika. She thanks all of her rescuers profusely before leaving and gives Tikaani a marrow-filled bone.
The brothers bring Alika back to the rest of their family. Arius carefully avoids pointing out how their sibling were all wrong about her death three years ago. Branahm has no such scruples. The brothers leave the festivities quickly to rejoin their companions, leaving Alika with their family.
"We discovered some of the Queen's property in the possession of a criminal whom we captured. We wish to return it."
Branahm shows the guard the brooch.
Arius smiles and attempts to look like an upstanding citizen.
Diplomacy roll (Aid Another) (1d20+5=15)
Keth got up early and stretched, looked outside at the foreboding pile of stonework that was the palace....and sighed deep inside. When the brothers went to run their morning errand, he had practiced with his weapons, going through his morning ritual. It kept his skills honed.
Upon their return, Arius muttered a few words and with a wave of his hand His clothing was clean and he looked presentable at court. The Mage looked around and asked if anyone else desired the same...mumbling, Keth accepted the minor magics, and saw his weapons gleam and equipment look in good stead as a result...He nodded and said under his breath "handy"
not long after the party began to make their way up toward the palace, and Keth once more took point until they reached the guardpoint, then he stepped to the side as The brothers moved forward. He kept a wary eye on the proceedings.
|
|
Elizabeth accepts Arius' offer of Prestidgitation, makes sure that her dress is as revealing as possible to help with any problems they may have with the Guards and then follows the others to Castle Korvosa.
Once there, she lets the brothers take point, while hanging back a little to assess the situation. She makes sure that she can be easily seen by the Guards and will step up to help if it looks like they are having problems.