"Friends, I'd rather hold on to the items which our Iron priest saw auras on. Tomorrow I will be able to try getting more precise readings on their powers. As for the ring, well, perhaps we could even play the part of the hero and return it. Lamm was a more-or-less known criminal, and us coming upon the piece by chance will sound credible to the Guard".
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Sun comes into the back with her items of interest, Geadon takes a look at each, taking his time even though he wants you all out as soon as possible. Finally he says For the teak cigar case I will offer you 25 gold sails, the shuriken is only worth about 100 gold sails, This vial itself is worth about 30 gold sails, now whats inside I can't tell you but I bet its something special. The holy symbol is 300 gold sails, it up to you little darling what you want to part with. he finishes. Andreas calls from the main room, something about keeping the ring but its a bit muffled by the curtains blocking the back to the main area.
Thelix is back. The dot disappeared from my post so I missed the post for a few days. If Thelix has anything he shows it for evaluation.
"Should we check out that fellow who's been tailing us?"
Sun Fei will part with everything but the vial. "Assuming this is somehow magical in nature I'll hang onto it."
"Yes, Inros, that shady fellow should be priority. He looks alone and perhaps we could round him up before he calls reinforcements. Who knows, maybe he is linked to that little trinket we found at Lamm's. We should make it fast and clean, I'm afraid I need some downtime to recover my arcane strength".
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The group finishes its transactions with Geadon, he pays out the prices he quoted to each of you. All of you are getting hungry and Tara has drifted off to sleep in one of the chairs. Breakfast has long pasted and most of you are jealous of Tara as she is at peace in her rest. Sleep starts to catch up on all of you, weary and sore from the nights activities are starting to pay a toll on your bodies. Anyone glancing out the window into the street notice your tail is still no where to be seen. Either he got bored of watching you or found a better spot to observe you.
"We probably shouldn't stay around here too much longer. Anyone know where we can stay for the night? We can take a look around Zellara's tomorrow to see if there are any clues as to who is on to us." replies Sun Fei.
"Hal, or perhaps we're indeed dealing with a spirit of some kind. Somebody Lamm slew earlier and got us together here for some act of revenge. I do not like being played, but in that case I feel almost grateful.
Perhaps you could try my apartments at the University of Korvosa. They are on the thrifty side, but discreet, with the usual amount of students and staff running around. After we recover, we should try keeping an eye open for that mysterious shadower we got".
"I need to keep who ever might be after us away from my mother. She is probably worried, especially with what ever is going on in the city." replies Sun.
"Andreas' place sounds safe. But I'd like to get Tara back home to the rest of our family first."
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After a long round about way to the midlands area of Korvosa to drop off Tara, you make it to Andrea's apt with no problems. The city is in full riot as you made your way. Its not safe on the streets and most stores are closed, the ones that aren't looted that is. Its well into the evening and hopefully things will be better tomorrow and a plan made. The tail you had in Old Korvosa was no where to be seen as you left the back of Hal's friend place and back into the city proper, just making it across the bridge before the city guard closed it down to all traffic.
Andreas' place is a rather small basement apartment in a pretty old tenement, crammed in the small University of Korvosa area overhanging the Heights. You barely have to cross through Leorung Plaza, which now seems to host several groups of people, who right now seem more involved in revolution through (loud) argument than in ransacking the city.
The building is made into the Hill's slope. Though it shares much ivy with the close Leroung Hall, this small piece of Gothic craziness has fared time far worse than its neighbor. Many gargoyles are held by rickety scaffolding and stone has been parched up with brick, that in the areas of wall which are not covered with billboards and graffiti. Down the main hallway, which smells distinctly of alcohol and alchemical components, one wooden staircase goes down. Andreas opens a creaking spearhead-shaped door and shows you the way in: the apartment in question is a rather small room, perhaps it looks smaller than its actual size due to the fact that every wall and a good part of the floor is covered in books of all sizes and shapes. One small window peers into the Plaza pavement above. In times, it had some stained glass figure of an angel, but now metal bars cover most of it, and some holes have been parched with lead. The only furniture is a surprisingly neat bed covered with fur blankets and a mound of scrolls which probably hides a desk and chair underneath. There is also a big chest next to a narrow archway which leads into a tiny kitchen-alchemy lab-bath-privy all-in-one, complete with tin bathtub, oven and stove and a disturbing assortment of bottles, tools and something which looks like human bones. A human skull sits atop a big wheel of cured cheese on a counter and a cauldron rests on the cold fireplace. The smell in the air is a peculiar mix of herbs, vinegar, wax and something metallic, perhaps ink.
Andreas lights up a wax-choked 5-arm chandelier and crumples on the bed, his intuition guiding his hand amidst the mass of books and scrollwork to produce a pipe and a tobacco bag.
"Well, friends, time to rest and celebrate, there must be tea in the kitchen, and perhaps a drop of port in one of those bottles over there".
Thelix carefully tucks the cards away for savekeeping. "I'll join you at the apartment later, if you can give me directions". "I must check on my father, and flock to ensure their safety first". "Hopefully the Lord of Iron has seen fit to offer them the protection of his embrace". "Please be careful, and hopefully we'll meet again soon".
Unless there is anything else he needs to take care of Thelix will rejoin the game at the apartment.
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Thelix heads home quickly to check on his father, taking the long way and avoiding Hell Knight patrols and other gangs of thugs. He finally makes it to his home and his father, Brindel, who is safe sitting by the fire facing the door with an axe across his lap and a mug of good dwarven ale in one hand. He greets you with a big smile and asks what the bloody hell is going ou out there. He knows the queen is dead but that is all he has heard, staying inside for safty. You can see the look of relief on his face as you enter, you can tell he has been so worried about you.
Tara's parents seemed real happy to see their daughter in one piece and gave you high praise turning your face red. Your cousin Heath gave you the biggest surprising hug ever. Everyone cried you remember and seemed pleased by the man you are becoming. They welcomed your new friends, heroes all but were sad to see you leave but understood why.
The others are at Andreas's apt. relaxing and regaining strengh from the days and nights events....
After a day like this, Inros decides to look through the bottles for some port. After a drink or two, enjoying the company of his new friends, he realizes his goal is complete...Tara is home safe.
"My new friends, until tonight, my only purpose has been to find Tara. With that done, and with the adventure of today, I believe whatever new purpose I may have is with everyone here. So, I am ready to go where you go. Uh, as soon as I get some sleep."
Thelix draws out the Harrow deck. Trying his best to remember how he has seen it done on numerous occasions he shuffles then lays out the cards.
Sun Fei watches Thelix, unsure about what they should be doing next. It certainly didn't seem like a very good idea to try and return the brooch all by themselves. And if the crowd was indeed correct the balance of power had shifted.
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Thelix lays out the cards and tries to remember how to read them. Some of the cards he doesn't remember what they mean so he moves onto the ones that he does. The Paladin has something to do with standing strong in the face of adversity, not backing down and staying the course. The Survivor means a person who as been through an ordeal of somekind and also means rebirth. The Sickness is an obvious of course, plague, pestilence, famine and disease. The only other card he recognizes is the Courtesan and has something to do with political intrigue. He looks up and everyone and shakes his head at what the cards are trying to tell them. He wishes he had spent more time with that lady who read their cards earlier she might have been able to disern the meaning..........
The next morning is upon you and your group is all at Andreas's Apt. arriving or waking up.......
OOC: Don't forget Thelix has the "Harrowed" feat, and spent much of his youth having his harrow read by his housekeeper.
"I would think the Queen would be pleased to get her brooch back, and maybe the Court would be happy with a cleric of Gorum during these times. So maybe a more direct return could benefit us"
"Yea, maybe they'll be a reward". "She won't be mad, if we stole it we certainly wouldn't return it in person".
"For once, the guards sound like a good option. We had a struggle with Lamm, which certainly was not dear to them. Finding the brooch as part of his stolen or fenced loot is quite credible.
We could have a walk to their headquarters and see if the place is still standing".
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After much debate and Thelix going over the cards again for answers its decided to head out and somehow return the brooch to the Queen, hopefully for a fat reward. Has you head out you notice that the city is still in chaos, riots continue as does looting but not as bad as the day before. Patrols can be seen breaking up fights and stopping the people trying to loot. They watch you but you encounter no trouble as you walk peacefully to the guards station. You find the guards station empty, every one must be out helping bring peace back to the city. After a quick discussion you all head out to the castle, home of the new ruler of the city. Its a short walk before you come to the castle itself. A very large sandstone pyramid stands before you with a set of stairs leading up with the keep built on top. The keep is built of an immense black marble with multiple towers rising up above it. There are multiple stairs to get up to the keep from all directions but you know this grand stair case is the main entrance, also known as the Great Ramp! The main stairs are where petitioners would normally go to gain an audience with the king, or now the queen. You can see that the castle grounds are on lock down, many pikes and crossbows stand at the ready from possible attack.
You calmly walk up to the closes guard who says State your business here? he waits for an answer from you as other guards move into position to attack if you mean any harm...................
"Very well good sire". Thelix exclaims. "And what were your names again"? "I'm sure the queen will want to know whom was responsible for the return or her possessions to be delayed, when she is done with her morning". "Lord knows we wouldn't want to do anything to distract her from her sorrow". He then gives his best S.E. grin.
1d20+4 → [13,4] = (17) Diplomacy, if required.
Sun Fei leaves it to the others to reply, knowing that social situations are not her strong suit. If prompted she'll reply non-comitally with, "I'm with them."
Inros stands by his partners as the guards approach, steeling himself for any trouble, but hoping for none.
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The guard looks at the new speaker and states, I am Drogin he seems a bit nervious when saying it. I have my orders sir, the Queen is busy today with all that is going on in the city. As he finishes another guard appears on the scene. What's going on here? he asks the guard talking to you. He gives his report to a higher ranking person you guess from his added strips and medals on his uniform. He turns to the group, What have you got that is so important to disturb the Queen?
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The guard nods to Hal, you may come with me then. He turns and begins the long climb up the stairs up the pyramid and to the castle itself. The climb is an easy one and the sites from here are breath taking to all of you. Once at the top you take another set of curling stairs up to the third floor of the castle. At the entrance you are all asked to leave your weapons on the table. There are at least 10 guards in front of the doorway protecting it. As the guard waits for you to as he has asked a beautiful woman dressed in magnificent full plate armour appears at the door and asked the guard, And what do we have here sergeant? she says with a smile as she looks over the assembled group in front of her. He tells her whats going on and she looks you over again. So who are all of you and how did you come into possession of the Queen's brooch?
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The warrioress turns to Hal, the speaker for the party it seems and says Well we have heard of that name before haven't we sergeant? He replys to her Yes mam, he has been on our watch list for quite some time but has evaded us for many years. Very good sergeant I will take them from here, go about your duties, these heroes pose no threat to the queen. He salutes and moves off with some of the other guards. There are many still guarding the doorway still but they part for the beautiful warrior as she beckons you all to follow her into the castle. As you all follow weaponless she informs you her name is Sabina the queen's handmaiden and asks how you'd like to be introduced to the queen?
Thelix nearly shouts in his eagerness, "I am Thelix, son of Brindel, and chosen of the Lord of Iron". "It is indeed a great pleasure to meet you".
"I am Sun Fei." replies the warrior. She felt unsettled without her sword, it had become a point of focus for her. It wasn't so much the lack of a weapon for defense as a feeling of slipping.
"I am Inros Har, formerly of Highbridge where my family are merchants. I am now an adventurer for all of Korvosa."
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After some twists and turns you finally come to the throne room where the queen sits upon the crimson throne. She is a celestial beauty despite the black mourning dress and veil she wears to honor her husband's death. The throne room itself is pristine but strangely empty-an open area with a vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows of past kings and queens looking down from the eastern wall, and crimson tapestries hanging along the others. An immense fireplace offer additional light and heat to the hall, and a silk carpet provides a gently arching path to the throne's base. Sabina halts the group and introduces each of you in turn. She then takes the brooch and hands it to the queen with a flourish, taking up position at the throne's left side of the queen. The queen takes a few moments to look over the brooch and then addresses all of you..
“This brooch was stolen from me some time ago—I
had not expected to see it again, truth be told. And
yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with
kindness. The return of this brooch is much more
than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope.
“I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. His
death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see
his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city
torn apart. All Korvosa stands at the precipice of a disaster
wrought by her citizens—these riots cannot continue. You
have already done my heart a great service in returning
this bauble to me on this dark day, and you shall be
rewarded. Yet, perhaps you can serve your city more.
“If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have
an escort of guards when you leave here—they can see to your
safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of
you to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft to let her know you are
on the way—the Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it can
certainly use the aid of heroes such as yourself. Now, I need
to retire to my personal quarters—my grief has drained me.
Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I
hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning.”
Thelix is filled with pride at the Queen's speech. His father will be so proud...and maybe this is a big step towards making sure that Gorum finally gets a proper place of worship in the city. "Thank you for your trust your majesty" he states with a flourishing bow. "Your faith will not be misplaced".
Sun Fei simply curtsies to the queen, she does not reply only remains silent. In her head she thinks selfish thoughts, So we bring you back a treasure and you press us into service. She tries to steady herself thinking of her blade back with guard and how soon she'll be reunited with it.
Inros finds himself awestruck and unable to say anything. He beams with pride at the Queen's words. With a youthful enthusiasm for battle, he is eager to follow her orders and help at the citadel.
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As the queen leaves she directs Sabina to hand out a reward and with a whirl of the hem in her mourning dress, Queen Ileosa, new ruler of Korvosa, disappears from sight. Sabina opens a chest and hands your group a small silver chest, inside the red velvet lined interior rest 12 gold ingots imprinted with the royal seal of Korvosa. With a smile Sabina leads your group out of the throne room back through the twist and turns finally exiting the castle itself. She turns to you If you wish I will assign an escort to the Citadel. I have sent word ahead of you to Citadel Volshyenek! She waits to see what you decide.....
Speaking quietly to his new friends "with all the fighting and in-fighting going on, I am worried that an 'escort' might decide to switch sides on us."