The guardsmen outside continued with his proclamation, and it became easier to understand with each repetition. His voice approached from the south, the side of the narrow pathway towards the ship, and the clutter of armor accompanied him - he likely was accompanied by city guardsmen.
The boy, and "Ein" slowly rose, Ein aided by the still speechless Katryala. Something about the matter seemed to have taken all the words out of her mouth, for the moment at least. It was Kro who spoke up. "Let's just wait it out. They can't be everywhere, all the time. Once they're gone, we're home free." His recovery from the traumatic experience was remarkable - maybe a resilience years of abuse under Lamm had fostered.
Ein chimed in. "The cookie's right." Then, he took a look at Ayedah's face, and became all the less cocksure again. "I... I've come here, five years ago. Lamm was... losing boys fast. Many ran away. Many died. Some got caught. Needed help fast, and couldn't wait for easy pickings."
Visibly intimidated, he continued (hesitantly, since he did not know if she cared for the longer explaination) "Those boys who grow too big for him... grow beards, or such... he feeds them to his crocodile. That is, unless he feels he can make them his muscle. Giggles and the gnome keep the small ones in line, but if he needs someone's legs broken, he comes to us. I've been muscle for three years now. The others, too. He's... well, it beats living in the fishery, and we don't have to beg for sweets. But we won't go and risk our lives avenging Lamm."
"This is along the lines of what I figured, it is rare after all, for a murderous wretch like Lamm to garner true loyalty. If you can assure us they are no immediate danger to us" he address Ein "I am content to leave them for the moment" this more addressed to Ayrdah. Then back to Ein "Of course, it would be wise before you answer to be aware that, for the moment at least, your fate is linked to ours" as he fingers the hilt of his blade.
Then to all in a stage whisper "Now, the guard is close! Keep your voices down until they're well past and stay still for %#@*'s sake!"
While waiting for the guard to pass, Jillian will begin a search for any valuables that may be worth a fair share of coin.
After the guards passed, Alandra also began to search all rooms of the fishery.
"Why did the stupid King have to die?" she muttered to no one in particular.
Assuming that the group will be staying a while, Jillian will also 'take 20' :)
Ayedah's face turned grim as Ein explained what happened to many of the children, fear becoming visible in her eyes. At Zalen's urgings, she spoke more quietly, as well as with a hesitating weakness that betrayed her dread. "So none of the others left have been with Lamm for seven years? You have never heard of a girl named Sozite?"
The news of the curfew didn't surprise Krek - another excuse to put more restrictions on the people.
What he did realize, however, was one of his appearance would be the first to be "questioned." He'd no intention of coming into contact with the guards, so he kept near the talkative Rogue; he seemed to be up on the happenings of the town, and perhaps he'd shed some light on the situation at some point.
Alandra and Jillian set off to (quietly) search and loot the place they had so recently "conquered". The prediction that the other boys would not give them any trouble held true - any motion previously heard aboard the ship ceased quickly. Obviously the other "thugs" had decided to play it safe for the moment. They quickly scoured the upper floor, and found little of obvious value. In an office room, they discovered a lot of business records... most of them obviously kept by the previous operator of the fishery, but scattered among them, notes for "Special Deliver: 1" or "Special Delivery: 2" with once a "Special Delivery: 3" mentioned, and fourty, eighty and a hundred and twenty gold noted down, the last with an exclamation point. They nearly would have missed the last find - something possibly related. It was a simple, crumbled note left behind the bookshelf in the room with the desk. "Prepare the delivery for midnight. Your cerulean contact will fetch it - payment will be rendered once it is verified to be in acceptable state." Simple words, but written with definite panache and a flowing script that seemed nothing short of the hand of a professional scribe.
Knowledge: Local 15:
Hidden under the desk was a key that opened a cabinet, and a obviously-forgotten necklace featuring a remarkably impure garnet (though it still might be worth some money). The cabinet contained piteous amounts of coin, all amounting to just shy of five silvers - but they found a much more meaningful amount of coin in the room their first enemies had emerged from. In six pouches, there was more money - four with fifty pieces of copper, and four with an equal amount in silver.
Searching through all of Lamm's clutter in the room he had met his end would take hours, most likely - but at the moment, a selection of shoddy knifes (half a dozen), and three crossbows showed the extend of the man's preparation - or maybe old age had taken its toll, and he began to forget just how many of each he had already stowed somewhere.
It was only when they entered his sleeping quarters they found the real deal. And it was quite a deal. Not the quarters themselves, they were surprisingly little better than what he treated his orphans to. The bed might have been good once upon a time, but now it stank of wetness, and the telltale black spot of bugs were all through the bedding. Nor the meal that must have stood forgotten for weeks, with an entire nest of roaches already devouring it. No, a hatbox and a heavier lockbox were the true finds of the day. Most likely that was where Lamm kept the more significant "take". The real money, as they said.
A quick search of Lamm's corpse brought a keyring to light that probably would open the lockbox.
In the meantime, Zalen, Ayedah and Krek continued to interrogate "Ein". He had quieted down considerably, probably due to being more mature than Kro, who just... did not seem to be able to cope with the horror any other way than to just stare quietly. Ein, however, got himself together somewhat "Boys come, and go. Most don't make it. Some manage to get away" he nodded to Krek - was that a gesture of respect? "With girls, its... different. We've always had less to start with. More delicate, they are. But those we had... disappeared. We didn't hear them scream so much, so i don't think they... got killed. But they disappear and never come back. Don't know for sure, but... i doubt he lets them go."
The young man knew little more than that, it seemed... but fear of Ayedah's fury made him talk nevertheless. "Some of the boys think he sells them to a pimp. I mean, he... we... we never touched them, and if they become old enough, they just disappear. We... don't know for sure, but... might be?" He looked as if expecting either praise or a hit to the neck now.
Assuming this, upon seeing the note Zalen will share with any of those who may not already know, info about the Cerulean Society. "This could be bad news folks, if Lamm was paying protection money he May have some sort of 'insurance' contract ie "Get the buggers what done me in" sort of thing" He pauses in thought for a second "Then again, a despicable bastard like Lamm may not have had any friends to care about what happened to his rotten corpse"
As to the loot, Zalen will suggest they split it evenly amongst themselves and ask any of the magic types if they could wiggle their fingers to see if anything is enchanted. (Krek, are you letting anyone know of your knife find? If you choose not too then of course we just don't know about it)
Hearing Ein answer Ayedah's questions Zalen will discreetly say "Ayedah, what Ein says may be correct. I have..heard of similar practices happening before. While I have never had need or desire to frequent such places myself, I am aware of them and can think of a few places we might be able to begin a search for her if you wish."
Jillian will split the coin up, so that everyone gets an equal share.
Alandra held up a key and told the others
"I think this might open a box we found down there, in Lamm's room."
Turning quickly to Zalen after his revelations of Lamm's protection, Krek demands "What else do you know? We could be hunted as we speak if someone escaped to alert these Ceruleans of us."
His mind racing, yet going nowhere, the Half-Orc grew angry. "The guards will be suspicious of us, and this pact Lamm had may close in on us here." It was more thinking aloud than anything, but while Krek did not fear combat, he knew either force would make their demise quick.
"From what the note says, it seems that a contact is headed over tonight... Anyone know what time it is?"
Once Ein finished relating what he knew, Ayedah visibly calmed a bit, dropping her threatening stance completely. She wasn't quite relieved, the notion of her friend being sold sickened her, but at least now she knew there was still some hope.
Hearing Ein answer Ayedah's questions Zalen will discreetly say "Ayedah, what Ein says may be correct. I have..heard of similar practices happening before. While I have never had need or desire to frequent such places myself, I am aware of them and can think of a few places we might be able to begin a search for her if you wish."
Ayedah looked a bit caught offguard. She had felt so angry towards Zalen just a moment ago, so ready to lay so much blame on him for ending her search, and here he was offering to help her. Feeling shame for her earlier outrage, she awkwardly replied, "Th-thank you. I would be grateful to have your help." Now she did show some genuine relief.
Upon hearing Krek's words, she realized just how much she had lost focus on the more immediate matters at hand. "If we're expecting someone coming soon, should we be waiting here for them or should we stay down below?" Her voice hung on the latter option as she saw Alandra presenting the key she had found. She was very curious and hopeful about what Lamm had locked away down there,
"Of course my flower" Zalen mummers to Ayedah's thanks.
Zalen's eyes then also greedily go to the key Alandra holds up. "I say let's take it downstairs folks, the creaks in this dilapidated shack should give us early warning if anyone happens to come in. Actually I have an idea I've used before..."
Zalen quietly goes to the doors and sees if he can lock them from the inside. Whether he can or not, he will then set up a make-shift 'alarm' by propping a bottle or something noisy against the door(s) which would fall and make noise should anyone try to open it/them from the outside. Once he does so he says to the group "Ok, I'm going down, you all coming?" And heads down the trap door, motioning Ein and Kor to go ahead of him.
Alandra gave Zalen the key and followed him downstairs.
"Who are these Curulans, and do you think they're coming tonight?" she asked him.
Zalen takes the key with a nod of thanks and answers Alandra's question "It's hard to say gumdrop. That note could have been sitting there for days, weeks or years"
As they walked downstairs Ayedah quietly asked, "Is Gern alright? He was hurt pretty badly when I last saw him." There was a sheepish note in her voice, due in no small part to her being the first to leave him behind.
Her eyes strayed to the water beneath the walk. The idea of a fish large enough to eat a person still made her uneasy.
Gern had sat down in a relatively clean corner, and looked up as the group slowly trickled back into the room. "Just taking a breather, no worries about me. No overgrown pair of boots is keeping me from my work for long." He seemed safe enough for the moment, and moved over as the group set out to open the last two items worth looking at.
The hat box came first, and inside, a grisly surprise loomed. It was a severed head, crudely preserved and decorated with enough rouge, charcoal and lipstick to make several harlots seem cultured and subtle in their makeup. It was beginning to decay, and it took several heartbeats until the group found within themselves just who that was. Zellara. From the look of things, she had been dead for weeks at least.
A faint shimmer of light appeared among the group just then, slowly, almost tiredly forming into the beautiful Varisian's figure. "It is true, my friends. I am dead. When i found out what happened to my boy, i... lost my senses. Came here alone. Walked into the open knife. I am sorry for deceiving you as i did... but i had to be sure. Had to make him face justice." She moved her hands, in a gesture begging forgiveness. "Now that he is dead, i feel as if a millstone has been taken from my neck."
Alandra looked at the apparition in horror and backed away clutching her holy symbol of Pharasma. " A ghost." she whispered.
Zellara nodded, and kept her distance from the young priestess of the Lady of Graves. She seemed not to be angered by her outburst, but rather... saddened. "That i am. Here for a while longer before travelling to the Boneyard."
She waited, trying to gauge the group's reaction... anxious almost?
Caught off guard by the horror of discovering Zellara's head and the shock of her sudden appearance, Ayedah pulled back in fear until the apparition and Alandra began sharing words. This was all so confusing, she wasn't quite sure if what she was seeing was real or not.
Fear was giving way to curiosity and wonder as she found herself slowly and haltingly reaching out to touch Zellara's shoulder. "Are you like the spirits our shamans speak to?" she asked quietly, unaware that she was actually voicing the question aloud.
Ayedah's hand found no resistance in the insubstantial apparition, just the indistinct feeling of something being there. There, but intangible.
"It is possible, though i can not say for certain, Child of the Storval. I thought that Lamm's demise would be the end of me as well. It is all said and done. My family is extinguished, and my revenge is also complete. But there is another thing."
She looked at the gathered, nodding. "When i read your fate, i realized that this is merely the first dialog in the first chapter. Korvosa sits just barely on the edge of anarchy, and heroes such as you are needed. I know not how, but you have a role to play in the events that will follow. Maybe i am still here to help you fulfill that role, in repayment for avenging both my boy and myself."
Jillian is equally stunned as her comrades. "all I can say is that I hope you may rest in peace from this point on."
His initial repulsion slowly giving way to fascination, Zalen seems to perk up at Zellara's last words. "Perhaps, you can be of help to us Zellara. We have just heard news of the King's death. Might you have any idea what this portends? And perhaps we can still help you. Your murder must have left much behind undone. Is there anyone you would have us contact or anything else you need us to do? And what is to become of your place?" Zalen attempts to keep the tiny glint of greed out of his voice as he says this last.
If it hadn't already been done, he also subtly closes the hat box out of respect to the dead.
Zellara gave Zalen a sly smile, as if she knew more about him than he could probably be comfortable with, scoundrel that he was. "If you wish, you can use my home - provided you keep it in good condition. Other than that... no. There is not much you can do."
The ghostly Varisian moved towards the strongbox from Lamm's bedroom, and her hands vanished inside. "My cards, they are in here. I can feel them. Please, take them for yourself. As long as you hold them, i will be able to aid you. I can tell you much about the hidden true nature of many things you discover. I can advise you - sometimes. Having a visible form like this is taxing, and i can not do so too frequently. We have passed a junction of destiny tonight. So many things happening. The curse of the crimson throne has claimed another victim, and darker days loom on the horizons. If you will have me as your advisor, i will tell you when we approach another such junction... and lay a spread of cards to make your fates known."
"Thank you for your help, Zellara." says Jillian.
If she can get the cards, Jillian takes them, and tosses them to Zlaen. "If I hold on to these, they'd be lost within the day"
Heroes. Krek didn't like the sound of that.
The ghost did give him a mild bit of a start, though he'd heard of such forces around the Pantheon before. Recognizing it as the reader, he relaxed - at first. It seemed she wanted something from them now though. They'd already exacted her revenge, but now she meant to have them get involved with the throne.
Suspicious as always, Krek was very skeptical of her words; he would not be manipulated towards a foul end by some otherworldy entity.
He inclined his head toward the ghost. "What would you have us do? You seem to be good at having your tasks completed the way you want. Surely you can tell us how you'd like this one done as well."
Krek was met with a small smile. "It is not so much what i want, but what will come your way me helping or harming. I merely offered my help, because i owe you a dept of gratitude." She seemed rather meek and if she had a hidden agenda, it was hidden well, because even Krek's careful eye failed to pick up the telltale hesitations and awkward turns of phrase that usually preceeded falsehoods.
Jillian, in the meantime, used the keys from Lamm's keyring to open the lockbox. Inside, there was a selection of different treasures, each of them wrapped in thin sheets of cloth to preserve them from the damp. Right on top, tied together with a silken ribbon, was Zellara's harrow deck, much like the ghostly cards she had conjured for the group earlier. Also, they found a cigar case, inlaid with several chips of jade. These formed a decorative, abstract pattern, and the case even contained a single cigar. A golden ingot, two pounds heavy and stamped with the chelish coat of arms rested besides the case. There also was a miniature golden crown, as if for a puppet, topped with tiny pearly on each end. A fist-sized scrimshaw carving of a kraken with garnets for eyes was contained in the next bundle, followed by a silver ring. It was engraved with fine, flowing script stating "for Hannah, the Light of my Nights", in masterful calligraphy.
An ivory carving of two succibi entwined around each other came next, extremely well done, but detailed enough to make a proper lady blush if not faint. a shuriken with edges so sharp, even touching them drew blood, an adamantine arrowhead, an abalone-shell holy symbol of Shelyn a tiny glass tube containing a dose of a yellow-brown oild, an obsidian wand and a crystal vial with a thick, gooey silver liquid were the last items in the chest... last save one.
Appraise DC 15:
You examine the objects further, and come to the following values:
- Cigar Case. 25 Gold, if that much
- Crown: 350 Gold, maybe more for a collector
- Carving: 200 Gold
- Ring: Depends on if you find someone in love with a Hannah. Probably 150 Gold otherwise
- Succubi statue: 450 Gold, or a sound beating... depending on the buyer.
- Holy Symbol: 300 Gold
The most significant find was a brooch. Though its clasp was shorn off, this was indubitably the find of the night. It displayed, in exquisite detail, a fight between an imp and a pseudodragon. forming a pattern of dark against light, each seeking to conquer the other. Inside the golden circle, the imp's scales were wrought from brushed platinum, while the imp was made from red gold. As a startling contrast, the imp's eye is a single, sparkling ruby, while the pseudodragon shows two amethysts.
Knowledge: Nobility and Royalty DC 15 OR Knowledge: Local DC 20
Ayedah was still staring in wonder at their ghostly benefactor when Jillian began rummaging around the lockbox. "Chosen by the spirits?" she whispered idly under her breath. Thoughts of Nayr and the children began to pick at her mind as well when Zalen mentioned the house. Were they alright?
As Lamm's stolen treasures were presented, she found herself wondering how many had been taken by children like her friends and how many had been taken over the bodies of the dead. She mulled over the engraved ring for quite some time, imagining the two people it tied together. The sight of the succubi statuette broke her out of her reverie and left her staring for a bit longer than was appropriate before she turned her head away, blushing and trying not to let her eyes wander back to it.
When she saw the finely detailed brooch, she looked over all the other treasures and voiced her concern, "How many people do you think Lamm has taken from in all this time?" She reached out to the ring. "Does anyone know H-" she caught herself, feeling foolish for nearly asking if any of the others knew this "Hannah". This wasn't one of her tribes and it certainly wasn't one of the smaller villages in the lowlands where such a question would be reasonable. This was a city, with an enormous sprawl of people. "What chance would we have in finding the the owners of this ring?"
Alandra listened to Kellara’s ghost's words with trepidation, not understanding much of what was said. The death of King Eodred, anarchy, heroes, the curse of the Crimson Throne, she didn’t know what any of these had to do with her. But the fact she was there, listening to a ghost, was a good indication that great change was on the way, and she had a part to play in it. The adventure wasn’t going to end with Lamm’s killing, it was only just beginning.
She handled each of the items that came out of the box in turn, particularly intrigued with the shiny shuriken, concentrating for a moment on each one.
Alandra spent a longer time concentrating on the obsidian wand, the crystal vial and the glass tube of oil. When she finished she explained to the rest of the group what she had learned about the items.
Krek peered over the nimble one's shoulders as the items were revealed. The lot was seemingly piecemeal, not much of a trend between the items to him. When the succubus statuette was revealed, Krek did not bother to surpress a smirk; it had been a dour evening, and he hated repressing his feelings.
With the priestess's revelations, he asked "This oil will only make my rusty sword sharp again? I was hoping it would make it seem like new." His old weapon was visibly so, and, as Krek considered it an affront to the Lord of Iron to have his battle gear in such condition, he was disappointed with the oil.
"We done here?"
Gern nodded. "I guess so. You split up that loot among yourselves. I've got no taste to profit from Lamm's murdering and thieving ways. Leave me with honest work, and I'll die a glad man."
The watchmen had seemingly passed the building, and it should be as safe as ever to walk outside now. Zellara's home was not far anyway, so getting there should be safe.
That was, if anything to do here had been done.
Alandra was examining the shuriken again.
"This thing is so cool. Can I have it? I don't want any of the other magic stuff."
Alandra then examined the exquisite brooch.
"I think I know what this is, it's the Queen's lost brooch! There's a big reward for whoever returns it to her."
"Oh really?" Jillian says with a smirk. "That sounds good"
Gern's words struck home with Ayedah. But still, hesitant though she was to claim any of the Lamm's ill-gotten treasure, she had to start making money to keep her friend's home. The ring clearly belonged to someone else though, and it actually had a clue of who should have it. She turned to Gern, holding out the ring. "Do you know of any way to find this ring's owner? Is there any place in this city people go to find such things?"
She was hesitant to ask if the city guard were the ones she should turn to for help. She was still bitter about her earlier experience with them.
"We should go back to Zellara's home soon, shouldn't we? To make sure Nayr and the children are alright?" She was beginning to worry for them now that they knew about the curfew and Zellara's fate. Would Nayr be able to keep them all under control and out of harm's way?
She paused, uncertain how to put her next words. "I am sorry for the loss of your king." She wasn't quite sure what else to say. She did not understand how they viewed their leader. What little she caught from some of the mutterings didn't seem very flattering towards him. It seemed strange to her to have a man they did not respect ruling them, but it was not the first time Korvosa had befuddled her.
Zalen takes in all the words of his companions and comes to a decision.
"All right folks, looks likes we have a few ways to go from here. Gern, I appreciate your position although I certainly don't share it. You are always welcome with us, stalwart warrior that you are, but if you feel, now that your brother is avenged, that your path lies elsewhere, I understand." He looks around the rest of the group "As for the rest of us, I suggest the first order of business is to get out of here. We now, thanks to our guardian spirit, have a 'base' of sorts at Zellara's. Plus, as our lovely Shoanti companion has mentioned, there's still the kids to check on. So, here's what I suggest. Let's gather up anything of value in this crap shack, make our way over to Zellara's, divy up the loot and decide what to do about that ring Ayeadah's got there and the Queen's broach. Sound good?"
Zalen, knowing how sneaky and hidey Lamm's sort can be, won't want to leave though without making sure they've made a Very through search of the place and bodies they're leaving behind (unless we've already done that GM?) He'll also ask Ein and Kro if they know of any secret stashes anywhere.
He'll be last to leave the basement and will take Zellara's head in a hat box with him for a proper burying and will try and find something to put Lamm's head in just in case they have need of it.
"Uh... yeah. What he said."
She follows the group out the door.
Zalen's idea sounded as good as anything to Alandra.
"Let's go. We should try to get some sleep when we get there. I'm tired."
Just as they had suspected, it did not take the group long to return to the home. They found Nayr and the children inside, looking somewhat... disquieted. And for good reason. The room was bare, and most of the decorative bits and pieces they remembered were flat gone. It was cold, and somewhat drafty. Someone obviously had looted the place after Zellara's death. Nayr and the orphans had made a small fire, but it was not yet strong enough to really heat up the room.
"Now, friends... You are back, and that is good. But... do you know what the meaning of this is? I remember the place much more beautiful and frankly well-furnished." The group explained the demise of Gaedren Lamm, and the state of their benefactor. Slowly, the pieces fell into place.
Outside, they could hear the city waking. The announcement of King Eodred's death were still ongoing, and already the city buckled under the reigns of a new monarch. There was screams and shouting heard from down the lane, and commands to stay inside and obey the law. Mixed into these were cries of "Whore Queen", "Golddigger", and other expletives directed at the now-ruler of Korvosa. The woman was not well-liked, and for good reason. Queen Illeosa Arabasti had only come from Cheliax two years ago, and bewitched the aging monarch with her youthful looks and (some said) shocking willingness to please. The aging man had even chased out his sizable harem. Since then, the Stirge King had a queen who was only marginally less spendthrift, but hated with a passion by the common folk. No wonder, with her being a foreigner there naturally was talk of her "stealing" the crimson throne.
The group spend most of the night together, until the early morning hours heralded the lifting of the curfew. Each of the group was bound to a destination.
When the group got to Zellara's house, Alandra wanted to continue back to Gray, but the rest of the group convinced her it would too risky, so she fell asleep. When she awoke it was after dawn and the curfew had been lifted.
"I'm going to be in big trouble now," she told Zalen, "They'll know for sure I was gone all night when I was supposed to be on guard duty. Maybe I should take the brooch to the castle. They wouldn't think I stole it, would they? Maybe the queen would help me."
"I need to say my prayers now anyway." She spent an hour in prayer before doing anything else.
Ayedah woke with a start, having somehow managed to doze off some time during the night while sitting near the door, her hammer in her hands. It felt strange; letting her guard down among all these strangers. But after what they went through last night, they were the closest things she had to friends in the city.
Hearing Alandra's mention of returning the brooch to the queen, she was reminded that she did need money, if only to eat and keep her apartment. Her eyes suddenly widened at the thought of the apartment and the current situation on the streets. Was it safe? "I need to check on something." she said as she started for the door, and then catching herself. Turning back, "Uh, is everyone meeting back here? Zellara said we were meant to do something, right?" She was asking everyone in general, but she was looking at Zalen for guidance on this. After all, he said he could help her search for Sozite. She had to stick by him at the very least.
And with a bit of shame at not thinking to ask before, she added, "And...what about the children?" She looked to Nayr as she asked this last question.
"I think with a group like this, a venture out to the streets should be safe enough, assuming you cover my backs as I will cover yours" Jillian feels a connection with these tall folk, after the night's events. They seem to be the right group to go along with. "I suggest heading out as soon as we solve the problem with these children..."
Nayr waked through the night, still troubled by all he had learned. When asked what he planned to do, he considered for a moment. "I will see to it that these children have a place to stay, for a while at least. Some of them need foster parents, some probably have parents waiting for their return, and others are old enough to be apprenticed for some trade." He eyed Jillian for a moment. "You are of course very welcome in this. It will be much easier than if i had to do it alone." He did not mention any other duties he might have - either he put them behind the wellbeing of the children, or they were none to pressing.
"I suppose I can take one who is willing" She will look for a halfling (of course) to apprentice.
After a short rest, Krek woke before dawn. The only routine he had, praying, was broken - at least in priority - as he glanced at the children around the empty place. He remembered how difficult it had been; he then prayed for guidance in the matter along with his usual praises and requests.
With Nayr's statement, Krek was more than willing to assist.
"The Pantheon has taken in more than a few orphans over the years. I will take some to the priesthood."
Zalen approaches the girl Ayen, assuming she’ll know the most about the kids and which ones have parents waiting and which do not. He’ll ask her to help Nayr in his efforts to make sure the children are all well taken care of. First returning the ones who do have parents back to them (he is actually thinking of helping in this, if there's time, as the idea of possible Rewards flashes through his mind =) He’ll then do a Knowledge local check to see if he knows of any orphanages or good natured childless parents who would be willing to take any orphans in. He then has an idea and turns to Alandra. “Alandra, my blossom, I’ve just had an idea. Do you think that your church/school would be willing to take in any children that ‘fit their bill’? I mean, if you showed up this morning with a grand story of a brave rescue of several endangered waifs they couldn’t be angry at you, could they??” He’ll then encourage her to speak to the kids and see if she thinks any would ‘qualify’ to be taken in by her mentors. He’ll then suggest the same thing to Krek.
As for the older kids or any that haven’t otherwise been taken care of yet, Zalen will, depending on how many there are, give them a few silvers or a gold or two to aid them in whatever path they now choose for themselves. He’ll also encourage them to take this new lease on life they’ve been given to move away from the path Lamm had them on to something more positive. And lets them know he’ll be around if they find themselves in dire need. He then thinks that it might not be a bad idea to start setting up a network of young informants himself and asks if any of them would be interested in such an arrangement, Very different from Lamm's, basically just passing on info and being Zalen's eyes and ears in the city. NO stealing involved.
Last but not least, he turns to Ayen and says “You, my dear, are a very special child, to survive all you have yet still be so full of life and good hearted is a wonder.” Yadda yadda, he lets her know that whatever she decides to do or wherever she decides to go she will have in him a friend and benefactor and that she can come to him anytime she needs help of any kind and that this will be the groups new base of operations so she can find or leave a message for him here. And he discreetly gives her 5gp to help her on her way (unless she decideds to stay? He never had a sister and is already starting to feel a brotherly instinct to this young lost soul, also all on her own in the world).
He then lets Ayedah know that he still intends to help her find her friend and will do that as soon as possible and can meet her back here anytime she likes. (GM is this something we’ll be doing In game or Out?)
As for his own errands, the only thing he’d really like to do is get his father’s rapier upgraded back to masterwork(if there’s time? maybe he could borrow one until his is ready??) and get another starknife if he’s has enough left over.
Finally, as for the broach, Zalen tells everyone that they can all return it back to the Queen together and suggests a time they all meet up back at Zellera's to discuss it before they do.
K local=1d20 6=9"er?"
For the rest, see the OOC THREAD