The slim built warrior steps away from the wall, and leans on his quarterstaff.
"It is my pleasure, Phon, for I am Yarag of...Yarag of the docks for now."
He pays no attention to the run away.
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Gallows will run him down and likely punch him in the kidneys or otherwise restrain him if he can.
Seeing that the Druid's massive dog is determined to keep him from running, and that Gallows is right on his heels, the thug spins around, knife in hand, and faces Gallows. After a moment's consideration however, he thinks better of his chances and drops the knife. The fight has clearly gone out of this bully.
"Here," he says. "Take this." He reaches into a pocket and pulls out a scrap of paper. "See, I'm being cooperative. Tell the watch I ain't so bad. I don't want to hang. Have mercy paladin."
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The slim built warrior steps away from the wall, and leans on his quarterstaff.
"It is my pleasure, Phon, for I am Yarag of...Yarag of the docks for now."
He pays no attention to the run away.
If Zilroy will allow it, Phon is still clutching his hand, in need of the comfort of kinder folk. "Then I owe you and you companions a debt of gratitude Yarag. I heard what that monster said," she says, referring to the brown haired thug.
Shar-Nym:
"He says he was sent to kill me. How is this possible? I'm no one important, just a simple seamstress. There must be some mistake."
Gallows takes the parchment and the thug's arm to keep a hold on him. He doesn't grab him roughly, though.
"Aye, your cooperation will go a long way. And if this is of any value... well, the watch will know."
Reading what's on the scrap of paper.
While Gallow reads the note, Nym looks over to Phon, whispering a "I'm sorry!" into her direction.
"Best move," Tusker says, nodding. "We all get a better night this way." He turns to look at Nym. "We can offer you the same deal, I think; I know something about how hard it is to stay away from the Pale Dogs, but I also know you can do it if you've got the will." He smiles, not at all a pleasant sight with the way his mouth is shaped. "You've still got a chance to turn it around."
As he speaks, he gestures toward the dog, trying to bring it closer to stand by his side.
If Zilroy will allow it, Phon is still clutching his hand, in need of the comfort of kinder folk. "Then I owe you and you companions a debt of gratitude Yarag. I heard what that monster said," she says, referring to the brown haired thug."He says he was sent to kill me. How is this possible? I'm no one important, just a simple seamstress. There must be some mistake."
"There, there. I don't know why anyone would want to kill a seamstress, but the Church will help you if you're in trouble."
"What does it say on that parchment, brother?"
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Gallows takes the parchment and the thug's arm to keep a hold on him. He doesn't grab him roughly, though.
"Aye, your cooperation will go a long way. And if this is of any value... well, the watch will know."
Reading what's on the scrap of paper.
"Phon Quartermain, 3rd door western side of cason streat. Blak hair, yung.
After; the red warehouse on Able row, 2 hours after dusk, tomorrow."|
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"Best move," Tusker says, nodding. "We all get a better night this way." He turns to look at Nym. "We can offer you the same deal, I think; I know something about how hard it is to stay away from the Pale Dogs, but I also know you can do it if you've got the will." He smiles, not at all a pleasant sight with the way his mouth is shaped. "You've still got a chance to turn it around."
As he speaks, he gestures toward the dog, trying to bring it closer to stand by his side.
The dog casually strolls to Tusker's side. He nuzzles into his thigh and takes a few sniffs. The dog looks up into Tusker's face, expectantly.
"Even I know 'street' doesn't have an a in it.", grumbles the one eyed paladin.
"What we have here is evidence that this was a hired hit and a lead on where we can go to get to the bottom of this. I have a few ideas, but I'd like to get this fellow to a constable before any further discussion."
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Phon: "Brother, Yarag, if it's not too much trouble...would you...I mean, will you escort me to St. Gustav's Chapel. I have friends there, and I could use their company, but I don't want to travel alone right now. There's a City Watch office on the way...we could...your friends could drop...him off."
"That is a good idea, my good lady." Yarag moves over to her, he keeps an eye around to see if anyone else is paying any undue attention to the girls or her help.
"Of course, Sister. The city guard can take care of these paid assassins, although I fear that arresting one man in Ptolus is like trying to empty the ocean with a thimble."
"Sounds good," Tusker nods. "Just a moment, though." Motioning for the dog to stay, Tusker ducks back into the inn, scooping up his food in a scrap of cloth he pulls from a pouch. Most of it he wraps up, but the mutton he splits, most of it also going into the impromptu food package, but a large scrap he offers to the dog. "Come on then," he tells the animal, then looks up at Phon. "Lead the way, if you will."
Gallows shakes his head with a scowl.
"I hope your faith is stronger than it seems, Brother. One man today, a conspiracy of them tomorrow night 2 hours after dusk. The night after? Only Lothian knows. Regardless, I agree: let us make haste to St. Gustav's and the watch station."
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Phon positions herself in between Yarag and Zilroy. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and looks up into the rain. Water flows over her face washing away the tears. The presence of her heroes is also washing away her fear and helplessness.
By the time you reach the City Watch house, each of you is soaked to the bone. The dog shakes himself underneath the awning, spraying Tusker with mutt-scented rainwater. The dog looks up at Tusker while twitching his tail, as if to say the whole thing is only a joke on the big druid.
Inside the watch house is warm and cozy. Two men are sitting on comfortable look chairs with their feet propped on stools. They sit in front of the fire, taking rest after a long day of patrolling the streets.
A woman sits at a desk reviewing a stack of paperwork. She has a small incense burner on her desk that fills the room with a pleasant, spicy smell. She looks up as a group of wet adventurers enters with a sullen bully in their custody. "Yes? Can I help you?"
"Yes, ma'am. This man," Gallows motions to the thug he's dragged with him,"and his associates attacked this woman in an alley near the Ghostly Minstrel. We have evidence that it was a hired assault. I would like to turn him over to your custody; he has surrendered and cooperated since his capture."
The one-eyed paladin seems oblivious to the fact that he's soaked from head to toe.
The dog shakes himself underneath the awning, spraying Tusker with mutt-scented rainwater. The dog looks up at Tusker while twitching his tail, as if to say the whole thing is only a joke on the big druid.
"See if I offer you any more mutton," Tusker tells the dog dryly. He looks at the paladin and cleric. "I rarely provoke friendly responses from authority figures, I'm afraid. I'll wait out here." Largely oblivious to the rain at this point, Tusker leans against the wall beneath the awning and pulls out his picnic, starting to munch. Despite his threat, the dog gets several more small bites while they wait.
"Achoo!" Zilroy sneezes. "I think I'm catching a cold. As my Brother here said, we'd like to charge this man with assault and attempted murder. He already confessed some of the details to us; someone paid him to attack this woman."
"His mate is on the run. Maybe he can help you with that miscreant. Sister I trust you have everything you need?"
Yarag prepares to leave. "Want a hot cider for that cold, Sir?"
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The Constable agrees to take the Pale Dog into custody and thanks you, the honest citizens of Ptolus, for assisting in his arrest. With that task out of the way, you proceed to St. Gustav's Chapel.
St. Gustav's is in the Center of Midtown, near Delvers Square. It is a solid building, but not as ornate as other cathedrals devoted to the worship of Lothian. As you walk in, a group of 2 men and 2 women walk out. They are wearing bloodstained armor and are covered in dirt, but it appears that whatever wounds caused the bloodstains have been healed in the chapel. You involuntarily wrinkle your nose as they pass you buy.
The inside is warm and dry. You can hear the raindrops falling on the roof and the creek of the rafters as the wind is picking up outside. A middle-aged man is at the front of the chapel lighting candles. He looks up as you enter and smiles as his eyes fall on Phon.
As he takes a few steps closer, the warmth in his greeting quickly turns to concern. "Phon, my friend, what is wrong? Who are these men?"
"They are my heroes Father Fabitor. They saved me from two Pale Dog thugs," she replied. She quickly relates the details of her rescue and the delivery of one of the Pale Dogs to the local watch.
"Come in my friends, please," says Father Fabitor, "you must be chilled to the bone. Please, follow me into the waiting chamber and I will have tea made for us."
"If you all will excuse me for a few minutes, I just need to go somewhere and collect myself. I'll join you soon."
"Of course my child," says Fabitor.
Father Fabitor leads you down a hallway and into a cozy room with a fire. "I'm afraid I don't have seating for all of you, but you'll find our rugs quite comfortable." With that, he seats himself on the floor, cross-legged, near the fire. "My friends, I am very concerned about the tale I've just heard. I've been concerned about Phon for some time and this incident just confirms my fears. Please, tell me about this note."
Not wanting to take the wet dog into the chapel, he sends it off once more, now that they've reached a place of relative safety.
Father Fabitor leads you down a hallway and into a cozy room with a fire. "I'm afraid I don't have seating for all of you, but you'll find our rugs quite comfortable." With that, he seats himself on the floor, cross-legged, near the fire. "My friends, I am very concerned about the tale I've just heard. I've been concerned about Phon for some time and this incident just confirms my fears. Please, tell me about this note."
Tusker twitches an ear. Concerned for some time? About a seamstress?
Gallows sneaks a finger under his eyepatch, scratches at the skin underneath.
"The note contains little information: simply Phon's address and a brief description and a meeting place on Able row, tomorrow night 2 hours after sunset. I imagine more information can be found there... if we bring the right currency."
His left hand drifts to his sword.
"You said you were concerned for the lady? Is she in some trouble with the Pale Dogs? Is it money? Or something else?"
Nym waits until all the talking is done before trying to speak to brother Fabitor, if he can help find a place for his mother and sisters to "dissappear" for a while, until the Pale Dogs have calmed down (if such a thing is possible), or a new place is found.
He says now:"Whatever you need me to do, I will gladly help finding out who's behind the attack on Phon. Maybe time has come for me, to show Lothian that I am worthy of becoming a Knight of the Pale one day!"
He tries to look calm and determined!
"Fears?" Zilroy echoes. "What fears?"
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Father Fabitor takes a deep breath. "It's complicated. You see, several months ago Phon...well...let me back up a little."
"I have known Phon since she was a child. Her mother, Callais, and I were close friends and I've always treated Phon like a niece. When her mother died, I felt it was my responsibility to look after Phon. Not that she really needed looking after, but you know how old men are." He smiles before continuing his story.
"Well, as Phon became a woman, we were always quite close. We would share evening meals on occasion and discuss many subjects. So I was surprised when she began spending her time with a man...no, that's not what I mean. I wasn't surprised that she had found a lover. We are all human and have needs for companionship. I fully expected and hoped that she would find a nice young man to marry and start a family of her own. But once she took up with this man, she became very secretive. I don't know the man's name, and Phon has refused to identify him or even speak of him much. That's very unlike her. Whoever this man was, he gave her money and fine gifts. However, the relationship has ended, or so Phon says."
"Now, she is with child. As you don't know her, I'm sure you wouldn't notice, but I have seen the changes in her body. I've been around a long time and known many expecting mothers. There are physical changes as well as mannerisms that I have come to recognize."
"As I said, Phon insists the affair is over and will not speak of the child's father. I have two hypothesis. The first is that this ex-lover is married. It seems unlike Phon, but as I said, we are all human and have been known to give into temptation. That would explain her secretiveness. My second, and far more alarming hypothesis, is that this man is someone important and possibly dangerous. Would it create a scandal for this man if anyone were to find out of his affair with Phon? He certainly had money, and that implies importance here in Ptolus. The fact that someone has tried to murder her, lends a lot of weight to my theory."
"My friends, I am not a wealthy man, but I have some powers granted by the benevolent Lothian. I can offer you very little money, but I will offer each of you a letter of credit at St. Gustav's for future healing, potions or scrolls if you will investigate this crime and help me watch over Phon. What do you say?"
"Crawling into other people's bedrooms is pretty much always a bad idea," Tusker allows thoughfully, "but back-alley knifing's something else entirely. On the other hand, what's Phon going to think of us sniffing around her affairs like this?"
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"Crawling into other people's bedrooms is pretty much always a bad idea," Tusker allows thoughfully, "but back-alley knifing's something else entirely. On the other hand, what's Phon going to think of us sniffing around her affairs like this?"
Fabitor smiles, "oh, she'll be angry. I suppose I would be too. We can discuss it with her if you'd like. I'll not pretend this isn't an invasion of privacy. I wish I could think of another way."
"Perhaps taking that meeting will give us the information to decide to accept.....or not. Phon doesn't strike me as the sort who is going to talk until she is ready. That lady has known you far longer than us and didn't tell you."
Yarag shrugs "I have heard of plenty of nobles who have trouble sticking to their own beds. Some of the Houses have a good deal at stake and would willingly sacrifice an innocent to keep on top."
"I will do whatever you ask of me, brother Fabitor!"
"Hmm. If it were a nobleman or someone else with a lot of wealth, Phon would be dead by now. Someone with money or connections wouldn't want to go halfway: they would hire a Vai assassin or send one of their own. In other words: they would hire professional killers, not a few cowardly Pale Dogs. Furthermore, extra-marital affairs and bastard children are nothing unusual for those people: probably not worth worrying about. What we're dealing with is someone that feels they have a lot to lose if this comes to light but not a lot of money to spend on keeping it quiet. Likely a tradesman, bureaucrat, guardarm or clergyman."
"If it is your wish that we investigate this, I can put my other inquiries aside for the time being. No payment is necessary."
"Many nobles are fools. You are right, sir, this was the work of a fool and one with enough wealth to pay those two idiots. If you want someone to back you up I'll be there tomorrow, Letter or no Letter."
Tusker scowls, an unpleasant sight at best. "One of them fled," he points out. "You really think anyone's going to show at that meeting?"
"Didn't kill her did he? He isn't going to show up and say he failed, unless he is really dumb. I mean we just handed his compatriot in to the law and he is probably in a bit of a tizzy hiding and running in fear for his freedom. No I very much doubt that the runner will show his face tomorrow."
"And its either I go to the meeting or work on the docks. I'm not enjoying the ambiance and sweat for little pay as a stevedore. You doing much special tomorrow or are you coming?"
"And besides, they may decide to leave a trap for whoever shows up if they did find out the job wasn't done. Based on the quality of their hired men, I'm not very scared of whatever they may have planned."
"Oh dear. Someone important, you say? Well, I...I don't want to make powerful enemies...
But it's not fair that Phon should suffer for an innocent love affair. I will help make inquiries, Father."
"I could scout out that adress, before we check it out, if you like?!"
"I could scout out that adress, before we check it out, if you like?!"
"I admire your optimism," Tusker chuckles, "but I think you're going to stay where we can keep an eye on you."
He shrugs his broad shoulders. "Like as not, the other one will have managed to get word somehow the job went south and nothing will happen. Don't mean we shouldn't be there in case I'm wrong, though."
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With that, Father Fabitor thanks you for your time and willingness to help. If you need any other information, he can usually be found at St. Gustav's Chapel. Phon works in the south market during the days, spends an hour or so each evening at St. Gustav's and spends most of the rest of her time at home.
Before leaving, Shar-Nym pulls Father Fabitor aside to ask about a safe haven for his family. "Yes, of course my friend," Fabitor replies. "Bring them here. I'll find work for them nearby."
"Oh, and one more thing," says Fabitor to Shar-Nym. "Wanting to be a Knight of the Pale is a lofty ambition. Many would openly laugh at you for even suggesting such a thing, but not me. Don't you let anyone discourage you from your goal. Focus on serving Lothian, and some day you may indeed make a fine Knight."
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3rd of New Year, 12th hour.
It is noon on the next day. The sun is breaking through the clouds to shine on Midtown. Our heroes have rescued a damsel in distress and agreed to some additional investigation of the crime. Hopefully, they have all had a good night's sleep and have arranged for a time and place to meet today.
There biggest lead at the momment is a written message, carried by Ortry Gannon, thug #2, indicating that the two Pale dogs were to meet their patron at a warehouse at 2 hours past dusk. The sun sets early in Ptolus during the winter. Dusk will be around 17th hour.
Enter the heroes...
During the last night, Nym went to his mother and sisters, telling them what happened. thereafter he helps packing the most needed things, and leads them to St. Gustav's Chapel in Midtown, sleeping there the rest of the night, to meet "those heroes" the next day!
At the appointed time and place, not far from the warehouse, Yarag leans against a wall, twirling his staff like a six foot baton.
Gallows will give Davrel what little info he has when he returns to the orphanage, then head to the meeting place at the appointed time.
To Yarag "Careful, you'll take an eye out with that!", he exclaims with a wry grin,"I sure did."
Tusker appears as well, the dog trailing behind him once more. He appears more ready for a fight than he did last night, in thick armor of carefully stitched hides under his cloak. His scimitar is within easy reach, and even the dog seems more anxious than it was the night before, ears twitching to catch the slightest sound.
He looks around at the rest of the group. "Don't think I introduced myself proper last night. You can call me Tusker, Tusker Tall. Everyone does."
Zilroy spent another miserable night with his fellow acolytes. He heard no news from his wife, and once his head hit the pillow the shade of his ancestor appeared before him in his dreams:
"So, that Phon is a tidy little number! Maybe once you solve her little problem, she'll be really grateful. I remember one time I rescued a barbarian warrior-woman from the clutches of a necromancer. Once I blasted that bastard into the netherworld, she showed me a few tricks your great-grandmother never dreamed of..."
stop it, stop it, la la la la, i can't hear you...
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The next day, Zilroy arrives at the appointed site early, looking rather sleepy and glum but determined to help Phon (for his own health, as well as the glory of Lothian).
"Good day, Tusker. My name is Zilroy." He pauses uncomfortably, then mumbles, "Specterbane."
"Do you hail from Ptolus? No offense intended, but you have the look of a stranger to the city."
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Tusker appears as well, the dog trailing behind him once more. He appears more ready for a fight than he did last night, in thick armor of carefully stitched hides under his cloak. His scimitar is within easy reach, and even the dog seems more anxious than it was the night before, ears twitching to catch the slightest sound.
He looks around at the rest of the group. "Don't think I introduced myself proper last night. You can call me Tusker, Tusker Tall. Everyone does."
"Good day, Tusker. My name is Zilroy." He pauses uncomfortably, then mumbles, "Specterbane."
"Do you hail from Ptolus? No offense intended, but you have the look of a stranger to the city."
Tusker tilts his head to the side, a move that somehow makes him resemble something closer to the huge mutt as his side. "Now, what offense could I take from that?" he asks musingly. Without waiting for an answer, though, he replies, "Like as not, I'm more a part of this city than you are, Zilroy."
"My loving parents named me Simon Gellner, but I'm rarely called that anymore. Call me Gallows."