"Blessings upon all of you! May the Daykeeper give you the strength to fight this blaze!" Zilroy calls to the fire-fighting crowd before turning to the mage.
"Mr Adderwood, Cran invited us into his house as guests and then attempted to kill us. Bodyguard or not, your actions were those of an assassin. But if you were truly working for this scoundrel out of duty rather than malice, then your duty ended with his life. There is no need to remain silent about his plans for Phon now, is there? This secret should be brought forth into the Daykeeper's light."
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Adderwood rolls his eyes as Gallows and Zilroy attempt to reason with him. "You got attacked because we knew the hit didn't go well and that some one would be coming after us. As I said, minding your own business in the future will improve your longevity." His tone is condescending. His voice has a pinched, nasal quality that furthers his 'lecturing school marm' sound. "It's not as if this girl was anyone important. I can't see your interest in the matter."
While this discussion takes place, the City watch approaches our heroes. A sergeant says, "What's going on here, who's responsible for this?"
The fire is now well under control. A little more effort from the volunteers and the newly arrived fighter and sorceress should finish off the process in short order.
Seeing the watch approach the group of people who stood around arguing the whole time the fire was burning, Rynia instinctively turns her face away from them.
Damn! I think that one sergeant knows me ... brought me home in manacles after he caught me that one time ... this is what you get for trying to help, trying to be a hero, Rynia! Dumb, dumb, dumb!
While she continues to pepper the flames with her frost rays, Rynia pulls her cloak's hood tighter over her face, hoping to avoid notice.
Seeing that the fire is under control, Cadwyn pats some men in the crowd on the back, smiling and trying to catch his breath. As he's congratulating the crowd and thanking them for job well done, he spies the man with the eyepatch.
He jogs over to where the man is standing and opens his mouth.
"Well met!" he starts to call, but holds his tongue when he sees the man in what seems to be a serious conversation. He stops short and decides to see where the heated words go before stepping in. Noticing a guard intervening, Cadwyn leans against a nearby wall and watches the proceedings.
Adderwood rolls his eyes as Gallows and Zilroy attempt to reason with him. "You got attacked because we knew the hit didn't go well and that some one would be coming after us. As I said, minding your own business in the future will improve your longevity." His tone is condescending. His voice has a pinched, nasal quality that furthers his 'lecturing school marm' sound. "It's not as if this girl was anyone important. I can't see your interest in the matter."
While this discussion takes place, the City watch approaches our heroes. A sergeant says, "What's going on here, who's responsible for this?"
The fire is now well under control. A little more effort from the volunteers and the newly arrived fighter and sorceress should finish off the process in short order.
Gallows ignores Adderwood, squelching the urge to smack him across the mouth with a gauntleted fist.
"Sergeant, this gentleman is responsible for summoning the fire elemental that started the blaze. We sought to speak with one Mr. Cran in regards to an assault he arranged yesterday evening [ooc]right?[/occ]. The, Mister Cran in question (the corpse at my associate's feet), two other men, two dogs and this pile of offal decided to attack us."
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The sergeant pays no attention to Rynia. Only a few members of the crowd spare her a glance. Rather than recognition, it appears to be only curiosity about the woman who can summon ice from her fingers. She manages to catch a few nods of respect.
The sergeant nods to Cadwyn and then continues his conversation with Gallows and Zilroy. "Well, it looks like the fire is out thanks to all of you. This Cran fellow has been a thorn in our side for quite a while. I guess is smuggling days are over. Thanks again. If you're done here Brother, we'll take this one back to the watch house with us." He motions to Adderwood.
"Ridiculous," says Adderwood, "do you have any idea who I am. I'll have your job for this."
"Yeah," says the sergeant. "They all say that."
With the fire handled, some of the local children swallow their apprehension and approach Tusker and his mastiff. A small girl looks up at the half-orc and says, "What's your dog's name mister? Can I pet him." One of the braver boys has already offered a hand for the mastiff to sniff.
Zilroy cures any remaining wounds by channeling the favour of the Daykeeper.
Then he turns to the two newcomers who helped tackle the blaze. "Once again, I thank you for your assistance. My name is Brother Zilroy; who might you be?"
With the fire handled, some of the local children swallow their apprehension and approach Tusker and his mastiff. A small girl looks up at the half-orc and says, "What's your dog's name mister? Can I pet him." One of the braver boys has already offered a hand for the mastiff to sniff.
Tusker smiles, though he is careful to not make it too broad (people tend to misunderstand that). He kneels down to put himself closer to the eye level of the children, and speaks to the girl, while keeping a calming hand on the back of the dog, in case it gets overwhelmed by the attention.
"I do not know his name," he tells the girl gently. "I have no right to give him one, and the one he has himself is a part of too many things that cannot be said by people's tongues. Dogs like my friend pay as much attention to their noses as you and I do to our eyes; his name has more to do with his scent than any sounds he could make. He is my friend, and comes to help me when I ask him to. That is enough for me." He carefully takes the girl's hand and raises it toward the dog's nose to be sniffed. "If you let him smell you, it's the same as introducing yourself to him," he explains, trying to be soothing.
DM
Gallows gladly hands over Adderwood. When they walk off, he exhales and touches the symbol of Lothian around his neck.
"Aye, as my Brother has said, thank you all for your assistance. The Lawgiver smiles upon such acts, so we are told and so we believe."
Zilroy cures any remaining wounds by channeling the favour of the Daykeeper.
Then he turns to the two newcomers who helped tackle the blaze. "Once again, I thank you for your assistance. My name is Brother Zilroy; who might you be?"
Ensuring that the watchmen are out of sight, Rynia pulls back her cloak a little. She forces a smile, and extends her hand. "Pleased to meet you, Brother Zilroy and Brother ...? My name is Rynia."
Great. I spend years getting lectured on behavior by priests brought over by my parents. I get sent to a school where I STILL get lectured by clergy on a daily basis. I finally get away, head back to Ptolus on my own, and what happens? I run into not one, but TWO priests. Fabulous. 'Course, the younger one would be kind of cute if it wasn't for that scar and eyepatch ...
"Wasn't a big deal to help. To be honest, I just don't seem to like fire much. Almost like I HAVE to put 'em out, you know?"
The grim paladin takes the offered hand in a brief grip and fixes Rynia into his good eye.
"Call me Gallows, Miss. Whatever your motives, this neighborhood is in your debt."
"Well met, sirs," says Cadwyn, with a radiant smile on his face. He clasps hands with both men. "My name is Cadwyn Tal...er, just Cadwyn if you please. As for the assistance, it was nothing at all. I love this city like a sister, and like a wayward sister sometimes I have to look out for its well-being."
Cadwyn nods his head backwards to the departing guard. "Was their trouble? Did someone set the fire intentionally?"
Cadwyn nods his head backwards to the departing guard. "Was their trouble? Did someone set the fire intentionally?"
Zilroy shakes his head sadly. "It is a sorry tale. Master Cran -- who is a smuggler, it seems -- was harrassing a young woman, to the point of attempted murder! When we tried to confront him with our suspicions, he and his myrmidons attacked us.
And this is the city you love like a sister? Sometimes I think I should emigrate to the provinces, but I fear my great-grandfather's shade would never rest if I gave up on his dreams." He sighs resignedly.
"Was their trouble?"
"One does not always choose what one wants to love. Do you not love a sibling because they happened to be yours by chance? The same with my city. I often feel she chose me, rather than the other way around." Cadwyn smiles to show he has taken no offense.
"Now, this Cran, you speak of, has he been brought to justice? One like that has no place here. I don't mean to pry, but do you know why he got this poor girl involved?"
I love this city like a sister, and like a wayward sister sometimes I have to look out for its well-being."
Tusker glances up sharply at hearing the man describe Ptolus in that way. He gives Cadwyn a thorough, searching look, though he does not enter the conversation.
Miasshirra watches from the shadows as the group of men hands the smaller man over to the City Watch. When the guardsman finally moves away, Miasshirra stealthily tails him. I really shouldn't get involved, she thinks to herself, but I owe her for helping me out. I should at least see if this man knows anything else - or if he really is as important as he claims to be. Looking at the group of men as they continue to talk amongst themselves, she notices several men of faith. Thinking that they couldn't possibly be murderers, she makes a mental note to let someone at St. Gustav's know that people were asking around about Phon.
Gallows rubs the brown whiskers on the scarred side of his face.
"Not sure what a 'myrmidon' is, but there were a bunch of thugs and lowlifes. Is that what that word means?"
He kicks Cran's limp boot.
"Here's our myrmidon right here, dead as a doornail and his secrets taken with him to whatever Lothian has in store. And since giving that Adderwood the beating he fully deserves would likely leave us with little valuable information and a huge stain on the Lawbringer's opinion of us (and our nice clothing), we've little else to go on."
Rynia notices the corpse on the ground for the first time after Gallows kicks it, and visibly blanches at the sight of it. "He's ... he's dead? Wh ... why did you kill him if he had information?"
"He wanted us dead and didn't really respond to being asked nicely to cease and desist. You could say things got... heated. Likely had it coming for a long time, but it is a pity that we weren't a bit more gentle."
"Shouldn't you ... do something with him? You're not just gonna leave him there, are you?"
Zilroy looks a bit surprised. "That's a good question. Maybe the city watch is supposed to deal with such things?
Anyways, we have to get back to the church and let Phon know she doesn't need to worry about Cran any more. Rynia and Cadwyn, have you met Father Fabitor?"
"I know him by name only. I was just out for a walk tonight, so I think a detour to St. Gustav's would be a welcome diversion." Cadwyn gestures to the corpse.
"The girl has a point. We should let the guard know to bury this man. If all you say is true, a Potter's Field is too good for him, but he can't be left here. That taken care of, I'd love to walk with you to meet the Father."
He turns to the girl and gives a small bow. "My lady, we've not been properly introduced. My name is Cadwyn." He looks up at Tusker, and gives another bow. "Sir, it is good to make your acquaintance as well."
He smiles at both once more, claps his hands once and says, "Well, let's be off then!"
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Tusker smiles, though he is careful to not make it too broad (people tend to misunderstand that). He kneels down to put himself closer to the eye level of the children, and speaks to the girl, while keeping a calming hand on the back of the dog, in case it gets overwhelmed by the attention.
"I do not know his name," he tells the girl gently. "I have no right to give him one, and the one he has himself is a part of too many things that cannot be said by people's tongues. Dogs like my friend pay as much attention to their noses as you and I do to our eyes; his name has more to do with his scent than any sounds he could make. He is my friend, and comes to help me when I ask him to. That is enough for me." He carefully takes the girl's hand and raises it toward the dog's nose to be sniffed. "If you let him smell you, it's the same as introducing yourself to him," he explains, trying to be soothing.
The little girl hangs on Tusker's every word, fascinated by the description of the mastiff. She allows Tusker to take her hand and giggles with joy as the mastiff begins to sniff her. Soon, she is running her hands through the thick fur on his neck and scratching his ears. The other children take a few steps back and look at the girl oddly. Soon they lose interest and wander away.
"My name is Tara," says the girl. "I have to run home now. Thank you and thank you," she says first to Tusker and then the Mastiff. She takes a few steps and then turns back for a moment. "You're not scary at all," she says to Tusker. "I thought you would be when I first saw you, but you're not. You're nice." Tara smiles before turning around again and heading for home.
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Miasshirra watches from the shadows as the group of men hands the smaller man over to the City Watch. When the guardsman finally moves away, Miasshirra stealthily tails him. I really shouldn't get involved, she thinks to herself, but I owe her for helping me out. I should at least see if this man knows anything else - or if he really is as important as he claims to be. Looking at the group of men as they continue to talk amongst themselves, she notices several men of faith. Thinking that they couldn't possibly be murderers, she makes a mental note to let someone at St. Gustav's know that people were asking around about Phon.
Miasshirra follows the watchmen and their prisoner. They appear to take no notice of her. Adderwood mummbles and threatens in his nasal voice, the entire time, but has little offer than seemingly empty threats. The watchmen and sergeant appear not the least bit concerned.
After walking a few blocks, they reach the watch house, where all four men enter.
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A few minutes later, two watchmen with a wagon show up at the scene. They load Cran's body into the wagon and head off.
Our heroes head back to St. Gustav's chapel. It is about 9:00 PM. The streets are bustling with revelers going to and from various taverns. The night is bitter cold and a mist of rain has begin.
St. Gustav's chapel is warm and inviting. A young acolyte is comforting a woman sitting in the pews. They speak in low voices, their conversation unintelligible from your distance.
A young man in a novice's uniform is lighting candles near the altar. He looks up as you enter. "Yes, may I help you?".
"Hello, we're looking for a young lady named Phon. Father Fabitor was looking after her, I think. Are either of them in at the moment?"
Miasshirra follows the watchmen and their prisoner. They appear to take no notice of her. Adderwood mummbles and threatens in his nasal voice, the entire time, but has little offer than seemingly empty threats. The watchmen and sergeant appear not the least bit concerned.
After walking a few blocks, they reach the watch house, where all four men enter.
The little girl hangs on Tusker's every word, fascinated by the description of the mastiff. She allows Tusker to take her hand and giggles with joy as the mastiff begins to sniff her. Soon, she is running her hands through the thick fur on his neck and scratching his ears. The other children take a few steps back and look at the girl oddly. Soon they lose interest and wander away.
"My name is Tara," says the girl. "I have to run home now. Thank you and thank you," she says first to Tusker and then the Mastiff. She takes a few steps and then turns back for a moment. "You're not scary at all," she says to Tusker. "I thought you would be when I first saw you, but you're not. You're nice." Tara smiles before turning around again and heading for home.
Tusker watches the girl go, with a thoughtful expression. He then turns to look at Cadwyn once again, his silence heavy and pensive.
Our heroes head back to St. Gustav's chapel. It is about 9:00 PM. The streets are bustling with revelers going to and from various taverns. The night is bitter cold and a mist of rain has begin.
St. Gustav's chapel is warm and inviting. A young acolyte is comforting a woman sitting in the pews. They speak in low voices, their conversation unintelligible from your distance.
A young man in a novice's uniform is lighting candles near the altar. He looks up as you enter. "Yes, may I help you?".
"We have news. Much of it good, but... not all."
DM
Anyways, we have to get back to the church and let Phon know she doesn't need to worry about Cran any more. Rynia and Cadwyn, have you met Father Fabitor?"
"Um, no ... I can't say I have. I've only been in Ptolus since this morning, to be honest." Another priest? Not exactly the evening I had planned ... Knowing her words are a bit misleading, Rynia won't correct anyone who assumes she's new to the city.
He turns to the girl and gives a small bow. "My lady, we've not been properly introduced. My name is Cadwyn."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Rynia. That was pretty impressive of you, organizing the people like that. You probably saved the neighborhood from fire!"
Not having yet spoken to either of the other two, Rynia will then proceed to introduce herself to Tusker and Yarag.
Well, an odd bunch, and maybe a bit religious for my tatses, but they certainly seem interesting. Maybe I'll stick around 'em for tonight, and see what happens.
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Miasshirra follows the watchmen and their prisoner. They appear to take no notice of her. Adderwood mummbles and threatens in his nasal voice, the entire time, but has little offer than seemingly empty threats. The watchmen and sergeant appear not the least bit concerned.
After walking a few blocks, they reach the watch house, where all four men enter.
It's a two-story wooden building on a northeast street corner. The building looks old but stable. Paint is peeling from most of the outside walls. There appear to be two entrances. The main entrance on the south side of the building and another door on the west side. It appears to be a converted corner town home.
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"Hello, we're looking for a young lady named Phon. Father Fabitor was looking after her, I think. Are either of them in at the moment?"
"Of course, Brother. You are expected."
The young man leaves for a few minutes and returns with Father Fabitor. "Good evening," he says. He is about to say something else, but hesitates. Then he says, "Good heavens, have you been in a fight? There's blood on your clothing? Are you hurt?"
Miasshirra follows the watchmen and their prisoner. They appear to take no notice of her. Adderwood mummbles and threatens in his nasal voice, the entire time, but has little offer than seemingly empty threats. The watchmen and sergeant appear not the least bit concerned.
After walking a few blocks, they reach the watch house, where all four men enter.
It's a two-story wooden building on a northeast street corner. The building looks old but stable. Paint is peeling from most of the outside walls. There appear to be two entrances. The main entrance on the south side of the building and another door on the west side. It appears to be a converted corner town home.
Creeping around the side of the building, Miasshirra tries to listen if the guards will interrogate the man, or perhaps if they will place him in a room with a window (where Miasshirra can ask him questions surreptitiously).
Stealth (1d20+9=20)
Listen (1d20+7=21)
"Hello, we're looking for a young lady named Phon. Father Fabitor was looking after her, I think. Are either of them in at the moment?""Of course, Brother. You are expected."
The young man leaves for a few minutes and returns with Father Fabitor. "Good evening," he says. He is about to say something else, but hesitates. Then he says, "Good heavens, have you been in a fight? There's blood on your clothing? Are you hurt?"
Gallows gives a lop-sided grin.
"Don't worry: most of it isn't ours. And Brother Zilroy has seen to the worst of it. The warehouse lowlifes lead to Cran, Cran lead us nowhere. Pity the whole place burned down."
"Father Fabitor, rather than listen to reason, this man invited us into his home and then attacked us. Sadly, we had no choice but to defend ourselves. Fortunately, the Daykeeper's favour smiled upon us and we survived the ambush.
Where is Phon? I want to tell her she should be safe now."
"I would caution against giving Phon any false hope, Brother. We haven't resolved the why of it yet and even if you cut off a snake's tail, it'll grow back. Such are the scum of this city, even as they crawl on their bellies. They are craven now, with their feet in the fire, yet still they dream of revenge."
Gallows turns his head to and fro to sweep the Chapel with his good eye, as if already calculating a defense.
"I've been happy to help," Tusker says thoughtfully, "but I admit, I'm not sure what there is left to do. I agree it would be better if we knew why, but I don't see how we can learn that now without paying substantial money for a divination or something similar. I'm no investigator, though."
Yarag shows Tusker and the rest what he claimed, "it seems that Cran wished to give us something for ending his problems."
Out comes the pouch of gold and a lovely rapier chased with silver. Yarag makes four piles of seven gold out of the money from the pouch. "I am sure we can put it to good use, well?"
"You really think that Phon might be in deeper trouble, Gallows? Oh my...I never even considered that. That would just be my luck -- I try to help someone out and just make things worse. The story of my life..." Zilroy sighs gloomily.
He looks hesitantly at the pile of coins that Yarag has produced. "I'm not sure I approve of looting the dead...but on the other hand, I don't approve of cowardly sneak attacks, especially against myself. And...<ahem>...I could use the money." Rather sheepishly, he deposits the ill-gotten gains in his money pouch.
Rynia hangs back a bit, as the four talk with Father Fabitor, listening to what's going on. She'll stand near Cadwyn, who she looks at as being another 'new kid' in the group. As she gets a little bored, she'll start looking around the chapel, then eventually whisper to Cadwyn, "So, do you know this Phon Quartermain too? Or are you just starting to piece things together like me?"
"You really think that Phon might be in deeper trouble, Gallows? Oh my...I never even considered that. That would just be my luck -- I try to help someone out and just make things worse. The story of my life..." Zilroy sighs gloomily.
"No way to know for sure. If the Pale Dogs think it's worth their while to make an example..."
The one-eyed paladin lets the thought remain incomplete and scoops up his share of the money without comment.
Rynia whispers to Cadwyn, "So, do you know this Phon Quartermain too? Or are you just starting to piece things together like me?"
Cadwyn shrugs and grins.
"I'm just as in the dark as you, I'm afraid, my Lady," he says quietly. "She sounds like she's in trouble, and that's reason enough for me to at least see what I could do. Plus, this seems a more interesting and motley group than I've seen in many a long day."
"Until I learn more, I plan on keeping my mouth shut. How about you? Do you know anything more than what they've spoken?"
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The majority of the conversation consists of Adderwood insisting he is too important to be sent to jail and that these guards will pay for this humiliation. The guards are entirely uninterested in his claims, but Adderwood sticks to his story. During the conversation though, Adderwood mentions the name "Merthul" as the original client.
As another point of interest, you notice a wanted poster stuck to the wall next to the main door. It reads:
Wanted Dead or Alive
Shilukar
Dark Elf Thief and Mage
Extremely Dangerous
1,000 Gold Imperial Reward from House Abanar