I have several problems with what you are saying
You are trying to be obscure about the way you contacted us and it's not sitting well with me...
Zellara responds, "Perhaps not, yet here you are. I would say my methods worked well enough, wouldn't you? My concern is that Lamm answer for his crimes...I leave the details up to each of you. But if my preference be known, I would prefer something more...personal." The Varisian woman gives Marra a knowing look.
Listening intently to everyone before speaking Dorran uses an even tone and says simpley " That man, priest, will dye by the hands of those whos lives were unjustly destroyed" Then standing and drawing his bastard sword says " I have suffered long enough, as Im sure you all have" this said with a gesture towards Sorin and Marrala before continuing "and Im sure that we are going to do anything in our power to put an end to this madness"
Then we have a real problem there. because I won't be help you take the law into your hands. And for your information , while the guard has always considered Gaedren to be too minor to take the time to chase him , he has never been arrested to the best of my knowledge.
"Fine we shale see what we can do about bringing him in, let just get on with this."
"Because he has the authorities corrupted, he's greased the palms of them, they won't touch him, and they won't hold him if he is turned in, but if he surrenders, let us cross that bridge then..."
"...for he has done something terrible to each of you as well...
Pavo starts as if something suddenly clicked. As this realization dawns, Alistar seems to get slightly agitated and begins to pace widely with his chunk of bread in his mouth. "Are you telling me that Gaedren is the one responsible for taking my sister! He will pay if he has hurt her!" Pavo calms quickly though to let Zellara continue.
"...for he has done something terrible to each of you as well...Pavo starts as if something suddenly clicked. As this realization dawns, Alistar seems to get slightly agitated and begins to pace widely with his chunk of bread in his mouth. "Are you telling me that Gaedren is the one responsible for taking my sister! He will pay if he has hurt her!" Pavo calms quickly though to let Zellara continue.
Zellara looks seriously at Pavo. "I do not know the answer to your question, but the cards do not lie. You were chosen to be here for a reason. As for the whereabouts of your sister, you must take the matter up with Lamm himself. I can only pray that she has not met the same fate as my Eran."
Sorin jumps down from his seat, "All right now that we know where he is at lets get on with this. As long as you are done Zellara?"
Zellara looks seriously at Pavo. "I do not know the answer to your question, but the cards do not lie. You were chosen to be here for a reason. As for the whereabouts of your sister, you must take the matter up with Lamm himself. I can only pray that she has not met the same fate as my Eran.""...for he has done something terrible to each of you as well...Pavo starts as if something suddenly clicked. As this realization dawns, Alistar seems to get slightly agitated and begins to pace widely with his chunk of bread in his mouth. "Are you telling me that Gaedren is the one responsible for taking my sister! He will pay if he has hurt her!" Pavo calms quickly though to let Zellara continue.
"Or Calliope..."
"Priest, we're going, perhaps if you come along you can save him from dying...or if he does die, you can take him back to your temple, have him raised and then put on trial."
"While I would prefer to kill him myself, slowly, as long as he dies, whether at our hands since he fails to surrender, or at the hands of the authorities, my thirst for his blood will be satiated!"
Thank for your comprehension . How do we organize ourselves ?
If I understand rightly , you already have some knowledge about this fishery
I think we must plan as well as we can . I figure people like Lamm always have an escape ready . We should try to find it
Calming down and sheathing his blade Dorran says "I agree we should gather any information no matter how little may be available. I say lets take 24 hours and gather whatever we can and meet back here same time tomorrow"
"Lets all just go there together, we are all going to the same place and we can decide what to do there."
I think it would be better if we took some time to equip ourselves .
For example , if this fishery is near the water , we'd better have a boat ready in case Lamm tries to fly by water and things like this.
Also , we should not all loiter near the place . this could alert Lamm . Only those who can be discreet should do so in order yo evaluate who are Lamm's allies and their schedule .
Let's discuss this here . I've been waiting for years to find Lamm . I don't want to lose him because of rushing now .
Zellara chimes in to the discussion, saying, "Lamm has proven very adept at staying one step ahead of the authorities in the past. Certainly, he moves around frequently. My personal feeling is that you are more likely to lose him if you delay. But, it is your decision to make."
The fortune teller adds, "Yet, I would perform a Harrowing for you before you leave this night, if you will allow...free of charge, of course. Who knows, the fates may grant you insight in facing what lies ahead, and guidance in how best to proceed. Are you willing?" Zellara continues to shuffle her Harrow cards skillfully, and waits for an answer.
Sorin climbs back into his chair with a smile on his face, "I am open to a little insight. Never done this before."
Though he had heard of Harrowings in the past, he had never had the opportuniy to actually participate in one, so he leans forward and waits for Zellara to begin.
"Well the cards lead us here together. And I agree lets not waste any more time. Lets see what the cards hold in sway for us and take it from there" Dorran says while he still absently strokes the handle to his sword.
Zellara nods solemnly at the various words of assent. "Very well. Gather close and hearken well as the fates speak to us."
The cloying aroma of the incense seems to suffuse your senses as Zellara first separates a few of the cards and lays one on the table in front of each person. In a low voice, Zellara intones, "Let the harrowing begin with the Choosing. I sense that in the days to come, there will be hardships to face, adversity to overcome. To do this, you will need to be fleet of foot, dexterous of hand, nimble of finger. Thus, we Choose from the suit of Keys."
Each of you turns over your offered card in turn. Pavo reveals The Demon's Lantern, Marra The Peacock. Sorin is next, revealing The Juggler. Next, Clandru turns over The Crows, and finally for Dorran, The Cricket.
"Yes, at certain times in the days ahead, this Choosing will aid you when quickness is most of the essence. Remember well. Now, the Harrowing."
Zellara gathers the cards just dealt, and shuffles the entire deck once more. This time, she lays out nine cards, face down in a three by three grid. "First, we look to the past," she intones, and then turns over the card in the top left corner.
"The Midwife to begin. This signifies new life...or, perhaps new information? Lamm has been found, has he not? Yes, the cards speak truly."
Next, she overturns the card directly below the Midwife. "The Inquisitor. A true match, this, very strong. The Inquisitor speaks to the unchanging laws of reality. Has someone tested these laws? Is there someone who has dared to tread where only the gods are meant to go?"
Zellara turns over the third card in the first column. "The Owl. The wisdom of the natural order. Yet, even nature itself may be twisted, perverted...purposed for evil."
"And now, the Harrowing speaks to the present." Zellara turns over the top card of the second column. "The Dance. Indeed...standing fast under adversity. This, you must do, else all will be lost."
She flips the next card below. "The Cyclone. The tumult of evil plots to be certain...but renewal comes after the blustery trial."
Zellara turns the final card in the column. "The Queen Mother. Knowledge through fealty. The royal throne reveals its secrets, but will this knowledge enlighten...or destroy?"
"The Harrowing speaks finally of the future." Zellara turns over the top card in the third column. "The Liar. Here, a new relationship begins. Embrace it."
She turns over the next card down. "The Demon's Lantern." Zellara looks directly at Pavo. "This card seems particularly attuned to you, Unicorn. Though you find yourself in an impossible situation...a guide may yet light the way out."
Finally, Zellara turns over the last card, in the bottom right corner. "The Twin. A duality of purpose...or of identity. All will not be as it seems. Beware."
At the last, Zellara takes a deep breath and looks up. With the ending of the Harrowing, it seems as though a heaviness has lifted from the room. "I have done what I can for you. The task falls now to you. Gaedren Lamm awaits."
Pavo finally remembered to breath after the heavy atmosphere from the Harrowing lifted. That certainly isn't any parlor trick. the young sorcerer thinks to himself as he digests the words spoken to them by Zellara. If what the cards say are true, then we are in for a deal more than a simple fight against Gaedren.
After the fog completely clears from his incensed brain, Pavo stands and says, "Well, we have a location and the backing of Varisian magic with us, so I say we take the fight to Lamm before he takes himself somewhere else."
"Much to my surprise, I agree with the priest, make sure you've gathered everything you need, let those who can remain inconspicuous and do some scouting, where the tempest is ready to be unleashed then we strike!"
Sorin watches Zellara with a big smile on his face and to an observer he probably resembles more a child than a halfling. Well we shall see if this is just a parlor trick or if there is anything to this. Sorin thinks as Zellara finishes the Harrowing. Sorin smiles at the women, "Thanks that was very entertaining, I hope it helps. Wells lets go deal with Lamm and get our vengeance..... or justice." Sorin finishes glancing at Clandru.
Sorin hopes down from the chair, "Does anyone have anything to pick up before we go take a look? Maybe after we scout it out we can go get some other things to help us out."
Dorran quickly shakes his head as if to clear the fog from his brain when the harrowing is over. He blinks blankly for a moment and comes to with a start. If this was a parlor trick it was a damn good one Dorran thinks to himself. Turning to Sorin he says "Im ready to head out with you. This should be like old times." Then with a gesture to both his swords and his bow says "Ive got all I need. We should head out soon." This said with a look of anticipation
Dorran quickly shakes his head as if to clear the fog from his brain when the harrowing is over. He blinks blankly for a moment and comes to with a start. If this was a parlor trick it was a damn good one Dorran thinks to himself. Turning to Sorin he says "Im ready to head out with you. This should be like old times." Then with a gesture to both his swords and his bow says "Ive got all I need. We should head out soon." This said with a look of anticipation
"Sorin, Dorran; Head out then, get as good of idea of what we face, then come get the priest and I, Pavo do you have stealthy means, or will you stay with us til it's time?"
"Sounds good to me" Sorin pipes in as he starts toward the door. "I would say that Alistar might be a help but I wouldn't want him going near the place alone but it is up to you Pavo."
"Please do not misunderstand, my plan was to go to the Fishery to get an idea of it's layout. However, though I may look nimble, I have no skills when it comes to being unobserved. If we are to scout though, I would be a good choice as I have never met Gaedren and nor has he seen me, as I know it. Alistar will be a great assistance in this matter, but where he goes, so do I. I have come to learn that my connection to him weakens as the distance between us grows. To ensure his safety, I will go to check out the Fishery as well. Once we get a good idea of the layout, I will send Alistar to you. However, instead of waiting here, I suggest we all find a spot closer to the Fishery from where we can strike, maybe at a local inn. What say you all to that plan?" Pavo looks to each member of the assembled group, even to Alistar, who he seems to give a thankful nod to.
"Ok that sounds good, Marra do you and Clandru want to fallow us as far as the Fishery perimeter and then go find a tavern or inn to finalize our plans?"
"agreed, however, I should not be seen before then, he does know my face still, I did attempt to kill him a little over a year ago..."
"agreed, however, I should not be seen before then, he does know my face still, I did attempt to kill him a little over a year ago..."
"We will make sure that we meet out of sight of the Fishery." Sorin heads out the door and starts walking down the street.
With the matter decided, each of you says farewell to Zellara and follows after the eager Sorin out onto the street. The sun has now fully set, but the occasional lantern or torch lights the way. The night seems strangely quiet, as though all of Korvosa is holding its breath...waiting. But, with Gaedren Lamm within reach after all this time, you hardly notice due to the anticipation.
It's simple enough for one familiar with Korvosa's Midland neighborhoods to find the way to Westpier 17, down near the docks of the Jeggare River. Huddling together in the shadows across the street from the building, you take it in. Fortunately, the moon is near full, and allows for fairly good visibility. Sure enough, this address is an old fishery, and a ramshackle structure at that. On the west side, a pair of double doors stands closed up tight. On the north side, there appears to be loading dock of some sort, while on the south, a boardwalk runs alongside the fishery for its entire length, and then curves away to the northeast around the corner. There are no lights in any of the windows, nor is there any sign of activity from within.
Sorin scans the quite building for any sentries. "Wells it seems pretty quite. Dorran shall we take a closer look? I could probably sneak right up take a look though some windows if we can find them."
"Ok watch my back I am going down there." Sorin silently darts between the shadows and heads toward the window next to the double doors facing the street. He stops short of the window and door scanning the ground for any sign of traps and tries to discern any noises in the fishery.
Stealth (1d20+6=11)
Dorran follows Sorin as quietly as he can. Though with Gaedren being this close Dorrans nerves were strung tight. He looks around tring to see any movement in or near the fishery that Sorin might have missed.
Perception (1d20+5=21)
Hearin the halfling say watch my back Dorran's face hardens and whispers " Will do. I let you down once my friend. It will not happen again" with that Dorran takes extra steps to keep his eyes and ears open for anythingthat might prove troublesome
Sorin creeps across the street, as quietly as a mouse. His senses are peeled for any sign that he has been seen. Dorran follows behind, with one hand on his sword hilt. The tread of the human's boots is much louder than the halfling's silent footfall, but there is no sign from within that their presence has been detected.
Standing on his tiptoes, Sorin can just barely peer into the window by the double doors. Dorran has no such trouble, of course. But the window is grimy and the interior of the fishery is dark, so it's hard to make out details. The duo can see something large that may be a desk in the center of the room within, but beyond that, nothing.
Sorin moves to the door and tries the handle not really expecting it to open.
As he expected, Sorin finds the double doors tightly locked.
Sorin turns Dorran and points to the left towards the loading dock and then to himself and the boardwalk. With a node he heads to the right towards the boardwalk.
He slowly peers around the corner looking along to building out toward the water.
Taking the haflings hint Dorran nods once before looking back to see if someone had spotted the pair then heads left over to loading dock. Stealthily Dorran looks around peering this way and that
From their inconspicuous location across the street, Pavo looks at Alistar as the monkey seems to look up at the same time. Then, speeding across the street, the little monkey begins it's stealthy climb to the roof to see what it can see.
Sorin creeps ahead to the fishery's corner, and peers to the east. He gets a closer look, noting the boardwalk that clings to the side of the fishery, held together by barnacle-thick pilings that have been worn halfway through their thickness at the waterline.
Meanwhile, Dorran heads around to the north side of the fishery, where he sees a fifteen-foot-wide loading dock that abuts the side of the building here. A few carts sit nearby, partially loaded with large tar-caked barrels. In the moonlight, Dorran can just make out that the barrels are marked with a fish-shaped splotch of red paint on the side. Double doors to the immediate south of the loading dock’s ramp apparently provide access to the building’s interior, while a rickety flight of stairs descends nearly to the river’s surface to the east, where a second door provides another entrance. The reek of brine and the stink of week-dead fish hang thickly in the air here.
Alistar darts quickly and quietly across the street upon Pavo's direction, and easily scampers up the side of the fishery. He makes his away along the decrepit building's rooftop, and peers down over the east side. The capuchin sees an old barge that looks like it is held together primarily by the layers of old rope that lash it securely to the pilings that support the fishery and the nearby boardwalk.
Throughout all this activity, there is still no sound or movement from within the fishery.
Sorin starts down the boardwalk, pausing to check the door to see if it is locked.
Sorin continues down the walkway stopping when the barge comes into view. He quickly scans the back of the building and barge for any sign of lookouts.
Cautiously, Sorin steps out on to the boardwalk. The old wood is very slippery beneath his feet, and the boards creak a bit under him, but he feels relatively secure as long as he moves slowly.
Sorin gives a quick tug on the handle of the door as he passes it by, but it won't budge, even a little.
Upon seeing the decrepit old barge moored around back of the fishery, Sorin stops and takes a look for any sentries. The nearly full moon is obscured by a passing cloud, making it hard for the halfling to be sure, but he doesn't think he sees anyone on the barge. There's no one on the boardwalk back here for sure.
Sorin continues down the walkway and climbs over the side of the barge. He walks up to the door tests it to see if it is locked.
Sorin takes another quick look around and hops back over the side of the boat and heads back to the front of the building. He sneaks around the front and looks around the corner to see it Dorran has found anything of use.
Sorin continues and reaches the old barge, its hull worn and thick with seaweed and barnacles. He clambers nimbly over the side and onto the deck, though it barely seems to be intact. The deck sags just a bit under the halfling's weight as he approaches the single wooden door leading into the aft cabin. The door bears a crude painting of a red fish on its surface.
Reaching out, Sorin tests the door and finds it unlocked, and it swings open with a groan. The interior of the cabin is too dark to make out from outside.
With a shrug, Sorin returns onto the boardwalk, and sneaks back along to reconnoiter with Dorran.
Sorin watches Dorran for a second, he motions back towards the ally to tell him he is going back and then darts across the street.
"I have found an unlocked door in the barge in the back, I don't know if it leads into the building but it is a start." Sorin turns keeping an eye on Dorran watching for trouble and continues. "We should decide if we want to go in tonight or tomorrow but I don't think we should wait too long."