The fat man's eyes bulges at all the people balking at him, the strange looking foreigner with the claws, the angry looking armored woman with his ape's head. He stammers No.. no.. please... it wasn't me, I did nothing to Larus, I just lend moneeey.....
With that last effort, all blood seems to drain from his face and his eyes glaze in death.
Ushari looks back at the rest of the group, with a stricken look on her face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that, I should have checked to see if he was OK, before questioning him..."She looks at Calinder, saying "I'm sorry."
Ushari doesn't say anything back to Nails, but you do see a tear go down her cheek. She moves to search the rst of the upstairs office, more to distract herself, that in any hopes of finding any clues.
The appartment is very modest, not what you'd think of someone who lends thousands of gp. But then, Lymas was only a front for the Crime Boss who had the real money.
All in all you find 120gp in assorted coins and small gems, and a cigar box half full with rare chelaxian cigars, apparently Smeed only luxury. The rest are personal items and documents stating several debts and payments.
Ushari gathers the loot and the papers. She gives the papers to Calinder saying, "We might be able to find out why he went after Larus from these notes."
Ushari, not used to the fragrant aroma from the cigar, feels a little light-headed. After a little while, a not-unpleasant buzz comes over her, and she giggles, "Yeah, a shame for him."
Cal puts the papers safely away so he can study them back at the Gold Goblin, then checks the body over in case it wasn't just our attacks that killed him.
He was seriously wounded but stable when you left him. Your precise analysis determines the cause of death as massive coronary failure in reaction to the extreme anxiety of everyone crowdig and threatening him. He was overweight and his cholesterum was probaly over the roof.
Note: Arus the Stern, grand maester of he Korvosan magical college has written extensive treaties on physiology and he determined that there is a value he called "cholesterum" that measures how happy your food makes you. If your cholesterum is too high, you need to go for a month eating only steamed vegetables and green leafs until you are miserable enough that your cholesterum returns to normal levels.
Lecian ponders worriedly. "We broke into his home and killed his pet. He wasn't wrong to try to fight us off. We didn't come here for a fight, we wanted to get answers about Larus," Lecian says. "Let me see those paper."
Lecian will look over the papers looking for the names of Larus, Saul, or anyone else he may recognize.
Knowledge (local):
"Yes, we should get out of here. We probably stirred up a hornet's nest, on this."
Calinder hands the papers over after explaining the cause of death, I'll take a look at those also back at the Goblin. We should indeed get back but first we cannot leave this man this way. I will aid his journey to the afterlife. He then proceeds to administer last rites according to the tenets of Sarenrae. Laying him upon the floor and shrouding him in a sheet from the bed. He works quickly and takes no more than 5 minutes.
You return to the Goblin to tend to your wounds.
The girls at the casino help you with bandages and rub soothing oil for your bruises. A worried looking Vancaskerkin asks for his floor manager Larus.
|
Nails returns to the central room after her treatment, wearing a mass of bandages around her chest, covering most of her top. "Saul, those girls know how to use those hands of theirs.."
She then puts on a shirt, orders a whisky and lights up another one of Smeed's cigars, leaning up against the bar. "As for Larus, well, we think he's probably dead. His room was ransacked, and some eyewitnesses told us that a dwarf matching Larus's description was killed. Don't know who did it just yet."
Ushari takes out the bloodstained cloak she found earlier before the group entered the house. "We also found this cloak. It probably belonged to Larus."
UShari wonders what is taking Calinder so long to examine those papers. Wait, did one of the serving girls go up to his roon earlier? She couldn't remember...
After a thorough going over with one of the serving girls checking his wounds, Cal eventually gets round to inspecting the papers.
While Cal checks the papers, Vancasckerkin brings out a bottle of really expensive Chellaxian Firewhiskey and pours everyone a glass.
To the memory of my partner and friend Larus, may he rest in peace now that his death was avenged!
He thanks you for finding out what happened to the dwarf.
There are a couple of things I want to discuss with you boys.. First I want to raise your base salary to 25gp a week. I know is not much but if we keep doing so great, there will be a bonus, I couldn't have gotten here without you!. Second, we need a new floor manager. Since Zincher's rat Smeed had our Larus killed.. I would like one of you to take the position, who would like to?.
And finally, I wanted to thank you all for being my partners, and tell you that this is my finall year in the business. I think I have enough to live my final years and if we keep doing this god I'll retire and leave the Goblin to you boys
Calinder goes several times through the papers. He finds notes of debts and payments among the stained pages in Smeed's scrawled handwriting. Nothing about Larus, but it comes to your atention that Saul Vancaskerkin borrowed about 2500gp several months ago and never made any payment. In the last couple of months his name appears circled in red.
[ooc]Well, you have to elect a floor manager amongst you. Also state any weekly activities you plan or investigations you want to do and roll any check you can make for improving the Goblin's performance. The one you select as manager will earn 1 rank in Profession Manager and will have to do a profession check. Ah, we will also use the fast xp progression, everyone will level up at 1300xp[ooc]
Ushari says, "I think I could handle the job of being the floor manager, if that's alright with you", she looks over at Calinder. "Does that mean I don't get to sing anymore?" She finishes with either a note of disappointment or relief, you can't really tell.
Smiling mischievously at Ushari Cal says Your more than welcome to have the job of floor Manager and I'd take great pleasure in working under you. I'd be happy to show you later if you'd like? After her latest tune he applauds with great gusto Ushari, your voice is music to my ears.
Cal is fully forthcoming about the ledger but doesn't mention anything about Sauls debt till he has the party alone then broaches the subject With that kind of money on the line I don't think Zinchers just going to give up especially with how well the Goblin is doing these days. Come to think of it, that'd be why he strode in here the other day like he owned the place.
As they discuss their plans regarding Zincher he comes up with Nalia, we could see if we can get some of the street rats to dicreetly keep an eye out on Zincher's gangs movements.
"I appreciate that, Calinder. I hope I will be a good task master to you.". After saying that, she give Calinder a hug, and a small kiss on the cheek. "I hope you can show me how its done later.".
Lecian speaks up after Saul has his say. "Saul, I'm not entirely sure that Lymas Smeed was the one who killed Larus. Smeed knew we were associated with you, as he mentioned it when he confronted us. However, he didn't even mention Larus until we brought up the subject. I think that, maybe, there's more going on, and Zincher may have something to do with this." Lecian continues to speak his thoughts. "Is there anyone else you owe money to?"
Sense Motive:
...
During this week, Lecian will continue to invent games and plan events.
Knowledge (Local):
"Lecian, you could be right on that, but we have few leads to go on at the moment. Do you think someone has set up Smeed to take the fall, and if so, who would have done it?"
After the all too brief hug Cal brushes his lips to her hand and in a hushed voice says Dear Ushari, your wish is my command.
To the others he says, Yes, i'm not sure about Smeed either. That cloak seems to be the only link. Cal looks thoughtfull for a minute then adds Did we ever see a curved dagger at his place? Because I was thinking that wrapped in a cloak at night that Gorilla could pass for a large man and i've seen pet monkeys down by the docks grasp and use implements quite well if trained.
Intimidate
Prof: Manager
Any word from my 'spotters' of any trouble coming our way? (I guess that would be a gather information roll) Diplomacy Oh, I'll up their pay this week along with my increase. I'll note them on my profile for future reference.
Saul seems pretty shocked to hear that Smeed is not the killer
Oh!, if nor Smeed then it must have been one of Zincher's thugs. I promise you I didn't know he was a front from Zincher, that's why I took the loan. No, I didn't borrow from anyone else either.
As for the casino, Urza and Ushari share the floor manager spot, they both do an excellent role. Urzas polite but menacing presence keeps all the troublemakers in line, the new no-weapons policy is strictly enforced, but Ushari appears to be some kind of a finance whiz and that week she helps straighten all the books and employe payroll. She also does some pretty decent singing, but more patrons are there to look at her big blue eyes than to hear her voice.
Lecian is as creative as ever, this week he comes with a masked ball theme that is the talk of the town and the Goblin is at full capacity.
Calinder is at his most charming and does an excellent job recieving the customers.
Based on the two rolls as well as other inducements Cals vote is for Ushari to be floor manager but Urza would make a good assistant manager when she's otherwise engaged.
Calinder and Lecian:
When you go see your street rats on the poorer district, you find out that someone has been beating them. They have blackened eyes and bruises all over. They seem realy scared, but they heard stories about how you and your group are defying every crime boss on Riddleport and they summon enough courage to tell you about it. Apparently someone new took residence at the derelict church they use as a refuge and is collecting money from them. All the money you pay is being kept by the self appointed "Beggar King" and any kid who stands up to him gets a beating by him and his cronies.
Urza and Ushari:
When you pay a visit to your rats on the Dock district you find that word on the street is that you are helping to clean Riddleport. The wildest stories are told about you. They say that you killed Smeed because he was extorting the poor with his loans and that you had to fight a Demon to get to him and you killed all of his five bodyguards before doing him in.
You also learn that Boss Croat got his hands on a shipment of exotic liquor that Saul was expecting for the goblin!
Nalia:
Wednesday is fight night at the underground pit. Saul is expecting a great turnout, it appears that the house's beastmaster, a brute named Bojask got hold of a giant centipede and its pitting him against a couple of mean fighting dogs. But saul's seems troubled as he cames to Nalia on her guard post.
Girl! I need your help! The fight starts in a couple of hours, customers are arriving and that beast Bojask is not ready. Apparently he's got hold of the cellar's keys and he's locked in there drinking all my stock! Please, you have to put him to work again, I need your persuassion skills.
"Urza, thanks for helping me out there running the Goblin. I really appreciate it."
"Looks like someone has painted targets on our chests. How are we going to track that shipment of liquor down?"
"Zincher is the first person to come to mind, but I don't why he'd set up Smeed. Smeed's loaning business seemed to be doing well." Lecian shrugs.
...
"Calinder, how 'bout we pay this Beggar King a visit?"
Yes, I think this beggar king needs to be taught a lesson with rearing children and the proper respect for hallowed ground. Shall we go alone or do we call for the others. Cal will ask some of the injured kids while tending their wounds (ie: stabilize and heal skill take 10) if they can remember how big a gang the beggar king has and the general layout of his hideout and if he has anyone on watch for threats. Also what time of day is quietest to confront him.
"Urza, thanks for helping me out there running the Goblin. I really appreciate it."
"Looks like someone has painted targets on our chests. How are we going to track that shipment of liquor down?"
"It's fun working with you, don't mention it."
"I'm used to having a target on my chest. It's the one on my back I'm worried about."
Diplomacy to gather information on where the liquor is being kept. (don't forget any bonus for the kids)
Lecian listens to the children's answers.
The Foamrunner:
After a few inquires Urza and Ushari find out what happened to the exotic liquor that Saul was expecting for the Golden Goblin. It got delayed at the harbor by a corrupt oficial. Word is that Boss Corat sent one of his closest enforcers, a mean tempered fighter they call "Old Korvosa" with some thugs to bribe the captain of the Foamrunner and retrieve the cargo.
Fighting pit:
Nalia kicks the door, but the creacking wood stands, Sault built it strong to protect his liquor stores. From inside you hear a crashing sound and then some drunken curses.
Splithog Alley:
The kids tell Lecian and Calinder about a mean man that hits them and steals their pay. He is based on an old church of Sarenrae at the end of Splithog alley, shelter to drunkards and dispossesed. He dresses like a beggar and several of his thugs frequent the temple, the elderly priest none the wiser.
"This guy Old Korvosa is nothing but trouble, we should see if he is still aboard the Foamrunner, if not, then maybe we can arrange for the proper delivery of our cargo. We need to be careful, as this might be a setup."
"I would hate to disappoint them if they went through the trouble of setting us up. I mean it would be downright rude if we didn't at least see what kind of trap they put together."
Ushari giggles at him, "Yes, it would be rude if we at least didn't pay them a visit. Mother always taught me to be polite to your hosts."
The Foamrunner:
Urza and Ushari arrive at the docks, there still are a couple of hours of daylight.
The Fighting pit:
The stubborn door creacks but holds. Nalia's only response are some shouted curses from inside.
Go up to the Foamrunner and ask for the Captain. At the first sign of trouble I'll cast Shield.
Well Lecian, there's no time like the present. Let's pay this beggar king a visit, but be on the lookout for his cronies. To the street rats he says Don't worry kids, we'll sort this problem out, you go and let our friends know where we've gone. With that Cal heads with Lecian if agreeable to the old church.
Lecian nods. "Sounds like a plan."
Knowledge (Local):