Dr. Si's Curse of the Crimson Throne - Beta Group

[sblock=Arrival at the Pantheon of Many]Dj'hân grows more fidgety as the group draws closer to the large and intimidating facade of the Pantheon of Many. Reaching behind him, the nervous child flips open the flap of Edmond's backpack. Turning around atop his perch, the tiny guttersnipe deftly slides off of the holy warrior's broad shoulders to find sanctuary inside the dark interior of the leather pack. Sitting atop of Edmond's stowed possessions, the tiny halfling child pulls the flap down in place as he discreetly peeks from inside the dark recesses of the backpack to keep watch on the goings on outside.

Later, when meeting with the Varisians, Dj'hân is most curious to hear more about their late benefactor's life.[/sblock][sblock=Two week interim]Having nowhere and nothing in particular to go back to, Dj'hân accompanies and spends a fair bit of time with his newest companions over the next few weeks. When the guttersnipe gets bored or restless he disappears for a time into the familiar streets, alleyways and shingles of the city; sometimes returning after only a few hours, sometimes only a day or three later. Although still nervous around the other Little Lamms, Dj'hân more or less accepts Edmond's invitation and takes up a semi-permanent residence in the holy warrior's family home. Seemingly comfortable and secure there, the tiny urchin often curls up in his giant companion's backpack to sleep at night or to accompany him on errands.[/sblock][sblock=Dr Simon]At some point during the two week hiatus, Dj'hân would like to go visit Zalara's apartment on Lancet street. He'd try to find a discreet way inside for someone of his tiny stature; possibly through an unlocked window, down a coal chute or chimney or up a drainage pipe. If all else fails he'd try breaking in discreetly. He's curious to investigate the place to see the rest of the mysterious woman's former living space. He'd poke around for a few hours if able, looking in cupboards, poking inside closets, etc. Finally, if he feels safe enough, he might spend a night there and perform a harrowing.[/sblock][sblock=Dr Simon & Edmond]If permitted to do so Dj'hân would, over a period of a few days, perform an exacting exploration of Edmond's old family residence once he starts spending time there. He'd check out various ways in and out for someone of his stature, such as windows, coal chutes, chimneys or drainage pipes. He'd explore all of the house's hidden nooks and crannies, looking for one or more spots that he can lay claim to; preferably a gap inside a wall, under a flight of stairs, behind a cupboard or some other such spot only accessible to a humanoid of his tiny stature.

He's also happy to help out with the renovations when he happens to be in residence. Though not big or strong, the tiny urchin is fairly adept and inspecting, cleaning and repairing hard to reach areas. He's an enthusiastic and seemingly tireless worker who's not afraid to get dirty.[/sblock]

Finding himself in the boisterous tavern after accompanying Edmond in the man's backpack, Dj'hân eventually crawls out when he finally recognizes his old friends Lynn and Thorson. The grimy guttersnipe has seemingly changed little in the past few weeks, the only concession to his newly acquired wealth being a newly purchased red suede cap decorated with a curling hippogriff feather and a long tappet that dangles down past the boy's knees. He models it for the lady and brute's benefit, referring to it proudly as "my new liripoop". Taking it off, Dj'hân shows the adults that its tappet is deep enough for him to tuck both his staff of curing and staff of power inside.

Later, the urchin is enjoying a shooter of juice in both hands while seated atop the table when Kirton stumbles over. Dj'hân's confused expression is replaced with one of recognition once Edmond's uses the man's name. Offering the drunkard a big wave and a wide grin, the boy happily greets the old acquaintance. "Hi Mr Soldier!"
 
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[sblock=In the interim]Not long after reaching the Pantheon of Many, having found out the children had arrived at their destination safely and that Thorson would be patched up good and proper, Lynn, brimming over with excitement, had taken her leave. There was someone that she needed to see.

When Lynn came again the next day to the temple, she smiled and spoke sweetly though her good cheer seemed to vanish when she thought no one looking. Her eyes too had been rimmed in red, something she had waved away as nothing more than a reaction to the foulness of the fishery.

Whatever was bothering her, she seemed to find solace in the Little Lamms and over the two weeks she and Edward had stopped by their new home nearly every day to help out in whatever ways they could. [/sblock]

Lynn glanced at the man that had drunkenly run into Edmond and had paid him little mind. A drunk was not so uncommon as sight in a tavern, especially these days. When Edmond addressed him she looked again with a dawning recognition. She felt disgust welling up at the back of her mind, there seemed little reason to help a man these days that he didn't try to destroy himself. She could not quite keep the reproach out of her voice.

What's happened to you?

[sblock=Dr Simon]What's commonly known about Shiver? If it's a new drug Lynn will do some asking around in the downtime about what the source might be.[/sblock]
 

[sblock=OOC]
For Edmond's Orphanage, I can picture a Hard Work Montage. ;) Now all we need is a suitable piece of music...
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[sblock=Ambrus]
Dj'hân finds that Zellara's house is in a state of disrepair and neglect compared to the first time that they visited. Everything is pretty much as it was, but older, tattier and covered in dust. It is a terraced cottage - a front parlour, a kitchen and larder in the back, a small bit of yard leading to a shared toilet block and two small bedrooms upstairs. He finds nothing of value or interest, but feels a strange sense of sadness that seems to come from outside of him.

You can perform a Harrow reading if you like - this one won't give you any Harrow points, but it might provide further cryptic clues.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Oni]
Gather Information check 11+6=17

Shiver is a relatively new drug in Korvosa, but has been around for a year or so at least. It is said to be distilled from the venom of an exotic creature from Mwangi called a Dream Spider. Taken orally, shiver induces a coma where the user experiences strange and exotic dreams, often accompanied by uncontrolled shivering of the neglected body. It is highly addictive, but sometimes used by artists as a source of inspiration. It is also used by those who prefer to escape into dreams than face their own reality.

Shiver is expensive, but fairly easy to come by in the streets. There is no single supplier but rumours are that it is centrally distributed to lesser gangs by the Cerulean Society, Korvosa's leading "thieves guild". The Cerulean Society keep a tight control on smuggling, so they must handle the import of Dream Spiders into the city. Word on the street is that the guildmaster, Boule, is a weak man with a failing grip on the criminal world, and that his strings are pulled by a much more powerful backer.
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Kirton looks with glazed eyes at Edmond before things seem to swing into Focus for him.

"Hey, Edwin, Edmond, I remember you. You saved me the day Badger died. And the King," he adds as an afterthought. "Hello little boy," he adds to Dj'hân, "and the lovely lady too." He tries to kiss Lynn's hand, misses and nearly pitches forwards onto the ground instead.

"Badger's dead, y'know," he says, seriously. "And what's a Sable M'rine without a hippogriff. I bloody loved that beast. Here, here, won't you join me in a li'l drink to toast his mem'ry?"
 

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Dj'hân, remembering the origins of his cap's feather, quickly removes his headwear to hold it behind his narrow back. He solemnly hefts his shot glass in toast to the late Badger's memory.

[sblock=Dr Simon]OOC: Feel free to describe the harrowing to me if you want to. I'm sure it'd be a fun read. :)[/sblock]
 


Lynn sighed and the hard look on her face softened.

Why don't you have a seat.

She gently pushed the drunken marine toward a chair.
 

Edmond Deathwish

Yeah, join us. Here is to Badger.

Edmond raises salute to fallen beast.

After a moment pause...
Don't you get young one to train anew? I know this hit you hard, but your duty continues, no?
 

Kirton flops into a seat and looks blearily at Edmond.

"Yeah, so it does. Shouldn't be here, doing this, but...." He stares into the distance for a bit and then turns to Lynn, giving her a smile. It is a sad, wistful smile, not the leer of a drunken lecher.

"Y'r ver' pretty," he says. "I knew a woman like you once. I liked her a lot, but she didn't like me, and I thought she liked someone else, and we all had a big fight and because of me the finest swordsm'n in all Korvosa is missing two fingers." He takes a drink, and thinks carefully. "Well, it wasn't me, it was Sabina that cut them off. Maybe she was the best swordsm'n.. swordswom'n. She works for the Queen now, y'know. Right hand.. maiden... thing. They reck'n she's the Queen's lover too, so maybe she couldn't have liked me or Orisini at all." He takes another swig of his drink. "Y'know him, Vincarlo Orisini? Finest swordsm'n in all Korvosa. Except that he's missing two fingers. Thass my fault, y'know? Did I tell you about that?"

He takes another drink.

"Y'r all ver' nice," he says. "More drinks?"

[sblock=Edmond]
You've heard of Vincarlo Orisini - in fact, Orisini's Academy is not far from your house in Old Korvosa. He's a well respected weapons tutor for the gentry, a handsome middle-aged man by all accounts, well-spoken and mannerly. You also know of Sabina Merrin, the Queen's Handmaiden, but by reputation and rumour only since she rarely leaves Castle Korvosa. You've heard the rumours too that she's closer to the Queen than a mere bodyguard, but the Queen is surrounded by lots of malicious gossip.
[/sblock]
 

It sounds as though you know some pretty important people. You must hear a lot about what is going on behind the scenes.

Lynn smiled sweetly.

Why don't you tell me something interesting? But first let me get your drink.

Lynn paused to see what Kirton was drinking and then went to the bar.

[sblock=Dr Simon]
Lynn will ask the the bartender for a pitcher of water and then use prestidigitation to mimic the colour and flavour of whatever Kirton was drinking before bringing it back to the table[/sblock]
 

Kirton's rambling stirs a long forgotten memory in Dj'hân's mind. The thought is elusive however; something about that night long ago when the Queen had first ascended to the Crimson Throne. When had that been? Hm. No matter. Hadn't he been a member of an urchin street-gang back then? Yes. That's it. The urchin could recall an old cruel master named Gaedron Lamm. The old King had died the night that the guttersnipe had turned on the old man... No. That was the second time he'd turned on Lamm; and he'd had help from a giant and a beautiful half-elf. Right. His old friends; the trio of giants he was sitting with right now in fact. So what about the Queen then? Ah yes. Lynn had found... something that had belonged to the Queen amongst Lamm's things...

Coming out of his reverie, the guttersnipe turns excitedly towards the beautiful half-elven lady. "Lynn, did you ever give the Queen that thingy of hers that we'd found awhile back?"
 

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