"Missing guard is either already dead or kept alive for some purpose. In both cases, half a day will not make a difference. Mani is alive and dangerous and will keep killing unless that is resolved. I would like to find the guard...but my feeling is that we should look for the Well of Dreams. If the story is true, it gives aditional weight to the fact that Bluffside as a whole is in danger. And The Five may take the threat of the renegade as part of a greater whole. And with the name like that...who knows...maybe we get some visions, prophecies, glimpses of the future."
Akos it seems has his priorities clear. Immediate things first, with knowledge trumping other considerations. Except he ran into the fog alone to save the boy. So...maybe not so clear after all.
Tuck treats the staff explicitly as people who happen to work here, rather than mere servants or part of the furniture. By his genuine interest in people, Tuck often gains more contacts in the City, and you never know when it comes in useful!
Back downstairs, the kobold eats simply, preferring bread and fruits to the more fancy things. He does make sure to be well sated before starting the day.
"I promised to help out someone with a recurring rat problem," the urban ranger states, almost reluctantly. "So if you can help escort the doppelganger to a safer place, I'll try to get my job done quickly and then we can reunite to find that Well of Dreams. It does seem probable that, if true, it can be of great help in our mission."
OOC:
I just discovered I haven't leveled Tuck yet, so will do that today.
Do you want me to roll something for the interactions with the staff? I'll roll a Charisma check; if something else is more appropriate, feel free to add or substract the relevant modifiers.
Breva nods at Akos' logic and inwardly cannot fault Tuck for keeping a promise. Breva looks to the rest of the group. "Are we resolved them to seek this 'well of dreams' as soon as the matters of the doppleganger and rats are dealt with?"
Tim nods, "Yes, agreed. Delivering Mani should be top priority, then head to the well. Hopefully, Tuck will not be long, and will arrive at the well at the same time we do. Tuck, are you ok with doing this alone? Would you rather have an armed escort, just in case?"
"I'll go with you. Mani is an interesting character, but there is no mystery anymore. And maybe we will be faster together so we can get to the well. The rest of you, don't let the Regulars and Elite and mercenaries start fighting over custody, that is just the chaos Mani is viable to get lost in."
Offers Akos
Breva nods at Akos' advice. "You know where to find us if the rats turn out to be more than expected. Shall we deliver Mani?" He gathers his things and thanks the servants for their assistance during his visit before departing.
Breva could not resist returning the the library and reading a bit of the tale of Sir Oswyn Tibborde when he should have been sleeping. He still is reasonably refreshed by the bath and good food and ready to face another difficult day. As always he begins his day in prayer. He prays earnestly that the damage from Mani's psionic attack be healed by the power given to him by his deity. He casts the spell which can restore such wounds.
During Breva's prayers, he gets a clear image of two crossed swords in his mind -- the symbol of the Purifier. Then there is the sound of fire burning in his ears and the two swords become engulfed in white-hot flames. There is the call to battle ringing in the distance and then a shadowy creature with tentacles rises behind the image of the swords and roars an unearthly wail.
Tuck treats the staff explicitly as people who happen to work here, rather than mere servants or part of the furniture. By his genuine interest in people, Tuck often gains more contacts in the City, and you never know when it comes in useful!
The servants quickly become at ease with the urban ranger and several of them offer to tell him bits of news they've heard about in the last few days.
"A lot of rumors swirling about just like that fog last night," a comely half-orc maid says to him. "There is talk that there might be a thieves' war brewing down in the Undercity."
JustinCase said:
OOC:
Do you want me to roll something for the interactions with the staff? I'll roll a Charisma check; if something else is more appropriate, feel free to add or substract the relevant modifiers.
We can make it a Gather Information roll. That's something Tuck is really good at. (16+14=30) If you choose to go that way, I'll post some of the latest gossip and rumors going around Bluffside in the OOC thread and who Tuck heard it from. Post any questions you want to ask the staff on the OOC thread, for more specific things related to the group's missions. The roll is good enough for Tuck to gain another contact at the manor. I'll come up with an NPC and short description and post it on the OOC thread once you've confirmed that you want to make the roll a Gather Information check.
Or we can make it a untrained Diplomacy check. (The bulk of the staff would be either Indifferent or Friendly, already. Tuck's roll would be good enough to make the Indifferent staff members Friendly.)
Scotley said:
Breva washes up and heads downstairs to enjoy the morning repast. Once everyone has made it down he addresses the group. "So my good companions, after a good nights rest have you thoughts on how best to spend our day? I suggest we wrap up the matter of the Doppleganger with a visit to the lord commander this morning and put that behind us. My personal feeling is that the missing guards should be traced before the trail goes colder, but I would hear what you all think we should do."
Gerey makes sure everyone has enough to eat and then some. The dining table is filled to the brim with fresh bread & flapjacks, honey & other sweets, the finest cheese, fruits & vegetables, and water, wine & mead, as well as fresh cooked meats such as bacon, sausage, and venison.
"Missing guard is either already dead or kept alive for some purpose. In both cases, half a day will not make a difference. Mani is alive and dangerous and will keep killing unless that is resolved. I would like to find the guard...but my feeling is that we should look for the Well of Dreams. If the story is true, it gives aditional weight to the fact that Bluffside as a whole is in danger. And The Five may take the threat of the renegade as part of a greater whole. And with the name like that...who knows...maybe we get some visions, prophecies, glimpses of the future."
Akos it seems has his priorities clear. Immediate things first, with knowledge trumping other considerations. Except he ran into the fog alone to save the boy. So...maybe not so clear after all.
"Yes, there is no way for us to know for certain whether or not those guards going missing has anything to do with the renegade," Vinccenzo says in agreement. "We did promise to look for them, but taking Mani to Lord Commander Oakfirst comes first. We can look for them after we've checked out the thicket."
"If you like, Sir Breva, I can have word sent to some discreet investigators I know who can look for these young guards and report back to me," Gerey offers. "While it might take some time, I can have the information to you in day or so, depending on how hard my old friends have to look for them. I promise that they won't engage with any villains that might be involves in the disappearances."
JustinCase said:
Back downstairs, the kobold eats simply, preferring bread and fruits to the more fancy things. He does make sure to be well sated before starting the day.
"I promised to help out someone with a recurring rat problem," the urban ranger states, almost reluctantly. "So if you can help escort the doppelganger to a safer place, I'll try to get my job done quickly and then we can reunite to find that Well of Dreams. It does seem probable that, if true, it can be of great help in our mission."
Breva nods at Akos' logic and inwardly cannot fault Tuck for keeping a promise. Breva looks to the rest of the group. "Are we resolved them to seek this 'well of dreams' as soon as the matters of the doppleganger and rats are dealt with?"
Tim nods, "Yes, agreed. Delivering Mani should be top priority, then head to the well. Hopefully, Tuck will not be long, and will arrive at the well at the same time we do. Tuck, are you ok with doing this alone? Would you rather have an armed escort, just in case?"
"I'll go with you. Mani is an interesting character, but there is no mystery anymore. And maybe we will be faster together so we can get to the well. The rest of you, don't let the Regulars and Elite and mercenaries start fighting over custody, that is just the chaos Mani is viable to get lost in."
Offers Akos
"I think the three of you should be able to handle some rats," Vinccenzo says with a smile while watching Mutt devour a piece of venison. The big dog gulps down the meat happily and then sinks his nose into a bowl full of fresh milk with honey.
Breva nods at Akos' advice. "You know where to find us if the rats turn out to be more than expected. Shall we deliver Mani?" He gathers his things and thanks the servants for their assistance during his visit before departing.
"Agreed. I couldn't eat another bite," Vinccenzo says as he pushes the empty plate in front of him away. "Let's get going."
"I shall have the staff take the rest of the food and donate it to the poor in the Undercity," he bows to Breva and Big Tim. "You are always welcome here at Stormgrove."
"Thank you, Gerey," Vinccenzo says. The Sectarian Guard shakes the man's hand before heading out with Big Tim and Breva.
The three of you are soon on their way back to the Red Arch guard post. The three heroes find a small crowd gathered around the guard post and the guard Mariana and an another woman, who wears the uniform of a Regulars captain, are trying to keep the crowd back. The people in the crowd are demanding more information about the Old City Killer. It seems the news of the doppelganger's capture and incarceration at Red arch has gotten out.
"Please step back," the guard captain orders, clearly feeling overwhelmed. "We have the situation well in hand! Now return to your homes!"
There are more shouts from the growing crowd. "String him up now!" and "Kill the fiend!" and "It murdered my son!"
"Well, this isn't good," Vinccenzo says. "I bet that damn sergeant told someone."
Mariana notes your arrival and points you out to her captain. The woman nods and addresses the crowd. "The murderer will face justice, I promise you that but we have laws in this city! There will be no lynching of the prisoner!" She motions to you. "Look! The heroes that caught him have returned to take him to face justice at the Palace!"
"Gods! She just didn't do-."
The crowd turns to look at you and first notes Breva's attire as a paladin of the Purifier and then Vinccenzo's Sectarian Guard uniform. But soon all eyes are on the imposing figure of Big Tim. The crowd rushes forward and surrounds the three of you. Questions pour out about the killer and if the three heroes are sure it is the killer. The woman who lost her son weeps at Breva's feet and praises his god. The crowd starts to grow and Breva notes a look of relief on the guard captain's face. She sees Breva staring at her and mouths, 'I'm sorry'. She motions for Mariana to stay outside and keep watch on the scene and then heads into the guard post.
OOC: At this point, Big Tim, Breva and Vinccenzo all gain a +2 reputation bonus. Ákos and Tuck's reputation bonus will be only +1 since they weren't present for this encounter. (But they still gain reputation since they'll still be known to be connected to Mani's capture since knowledge of the deed has spread like wildfire [keep reading below]). However, these bonuses are +1 higher in Old City for the next month, as compared to the rest of Bluffside.
__________________________________________________
Elsewhere...
Tuck leads the ways to the old bakery with both Ákos and Mutt in tow. As you get close, Mutt sense where Tuck is going. He barks and wags his tail, hoping for a sweet treat once you arrive at Walther Kappel's bakery, The Rising Dawn. The streets of Old City are bustling as the three companions turn down side street and pass through an inner gate to a posh area with tons of food shops and fine homes. As you pass, Tuck senses many eyes on him and Ákos but not with malice. There is murmuring and a few waves.
Ákos clearly hears some one say. "That's them, I'm sure of it." Another person asks. "Really, are you sure?" The reply comes. "Of course, how many kobolds do you know of in Old City."
As they reach their destination, Tuck notes that the bakery is definitely closed and boarded up with an official notice on it saying "Rat Infestation. Stay Clear."
Tuck knows that Walther and his wife, Albina, normally live above the bakery but that they're not likely to be staying there now. Mutt barks at an old alley cat. It runs up a nearby tree and hissed at the big dog. Them Mutt's nose senses something else. He's soon sniffing around the exterior of the bakery and then grows at something under the bakery's crawlspace.
A young boy of no more than eight summers is soon standing next to Ákos in the street and pulling on the Loremaster's sleeve. He waits until Ákos notices him and then the boy smiles. "You're a hero right? My momma says you're a renown wizard who catches bad men and fights monsters."
"Adrian, come here," his mother says from a short distance. "I'm sure that Mister Ákos is quite busy right now."
"But momma," the boy complains. "I want to hear about how they caught the bad man last night."
Several other citizens are gathered nearby, listening and watching intently.
"It is fine, good lady, curiosity shouldn't be suppressed." Akos smiles and with a moment's thought silvery scales of his armor pull back revealing his robes and clearing his face. He bends down, picks up the boy, and walks toward the gathered citizens.
"I'll just be a moment, Tuck."
Studying the group, he shifts the boy to his left and strikes the staff hard on the cobblestones. He starts the sing-song tale of a trained orator. But even he was surprised how well it turned out, like the story itself wanted to be told.
"Listen, good people of Bluffside, and remember The tale of the Old City Killer and its captors. Yes, ITS, because it was no man, but a monster. Killing for 'his art' if you can believe such a tale. In yesterdays fog the group of adventurers led by brave Sectarian Guard Vincenzo d'Lucio and including such persons as a paladin of Purifier, Sir Breva, a foreign lord of great stature, Sir Tymbeck Valencia, great pair of trackers, and myself tracked the killer to almost catching him in the act. Confronting the monster, the group spread out to not allow it to slip away in the fog. In the calls in the murk, the monster was all but invisible, but his ego was his downfall. It congratulated itself on its last killing, but it let slip enough details that I recognized the place. Thus, the group fought, mighty swings of warriors failing to catch the elusive killer. Until such time the only one who was not affected by the fog, namely the great nose of legendary Mutt who can smell what you ate three days ago located it. With Tuck holding it in place the worthies of three places on Kulan and further away converged and finally subdued it.
While all that back and forth was happening, I was running like mad through the fog and after many encounters, you and I would find comical if I was not racing Death itself I found its last victim. I recognized the peril, the boy was not only cut, but poisoned too. He was doomed. But knowledge is power. And Titania herself blessed the boy, I found the berries I needed on the very building he was dying in. With death's shadow already cast over him, the boy was brought back to life, but the poison was just delayed and Death stalked him still.
Thus, the killer was brought to Regulars' outpost and the brave Captain of the outpost risked his and their outposts guard lives in containing the killer until morning. In the dead of the night, the heroes raced death to the only place that could cure the affliction in the short time remaining. The alchemist Spindle had just the right potion to save the boy's life. And you can see the boy in the morning, right at this moment there.
Thus ended the story of the Old City Killer and the blessed stable boy. Remember the nose of Mutt, great tracking of Tuck, mighty swings of Sir Valencia, righteous anger of Sir Breva, and great leadership of Sir Vecchi. Remember also the blessings of Titania whose summer palace opened its gates to save the boy in the stable with my hands as the conduit and blessings of The Great Teacher that gave us a way to remember those that came before us.
Remember, the killer wasn't killed, he will be tried. Thus the cart of civilization goes on on the wheels of justice. Go now, good people, with the blessing of the Summer Queen, talk to the stable boy. Make business with the alchemist and remember."
He gives the boy to his mother and says quietly to her as the group disperses. "I am a priest, a loremaster from Cloister of Brigias, and representative of the Fey Court here in the city. Please, call me Loremaster Akos or just Akos if you can. The Mister part seems...too distant to my life. Adrian, keep the wonder alive, the world is a beautiful place and needs to be explored. But don't be stupid about it. You don't experience anything if you're maimed or dead. Listen to your mom. She knows things you are only now discovering."
