[LPF] Ryall's Estate

[jbear]

"If it helps, Signor Gabbiano, we know the person in question is a tall man, with a very fine bow. He must be a skilled ranger to have set such animals upon us, and know some trick to allow him to steal the hut used in the fraud. We also found a note that seemed to suggest a rift between family members of the Gabbiano house, a dispute over shipping to be precise. Does any of this make any sense to you, Signor Gabbiano? Two good honest men are dead over this. They deserve a peaceful rest which their souls will not find until they have had justice. We have heard your family has fallen on hard economic times. Certainly further scandal would be an undesireable thing for you, I'm sure. So ... help us. Help us resolve this quietly."

Relic offers the half-torn message in question towards Umberto.

OOC: No worries Quik. With the surprising amount of treasure we have already generated thanks to the pbp rules Relic will be able to buy loads of scrolls. And if you get luckier than I, I can copy it from your spellbook anyway. Plus the biggest bonus of forging bonds between our characters makes is well worth it!

[sblock=spells memorised]
Cantrips: Read Magic, Ray of Frost, Daze
lvl 1: Shocking Grasp, Mage Armour, Sleep
[/sblock]

 

[Systole]

Daylily happily ambles along with the rest of the party, chewing on some sort of reddish herb, spitting into the gutter occasionally. He follows the group up to the apartments, rolling his eyes at all the silly finery.

As Scorchsong and Relic talk to the Gabanyo, he looks around somewhat disinterestedly.

OOC: While Daylily technically made the second Perception check, I can safely say he would not have noticed that bit of information.

 

[jkason]

[sblock=Daylilly]heh. I probably should have set the DC much higher for Daylilly, given his background. [/sblock]

[sblock=Quioan]Gabbiano doesn't appear to be hiding anything at first blush. He seems to be an aristocratic businessman genuinely curious about a visit from strangers.[/sblock]

Gabbiano's office, like the receiving area, shows taste and money, kept clean and orderly. Umberto sits behind a large oak desk as he offers the party seats in thickly-cushioned chairs, and sits attentively as they speak. His brow furrows as the tale continues, a look of concern clouding his features. At the mention of murder, he becomes visibly agitated. When Relic offers up the torn note, he hastens to collect and read it, the color draining from his face as he does so.

Umberto regains his composure quickly, returning his attention to the party.

"As I'm sure no end of gossips will have gladly told you by now, my House isn't what it once was," the noble says. "It certainly doesn't help that my late brother, Carnemorto, several times dipped into both our coffers and our collections to pay for his various ... appetites." Umberto's gaze falls on a pedestal in the corner which is conspicuously empty, and he sighs audibly.

"While once we retained a wide range of skilled individuals and lands, as our primacy in the shipping industry has waned, so has my ability to afford such luxuries. I sold our family game preserve some years ago, and with it, obviously, went our game warden, Niam Caan. I can't say that I miss him, as more than once Carne's dalliances put him in the man's debt. I suspect he's your man, and this," Umberto holds up the note, "confirms what I long suspected. Namely, that Carne traded one of our most valuable family relics to Caan in order to erase an egregious debt."

Umberto closes his eyes, muttering to himself, "Gods of Venza, brother, even in death you cause trouble."

At this point, Finia returns with a tray of goblets and a caraffe of wine.

"Master Umberto?" she says with concern, glaring to the party as if to discern what they've done to upset her employer.

"Thank the gods, I most certainly need some of that," Umberto says, waving the attendant over and taking a goblet of wine. He drinks it back in one long swig.

"Help yourselves," Umberto says absently, waving Finia to offer the party drinks as he props his head up with one hand and rubs his forehead against the headache he's clearly contracted.

 

[Systole]

Daylily growls. "Game-warding ... this is means wood-strider who is being take by hunter spirit, yes? Where is this game-warding? We should to finding him."

 

[Qik]

Quioan sits back in his seat, believing Umberto to be a man of his word. "I appreciate your honesty, signore; I understand that this could be quite upsetting news for you to hear. It seems likely that your former game warden is indeed the man where after, which means that our best bet is to pay him a visit." Turning to the others, he adds, "Which is unfortunate, considering it's always dangerous to confront a man of the woods on his own land."

 

[Systole]

OOC: Out till Sunday night. Daylily doesn't have much to say here, but definitely wants to go give this ranger guy a pounding.

 

[Qik]

OOC: ***Cue shot of Daylily in the mountain man hat you posted pounding his fist ominously.***

 

[jbear]

"And what family artifact would that be? One that can move houses from one place to another by any chance?"

Relic takes a goblet of wine and without drinking from it continues.

"We can help you Signor Gabbiano, but we need you to help us find this man so we can confront him and put a stop to his mischief. Because whatever this man is doing, he is using your family name and dragging it through the mud with him. We want to put a stop to that. Quickly, quietly, and as soon as possible."

 

[jkason]

"I granted Caan the small plot of land that his home already sat on as part of his severance. That was the last location I knew him to be. Even if he was a trouble-maker, he did his job itself quite well, and I hoped leaving him connected to something might help quell any instincts he had for retribution. I suppose it's good I did, seeing fully now what he's capable of."

As Relic inquires about the Relic, Umberto's heretofore openness clamps shut.

"It was an artifact, of both great emotional and practical importance to my family," Umberto says, his gaze making it clear he's unwilling to say any more.

"I can give you directions to Caan's house, out on the edge of the old game preserve, but that's all the more information about him that I have."

 

[Systole]

Daylily rolls his eyes. "Is so importantest, this house-moving thing? Is for moving house," he says, making the final word sound like a profanity. "There is game-warding forest-walker who is take by evil spirit. He is much danger, and is proper duty to make him be fixed." Here, the barbarian taps his hammer meaningfully. "Where is place of game-warding?"