Shackled City, Act I - Life's Bazaar

[Krug]

"Nothing much more to add I'm afraid.Perhaps one such as you might have better luck, particularly after such a song. Socialising was never my strongest point," says the wood elf.

 

[Dichotomy]

"Well, why don't you tell me what you did find out, so I know what to ask."

(Assuming Eliara obliges...) "Well, perhaps I'll go get some wine from old Isaar."

Konstantine heads up to the bar, leaving her unfinished ale on the table. I always liked sneaking some of father's wine. Perhaps they have fair quality here. The bard seats herself at the bar and gives the barkeep a coy grin.

"I hope you didn't mind my performance. The dear waitress," Konstantine nods to their server "said she might get in trouble for letting me sing. You aren't going to punish her, are you?" The bard engages in some back-and-forth banter with Isaar as she orders some wine.

"Say, as the barkeep for such a well-recommended establishment, I bet you hear stories and songs all the time. Have you heard the horrid thing that happened today?" Konstantine gives the barkeep a brief synopsis of the attack on Ruphus. "My companions and I have been asked by the church to find out what we can. We have to help those poor children. You haven't heard anything about the disappearances, have you? Perhaps rumors of some kind? I heard that poor Coryston Pike knew it was coming. Dreadful thought, that is."

 

[Krago o'the Mountain]

"Well, why don't you tell me what you did find out, so I know what to ask."

(Assuming Eliara obliges...) "Well, perhaps I'll go get some wine from old Isaar."

Konstantine heads up to the bar, leaving her unfinished ale on the table. I always liked sneaking some of father's wine. Perhaps they have fair quality here. The bard seats herself at the bar and gives the barkeep a coy grin.

"I hope you didn't mind my performance. The dear waitress," Konstantine nods to their server "said she might get in trouble for letting me sing. You aren't going to punish her, are you?" The bard engages in some back-and-forth banter with Isaar as she orders some wine.

"Say, as the barkeep for such a well-recommended establishment, I bet you hear stories and songs all the time. Have you heard the horrid thing that happened today?" Konstantine gives the barkeep a brief synopsis of the attack on Ruphus. "My companions and I have been asked by the church to find out what we can. We have to help those poor children. You haven't heard anything about the disappearances, have you? Perhaps rumors of some kind? I heard that poor Coryston Pike knew it was coming. Dreadful thought, that is."

"Ehh....it's alright if Maia lets you stretch your cords a little. The crowd liked you well enough, that's all that matters to me," Isaar answers Konstantine's initial question as he pours her a glass of wine. She finds it to be surprisingly palatable, especially after her distasteful experience with the ale.

[Konstantine Gather Information Check: Roll = 13, Total = 20]

Perhaps he's just favorably disposed toward the bard for her good singing, but Isaar seems much chattier now, as Konstantine presses him for gossip.

As she recounts the assault on Ruphus in the alleyway by the face-painted thugs, Isaar raises his eyebrows in surprise. "I hadn't heard that, no. 'Course, I can't say I'm surprised much. There's a lot of bad things going on these days, as you must know. I'm just glad that priest is alright....those followers of Cuthbert get a little heavy-handed sometimes, sure, but their hearts are in the right place."

He continues, "I sure wish there was something I could tell you that'd help find those poor kids. But, I'm in the dark as much as everyone else. You know, what really gets me is that whoever's behind these vanishings, they've got to have some real magical power behind them...or else a sneakthief that's slick like nobody's business. Ol' Keygan Ghelve, he made damn near every lock in this here town, and everybody who wasn't born yesterday knows that locksmiths just don't come much finer than him. I just can't figure it."

At the mention of Coryston Pike, Isaar responds, "Ah, sounds like somebody's been listening to Mort. Listen, all I know about Coryston Pike is that she used to be an adventurer, probably a lot like you and yours. Retired now, I think, before she disappeared...but I wouldn't put too much stock in anything Mort says. He just likes to run his mouth to sound like knows more'n he really does. To tell the truth, I doubt he'd know Coryston Pike from his own mother if he passed her on the street."

 

[Dichotomy]

Konstantine nods to Isaar. "Thank you kindly, sir. Oh, and your wine is quite good."

The bard takes her leave and returns to the table. "What a nice fellow. He had some interesting things to say..." Konstantine proceeds to relate what the barkeep shared with her.

"I think there might be more to this than he suspects, at least regarding Coryston. This is beginning to sound frightening."

 

[Krug]

"Or interesting. Puzzles upon puzzles," says Eliara. "Well perhaps this Ghelve fellow can divulge more? And best we keep close.Those ruffians from earlier probably have not forgotten us."

 

[Scotley]

William Baker Human Paladin

"Yes, I suspect we'll be seeing those fellows with the funny face paint again. It seems odd that no one seems to know anything about them. Perhaps I should try to find out." Having witnesses the other's success and feeling a little emboldened by the drink, William moves to the bar and tries to engage someone in conversation and offering to buy a drink in emulation of his companion. He tries to find out about the people with the painted faces and failing that just trying to gather more information about the disappearances.

 

[Mark Chance]

"Or interesting. Puzzles upon puzzles," says Eliara. "Well perhaps this Ghelve fellow can divulge more? And best we keep close.Those ruffians from earlier probably have not forgotten us."

Galen's eyes widen with a sudden realization. "More importantly, I wonder if Ghelve divulges more than just information. Wouldn't a locksmith be an ideal person to provide the means to bypass his own locks?"

 

[Krug]

Eliara's eyes light up at Galen's remark. "Ah yes, you do have a good point. It seems we'll be paying this Ghelve fellow a visit soon..."

 

[Krago o'the Mountain]

Konstantine nods to Isaar. "Thank you kindly, sir. Oh, and your wine is quite good."

The bard takes her leave and returns to the table. "What a nice fellow. He had some interesting things to say..." Konstantine proceeds to relate what the barkeep shared with her.

"I think there might be more to this than he suspects, at least regarding Coryston. This is beginning to sound frightening."

"Or interesting. Puzzles upon puzzles," says Eliara. "Well perhaps this Ghelve fellow can divulge more? And best we keep close.Those ruffians from earlier probably have not forgotten us."

Galen's eyes widen with a sudden realization. "More importantly, I wonder if Ghelve divulges more than just information. Wouldn't a locksmith be an ideal person to provide the means to bypass his own locks?"

Eliara's eyes light up at Galen's remark. "Ah yes, you do have a good point. It seems we'll be paying this Ghelve fellow a visit soon..."

"Yes, I suspect we'll be seeing those fellows with the funny face paint again. It seems odd that no one seems to know anything about them. Perhaps I should try to find out." Having witnesses the other's success and feeling a little emboldened by the drink, William moves to the bar and tries to engage someone in conversation and offering to buy a drink in emulation of his companion. He tries to find out about the people with the painted faces and failing that just trying to gather more information about the disappearances.

[William Gather Information Check: Roll = 11, Total = 13]

William now approaches the bar area and seats himself next to a well-dressed dwarf with very long, very black hair. He tries to make some conversation about the attack and disappearances, but his information gathering exploits are soon proven relatively fruitless. The dwarf chuckles in a low, throaty voice. "Y're barkin' up the wrong tree there, lad. I b'n in town only a day or so m'self. The name's Tyro Amberhelm, in Cauldron on business. I too b'n hearin' about these 'disappearances', but I know nothin' more'n you do about 'em. As f'r face painted hooligans, y'got me there. Ain't heard a thing."

"But," continues Tyro, "I do know a good song when I hear one, an' I'd like to show my appreciation. 'Tis rare to hear a voice like that on the road, t'be sure. Y'r company's drinks're on me tonight." He's fished out a handful of coins and flung them Isaar's way before William can protest. "Keep that table's cups full, barkeep!" Isaar nods and grins slightly as he quickly pockets the coins.

"So," Tyro turns his attention back to William. "You stayin' here at the Morkoth? If y'are, look me up some evenin', I'll be in town f'r a few weeks. It'd be a pleasure to drink with ya...and hear some more of those songs, Missie." The last comment is directed at Konstantine. "I'll bid y'all a good night and good 'morrow now. Moradin's blessin's on ya, I hope ya find those kids." Tyro excuses himself and heads down the hall, presumably to retire to his room.

Back at the party's table, Maia the waitress approaches once again. "Well, looks like you've got a tab now. What else can I get you?" She takes orders for further drinks and food, courtesy of Tyro, then asks, "So, will you be needing rooms for the night?"

 

[Krug]

"Yes, we most definitely. And I'll have whichever drink in your menu is most unusual," says Eliara, congratulating Konstantine for her good work.