"That's me, Kestrell Rangerson, roof hopper extrordinaire."  Kestrell responds as Phaedra mentions him.

Quote from IAmButADream >>

A little mipped that the guardsmen did not respond to her offers of beer, the priestess changes tac.

"Barnibus Blastwind, our friend Kestrell has already told me all about the powerful mage, yourself that is, that he became acquainted with this morn. I am Phaedra Starcaller, priestess of Our Mighty Goddess of All Magic, Mystra. May I ask sir, when was the last time that you did come to our temple and pray?"

 

Barnibus looks flustered at Phaedra's question. When Kestrell speaks up he writes something in his notebook, "Kestrell Rangerson" looking back up, "Thank you for your cooperation earlier. Apologies if I was.. brusk earlier. The crime scene has me rather upset."

Glancing back to Phaedra, "Ma'am, I will admit that it has been far too long since I've been to Mystra or anyone else's temple."

"So what all did you discover about the crime scene?"

Elon remains silent knowing that his associations can incriminate him, so he sits quiet and thinks about how rough this must be for Selinae.

As no one speaks up, Kestrell says: "Well, it looked like a fireball to me.  And one of the passerby's outside saw something on the roof up there, so I went to check it out, and found a nice piece of freshly torn cloth with a giant cog on it.  But then some mysterious magician came up and threatened me and I think tried to cast some spell on me.  But, let me tell you, it's no the first time someone has tried to cast a nefarious spell on me.  And then he turned out to be from the city watch, I didn't believe him at first.  But then I gave you the cloth.  And then I almost fell to my death trying to get back down from the roof."

Kestrell looks grumpy at having to say so much and then looks around.  "So that's that.  Also, we are looking for Gazers, have you seen any?  I have a cat in the basement.  I hear they are supposed to be good bait."

Quote from Damian_May >>

 OOC: Vassas pretty sure its ok she's there.

As Vassa enters the basement there is a rythmic *thud,thud,thud* sound and they see Selinae punching the stone wall of the cellar over and over again with bloody knuckles, she turned as Vassa spoke and wiped her eyes which were red.

" I think I woke up Elsa.....sorry, Puss."

She smiled slightly at Vassa, " I don't know what I'm doing here.....wait, do you have  a dark secret as well?", she said in an attempt at humour but obviously tense in case there was one.

" I thought when I sent that letter to Zord I was doing the right thing.....I mean people are safe now....Mums safe....but maybe that drow should have been killed...or arrested." 

" And I know I'm just a moron who hauls cargo and crews merchant cogs so I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with all this Lordships and secret meetings and fireballs.....and two of upstairs are folks that Dad would have a fit if he knew I was with.....not that he doesn't about sailors and dockers anyway..."

" Why are you doing this stuff?"

She cocked her head as the Guard arrived upstairs, the others could answer that they had more idea what had happened than she did anyway...

Concerned by Selinae's bloody knuckles but sensing that there was a lot going on here beyond his understanding, Vassa just tries to gently keep the former dock worker talking... though the half-drow intentionally avoids speaking of his past or his deeper motivations.

 "I think Elsa will be just fine, Sel. Between you and me, I think Kes's talk of using her as bait is just that - talk. I'm guessing that our tough woodsman is probably missing a lot of the things he's more familiar with - the country air, lots of trees... and wild animals.

But back to you, I thought you were here because you were looking for somewhere to belong? To be honest, I think that's something common to most, if not all, of us here at the Manor. A roof, warm bed and friends you can count on. Those sound like good reasons to give a place like this a chance... don't they?

And while I'm glad that you're telling us now that you contacted Zord about Soluun, I don't think that's anything for you to feel bad about. You were trying to do what you thought was right, and it may very well have saved lives. We might never know and that's okay. What if's are a bit like that.

However, I DO mean to see that murderer answer for his crimes, and I'm fairly certain some of the others feel the same. If you do as well, that may be just another good reason for you to be here... and stay, if you want to. As for all that other stuff you mentioned, it's fairly new to me as well for the most part, and to most of our friends upstairs as far as I'm aware. Maybe though, if we stand by each other, we'll have a better shot at working it out... together?

Bason was just listening to the others. He's not very good with all this investigating and more then a little surprised by the interesting group he's hitched his bandwagon to. Harpers and Zhentarim and Xanathars, and now fireballs from puppets? He's sits back behind the bar contemplating there eclectic band. He's just a brewer, but these folks have beliefs and lifestyles that he's only read about. Sure there were folks that would come to the bar and talk about it, but he never thought he would be fighting beside these types of folk. Definitely not all on the same side of the fight. There are the petty squabbles between guilds, but this is a different order all together. 

As Bason is deep in thought about all this barly registering that someone new had entered the manor, he hears someone say CrimsonBrow Ale. "Huh, what. Yea, I'll see if I can get a sampler." Bason heads down to the basement, avoiding the Goliath punching the wall. He heads to his brew supplies and sits back to think some more on his own. 

He hears the conversation between Vassa and Selinae, and it rings with him as well a bit. He hears the door open and more voices up above, but decided to stay down here. He pours three small samples of the Mead  he's brewing and heads toward the other two. 

"Sorry to intrude. I came down for some quite contemplation myself. I'm a brewer by trade and there are some pretty big names being thrown around up there. It's.... intimidating. And slightly confusing why they aren't killing each other, to tell the truth. I'm not quite sure what I'm doing here, but these people welcomed me in and they all seem like good folks. Might as well stick it out together, I suppose. And after that fireball.... we need to find who did that, at the least.  Anyways, try this and tell me what you think. It's not quite done brewing yet so it won't have any real kick, but the flavors should be there." He will offer Vassa and Selinae the cups as he sips his own and looks to the floor above. 

Selinae gave a small smile and squeezed Vassas arm, before turning towards Bason.

" A brewer, yes you said but it quite escaped me amongst all the other things."

Her face relaxed and Vassa saw the tension drain out from her shoulders.

" I'm not myself, but my Dad does dabble a bit, mostly little craft ales but he's not one to say no to a Black Bottom or Belbuck.  I'm most partial to Belbuck myself, got a bit of a sweet tooth....Dad says my palate hasn't matured yet...I guess that means I'll like porters and bitters and the like more as I get older."

" What do you make, Sir?", she said given the cup a sniff and trying her best to identify the subtle aromas like she'd been taught.

Silver just leans back in the chair staring at the guard and mage keeping his mouth to the jug. The others seemed to be taking charge in telling them about what they had found and he just didn't feel like talking to the watch.

Quote from KestrellKestrell >>

As no one speaks up, Kestrell says: "Well, it looked like a fireball to me.  And one of the passerby's outside saw something on the roof up there, so I went to check it out, and found a nice piece of freshly torn cloth with a giant cog on it.  But then some mysterious magician came up and threatened me and I think tried to cast some spell on me.  But, let me tell you, it's no the first time someone has tried to cast a nefarious spell on me.  And then he turned out to be from the city watch, I didn't believe him at first.  But then I gave you the cloth.  And then I almost fell to my death trying to get back down from the roof."

Kestrell looks grumpy at having to say so much and then looks around.  "So that's that.  Also, we are looking for Gazers, have you seen any?  I have a cat in the basement.  I hear they are supposed to be good bait."

Barnibus continues to take notes as Kestrell shares his tale. When he realizes that the last couple sentences were about himself he crosses out a line and gives Kestrell and exasperated look. Once Kestrell finishes Barnibus turns to the others, "Anyone else care to share what you discovered? Some of the witnesses said that a large group of you ran to the east side of the alley at one point. What was that about?"

"We tried to corner who or whatever did this but it was for nothing. We didn't find or see anyone" Elon says feeling a bit sour.

Just when he thought everyone was over the Zhentarim/Xanathars/Harper's thing, it comes roaring back at him. His associates and mentors always treated him good, even as a young boy. They never asked him to do anything he thought was wrong or immoral. He only hopes he can smooth things over with Selinae and show her that he is not a bad person, even if his guild is.

"Well, Sirs. We hope we have answered all your question. We would like to get back to our lives"

"Tried to corner someone?" Barnibus perks up. "Who did you see? Can you give a description?"

In flustration "we saw the carnage and knew whoever did it would try to run off so we tried to cut off all routes of escape. We were unsuccessful." (Deep breath) "anything else gentlemen?"

Smiling genuinely at Sel, Vassa smacks his leaps theatrically and nods his head in appreciation to their dwarven companion, "That's pretty damned good, Bason. Sweet like a good mead should be, but not overly so. Leaves a warm aftertaste on your tongue, which I especially like. 

That's a good point you raise about villains usually destroying each other. If they weren't liable to take so many innocents with them, I might be happy to leave them to it. But as this morning shows, the cost of inaction is often too high. I'm not exactly sure yet what we can do about it, but I guess that's why we've come together... strength, and maybe wisdom, in numbers? Speaking of which, we'd best get upstairs before Phae sends Lif down to chase us out."

Walking upstairs, Vassa asks Sel conversationally, "You speak fondly of your pa, Sel. Have you been away from home long?"

Quote from Goingcrazy614 >>

In flustration "we saw the carnage and knew whoever did it would try to run off so we tried to cut off all routes of escape. We were unsuccessful." (Deep breath) "anything else gentlemen?"

Barnibus stares at Elon for a moment and then looks over to Saeth, who had been standing quietly thus far. Saeth shakes his head in disappointment before speaking to the group, "It's obvious you all don't want us here. I'm sure it because we're probably a hamper to whatever business you're trying to start." Nodding in Renaer's direction, "With Neverember here, I'm sure it's bound to be quite supercilious. To be honest, I doubt you have any clues we don't. But for the sake of thoroughness, will you please just share what you've found. Then we'll get on with our business and you can get on with yours."

"Kestrell amd Elon," Phaedra wags a disapproving finger at them, "no need to be so gruff with Barnibus. He's just doing his job and after all we all wish for the city to be safe. Typical men, this is my turf, no it's mine blar blar blar. People died guys,  they died."

Phaedra turns to Barnibus, "But you know what Barnibus, Elon is actually telling the truth. Someone from the crowded yelled out that a clocked figure was getting away, into the alley, so we gave chase. As any good, caring citizen of Waterdeep would. But we never found this person or even found any clue as to how they got away. It was why Kestrell was looking over the roof when you meet him. Trying to find clues, which you now have.

Now you promise me that I will see you soon, at the temple that is. Her Holy Mother Mystra misses your prayers. Just asked for Phaedra." With a smile the priestess moves in, gently ushering Barnibus to the door.

Quote from vassasunstar >>

 

Walking upstairs, Vassa asks Sel conversationally, "You speak fondly of your pa, Sel. Have you been away from home long?"

" I've been aboard ship since I was 14, mostly cos humans see someone my size and assume I must be older than I am.  Just coastal traders for the most part, so I was home fairly often.  I moved out a few months ago just a bunk in the sailors quarters on Sail Street....I'm not really sure why....needed my space I guess. "

" I was considering moving back home now that I was doing dock work, but I figure Mum would have turned my room into a studio or something by now."

" They live...", she hesitated suddenly with a glance upstairs and dropped her voice and looked seriously at Vassa and Bason, " ....they live in the North Ward. Thats why I wanted that murderous bastard gone as soon as possible, I didn't want to think about what might happen if he chanced across Mum on her way back from a class or somesuch."

" I really should probably go visit at some point...its been a week or so....I think Dad would love to chat with Bason.  Mum would probably want to convince you to volunteer as a figure drawing subject, Vassa. Your more than pretty enough for it."

Vassa shows genuine interest in Sel's recounting of her family history, marvelling at the young woman's fortitude in standing on her own from such a young age. Nodding his head with a wry grin at her last statement, the bard says, "Yes, I think that you should visit... or at least send word that you're okay. They'll probably be worried, despite your obvious ability to look after yourself. As for being pretty, I've been pretty useless of late, that I'll concede readily enough. We're all fortunate to have stalwarts like Phae and Kes around... and you as well, Bason. Strong and reliable is what this party needs, not... well, not the lack thereof."

The half-drow bard lets his words trail off as he emerges back into the taproom in time to see Phae almost forcing the mage out the door. Chuckling quietly despite himself, Vassa looks over at the Watch Sergeant and quips in a strange, colloquial tone, "You'll be next, mate. Ol' Phae don't brook no loitering, oh no she don't!"

As Sel starts talking about drinks, Bason starts bustling with pride. "This here is just a simple Blackberry and Sage Mead. I'll start a barrel of some CrimsonBrow Red Ale once I have a moment. But if you are a fan of porters, I can show you how to make some! Or perhaps something for you Pa?" 

Bason was about to head back over to his Brewer's Supplies he had setup, until Vassa suggestions going upstairs. He looks slightly crestfallen that he can't keep talking of brewing. "Ah yes. Let's head up." 

To Selaine, he says "Anytime! I love talking about my craft!"

Silver just looked at Barnibus as he pushed the subject "Sir, we have honestly told you everything we know. Since there is nothing else for us to discuss - we would kindly ask that unless you plan on providing us with your patronage, at a discounted price for the watch of course, that you leave and continue your investigation elsewhere. We need to continue discussing our plans forward for our establishment and..." he stops for a moment looking outside "As insensitive as this might sound towards that man's death, we now have to deal with the inconvenience this situation has caused being so close to our establishment."

Quote from joe >>

As Sel starts talking about drinks, Bason starts bustling with pride. "This here is just a simple Blackberry and Sage Mead. I'll start a barrel of some CrimsonBrow Red Ale once I have a moment. But if you are a fan of porters, I can show you how to make some! Or perhaps something for you Pa?" 

Bason was about to head back over to his Brewer's Supplies he had setup, until Vassa suggestions going upstairs. He looks slightly crestfallen that he can't keep talking of brewing. "Ah yes. Let's head up." 

To Selaine, he says "Anytime! I love talking about my craft!"

 Selinae gave Bason a kiss on the cheek as they emerged back into the ground floor.