This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
On the walk Milo is keeping an eye for any sort of signs of criminal activity or gang presence. Without completely tuning out the conversations being had with the party.
Corti waves goodbye to the group and then turns to exit the stage. She goes out into the crowd of workers looking for any conversations about how the protest went - either positive or negative - and any other workers voicing their concerns about anything in relation to the day's events.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
“Left-handed, hmm?” Tarian frowned. Typically, wedding rings are worn on the left hand. If Sylvia’s fingers came with the ring, that would probably mean the left hand. Makes sense. It didn’t necessarily mean that her captors had anything personal against Mrs. Krull, but the only way that it wouldn’t mean that would be coincidence. They could have sent anything else—her clothes, the ring, an ear—along with the message, but they chose the fingers of her left hand.
“Mister Krull, I’m going to need to take a look at the… er… package that you received this morning.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
The elf gave a smile at Thia, twisted somewhat by the scar on their face: „ I’m sorry for not telling you my name earlier, I’m Alexis Medhrall. I can be gruff, because people like to stare, either at my scar or at the people I treat. Anyway, you’ve helped, for which I’m grateful. To answer your question, I used to take care of people back in Cyre, didn’t want to have anything to do with the fighting. When they forced conscription on us, I joined a scouting unit, so I could stay in the woods that I loved. Just my sort of luck that some of the heaviest fighting broke out near us. It’s where I got my souvenir...“ with this the elf pointed at the scar, „The commanders quickly realised that they needed medics, and after I had to be transported away from the front, I became a combat medic once I was back on my feet.“ Following Thia‘s eyes, the elf added „This I got in the last few years of the war. It’s the symbol of the Veiled Valour. I could take you there sometime, we have a branch that recently opened in Duskrock.“ Alexis seems to be genuine, and having seen that Thia cares about helping others without taking sides, they are more willing to open up to Thia.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Milo quitely observed their surroundings. It was intresting to see the ongoing struggle between artists or hooligans who smeared their slogans on the walls, and the guard who was busy cleaning them. A couple choice cartoons showed the emperor being whipped by his Khalash wife, another a couple buildings further down sketched the Corphyrean Council as a frail old man trying to keep war at bay. Some others were proclaiming favourite sports teams, or a general “End to Tyrany”, bad spelling included.The cartoons seemed like they were planned and must have taken a team to complete, many others though looked far more opportunistic. As he was paying attention to all this, he heard Sparks continuing to harass Brandt with questions, when it seemed clear that he didn’t particularly wanted to talk about the war.
“Ah yes, of course, how foolish of me. I’m sure to not remember half the apprentices I’ve had, so there’s no reason to suspect you would remember soldiers that you one day might be facing again on the battlefield.
But, let me ask you, as someone who’s stood on many different sides, do you think that my project can unite them? It’s my hope of course, but I’m admittedly no soldier.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
As Corti passes through the crowd, she was met mostly with confusion. Many workers seemed unsure of what they were meant to do now. Go back to striking? What if they had really won a victory today and would jeopardise the potential gains by going back on strike? But if they hadn’t really won yet, they couldn’t get to work either, because then the strike would be undermined. Had they sent the best representatives? At some point several of the foundry crews decided to go celebrate in a bar, and drink until the morning to see what the negotiations would bring.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
At Tarian’s question, Krull looked at her sheepishly. “I... I didn’t keep it. Burnt it. Immediately.” His eyes darted to a small fireplace at the back of the room, where some remains of brown wrapping paper were still visible.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Brandt shrugs his shoulders. "I'm not sure if I'm the right guy to ask. I fought for coin, not for an idea or my country, like most of these guys did. But bringing the continent closer together can't hurt, can it?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Sparks didn’t really know what to say to Brandt. “You only fought for coin? You didn’t prefer certain causes? I’m asking because I wanna know how much your loyalty will cost me. It’s my hope to win you for peace, and that in the end, even a mercenary like yourself will find satisfying work that doesn’t have to end in death for others.” By now, the small group had reached the Forge district, although it was only early evening, the day had been momentous and Bellows and Ling certainly seemed relieved to be able to eat and drink something soon.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
"I mean, there were nations that I certainly didn't want to serve, regardless of how much they paid. The Garronians, for example. They were psychos. Burning down Cyre and slaughtering unarmed civilians is bad work. So I guess you could say that I had a cause, or at least there was a cause I didn't want to fight for."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
“No harm done.” Thia would return a smile, bowing her head in respect as the elf introduced herself. “My curiosity can get the best of me sometimes, my apologies for my rude staring.” She felt more at ease now that Alexis introduced herself and was being quite open. Thia appreciated that the elf shared her story, and her face would express empathy for the situation the woodelf was put in. Veiled Valour... she was almost in awe she never heard of it. Clearing her throat, Thia realized she did not introduce herself, “My name is Thia by the way.” She’d flash her dimpled smile again, her cheeks showing a hint of pink “And I’d be trilled to have the privilege to learn more about the Veiled Valour.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“Mister Krull,” Tarian sighed as she walked over to the fireplace, “most people have never had a reason to burn a corpse before.” She grabbed the poker and shovel from the fireplace tools next to the hearth. “Something you learn when disposing of loved ones after an epidemic is…” She poked into the fireplace, sifting through the contents. “…Bones don’t burn.”
Tarian searches the fireplace for finger bones. Wisdom (Perception): 4
“Despite my looks, I did train under my mother to be our village doctor. I can tell the difference in cut between a hatchet and a bone saw.” Tarian’s gaze grew distant. “I had to help cut off my father’s sword arm, after all,” she muttered. “Mrs. Krull’s bones might have some clue as to who did this to her.”
Tarian leveled her gaze at John once more. “But, you know, no one just says ‘or I’ll kill your wife.’ Whoever did this told you something: what you need to do if you don’t want your wife hurt. Mister Cannith went out of his wey t’ find the behst pehrson to track hehr. If you won’t trust Mister Cannith with the who, what, and when you were told, well…” Tarian shook her head. “Let’s just say we’re more likely to return your wife than they are.”
Tarian stresses how urgent their situation is. Charisma (Intimidation or Persuasion, both would roll the same): 17, or, if with advantage, 2 if it is higher.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Corti does her best to encourage the workers, tell them that they don't need to know what to do right now, and that Bellows and Ling would get word to them as soon as they could. She sees the groups who are leaving off with a cheery word and a song or two. Corti sticks around making conversation with the workers who are still there, making sure the youngest ones have places to go for the night, learning about the lives of some of the ones who had marched around her, and all around trying to form connections with these people.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Brandt led the way to the Velvet Glove. Standing in front of it, Sparks exhaled with a mocking whistle. “A whorehouse, of course. Well, I guess we’re less likely to be overheard in here.”
Entering the establishment, Brandt was greeted by Celeste. “Anything I can do for you gentlemen?”
————————
Alexis returned the smile. “Thia, don’t say it like it’s a secret society or something. And in truth, we need more skilled and kind healers. I often work down in the Forge or in the Outer Ward. Why don’t you join me tomorrow?”
————————
As Tarian sifted through the ashes, the remaining burnt parchment crumbled into dust. The sifting went on for about a minute, though Tarian could see no bones.
”Uh, Miss Tarian, if you’re lookin’ for the fingers, I kept them, here...” and with that he showed her the four delicate elven fingers, now slightly bloated from being in the early stages of decay. “ I thought that if we found Sylvia in time, she might still need them.”
He looked desperate, before blurting out:”I have no idea why someone did this! The package only said that if I helped you, he was going to send me more...” At that point, the large man broke down in desperate tears again.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Arc frowns at that, "Helped me?...Damn." he looks over to Tarian, "Looks like we were right about that aspect of this. But we won't get much more information here, we best start looking at either those factories or check with that Sparks man." He pinches the bridge of his nose and mutters, "This is getting worse by the second. I'm wasting so much time."
Not many workers remain, seeing the slowly setting sun as their signal to turn in and either return to their families or to find a tavern. Of those that remain, Corti notices a marked variety. Although it was common knowledge that orcs and goblins worked in the foundry, the steel mills and on the war forged, Corti spotted gnomes, dwarves, humans, and even some half-elves among the workers. Donar Cleftjaw, a dwarf with extended family in Thrane, was exited about the prospects of more easily being able to reach them with Sparks’ railcoach. Yuan Lo was a human worker from the Eastern lands, who had escaped warlords and famine there, only to find himself building weapons of war for Breland. Twitch, a gnome from the moors in the South of Breland, had wanted more from life than marrying a local girl and wrestling a living from the swamp and had come to Duskrock to make a living as a welder. Krathgar, a half-orc from the border region to Cyre had fled the conflict and after a couple of years of working day to day as a hauler in the docks and keeping himself and his family afloat with a couple of less than legal activities, had been hired to a foundry crew after a fistfight in one of the Forge’s underground fights. Arnander Greenleaf was a half-elf who had come to the city to get away from the mockery and the jibes from the locals who didn’t approve of his family and had wanted to see the “mongrel” gone. He’s happy to have found a new family among the steelworkers who appreciate his quiet nature and his beautiful singing voice during breaks.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
John looked up at Arc’s words: “That engineer had something to do with this? Tell me what you know!” His pain had now turned to anger and rage, his face twisting with emotion and the eyes aflame with dark thoughts.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Tarian shot Arc a sharp glare before turning back to John. "We don't know that yet." Her expression softened. John was obviously distressed, and Tarian knew she was not going to be the right one to try to calm him. “We’re nearly done here.” The message was for both of them.
Tarian came over to inspect the severed digits, and paid special attention to the bone condition on the severed ends. She laid them out such that the fingertips were as close to the same configuration as they were in the picture.
This should tell me a lot: what type of tool was used to cut them, if they were cut all at once, and a rough estimate on when they were cut. It won’t tell me who did it, precisely, but I can narrow down the type of person who did it.
Tarian spends a couple of minutes inspecting the fingers. The cuts look clean though the finger bones show signs of breaks. The cuts were done with precision and a large blade in one or two strikes, as they align almost perfectly. Probably an axe or a cleaver, though maybe not a sharp one.
Satisfied, she stepped back, straightened her coat and preparing herself to leave
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
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"Can't say I recall him. I fought alongside a lot of people during the war and don't remember half of them."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
On the walk Milo is keeping an eye for any sort of signs of criminal activity or gang presence. Without completely tuning out the conversations being had with the party.
perception: 9
Corti waves goodbye to the group and then turns to exit the stage. She goes out into the crowd of workers looking for any conversations about how the protest went - either positive or negative - and any other workers voicing their concerns about anything in relation to the day's events.
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
“Left-handed, hmm?” Tarian frowned. Typically, wedding rings are worn on the left hand. If Sylvia’s fingers came with the ring, that would probably mean the left hand. Makes sense. It didn’t necessarily mean that her captors had anything personal against Mrs. Krull, but the only way that it wouldn’t mean that would be coincidence. They could have sent anything else—her clothes, the ring, an ear—along with the message, but they chose the fingers of her left hand.
“Mister Krull, I’m going to need to take a look at the… er… package that you received this morning.”
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
The elf gave a smile at Thia, twisted somewhat by the scar on their face: „ I’m sorry for not telling you my name earlier, I’m Alexis Medhrall. I can be gruff, because people like to stare, either at my scar or at the people I treat. Anyway, you’ve helped, for which I’m grateful. To answer your question, I used to take care of people back in Cyre, didn’t want to have anything to do with the fighting. When they forced conscription on us, I joined a scouting unit, so I could stay in the woods that I loved. Just my sort of luck that some of the heaviest fighting broke out near us. It’s where I got my souvenir...“ with this the elf pointed at the scar, „The commanders quickly realised that they needed medics, and after I had to be transported away from the front, I became a combat medic once I was back on my feet.“ Following Thia‘s eyes, the elf added „This I got in the last few years of the war. It’s the symbol of the Veiled Valour. I could take you there sometime, we have a branch that recently opened in Duskrock.“ Alexis seems to be genuine, and having seen that Thia cares about helping others without taking sides, they are more willing to open up to Thia.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Milo quitely observed their surroundings. It was intresting to see the ongoing struggle between artists or hooligans who smeared their slogans on the walls, and the guard who was busy cleaning them. A couple choice cartoons showed the emperor being whipped by his Khalash wife, another a couple buildings further down sketched the Corphyrean Council as a frail old man trying to keep war at bay. Some others were proclaiming favourite sports teams, or a general “End to Tyrany”, bad spelling included.The cartoons seemed like they were planned and must have taken a team to complete, many others though looked far more opportunistic. As he was paying attention to all this, he heard Sparks continuing to harass Brandt with questions, when it seemed clear that he didn’t particularly wanted to talk about the war.
“Ah yes, of course, how foolish of me. I’m sure to not remember half the apprentices I’ve had, so there’s no reason to suspect you would remember soldiers that you one day might be facing again on the battlefield.
But, let me ask you, as someone who’s stood on many different sides, do you think that my project can unite them? It’s my hope of course, but I’m admittedly no soldier.”
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
As Corti passes through the crowd, she was met mostly with confusion. Many workers seemed unsure of what they were meant to do now. Go back to striking? What if they had really won a victory today and would jeopardise the potential gains by going back on strike? But if they hadn’t really won yet, they couldn’t get to work either, because then the strike would be undermined. Had they sent the best representatives? At some point several of the foundry crews decided to go celebrate in a bar, and drink until the morning to see what the negotiations would bring.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
At Tarian’s question, Krull looked at her sheepishly. “I... I didn’t keep it. Burnt it. Immediately.” His eyes darted to a small fireplace at the back of the room, where some remains of brown wrapping paper were still visible.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Brandt shrugs his shoulders. "I'm not sure if I'm the right guy to ask. I fought for coin, not for an idea or my country, like most of these guys did. But bringing the continent closer together can't hurt, can it?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Sparks didn’t really know what to say to Brandt. “You only fought for coin? You didn’t prefer certain causes? I’m asking because I wanna know how much your loyalty will cost me. It’s my hope to win you for peace, and that in the end, even a mercenary like yourself will find satisfying work that doesn’t have to end in death for others.” By now, the small group had reached the Forge district, although it was only early evening, the day had been momentous and Bellows and Ling certainly seemed relieved to be able to eat and drink something soon.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
"I mean, there were nations that I certainly didn't want to serve, regardless of how much they paid. The Garronians, for example. They were psychos. Burning down Cyre and slaughtering unarmed civilians is bad work. So I guess you could say that I had a cause, or at least there was a cause I didn't want to fight for."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
“No harm done.” Thia would return a smile, bowing her head in respect as the elf introduced herself. “My curiosity can get the best of me sometimes, my apologies for my rude staring.” She felt more at ease now that Alexis introduced herself and was being quite open. Thia appreciated that the elf shared her story, and her face would express empathy for the situation the woodelf was put in. Veiled Valour... she was almost in awe she never heard of it. Clearing her throat, Thia realized she did not introduce herself, “My name is Thia by the way.” She’d flash her dimpled smile again, her cheeks showing a hint of pink “And I’d be trilled to have the privilege to learn more about the Veiled Valour.”
just an unstable unicorn.
“Mister Krull,” Tarian sighed as she walked over to the fireplace, “most people have never had a reason to burn a corpse before.” She grabbed the poker and shovel from the fireplace tools next to the hearth. “Something you learn when disposing of loved ones after an epidemic is…” She poked into the fireplace, sifting through the contents. “…Bones don’t burn.”
Tarian searches the fireplace for finger bones. Wisdom (Perception): 4
“Despite my looks, I did train under my mother to be our village doctor. I can tell the difference in cut between a hatchet and a bone saw.” Tarian’s gaze grew distant. “I had to help cut off my father’s sword arm, after all,” she muttered. “Mrs. Krull’s bones might have some clue as to who did this to her.”
Tarian leveled her gaze at John once more. “But, you know, no one just says ‘or I’ll kill your wife.’ Whoever did this told you something: what you need to do if you don’t want your wife hurt. Mister Cannith went out of his wey t’ find the behst pehrson to track hehr. If you won’t trust Mister Cannith with the who, what, and when you were told, well…” Tarian shook her head. “Let’s just say we’re more likely to return your wife than they are.”
Tarian stresses how urgent their situation is. Charisma (Intimidation or Persuasion, both would roll the same): 17, or, if with advantage, 2 if it is higher.
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Corti does her best to encourage the workers, tell them that they don't need to know what to do right now, and that Bellows and Ling would get word to them as soon as they could. She sees the groups who are leaving off with a cheery word and a song or two. Corti sticks around making conversation with the workers who are still there, making sure the youngest ones have places to go for the night, learning about the lives of some of the ones who had marched around her, and all around trying to form connections with these people.
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Brandt led the way to the Velvet Glove. Standing in front of it, Sparks exhaled with a mocking whistle. “A whorehouse, of course. Well, I guess we’re less likely to be overheard in here.”
Entering the establishment, Brandt was greeted by Celeste. “Anything I can do for you gentlemen?”
————————
Alexis returned the smile. “Thia, don’t say it like it’s a secret society or something. And in truth, we need more skilled and kind healers. I often work down in the Forge or in the Outer Ward. Why don’t you join me tomorrow?”
————————
As Tarian sifted through the ashes, the remaining burnt parchment crumbled into dust. The sifting went on for about a minute, though Tarian could see no bones.
”Uh, Miss Tarian, if you’re lookin’ for the fingers, I kept them, here...” and with that he showed her the four delicate elven fingers, now slightly bloated from being in the early stages of decay. “ I thought that if we found Sylvia in time, she might still need them.”
He looked desperate, before blurting out:”I have no idea why someone did this! The package only said that if I helped you, he was going to send me more...” At that point, the large man broke down in desperate tears again.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Arc frowns at that, "Helped me?...Damn." he looks over to Tarian, "Looks like we were right about that aspect of this. But we won't get much more information here, we best start looking at either those factories or check with that Sparks man." He pinches the bridge of his nose and mutters, "This is getting worse by the second. I'm wasting so much time."
Not many workers remain, seeing the slowly setting sun as their signal to turn in and either return to their families or to find a tavern. Of those that remain, Corti notices a marked variety. Although it was common knowledge that orcs and goblins worked in the foundry, the steel mills and on the war forged, Corti spotted gnomes, dwarves, humans, and even some half-elves among the workers. Donar Cleftjaw, a dwarf with extended family in Thrane, was exited about the prospects of more easily being able to reach them with Sparks’ railcoach. Yuan Lo was a human worker from the Eastern lands, who had escaped warlords and famine there, only to find himself building weapons of war for Breland. Twitch, a gnome from the moors in the South of Breland, had wanted more from life than marrying a local girl and wrestling a living from the swamp and had come to Duskrock to make a living as a welder. Krathgar, a half-orc from the border region to Cyre had fled the conflict and after a couple of years of working day to day as a hauler in the docks and keeping himself and his family afloat with a couple of less than legal activities, had been hired to a foundry crew after a fistfight in one of the Forge’s underground fights. Arnander Greenleaf was a half-elf who had come to the city to get away from the mockery and the jibes from the locals who didn’t approve of his family and had wanted to see the “mongrel” gone. He’s happy to have found a new family among the steelworkers who appreciate his quiet nature and his beautiful singing voice during breaks.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
John looked up at Arc’s words: “That engineer had something to do with this? Tell me what you know!” His pain had now turned to anger and rage, his face twisting with emotion and the eyes aflame with dark thoughts.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Tarian shot Arc a sharp glare before turning back to John. "We don't know that yet." Her expression softened. John was obviously distressed, and Tarian knew she was not going to be the right one to try to calm him. “We’re nearly done here.” The message was for both of them.
Tarian came over to inspect the severed digits, and paid special attention to the bone condition on the severed ends. She laid them out such that the fingertips were as close to the same configuration as they were in the picture.
This should tell me a lot: what type of tool was used to cut them, if they were cut all at once, and a rough estimate on when they were cut. It won’t tell me who did it, precisely, but I can narrow down the type of person who did it.
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Tarian spends a couple of minutes inspecting the fingers. The cuts look clean though the finger bones show signs of breaks. The cuts were done with precision and a large blade in one or two strikes, as they align almost perfectly. Probably an axe or a cleaver, though maybe not a sharp one.
Satisfied, she stepped back, straightened her coat and preparing herself to leave
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms