"It's certainly intriguing..." Grugga says, stroking his chin in thought. "It could be the work of the burned knights; it might even be a Skrillite ship. Who else would be shipping statues across the open ocean?"

"I must admit, I'm a sucker for mystery. I'd love to see what it is, but I'm not sure how important it will be at the cost of our only water breathing potion."

Cosette cocks a brow. She eyes Raqisat suspiciously as he meanders off for a nap before looking back ahead to Grugga presenting their equipment. Pursing her lips with arms crossed, Cos bounces her crossed leg. She could just take it and go for a dip herself, but… Her brown eyes rest on the artificer, then scan from him to Rohuzar, to Leelan and then to Aubrey. She exhales in a bit of a huff.

Unable to sit still and wait, Cosette stands up. She paces over to the edge of the boat to look out over the water. Inhaling a deep refreshing breath, she begins humming a tune mostly to herself, but it was for the fallen wreck left in the deep, an ode to sailors and crew alike. Cos begins to sing out over the water.

I've seen many men wandering
all strong and brave and keen
Seen them growing into rulers
but I long for the sea
Heard a ship came from North
to our harbour for a day
and before misfortune knows
I'll be on my way

I'm all set to veer away
and I'm all set to go astray
All burdens I will leave ashore
to find what I've been longing for

Don‘t tell anyone
that this night I'll be gone
Greeting the eternal blue
right at the break of dawn
Sailing t‘wards the unknown
with my crew on the sea
And the day that I return
a hero I shall be

I'm all set to veer away
and I'm all set to go astray
All burdens I will leave ashore
to find what I've been longing for

Credit Notes

Cosette pulls out her flute to continue to play a melody. Losing herself to the music, she allows her mind to wander. She’d try to picture the description of the wreck Aubrey described below. So many questions flowed in and out of her mind, so she’d sift through her memories before searching pages. Did she know any stories, songs, myth or legends that spoke of such a tragedy? Or something similar? What did she know of stone humans? Were there any cultures that specialized in, traded or feared such? Who’s boat was it? Or ‘who’ could she be (the boat)? What kind of ‘shadows’ would accompany, or defend a wreck?

Search for Knowledge

Cosette:

After careful consideration, Leelan says "Why don’t we mark the location of the wreck on the map and put a pin on that project? We’ve made a decent amount of progress for day one I would believe. A good rest is needed for our meeting later today."

As he’s about to head to his room, Leelan hears Cosette’s performance and claps his hands in admiration.

"What an exquisite song Ms. Cosette. Is it of your creation?", the gnome asks.

Hearing no objections to Leelan's suggestion, Aubrey nods. "Then let's rest and prepare for this afternoon's important meeting then. We still don't know what kind of issue they want us to deal with." He says, looking around at those still at the table.

As he hears Cosette sing her beautiful song out on deck, the young noble takes a seat again, enjoying the music, and the lyrics, a woman of many talents it seemed. As she finishes he stands up again and joins Leelan with clapping his hands in appreciation. "Very good Cosette." He calls out with a smile.

Aubrey too would spend some time in his suite, resting and pondering their alternatives after checking on Mr Howie again, then returning to the galley for lunch, remaining there to socialize and play cards with anyone who would join him, keeping an eye out on the waters. Meanwhile Furvus perches at the highest point ogf the Empress, scanning the surroundings for threats. Aubrey is then ready for the meeting with the survivors.

Furvus perception: 20

As the crew rests in preparation for their afternoon appointment, there is little activity on the bay.  The pod of leviathans reappears, working their way up and down the drop-off to deeper waters.  A single barge emerges from the Breitvasser, hugging the far shoreline as it hurries to safer ports.

Eventually the time is right and Capt. Neck powers up the Golden Empress and charts a course back upriver.  You pass the flooded Newport district, the eerie dead forests of Mastieri Gardens, and the collapsed lower bridge.  As you approach the upper bridge, you can see the three strangers are already waiting for you up top.  Capt. Neck positions the ship against the dock and the six of you depart.  She then reverses, turns, and departs in the direction of the bay, with plans to return for you before sunset.

Atop the bridge, the three men are lounging casually.  When you approach they deliver the news.  "All is well. The King will see you now.  Follow us, keep quiet, and keep up."

[Assuming you agree to follow - feel free to post any objections or conversation that occurs along the way, if necessary.]

The strangers lead they way down the riverside road, passing tall, empty stone buildings.  The wind has picked up slightly today.  The acoustics of the city on a windy day are haunting.  Most of the windows and doors are gone or blown open, and the gusting wind whistles and moans as it passes through them and back out into the desolate streets and alleyways.  

They lead you south, moving quickly but quiet as mice.  It is though they know exactly where to place their feet to avoid making a sound as they move.  As you approach the lower bridge, you come to the huge sewer opening.  They descend a set of stone stairs and lead you onto wooden dockworks that lead into the underground.   The tunnel itself is 30' across and 10' high.  It is not long before narrow tunnels begin spitting off from the main, but they ignore these, leading your straight under the Old City.   They hop from dock to dock, occasionally passing onto stone or brick walkways and at times splashing through water.   You pass two more of their associates, guarding an intersection.  They nod to the strangers, but look upon you quietly with narrow eyes.  In time, your guides take a left turn and begin following a brick lined path that leads away from the water.  

Eventually they come to a heavy wooden door.  Two more men and two giant rats wait.  The rats where collars and sit still at their masters sides, like trained guard dogs.  "Our guests, here to see the King...".  The two men with the rats nod and open the doorway.

Passing through the doors, you enter a long, wide space.  It is at least 150' long and 40' wide.  There is another door leading out from the other end.  Inside, the space is filled with sofas, chairs, writing desks and other furniture.  An elaborate, enormous desk of rich red wood sits in the center of the space.  At the desk is seated another human man, with the same patchy beard and narrow face as you've seen on most of the others.  He is wearing a fine-looking cloak of elvish style, and he has the hood raised.  Atop the desk, at his side is another giant rat, larger and more dangerous-looking that the others you have seen.  Four more humans (3 men and a woman) and two dwarves are also in the room, lounging on sofas or standing by the far doors.  All are armed, but none have their weapons drawn.  The mood seems relaxed.

The hooded man at the desk leans back, the old chair creaking under him.  "So you're the science men I've heard so much about.  Allow me to welcome you as guests to the Under City.  Please.  Pull up chairs and sit.  Tell me more about this quest of yours, and how we may be able to assist such an enlightened endeavor?"  

     "And woman," Raqisat notes and then pulls out and sits in the chair closest to the sewer king.  "How you doing?"

     Raqisat is trying to feel out just what protocols and sensitivities these people may have and he figures being casual and informal may be the best way to poke at this.  So far they are seeming more like a petty criminal band than any real sort of army or kingdom.

"Of course.  Gentlemen and ladies.  I beg your pardon.  Opportunities to entertain guests come so infrequently in Amnifortis.  But that's a poor excuse."

As Raqisat sits, he smiles broadly.  "We are getting by just swimmingly."

Aubrey would wave off Capain Neck and the Empress, politely and peacefully following along to meet the king, keeping Furvus nearby in ethereal form to confirm the strangers lead them the way the raven last followed them, all the time helping the young noble to keep a lookout for threats. Aubrey takes good note of the way they are led in the event the team should need to make a hasty exit.

Furvus perception: 12

As they are invited to sit with the king, Aubrey gracefully bows to the king and pulls up a chair for himself and takes a seat opposite the man across the elaborate, enormous desk. "Yes, we can see so..." The young noble says with a polite smile, looking around the room and at the fine-looking cloak. "...I'm quite impressed with you making a living here considering the aberrations said to roam these ruins." He adds, again smiling politely at the man and his cohorts around the room. "Our mission is to explore these ruins, particularly gathering information about these aberrations. Admittedly we weren't aware of your existence but we would want to seek your approval of exploring the city, also asking you to share information about it and it's inhabitants in return for maybe a favor. Also we bring gifts, absinthe, tobacco and racquetball paddles in hopes of reaching an agreement with you."

Persuasion: 15 Another roll if help action is given: 12
Insight to determine intentions and trutfulness in any response: 7

[Furvus confirms to Aubrey that this is the same path as he followed the strangers previously.]

The hooded man listens to Aubrey's words with a poker face - until he mentions the racquetball paddles.  He raises an eyebrow, then looks the leader of the group that brought you here, who looks surprised as well.  "Racquetball paddles?  Are... are you serious?"

Earlier

Hearing the claps behind her as she comes to a stop, Cosette turns around to find Leelan and Aubrey. "Yer too kind." She offers them a genuine dimpled smile, then bows. "I cannot take credit for this creation." She responds humbly to Leelan's question, sharing the bard's name as she stands back upright. "Was a young girl when I first heard it. Outside a small sea port town tavern."

Cosette would take Aubrey up on a game of cards, joining him up on the galley to pass the time. However, Bruno was no where to be found. He had taken Raqisat's 'invitation' (he just followed him) to bed for a nap and would have fallen fast asleep to the tune of Cos' music.

While she didn't come up with come direct answers with her search, Cos would file some notes for later to share with the others, and to bounce ideas off them.

Cosette eyes the three men lounging casually. She says nothing and simply focuses on taking everything in as they follow along. Brown hues actively scan the flora and fauna along the road, and then every structure, every surface, and every path, as they appear and transition to the sewers, committing it to memory, and then paper. This was habitual practice for research and mapping, but also just for being generally aware of their surroundings. Even though they were being escorted, keeping an eye out for traps was still worth noting in case they ever returned, got turned around, or had to make an escape.

However, the archaeologist's eye for structure began to shift as they snaked their way through the tunnels and were met by individuals casually chilling with pet rats. Cos tries not to judge. It wasn't terribly out of place...they were in a sewer after all. She could see the potential for a symbiotic relationship when needing to survive. That lead her to wonder further down the rat-hole, if you will. She had a question. 'Hey Raq-' Next thing she knew, they were coming to a stop and introduced to the King.

Cos blinks. While she super appreciated Raqisat's assertion on her behalf, there was something she was suddenly extremely curious about that felt more important. She'd give him a side glance, nodding casually in appreciation, before turning her attention back to those addressing the group. Biting her tongue while Aubrey continues their delegation, Cosette pays close attention to their host's, their pets, and their mannerisms.

Insight: 20
Perception: 17

Grugga pulls out the racquetball paddles he's managed to finish over the course of yesterday and this morning. "You're making me think you were joking on the bridge..." Grugga says, embarrassed. "You have excellent dead-pan, if so." He half-smiles, wondering how to deal with people who have mostly only ever dealt with themselves. The fact that Furvus scouted out a racquetball court makes him a bit more confident.

Grugga lets Aubrey and Raqisat take the lead, but he also looks to Cosette, wondering if one of her delightful songs or her charming conversation might endear these strange folk to the group. He also points out that particularly huge rat next to the king to Leelan and whispers, "ever seen anything like that?"

     Raqisat turns his head to look at Cosette and raises an eyebrow.  She has something on her mind, obviously...  But he waits patiently for her to bring it up at the opportune time.  

     This 'racketball' thing also has him curious.  Was this some jest on their part.  Truthfully he was unfamiliar with the sport... or game... or whatever it was.  And the absinthe, of course, was a loss he'd rather they did not part with but he supposed it was easier for them to resupply than it was for these sewer people.

"I think we were all a tad bit surprised to hear you were in the market for racquetball paddles, but it would have been unpolite for us to simply dismiss it as a jest,, and yes we are quite serious about our mission and it's success." Aubrey says with a firm but polite tone.

Leelan whispers back to Grugga.

"I have seen oversized version of certain beasts in the past. Curious how something so disproportionately bigger than normal can exist. It is my first time seeing the rat version of this phenomenon however. Rather unpleasant choice of pet, if you ask me.", he says with a certain level of disdain.

Cosette:

 Aubrey:

 The hooded man rises and the one who led you down here joins him at your side.  They each take one of the paddles and inspect it, tilting it this way and that, making a few practice swings.  They nod to one another.  About half the others in the room join them in their excitement, while the rest are rolling their eyes or otherwise disinterested.

"No, I wasn't joking," says the one who led you down here.  "I assumed you didn't have any, or you would have said something yesterday."

"This feels pretty good," says the hooded man quietly, still practice swinging one of the paddles.

"We've got a court down here, but the last paddles broke a few years ago.  We'd tried whipping up replacements but had all but given up... figured we would have to trade for some."

The hooded man raises a hand, as if to pause the other.  "This is wonderful.  Your gift greatly pleases the King," he says to all of you.  "Now... is anyone up for a game?  I'd like to test these out while you tell me more about why such fine folk as yourselves wish to throw themselves against blighted spawn of the Breach?"

He leads all of you, along with the three you came down here with and the extra large giant rat from his desk, out the back door of the entry chamber.  You follow tunnels for perhaps 1000' until you open into the subterranean gymnasium Furvus described.

"Well, the reason we didn't say anything yesterday is these didn't exist then, but if we can reach an agreement I am sure there are other things you need that we can either procure or manufacture." Aubrey explains with a polite smile. He then follows along to the subterranean gymnasium. "I doubt any of us are in your class of play but of course we will test your new paddles in a friendly game." He says to the king, glancing around at the others in the team to see if anyone is tempted to a game.

     "I'm not sure throwing ourselves against anything is the goal," Raqisat responds.  "I think our goal is more observe and report than it is to engage the horrors we hear the city contains these days.  Hopefully we will be prepared if we cannot avoid a confrontation but it's not our objective..."  Raqisat looks to Aubrey to see if he wishes to add more but felt it was important to put it on the table they weren't here to conquer or change the status quo...  Those who view themselves as kings tend to like the status quo.

     "I'm quite impressed with your... pets?" He adds as they are walking to this racketball court.  "I've never seen rats so large.  Or trained.  Is their size common in the city or is it something you bred them for?"  Raqisat will continue idle chat about the rats as conversation allows.  He doesn't press the issue if they do not wish to discuss it but he encourages them to reveal whatever they will...

     When the conversation turns to a challenge of a game, Raqisat briefly considers but remains silent.  He knows nothing about the game and is certainly not volunteering to be embarrassed by a king of rats...

Cosette hangs back for a bit to give breathing room for other’s to jump in or express their interest in a game. Surprisingly no one seemed to be jumping at the opportunity. However, she could only wait so long before it’d start to feel awkward.

Cos steps forward placing a hand on Grugga’s arm. “We’ve got one of the finest an’ most thorough craftsman I’ve had the pleasure of workin’ with.” She notes with a dimpled smile. “His hands crafted those quality racquets in the time frame of yer request.” He deserved the recognition for his time spent and work well done.

Should there be no objections, Cosette would volunteer. “It’d be my honour to give ‘em a test run.” She says. “Be good teh blow off some steam.”

"Excellent." The young noble says with a proud smile, looking between Cosette and the king of rats, then trying to find a suitable place to spectate the game, all the while keeping a wary eye on the survivors for any deceptions. 

Insight: 8
Perception: 22
Furvus perception: 22