As the discussion proceeds deck and on the dock amidst a crew that showed some failure to adhere to the captains instructions without reiteration, Sunny watches for indication that any of the crew may find value in alerting anyone to our presence. Knowing that the specific Noble house was not mentioned, she hopes they are safe, but in still alert of anything that may imply a potential danger. insight13 Then grateful to have it taken below deck, she follows with no further comments until inside.
Sunny notes Sadao's repeated admonishment of Gabriel's lack of personal identification then his seeming reluctant acceptance of the situation for the sake of a solution to the murders. Knowing the frustrated Aasimar is likely omitting this more out of awkwardness at the situation than any intentional slight.
Speaking politely, she speaks providing more information once within the ship. "Your mention of Ritual or Spell seems to be on point as a ward upon one of the children caused a transfer of our entire group to a magical mansion prison suspended high above the city's field ward. An oubliette in the floor gave access to a Crow that arose through it, attacked and killed first the child's nursemaid who was transported with us, then on myself. We suspect my religion gave it some offense as I follow Selune or it seeks to destroy those of feminine persuasion. Upon defeating the creature, it reappeared repeatedly until blocked by a gate and even still chose to do itself harm trying to reach us rather than give up its attempt to destroy me. The children showed evidence of having possibly thrown up near death and were missing internal organs with no signs of external injury. I saw no connection to any medical condition or poison that I am familiar with."
“**** me.” He says immediately after Sunny words, putting a hand over his brow and walking visibly transtormed. “There are some points that don’t add up, don’t follow the legend, so to speak, but the way you said the children died… You’re dealing with a kotoribako.” Amadi, you listen the word echo in Sadao’s mind. Whatever it means, it is the thing in which he is thinking. “The story is that a man, a rebel hiding from the troops of the Shogun of Wa, stumbled upon a village burdened by heavy taxes.” Then he stops, as if remembering for the first time that is speaking with folk stranger to the countries he came from. “Shogun is a combination of the foremost general and right hand of the Emperor, at least in theory. On practice it is the de fact ruler of Wa. We have one very much like that in Kozakura too. Taxes in both lands were normally demanded in food, grain and the like, and Wa is a land where the nobles are particularly rigid and tend to apply taxes far too harshly. Common folk don’t have a way of protesting so here and there a rebellion explodes.” Another pause. Shadeflame notices the sailor is trying to think of anything else he should explain before continuing the history. Finding nothing he continues. “The runaway offered the knowledge of a ritual to create a specially powerful curse, the kotoribako, in exchange for hiding. The legend don’t tell all of the ritual process, but says that the thing is a wooden mosaic box, made of squares approximately eight inches and must be filled with a female beast’s blood, then left alone for an entire week. Before the blood all dries up, a body part from the child that has been sacrificed must be placed within. The body part to use depends on the age of the child. For infants, the umbilical cord, the index finger joint or blood is used. For children older than infants but seven or under, the index finger joint and lifeblood. For children eight to ten, only the index finger joint. The name of the box depends on the sacrifices in it. One sacrifice makes an ippou. Two makes nihou, three makes sanpou, and four makes shippou. And if there are eight sacrifices, it’s called a hakkai. When complete the box is buried and starts taking any victim it can on its reach. The reach depends on how powerful the curse is, and the power of the curse depends on the numbers of sacrifices. The history also tells that one should never make a hakkai but never tells why.”
Sadao starts walking from side to side. Amadi can hear his mind going wild, retracing every word said since the arrival of the group in the underdeck. It takes a moment, but the sailor turns his eyes to the five adventures once again.
“Now, there are three things that line up with what you described.” He starts taking a deep breath. “One, kotoribako affects women and children only. Two, the victims have all their internal organs ripped apart, and cough up blood as they die. Three, this whole thing is full of wordplays. For example, ‘hakkai’ is homophonous to the word of ‘destruction’. ‘Kotoribako’ sounds at the same time like ‘children stealing box’ and ‘little bird box’. The killer seems to enjoy these word plays and you found a bird linked to the body of a victim of the curse.” In his mind it all seemed to add up, but there were also the differences. “I didn’t get a single thing of what you said about ward or magical mansion, but there are more than a few ghost histories about curses molded in animal spirits and your crow seems to act just like the kotoribako curse so… What I don’t understand is this interval between the victims. It’s like the base curse was modified.”
Notes:
@Jynne, as far as Sunny can tell there is no sign that can indicate potential danger (Insight check result here because the post was long enough by itself).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sunny listens carefully trying to understand as Sadao explains. "So, all this is related to the creation of a box curse that will ultimately take victims on its own if its buried and the process is completed 8 times? Though it sounds like it would also affect the possessor of the box if done so. The Crow is the Bird. They might already have the female heart if they used the other victim and may have targeted me as back up in case the nursemaid's wasn't usable. The noble connection isn't clear, but that could be a personal preference by whomever is doing this ritual."
She looks at the others. "I am mixed upon whether we should take this information to the captain yet as there is no proof and time is very short if the day interval continues." Then back to Sadao, "Do you know of anyone who would use such a ritual here in town? Especially one possibly residing in the Field Ward?" She asks further hoping the group is ok with the number of details given.
“And how do you defeat this kotoribako? Is it as simple as finding this cursed box and smashing it?” Sweeps lifts his maul for emphasis, then pauses to think for a moment. “It could be hidden in the Field Ward, that is where the crow attacked from, but that could mean every woman and child in the city is in its reach. Or does it only attack the target of the curse, noble families perhaps?”
Sadao heard both Sunny and Sweeps, his face a mask devoid of emotion. The sailor seemed half in shock by what seemed to be happen and the words of the tortle raised a dangerous possibility, to say the least.
“I don’t know who could make this kind of thing, here or anywhere in the world and I have seen some of the world in my time as a merchant.” He answered with a dry laugh. His voice was an expression of incredulity. “To be honest most people back home know about the kotoribako as nothing more than a history to tell around the fire, to pass the time. The kind of thing you would call urban legend here in the Sword Coast. No one had ever saw any proof that it was real. I mean a mysterious guy with no name appear in a village with no name and offer to kill a lord with no name. It is the kind of vague thing that someone would make up just to have fun spooking some friends.”A nightmare turned real, Amadi could hear Sadao think. Just my luck to get close of this kind of shit. “In every version of the history that I heard the box kill any woman and children in range, not just a target family. It is because of that that the maker is always a man, and the killing starts after the box is made, after it already having the sacrifices inside, but I never heard of a kotoribako having an actual bird so whoever made this put some alterations in place, a homebrew twist, on it. The thing may be gathering more sacrifices at each kill, getting stronger with each victim. Only the gods know how far it will reach after reaching the peak of its strength.”Maybe, he thought to himself, the range won’t be limited to the city of Waterdeep. “And I have no idea of how to destroy it. The legend never tells of one being destroyed.”
Notes: Amadi hears each and every of Sadao's thoughts. His change in expression is noticeable to all of you. He is shocked, in disbelief and not trying to hide it. The mention of homebrew twist is basically a confession of what I did with the box in the original urban legend.
"I promised to tend to any injured for you, and I should do so quickly so that we get on our way. This information should prove at least helpful. Tell me though, is the Kotoribako known to wear any specific type of clothing, mark themselves in any way or something else distinctive? A way we might identify them visibly?" Sunny persists with questions a little urgently realizing the incredible impact a device such as this could have in a City like Waterdeep.
Amadi stood quietly while Sunny and Sadao conversed. He continued to read the man's mind until the spell ran out. He was satisfied that the man truly wished to help them as he could.
As the discussion continued he finally introduced himself. "I am Amadi Shadeflame, Servant of Gond. What would you know of any ties of this sacrifice and one such as Shar? We fear that the Mistress of the Night is somehow involved in this. At the home of one of the victims, where we were transported by the magical ward, the servants of the noble who lived there seemed to serve Shar as they were very familiar with her. There is a connection we do not yet understand."
“The only description I ever heard about the box appearance is that it is mosaic box and each square that make it have around eight inches.” He says to Sunny, almost apologetically. It is clear Sadao wished he could help more. “The legend doesn’t speak of how many squares there are in the box so it can be relatively small or huge.” Part of the sailor still couldn’t quite believe a history so vague and full of holes was actually true. “I’m not saying that there is no cloth or mark, just that I never heard of there being one so when it comes to finding the thing, assuming we are right and the crow is the small bird in the box, I would say you need to look in the Field Ward for recently dug earth with the smell of blood and human body parts, which for your group shouldn’t be that much of a challenge.”
At his last words he points to Chewy. A well-behaved mastiff, visibly trained to do as much as wearing armor. To his nose finding something as foul as the kotoribako should be nothing more than a question of time.
“My boys and I will be on the city for a few days so I would prefer you use your time to solve these killings.” Sado says in a serious tone. The kind that don’t give space for discussion. “There is no one hurt at crew, I would only like to have them examined because one can never be too safe, but this can wait. Now, about your question.” He says turning his attention to Amadi. “I can’t think of any connection, but then I know very little about your gods.” He admits, sounding almost defeated. “About this Shar, for example, all I know is that she’s bad news. That folk older and or more superstitious avoid speaking her name and reprimand those who do it close by. There could be a thousand links to her, and I wouldn’t notice one.”
Notes: In case of doubt feel, as always, free to ask on the OOC chat.
Sylvio listens to the words of Sadao. Not quite understanding it all but hearing connections that are different and yet the same. He speaks up and looks at Sunny. “The crow-a… it went after you. Again and again it attacked you-a. Was it because you are a woman-a?”
Sulvio scratches his chin “we did-a not see any missing fingers or joints on-a the boy’s body... but the coughing of-a blood is-a the same.” He looks at Sadao again “It-a seems too coincidental for-a the children of noble families to-a be targeted… in-a the legends… why would-a anyone wish to sacrifice a child-a to this thing?”
“Despair or/and madness.” He answers to Sylvio, almost melancholic. The keener eye could notice that the sailor seemed no stranger to either. “But I wouldn’t put it behind simple evil, especially when nobility is involved. Wa, Kozakura, Waterdeep, doesn’t matter. People in power are prone to do anything to keep what they have or get some more, and the life of others is usually a small price for them. Look at any war and you’ll see as much.”
There was sense in the idea that the killings were the result of waterdhavian political intrigue, but at the same why would a noble of the city deal with a curse that could very well doom the entirety of the metropolis? Maybe the fire adventurers were right, maybe it was some kind of divine offering to a dark deity.
“There is also the possibility that the sacrifices are more of ingredients that offerings, that is, that they don’t need to be voluntary, either on the part of the sacrificed or the maker of the box.”That much would fit with the theory that the kotoribako was strengthening itself at each killing, Sadao pondered. “I would start looking around areas where children disappeared in the Field Ward. You said you saw the small bird coming from there so it is likely that the box is buried around there, meaning that the starting sacrifice may very well be from there too.
Notes: In case of doubt feel, as always, free to ask on the OOC chat.
Sunny nods to Sylvio, "Yes, it seems the main reason. Both myself and the nursemaid are female. It didn't even defend itself from the male attackers and when the Oubliette was closed still persisted to its death and reappearance. We should get to Field Ward right away. I'll look your men over quickly before we depart, or at least those willing."
“No one is visibly injured, and we are in the middle of unloading the boat. It will take some time until any of the boys is free.” Sadao answered to Sunny’s proposition, leaving no space for negotiation. A medical check-up for free was a good deal, but not enough reason to delay their schedule, besides he preferred to have the kotoribako dealt with sooner than later. Part of him wanted to actually help searching the thing, but he had his work to deal with. Everyone in that ship had and if those five were chosen by the City Guard then more likely than not they were the best folk to the job. “Go to the Field Ward and finish your investigation. You can find us here for at least the next four days.”
His last words sounded gentle but gave no escape for negotiation. The group could use the time too. The day of the next killing was close and if the theories were right then with each victim the crow would get stronger. Not even the gods knew how strong it would be if the next victim was the eight. One thing was for certain, it was better to avoid the risk of facing a hakkai.
Notes: If you do leave the boat you will notice that it is now sunset and I will need a marching order.The way back to the Field Ward is long and around 1/4 of the journey the night falls and I will want one of your to make a Perception Check. Only a character can make this check, but he/she can receive help and guidance. Feel free to discuss marching order and decide who will make the check and how in the OOC chat.
Sylvio nods to Sadao “Yes… the rich and-a powerful always take from-a the poor and powerless-a.” And those around can hear the anger and vitriol in his voice as he says this. It’s clear that he has seen this injustice and hates it.
”Thank you, Satao. Your information is-a most helpful. We will-a take care of this-a kotoribako.”
He is then ready to leave and will move with the group. Hanging in the middle of the group unless a forward scout is needed.
"I fear the worst, your information has been very helpful and we thank you. If you have equipment that needs Mending or weapons that need sharpening I offer my services in exchange. I am a member of the Splendid Order of Armorers, Locksmiths, & Finesmiths. Now, or later before you leave port, my offer stands." Amadi says as he offers a short bow of his head to the man.
Turning to the others. "Some of you know this city best and can guide us through quickly. Let us depart, we have work to do."
While they travel he will fill the others in on how he had read the man's thoughts and what he learned from Sadao. "I trust him, he is disturbed by this and wants to see it stopped. He would help further if he did not have important obligations."
Amadi will likely take second in line and give Guidance to whoever rolls perception. A few of us have +6 so it probably doesn't matter which one.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“So the task before us is set now, track down a fairy tale, a myth no one believed was true. I understand little about these blood rituals and curses, but a box can be broken, so too can a man. We must find both the box and the individual responsible for creating it. Come, I know the quickest way back to the Field Ward.”
Sweeps takes the front and leads the group back through the winding streets of Waterdeep, heading for the Field Ward, where he hoped he could remember where the crow appeared during their time in the mansion. While traveling, he watches the shadows grow as night falls and he maintains a careful watch for danger or anything suspicious, such as being followed. Perception (with guidance) 20 plus 4.
Sunny nods acknowledgement to Sadao, "Thank you for your information. It will get us a lot closer to solving this."
As they leave and are back on the dock, she listens to Amadi's account of Sadao's thoughts and reactions to what they were saying. "It is good to hear this, his body language and visible reactions seemed to confirm this too."
Sunny falls into the group last covered their tail but keeping Chewy on alert. "I'll take the last position in group, but look back for me once in a while in case of the Crow?"
The five leave the boat and the Dock Ward as the sky grows darker. Night approaches and Sweeps takes the lead. Versed on the secrets of the streets of Waterdeep the genasi guides the group through the fastest route. His eyes keen on the surroundings, strengthen by the guidance of Amadi, alert to the chance of finding someone following the group. An hour passes, then another and then and the adventurers reach the Sea Ward.
The streets are still full of life. Light pours from the houses, song from the taverns and the fragrance of a myriad of different foods pour from the restaurants. Grilled fish, boiled octopus, meat stew and many more exotic scents that none in the party recognizes. The City of Splendors sleeps late, if it sleeps at all. It is easy to for a few individuals to disappear in the crowd, but even so the barbarian notices three hooded figures. They all wore the same deep green cloak, shadows masking their faces. Their moves were discrete but followed a pattern. They were scanning the surroundings, looking for something or someone.
Maybe it was just a coincidence, Waterdeep has its share of less than reputable individuals, after all. The Xanathar, the Zhentharim, cultists of evil gods, devil worshippers and the agents of the Red Wizards, just to mention a few. It could be any one of them, spying any one of the others or acting in their own nefarious missions. But maybe the hooded figures were man of Gundwynd, looking for the five of them.
Notes:
@Gunner, Sweeps notices three hooded figures surveying the surrounding area. What will he do? Warn the others or keep silence? Suggest fighting or Stealth? Maybe try something completely different?
Sweeps slows the pace, bringing the party together and discretely pointing out the three hooded figures to the others. “Those three look up to no good. They do not bear the badge of the watch or the colors of the Gundwynd, but they are searching for something. Shall we go ask them what?”
The Barbarian smiles. “The direct approach generally finds more answers.”
"Perhaps we could lead them to a place where we hold advantage in a possible fight? An altercation here will bring more than the populous and Noble's would have much authority here over us. They don't appear to dress as though they wish to aid or bless us with helpful information. Either way we should decide quickly." Sunny whispers back.
Eyeing the figures briefly can she determine anything about them without lingering on them long. insight23
Amadi grimaces at Sweeps words. "No, we should not. While a direct approach may sometimes be best we have no idea if these people seek us or others. Confronting them will gain us nothing at this time. We can keep an eye on them and see if they show interest in us. If they do not, or do not follow, then we are not of interest to them. If they have already spotted us then it is too late. Let us find a way around them, another street perhaps, and pass by without drawing attention to ourselves."
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As the discussion proceeds deck and on the dock amidst a crew that showed some failure to adhere to the captains instructions without reiteration, Sunny watches for indication that any of the crew may find value in alerting anyone to our presence. Knowing that the specific Noble house was not mentioned, she hopes they are safe, but in still alert of anything that may imply a potential danger. insight 13 Then grateful to have it taken below deck, she follows with no further comments until inside.
Sunny notes Sadao's repeated admonishment of Gabriel's lack of personal identification then his seeming reluctant acceptance of the situation for the sake of a solution to the murders. Knowing the frustrated Aasimar is likely omitting this more out of awkwardness at the situation than any intentional slight.
Speaking politely, she speaks providing more information once within the ship. "Your mention of Ritual or Spell seems to be on point as a ward upon one of the children caused a transfer of our entire group to a magical mansion prison suspended high above the city's field ward. An oubliette in the floor gave access to a Crow that arose through it, attacked and killed first the child's nursemaid who was transported with us, then on myself. We suspect my religion gave it some offense as I follow Selune or it seeks to destroy those of feminine persuasion. Upon defeating the creature, it reappeared repeatedly until blocked by a gate and even still chose to do itself harm trying to reach us rather than give up its attempt to destroy me. The children showed evidence of having possibly thrown up near death and were missing internal organs with no signs of external injury. I saw no connection to any medical condition or poison that I am familiar with."
“**** me.” He says immediately after Sunny words, putting a hand over his brow and walking visibly transtormed. “There are some points that don’t add up, don’t follow the legend, so to speak, but the way you said the children died… You’re dealing with a kotoribako.” Amadi, you listen the word echo in Sadao’s mind. Whatever it means, it is the thing in which he is thinking. “The story is that a man, a rebel hiding from the troops of the Shogun of Wa, stumbled upon a village burdened by heavy taxes.” Then he stops, as if remembering for the first time that is speaking with folk stranger to the countries he came from. “Shogun is a combination of the foremost general and right hand of the Emperor, at least in theory. On practice it is the de fact ruler of Wa. We have one very much like that in Kozakura too. Taxes in both lands were normally demanded in food, grain and the like, and Wa is a land where the nobles are particularly rigid and tend to apply taxes far too harshly. Common folk don’t have a way of protesting so here and there a rebellion explodes.” Another pause. Shadeflame notices the sailor is trying to think of anything else he should explain before continuing the history. Finding nothing he continues. “The runaway offered the knowledge of a ritual to create a specially powerful curse, the kotoribako, in exchange for hiding. The legend don’t tell all of the ritual process, but says that the thing is a wooden mosaic box, made of squares approximately eight inches and must be filled with a female beast’s blood, then left alone for an entire week. Before the blood all dries up, a body part from the child that has been sacrificed must be placed within. The body part to use depends on the age of the child. For infants, the umbilical cord, the index finger joint or blood is used. For children older than infants but seven or under, the index finger joint and lifeblood. For children eight to ten, only the index finger joint. The name of the box depends on the sacrifices in it. One sacrifice makes an ippou. Two makes nihou, three makes sanpou, and four makes shippou. And if there are eight sacrifices, it’s called a hakkai. When complete the box is buried and starts taking any victim it can on its reach. The reach depends on how powerful the curse is, and the power of the curse depends on the numbers of sacrifices. The history also tells that one should never make a hakkai but never tells why.”
Sadao starts walking from side to side. Amadi can hear his mind going wild, retracing every word said since the arrival of the group in the underdeck. It takes a moment, but the sailor turns his eyes to the five adventures once again.
“Now, there are three things that line up with what you described.” He starts taking a deep breath. “One, kotoribako affects women and children only. Two, the victims have all their internal organs ripped apart, and cough up blood as they die. Three, this whole thing is full of wordplays. For example, ‘hakkai’ is homophonous to the word of ‘destruction’. ‘Kotoribako’ sounds at the same time like ‘children stealing box’ and ‘little bird box’. The killer seems to enjoy these word plays and you found a bird linked to the body of a victim of the curse.” In his mind it all seemed to add up, but there were also the differences. “I didn’t get a single thing of what you said about ward or magical mansion, but there are more than a few ghost histories about curses molded in animal spirits and your crow seems to act just like the kotoribako curse so… What I don’t understand is this interval between the victims. It’s like the base curse was modified.”
Notes:
@Jynne, as far as Sunny can tell there is no sign that can indicate potential danger (Insight check result here because the post was long enough by itself).
Sunny listens carefully trying to understand as Sadao explains. "So, all this is related to the creation of a box curse that will ultimately take victims on its own if its buried and the process is completed 8 times? Though it sounds like it would also affect the possessor of the box if done so. The Crow is the Bird. They might already have the female heart if they used the other victim and may have targeted me as back up in case the nursemaid's wasn't usable. The noble connection isn't clear, but that could be a personal preference by whomever is doing this ritual."
She looks at the others. "I am mixed upon whether we should take this information to the captain yet as there is no proof and time is very short if the day interval continues." Then back to Sadao, "Do you know of anyone who would use such a ritual here in town? Especially one possibly residing in the Field Ward?" She asks further hoping the group is ok with the number of details given.
new insight check? 10
“And how do you defeat this kotoribako? Is it as simple as finding this cursed box and smashing it?” Sweeps lifts his maul for emphasis, then pauses to think for a moment. “It could be hidden in the Field Ward, that is where the crow attacked from, but that could mean every woman and child in the city is in its reach. Or does it only attack the target of the curse, noble families perhaps?”
Sadao heard both Sunny and Sweeps, his face a mask devoid of emotion. The sailor seemed half in shock by what seemed to be happen and the words of the tortle raised a dangerous possibility, to say the least.
“I don’t know who could make this kind of thing, here or anywhere in the world and I have seen some of the world in my time as a merchant.” He answered with a dry laugh. His voice was an expression of incredulity. “To be honest most people back home know about the kotoribako as nothing more than a history to tell around the fire, to pass the time. The kind of thing you would call urban legend here in the Sword Coast. No one had ever saw any proof that it was real. I mean a mysterious guy with no name appear in a village with no name and offer to kill a lord with no name. It is the kind of vague thing that someone would make up just to have fun spooking some friends.” A nightmare turned real, Amadi could hear Sadao think. Just my luck to get close of this kind of shit. “In every version of the history that I heard the box kill any woman and children in range, not just a target family. It is because of that that the maker is always a man, and the killing starts after the box is made, after it already having the sacrifices inside, but I never heard of a kotoribako having an actual bird so whoever made this put some alterations in place, a homebrew twist, on it. The thing may be gathering more sacrifices at each kill, getting stronger with each victim. Only the gods know how far it will reach after reaching the peak of its strength.” Maybe, he thought to himself, the range won’t be limited to the city of Waterdeep. “And I have no idea of how to destroy it. The legend never tells of one being destroyed.”
Notes: Amadi hears each and every of Sadao's thoughts. His change in expression is noticeable to all of you. He is shocked, in disbelief and not trying to hide it. The mention of homebrew twist is basically a confession of what I did with the box in the original urban legend.
"I promised to tend to any injured for you, and I should do so quickly so that we get on our way. This information should prove at least helpful. Tell me though, is the Kotoribako known to wear any specific type of clothing, mark themselves in any way or something else distinctive? A way we might identify them visibly?" Sunny persists with questions a little urgently realizing the incredible impact a device such as this could have in a City like Waterdeep.
Amadi stood quietly while Sunny and Sadao conversed. He continued to read the man's mind until the spell ran out. He was satisfied that the man truly wished to help them as he could.
As the discussion continued he finally introduced himself. "I am Amadi Shadeflame, Servant of Gond. What would you know of any ties of this sacrifice and one such as Shar? We fear that the Mistress of the Night is somehow involved in this. At the home of one of the victims, where we were transported by the magical ward, the servants of the noble who lived there seemed to serve Shar as they were very familiar with her. There is a connection we do not yet understand."
“The only description I ever heard about the box appearance is that it is mosaic box and each square that make it have around eight inches.” He says to Sunny, almost apologetically. It is clear Sadao wished he could help more. “The legend doesn’t speak of how many squares there are in the box so it can be relatively small or huge.” Part of the sailor still couldn’t quite believe a history so vague and full of holes was actually true. “I’m not saying that there is no cloth or mark, just that I never heard of there being one so when it comes to finding the thing, assuming we are right and the crow is the small bird in the box, I would say you need to look in the Field Ward for recently dug earth with the smell of blood and human body parts, which for your group shouldn’t be that much of a challenge.”
At his last words he points to Chewy. A well-behaved mastiff, visibly trained to do as much as wearing armor. To his nose finding something as foul as the kotoribako should be nothing more than a question of time.
“My boys and I will be on the city for a few days so I would prefer you use your time to solve these killings.” Sado says in a serious tone. The kind that don’t give space for discussion. “There is no one hurt at crew, I would only like to have them examined because one can never be too safe, but this can wait. Now, about your question.” He says turning his attention to Amadi. “I can’t think of any connection, but then I know very little about your gods.” He admits, sounding almost defeated. “About this Shar, for example, all I know is that she’s bad news. That folk older and or more superstitious avoid speaking her name and reprimand those who do it close by. There could be a thousand links to her, and I wouldn’t notice one.”
Notes: In case of doubt feel, as always, free to ask on the OOC chat.
Sylvio listens to the words of Sadao. Not quite understanding it all but hearing connections that are different and yet the same. He speaks up and looks at Sunny. “The crow-a… it went after you. Again and again it attacked you-a. Was it because you are a woman-a?”
Sulvio scratches his chin “we did-a not see any missing fingers or joints on-a the boy’s body... but the coughing of-a blood is-a the same.” He looks at Sadao again “It-a seems too coincidental for-a the children of noble families to-a be targeted… in-a the legends… why would-a anyone wish to sacrifice a child-a to this thing?”
Noob
“Despair or/and madness.” He answers to Sylvio, almost melancholic. The keener eye could notice that the sailor seemed no stranger to either. “But I wouldn’t put it behind simple evil, especially when nobility is involved. Wa, Kozakura, Waterdeep, doesn’t matter. People in power are prone to do anything to keep what they have or get some more, and the life of others is usually a small price for them. Look at any war and you’ll see as much.”
There was sense in the idea that the killings were the result of waterdhavian political intrigue, but at the same why would a noble of the city deal with a curse that could very well doom the entirety of the metropolis? Maybe the fire adventurers were right, maybe it was some kind of divine offering to a dark deity.
“There is also the possibility that the sacrifices are more of ingredients that offerings, that is, that they don’t need to be voluntary, either on the part of the sacrificed or the maker of the box.” That much would fit with the theory that the kotoribako was strengthening itself at each killing, Sadao pondered. “I would start looking around areas where children disappeared in the Field Ward. You said you saw the small bird coming from there so it is likely that the box is buried around there, meaning that the starting sacrifice may very well be from there too.
Notes: In case of doubt feel, as always, free to ask on the OOC chat.
Sunny nods to Sylvio, "Yes, it seems the main reason. Both myself and the nursemaid are female. It didn't even defend itself from the male attackers and when the Oubliette was closed still persisted to its death and reappearance. We should get to Field Ward right away. I'll look your men over quickly before we depart, or at least those willing."
“No one is visibly injured, and we are in the middle of unloading the boat. It will take some time until any of the boys is free.” Sadao answered to Sunny’s proposition, leaving no space for negotiation. A medical check-up for free was a good deal, but not enough reason to delay their schedule, besides he preferred to have the kotoribako dealt with sooner than later. Part of him wanted to actually help searching the thing, but he had his work to deal with. Everyone in that ship had and if those five were chosen by the City Guard then more likely than not they were the best folk to the job. “Go to the Field Ward and finish your investigation. You can find us here for at least the next four days.”
His last words sounded gentle but gave no escape for negotiation. The group could use the time too. The day of the next killing was close and if the theories were right then with each victim the crow would get stronger. Not even the gods knew how strong it would be if the next victim was the eight. One thing was for certain, it was better to avoid the risk of facing a hakkai.
Notes: If you do leave the boat you will notice that it is now sunset and I will need a marching order.The way back to the Field Ward is long and around 1/4 of the journey the night falls and I will want one of your to make a Perception Check. Only a character can make this check, but he/she can receive help and guidance. Feel free to discuss marching order and decide who will make the check and how in the OOC chat.
Sylvio nods to Sadao “Yes… the rich and-a powerful always take from-a the poor and powerless-a.” And those around can hear the anger and vitriol in his voice as he says this. It’s clear that he has seen this injustice and hates it.
”Thank you, Satao. Your information is-a most helpful. We will-a take care of this-a kotoribako.”
He is then ready to leave and will move with the group. Hanging in the middle of the group unless a forward scout is needed.
Noob
"I fear the worst, your information has been very helpful and we thank you. If you have equipment that needs Mending or weapons that need sharpening I offer my services in exchange. I am a member of the Splendid Order of Armorers, Locksmiths, & Finesmiths. Now, or later before you leave port, my offer stands." Amadi says as he offers a short bow of his head to the man.
Turning to the others. "Some of you know this city best and can guide us through quickly. Let us depart, we have work to do."
While they travel he will fill the others in on how he had read the man's thoughts and what he learned from Sadao. "I trust him, he is disturbed by this and wants to see it stopped. He would help further if he did not have important obligations."
Amadi will likely take second in line and give Guidance to whoever rolls perception. A few of us have +6 so it probably doesn't matter which one.
“So the task before us is set now, track down a fairy tale, a myth no one believed was true. I understand little about these blood rituals and curses, but a box can be broken, so too can a man. We must find both the box and the individual responsible for creating it. Come, I know the quickest way back to the Field Ward.”
Sweeps takes the front and leads the group back through the winding streets of Waterdeep, heading for the Field Ward, where he hoped he could remember where the crow appeared during their time in the mansion. While traveling, he watches the shadows grow as night falls and he maintains a careful watch for danger or anything suspicious, such as being followed. Perception (with guidance) 20 plus 4.
Sunny nods acknowledgement to Sadao, "Thank you for your information. It will get us a lot closer to solving this."
As they leave and are back on the dock, she listens to Amadi's account of Sadao's thoughts and reactions to what they were saying. "It is good to hear this, his body language and visible reactions seemed to confirm this too."
Sunny falls into the group last covered their tail but keeping Chewy on alert. "I'll take the last position in group, but look back for me once in a while in case of the Crow?"
(Happy to go with Sweeps' roll)
The five leave the boat and the Dock Ward as the sky grows darker. Night approaches and Sweeps takes the lead. Versed on the secrets of the streets of Waterdeep the genasi guides the group through the fastest route. His eyes keen on the surroundings, strengthen by the guidance of Amadi, alert to the chance of finding someone following the group. An hour passes, then another and then and the adventurers reach the Sea Ward.
The streets are still full of life. Light pours from the houses, song from the taverns and the fragrance of a myriad of different foods pour from the restaurants. Grilled fish, boiled octopus, meat stew and many more exotic scents that none in the party recognizes. The City of Splendors sleeps late, if it sleeps at all. It is easy to for a few individuals to disappear in the crowd, but even so the barbarian notices three hooded figures. They all wore the same deep green cloak, shadows masking their faces. Their moves were discrete but followed a pattern. They were scanning the surroundings, looking for something or someone.
Maybe it was just a coincidence, Waterdeep has its share of less than reputable individuals, after all. The Xanathar, the Zhentharim, cultists of evil gods, devil worshippers and the agents of the Red Wizards, just to mention a few. It could be any one of them, spying any one of the others or acting in their own nefarious missions. But maybe the hooded figures were man of Gundwynd, looking for the five of them.
Notes:
@Gunner, Sweeps notices three hooded figures surveying the surrounding area. What will he do? Warn the others or keep silence? Suggest fighting or Stealth? Maybe try something completely different?
Sweeps slows the pace, bringing the party together and discretely pointing out the three hooded figures to the others. “Those three look up to no good. They do not bear the badge of the watch or the colors of the Gundwynd, but they are searching for something. Shall we go ask them what?”
The Barbarian smiles. “The direct approach generally finds more answers.”
"Perhaps we could lead them to a place where we hold advantage in a possible fight? An altercation here will bring more than the populous and Noble's would have much authority here over us. They don't appear to dress as though they wish to aid or bless us with helpful information. Either way we should decide quickly." Sunny whispers back.
Eyeing the figures briefly can she determine anything about them without lingering on them long. insight 23
Amadi grimaces at Sweeps words. "No, we should not. While a direct approach may sometimes be best we have no idea if these people seek us or others. Confronting them will gain us nothing at this time. We can keep an eye on them and see if they show interest in us. If they do not, or do not follow, then we are not of interest to them. If they have already spotted us then it is too late. Let us find a way around them, another street perhaps, and pass by without drawing attention to ourselves."