Sweeps walks up to the child with Sunny and passes along a small piece of dried jerky. He knew these children valued food just as much as coin in many cases and wants to help her question the child.. “We are looking for a large, monstrous crow that has been lurking in the Ward. Have you seen one? Anything unusual?” He pauses, looks around and lowers his voice “Have there been any outsiders around the neighborhood, foreigners? You could tell by their clothing and speech.”
Sweeps was counting on the fact that anyone from the lands in the East would be noticed in the Field Ward.
“Are you on Baccaran or something?” The kid answers to Sweeps, honestly surprised by his question. Looking close and beyond the rags genasi and tortle notice the child is actually a girl. Round brown eyes, face full of freckles, hair made into twin-tails and almost black.
Familiar with the streets the barbarian knows that Baccaran is a hallucinogen drug, a paste or sometimes dried into a powder that go on the streets for about ten gold pieces. Given its price, users, especially those who get addicted, are known to sell everything they own and end involved with criminal activities. More than a few end their days in debt with loan sharks. The substance is, of course, banned in most of Faerûn, the City of Watereep being no exception, but criminal organizations are known for using their smuggling rings to keep Baccaran and other alike substances flowing in the shadows. It is a lucrative trade that gives birth to criminals and beggars. The kind of thing that folk in the Field Wards hear about all the time - it is not strange for the girl to mention it.
“There are always lots of foreigners and unusual things happening around. This is the best place to avoid the attention of the Lords and their men.” The girl says taking her bowl, her attention divided between Sunny and Sweeps. The ranger can gather, with her keen eyes, that the kid is honest but worried at the possibility of Sweeps having a fit of rage under the effect of some drug and readies herself to run at the first sign of danger. Maybe it was a little bit too strange to ask about a strange monster without any context. “It’s not that I don’t want to help you.” She is fast to add, focusing her attention on Sweeps. Fearing that her worlds could trigger a violent reaction of someone high. “I just need you to be more specific.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sylvio remains quiet, letting sweeps and Amadi talk to the child and not wanting to overwhelm her. He looks her over closely to determine if she is a simple beggar (though the odds of her not being a lookout for someone are slim to nonexistent). Inwardly he remembers times as a child doing very similar jobs for different people or groups. Sitting and watching, listening, and remembering faces all to be reported to the local thugs or boss that runs the neighborhood.
10 Investigation
As he looks the child over… takes in her speech and mannerisms as well as his knowledge of the streets and how the gangs operate, Sylvio realizes that he needs to step in once again to communicate with the residents of the underside of the city… his people.
He steps out from behind Sweeps and Amadi and slips a silver into the plate. “Good evening young-a miss. Forgive-a my friends here, they don’t understand-a the streets and-a how things work here-a. Don’t-a worry about this-a one.” And he gestures at Sweeps. “She’s a good sort and-a not one to dabble with-a the Baccaran. My name is Sylvio, Sylvio Scarpaldi.” He smiles at the child briefly but then his face gets serious and he looks intently at her as he begins talking again…
”The birds are-a beautiful no? See how-a they fly away and disappear into-a the sky? Sometimes you can-a watch them and then-a you blink and they are-a gone. It’s so sad-a when they die though, sometimes you-a find them in the streets eaten by-a cats. Sylvio wonders if-a there are cats in the area. There were three dead-a birds down-a the street. They all had-a the shiniest feathers! Probably why they were-a eaten because-a they were so shiny. He would-a hate to see more little birds disappear or be found-a eaten by the cats. The birds flock-a together and-a know when others go missing but-a people don’t notice one bird missing in a flock yes-a? The birds stick together but-a who helps them? Sometimes the female birds help-a but then-a sometimes female birds fly-a away too. Cats are a problem but people don’t see-a them and sometimes don’t believe the cats are a problem for-a the birds. Sylvio often looks for cats… especially around-a the Trollyard. Sylvio HATES these cats and would rather kill-a them all so that the birds can fly freely. Some-a people kill cats-a using strange mixtures or-a foods that-a the cats don’t like-a.”
Using thieves cant, Sylvio tells the girl that they have been searching for a predatory creature that might be making children or women disappear in the area or possibly killing them outright in gruesome manners. Three noble children have already been found dead. He asks if kids and/or women have gone missing in the area. The creature might be near the trollyard. Has there been rumors among the children or eyes on the street of strange creatures, missing or dead children? Even if it’s something only the kids see and nobody believes them. He also suggests that there may be more deaths coming if they don’t find the culprit. He also suggests that there might be a new poison or substance on the street and asks if she knows of anything like that.
Sunny steps aside, letting Sylvio speak knowing he had a way with words. As she listens to his seemingly long-winded speech to the girl, she ponders why he speaks so much of birds, cats and shiny things shrugging it off as a quirk of the ways of the city she hasn't quite sorted out yet. Fortunately for her, Chewy was a dog because Sylvio really didn't seem to like cats...
Sunny finds an edge of wall and kneels down petting the Mastiff at her side. She pulls out another bone for him and tells him what a good dog he is while the others talk.
During her interaction with Chewy (offering bone and petting) she continues to watch the child trying to determine anything further of her in her reactions to what the others say or of her person. She also keeps away of the surrounding environment for changes or attention their way.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gabriel lets the scene unfold, seeing that Sylvio clearly has an affinity for the area, its people. He finds a quiet corner to stay out of the way and not draw attention, conscious that he far out of his comfort zone. He will observe the surroundings, including the people, in case of any emerging danger.
“Baccaran! Don’t be a fool, child” Sweeps feels his anger rising as his cheeks flush “I am not talking about some louts from up and down the Sword Coast. I mean the lands of the Far East, there can not be but a handful in the city and will stand out.” He casts a sharp look at Sylvio as he starts his speech on the cats and birds and his anger is replaced by confusion “Birds, not just any birds, it was a monstrous crow!” he lapses into a sullen silence as Sylvio ignores him and continues on.
Because of Sweeps’ objection Sylvio rolls his eyes and adds to the child “Do you know-a the story about-a the kind and good king-a who got lost in-a the woods? He was-a saved by the blind and-a crippled old woman who-a knew the woods-a better than her own face-a? Sylvio likes-a that story.”
Thieves cant again saying, These are good but ignorant people out of their element. I grew up on these streets and am trying to lead them through safely.
The girl’s attention immediately turns to Sylvio as he gives the silver piece and starts to speak. With their keen eyes Sunny and Amadi notice as tension reduces in the body with the assurances that Sweeps is not high on some hallucinogen. The elf speech is strange, almost senseless, but the kid seems to understand it perfectly. She looks at the genasi as he answers, raising a brow in an expression that clearly tells, “right, budy, whatever you say” when he mentions the crow again. The rogue’s intervention earns an expression of understanding from her.
“I haven’t seen an oriental in a long time, but now that you mention it, there have been talk about birds appearing half eaten by the Trollyard.” She looks at Scarpaldi studying the rogue, her message clear to him - children were found dead and mutilated in the Trollyard. “Nothing but bite marks around there.” She gestures with her hand to the half-elf stomach. No viscera.“No shine on their feathers, I can assure you of that. They were the kind you find easily around these parts.”Poor kids, from the Ward. She glances beyond the closer trio of strangers, looking to see if someone at the streets paid them any attention. To her eyes and those of Gabriel, no one seemed to observe their conversation. “The first one was found by the start of the month. The second four days later and a third four days after the second, but then no more. For the last ten days or. Haven’t heard about cats or female birds, though.” She then raises to her feet in a carefree manner. “I could give you the name of a birdkeeper, but I am so tired that I just can’t remember. Maybe something shiner than your last token could help my memory.”
A message clear enough even for Sunny and Sweeps, who could not understand Thieves Cant: I can speak more, if you give me some gold.
Notes: In case of doubt, as always, feel free to as in the OOC chat.
@Althax, Sylvio understands the girl saying that three kids were found dead in the same way the noble children were found. The girl means to say she knows how to find the family of one of the victims, but the information will cost gold. Make me a Investigation Check.
At the child’s words, Sylvio’s eyes harden and he clenches a shaking fist. His mind begins racing… Those city guard bastards! They never even mentioned children in the ward. They either didn’t even know or didn’t care. It wasn’t till a noble child dies that they take action!
20 investigation
To the girl Sylvio says through gritted teeth “Young miss-a… Sylvio knows you-a have needs and are asking for coin as-a instructed, but this is-a more important than-a coin. Will-a you insist on-a fleecing us as-a common marks when-a the birds are-a dying in the streets?! This is-a not over and will-a only get worse if-a Sylvio and his-a friends don’t stop it!”
7 persuasion
Seeing the look in her eye Sylvio knows he has not persuaded her and reaches towards his pouch to gather a coin.
Amadi watches quietly as first Sweeps and then Sylvio questions the child. He smiled at the accusation of Sweeps using drugs and his retort caused him to put a hand on his arm.
"Sylvio has it under control friend." He says.
When the child demands gold he nearly drops a coin in the plate when Sylvio objects. He then sees Sylvio relent and reach. for his own pouch.
Seeing that he cannot convince her, Sylvio fishes two gold coins out and places them in her palm. “We are-a here to help-a you and the others children.”
Sunny lifts sad eyes to the girl hopeful of her willingness to help, real sadness as the meaning of the previous deaths strikes her heart. She tries to recall the words of the Sailing Captain. Could this make 6 children total? Or was it two trying such a ritual? Sunny searches the sky, for a crow.
Sweep calms himself at Amadi’s touch. “Yes, he is much better with speaking to children than I.” He steps back from Sylvio and the child muttering to himself “But I am not crazy, there was a monstrous crow. I saw it.”
As he steps away, he scans the surrounding streets, trying to see if they are drawing notice from any of the others in the area. Perception: 24.
Sylvio tries to persuade the girl, but he himself knows things work in the streets. It is hard to know in who to trust and charity is often paid with a sometimes literal knife in the back. If that was not enough it was rather common for a swindler to start their act by saying they just wanted to help their victim. The child is unaffected by his words and in the end the rogue takes the gold. Two pieces.
“Thank you for your kindness, good sir.” She says hiding the coins in her rags, hiding any sign of surprise. Amadi and Sunny, with their keen eyes notice, that the kid did not expect for more than one piece. “Now I feel my spirit lifted and my mind clearing. Yes, oh, yes, I do remember of a birdkeeper.” She looks at Sweeps protesting against her mistrust of his sanity. A smile takes shape upon her lips for but the briefest of moments. Apparently, the way the genasi spoke sounded funny for her. At least funnier than most things she was used to seeing. Who knows? Maybe these strangers were actually decent people. The thought was almost enough to make her feel guilty for demanding money of them. Almost. “You can find them on a small house by the foot of the second guard tower east of the Trollgate. The Morris family.” Neither rogue nor the barbarian were familiar with the name, but knowing the city as they did, they could imagine the exact place where the house of this supposed birdkeepers stood. It was not far from the Trollyward. “Be gentle with them if you can. They are having a hard time with the lost bird.” As any parents who lost a child would. ”Now, if this all I have places to go.”
Notes: On the spoiler below there is a map with the location indicated by the girl (marked in red). In case of doubt, as always, feel free to as in the OOC chat.
@Everyone, make a Investigation Check, DC 12. @Althax and Jynne, you may make an Insight check to see if your characters believe in what the child is saying. DC 12. No Guidance or help may be used in this check. @Everyone, you are free to choose if you want to interact further with the NPC or move to the location mentioned by her.
Amadi moves in behind Sunny but stands back about 5 feet behind her.
Sweeps walks up to the child with Sunny and passes along a small piece of dried jerky. He knew these children valued food just as much as coin in many cases and wants to help her question the child.. “We are looking for a large, monstrous crow that has been lurking in the Ward. Have you seen one? Anything unusual?” He pauses, looks around and lowers his voice “Have there been any outsiders around the neighborhood, foreigners? You could tell by their clothing and speech.”
Sweeps was counting on the fact that anyone from the lands in the East would be noticed in the Field Ward.
“Are you on Baccaran or something?” The kid answers to Sweeps, honestly surprised by his question. Looking close and beyond the rags genasi and tortle notice the child is actually a girl. Round brown eyes, face full of freckles, hair made into twin-tails and almost black.
Familiar with the streets the barbarian knows that Baccaran is a hallucinogen drug, a paste or sometimes dried into a powder that go on the streets for about ten gold pieces. Given its price, users, especially those who get addicted, are known to sell everything they own and end involved with criminal activities. More than a few end their days in debt with loan sharks. The substance is, of course, banned in most of Faerûn, the City of Watereep being no exception, but criminal organizations are known for using their smuggling rings to keep Baccaran and other alike substances flowing in the shadows. It is a lucrative trade that gives birth to criminals and beggars. The kind of thing that folk in the Field Wards hear about all the time - it is not strange for the girl to mention it.
“There are always lots of foreigners and unusual things happening around. This is the best place to avoid the attention of the Lords and their men.” The girl says taking her bowl, her attention divided between Sunny and Sweeps. The ranger can gather, with her keen eyes, that the kid is honest but worried at the possibility of Sweeps having a fit of rage under the effect of some drug and readies herself to run at the first sign of danger. Maybe it was a little bit too strange to ask about a strange monster without any context. “It’s not that I don’t want to help you.” She is fast to add, focusing her attention on Sweeps. Fearing that her worlds could trigger a violent reaction of someone high. “I just need you to be more specific.”
Notes: In case of doubt, as always, feel free to as in the OOC chat. This is the face of the new NPC: https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/001/509/913/large/stephanie-chafe-acs-claraodea-ig-front.jpg?1447714111
Sylvio remains quiet, letting sweeps and Amadi talk to the child and not wanting to overwhelm her. He looks her over closely to determine if she is a simple beggar (though the odds of her not being a lookout for someone are slim to nonexistent). Inwardly he remembers times as a child doing very similar jobs for different people or groups. Sitting and watching, listening, and remembering faces all to be reported to the local thugs or boss that runs the neighborhood.
10 Investigation
As he looks the child over… takes in her speech and mannerisms as well as his knowledge of the streets and how the gangs operate, Sylvio realizes that he needs to step in once again to communicate with the residents of the underside of the city… his people.
He steps out from behind Sweeps and Amadi and slips a silver into the plate. “Good evening young-a miss. Forgive-a my friends here, they don’t understand-a the streets and-a how things work here-a. Don’t-a worry about this-a one.” And he gestures at Sweeps. “She’s a good sort and-a not one to dabble with-a the Baccaran. My name is Sylvio, Sylvio Scarpaldi.” He smiles at the child briefly but then his face gets serious and he looks intently at her as he begins talking again…
”The birds are-a beautiful no? See how-a they fly away and disappear into-a the sky? Sometimes you can-a watch them and then-a you blink and they are-a gone. It’s so sad-a when they die though, sometimes you-a find them in the streets eaten by-a cats. Sylvio wonders if-a there are cats in the area. There were three dead-a birds down-a the street. They all had-a the shiniest feathers! Probably why they were-a eaten because-a they were so shiny. He would-a hate to see more little birds disappear or be found-a eaten by the cats. The birds flock-a together and-a know when others go missing but-a people don’t notice one bird missing in a flock yes-a? The birds stick together but-a who helps them? Sometimes the female birds help-a but then-a sometimes female birds fly-a away too. Cats are a problem but people don’t see-a them and sometimes don’t believe the cats are a problem for-a the birds. Sylvio often looks for cats… especially around-a the Trollyard. Sylvio HATES these cats and would rather kill-a them all so that the birds can fly freely. Some-a people kill cats-a using strange mixtures or-a foods that-a the cats don’t like-a.”
Using thieves cant, Sylvio tells the girl that they have been searching for a predatory creature that might be making children or women disappear in the area or possibly killing them outright in gruesome manners. Three noble children have already been found dead. He asks if kids and/or women have gone missing in the area. The creature might be near the trollyard. Has there been rumors among the children or eyes on the street of strange creatures, missing or dead children? Even if it’s something only the kids see and nobody believes them. He also suggests that there may be more deaths coming if they don’t find the culprit. He also suggests that there might be a new poison or substance on the street and asks if she knows of anything like that.
Noob
Sunny steps aside, letting Sylvio speak knowing he had a way with words. As she listens to his seemingly long-winded speech to the girl, she ponders why he speaks so much of birds, cats and shiny things shrugging it off as a quirk of the ways of the city she hasn't quite sorted out yet. Fortunately for her, Chewy was a dog because Sylvio really didn't seem to like cats...
Sunny finds an edge of wall and kneels down petting the Mastiff at her side. She pulls out another bone for him and tells him what a good dog he is while the others talk.
During her interaction with Chewy (offering bone and petting) she continues to watch the child trying to determine anything further of her in her reactions to what the others say or of her person. She also keeps away of the surrounding environment for changes or attention their way.
Gabriel lets the scene unfold, seeing that Sylvio clearly has an affinity for the area, its people. He finds a quiet corner to stay out of the way and not draw attention, conscious that he far out of his comfort zone. He will observe the surroundings, including the people, in case of any emerging danger.
Perception 10
“Baccaran! Don’t be a fool, child” Sweeps feels his anger rising as his cheeks flush “I am not talking about some louts from up and down the Sword Coast. I mean the lands of the Far East, there can not be but a handful in the city and will stand out.” He casts a sharp look at Sylvio as he starts his speech on the cats and birds and his anger is replaced by confusion “Birds, not just any birds, it was a monstrous crow!” he lapses into a sullen silence as Sylvio ignores him and continues on.
Because of Sweeps’ objection Sylvio rolls his eyes and adds to the child “Do you know-a the story about-a the kind and good king-a who got lost in-a the woods? He was-a saved by the blind and-a crippled old woman who-a knew the woods-a better than her own face-a? Sylvio likes-a that story.”
Thieves cant again saying, These are good but ignorant people out of their element. I grew up on these streets and am trying to lead them through safely.
Noob
The girl’s attention immediately turns to Sylvio as he gives the silver piece and starts to speak. With their keen eyes Sunny and Amadi notice as tension reduces in the body with the assurances that Sweeps is not high on some hallucinogen. The elf speech is strange, almost senseless, but the kid seems to understand it perfectly. She looks at the genasi as he answers, raising a brow in an expression that clearly tells, “right, budy, whatever you say” when he mentions the crow again. The rogue’s intervention earns an expression of understanding from her.
“I haven’t seen an oriental in a long time, but now that you mention it, there have been talk about birds appearing half eaten by the Trollyard.” She looks at Scarpaldi studying the rogue, her message clear to him - children were found dead and mutilated in the Trollyard. “Nothing but bite marks around there.” She gestures with her hand to the half-elf stomach. No viscera. “No shine on their feathers, I can assure you of that. They were the kind you find easily around these parts.” Poor kids, from the Ward. She glances beyond the closer trio of strangers, looking to see if someone at the streets paid them any attention. To her eyes and those of Gabriel, no one seemed to observe their conversation. “The first one was found by the start of the month. The second four days later and a third four days after the second, but then no more. For the last ten days or. Haven’t heard about cats or female birds, though.” She then raises to her feet in a carefree manner. “I could give you the name of a birdkeeper, but I am so tired that I just can’t remember. Maybe something shiner than your last token could help my memory.”
A message clear enough even for Sunny and Sweeps, who could not understand Thieves Cant: I can speak more, if you give me some gold.
Notes: In case of doubt, as always, feel free to as in the OOC chat.
@Althax, Sylvio understands the girl saying that three kids were found dead in the same way the noble children were found. The girl means to say she knows how to find the family of one of the victims, but the information will cost gold. Make me a Investigation Check.
At the child’s words, Sylvio’s eyes harden and he clenches a shaking fist. His mind begins racing… Those city guard bastards! They never even mentioned children in the ward. They either didn’t even know or didn’t care. It wasn’t till a noble child dies that they take action!
20 investigation
To the girl Sylvio says through gritted teeth “Young miss-a… Sylvio knows you-a have needs and are asking for coin as-a instructed, but this is-a more important than-a coin. Will-a you insist on-a fleecing us as-a common marks when-a the birds are-a dying in the streets?! This is-a not over and will-a only get worse if-a Sylvio and his-a friends don’t stop it!”
7 persuasion
Seeing the look in her eye Sylvio knows he has not persuaded her and reaches towards his pouch to gather a coin.
Noob
Amadi watches quietly as first Sweeps and then Sylvio questions the child. He smiled at the accusation of Sweeps using drugs and his retort caused him to put a hand on his arm.
"Sylvio has it under control friend." He says.
When the child demands gold he nearly drops a coin in the plate when Sylvio objects. He then sees Sylvio relent and reach. for his own pouch.
Sunny continues to tend to Chewy and observe pleased that her companions have the information gathering well in hand. No common beggar this one.
Seeing that he cannot convince her, Sylvio fishes two gold coins out and places them in her palm. “We are-a here to help-a you and the others children.”
Noob
Sunny lifts sad eyes to the girl hopeful of her willingness to help, real sadness as the meaning of the previous deaths strikes her heart. She tries to recall the words of the Sailing Captain. Could this make 6 children total? Or was it two trying such a ritual? Sunny searches the sky, for a crow.
Sweep calms himself at Amadi’s touch. “Yes, he is much better with speaking to children than I.” He steps back from Sylvio and the child muttering to himself “But I am not crazy, there was a monstrous crow. I saw it.”
As he steps away, he scans the surrounding streets, trying to see if they are drawing notice from any of the others in the area. Perception: 24.
Sylvio tries to persuade the girl, but he himself knows things work in the streets. It is hard to know in who to trust and charity is often paid with a sometimes literal knife in the back. If that was not enough it was rather common for a swindler to start their act by saying they just wanted to help their victim. The child is unaffected by his words and in the end the rogue takes the gold. Two pieces.
“Thank you for your kindness, good sir.” She says hiding the coins in her rags, hiding any sign of surprise. Amadi and Sunny, with their keen eyes notice, that the kid did not expect for more than one piece. “Now I feel my spirit lifted and my mind clearing. Yes, oh, yes, I do remember of a birdkeeper.” She looks at Sweeps protesting against her mistrust of his sanity. A smile takes shape upon her lips for but the briefest of moments. Apparently, the way the genasi spoke sounded funny for her. At least funnier than most things she was used to seeing. Who knows? Maybe these strangers were actually decent people. The thought was almost enough to make her feel guilty for demanding money of them. Almost. “You can find them on a small house by the foot of the second guard tower east of the Trollgate. The Morris family.” Neither rogue nor the barbarian were familiar with the name, but knowing the city as they did, they could imagine the exact place where the house of this supposed birdkeepers stood. It was not far from the Trollyward. “Be gentle with them if you can. They are having a hard time with the lost bird.” As any parents who lost a child would. ”Now, if this all I have places to go.”
Notes: On the spoiler below there is a map with the location indicated by the girl (marked in red). In case of doubt, as always, feel free to as in the OOC chat.
@Althax and Jynne, you may make an Insight check to see if your characters believe in what the child is saying. DC 12. No Guidance or help may be used in this check.
@Everyone, you are free to choose if you want to interact further with the NPC or move to the location mentioned by her.
Amadi stood by quietly and allowed the conversation to play out.
Investigation 3
@Makkiu - since you offered. Sunny continues to watch behavior and body language for any signs that what she says is truthful. 20
Sylvio thinks about the information he has received 10 investigation
He also tries to determine if the child is lying about anything she has said 3 insight
Noob
Investigation for Gabriel 12