Veil is able to pocket the pouch without drawing any attention.
The City Guard arrives and cordons off Trollskull Alley, posting six guards at each entrance. The guards don’t allow anyone in or out without permission from a superior officer. Another six guards, including a sergeant, make their way to the crime scene and watch over the dead bodies until the City Watch arrives. Lingering smoke from the fireball also attracts a Griffon Cavalry rider. As its griffon mount circles the neighborhood, the rider watches the streets and alleys for suspicious figures.
The sergeant starts telling folk to clear away from the bodies. Of the party, the only one let near any of the wounded at this point is Xavier in his role as cleric and healer. The rest are told to back off, or better yet, go home.
The inhabitants of the Alley and eyewitnesses to the event form a border of sobs and whispers of horror and gossip.
Zera tells the others of our group the story of the limping man heading towards the Bent Nail. “Should we discreetly go that way? We didn’t see anything, I don’t want to get held up by the guards for an hour..”
"I don't believe there is any way to slip out, and it would look fairly bad for us if we were caught trying to slip past the guard and watch." Veil says with a glance to the various official-looking people in the street now. She also lets her head angle upward to the air-born scout. "There is simply too much chance someone would spot us, and that would mean a lot more than an hour's delay."
The party has gathered on one side of the ring of people around the bodies. Joined now by Friar Xavier, they are on the side near their home.
Above the throng and clamor of disbelief and sorrow, two voices in particular catch their ears: A grating voice going off on a narcissistic tirade about how this has spoiled their day, and how inconsiderate it is to have puppets running free and ruining the schedule of upstanding Waterdavians. The other is the quiet, but distinct, sob of a young halfling lamenting the loss of his friends.
About twenty minutes after the explosion, a City Watch sergeant escorts a smallish man with a thick beard and long mustache. The smaller man is robed in lavender. From his neck dangles a gold medallion indicating that he is a member of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors. He quietly takes charge of the investigation at that point, while Sergeant proclaims to the bystanders, "Please, clear the alley and go back to your shops or homes. If you do not live in or do business in the Alley, please find a local establishment to await in. Our constables will be dropping by shortly to collect your recollections."
The crowd starts to break up. A few of the bystanders who are not locals of the Alley look toward the Trollskull Tavern and begin to walk toward it to await the constables.
Veil moves into their tavern and smiles winningly at the various individuals coming in from the street. "Bad situation out there my friends." She tells them as they are allowed to take seats. "Need anything to wash the smoke out of your throats?"
The party moves toward the tavern and welcomes those seeking refuge from the turmoil in the street.
After the first rounds have been served, the harsh voice of the lady who was complaining earlier can be heard loudly talking over to the unfortunate souls who are seated next to her at the bar. Veil, Zera, and Friar Xavier all hear her, Amotal is helping in the back and is blessedly spared.
“I tell you, it was not a man. More like a puppet shaped like a man. A puppet without strings. It was on the rooftop. It hurled something into the crowd below that caused the explosion. I saw those halflings burned alive! I saw them!”
Veil moves over to the loud speaker. She pushes a glass of wine onto the counter near the woman. "You say it was not a man?" Veil asks as the woman accepts the glass of wine. "Did you see where he went after the explosion?"
"Oh." She replies flustered, "Do I look like a constable? It was all I could do to keep myself safe in the commotion." She drains the glass of wine, turns to her neighbor, taking his glass of wine and continues, "I nearly died out there. Dreadful. Just dreadful!"
About a half hour passes as the group in the tavern settles in with gossip and anxiety over what just happened. The adventurers do their best to keep spirits up.
The tavern door opens and in strides the Watch Sergeant and the member of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors.
The sergeant informs all to stay in their seats and they will collect everyone's testimony in time.
The mage sniffs and looks down at a small book in which he has written some notes. From under his bushy mustache comes a cough and then a nasal voice, "Are the owners of this establishment here? I would like to begin with them."
The adventurers leave the tending of the guests to their staff and approach the two officials.
"Let's speak a little more privately."
The Friar clears a larger table off in one corner and offers it as a place for the mage to hold his interviews. The group forms around this table.
After introductions, which the mage dutifully scribbles into his book, he looks up and asks:
"Okay, where were you when the incident occurred and what did you witness of it?"
The adventurers answer the mage,s questions to the best of their ability. His name is Barnibus Blastwind. He seems intent about seeing if anyone knows anything about the victims. Specifically, Barnibus wants to find out the gnome’s identity and whether he was known to anyone. The adventurers, having never met the gnome, have little information to offer than what Barnibus has already pieced together.
He dismisses the adventurers, but lets them know they should not leave the city, as he may have additional questions. He then proceeds to question the others who have sought shelter in the tavern.
After an hour, the two officials finish their questions and move on.
The adventurers make their excuses and slip upstairs to discuss what to do next.
Vale moves upstairs with the others. "So, what do you all think about that strange, not-man, the lady down at the bar saw?" She asks as they get somewhere a bit more private.
Zera's mention of constructs jogs a memory Veil has of the automatons that sometimes march in the Day of Wonders parade. What the lady described is similar to them. Of course, anyone who has seen the marvels of the Day of Wonders parade, knows it is sponsored by the local temple of Gond. Perhaps someone there knows something?
"Well, we could head over to the Hall of Wonders and see if anyone there knows anything." Veil says with a thoughtful look towards the doors. "Maybe they would know something about this, as we don't have any other clues to go on right now."
The party conferring with what they know, they wait until the Watch has concluded its investigations and opens up egress from the Alley once again. Setting the Tavern in the capable hands of Lif and the hired help, they set off for The House of Inspired Hands, Waterdeep’s temple of Gond. They traverse to the corner of Seawatch Street and Shark Street in the Sea Ward.
The House of Inspired Hands looks like a cross between a temple and a workshop. The symbol of Gond, a toothed cog with four spokes, is displayed prominently. The party from Trollskull Alley sees the silhouette of a humanoid shape perching on the rooftop. It extends an arm, releasing a tiny metal sparrow into the sky. The bird does a few loops in the air, then veers right toward them. It is 60 ft away but gaining fast!
The adventurers look about warily. After a moment, when there is no further attack, they proceed with caution into the House of Inspired Hands.
The temple of Gond is open and abuzz with activity during daylight hours.
The main hall of the temple holds two dozen marble pedestals. Each one bears a prize-winning invention or a miniature model of some other extraordinary creation. Among the displays are several that stand out:
A 4-foot-tall working model of a clock tower rings at the top of every hour. It is made of wood, iron, bronze, and glass, with brass bells and delicate hands formed from solid gold.
A wooden flying machine has wings that flap when it becomes airborne.
A miniature model of a mechanical dragon turtle has a brass plate affixed to its pedestal that reads, “Big Belchy. Sank in Deepwater Harbor on the Day of Wonders in 1363 DR.”
A functional “waking helmet” equipped with small, articulated metal arms and hands that gently slap the wearer if he or she falls asleep.
A miniature model of a red submarine shaped like a manta ray has a brass plate affixed to its pedestal that reads, “The Scarlet Marpenoth. Lantanese submersible. Launched in 1489 DR.”
The characters are met by Valetta, a dragonborn priest of bronze dragon ancestry.
She wears the traditional saffron vestments with a large belt of linked together metal medallions, and a crimson collar and scarf. Over her left shoulder is draped a leather sash ending a large pouch. The sash itself is adorned with various small metal tools, buckles, cords, hasps, wires, gears, hooks, locks, and bits of tin.
"Praise Gond. Welcome wonder seekers! What inspiration may I fulfill for you?"
Veil is able to pocket the pouch without drawing any attention.
The City Guard arrives and cordons off Trollskull Alley, posting six guards at each entrance. The guards don’t allow anyone in or out without permission from a superior officer. Another six guards, including a sergeant, make their way to the crime scene and watch over the dead bodies until the City Watch arrives. Lingering smoke from the fireball also attracts a Griffon Cavalry rider. As its griffon mount circles the neighborhood, the rider watches the streets and alleys for suspicious figures.
The sergeant starts telling folk to clear away from the bodies. Of the party, the only one let near any of the wounded at this point is Xavier in his role as cleric and healer. The rest are told to back off, or better yet, go home.
The inhabitants of the Alley and eyewitnesses to the event form a border of sobs and whispers of horror and gossip.
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
Zera tells the others of our group the story of the limping man heading towards the Bent Nail. “Should we discreetly go that way? We didn’t see anything, I don’t want to get held up by the guards for an hour..”
"I don't believe there is any way to slip out, and it would look fairly bad for us if we were caught trying to slip past the guard and watch." Veil says with a glance to the various official-looking people in the street now. She also lets her head angle upward to the air-born scout. "There is simply too much chance someone would spot us, and that would mean a lot more than an hour's delay."
The party has gathered on one side of the ring of people around the bodies. Joined now by Friar Xavier, they are on the side near their home.
Above the throng and clamor of disbelief and sorrow, two voices in particular catch their ears: A grating voice going off on a narcissistic tirade about how this has spoiled their day, and how inconsiderate it is to have puppets running free and ruining the schedule of upstanding Waterdavians. The other is the quiet, but distinct, sob of a young halfling lamenting the loss of his friends.
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
“Yes I suppose you are right, Veil” zera says dejectedly. “Sad situation- a fireball right here in the city streets”.
About twenty minutes after the explosion, a City Watch sergeant escorts a smallish man with a thick beard and long mustache. The smaller man is robed in lavender. From his neck dangles a gold medallion indicating that he is a member of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors. He quietly takes charge of the investigation at that point, while Sergeant proclaims to the bystanders, "Please, clear the alley and go back to your shops or homes. If you do not live in or do business in the Alley, please find a local establishment to await in. Our constables will be dropping by shortly to collect your recollections."
The crowd starts to break up. A few of the bystanders who are not locals of the Alley look toward the Trollskull Tavern and begin to walk toward it to await the constables.
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
Veil moves into their tavern and smiles winningly at the various individuals coming in from the street. "Bad situation out there my friends." She tells them as they are allowed to take seats. "Need anything to wash the smoke out of your throats?"
The party moves toward the tavern and welcomes those seeking refuge from the turmoil in the street.
After the first rounds have been served, the harsh voice of the lady who was complaining earlier can be heard loudly talking over to the unfortunate souls who are seated next to her at the bar. Veil, Zera, and Friar Xavier all hear her, Amotal is helping in the back and is blessedly spared.
“I tell you, it was not a man. More like a puppet shaped like a man. A puppet without strings. It was on the rooftop. It hurled something into the crowd below that caused the explosion. I saw those halflings burned alive! I saw them!”
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
Veil moves over to the loud speaker. She pushes a glass of wine onto the counter near the woman. "You say it was not a man?" Veil asks as the woman accepts the glass of wine. "Did you see where he went after the explosion?"
"Oh." She replies flustered, "Do I look like a constable? It was all I could do to keep myself safe in the commotion." She drains the glass of wine, turns to her neighbor, taking his glass of wine and continues, "I nearly died out there. Dreadful. Just dreadful!"
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
About a half hour passes as the group in the tavern settles in with gossip and anxiety over what just happened. The adventurers do their best to keep spirits up.
The tavern door opens and in strides the Watch Sergeant and the member of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors.
The sergeant informs all to stay in their seats and they will collect everyone's testimony in time.
The mage sniffs and looks down at a small book in which he has written some notes. From under his bushy mustache comes a cough and then a nasal voice, "Are the owners of this establishment here? I would like to begin with them."
The adventurers leave the tending of the guests to their staff and approach the two officials.
"Let's speak a little more privately."
The Friar clears a larger table off in one corner and offers it as a place for the mage to hold his interviews. The group forms around this table.
After introductions, which the mage dutifully scribbles into his book, he looks up and asks:
"Okay, where were you when the incident occurred and what did you witness of it?"
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
The adventurers answer the mage,s questions to the best of their ability. His name is Barnibus Blastwind. He seems intent about seeing if anyone knows anything about the victims. Specifically, Barnibus wants to find out the gnome’s identity and whether he was known to anyone. The adventurers, having never met the gnome, have little information to offer than what Barnibus has already pieced together.
He dismisses the adventurers, but lets them know they should not leave the city, as he may have additional questions. He then proceeds to question the others who have sought shelter in the tavern.
After an hour, the two officials finish their questions and move on.
The adventurers make their excuses and slip upstairs to discuss what to do next.
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
Vale moves upstairs with the others. "So, what do you all think about that strange, not-man, the lady down at the bar saw?" She asks as they get somewhere a bit more private.
“I don’t know. Any ideas? Some kind of construct or golem, perhaps? It could have been using a magical device not casting the spell.” Zera says.
Zera's mention of constructs jogs a memory Veil has of the automatons that sometimes march in the Day of Wonders parade. What the lady described is similar to them. Of course, anyone who has seen the marvels of the Day of Wonders parade, knows it is sponsored by the local temple of Gond. Perhaps someone there knows something?
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
"Well, we could head over to the Hall of Wonders and see if anyone there knows anything." Veil says with a thoughtful look towards the doors. "Maybe they would know something about this, as we don't have any other clues to go on right now."
The party conferring with what they know, they wait until the Watch has concluded its investigations and opens up egress from the Alley once again. Setting the Tavern in the capable hands of Lif and the hired help, they set off for The House of Inspired Hands, Waterdeep’s temple of Gond. They traverse to the corner of Seawatch Street and Shark Street in the Sea Ward.
The House of Inspired Hands looks like a cross between a temple and a workshop. The symbol of Gond, a toothed cog with four spokes, is displayed prominently. The party from Trollskull Alley sees the silhouette of a humanoid shape perching on the rooftop. It extends an arm, releasing a tiny metal sparrow into the sky. The bird does a few loops in the air, then veers right toward them. It is 60 ft away but gaining fast!
Initiative:
Veil: 6
Zera: 8
Amotal: 7
Friar Xavier: 15
Bird: 10
Initiative Order:
Friar -> mech Bird -> Zera -> Amotal -> Veil
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
Friar Xavier sinks down behind his shield and prepares to dodge, the curious missile approaching.
((Targets: Veil 1, Zera 2, Amotal 3, Friar Xavier 4))
2
The bird veers toward Amotal:
Attack: 2 Piercing Damage if hit:1
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
The mechanical bird slams into Amotal with surprising force but is destroyed on impact.
Looking up the adventurers no longer see the figure that released the bird... it must have withdrawn somewhere.
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
The adventurers look about warily. After a moment, when there is no further attack, they proceed with caution into the House of Inspired Hands.
The temple of Gond is open and abuzz with activity during daylight hours.
The main hall of the temple holds two dozen marble pedestals. Each one bears a prize-winning invention or a miniature model of some other extraordinary creation. Among the displays are several that stand out:
The characters are met by Valetta, a dragonborn priest of bronze dragon ancestry.
She wears the traditional saffron vestments with a large belt of linked together metal medallions, and a crimson collar and scarf. Over her left shoulder is draped a leather sash ending a large pouch. The sash itself is adorned with various small metal tools, buckles, cords, hasps, wires, gears, hooks, locks, and bits of tin.
"Praise Gond. Welcome wonder seekers! What inspiration may I fulfill for you?"
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms