Assuming that Morwena enjoys a similar degree of immunity as the rest of the Red Wizards, (and possibly hoping she suffers a little bit due to the troubles she has caused him in the last 24 hours), Angus will forthrightly share her identity with the Blade.
"Excellency, I confess that I am bewildered by the customs and laws of your city. That is not meant as an excuse, and if by your law I am liable for that warehouse, I will endeavor to make payments, though I confess, my entire personal fortune at the moment is not even a tenth of the figure that was mentioned previously. Your mercy and generosity are unexpected and most appreciated. "As to the coat, I blame my ignorance. Shortly after my arrival, finding myself not adequately prepared for the weather, and in an attempt to blend in, I negotiated with a local tailor for it, totally unaware of its significance. I must have offended him with my bartering, and he exacted his revenge by causing me to violate your law unawares."
Chadderlay hands over his badge and accepts the escort to his apartment.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
The man who was a wolf replies to Gravity: "Dear one, we are all but the sum of our scars. If you're not here on behalf of the Bull with whom we saw you saunter through the market, then what sort if apprenticeship did you have in mind? We're you looking for the Cloaks? I'm not one to judge, but seems a strange choice to me for one so naturally gifted. Tell me, Dear, the path of your scars."
<I'm not sure if this counts as self harm, since it would kind of fit in with their whole thing, but this self inflicted scsrrificstion could be a legitimate esthetic choice, no different in kind from a face tattoo. I I terpret it ad the latter. So, to be abundantly clear regarding my posiion: self-harm = bad. Tattoos and other body modifications: do as you please.>
This is just an opportunity for some background if you like. Yiu csn fight them if yiu want. They'll tell you they used to be the city's secret police, but people were afraid if the rumored lycsnthropy, still insubstantial. They were replace by part of the soldiery known as the Hawks. They rely on the Cloaks for help with surveillance and enforcement. Currently, the city is occupied by Thay which also had its own secret police, so you don't see too much of the Hawks.
I wonder how the Bkade of Soldiery, who runs the Hawks feels about that?
"Angus Kilburney, a man of my own heart. So, you are the one Morwena told me about. So much for keeping a low profile, though. I must say, you're not what I expected. But if she's put her faith in you, then I am sure you're more than up to the task. I have no idea what circumstances she met you but I would think she'd fill you in on some of the details. I understand you have only three days to infiltrate the embassy. I'm not sure how that Wizard fits into all this, but I'm sure Morwena knows what she's doing. Probably some CoIn operation. Whatever rhe case, that's her problem. My problem is with these friends of yours." Zeydon says, indicating Sam and Tetrevess.
"This Thayan occupiers are up to something. They say their here to deal with the rift-threat, but we both know how much truth there is in that. I can control the Soldiery with full authority. My coffers can keep the Bulls from lowering the contracts on my head to a manageable price, even in spite of this evening's events." this part, he grumbles, wryly. With a sigh and a pause, he continues at last. "What I cannot control, noble Angus, is the Cloaks. Bound as they are to report, so am O bound to enforce the Arcane Edict. The Cloak who apprehended your party, Cazjur Xe'aru'ok, has reported thst both of them were using arcane pyromancy. The spells were not very powerful, as I am given to understand, but the official assessment of the Cloaks is that the human caster is a high-level wizard. The Edict is quite clear in such a case. If a waiver, all eyes will be upon you, Angus Kilburney, and your mission will be impossible to complete. The sentence is death by hanging."
He continues: "However, I have negotiated an agreement with the Cloaks. They will welcome the wizard, Terevess into their service. They will be watcing him .. like hawks, as it were. But he will live and serve the city. It is for the Cloaks to decide your lot and your tasks, but in Mulmaster, a man decides his own fate. So, what shall I report to them, Mister Terevess? Will it be the Ring or the Noose?"
... pending that outcome,
"Very well. You have made your choice. As for the reptile. I am sorry to say that the people of our city have no place in their hearts for an arcanist lizard of enormous proportions. Angus Kilburney, you claim this creature has a mind of his own and so he can decide for himself." Zeydon tuens now ro Samogri, "The Cloaks have expressed an interest in carving you up for their arcane research. I imagine you'll be made into somw sort of tool.or charm or other good and based in the utility they find your bits will either end up sold at a specialty shop as mundane wares or kept in their tower. If you wish to take your life back, I can afford but one option: the meatgrinder.. there you csn fight for your survival. I guarantee no safety. But you may find your way out. What will.be your choice?"
<behind the screen: the hanging was deternined by a d20 result 18 when he used a cantrip. This is funny to me because that's how this AL rule works - more than a little absurd. I had to keep it>
He continues: "However, I have negotiated an agreement with the Cloaks. They will welcome the wizard, Terevess into their service. They will be watcing him .. like hawks, as it were. But he will live and serve the city. It is for the Cloaks to decide your lot and your tasks, but in Mulmaster, a man decides his own fate. So, what shall I report to them, Mister Terevess? Will it be the Ring or the Noose?"
... pending that outcome,
"Very well. You have made your choice. As for the reptile. I am sorry to say that the people of our city have no place in their hearts for an arcanist lizard of enormous proportions. Angus Kilburney, you claim this creature has a mind of his own and so he can decide for himself." Zeydon tuens now ro Samogri, "The Cloaks have expressed an interest in carving you up for their arcane research. I imagine you'll be made into somw sort of tool.or charm or other good and based in the utility they find your bits will either end up sold at a specialty shop as mundane wares or kept in their tower. If you wish to take your life back, I can afford but one option: the meatgrinder.. there you csn fight for your survival. I guarantee no safety. But you may find your way out. What will.be your choice?"
Sam looks at this man with some intent “does the meat grinder allow me to have my weapons and other stuff back if so I’ll do it, you are a good man zeydon their is still hope for you given by the world serpent does the zastam watch it”
"The Meatgrinder is an underground arena complex built deep into the maze of sewers under Mulmaster. Constructed on the foundation of an old temple to Tempus, Lord of Battles, the Meatgrinder has been illegally used for death fights among convicts and captives, for almost a century. It gradually expanded to illegal gambling, black markets, and providing services of deviant nature. It used to be a running gag among prisoners in Southroad Keep and Mulmasterites' worst-kept secret, until Selfaril's edict granted it official status as part of a Hold governed by a Blade" Zeydon answers Sam. "That Blade determines what you're granted in combat and the nature if the event. The arena holds various sponsored events: ranging from all-ages non-lethal duels, to bear-baiting and animal fights, to good old brutal death matches among convicts on death row. Given your particular situation, I'm not sure just hiw it woukd be handled. What I can offer is to hold any items you might fear lost."
The man who was a wolf replies to Gravity: "Dear one, we are all but the sum of our scars. If you're not here on behalf of the Bull with whom we saw you saunter through the market, then what sort if apprenticeship did you have in mind? We're you looking for the Cloaks? I'm not one to judge, but seems a strange choice to me for one so naturally gifted. Tell me, Dear, the path of your scars."
Gravity narrows her eyes and grits her teeth as a reaction when the strangers suddenly start to act friendly. She's tired and in need of the safety of a shelter, and the thought of it seems troubling. She's certainly facing a pair of predators, she might be their next prey.
"What do you want? You had better speak the truth." She aims her wand at the one who's been addressing her using pampering words. "I don't follow any path, and the idea of gang culture seems utterly despicable to me. A true anarchist do not believe in authority, it doesn't matter if it's legal or criminal."
"Stop stalking me like a weirdo and mind your own business."
"Easy with tgat eldritch branch, I speak plain child. We have good ties with rhe Bulls, and when asked why one walks with the red wizard, he said we should not trust him. We were following him and seeing if he had been luring the manner into the moonlight or had some other plan in mind, but it seeks the whole lot of them were snatched up. I'm starting ro doubt that man's credentials, though: bringing in a noble trigger an open war within the city. I suppose it depends in the end on which way the Wind blows. Fickle thing, that. Whatever the case, we noticed your blessing, or curse, I won't judge your view either way and naturally felt we must speak with you. We know all too well how the Mulman ostracize and marginalize those they fear, thiae they will not try to understand. The Cloaks and the Hawks, respected and feared by the Mulman take the place we once held, leaving nothing for us of our former station. Now the Thayans have given the Hawks a taste of their own medicine, and with them protecting and paying on the people if the city, what value have the Cloaks left? Under Thayan rule, we would no p9nger have to hide our true selves. We have always been willing to give everything to this city and the Blades turned their backs on us. Now, under Thayan control, there will be a new order - Fortune's will be made, houses will fall and rhe Wolfbrothers will resume thier watch from the shadows of the city. You do not threaten our business, but I warn you: do not let the Mulman know of your true identity, and do not trust the word of a Blade. Not to insukt your intelligence, but that first point is more than friendly.adcice. If people atart to whisper.of wolces, espwecially if they're mentioned in the same brearh as anything arcane, who do you thibk they'll come lookong for?"
At this, the human-presenting man resumes the form of a wolf and turns to start walking, the other wolf in tow, away from Gravity.
...
<if there is nothing else anyone needs to say or do here, I would like to time skip to morning.
Chadderlay spends the night in his apartment at the Embassy
Sam is transported in captivity to another location where he will be prepped for the Meatgrinder. He is held alone in a cell there. <No need to detail items to leave wirh the Blade of Soldiery, Zeydon. You won't be losing any gear in this way. I'll look through your inventory and let you know what you can keep equipped.>
Tetrvess is taken to the tower of Cloaks
Gravity and Angus can sleep wherever they like- there are Inns all ovwr the city, and it doesn't matter much which one you choose. If you want to be close to something, you can be. No 'gotcha' here, there's norhing happening for the next few hours.
Think about what you want to do 'tomorrow' when the sun rises, where will you go, who will you speak to.
Heads uo: the Meatgrinder is a public venue anyone with a writ csn buy a ticket for. Chaddelay always had one and it wasn't taken and won't be as far as I csn see. Angus now has one. Tetrevess will receive one but Sam and Gravity do not, yet. This obviously won't prevent Sam from attending. Gravity doesn't know the fate of the others, but might choose to continue following leads to find them, or try to track them, or look for Morwena, whonI think Angus has roll her about when they were in the market or on the street before that (possibly "off screen").
You can all time jump your PCs yourselves, if you please. Just start with either falling asleep or waking up, tying up any loose ends as needed along the way.
Angus will try to discover as much as he can about the locations of Sam and Tetrevess, and how to contact or visit them if needed. He will find an inn near the Meatgrinder, and spends the night sleeping fitfully, worried about the fates of his companions. The next morning, he arises, breaks his fast, and then searches for a library or university where he can hire someone to spend an hour teaching him the basics of the local political situation, any major laws, and the major factions in the city.
Angus would have no trouble ascertaining tbe whereabouts of Sam and Tetrevess.
The Meatgrinder is an underground arena complex built deep into the maze of sewers under Mulmaster. Constructed on the foundation of an old temple to Tempus, Lord of Battles, near the edge of the Zhent ghetto, around the corner from the Shrine to Malar that sits outside Southroad Keep, this building has been abandoned by clerics of Tempus in favor of the newly constructed High House of Swords, not far from the location of the foemer temple. The latter hosts reputable fighting events in the summer months, but they have little in common with the spectacle of the Meatgrinder.
The Tower of Arcane Might is home to the Brotherhood of Cloaks and is definitely where Tetrevess would be presently. It stands beside the Tower of Mysteries, a temple of Azuth.
(More specifically than the buildings, Angus would want to know the location of the cell Sam was being held in, how to get a message to him, if visits were permitted, etc. Same with Tetrevess. Also, I'm assuming Angus received back the longsword he surrendered when he was arrested?)
The door to the small room eith barred windows overlooking Cloak Street, wherein Tetrevess awakens, opens. A figure, hood drawn, enters the room "Azuth's blessings," she says in a cheerful and hands Tetrevess an ornate blue ring. "Put this on your finger and do not attempt to remove it. Prepare yourself to meet with Zor Lastdawn and expect to begin your initiation shortly thereafter. I will return within the hour. Do not leave the Blade waiting." She informs Terevess in a moxk-sxidling tone that belies the true threat in her words.
The item is a detect magic ring that must be worn at all times, or fear repercussions. The ring reports any arcane magic use above 3rd level with a Verbal or Somatic component, and is rumored to monitor the exact location and life signs of its wearer.
Upon returning, she will escort Tetrevess to the Bkade of Cloaks' audience chamber. "Zor Iridium Lastdawn, Blade of Cloaks. I present to you one Tetrvess Tomescribe of Oerth." She says with a bow. Iridium looks her over and sends her off with a mere word: "Dismissed," at which she bows again and replies signs wirh her index finger held aloft, a gesture, apparently not arcane in nature and after holding this for a moment, she turns and deoarts the chamber.
Silence fills the hall for a long while (should Tetrevess attempt to speak, Lastdawn will emphatically command "Silence." but will not cast the spell of the same name.)
"Kneel, Tetrevess Tomescribe." He will wait, and if Tetrevess does not ascent, he will state: "I do not repeat myself" in a slow and measured cadence.
Assuming he kneels, the Blade continues: "Do you vow to defend the Rule of the High Blade? Do you vow to protect Mulmaster feom the incursion of arcane magic? Do you swear to uphold the Edict of Arcane Banishment, under penalty of permanently fatal immolation?"
So as not to forget: yes, Angus' weaponry are returned. He retains possession of all personal effects. This is true foe everyone but Sam. He will only have equipped the following: hammer, hand axe, sickle, shield backpack, and herbalism kit. The rest of his inventory is held with Zeydon, including the sword and armor. <@Legion4 can you remind me of the custom item, I'm drawing a blank there. If it's not mechanically important, you can hold it or not as you please.>
Sam is escorted roughly to the meatgrinder via a closed horse-drawn cart that carries him through town. If anyone is watching, it may look as though the destination would be the fortifies building, Southroad Keep, which, if they ask anyone, they'd quickly learn is a prison, whose population is overflowing at present. (I'm assuming all this applies to Angus based on the above, but maybe Gravity to, or anyone who eventually heads down the same road)
Mulmaster's oldest building, Southroad Keep is the heart of its absolute bureaucracy. The enormous, squat, circular brick building serves as the constabulary headquarters, the Archive of the Census, tax-collection center, courthouse, and a massive underground prison. The building is nearly always crowded, and lines are long and slow.It is rumored that all prison guards eventually convert into followers of Loviatar, and a small shrine is near entrance to the vast underground cell block for anyone to see:
“The world is filled with pain and torment, and the best that one can do is to suffer those blows that cannot be avoided and deal as much pain back to those who offend.“
The Loviatar Dogma
Abutring rhe walled Zhent Ghetto, of which boundary only remnants remain following the appearance of the elemental rifts, is Wardentown, a poor residential area bearing its name from its closeness to Southroad Keep, the prison of Mulmaster. Long ago this used to be a small village where families of prison guards would be kept close to take their hourly shifts. Nowadays the area is a spawl of poorer citizen of all walks of life. Cheaper lodging is offered to those foreign traders who decide not to leave the city after a busy day at the West Market. The large hills near the Southroad Keep are now covered with stockades where petty criminals are put at display, for citizen to ridicule and throw rotten food and animal dirt at them.
Inquiry will lead one to the site of the Meatgrinder, but while the arena entrances are public, there is no readily evident entrance to the ruins of the old temple under which they sit from street level.
Is Angus or anyone else going in? (The participants must enter from somewhere- that's how you would get to them. I'm assuming it's a "yes," but I already feel like I'm iverdescribing PC actions a bit here.)
Sam is led through the sewers. His keen senses are accosted byb the smell of rot and sewage overlaid by the fragrant oils and incense used to make the venue less offensive to spectators. For Samogri, they fail to make any if the odors they were intended to. Led through the main floor of the arena, a storm drain serves as passage to a series of cahes bukt right into the walls of the subterranean complex. Past all these, though a windung path that slopes gradually upward, with long dtrtxhes of narrow tunnels only occassionally interapersed with csges either empty or occupied - many by half-orcs, aome by exotic creatures and more than a few, possibly a majority, by humans, though they are crammed into their cells, which vary in size making exact counts hard to figure as they pace or lounge in corners or openly in the middle of their cells. Further removed from the source of the found odors, the procession stops at a mid sized subterranean chamber with a few columns of daylight shining in at odd angles through holes in jn the ceiling overhead. Paige Lor, Blade of Non-Human Affairs stands by the ornate oversized wooden chair that dominates the space. In. Invitation with a guard.
<If Angus/anyone wants to try and locate Sam, this is what awaits them.>
The Blade introduces herself to Sam: "Creature: I have been entrusted with you as a matter of course. I am informed you are capable of understanding the common word and have enough wit about you to enter contracts. You I ndetstand, then, I take it, that this is an arena of battle, where spwctatora lay wagers on the outcomes. They come for the spectacle more the promised return, though - a fact to which not one would ever admit. I imagine you will draw quite the audience. The question is, what will they pay to see thst won't excite a riot? My intention is to bait you, as an animal, Harry you with Spearman until you can stand no more and then allow you to escape your bonds and make what you will of them. After that, we'll- I'll leave that part a surprise. But the thing for you to know is this: We'll be taking bets all the while. You see, nobody believes the matches in the meatgrinder are fair fights. And they're right. But here's the thing: yiu can't tell a beast to throw a match, and you won't find a humanoid willing to be eaten by some monstrosity from around the world. So, to some extent, there are matches people will bet on based on their own wits. They look at you and see a beast. There is simply no way I can make you throw a bout. But we know different, don't we? I have a contract on your head, so the moment you escape, you will be pursued by anyone in the city who values a Glory and terminated on sight. Keep that in mind when you escape. But make sure that isn't until after your bested by my champion. Do we have an understanding?" She asks, awaiting Sam's agreement to the plan.
(If it wasnt clear, she wants him to break his chains and killl the spearmen, then fight something, and lose in the end. After this, she promises Sam his feeedom from bondage, but he'll be a fugitive with a deadly target on his back)
Gravity will spend the night in the inn 'Black Blade and Bloody Boar', and sleep like a dead person till dawn. Once she's well rested enough to process the situation and select the next goal accordingly, she will rush towards the building where Tetrevess and Sam have been detained. She stays outside the building to observe the movement of the guards (if there's anyone) and pays special attention to the people who are departing.
"How am I supposed to get those idiots out of that building? I do not have legal documents and I'm running out of gold pieces too!"
Does she see someone familiar outside? Angus? Chadderlay?
After his lesson on all things Mulmaster, Angus will head to Southroad Keep, and make some discreet inquiries about the location of the Meatgrinder, feigning interest in betting on the matches. If he is successful at gaining the information, he will head underground, asking about the lizardman that was recently brought in. If anyone questions this, he will simply claim he wants a closer look at the creature before deciding whether to bet on him or not.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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(Sorry, super busy day yesterday)
Assuming that Morwena enjoys a similar degree of immunity as the rest of the Red Wizards, (and possibly hoping she suffers a little bit due to the troubles she has caused him in the last 24 hours), Angus will forthrightly share her identity with the Blade.
"Excellency, I confess that I am bewildered by the customs and laws of your city. That is not meant as an excuse, and if by your law I am liable for that warehouse, I will endeavor to make payments, though I confess, my entire personal fortune at the moment is not even a tenth of the figure that was mentioned previously. Your mercy and generosity are unexpected and most appreciated.
"As to the coat, I blame my ignorance. Shortly after my arrival, finding myself not adequately prepared for the weather, and in an attempt to blend in, I negotiated with a local tailor for it, totally unaware of its significance. I must have offended him with my bartering, and he exacted his revenge by causing me to violate your law unawares."
Chadderlay hands over his badge and accepts the escort to his apartment.
The mildest trigger warning:
The man who was a wolf replies to Gravity: "Dear one, we are all but the sum of our scars. If you're not here on behalf of the Bull with whom we saw you saunter through the market, then what sort if apprenticeship did you have in mind? We're you looking for the Cloaks? I'm not one to judge, but seems a strange choice to me for one so naturally gifted. Tell me, Dear, the path of your scars."
<I'm not sure if this counts as self harm, since it would kind of fit in with their whole thing, but this self inflicted scsrrificstion could be a legitimate esthetic choice, no different in kind from a face tattoo. I I terpret it ad the latter. So, to be abundantly clear regarding my posiion: self-harm = bad. Tattoos and other body modifications: do as you please.>
This is just an opportunity for some background if you like. Yiu csn fight them if yiu want. They'll tell you they used to be the city's secret police, but people were afraid if the rumored lycsnthropy, still insubstantial. They were replace by part of the soldiery known as the Hawks. They rely on the Cloaks for help with surveillance and enforcement. Currently, the city is occupied by Thay which also had its own secret police, so you don't see too much of the Hawks.
I wonder how the Bkade of Soldiery, who runs the Hawks feels about that?
"Angus Kilburney, a man of my own heart. So, you are the one Morwena told me about. So much for keeping a low profile, though. I must say, you're not what I expected. But if she's put her faith in you, then I am sure you're more than up to the task. I have no idea what circumstances she met you but I would think she'd fill you in on some of the details. I understand you have only three days to infiltrate the embassy. I'm not sure how that Wizard fits into all this, but I'm sure Morwena knows what she's doing. Probably some CoIn operation. Whatever rhe case, that's her problem. My problem is with these friends of yours." Zeydon says, indicating Sam and Tetrevess.
"This Thayan occupiers are up to something. They say their here to deal with the rift-threat, but we both know how much truth there is in that. I can control the Soldiery with full authority. My coffers can keep the Bulls from lowering the contracts on my head to a manageable price, even in spite of this evening's events." this part, he grumbles, wryly. With a sigh and a pause, he continues at last. "What I cannot control, noble Angus, is the Cloaks. Bound as they are to report, so am O bound to enforce the Arcane Edict. The Cloak who apprehended your party, Cazjur Xe'aru'ok, has reported thst both of them were using arcane pyromancy. The spells were not very powerful, as I am given to understand, but the official assessment of the Cloaks is that the human caster is a high-level wizard. The Edict is quite clear in such a case. If a waiver, all eyes will be upon you, Angus Kilburney, and your mission will be impossible to complete. The sentence is death by hanging."
He continues: "However, I have negotiated an agreement with the Cloaks. They will welcome the wizard, Terevess into their service. They will be watcing him .. like hawks, as it were. But he will live and serve the city. It is for the Cloaks to decide your lot and your tasks, but in Mulmaster, a man decides his own fate. So, what shall I report to them, Mister Terevess? Will it be the Ring or the Noose?"
... pending that outcome,
"Very well. You have made your choice. As for the reptile. I am sorry to say that the people of our city have no place in their hearts for an arcanist lizard of enormous proportions. Angus Kilburney, you claim this creature has a mind of his own and so he can decide for himself." Zeydon tuens now ro Samogri, "The Cloaks have expressed an interest in carving you up for their arcane research. I imagine you'll be made into somw sort of tool.or charm or other good and based in the utility they find your bits will either end up sold at a specialty shop as mundane wares or kept in their tower. If you wish to take your life back, I can afford but one option: the meatgrinder.. there you csn fight for your survival. I guarantee no safety. But you may find your way out. What will.be your choice?"
Status:
Sam - death or ... "The Meatgrinder"
Tetrevess - death or join the Cloaks.
<behind the screen: the hanging was deternined by a d20 result 18 when he used a cantrip. This is funny to me because that's how this AL rule works - more than a little absurd. I had to keep it>
"This 'Meatgrinder' you speak of... I assume it to be some sort of gladatorial ring? 'Win your freedom by defeating all opponents'?" queries Angus.
Sam looks at this man with some intent “does the meat grinder allow me to have my weapons and other stuff back if so I’ll do it, you are a good man zeydon their is still hope for you given by the world serpent does the zastam watch it”
history check on the meat grinder 14
“I will join the Cloaks”. Tetrevess says.
"The Meatgrinder is an underground arena complex built deep into the maze of sewers under Mulmaster. Constructed on the foundation of an old temple to Tempus, Lord of Battles, the Meatgrinder has been illegally used for death fights among convicts and captives, for almost a century. It gradually expanded to illegal gambling, black markets, and providing services of deviant nature. It used to be a running gag among prisoners in Southroad Keep and Mulmasterites' worst-kept secret, until Selfaril's edict granted it official status as part of a Hold governed by a Blade" Zeydon answers Sam. "That Blade determines what you're granted in combat and the nature if the event. The arena holds various sponsored events: ranging from all-ages non-lethal duels, to bear-baiting and animal fights, to good old brutal death matches among convicts on death row. Given your particular situation, I'm not sure just hiw it woukd be handled. What I can offer is to hold any items you might fear lost."
Gravity narrows her eyes and grits her teeth as a reaction when the strangers suddenly start to act friendly. She's tired and in need of the safety of a shelter, and the thought of it seems troubling. She's certainly facing a pair of predators, she might be their next prey.
"What do you want? You had better speak the truth." She aims her wand at the one who's been addressing her using pampering words. "I don't follow any path, and the idea of gang culture seems utterly despicable to me. A true anarchist do not believe in authority, it doesn't matter if it's legal or criminal."
"Stop stalking me like a weirdo and mind your own business."
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
"Easy with tgat eldritch branch, I speak plain child. We have good ties with rhe Bulls, and when asked why one walks with the red wizard, he said we should not trust him. We were following him and seeing if he had been luring the manner into the moonlight or had some other plan in mind, but it seeks the whole lot of them were snatched up. I'm starting ro doubt that man's credentials, though: bringing in a noble trigger an open war within the city. I suppose it depends in the end on which way the Wind blows. Fickle thing, that. Whatever the case, we noticed your blessing, or curse, I won't judge your view either way and naturally felt we must speak with you. We know all too well how the Mulman ostracize and marginalize those they fear, thiae they will not try to understand. The Cloaks and the Hawks, respected and feared by the Mulman take the place we once held, leaving nothing for us of our former station. Now the Thayans have given the Hawks a taste of their own medicine, and with them protecting and paying on the people if the city, what value have the Cloaks left? Under Thayan rule, we would no p9nger have to hide our true selves. We have always been willing to give everything to this city and the Blades turned their backs on us. Now, under Thayan control, there will be a new order - Fortune's will be made, houses will fall and rhe Wolfbrothers will resume thier watch from the shadows of the city. You do not threaten our business, but I warn you: do not let the Mulman know of your true identity, and do not trust the word of a Blade. Not to insukt your intelligence, but that first point is more than friendly.adcice. If people atart to whisper.of wolces, espwecially if they're mentioned in the same brearh as anything arcane, who do you thibk they'll come lookong for?"
At this, the human-presenting man resumes the form of a wolf and turns to start walking, the other wolf in tow, away from Gravity.
...
<if there is nothing else anyone needs to say or do here, I would like to time skip to morning.
Chadderlay spends the night in his apartment at the Embassy
Sam is transported in captivity to another location where he will be prepped for the Meatgrinder. He is held alone in a cell there. <No need to detail items to leave wirh the Blade of Soldiery, Zeydon. You won't be losing any gear in this way. I'll look through your inventory and let you know what you can keep equipped.>
Tetrvess is taken to the tower of Cloaks
Gravity and Angus can sleep wherever they like- there are Inns all ovwr the city, and it doesn't matter much which one you choose. If you want to be close to something, you can be. No 'gotcha' here, there's norhing happening for the next few hours.
Think about what you want to do 'tomorrow' when the sun rises, where will you go, who will you speak to.
Heads uo: the Meatgrinder is a public venue anyone with a writ csn buy a ticket for. Chaddelay always had one and it wasn't taken and won't be as far as I csn see. Angus now has one. Tetrevess will receive one but Sam and Gravity do not, yet. This obviously won't prevent Sam from attending. Gravity doesn't know the fate of the others, but might choose to continue following leads to find them, or try to track them, or look for Morwena, whonI think Angus has roll her about when they were in the market or on the street before that (possibly "off screen").
You can all time jump your PCs yourselves, if you please. Just start with either falling asleep or waking up, tying up any loose ends as needed along the way.
*Naturally, this constitutes a long rest.
Angus will try to discover as much as he can about the locations of Sam and Tetrevess, and how to contact or visit them if needed. He will find an inn near the Meatgrinder, and spends the night sleeping fitfully, worried about the fates of his companions. The next morning, he arises, breaks his fast, and then searches for a library or university where he can hire someone to spend an hour teaching him the basics of the local political situation, any major laws, and the major factions in the city.
Angus would have no trouble ascertaining tbe whereabouts of Sam and Tetrevess.
The Meatgrinder is an underground arena complex built deep into the maze of sewers under Mulmaster. Constructed on the foundation of an old temple to Tempus, Lord of Battles, near the edge of the Zhent ghetto, around the corner from the Shrine to Malar that sits outside Southroad Keep, this building has been abandoned by clerics of Tempus in favor of the newly constructed High House of Swords, not far from the location of the foemer temple. The latter hosts reputable fighting events in the summer months, but they have little in common with the spectacle of the Meatgrinder.
The Tower of Arcane Might is home to the Brotherhood of Cloaks and is definitely where Tetrevess would be presently. It stands beside the Tower of Mysteries, a temple of Azuth.
(More specifically than the buildings, Angus would want to know the location of the cell Sam was being held in, how to get a message to him, if visits were permitted, etc. Same with Tetrevess. Also, I'm assuming Angus received back the longsword he surrendered when he was arrested?)
The door to the small room eith barred windows overlooking Cloak Street, wherein Tetrevess awakens, opens. A figure, hood drawn, enters the room "Azuth's blessings," she says in a cheerful and hands Tetrevess an ornate blue ring. "Put this on your finger and do not attempt to remove it. Prepare yourself to meet with Zor Lastdawn and expect to begin your initiation shortly thereafter. I will return within the hour. Do not leave the Blade waiting." She informs Terevess in a moxk-sxidling tone that belies the true threat in her words.
The item is a detect magic ring that must be worn at all times, or fear repercussions. The ring reports any arcane magic use above 3rd level with a Verbal or Somatic component, and is rumored to monitor the exact location and life signs of its wearer.
Upon returning, she will escort Tetrevess to the Bkade of Cloaks' audience chamber. "Zor Iridium Lastdawn, Blade of Cloaks. I present to you one Tetrvess Tomescribe of Oerth." She says with a bow. Iridium looks her over and sends her off with a mere word: "Dismissed," at which she bows again and replies signs wirh her index finger held aloft, a gesture, apparently not arcane in nature and after holding this for a moment, she turns and deoarts the chamber.
Silence fills the hall for a long while (should Tetrevess attempt to speak, Lastdawn will emphatically command "Silence." but will not cast the spell of the same name.)
"Kneel, Tetrevess Tomescribe." He will wait, and if Tetrevess does not ascent, he will state: "I do not repeat myself" in a slow and measured cadence.
Assuming he kneels, the Blade continues: "Do you vow to defend the Rule of the High Blade? Do you vow to protect Mulmaster feom the incursion of arcane magic? Do you swear to uphold the Edict of Arcane Banishment, under penalty of permanently fatal immolation?"
So as not to forget: yes, Angus' weaponry are returned. He retains possession of all personal effects. This is true foe everyone but Sam. He will only have equipped the following: hammer, hand axe, sickle, shield backpack, and herbalism kit. The rest of his inventory is held with Zeydon, including the sword and armor. <@Legion4 can you remind me of the custom item, I'm drawing a blank there. If it's not mechanically important, you can hold it or not as you please.>
Sam is escorted roughly to the meatgrinder via a closed horse-drawn cart that carries him through town. If anyone is watching, it may look as though the destination would be the fortifies building, Southroad Keep, which, if they ask anyone, they'd quickly learn is a prison, whose population is overflowing at present. (I'm assuming all this applies to Angus based on the above, but maybe Gravity to, or anyone who eventually heads down the same road)
Mulmaster's oldest building, Southroad Keep is the heart of its absolute bureaucracy. The enormous, squat, circular brick building serves as the constabulary headquarters, the Archive of the Census, tax-collection center, courthouse, and a massive underground prison. The building is nearly always crowded, and lines are long and slow.It is rumored that all prison guards eventually convert into followers of Loviatar, and a small shrine is near entrance to the vast underground cell block for anyone to see:
“The world is filled with pain and torment, and the best that one can do is to suffer those blows that cannot be avoided and deal as much pain back to those who offend.“
The Loviatar Dogma
Abutring rhe walled Zhent Ghetto, of which boundary only remnants remain following the appearance of the elemental rifts, is Wardentown, a poor residential area bearing its name from its closeness to Southroad Keep, the prison of Mulmaster. Long ago this used to be a small village where families of prison guards would be kept close to take their hourly shifts. Nowadays the area is a spawl of poorer citizen of all walks of life. Cheaper lodging is offered to those foreign traders who decide not to leave the city after a busy day at the West Market. The large hills near the Southroad Keep are now covered with stockades where petty criminals are put at display, for citizen to ridicule and throw rotten food and animal dirt at them.
Inquiry will lead one to the site of the Meatgrinder, but while the arena entrances are public, there is no readily evident entrance to the ruins of the old temple under which they sit from street level.
Is Angus or anyone else going in? (The participants must enter from somewhere- that's how you would get to them. I'm assuming it's a "yes," but I already feel like I'm iverdescribing PC actions a bit here.)
Sam is led through the sewers. His keen senses are accosted byb the smell of rot and sewage overlaid by the fragrant oils and incense used to make the venue less offensive to spectators. For Samogri, they fail to make any if the odors they were intended to. Led through the main floor of the arena, a storm drain serves as passage to a series of cahes bukt right into the walls of the subterranean complex. Past all these, though a windung path that slopes gradually upward, with long dtrtxhes of narrow tunnels only occassionally interapersed with csges either empty or occupied - many by half-orcs, aome by exotic creatures and more than a few, possibly a majority, by humans, though they are crammed into their cells, which vary in size making exact counts hard to figure as they pace or lounge in corners or openly in the middle of their cells. Further removed from the source of the found odors, the procession stops at a mid sized subterranean chamber with a few columns of daylight shining in at odd angles through holes in jn the ceiling overhead. Paige Lor, Blade of Non-Human Affairs stands by the ornate oversized wooden chair that dominates the space. In. Invitation with a guard.
<If Angus/anyone wants to try and locate Sam, this is what awaits them.>
The Blade introduces herself to Sam: "Creature: I have been entrusted with you as a matter of course. I am informed you are capable of understanding the common word and have enough wit about you to enter contracts. You I ndetstand, then, I take it, that this is an arena of battle, where spwctatora lay wagers on the outcomes. They come for the spectacle more the promised return, though - a fact to which not one would ever admit. I imagine you will draw quite the audience. The question is, what will they pay to see thst won't excite a riot? My intention is to bait you, as an animal, Harry you with Spearman until you can stand no more and then allow you to escape your bonds and make what you will of them. After that, we'll- I'll leave that part a surprise. But the thing for you to know is this: We'll be taking bets all the while. You see, nobody believes the matches in the meatgrinder are fair fights. And they're right. But here's the thing: yiu can't tell a beast to throw a match, and you won't find a humanoid willing to be eaten by some monstrosity from around the world. So, to some extent, there are matches people will bet on based on their own wits. They look at you and see a beast. There is simply no way I can make you throw a bout. But we know different, don't we? I have a contract on your head, so the moment you escape, you will be pursued by anyone in the city who values a Glory and terminated on sight. Keep that in mind when you escape. But make sure that isn't until after your bested by my champion. Do we have an understanding?" She asks, awaiting Sam's agreement to the plan.
(If it wasnt clear, she wants him to break his chains and killl the spearmen, then fight something, and lose in the end. After this, she promises Sam his feeedom from bondage, but he'll be a fugitive with a deadly target on his back)
Cryptic Gravity
Gravity will spend the night in the inn 'Black Blade and Bloody Boar', and sleep like a dead person till dawn. Once she's well rested enough to process the situation and select the next goal accordingly, she will rush towards the building where Tetrevess and Sam have been detained. She stays outside the building to observe the movement of the guards (if there's anyone) and pays special attention to the people who are departing.
"How am I supposed to get those idiots out of that building? I do not have legal documents and I'm running out of gold pieces too!"
Does she see someone familiar outside? Angus? Chadderlay?
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
After his lesson on all things Mulmaster, Angus will head to Southroad Keep, and make some discreet inquiries about the location of the Meatgrinder, feigning interest in betting on the matches. If he is successful at gaining the information, he will head underground, asking about the lizardman that was recently brought in. If anyone questions this, he will simply claim he wants a closer look at the creature before deciding whether to bet on him or not.