“What about Justice, many have died at the hands of your dear Liam. He should be tried for his crimes in the proper channels. Gold should not wash away the blood from his hands.” Quinn slams his blade into the ground next to Liam not looking at Sata.
Asoto smiles tightly, " Perhaps I need to express myself more plainly. I assure you our dear Uncle would much rather be processed through the 'proper channels' himself. But that is not going to happen.
Lokilia watches Dev curiously, giving him a slight smile. She's not quite sure why he's so hesitant about the berries but is glad when he does take them. "Sorry for taking so many for myself. That first blast from that Sandra nearly killed me! You going to be ok?"
She hears some of the woman's comments. "She's offering us more gold above what we're already getting from Hook? Is 200 a lot?" she asks, the question presumably directed to Dev. "But are we just letting that Liam go?" She kind of looks to Jasper and the others to see their reactions. 'Shouldn't the guard take him and there be a trial?" she wonders out loud.
Normont looks up at Asoto and then around at the undead still in the room, his eyes briefly running over the three still sizzling.
"This is quite the conundrum. Perhaps we move into the tunnel and close the door whilst we discuss it a little more. Such an offer could be considered bribery, although I am here in the capacity of a private investigator, so that may not be so. And it does sound awfully like you are threatening us", he suggests as he ponders the implications of Asoto's deal and whether it should be considered bribery.
"I would clear one or two things up first, to determine how involved you were and whether we need to consider you an accomplice", he says looking now at Asoto.
"Were you working with Sata when she hired Hook? I am assuming so many undead could not have all been created through kidnap and murder, not without the watch being alerted to an influx of missing persons cases. Are the majority from corpses dug up from grave yards? Who did that? Were any created using the ritual that was about to be performed here on living people?", he says rattling off the questions as he thinks of them, whilst motioning people into the tunnel and looking for the mechanism on the other side.
"We know Conroy Pekese was killed, but have evidence linking Sandra directly to that. We witnessed her kill her brother. Her undead killed Theron. And you did both help stop this", he mumbles.
Normont looks up at Asoto and then around at the undead still in the room, his eyes briefly running over the three still sizzling.
"This is quite the conundrum. Perhaps we move into the tunnel and close the door whilst we discuss it a little more. Such an offer could be considered bribery, although I am here in the capacity of a private investigator, so that may not be so. And it does sound awfully like you are threatening us", he suggests as he ponders the implications of Asoto's deal and whether it should be considered bribery.
Asoto smiled at Normont, " But if we move into the tunnel I'm afraid you will have us at quite an advantage. But perhaps such a show of trust towards ones employees.....sorry, sub-contractors...is what is needed."
Sata side-eyed her sister but shrugged, " I work better in close anyhow."
The sisters began moving towards the door....
"I would clear one or two things up first, to determine how involved you were and whether we need to consider you an accomplice", he says looking now at Asoto.
"Were you working with Sata when she hired Hook? I am assuming so many undead could not have all been created through kidnap and murder, not without the watch being alerted to an influx of missing persons cases. Are the majority from corpses dug up from grave yards? Who did that? Were any created using the ritual that was about to be performed here on living people?", he says rattling off the questions as he thinks of them, whilst motioning people into the tunnel and looking for the mechanism on the other side.
"We know Conroy Pekese was killed, but have evidence linking Sandra directly to that. We witnessed her kill her brother. Her undead killed Theron. And you did both help stop this", he mumbles.
" Of course, my sister and I do everything together. I am unsure where the Galadors procured the corpses but I assume that most were recycled from burial sites and possible battlefields."
" I believe the ritual that was being performed here was not a creation ritual but a sacrifice to her Deity or Patron."
" From the beginning you have been working for Hook who was working for us, all I am offering is a bonus for a job well done. As for wanting to keep the family name out of it surely the hundreds of common people that rely on their employment for us should not suffer because a single member of the family went rogue in his business and personal life....that seems very harsh."
" When my Uncle originally suggested the procurement and use of these undead as labourers and servants it was rejected by the family, but he persisted anyway........and I believe became enamoured of the much younger Sandra Galador leading him to make a string of bad decisions."
She paused before the door looking down at her Uncle, " May we take him?"
Normont scrunches his face up as he processes the logic behind it all.
"I guess that makes sense", he replies, then looks at Magnus, Jasper and Quinn. "You are the official ones here, although not working in an official capacity. What do you all think? Is it enough that we stopped this and Sandra is taken in? I think I could live with that".
Magnus thinks it over, thinking through the problem and then comes to a decision, "I am ok with the arrangement, but only if we talk to Hook first to make sure what you have said is correct."
Jasper looks thoughtful and then seems to come to a decision, " I concur with Normont. We are not Watchmen tonight but independant contractors.......if we were Watch we'd have a truly enormous pile of paperwork ahead of us."
" Lets get out of here before they dead get hungry."
Dev needs no further encouragement. Following the others, he blows a few notes on his pan pipes (minor illusion), and hums a tune as he heads into the tunnel, stepping to the beat, streams of blood still drying on his cheeks.
With others agreeing, Lokilia is certainly not objecting. "Probably best to just take the generous offer I think," she says loudly. Mumbling to Dev under her breath she adds, "Probably best not to cross that woman anyhow. Can't see that turning out well for us."
With others agreeing, Lokilia is certainly not objecting. "Probably best to just take the generous offer I think," she says loudly. Mumbling to Dev under her breath she adds, "Probably best not to cross that woman anyhow. Can't see that turning out well for us."
It takes a moment for Dev to process the statement. It hadn't occurred to him that the sisters might take offense, and his eyes shoot toward them fearfully. But the music and step continue, though suddenly softer, because the tiefling's joy cannot be squelched. With an unusual sparkle in his eye, he spins, holds Lokilia's eyes and whispers, between musical phrases, "We did it. We stopped them!"
And then, with his still-bloodied face, he turns back to the tunnel and continues out of the room, stepping to the beat and singing, softly,
Even though the pain and heartache / Seems to follow me wherever I go Though I try and try to hide my feelings / They always seem to show...
Tell me why it is so / that I can never say goodbye, no, no no...
Lokilia laughs, then matches Dev's smile. "Indeed! You're right, we did stop them!" She follows him out, glancing to the others to see where they might head next.
The sisters took Liam and after depositing a sizeable bag of assorted gems with the companions took their leave promising that the dead would be safely confined in the warehouse until they could be disposed of in an orderly manner.
Hook also paid the companions the full amount promised and thanked them profusely for both rescuing him and going above and beyond in the investigation.
Sandra was slung over Quinns shoulder and he, Jasper and Normont took her to the Watchhouse with Magnus accompanying as a representative of the Cobalt.
Lokilia and Dev were left to their own devices.
( Unless anyone has anything truly urgent they wish to complete you have a few weeks of downtime during which time you will level up and may spend/invest/give away your reward as you wish. You can also keep abreast of the ongoing investigation and trial preparation as well as chasing leads on anything you wish to pursue.
We'll retire Jasper to NPC status for now until we hear back from a hopefully fully recovered MIghtyOwl. Feel free to have your PCs socialise, get to know each other, meet for meals, plan/plot etc.
You all also receive an electrum piece left on your doorstep with the Ocici family crest on both sides and a note that it can be turned in for a favour at any of their business establishments. In Drynna that would include a number of offices where day workers can be hired, some massage and personal services establishments, a shipping company with a number of crews and ships and a scattering of general stores, weaponsmiths and general supplies stores. )
“What about Justice, many have died at the hands of your dear Liam. He should be tried for his crimes in the proper channels. Gold should not wash away the blood from his hands.” Quinn slams his blade into the ground next to Liam not looking at Sata.
Asoto smiles tightly, " Perhaps I need to express myself more plainly. I assure you our dear Uncle would much rather be processed through the 'proper channels' himself. But that is not going to happen.
Lokilia watches Dev curiously, giving him a slight smile. She's not quite sure why he's so hesitant about the berries but is glad when he does take them. "Sorry for taking so many for myself. That first blast from that Sandra nearly killed me! You going to be ok?"
She hears some of the woman's comments. "She's offering us more gold above what we're already getting from Hook? Is 200 a lot?" she asks, the question presumably directed to Dev. "But are we just letting that Liam go?" She kind of looks to Jasper and the others to see their reactions. 'Shouldn't the guard take him and there be a trial?" she wonders out loud.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Normont looks up at Asoto and then around at the undead still in the room, his eyes briefly running over the three still sizzling.
"This is quite the conundrum. Perhaps we move into the tunnel and close the door whilst we discuss it a little more. Such an offer could be considered bribery, although I am here in the capacity of a private investigator, so that may not be so. And it does sound awfully like you are threatening us", he suggests as he ponders the implications of Asoto's deal and whether it should be considered bribery.
"I would clear one or two things up first, to determine how involved you were and whether we need to consider you an accomplice", he says looking now at Asoto.
"Were you working with Sata when she hired Hook? I am assuming so many undead could not have all been created through kidnap and murder, not without the watch being alerted to an influx of missing persons cases. Are the majority from corpses dug up from grave yards? Who did that? Were any created using the ritual that was about to be performed here on living people?", he says rattling off the questions as he thinks of them, whilst motioning people into the tunnel and looking for the mechanism on the other side.
"We know Conroy Pekese was killed, but have evidence linking Sandra directly to that. We witnessed her kill her brother. Her undead killed Theron. And you did both help stop this", he mumbles.
Asoto smiled at Normont, " But if we move into the tunnel I'm afraid you will have us at quite an advantage. But perhaps such a show of trust towards ones employees.....sorry, sub-contractors...is what is needed."
Sata side-eyed her sister but shrugged, " I work better in close anyhow."
The sisters began moving towards the door....
" Of course, my sister and I do everything together. I am unsure where the Galadors procured the corpses but I assume that most were recycled from burial sites and possible battlefields."
" I believe the ritual that was being performed here was not a creation ritual but a sacrifice to her Deity or Patron."
" From the beginning you have been working for Hook who was working for us, all I am offering is a bonus for a job well done. As for wanting to keep the family name out of it surely the hundreds of common people that rely on their employment for us should not suffer because a single member of the family went rogue in his business and personal life....that seems very harsh."
" When my Uncle originally suggested the procurement and use of these undead as labourers and servants it was rejected by the family, but he persisted anyway........and I believe became enamoured of the much younger Sandra Galador leading him to make a string of bad decisions."
She paused before the door looking down at her Uncle, " May we take him?"
Normont scrunches his face up as he processes the logic behind it all.
"I guess that makes sense", he replies, then looks at Magnus, Jasper and Quinn. "You are the official ones here, although not working in an official capacity. What do you all think? Is it enough that we stopped this and Sandra is taken in? I think I could live with that".
Lokilia‘a question and the continuing effect of the berries pulls Dev’s mind into focus. He nods, wide-eyed.
”It’s,” but his voice catches in his throat. The teenager swallows and tries again. “It’s more than I’ve ever dreamed of.”
He follows the conversation more closely now, hiding behind Quinn and Lokilia until the tension in the room between Normont and the sisters lightens.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Quinn will wait to hear what Jasper thinks before allowing anyone to touch Liam.
Magnus thinks it over, thinking through the problem and then comes to a decision, "I am ok with the arrangement, but only if we talk to Hook first to make sure what you have said is correct."
Hook comes across and places a hand on Magnus shoulder and gives him a gentle nod.
Jasper looks thoughtful and then seems to come to a decision, " I concur with Normont. We are not Watchmen tonight but independant contractors.......if we were Watch we'd have a truly enormous pile of paperwork ahead of us."
" Lets get out of here before they dead get hungry."
Quinn nods with confirmation and lets Liam go.
Dev needs no further encouragement. Following the others, he blows a few notes on his pan pipes (minor illusion), and hums a tune as he heads into the tunnel, stepping to the beat, streams of blood still drying on his cheeks.
"Ooo, I never can say goodbye, girl... no, no, n'-no..."
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
“It’s decided then”, Normont says as the majority of them agree, but he does look across to Lokilia for confirmation she is happy with the decision.
Assuming it is unanimous, he will remain by the tunnel entrance until everyone has left, so he can shut it.
(OOC: Did he find a lever to shut it?)
( Just inside.)
With others agreeing, Lokilia is certainly not objecting. "Probably best to just take the generous offer I think," she says loudly. Mumbling to Dev under her breath she adds, "Probably best not to cross that woman anyhow. Can't see that turning out well for us."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
It takes a moment for Dev to process the statement. It hadn't occurred to him that the sisters might take offense, and his eyes shoot toward them fearfully. But the music and step continue, though suddenly softer, because the tiefling's joy cannot be squelched. With an unusual sparkle in his eye, he spins, holds Lokilia's eyes and whispers, between musical phrases, "We did it. We stopped them!"
And then, with his still-bloodied face, he turns back to the tunnel and continues out of the room, stepping to the beat and singing, softly,
Even though the pain and heartache / Seems to follow me wherever I go
Though I try and try to hide my feelings / They always seem to show...
Tell me why it is so / that I can never say goodbye, no, no no...
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Lokilia laughs, then matches Dev's smile. "Indeed! You're right, we did stop them!" She follows him out, glancing to the others to see where they might head next.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
The sisters took Liam and after depositing a sizeable bag of assorted gems with the companions took their leave promising that the dead would be safely confined in the warehouse until they could be disposed of in an orderly manner.
Hook also paid the companions the full amount promised and thanked them profusely for both rescuing him and going above and beyond in the investigation.
Sandra was slung over Quinns shoulder and he, Jasper and Normont took her to the Watchhouse with Magnus accompanying as a representative of the Cobalt.
Lokilia and Dev were left to their own devices.
( Unless anyone has anything truly urgent they wish to complete you have a few weeks of downtime during which time you will level up and may spend/invest/give away your reward as you wish. You can also keep abreast of the ongoing investigation and trial preparation as well as chasing leads on anything you wish to pursue.
We'll retire Jasper to NPC status for now until we hear back from a hopefully fully recovered MIghtyOwl. Feel free to have your PCs socialise, get to know each other, meet for meals, plan/plot etc.
You all also receive an electrum piece left on your doorstep with the Ocici family crest on both sides and a note that it can be turned in for a favour at any of their business establishments. In Drynna that would include a number of offices where day workers can be hired, some massage and personal services establishments, a shipping company with a number of crews and ships and a scattering of general stores, weaponsmiths and general supplies stores. )
(How much money did we get in total?)