City of Cresthall

Hatt watches Crispy and whispers to Ashley; Bikini water barrel inspector?  I'm not sure whether to ask 'How does she think of these things?' or 'How does she get away with it every time?'  He continues to watch, impressed with Crispy's apparent confidence and suspecting that this fellow was not put in their path by mere chance.  Is this your work?  he asks internally to the Goddess; Have you sent us a chance to right some wrong we have committed? 

He watches the conversation between Crispy and the drunk unfold.

Ashley responds to Hatt That's one of the things i love about her. she is always confident and strong and has a wounderous imagination .

Using Prestidigitation, Ashley drys off the man as Crispy helps him. 

Bennett walks up to the man and speaks in a calming tone, "I am sorry Opsola has taken your love, but could you please describe her?"

"If that's the truth." Crispy adds, staring at the young man, curiously. "Go on, speak."

"Thank you, ma'am." Cousland says as he fixes his attire, disheveled as it is, "Damn bastards, won't let me try to get my love back, saying I'm just a drunk. And she's a wonderful gal, beautiful and full of kindness, known her for most of my childhood and want to marry once she's old enough. But that scoundrel Opsola, took her away from me. Took her from the church as she was doing her duties as an acolyte. And no one did a damn thing just cause he's the 'royal advisor'. They can go shove it up their arses, only difference between him and a bandit is his position." He gives a sigh as he looks to you all, "But...I'm letting my anger get to me, you asked me what she looked like, yes? Well, despite the sun beating down on us, she's barely burned and I've never saw a single flaw upon her. Her raven hair is long and shines like a black pearl. And her smile, well, I cannot even compare to all the riches in the Vault." He has this bashful grin as he describes her, a blush coming onto his face as he quickly tries to hide it, "Well, you get it now, right? She's the love of my life...though, you all probably want to hear about job and tell me I'm a madman, drunk, or a moron. I heard most of them all before...And look, I'll be honest with you all. I ain't got that much gold to pay but I promise I'll make it worth your while." The man stands straight as he readies himself, for rejection, for a punch, or to be ignored. He looks straight ahead at you all.

Gasp, confused and still a bit on edge from events at Opsola's tower, has no time for drunks. So with a sigh, he places a consoling hand on Cousland's shoulder and spends 5 points of his Lay On Hands to see if he can remove the man's inebriation. 

Are you saying that he kidnapped her?  That she did not consent to be taken?  May I ask which church this was?  says Hatt, outraged that any church authorities might turn a blind eye to such an act.  

"What would Almanac need such a person for, anyway? Why her?" Crispy said, also wondering the answer to Hatt's questions. 

We need to be careful. If this man is telling the truth, then the Queens adviser is a kidnapper at best. But we would need proof and to keep ourselves from his suspicion until we have said proof. Ashley looks pensive and conflicted. It's too convenient. Her distaste for the dragonborn adviser shouldn't cloud her judgment because some random person shows up with more argument for her dislike of the man.  

”I agree.“ Crispy nods, “He’s powerful, too. We should be careful. Ugh, who’s idea was it again to work for this guy?”

Bennett glances at Crispy and glares briefly. He turns his attention back to the man, "How long has she been missing for?"

Insight: 19 (seeing what this man is all about)

Even though Gasp's touches the man, he looks no different. Cousland raises his brow, "Although they call me a drunk...I'm not really drunk. If I were drunk, I'd be throwing myself at the tower and trying my luck. Though I wouldn't get too far in that state. And the church is just saying she's out for a pilgrimage, but she didn't even say bye or that she even was going on a pilgrimage! Last place she went to was that bastard's tower just for some errands then she disappears. And I'd be damned if that wizard didn't have anything to do with it. Bet that he's keeping her like a slave, forcing her to..." Cousland tightens his fists and bites onto his lip. He glares off to the side and gives a small snarl. He looks back to you all, a bit more agitated than before, "Look, I know I seem mad, well, I am mad at Opsola. But I don't want to fight him, I just want to rescue Myra. Once she's back with me, we'll both run away from Savasst. And I do have a plan for it, but I can't tell you all out in the open." 

Cousland truly wants to get his love back. He honestly just wants to get this Myra person back with him.

My friend, says Hatt in a sympathetic voice, my group and I would like some time to confer on this issue.  Might we know your full name, and also where we can find you?  Do you have a home, or place of work in the city?  Somewhere we could meet you or send a message?  Also, which church is it that you are referring to?

To the others he says: I think if we have any further questions now, let's ask, but we can find this gentleman again later.  I still think we need to sit down together and talk through our next steps, though.  He motions to the tavern door with his head, and looks hopefully at the others.  

While the party is off doing their post-Opsola stuff, Karra will have wandered off from the group. He has to return to the Guild to complete his duties to them before returning to discuss such things with them. He may try and see as to maybe getting some raw gems to cut on his travels from them (purchase uncut stones then use downtime to work on them).

It's at this point that Gasp realizes what is going on with this man. He shakes his head, a look of pity on his feathered face. This time Gasp gives him an honest pat on the shoulder. One of understanding. Cousland is just another victim. Gasp shoots Bennett a knowing look, giving a nod.

I can make no promises to give you hope, but I will do my best to help any in need, so if I am able to help you, i will. Ashley smiles and trys to sound neutral as she is truly not sure what they can do. She has already agreed to help Opsala with his task. Can the group do both? Are they able to do this task for Opasala while potentially working against him aswell? Things are not right here. 

"Jarrick Cousland, I'm a decent hunter, used to be a scout but left to stay in the city more. I got a hut out past by the Quarry. And sorry, forgot you all might be out of town, the church is Ilmater. Ain't got any other churchs out here but we got some small shrines in the cathedral." Jarrick says.

One of the mention of the name 'Myra', Bennett shoots Gasp the same look he gave Bennett and nods back. "Come. We must speak somewhere private. We all need to talk." he says in a tone you've never heard Bennett speak in before, pure seriousness.

“Whoa.” Cora says to Bennet, grabbing your arm. “If you’re dragging us in this with you, you can say what you have to say to ALL of us, Slick. What’s with the privacy?”

Bennett glares at Crispy and speaks through his teeth, "I said all for a reason, Crispy. Let's go."