“Stay with Alden, and go find out what the bird is talking about,” Yoric says to Thalion. “I’m going to go talk to those doctors. Find out where the exits are. Also, where chief Brightaxe ended up.”
"For the last time, I am not a sire nor a sir. While my mother is a hero and I love her dearly, the real heroes were those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during that war, my father included," Nevlav says as he crosses his arms in a huff and stares morosely out the window.
Alden, its hard to pick any any one individual face in the crowd, but after a little looking around, you do think you recognize one face -- a squat, bulky Earth Genasi named Jacobo. You put him away about a year and a half ago for assaulting a shopkeeper who refused to pay for protection. He is/was a small-time enforcer and knee breaker for one of the big underground criminal syndicates in Valance. He's just over five feet tall, but very solidly built. His skin is smooth and the purest black obsidian, though through the lantern lights that are illuminating the ward, you see little shiny speckles on his skin -- he seems to be acting as a bouncer or guard for the camp area, where a number of prisoners/patients still seem healthy.
Thalion, as you approach the Arakocra, you overhear what he's saying to those around him, who all appear to be wearing the same industrial worker uniform he is. He speaks Common with a strong Zemnian accent. "And if you would ask these so-called industrialists...men like that fat parasitic gnome Hasal Lonagan, how to operate one of his machines, would he even know how to turn the verdammt thing on?" There is a chorus of laughter and "no!" that comes from the crowd. "And our supposedly benevolent 'king' who gave us all those 'wonderful machines?' He doesn't even show his face! Friends, I am a patriot. I love my country. And yet, I am thrown in this hole, WE are locked away here, with common criminals, for the simple crime of calling for a new nation for these times where magick has faded and technology rules us. A nation where we are ruled by those who look out for the PEOPLE, not the industrialists. Where workers set the terms of production, not those who profit from our labors!" There is a parade of cheers, and as the strange bird-man sighs heavily and sinks down into his seat, he notices you approach and cocks his head curiously, watching you, but, as his speech is seemingly over, his acolytes surround him and start peppering him with questions.
Yoric as you approach the doctor's station, a very pretty elf woman who seems to be very subtly sparkling, but is notably not wearing a plague mask stops you. "Woah there, pal. You know the rules. No prisoners allowed over here. Bloody hell, where is that Tortle? We pay enough for protection, you'd think he'd stay by his post, wouldn't you?" She sighs, seeing your bewilderment and stops. "Oh, you're new here, yes? That idiot Warden, we already told him we're stretched to the breaking point here and they keep loading them in. Are you sick, dearie?"
She comes a few steps closer and peers at you, seemingly not bothered by the possibility that you've been infected by the so-called clockwork plague.
The Goliath smirks. "Oh really? You must be new to Valance." He says condescendingly. "The heroes you're talking about are dead and in this city, they don't mean a damned thing.. I doubt anyone other than you and your mum remember your pa, gnome. Your mum has power though, and that talks. That's why you get the spend the next few days having her servants pamper you and the missus rather than in manacles in that place. Even your druid pal Artur Felix -- you know he was one of ol' Prince Kellen's mates, yeah? Was all set to be named a Hero of the Realm too until his pa screwed it up for him. Power's all that matters in this town. And you don't have it."
He slams the door shut and climbs atop the carriage. It is an interesting sensation, driving in this darkened carriage through the streets of Valance. The part of the city you are in now is all in quarantine, so the streets seem deserted and deathly quiet. Fortunately, the horse and rattling of the carriage make enough noise that the two of you should be able to talk without drawing Stairclimber's attention. Even with the emptiness of the streets, the sheer size of the city means its going to take a good twenty minutes or so to get to the Park District and Lady Euphemia Inimeg's lavish townhouse there overlooking Folna Park.
(Grin and Nevlav -- I can skip ahead to your arrival at the townhouse if you'd like.)
“I’m not sick, Doc. No need to worry about that. Can I offer you an excuse to take a break and pretend to examine me while we just talk? I might even be able to help.” Yoric smiles disarmingly.
Grin makes a small finger gun behind her back, in view of Nevlav but not stairclimber, she fanes cocking and firing it and there is the sound of a pistol shot right near the horses.
Grin is trying to spoon the horses with a minor illusion
Grin and Nevlav's Romantic Carriage Ride Through the City
The horses hear the gunshot sound, and sure enough are spooked. They bolt, and both Nevlav and Grin are jostled in the inside of the carriage as it tips over onto one wheel for a moment then collapses back with a heavy thud.
DM Screen
Carriage Driver - 9
Stairclimber - 22
As the horses pull off the hitch to the carriage, the carriage driver, a gnome with a big bushy black mustache and a black stovetop hat is thrown from the top of the carriage and takes 9 bludgeoning damage. He rolls around on the muddy ground, moaning in pain and holding his elbow.
Stairclimber, somehow, managed to hold on, and he jumps off the carriagetop and flings open the door to the carriage. "Fecking bandits are shooting at us. You lot stay here. I'm gonna check on Septimus and find these idiots." He says, all decorum or sense of propriety gone. You see the only thing in his eyes right now is anger.
He moves around and begins to investigate the sound of the gunshots, staying low to the ground.
DM Screen
6
He can't seem to find the source of the gunshots yet, and he crawls his way towards the carriage driver, his very fine, seemingly custom-tailored suit jacket slowly getting dirtier and dirtier as he looks about wildly.
(What are you two doing?)
Inside the Prison Hospital
The elf woman looks at you for a moment Yoric, and smiles in spite of herself. "You know, I've heard that line two dozen times since I was assigned here, but you're the first one who doesn't seem to be using it to get under my uniform." She comes closer, and seeing a guard approach, says in a loud, official sounding voice. "Yes, it certainly sounds like the symptoms are appearing. Open your mouth and I'll have a look." As the guard moves on, she says "You know, those tonsils should probably come out. They're a bit enlarged. But, I can see that you're not sick from whatever this is. What do you want.
Yoric grabs at his throat a bit alarmed. “What?? My... my tonsils? If I get them out, can I still sing? No, nevermind that for now. Look, what’s with the camp over there? An awful lot of healthy people here, it seems. Why are they here then?”
Grin turns to Nevlav in a stage whisper. "Run! We can' liv the pahty an Steh-climbah will be him huntin' for bamits oui?" Grin cast minor illusion of another gunshot a little farther off, with the crack of a bullet whizzing overhead for added flair before pulling Nevlav back toward the prison.
It takes no small amount of Thalion's dwindling willpower to not cry out in assent with the crowing Arakocra. He spoke sense despite their maddening location. As he was wont to do Thalion pushed his way through the throng of followers and loudly announces himself without a hint of tact or subtlety.
"I am Thalion Strongbow, hero of the Redwood Forest, and I seek audience with you. Specifically, an audience about hatching a plan to get out of this miserable place," he says without a hint of realization that he just made a hatching pun at a bird-person.
The heavy Earth Genasi looks at Alden, then down at his manacles and grunts. "Huh. Never thought I'd see you again, Lostchild. You stitched me up right good, you did. But now we're in the same place. Life is funny that way, innit?" He pushes the inspector a step back, firmly but not roughly. "This here is a membership organization, Inspector. Mr. Yualkid is very particular about who gets access to the exclusive amenities he provides. Membership is typically 50 gold, but for you? I'll give you a special deal, seein' as we got a history and such. 100 gold."
The Arakocra peers at Thalion, flapping a heavy, muscled wing at his followers to step out of the way. He stands and takes a few tired steps towards the ranger. Up close the bird-man is much taller than any other Arakocra you've seen before and much heavier built -- most of it, however, seems to be muscle. Though his plumage seems really well taken care of, you notice a few spots where there is heavy scarring and the feathers do not fully cover it. Hearing you mention the forests, he gets a distant look in his eyes. "Hero of the Redwood Forests? In my youth I flew many times over your home, young elf. It was once a beautiful place. Then the machines spoiled it as they have spoiled so much. Like the lives of my friends here." He gestures to his fellow workers. "I fear though, you have come to the wrong bird to hatch any escape plans. Though my time in this world may seem like a blink of an eye to a species so long lived as you, I have lived a very full life in my 32 years. I have loved, I have witnessed miracles. And I have fought." He chuckles, a sound that comes out like a warble. "By the Gods, have I fought! But I am tired now. And I have a responsibility to keep these people safe from those who would do them harm." He nods to a group of guards, who are seem to be monitoring this gathering much more closely than any other group of inmates."Besides, young one. You certainly have the attitude for a scrapper. You seem like you can handle yourself without this old bird's assistance."
Yoric, the elven doctor examining you looks over at the camp and shakes her head. "It may not look like it everywhere, but things are bad here, and in the Factory District. Nearly every hospital has been filled to capacity, and after the hospitals stopped accepting patients they started sending them here. Then, anyone who was caught breaking quarantine was dumped in here too. Finally, others have...taken advantage of the situation. The extra guards we've hired aren't exactly Valance's best and brightest. So even we've had to turn to some of the healthier prisoners to keep us safe. It's a godsdamned mess." She pulls out a stethoscope and presses it to your heart. "We're just trying to take care of people as best we can. Deep breath, please."
Grin, as you cast another Minor Illusion into the air farther away, you can see that Inspector Stairclimber is becoming very alarmed. He pulls out the large whistle and blows it, sending an alarm out to any other watch members in the District. He will crawl in the dirt towards the second sound, looking all over for its source
Screen
2
Stairclimber is absolutely convinced he's under attack now, and he continues blowing the whistle frantically -- seemingly forgetting about the both of you and terrifying by the bullet sounds all around him.
The elven doctor stares at Yoric, eyes wide, eyes going down to the manacles the Bard is wearing. "Honestly, for you? Probably a body bag. Of course, the dead are burned in the prison courtyard. Some of the rich kids from the Park District or the University District that are caught out after quarantine had mummy or daddy radiogram the Warden. But that's it. I stay out of whatever else is going on down here. And for good reason. If anyone sees your head sticking out around here, its liable to be cut off."She grins now. "Usually this is the part where I ask you to pull your trousers down, but we'll skip that, yeah?" She winks, then resumes her serious manner. "Alright, halfling, your initial exam is complete. You may join the general population." In a lower voice, she adds "If you want out of here, you're going to need help -- either someone outside these walls or someone inside who has power. Good luck. Oh, and after this plague is over, you should probably have those tonsils cut out."
Alden, you don't know Yualkid, but you've heard stories about him from your mentor. Nesciar Yualkid is a dragonborn from the Parapets who became the founder of the first great criminal syndicate in Valance as the city first started to industrialize. At his peak, he controlled many of the pubs, inns, and taverns in the working class neighborhoods of the city, as well as a protection racket in the city's Merchant District, and a hand in controlling the city's fledgling labor unions. He was brought down at the start of the war with an alliance between the Committee for Public Safety, the Valance Watch, and the rival syndicates that coveted Yualkid's power and legendary treasure horde. Yualkid has been in Valance Gaol for just about twenty years now, and though he doesn't really have an active say in the current goings on in the city, he is still greatly feared and respected. Your mentor had a great deal of contempt for the dragonborn, as he relied upon fear to control his empire, but, he would acknowledge, usually after an ale or two, that Yualkid did seem to have a genuine respect for the people of the Parapets and often provided them with services and items that were not provided by the city.
Yoric jingles his manacles a couple times. “Hey now, don’t cut the exam short on my account, although I’d prefer to know the name of the doctor treating me.” He laughs. “Seriously, though, thanks for talking to me. If I manage to avoid getting my whole head cut off, I’ll look into the tonsils.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Thalion lets out a loud, boisterous "HA!" and nods vigorously. "Were this the forests, these guards would be mere target practice, but..."
He trails off, thinking hard. Speaking and coming up with plans at the same time was hard, okay?
"With my friends and your followers we could make quick work of the guards and all be free from this place. And not just this prison, but from this wretched city. The best way to fight the machines and their makers is to prove to them that we can make a life for ourselves off the land," he implores.
Thalion doesn't wait more than a minute after the door is shut before turning around to murmur to his friends, "We need to get out of here."
He unlatches his manacles for a moment before putting them back the way they were, raising his eyebrows significantly at the two of them. "Now."
“Stay with Alden, and go find out what the bird is talking about,” Yoric says to Thalion. “I’m going to go talk to those doctors. Find out where the exits are. Also, where chief Brightaxe ended up.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Alden
Alden will turn, look at Murdoc then turn back around, taking what he sees before him all in.
He will scan the crowd to see if he recognizes anyone.
Perception: 5
"For the last time, I am not a sire nor a sir. While my mother is a hero and I love her dearly, the real heroes were those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during that war, my father included," Nevlav says as he crosses his arms in a huff and stares morosely out the window.
Alden, its hard to pick any any one individual face in the crowd, but after a little looking around, you do think you recognize one face -- a squat, bulky Earth Genasi named Jacobo. You put him away about a year and a half ago for assaulting a shopkeeper who refused to pay for protection. He is/was a small-time enforcer and knee breaker for one of the big underground criminal syndicates in Valance. He's just over five feet tall, but very solidly built. His skin is smooth and the purest black obsidian, though through the lantern lights that are illuminating the ward, you see little shiny speckles on his skin -- he seems to be acting as a bouncer or guard for the camp area, where a number of prisoners/patients still seem healthy.
Thalion, as you approach the Arakocra, you overhear what he's saying to those around him, who all appear to be wearing the same industrial worker uniform he is. He speaks Common with a strong Zemnian accent. "And if you would ask these so-called industrialists...men like that fat parasitic gnome Hasal Lonagan, how to operate one of his machines, would he even know how to turn the verdammt thing on?" There is a chorus of laughter and "no!" that comes from the crowd. "And our supposedly benevolent 'king' who gave us all those 'wonderful machines?' He doesn't even show his face! Friends, I am a patriot. I love my country. And yet, I am thrown in this hole, WE are locked away here, with common criminals, for the simple crime of calling for a new nation for these times where magick has faded and technology rules us. A nation where we are ruled by those who look out for the PEOPLE, not the industrialists. Where workers set the terms of production, not those who profit from our labors!" There is a parade of cheers, and as the strange bird-man sighs heavily and sinks down into his seat, he notices you approach and cocks his head curiously, watching you, but, as his speech is seemingly over, his acolytes surround him and start peppering him with questions.
Yoric as you approach the doctor's station, a very pretty elf woman who seems to be very subtly sparkling, but is notably not wearing a plague mask stops you. "Woah there, pal. You know the rules. No prisoners allowed over here. Bloody hell, where is that Tortle? We pay enough for protection, you'd think he'd stay by his post, wouldn't you?" She sighs, seeing your bewilderment and stops. "Oh, you're new here, yes? That idiot Warden, we already told him we're stretched to the breaking point here and they keep loading them in. Are you sick, dearie?"
She comes a few steps closer and peers at you, seemingly not bothered by the possibility that you've been infected by the so-called clockwork plague.
The Goliath smirks. "Oh really? You must be new to Valance." He says condescendingly. "The heroes you're talking about are dead and in this city, they don't mean a damned thing.. I doubt anyone other than you and your mum remember your pa, gnome. Your mum has power though, and that talks. That's why you get the spend the next few days having her servants pamper you and the missus rather than in manacles in that place. Even your druid pal Artur Felix -- you know he was one of ol' Prince Kellen's mates, yeah? Was all set to be named a Hero of the Realm too until his pa screwed it up for him. Power's all that matters in this town. And you don't have it."
He slams the door shut and climbs atop the carriage. It is an interesting sensation, driving in this darkened carriage through the streets of Valance. The part of the city you are in now is all in quarantine, so the streets seem deserted and deathly quiet. Fortunately, the horse and rattling of the carriage make enough noise that the two of you should be able to talk without drawing Stairclimber's attention. Even with the emptiness of the streets, the sheer size of the city means its going to take a good twenty minutes or so to get to the Park District and Lady Euphemia Inimeg's lavish townhouse there overlooking Folna Park.
(Grin and Nevlav -- I can skip ahead to your arrival at the townhouse if you'd like.)
“I’m not sick, Doc. No need to worry about that. Can I offer you an excuse to take a break and pretend to examine me while we just talk? I might even be able to help.” Yoric smiles disarmingly.
persuasion 23
Paladin - warforged - orange
Grin makes a small finger gun behind her back, in view of Nevlav but not stairclimber, she fanes cocking and firing it and there is the sound of a pistol shot right near the horses.
Grin is trying to spoon the horses with a minor illusion
Grin and Nevlav's Romantic Carriage Ride Through the City
The horses hear the gunshot sound, and sure enough are spooked. They bolt, and both Nevlav and Grin are jostled in the inside of the carriage as it tips over onto one wheel for a moment then collapses back with a heavy thud.
DM Screen
Carriage Driver - 9
Stairclimber - 22
As the horses pull off the hitch to the carriage, the carriage driver, a gnome with a big bushy black mustache and a black stovetop hat is thrown from the top of the carriage and takes 9 bludgeoning damage. He rolls around on the muddy ground, moaning in pain and holding his elbow.
Stairclimber, somehow, managed to hold on, and he jumps off the carriagetop and flings open the door to the carriage. "Fecking bandits are shooting at us. You lot stay here. I'm gonna check on Septimus and find these idiots." He says, all decorum or sense of propriety gone. You see the only thing in his eyes right now is anger.
He moves around and begins to investigate the sound of the gunshots, staying low to the ground.
DM Screen
6
He can't seem to find the source of the gunshots yet, and he crawls his way towards the carriage driver, his very fine, seemingly custom-tailored suit jacket slowly getting dirtier and dirtier as he looks about wildly.
(What are you two doing?)
Inside the Prison Hospital
The elf woman looks at you for a moment Yoric, and smiles in spite of herself. "You know, I've heard that line two dozen times since I was assigned here, but you're the first one who doesn't seem to be using it to get under my uniform." She comes closer, and seeing a guard approach, says in a loud, official sounding voice. "Yes, it certainly sounds like the symptoms are appearing. Open your mouth and I'll have a look." As the guard moves on, she says "You know, those tonsils should probably come out. They're a bit enlarged. But, I can see that you're not sick from whatever this is. What do you want.
Yoric grabs at his throat a bit alarmed. “What?? My... my tonsils? If I get them out, can I still sing? No, nevermind that for now. Look, what’s with the camp over there? An awful lot of healthy people here, it seems. Why are they here then?”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Grin turns to Nevlav in a stage whisper. "Run! We can' liv the pahty an Steh-climbah will be him huntin' for bamits oui?" Grin cast minor illusion of another gunshot a little farther off, with the crack of a bullet whizzing overhead for added flair before pulling Nevlav back toward the prison.
It takes no small amount of Thalion's dwindling willpower to not cry out in assent with the crowing Arakocra. He spoke sense despite their maddening location. As he was wont to do Thalion pushed his way through the throng of followers and loudly announces himself without a hint of tact or subtlety.
"I am Thalion Strongbow, hero of the Redwood Forest, and I seek audience with you. Specifically, an audience about hatching a plan to get out of this miserable place," he says without a hint of realization that he just made a hatching pun at a bird-person.
Alden
Alden will stumble up to where Jacobo is at, look him up and down. "I take it I need to be cleared by the doctor to walk past you eh?" he says.
In the Prison
The heavy Earth Genasi looks at Alden, then down at his manacles and grunts. "Huh. Never thought I'd see you again, Lostchild. You stitched me up right good, you did. But now we're in the same place. Life is funny that way, innit?" He pushes the inspector a step back, firmly but not roughly. "This here is a membership organization, Inspector. Mr. Yualkid is very particular about who gets access to the exclusive amenities he provides. Membership is typically 50 gold, but for you? I'll give you a special deal, seein' as we got a history and such. 100 gold."
The Arakocra peers at Thalion, flapping a heavy, muscled wing at his followers to step out of the way. He stands and takes a few tired steps towards the ranger. Up close the bird-man is much taller than any other Arakocra you've seen before and much heavier built -- most of it, however, seems to be muscle. Though his plumage seems really well taken care of, you notice a few spots where there is heavy scarring and the feathers do not fully cover it. Hearing you mention the forests, he gets a distant look in his eyes. "Hero of the Redwood Forests? In my youth I flew many times over your home, young elf. It was once a beautiful place. Then the machines spoiled it as they have spoiled so much. Like the lives of my friends here." He gestures to his fellow workers. "I fear though, you have come to the wrong bird to hatch any escape plans. Though my time in this world may seem like a blink of an eye to a species so long lived as you, I have lived a very full life in my 32 years. I have loved, I have witnessed miracles. And I have fought." He chuckles, a sound that comes out like a warble. "By the Gods, have I fought! But I am tired now. And I have a responsibility to keep these people safe from those who would do them harm." He nods to a group of guards, who are seem to be monitoring this gathering much more closely than any other group of inmates."Besides, young one. You certainly have the attitude for a scrapper. You seem like you can handle yourself without this old bird's assistance."
Yoric, the elven doctor examining you looks over at the camp and shakes her head. "It may not look like it everywhere, but things are bad here, and in the Factory District. Nearly every hospital has been filled to capacity, and after the hospitals stopped accepting patients they started sending them here. Then, anyone who was caught breaking quarantine was dumped in here too. Finally, others have...taken advantage of the situation. The extra guards we've hired aren't exactly Valance's best and brightest. So even we've had to turn to some of the healthier prisoners to keep us safe. It's a godsdamned mess." She pulls out a stethoscope and presses it to your heart. "We're just trying to take care of people as best we can. Deep breath, please."
The Parapets District
Grin, as you cast another Minor Illusion into the air farther away, you can see that Inspector Stairclimber is becoming very alarmed. He pulls out the large whistle and blows it, sending an alarm out to any other watch members in the District. He will crawl in the dirt towards the second sound, looking all over for its source
Screen
2
Stairclimber is absolutely convinced he's under attack now, and he continues blowing the whistle frantically -- seemingly forgetting about the both of you and terrifying by the bullet sounds all around him.
Yoric takes a deep breath and let’s it out for the Doctor. “Does anyone get discharged or... otherwise leave ever?”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Alden
Does Alden know who Yualkid is?
History: 6
The elven doctor stares at Yoric, eyes wide, eyes going down to the manacles the Bard is wearing. "Honestly, for you? Probably a body bag. Of course, the dead are burned in the prison courtyard. Some of the rich kids from the Park District or the University District that are caught out after quarantine had mummy or daddy radiogram the Warden. But that's it. I stay out of whatever else is going on down here. And for good reason. If anyone sees your head sticking out around here, its liable to be cut off." She grins now. "Usually this is the part where I ask you to pull your trousers down, but we'll skip that, yeah?" She winks, then resumes her serious manner. "Alright, halfling, your initial exam is complete. You may join the general population." In a lower voice, she adds "If you want out of here, you're going to need help -- either someone outside these walls or someone inside who has power. Good luck. Oh, and after this plague is over, you should probably have those tonsils cut out."
Alden, you don't know Yualkid, but you've heard stories about him from your mentor. Nesciar Yualkid is a dragonborn from the Parapets who became the founder of the first great criminal syndicate in Valance as the city first started to industrialize. At his peak, he controlled many of the pubs, inns, and taverns in the working class neighborhoods of the city, as well as a protection racket in the city's Merchant District, and a hand in controlling the city's fledgling labor unions. He was brought down at the start of the war with an alliance between the Committee for Public Safety, the Valance Watch, and the rival syndicates that coveted Yualkid's power and legendary treasure horde. Yualkid has been in Valance Gaol for just about twenty years now, and though he doesn't really have an active say in the current goings on in the city, he is still greatly feared and respected. Your mentor had a great deal of contempt for the dragonborn, as he relied upon fear to control his empire, but, he would acknowledge, usually after an ale or two, that Yualkid did seem to have a genuine respect for the people of the Parapets and often provided them with services and items that were not provided by the city.
Yoric jingles his manacles a couple times. “Hey now, don’t cut the exam short on my account, although I’d prefer to know the name of the doctor treating me.” He laughs. “Seriously, though, thanks for talking to me. If I manage to avoid getting my whole head cut off, I’ll look into the tonsils.”
Yoric goes looking for Thalion.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Thalion lets out a loud, boisterous "HA!" and nods vigorously. "Were this the forests, these guards would be mere target practice, but..."
He trails off, thinking hard. Speaking and coming up with plans at the same time was hard, okay?
"With my friends and your followers we could make quick work of the guards and all be free from this place. And not just this prison, but from this wretched city. The best way to fight the machines and their makers is to prove to them that we can make a life for ourselves off the land," he implores.
Persuasion: 3