Storm King's Thunder

Quote from Gimpster >>

After getting his wife's name and location Matrix will go back to the clerk, "do you happen to have a name and description of the victim? Seems like an open and shut case though, probably just wasting my time.... oh, that's right! The kid 'borrowed' his father's sword, I think it was the murder weapon, do you know where it would be stored and how long would we have to wait after the execution to reclaim it?"

 Back at the jail entrance...when asked about the wife, the guard says, “That’s odd...she signed in, but now I can’t find the register. Think she said her name was Sara? Or Sana? Hmm...”

As to the sword, the jailer shrugs. “You should talk with the arresting officer on that one, think it was Captain Brenner. He’ll have it under lock somewhere safe.”

"Huh, from what I hear of Brenner that might not be true. Missing register? Is that a common occurrence? Cause this case has just a few to many oddities to it for my comfort. Do you have his home address perhaps? Given that they are or were married it stands to reason they lived together" did his cell have a window to it? And would I know were it is if I saw it from the outside?

perception 14

Matrix saw a very small window (an opening about one cubic foot in size) at the back of the cell. There was a grate on it, and the light from a lamp shone through it. Matrix believes that he could find the window if he went around back of the building, which looks as if it might be part of a larger complex, possibly opening into a courtyard. 

“Eh...you’ll have to check in with the Waterbaron’s office there for the address,” says the prison guard. “Far as I know, this fella was new to the area, and had himself a nice apartment somewhere off the dock district.

”And we...no, the the register don’t often go missing. Must’ve misplaced it, though I can’t think for the life of me where it’d be.”

As they walk back toward a rendezvous with the others. "Honestly guys, we have a lot of plays here, but taking him out seems excessive. All we know for sure is he is an ass who took a convicted murderers sword. For us to make any move against him at all we'd need more information. Maybe the others will have gotten more definitive information."

He turns toward Flint, "By the way, was never gonna kill him, I just wanted to know how much those guys hated him. Turns out quite a lot. Pretty sure they'd turns a blind eye to anything that happened to him as long as it wasn't too blatant."

The sun is setting on 24 Nightal as you reconvene. 

With the giant-slayer sword firmly in the grasp of a corrupt watchman, you consider what’s next. There was mention earlier of seeking help higher up the chain of command, and of course there are always more creative ways of dealing with the problem. 

Ink mulls things over as he follows Flint to the Citadel in the hopes of getting an audience with the Waterbaron. 

Don follows along as they go he makes himself appear a bit older, a little grey at the temples. More, distinguished. 

"Should we talk to the others? Find out if our guy did it?"

"Ah'd say we see the waterbaron first an get a charter ta collect th' sword. Want ta be ready next time we see Brenner."

Yartar, The Waterbaron's Hall

You end up running into each other near the center of town, where the Waterbaron's Hall stands proud. A grand multilevel structure, its front is graced with a great colonnade. Inside the open, covered area in the front are stone stocks carved in the shape of lions. Members of the Shield of Yartar, the elite guard, patrol the entrance.

It doesn't take much but a mention of Flint's name to get an audience with the Waterbaron. While you wait in the vestibule, you are told that the Waterbaron herself has been wanting to meet you, and is grateful for the opportunity. 

Nestra Ruthiol, a poised, shrewd-looking Tethyrian woman in her fifties, finally beckons you into her office, where she and her honorguard wait to hear what you have to say. The office is well appointed and very comfortable, with many a seating area. Tea and variety of local pastries are readily available.

Flint gives a stiff awkward bow and introduces each of the party. "Lady Nesta, in ar quest again' th' giants we 'eard o' a sword that can help us. It's 'ere in Yartar in th' hands o' yer guard captain Brenner. This writ' is from th' sword's rightful owner. Can ye give us charter ta collect the sword an look into th' charges again' 'is son?"

Matrix would have brought them up to speed on his end, explaining that there doesn't appear to be any physical evidence this 'wife' exists. He will ask Ink if he shares his suspicions of magical influences.

Quote from DarthAvarice >>

Flint gives a stiff awkward bow and introduces each of the party. "Lady Nesta, in ar quest again' th' giants we 'eard o' a sword that can help us. It's 'ere in Yartar in th' hands o' yer guard captain Brenner. This writ' is from th' sword's rightful owner. Can ye give us charter ta collect the sword an look into th' charges again' 'is son?"

 The Waterbaron takes the writ and looks over it. "Hmm...I see." Her voice is unpleasantly shrill.

"Yes, this seems to be in order. Brenner, you say? He is in unlawful possession of another's property. Captain, would you do the honors, please?" At this, she nods to one of her guardsmen, who leaves forthwith, his cape billowing in his haste to obey. 

"Captain Brenner has many enemies," Nestra smiles coldly. "Those he counts as friends, he pays. I will be glad to be able to charge him...you are most shrewd for bringing the problem to me. Tell me—do you know how he came by this stolen weapon? He is not the type to engage directly in theft."

 "A friend of ours asked to check on his son in the city who had the sword. We found that he had been arrested. It is all very strange, it appears almost that the lad was bewitched or something." Don's eyes are wide and his visage is shock at the thought of murder.

"We 'eard 'e had it, but not how, an we seen a greatsword strapped ta 'is back but did'na get a better look than that. Still, th' man who had it stands accused o' murder, an wit' Brenner's position thar'd be plenny o' ways 'e'd've come by it. "

“Arrested. And the penalty for murder is death. This would be Harthal Zymorven, if I’m not mistaken? We don’t get many murderers in this city. I’m afraid the case against the man is ironclad. He confessed—though you say he was bewitched? How do you mean?”

"Apparently he had left his fathers home in the company of a woman and now he says they got married, can you believe that?" Don wipes back his hair, "He said someone cursed at her and he killed them for it. We asked about her but she seems to have disappeared or something. His father is a good, honest man as far as I know. Just seems so odd to me."

"Regardless I'd like to talk to her myself, because she might know what happened and be able to help explain it to Harthal's father. Make him understand why his son... " he trails off and looks at the ground.

"Well...if you have more than hearsay or conjecture, please bring it forthwith. I believe the execution is scheduled to be soon, and I cannot put a stay on it based purely on speculation."

Nestra spends some time offering you tea and pastries while you wait. If you agree, you'll find that the seating in her office is as comfortable as it looks. It sure beats the cramped quarters of the airship!

"Now...the sword will be in your hands soon enough, and I do have a small favor to ask of you," she says in the natural flow of conversation. "Yartar is beset with would-be invaders like hobgoblins and hill giants, while power struggles from inside threaten to destabilize both our peace and hard-fought prosperity. Reinforcements from cities within the Alliance are en route to bolster our defenses, but the scheming and power struggles require a deft touch. If you would keep me informed of any schemes to seize power here in Yartar, bring them to me, and I would be greatly in your debt."  

"It occurs to me that this woman we want to talk to might be if the type you are talking about. Maybe we could help each other. We can snoop around and see what we can find out. Do you have a whisper master? I'm not sure what they are called around here, a person who keeps an eye on things... To make sure they don't get out of hand." Don smiles disarmingly. 

Persuasion: 22

//To convince her to introduce us to get spy guy//

"I have contacts," says Nestra, smiling back at Don. This only makes the cold features on her face more severe. "Many people enjoy talking to me, and they are rewarded well. As would you, naturally. Perhaps you would care to discuss more over...dinner? Dontontion, is it?" She says with a knowing glance.