Varielky wants to pursue Benita but stops when Kavalenko hold her. "I just worry about her. Real fights aren't the same as these fights. Even more importantly, fighting while enraged often leads to fatal mistakes. I've met very few who used rage to their advantage in combat effectively." She moves her hand over her right shoulder where, under the clothes, there's a large scar she received from one of the mentioned warriors. "I worry that she's not one of those capable of doing that, and worry even more that she might become one." Despite that, she doesn't go after her. She'll try to speak with her at a later date. She then goes to collect her pay for her efforts and returns to the appointed place when it strikes six bells.
Varielky returns to the holding room she’d been in before the fight, where she’d been instructed to return afterwards for her pay. There’s a guard outside the door, and within, ten small coin pouches, each one tagged with the name of and holding the pay for one of the combatants. In her pouch is 30GP. Reflecting upon the hours earlier in the day, the first and last time she’d been in the space, and remembering the excitement shared by the 10 fighters, Abodolla, and Kovalenko before the melee, it feels strange and silent, haunted by memory of the young fighters who lost everything today.
At Hania's words, Mittens hops down from the cart with bodies and brushes himself off with his hands as he says, "Yeah, sure. What do you want to talk about?" He hurry and shouts to the people in the arena as a theory begins to form in his head, "Try not of walk where that last fight occurred!" He takes a look at everyone's feet that he can see in the arena and notes what kind of imprint they would leave in sand before he turns his full attention to Hania.
Perception for the shoes (which will be explained a little later): 12
Pooky will look at the shoes as well to give Mittens advantage.
At Hania's words, Mittens hops down from the cart with bodies and brushes himself off with his hands as he says, "Yeah, sure. What do you want to talk about?" He hurry and shouts to the people in the arena as a theory begins to form in his head, "Try not of walk where that last fight occurred!" He takes a look at everyone's feet that he can see in the arena and notes what kind of imprint they would leave in sand before he turns his full attention to Hania.
Perception for the shoes (which will be explained a little later): 12
Pooky will look at the shoes as well to give Mittens advantage.
The humidity is increasing greatly and a light, misty rain is beginning as the arena empties. This helps a bit to firm up the tracks in the sand, but the fading light of the setting sun, which now leaves the arena floor completely in shadow, is no help. Fortunately, Mittens hardly notices the latter, as his pupils open wide and seem to give off a light of their own. We’ll say he can match shoes to people. Does he ask folks to show him the soles of their shoes?
Hania says, “Not now, Mittens, there is too much death in this place requiring our focus to Moeitu...and we must return to the temple for prayers,” before departing.
Ednyss takes the money and places it in his money pouch. It isn't much, but he could make it worth a lot more later at the Docks and it was just nice to be doing some honest work after his discharge from the military. Pondering the history of the different religions and finding himself unable to pinpoint the nature of who might be using poison, he resigns himself to going to the temple and offering a quick prayer before he returns to the meeting place just at the strike of six bells. If he sees Ingrid exiting the Arena or wandering outside waiting for him, he lets her know that he is going to be late tonight at assures her that it's alright if she heads back without him.
Ingrid is indeed there, saw you fighting, was wringing her hands a bit on your behalf, and is beaming that you’ve come out all right. You wave to her as you cross the plaza, where she is standing with a group of friends who are forming up. “Those rowdies didn’t know who they were dealing with, eh Ednyss!! I want to hear about what happened later! What a day.” And, wrapping her head and shoulders in a Dwarven-knit scarf, she and her friends, who also wave hello-goodbye to Ednyss, head out to a neighborhood pub as the evening mist begins to condense into rain.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“Sure, see ya later!” He calls after Hania. He does ask everyone to show him the soles of their shoes.
Afterwards, using Pooky’s help, he begins analyzing the ground where everyone fought. He pays close attention to the footprints left in the sand and searches for a print that doesn’t match up he shoes he saw. If he finds any that don’t match, he begins tracking its path. He thinks that an invisible assailant snuck into the arena and cut the mock fighters while they were prancing about. That would explain why none of them reacted to the cut if it did happen. Investigation: 15. Pooky will assist.
“Sure, see ya later!” He calls after Hania. He does ask everyone to show him the soles of their shoes.
Afterwards, using Pooky’s help, he begins analyzing the ground where everyone fought. He pays close attention to the footprints left in the sand and searches for a print that doesn’t match up he shoes he saw. If he finds any that don’t match, he begins tracking its path. He thinks that an invisible assailant snuck into the arena and cut the mock fighters while they were prancing about. That would explain why none of them reacted to the cut if it did happen. Investigation: 15. Pooky will assist.
There is too much scuffling to do the task, just too many tracks from activities throughout the day, where all participants issued from and returned to the section 2 staging area. Within the area, the tracks are very difficult to parse out, and although Mittens' proficiency in Survival is enough to eventually perhaps work it out, with the rain getting heavier, the tracks are now starting to disappear into puddles. The prints in the fighting area of the arena are all what Mittens would expect, but there's not enough time to match them to specific boots either, before six bells begin to toll in the plaza. Mittens is onto something, he knows it in his gut. But what it is, he's not sure. He needs time to think it through. (OOC: Mittens didn't make the needed roll, even with Pooky's help--although, he's not much help because he doesn't have proficiency in Survival. However, Mittens' line of thinking is relevant, so he'll get a clue at a randomly determined time in the future.)
Mittens straightens up and stretches his back. He’s slightly disappointed, but he knew the chances of finding something were slim. He picks up Pooky and sets him on his shoulder as he makes his way to the meeting he is supposed to attend.
((OOC: sorry, wasn’t sure what kind of roll you wanted))
Mittens straightens up and stretches his back. He’s slightly disappointed, but he knew the chances of finding something were slim. He picks up Pooky and sets him on his shoulder as he makes his way to the meeting he is supposed to attend.
((OOC: sorry, wasn’t sure what kind of roll you wanted))
(OOC: No worries, I used your d20 roll for Survival, which I believe is the usual tracking skill. Either way, same result.)
Varielky picks up her bag, although she doesn't feel like she should have it. She'll donate some of it to the temple later. When a comrade dies in battle, you can usually hail their battles and banter about how lucky they are to join the gods while leaving you down on the earth where you still have to prove and maintain your worth. Thinking about those who died to this poison makes her feel sick. That or it's the remnants of the dose that was in her blood not long ago. She looks down on the other pouches. There are many things she'd deem worth dying for. Money was not one of them, especially if it weren't meant for some high cause. On the other hand, she didn't really know why each of them needed the money. As she goes outside, she talks to the guard at the door. "Make sure their money isn't wasted, okay? Tell Kovalenko to send it to their families or give it to the temple where their and other warriors' injuries are healed and lives are saved." Upon realising that the guard is probably just a guard and probably don't have much of a say in these matters, she makes a mental note to tell him herself later. Not that she had much of a say herself, but someone had to say it. She then makes her way to the appointed rendezvous with Shirei-Kin.
Varielky picks up her bag, although she doesn't feel like she should have it. She'll donate some of it to the temple later. When a comrade dies in battle, you can usually hail their battles and banter about how lucky they are to join the gods while leaving you down on the earth where you still have to prove and maintain your worth. Thinking about those who died to this poison makes her feel sick. That or it's the remnants of the dose that was in her blood not long ago. She looks down on the other pouches. There are many things she'd deem worth dying for. Money was not one of them, especially if it weren't meant for some high cause. On the other hand, she didn't really know why each of them needed the money. As she goes outside, she talks to the guard at the door. "Make sure their money isn't wasted, okay? Tell Kovalenko to send it to their families or give it to the temple where their and other warriors' injuries are healed and lives are saved." Upon realising that the guard is probably just a guard and probably don't have much of a say in these matters, she makes a mental note to tell him herself later. Not that she had much of a say herself, but someone had to say it. She then makes her way to the appointed rendezvous with Shirei-Kin.
The guard, an old dwarf with a very gravelly, almost frog-like voice, and loose eyelids which barely seem to keep his yellow-tinted eyes from falling from his face, nods his head sympathetically to Varielky's request. "Yes, Miss Varielky. It is a sad thing, what happened today. I'll tell Mr. Kovalenko what you said. Goodbye, Miss Varielky. And...I'm glad you...made it through."
As you approach the hallway outside the Flaming Vestibule at Six Bells, you enter a place of mourning. Benches have been brought in to line the walls of the wide corridor lit warmly by lanterns, and upon them sit family members of the dead, grieving their losses and waiting to take what is left of them home to shroud and bury or cremate. There is quiet sobbing, stifled wailing. Some sit in stony silence. As you pass, an old man whose face is a mask of deep-drawn wrinkles, pauses crumpling his round felt cap in arthritic hands to ask you when he can go in.
A woman stands among them, far too well-dressed for the moment, wearing Khazaran finery: long robes, beautifully embroidered, boots with curled up pointy tips, delicate gloves. As you arrive, you see her kneeling beside a bereaved mother, speaking quietly with her, then she moves on to a family of six. Varielky recognizes her as Kovalenko’s wife, who she thinks is a manager of some kind for the arena. She oversees three or four assistants who fetch water for the bereaved, write messages and dispatch them to waiting arena runners, and greet newcomers.
When you arrive, one of them, a young-looking elf woman in a grey robe and white headdress, asks your names, and when you state that you are there to speak with Shirei-Kin at six bells, she makes one courteous downward nod and, repeating your names quietly to herself, so as not to forget them, walks to the corridor’s end, disappears into the vestibule, and reappears some moments later, waving you forward with a small motion of her hand.
The Flaming Vestibule is on the level of the arena floor, sunken somewhat, and is a mirror image of the room Varielky waited in before heading to Section 2 and then the field. But instead of the stark functionality of that room, this one is meant for use by gladiators after their successes in combat. The walls are painted with images of Ellosh, in armor, surrounded by and basking in blue fire, and opposite him, images of Ulella, giving off a splintered radiance of rainbow light. There are wooden chaises, a small writing table with pen and paper in drawers, and rather nice lamps on either side giving off a warm light. There is a very large bath tub, certainly room for two or three to bathe, a cushioned massage table, benches along some walls. A narrow, raised platform at the wall adjoining the arena, with wide flat windows and rush blinds, allows a view of the arena. Through them wisps a chill breeze, and the sound and smell of a fresh rain slips in with it, and the freshness is welcome to the room’s inhabitants, for the vestibule is heated and lit by large braziers which lend a smoky aroma, and the water in the tub is still hot and steaming gently, making the chamber overall rather close and uncomfortable.
As you enter, a group of very handsome courtesans, both male and female, human and elf, in street clothes, leaves, their work done following the arena bouts, and you are alone in the room with Shirei-Kin, Kovalenko, and the priest of Ulella.
Shirei-Kin has taken a position, in his wheelchair, at the desk, and is in process of writing a dispatch, perhaps in answer to one of a small stack of recently-opened notes stacked to one side of the desk. As he writes, his resonant basso rings out.
"As you can see, I will be here for some time, tonight and into tomorrow, I have no doubt, dealing with the aftermath of what happened today. Messages from the city guard, the garrison chief, civic leaders, the Temple Priests, much more than I expected. And therefore, this conversation will have to be far briefer than I had planned.”
He looks up at the three of you, studying you each deeply for a moment, before glancing at the priest and Kovalenko, who take their leave, Kovalenko to speak with his wife, while the priest speaks consolingly with one of the bereaved.
“I have been asked to recommend guards, by a...private individual--not affiliated with the arena. A friend, who asked for people I trust. I had planned to introduce you myself, but that will not, now, be possible. The pay is fair, I believe, and this will be one month’s employment, I believe. You will each have to take an oath of fealty to your employer.”
He looks inquiringly at Varielky, and at Ednyss and Mittens, and awaits a response.
Ednyss was awed by the beauty of the images, and although he had seen great likenesses of the gods before, there was something incredible about this room. As Shirei-Kin mentions the oath of fealty, Ednyss frowns a bit. The only oath that he wanted to be under, was the one sworn to Takal Demesh all those years ago, but employment for a month is not something that could be turned down lightly. Before answering, he glances over to Mittens and Varielky awaiting their responses with a slightly soured face. To himself he thinks, 'I suppose if it is Shirei-Kin that is asking us, then it must be a just employer. Although perhaps we should verify.' He stays silent for now, holding his thoughts to himself, but if neither Varielky or Mittens look like they are answering immediately, then Ednyss speaks up, "This individual is someone we can trust? Someone who will behave justly?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Mittens listen to Shirei-Kin explain the job opportunity while crunching some probabilities about the events earlier in the day. The whole incident from before has him intrigued, and he was likely going to stay up late the next few nights trying to figure out what happened.
"Will we guarding them personally? Or will we be guarding a caravan or something? Do you know exactly what we'll be doing?" The offer sounded tantalizing, but he wants to know what he's getting himself into.
Looking at Mittens, Shirei-Kin answers affably, continuing his writing, “You would act as personal guards, and travel would be involved.”
Then putting down his quill and turning to answer Ednyss’ question, which I think he asks, now that the ice has been broken, “‘Just’...mmm...now that is ever in the eye of the beholder. I can tell you he is...no enemy to Takal Demesh.”
He pauses, considering for a moment, eyes on Ednyss. “Does the name Granophyre Strewn mean anything to you?” (OOC: Ednyss, this is Dwarf lore. Please roll a history check, +5. Mittens please roll a perception check, as you may have seen the name in your readings. Varielky has never heard the name.)
Varielky clenches her fist. "All of them dead... and I should sit and guard some scared noble? I need to find whoever's responsible and send them to the afterlife, with my bare hands if I have to! No, I would prefer doing it that way, they don't deserve to die by the sword. I don't know who this is, but unless they're preparing to investigate this case I see no reason for me to defend them." She breathes heavily. Recognising her own anger, she takes a deep breath to try to relax a bit. "Besides, this cannot be the end of it all. I can't imagine anyone who would try to kill ten fighters for a personal grudge. Even I can tell there will be more people dying. This is not a time to guard one man. If anything, once the culprits are caught he wouldn't need protection from it." She looks at the faces of Shirei-Kin and the others, looking for agreement.
"She's right." Says a new voice, a nasal tenor, from the doorway.
"IF you'll excuse us, this is a confidential meeting," says Shirei-Kin, pulling back from his table to view the doorway after giving Varielky a long look, not without sympathy.
"Of course," says a rather small-framed Orracan, wearing a kaftan and a short cloak, pinned by a brooch bearing the city seal of Ishi Ammah, as he pulls back from the door, leaving only his face to say, with a wry smile under a curled moustache and atop his head, an indigo fez, "although, it is you, Chief of Security, who urgently called for me, was it not?" And Shirei-Kin's face registers momentary puzzlement, the man glides in holding a note bearing the Jenghen's stamp. "Inspector Kaarim Saad. Hello. And you are Shirei-Kin?" he says, extending his hand.
Ednyss usually didn't pay attention during his classes back when he was young, but anytime dwarves were mentioned his ears perked up and so he happened to remember this specific name.
As the inspector enters the room, Ednyss moves to the side to get a better look at him and patiently waits for Shirei-Kin to deal with the inspector before returning to their earlier conversation.
Ednyss has, indeed heard the name before. Gramophyre Strewn is a leading Dwarven scholar, whose focus is the Dwarven Empire, before the Hammer, before the Wandering God. Ednyss has read several of his tracts and histories, and underlined key passages which align perfectly with his own earnest desire for a rekindling of Dwarven majesty. He recalls from Strewn's long biography that once, long, long ago, he was (he thinks?) an acolyte of Takal Demesh, in fact, making Shirei-Kin's words quite the understatement, if true. The famous scholar's travels have taken him across the world seeking relics from the distant past.
“So. What happened? Why am I here?” Inspector Saad asks, to no one in particular, forcing his way into the conversation while moving about the room, picking up this, examining that. All three of you have the strong sense that he has already learned much about what transpired, for his quick eyes seem to miss nothing.
Mittens nods at Shirei-Kin's words. Sounds good so far,he thinks to himself.
Perception: 16
(OOC: Mittens thinks he has seen the name Granophyre Strewn on the spine of a thin book in the Temple of Moeitu’s library. He can’t remember the title. Something about the cycle of life and death and the cycle of history.)
Varielky returns to the holding room she’d been in before the fight, where she’d been instructed to return afterwards for her pay. There’s a guard outside the door, and within, ten small coin pouches, each one tagged with the name of and holding the pay for one of the combatants. In her pouch is 30GP. Reflecting upon the hours earlier in the day, the first and last time she’d been in the space, and remembering the excitement shared by the 10 fighters, Abodolla, and Kovalenko before the melee, it feels strange and silent, haunted by memory of the young fighters who lost everything today.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
At Hania's words, Mittens hops down from the cart with bodies and brushes himself off with his hands as he says, "Yeah, sure. What do you want to talk about?" He hurry and shouts to the people in the arena as a theory begins to form in his head, "Try not of walk where that last fight occurred!" He takes a look at everyone's feet that he can see in the arena and notes what kind of imprint they would leave in sand before he turns his full attention to Hania.
Perception for the shoes (which will be explained a little later): 12
Pooky will look at the shoes as well to give Mittens advantage.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
The humidity is increasing greatly and a light, misty rain is beginning as the arena empties. This helps a bit to firm up the tracks in the sand, but the fading light of the setting sun, which now leaves the arena floor completely in shadow, is no help. Fortunately, Mittens hardly notices the latter, as his pupils open wide and seem to give off a light of their own.
We’ll say he can match shoes to people. Does he ask folks to show him the soles of their shoes?
Hania says, “Not now, Mittens, there is too much death in this place requiring our focus to Moeitu...and we must return to the temple for prayers,” before departing.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Ingrid is indeed there, saw you fighting, was wringing her hands a bit on your behalf, and is beaming that you’ve come out all right. You wave to her as you cross the plaza, where she is standing with a group of friends who are forming up.
“Those rowdies didn’t know who they were dealing with, eh Ednyss!! I want to hear about what happened later! What a day.” And, wrapping her head and shoulders in a Dwarven-knit scarf, she and her friends, who also wave hello-goodbye to Ednyss, head out to a neighborhood pub as the evening mist begins to condense into rain.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
“Sure, see ya later!” He calls after Hania. He does ask everyone to show him the soles of their shoes.
Afterwards, using Pooky’s help, he begins analyzing the ground where everyone fought. He pays close attention to the footprints left in the sand and searches for a print that doesn’t match up he shoes he saw. If he finds any that don’t match, he begins tracking its path. He thinks that an invisible assailant snuck into the arena and cut the mock fighters while they were prancing about. That would explain why none of them reacted to the cut if it did happen.
Investigation: 15. Pooky will assist.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
There is too much scuffling to do the task, just too many tracks from activities throughout the day, where all participants issued from and returned to the section 2 staging area. Within the area, the tracks are very difficult to parse out, and although Mittens' proficiency in Survival is enough to eventually perhaps work it out, with the rain getting heavier, the tracks are now starting to disappear into puddles. The prints in the fighting area of the arena are all what Mittens would expect, but there's not enough time to match them to specific boots either, before six bells begin to toll in the plaza. Mittens is onto something, he knows it in his gut. But what it is, he's not sure. He needs time to think it through. (OOC: Mittens didn't make the needed roll, even with Pooky's help--although, he's not much help because he doesn't have proficiency in Survival. However, Mittens' line of thinking is relevant, so he'll get a clue at a randomly determined time in the future.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Mittens straightens up and stretches his back. He’s slightly disappointed, but he knew the chances of finding something were slim. He picks up Pooky and sets him on his shoulder as he makes his way to the meeting he is supposed to attend.
((OOC: sorry, wasn’t sure what kind of roll you wanted))
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
(OOC: No worries, I used your d20 roll for Survival, which I believe is the usual tracking skill. Either way, same result.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Varielky picks up her bag, although she doesn't feel like she should have it. She'll donate some of it to the temple later. When a comrade dies in battle, you can usually hail their battles and banter about how lucky they are to join the gods while leaving you down on the earth where you still have to prove and maintain your worth. Thinking about those who died to this poison makes her feel sick. That or it's the remnants of the dose that was in her blood not long ago. She looks down on the other pouches. There are many things she'd deem worth dying for. Money was not one of them, especially if it weren't meant for some high cause. On the other hand, she didn't really know why each of them needed the money.
As she goes outside, she talks to the guard at the door. "Make sure their money isn't wasted, okay? Tell Kovalenko to send it to their families or give it to the temple where their and other warriors' injuries are healed and lives are saved." Upon realising that the guard is probably just a guard and probably don't have much of a say in these matters, she makes a mental note to tell him herself later. Not that she had much of a say herself, but someone had to say it. She then makes her way to the appointed rendezvous with Shirei-Kin.
Varielky
The guard, an old dwarf with a very gravelly, almost frog-like voice, and loose eyelids which barely seem to keep his yellow-tinted eyes from falling from his face, nods his head sympathetically to Varielky's request. "Yes, Miss Varielky. It is a sad thing, what happened today. I'll tell Mr. Kovalenko what you said. Goodbye, Miss Varielky. And...I'm glad you...made it through."
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
POST #13
As you approach the hallway outside the Flaming Vestibule at Six Bells, you enter a place of mourning. Benches have been brought in to line the walls of the wide corridor lit warmly by lanterns, and upon them sit family members of the dead, grieving their losses and waiting to take what is left of them home to shroud and bury or cremate. There is quiet sobbing, stifled wailing. Some sit in stony silence. As you pass, an old man whose face is a mask of deep-drawn wrinkles, pauses crumpling his round felt cap in arthritic hands to ask you when he can go in.
A woman stands among them, far too well-dressed for the moment, wearing Khazaran finery: long robes, beautifully embroidered, boots with curled up pointy tips, delicate gloves. As you arrive, you see her kneeling beside a bereaved mother, speaking quietly with her, then she moves on to a family of six. Varielky recognizes her as Kovalenko’s wife, who she thinks is a manager of some kind for the arena. She oversees three or four assistants who fetch water for the bereaved, write messages and dispatch them to waiting arena runners, and greet newcomers.
When you arrive, one of them, a young-looking elf woman in a grey robe and white headdress, asks your names, and when you state that you are there to speak with Shirei-Kin at six bells, she makes one courteous downward nod and, repeating your names quietly to herself, so as not to forget them, walks to the corridor’s end, disappears into the vestibule, and reappears some moments later, waving you forward with a small motion of her hand.
The Flaming Vestibule is on the level of the arena floor, sunken somewhat, and is a mirror image of the room Varielky waited in before heading to Section 2 and then the field. But instead of the stark functionality of that room, this one is meant for use by gladiators after their successes in combat. The walls are painted with images of Ellosh, in armor, surrounded by and basking in blue fire, and opposite him, images of Ulella, giving off a splintered radiance of rainbow light. There are wooden chaises, a small writing table with pen and paper in drawers, and rather nice lamps on either side giving off a warm light. There is a very large bath tub, certainly room for two or three to bathe, a cushioned massage table, benches along some walls. A narrow, raised platform at the wall adjoining the arena, with wide flat windows and rush blinds, allows a view of the arena. Through them wisps a chill breeze, and the sound and smell of a fresh rain slips in with it, and the freshness is welcome to the room’s inhabitants, for the vestibule is heated and lit by large braziers which lend a smoky aroma, and the water in the tub is still hot and steaming gently, making the chamber overall rather close and uncomfortable.
As you enter, a group of very handsome courtesans, both male and female, human and elf, in street clothes, leaves, their work done following the arena bouts, and you are alone in the room with Shirei-Kin, Kovalenko, and the priest of Ulella.
Shirei-Kin has taken a position, in his wheelchair, at the desk, and is in process of writing a dispatch, perhaps in answer to one of a small stack of recently-opened notes stacked to one side of the desk. As he writes, his resonant basso rings out.
"As you can see, I will be here for some time, tonight and into tomorrow, I have no doubt, dealing with the aftermath of what happened today. Messages from the city guard, the garrison chief, civic leaders, the Temple Priests, much more than I expected. And therefore, this conversation will have to be far briefer than I had planned.”
He looks up at the three of you, studying you each deeply for a moment, before glancing at the priest and Kovalenko, who take their leave, Kovalenko to speak with his wife, while the priest speaks consolingly with one of the bereaved.
“I have been asked to recommend guards, by a...private individual--not affiliated with the arena. A friend, who asked for people I trust. I had planned to introduce you myself, but that will not, now, be possible. The pay is fair, I believe, and this will be one month’s employment, I believe. You will each have to take an oath of fealty to your employer.”
He looks inquiringly at Varielky, and at Ednyss and Mittens, and awaits a response.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Ednyss was awed by the beauty of the images, and although he had seen great likenesses of the gods before, there was something incredible about this room. As Shirei-Kin mentions the oath of fealty, Ednyss frowns a bit. The only oath that he wanted to be under, was the one sworn to Takal Demesh all those years ago, but employment for a month is not something that could be turned down lightly. Before answering, he glances over to Mittens and Varielky awaiting their responses with a slightly soured face. To himself he thinks, 'I suppose if it is Shirei-Kin that is asking us, then it must be a just employer. Although perhaps we should verify.' He stays silent for now, holding his thoughts to himself, but if neither Varielky or Mittens look like they are answering immediately, then Ednyss speaks up, "This individual is someone we can trust? Someone who will behave justly?"
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Mittens listen to Shirei-Kin explain the job opportunity while crunching some probabilities about the events earlier in the day. The whole incident from before has him intrigued, and he was likely going to stay up late the next few nights trying to figure out what happened.
"Will we guarding them personally? Or will we be guarding a caravan or something? Do you know exactly what we'll be doing?" The offer sounded tantalizing, but he wants to know what he's getting himself into.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Looking at Mittens, Shirei-Kin answers affably, continuing his writing, “You would act as personal guards, and travel would be involved.”
Then putting down his quill and turning to answer Ednyss’ question, which I think he asks, now that the ice has been broken, “‘Just’...mmm...now that is ever in the eye of the beholder. I can tell you he is...no enemy to Takal Demesh.”
He pauses, considering for a moment, eyes on Ednyss. “Does the name Granophyre Strewn mean anything to you?”
(OOC: Ednyss, this is Dwarf lore. Please roll a history check, +5. Mittens please roll a perception check, as you may have seen the name in your readings. Varielky has never heard the name.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Varielky clenches her fist. "All of them dead... and I should sit and guard some scared noble? I need to find whoever's responsible and send them to the afterlife, with my bare hands if I have to! No, I would prefer doing it that way, they don't deserve to die by the sword. I don't know who this is, but unless they're preparing to investigate this case I see no reason for me to defend them." She breathes heavily. Recognising her own anger, she takes a deep breath to try to relax a bit. "Besides, this cannot be the end of it all. I can't imagine anyone who would try to kill ten fighters for a personal grudge. Even I can tell there will be more people dying. This is not a time to guard one man. If anything, once the culprits are caught he wouldn't need protection from it." She looks at the faces of Shirei-Kin and the others, looking for agreement.
Varielky
"She's right." Says a new voice, a nasal tenor, from the doorway.
"IF you'll excuse us, this is a confidential meeting," says Shirei-Kin, pulling back from his table to view the doorway after giving Varielky a long look, not without sympathy.
"Of course," says a rather small-framed Orracan, wearing a kaftan and a short cloak, pinned by a brooch bearing the city seal of Ishi Ammah, as he pulls back from the door, leaving only his face to say, with a wry smile under a curled moustache and atop his head, an indigo fez, "although, it is you, Chief of Security, who urgently called for me, was it not?" And Shirei-Kin's face registers momentary puzzlement, the man glides in holding a note bearing the Jenghen's stamp. "Inspector Kaarim Saad. Hello. And you are Shirei-Kin?" he says, extending his hand.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
History: 24
Ednyss usually didn't pay attention during his classes back when he was young, but anytime dwarves were mentioned his ears perked up and so he happened to remember this specific name.
As the inspector enters the room, Ednyss moves to the side to get a better look at him and patiently waits for Shirei-Kin to deal with the inspector before returning to their earlier conversation.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Ednyss has, indeed heard the name before. Gramophyre Strewn is a leading Dwarven scholar, whose focus is the Dwarven Empire, before the Hammer, before the Wandering God. Ednyss has read several of his tracts and histories, and underlined key passages which align perfectly with his own earnest desire for a rekindling of Dwarven majesty. He recalls from Strewn's long biography that once, long, long ago, he was (he thinks?) an acolyte of Takal Demesh, in fact, making Shirei-Kin's words quite the understatement, if true. The famous scholar's travels have taken him across the world seeking relics from the distant past.
“So. What happened? Why am I here?” Inspector Saad asks, to no one in particular, forcing his way into the conversation while moving about the room, picking up this, examining that. All three of you have the strong sense that he has already learned much about what transpired, for his quick eyes seem to miss nothing.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Mittens nods at Shirei-Kin's words. Sounds good so far, he thinks to himself.
Perception: 9
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
(OOC: Mittens thinks he has seen the name Granophyre Strewn on the spine of a thin book in the Temple of Moeitu’s library. He can’t remember the title. Something about the cycle of life and death and the cycle of history.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer