This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
ZZ handed the beggar 5 silver pieces.
ZZ stares hard at the beggar, eyes narrowed and mutters, "What do you mean by helping you with darker deeds?" She looks the beggar up and down hoping to see if she notices anything familiar, untoward, or concerning about his appearance. Haku shivers on her shoulder and ZZ mutters almost soundlessly to him, "Tap me twice if you notice anything bad, once if you think he is ok."
Tarak takes a look around; trying to get some concept of what or where. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to have much of a system. Murder at the docks. Murder outside of town. Nobody really has seen much; at least not from those that are in the market. Most of it is rumor mill.
Both ZZ and their mechanical companion don't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary; beyond the red lattice that runs under the gloves.
"I have friends that need to be rescued. Held against their will." The figure, still holding on to ZZ's hand, gestures over to the Mortis Foundation building. ((ZZ & Tarak - since last roll was for Sim - you can roll History to know more. Lafetha rolled a 23 & Abigail rolled a 12))
History 1 - 9
The Mortis Foundation runs a few hospitals and clinics.
History 10-14
The Mortis Foundation runs hospitals and clinics in most major cities. Originally founded in Ossus.
History 16 - 20
Nobody has rolled this yet!
History 21 - 25
The Mortis Foundation, founded by a Richard Wessencraft, is a trans-national entity. Not quite a guild, not quite a company, they operate in all the Kingdoms. Primarily, they run clinics and hospitals and do a lot of public good. They also do research into the medical sciences. Most people assume they are associated with the Tower of Knowledge; this is simply rumor that enables the Mortis foundation to operate with ease. They were founded in Ossus.
Lafetha, whatever entity gave you your connection to your magic and druidic abilities, whispers to you that they are to be feared. But does not give any reason why...
Lafetha, you feel like the figure is telling their truth.
Tarak decides that with the info the average person gives he can’t do much about the murderer since the people don’t really seem to know more than vague word of mouth stuff. So he guesses the only thing to do is go to the Faith and see what they know. Being a full Paladin could allow him to help the people here. Plus they may just know more about the leviathans call as well.
Tarak... The Temple here is rather quaint; a section of townhomes that have been strung together to expand what was build around the small two-story Temple. The open set of doors plastered with pamphlets of the people competing for the Senate Seat. Even outside, several boxes and stalls have been set up to draw small audiences to discuss the competing philosophies. Right now there aren't any crowds around; although it is the wrong time of day for a standard service.
Inside, a few of the Brothers, Sisters, and Priests move about. The large multi-paged tome of the faith a familiar sight up on the raised platform. Even from the quick glance, Tarak is able to determine that nobody here is likely 'touched by the Iron Queen.' Instead moving through their rituals to bring about any style of magical power. This is the norm for those that follow the Faith: devoting their lives but yet - only a seeming random few gain access to actual abilities. It's likely that a small contingent of a handful of Knights call this place home; but are here for support and defense in case there are any reasons to be concerned.
There's certainly a few injured sitting inside. Some kind of scuffle in the streets between people motioning for their person to win. The tension periodically coming into conflict, and those that run the temple here attempt to give people a space to cool down and deal with a few wounds. Likely any of the more serious injuries would be over with The Mortis Foundation; as they run clinics and hospitals.
Of those you do manage to talk to, nobody has heard of any Leviathan's Call. "Check with the dockmaster, or anyone of the Wrecker's. They'd be able to tell you how to call a Leviathan." They certainly believe it to be a kind of process for hunting leviathans rather than a specific object.
"The Butcher? A plague upon the area," one begins to say while getting things ready for the sermons this evening. "I've worked on two of the bodies to get them ready for funeral rights. Poor people. Stabbed dozens of times. Pierced with tiny holes. But I'm not a doctor. We only had the dead, not the dying. Most anyone who's been injured are over at the Clinics, rather than coming here. Sometimes someone needs physical help - compared to spiritual help."
"The community is certainly concerned, but, they've been putting all calls for coin for anyone coming forward. Or for any vigilante to come and deal with the issue. Certainly not the biggest threat, though. These pesky elections are going to cause more harm than anything else. That's what's tearing up the community, to me and from what I see."
ZZ twists her eyebrows while she contemplates. Sighing against her better judgement she agrees to help the beggar and offers for him to come back to the ship to chat about what needs to be done.
The beggar walks alongside ZZ for a moment. Only to about the edge of town before it turns into the cabs and the long walkways that'll lead to the shipyards.
"Inside there are two that need rescuing. A old wildling, and a younger fit person. They'll be hard to miss, and likely in confinement," the beggar keeps looking around. Making sure the coast is clear. "To get inside, that is entirely up to you. A Noctis woman named Atora has fed me some information before. She has a tattoo of three blades on her middle finger. That's how you'll find her."
He beggar, releasing ZZ's hand begins to slink away a bit. "Just remember that the dullest dagger is the right dagger."
Out of the corner of your eye, it seems a few dockworkers and cabbies were coming over - likely to shoo away the beggar and drive them out. As the beggar moves away and gets back into the crowd, they seem to vanish among them. The ratty clothes no longer catching your eye.
"Spires? What, and where, are these Spires you speak of?" Abigail prods, trying to get more clarification.
When the eventual conversation with ZZ and Laftetha happens:
"Wait, you agreed to what? A beggar?" Abigail gawks, "So, am I to assume he wants us to break into a Mortis Foundation facility to rescue, what are likely some mentally unstable individual being held for their own good? Did this... beggar, happen to say if there would be some sort of compensation associated with sticking our nose into the local operations of a hospital?"
"Spires? What, and where, are these Spires you speak of?" Abigail prods, trying to get more clarification.
When the eventual conversation with ZZ and Laftetha happens:
"Wait, you agreed to what? A beggar?" Abigail gawks, "So, am I to assume he wants us to break into a Mortis Foundation facility to rescue, what are likely some mentally unstable individual being held for their own good? Did this... beggar, happen to say if there would be some sort of compensation associated with sticking our nose into the local operations of a hospital?"
"You know, those tall mountain things."
Another person elbows him in the side. "The Ridge. He's referencing the ridge. Everyone always assumes things are in the mountains cause they feel so different than the port."
There's a bit of laughter between the people, as they continue about their conversation.
"Would not be the first time for me to chase some relic in the mountains... Though, I had been hoping it would be my last."
Abigail asks around to see if there are any guides that would be able to take them up the spires, and if there are any tales or rumors around the spires. She also asks how long such a venture would take.
[Later]
Abigail weighs her options as she leans, elbows locked, over an unrolled map on her table. "I do not feel like I have gained much insight from my time here, but at least we were able to resupply and make our first cash in, which might buy me some credibility with the crew for now... It would seem that I am not the only one looking for the Leviathan's Call though, and Blackmire is significantly better funded than I am. So, do I take a chance and attempt my own dive in a similar location - hoping that whatever information they are operating under benefits me, and I get lucky? Or, do I hope that the information they have is wrong, outdated, or simply guesswork?"
Abigail straightens up, back arching, as she heads out to her balcony. "Perhaps infiltrating Blackmire to obtain whatever information they have would be best?" She slowly mulls over the idea for a while before concluding, "No. I have no desire to go head-to-head with Blackmire. If anything, they would make a better future ally; so, I will not make a move that would put me at visible odds with their efforts." Pacing back to the map, she eyes it. "We could make for Lyrepool, in the hopes of gathering more information, but I have no real lead that would suggest it will yield any better information." Abigail sighs heavily, and her shoulders slouch. "Since we are here already, an expedition up the spires might not be the worst call... though I do so hate mountains. Ultimately, my gut tells me that we will need to venture to the Cliffs of Homoc. They hold just enough mystery and possibility that perhaps we might find some clues there, or perhaps we might get just enough luck to find something to make such a stop worth while..."
[ Depending on her inquiry into a guide to the spires, and the input from other's during this officer's meeting (since it sounds like there could be two other points of order to discuss: the "Butcher of Ridge Shore" or the "Unwillingly Committed Individuals at the Hospital." She is leaning to either charter an expedition up the spires, or to head out to the Cliffs of Homoc. ]
"Would not be the first time for me to chase some relic in the mountains... Though, I had been hoping it would be my last."
Abigail asks around to see if there are any guides that would be able to take them up the spires, and if there are any tales or rumors around the spires. She also asks how long such a venture would take.
[Later]
Abigail weighs her options as she leans, elbows locked, over an unrolled map on her table. "I do not feel like I have gained much insight from my time here, but at least we were able to resupply and make our first cash in, which might buy me some credibility with the crew for now... It would seem that I am not the only one looking for the Leviathan's Call though, and Blackmire is significantly better funded than I am. So, do I take a chance and attempt my own dive in a similar location - hoping that whatever information they are operating under benefits me, and I get lucky? Or, do I hope that the information they have is wrong, outdated, or simply guesswork?"
Abigail straightens up, back arching, as she heads out to her balcony. "Perhaps infiltrating Blackmire to obtain whatever information they have would be best?" She slowly mulls over the idea for a while before concluding, "No. I have no desire to go head-to-head with Blackmire. If anything, they would make a better future ally; so, I will not make a move that would put me at visible odds with their efforts." Pacing back to the map, she eyes it. "We could make for Lyrepool, in the hopes of gathering more information, but I have no real lead that would suggest it will yield any better information." Abigail sighs heavily, and her shoulders slouch. "Since we are here already, an expedition up the spires might not be the worst call... though I do so hate mountains. Ultimately, my gut tells me that we will need to venture to the Cliffs of Homoc. They hold just enough mystery and possibility that perhaps we might find some clues there, or perhaps we might get just enough luck to find something to make such a stop worth while..."
[ Depending on her inquiry into a guide to the spires, and the input from other's during this officer's meeting (since it sounds like there could be two other points of order to discuss: the "Butcher of Ridge Shore" or the "Unwillingly Committed Individuals at the Hospital." She is leaning to either charter an expedition up the spires, or to head out to the Cliffs of Homoc. ]
(Missed the gold the first time around. Yes that looks right.)
The few folks at the tavern seem to hum and haw at the idea, before one finally speaks up a bit louder than the others. "Going to be honest with you. The roads lead most the way there and into the rolling mountains of the Ridge. A guide could tell you more, but, I don't think you'd find a guide here though. The Old Collins is along the road though. Maybe a day by horse, two by foot from here. Not very big, but, could be some guide to head up the mountains. I'd be careful though. Bandits and Highway men make the woods their home these days."
There's a bit of a somber drink after that. "Some bitter from the rebellion. Some simply getting a taste for fighting and not wanting to give it up."
The conversation seems to turn into the political climate of the city. Some supporting harder reforms along the roads, to ignoring the highwaymen, to military campaigning to eliminate them for good.
ZZ nods slowly as she ponders what Abigail says. Lafetha is behind her to back up her story as they recount the steps that led them to the beggar and then to the door near the docks.
The talk devolves into next stops but ZZ is still pondering the beggar and his plea. Normally easily persuaded ZZ is having a tough time trying to please her captain and keeping her promise to the beggar, knowing that her integrity means everything to her. The struggle is apparent on her face.
ZZ manages to squeak out all in one breath, "Ireallythinkweshouldhelpthosepeopleisanyonewillingtocomewithmebecauseithinkihavetohelp (I really think we should help those people, is anyone willing to come with me because I think I have to help.)?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tarak nods as the rep of the Faith answers his questions. Do these political upheavals threaten the surrounding area or just the city with infighting?
as he asks he moves from one person to the next applying Cure Wounds to the general healing pools of injured citizens. (Imagining it like the hp injuries of the sailors as a whole during the fight.
10
”Puncture wounds are unusual. Are we talking lots of tiny knives? Or more like needles?”
Tarak nods as the rep of the Faith answers his questions. Do these political upheavals threaten the surrounding area or just the city with infighting?
as he asks he moves from one person to the next applying Cure Wounds to the general healing pools of injured citizens. (Imagining it like the hp injuries of the sailors as a whole during the fight.
7
”Puncture wounds are unusual. Are we talking lots of tiny knives? Or more like needles?”
.
"Regional politics. So the City is the primary spot due to the population. Then some of the smaller sections, towns, and hamlets."
The few injured give a bit of a nod; as some of their bruising and swelling goes down.
"I couldn't quite say. Could be both. My focus was on getting things ready. Some doctors over at the Mortis Foundation may know more, but unless you're family, they likely won't release anything."
ZZ handed the beggar 5 silver pieces.
ZZ stares hard at the beggar, eyes narrowed and mutters, "What do you mean by helping you with darker deeds?" She looks the beggar up and down hoping to see if she notices anything familiar, untoward, or concerning about his appearance. Haku shivers on her shoulder and ZZ mutters almost soundlessly to him, "Tap me twice if you notice anything bad, once if you think he is ok."
ZZ: Perception5
Haku: Perception6
Lafetha, impressed that ZZ was willing to give up some silver to the beggar, stands closer to ZZ to protect her if he tries anything funny.
She chimes in with ZZ, "yeah, what do you mean "darker deeds," and what happens if we don't help you?"
insight 18
Tarak takes a look around; trying to get some concept of what or where. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to have much of a system. Murder at the docks. Murder outside of town. Nobody really has seen much; at least not from those that are in the market. Most of it is rumor mill.
Both ZZ and their mechanical companion don't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary; beyond the red lattice that runs under the gloves.
"I have friends that need to be rescued. Held against their will." The figure, still holding on to ZZ's hand, gestures over to the Mortis Foundation building.
((ZZ & Tarak - since last roll was for Sim - you can roll History to know more. Lafetha rolled a 23 & Abigail rolled a 12))
History 1 - 9
The Mortis Foundation runs a few hospitals and clinics.
History 10-14
The Mortis Foundation runs hospitals and clinics in most major cities. Originally founded in Ossus.
History 16 - 20
Nobody has rolled this yet!
History 21 - 25
The Mortis Foundation, founded by a Richard Wessencraft, is a trans-national entity. Not quite a guild, not quite a company, they operate in all the Kingdoms. Primarily, they run clinics and hospitals and do a lot of public good. They also do research into the medical sciences. Most people assume they are associated with the Tower of Knowledge; this is simply rumor that enables the Mortis foundation to operate with ease. They were founded in Ossus.
Lafetha, whatever entity gave you your connection to your magic and druidic abilities, whispers to you that they are to be feared. But does not give any reason why...
Lafetha, you feel like the figure is telling their truth.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Mortis foundation
History 8
ZZ squeaks at the mention of innocents in danger. She ruminates to see if she remembers anything about the mortis foundation.
history13
((What you know is in the dropdown above))
The Beggar keeps looking at ZZ. "So will you help?"
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Tarak decides that with the info the average person gives he can’t do much about the murderer since the people don’t really seem to know more than vague word of mouth stuff. So he guesses the only thing to do is go to the Faith and see what they know. Being a full Paladin could allow him to help the people here. Plus they may just know more about the leviathans call as well.
Persuasion 15 - leviathans call
persuasion 13 - murderer/threats in area
Insight 3
Tarak...
The Temple here is rather quaint; a section of townhomes that have been strung together to expand what was build around the small two-story Temple. The open set of doors plastered with pamphlets of the people competing for the Senate Seat. Even outside, several boxes and stalls have been set up to draw small audiences to discuss the competing philosophies. Right now there aren't any crowds around; although it is the wrong time of day for a standard service.
Inside, a few of the Brothers, Sisters, and Priests move about. The large multi-paged tome of the faith a familiar sight up on the raised platform. Even from the quick glance, Tarak is able to determine that nobody here is likely 'touched by the Iron Queen.' Instead moving through their rituals to bring about any style of magical power. This is the norm for those that follow the Faith: devoting their lives but yet - only a seeming random few gain access to actual abilities. It's likely that a small contingent of a handful of Knights call this place home; but are here for support and defense in case there are any reasons to be concerned.
There's certainly a few injured sitting inside. Some kind of scuffle in the streets between people motioning for their person to win. The tension periodically coming into conflict, and those that run the temple here attempt to give people a space to cool down and deal with a few wounds. Likely any of the more serious injuries would be over with The Mortis Foundation; as they run clinics and hospitals.
Of those you do manage to talk to, nobody has heard of any Leviathan's Call. "Check with the dockmaster, or anyone of the Wrecker's. They'd be able to tell you how to call a Leviathan." They certainly believe it to be a kind of process for hunting leviathans rather than a specific object.
"The Butcher? A plague upon the area," one begins to say while getting things ready for the sermons this evening. "I've worked on two of the bodies to get them ready for funeral rights. Poor people. Stabbed dozens of times. Pierced with tiny holes. But I'm not a doctor. We only had the dead, not the dying. Most anyone who's been injured are over at the Clinics, rather than coming here. Sometimes someone needs physical help - compared to spiritual help."
"The community is certainly concerned, but, they've been putting all calls for coin for anyone coming forward. Or for any vigilante to come and deal with the issue. Certainly not the biggest threat, though. These pesky elections are going to cause more harm than anything else. That's what's tearing up the community, to me and from what I see."
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
ZZ twists her eyebrows while she contemplates. Sighing against her better judgement she agrees to help the beggar and offers for him to come back to the ship to chat about what needs to be done.
The beggar walks alongside ZZ for a moment. Only to about the edge of town before it turns into the cabs and the long walkways that'll lead to the shipyards.
"Inside there are two that need rescuing. A old wildling, and a younger fit person. They'll be hard to miss, and likely in confinement," the beggar keeps looking around. Making sure the coast is clear. "To get inside, that is entirely up to you. A Noctis woman named Atora has fed me some information before. She has a tattoo of three blades on her middle finger. That's how you'll find her."
He beggar, releasing ZZ's hand begins to slink away a bit. "Just remember that the dullest dagger is the right dagger."
Out of the corner of your eye, it seems a few dockworkers and cabbies were coming over - likely to shoo away the beggar and drive them out. As the beggar moves away and gets back into the crowd, they seem to vanish among them. The ratty clothes no longer catching your eye.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Laftetha looks at ZZ, "well, since we promised him we would help, we probably should. Let's go get Abigail and Tarak and give them the details."
Abigail secures two more crew members (should bring us back up to 40, and cost 740 gold, if I am counting things right)
Abigail will also increase our Explosive Ballista Bolts to 1d6 (should be 210 gold)
She provides 10 gold to each of the 38 original crew as their share of the bounty, similarly to Tarak, ZZ, Morgan, and Laftetha (420 gold)
This leaves the remaining gold at (after setting the 1,500 for Madam Adamata): 130 gold - set aside for future supplies, expenses, and the like.
"Spires? What, and where, are these Spires you speak of?" Abigail prods, trying to get more clarification.
When the eventual conversation with ZZ and Laftetha happens:
"Wait, you agreed to what? A beggar?" Abigail gawks, "So, am I to assume he wants us to break into a Mortis Foundation facility to rescue, what are likely some mentally unstable individual being held for their own good? Did this... beggar, happen to say if there would be some sort of compensation associated with sticking our nose into the local operations of a hospital?"
"You know, those tall mountain things."
Another person elbows him in the side. "The Ridge. He's referencing the ridge. Everyone always assumes things are in the mountains cause they feel so different than the port."
There's a bit of laughter between the people, as they continue about their conversation.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
"Would not be the first time for me to chase some relic in the mountains... Though, I had been hoping it would be my last."
Abigail asks around to see if there are any guides that would be able to take them up the spires, and if there are any tales or rumors around the spires. She also asks how long such a venture would take.
[Later]
Abigail weighs her options as she leans, elbows locked, over an unrolled map on her table. "I do not feel like I have gained much insight from my time here, but at least we were able to resupply and make our first cash in, which might buy me some credibility with the crew for now... It would seem that I am not the only one looking for the Leviathan's Call though, and Blackmire is significantly better funded than I am. So, do I take a chance and attempt my own dive in a similar location - hoping that whatever information they are operating under benefits me, and I get lucky? Or, do I hope that the information they have is wrong, outdated, or simply guesswork?"
Abigail straightens up, back arching, as she heads out to her balcony. "Perhaps infiltrating Blackmire to obtain whatever information they have would be best?" She slowly mulls over the idea for a while before concluding, "No. I have no desire to go head-to-head with Blackmire. If anything, they would make a better future ally; so, I will not make a move that would put me at visible odds with their efforts." Pacing back to the map, she eyes it. "We could make for Lyrepool, in the hopes of gathering more information, but I have no real lead that would suggest it will yield any better information." Abigail sighs heavily, and her shoulders slouch. "Since we are here already, an expedition up the spires might not be the worst call... though I do so hate mountains. Ultimately, my gut tells me that we will need to venture to the Cliffs of Homoc. They hold just enough mystery and possibility that perhaps we might find some clues there, or perhaps we might get just enough luck to find something to make such a stop worth while..."
[ Depending on her inquiry into a guide to the spires, and the input from other's during this officer's meeting (since it sounds like there could be two other points of order to discuss: the "Butcher of Ridge Shore" or the "Unwillingly Committed Individuals at the Hospital." She is leaning to either charter an expedition up the spires, or to head out to the Cliffs of Homoc. ]
(Missed the gold the first time around. Yes that looks right.)
The few folks at the tavern seem to hum and haw at the idea, before one finally speaks up a bit louder than the others. "Going to be honest with you. The roads lead most the way there and into the rolling mountains of the Ridge. A guide could tell you more, but, I don't think you'd find a guide here though. The Old Collins is along the road though. Maybe a day by horse, two by foot from here. Not very big, but, could be some guide to head up the mountains. I'd be careful though. Bandits and Highway men make the woods their home these days."
There's a bit of a somber drink after that. "Some bitter from the rebellion. Some simply getting a taste for fighting and not wanting to give it up."
The conversation seems to turn into the political climate of the city. Some supporting harder reforms along the roads, to ignoring the highwaymen, to military campaigning to eliminate them for good.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
ZZ nods slowly as she ponders what Abigail says. Lafetha is behind her to back up her story as they recount the steps that led them to the beggar and then to the door near the docks.
The talk devolves into next stops but ZZ is still pondering the beggar and his plea. Normally easily persuaded ZZ is having a tough time trying to please her captain and keeping her promise to the beggar, knowing that her integrity means everything to her. The struggle is apparent on her face.
ZZ manages to squeak out all in one breath, "Ireallythinkweshouldhelpthosepeopleisanyonewillingtocomewithmebecauseithinkihavetohelp (I really think we should help those people, is anyone willing to come with me because I think I have to help.)?"
Tarak nods as the rep of the Faith answers his questions. Do these political upheavals threaten the surrounding area or just the city with infighting?
as he asks he moves from one person to the next applying Cure Wounds to the general healing pools of injured citizens. (Imagining it like the hp injuries of the sailors as a whole during the fight.
10
”Puncture wounds are unusual. Are we talking lots of tiny knives? Or more like needles?”
.
"Regional politics. So the City is the primary spot due to the population. Then some of the smaller sections, towns, and hamlets."
The few injured give a bit of a nod; as some of their bruising and swelling goes down.
"I couldn't quite say. Could be both. My focus was on getting things ready. Some doctors over at the Mortis Foundation may know more, but unless you're family, they likely won't release anything."
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Laftetha agrees with ZZ, "we can go check it out. Just because there might not be money involved doesn't mean you want receive a reward."