---

---

Tarrov nodded, although his face was a mask.  He didn't really care about anyone's petty sectarian struggle; he was aghast at what he saw.  There were so many sick already?  Korvosa might truly be in for an epidemic.  And epidemics usually meant panic, and chaos.  "Yes, let's see the Vaultkeeper," he agreed.  "We need to do something about this before it really spirals out of control."

---

---

Izzick agreed. With so many ill, whether they could pay or not might be irrelevant. There was a need to do much more.

The four of you stride forward and push into the crowd. The acolyte follows, attempting to stay in the middle of your group. His reasons soon become obvious.

"Hey! Are you a priest?"

"Please help my daughter! She is only twelve and we can't get her to stop bleeding..."

"I'll pay! I can sign over my shop! Whatever it takes! "

The crowd begins to encircle you. Izzick, a hand covered in rashes reaches out and grabs at your wrist. "Please help me!" the man begs.

Selvin,  another man to your right coughs. A fine spray of red mist slowly settles over your arm.

Izzick...Selvin...fortitude checks please.

Selvin tried his best not to recoil from seeing the people and tried to gently keep them away but when sprayed blood on him he lost it a bit. "HEY! BACK UP! WE ARE TRYING TO FIND A CURE BUT GETTING US SICK WON'T HELP YOU! THIS MAN ISN'T ABLE TO HEAL YOU! I'M SORRY!"

He then shut his mouth so hard there was an audible click and he was started shaking a bit as he pushed his way forward quickly. Part of his anger came from shame at his reaction though.

16:33, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 19 using 1d20+4. Keep your sickness away from me!!

Izzick pulled his hand back, wiping it against his own coat as he reeled backwards, trying to push a bit harder into the crowd and closer to the acolyte that they followed. "As much as I would love to help, I'm no priest," he tried to inform the crowd sternly.


Conditional Bonuses and Penalties : +2 bonus on all saving throws against,
compulsion, cold, fear, fire, and sleep effects. +4 Bonus on all saves against charms

I've got a bonus to just about everything EXCEPT disease. O boy!
19:13, Today: Izzick rolled 18 using 1d20+1.

We'll see what those rolls bring. Nyah nyah nyah...

The guards seem to have noticed the disturbance and come forward, moving people aside and giving you all room to move forward. One of them remains at the top of the stairs. He glances at the acolyte and nods you all through.

Dhatri sees you in a small side room. The man looks exhausted from when you saw him last. He bids you to have a seat and then slumps into a chair himself. "Thank you for coming. I am sorry about...  " He waves absently in the direcrption of the front of the Vault. "As you can guess, the situation has gotten worse. Much more quickly than I would have guessed. When I returned yesterday, I was informed four more of our brothers and two guards had come down with symptoms. And then last night...well. Reports came in about the sickness in Northpoint. We sent some Brothers out to do...well. What we could. But the situation was much more terrible. Apparently the illness has been festering there for three days. At least that's what I could make out from speaking to the victim's relatives. No one there knew what to do. They were consulting herbalists. There aren't many qualified herbalists in Northpoint. Most of them are charlatans or quacks. We learned of the situation at Salt Lick when we returned. I am afraid we are at the start of an epidemic. So. I have sent word to the other faiths. I think it is imperative that we organize all who can heal to address the matter. I have sent word to the priests of Serenae, Pharsma, and even Asmodeus. But I think we will need more than that. We will need support from the Guard. I need to speak to Field Marshall Kroft as soon as possible. I understand you ave a relationship with her. I was hoping you could escort me to the Castle and introduce me."

Managing to get inside, the blood and fester was hardly something to keep on them, and Izzick made quick with his magic to clean them all off with prestidigitation. Any small step at sanitation, he was sure, would be a step closer to not falling to infection themselves. Though he knew at this point, they were about as susceptible as any in the city. "What would the guard be able to manage? We've already gotten word to them about the boxes, and I'm sure the signs of this epidemic are obvious to them, but how much help will they be able to provide with it?"

Dhatri again gestures in the direction of the crowd outside. "Well...for one thing. Protection. You tried to get through those outside yes? Imagine if you were wearing a priest's robes. As people get more desperate, they will get more violet. Last night a man attacked a priest because he couldn't heal his son. It was out of grief. And anger. I talked them out of arresting him. But it is an example of my point.   " He rubs his face. "We need to get ahead of this...plauge. And the only way to do so is for the people who can do something about it to get organized so we're not working at cross purposes. Please. I know you're decent men. Help me do what I can to curb this crisis. "

Selvin crossed his arms and looked down. "We aren't...Well, I suppose despite our anger towards her, we are still on relatively good terms with the Field Marshall." He gave a shrug. "I'm up for an escort. Whatever we can do to help I guess."

Vaddis nods agreement with Selvin.

Despite Dhatri's concerns, getting through the crowd outside takes only a slight effort. This is mostly because some of the lower level clergy are out distributing herbal potions to them. Dhatri sighs and looks at the clergy oddly and then shakes his head. He says nothing until you are out of sight of the square. "Before I forget...here." He reaches into the satchel he carries strung over one shoulder and hands theclosest of you a small bag. Inside are four small metal vials. "I'm afraid that's all I can provide for now. One for each of you. Take one at the first confirmed sign of the sickness. The rash will spread from the point of contact fairly quickly. If you start to get headaches as well, take it immediately. Each vial will only work once. And it won't stop a reinfection. So be careful. I have a feeling you will need them. "

The Guard on duty at the Castle gate nod at you. How so many of them have come to know you by sight you have no idea. One runs to find Kroft. Soon, an officer walks out and beckons you all to follow. However, instead of turning right at the second juncture and heading to the usual meeting room, he continues straight. You climb a few sets of stairs and step through an arch to arrive on a wide terrace overlooking the central courtyard of the Castle. Kroft stands at the railing, surronded by several of her officers. She looks back at you all, cocks an eyebrow in puzzlement when she sees Dhatri, but nods for you all to take a spot at the railing. It seems there is a show about to begin.

Below in the courtyard are a number of Korvosa's creme de la creme. You see some of the more powerful nobility and guild masters gathered below, as if for a garden party. Jesha Herrick, head of the Air Marines, is standing on the other side of the gathering with several of his officers. He is also on a terrace overlooking the activity below.

As you gaze into the courtyard from your perch you see several of those female soldiers...what did Vencarlo call them?..Gray Maidens. They are lined up along the wall, watching the guests through the slits in their lifeless metal masks.

A moment later, at some prearranged signal you missed, the crowd begins to go quiet. Stepping out of the Keep and onto a broad platform is the Queen. She is surronded by her champion and several of the Grey Maidens. The Queen holds up a hand in greeting. Some in the crowd cheer. Not all though.

The Queen ignores the less than full support and gets to the matter at hand. "Ladies. Gentlemen. Thank you for joining us. I wanted to speak to you as leaders of the City. It seems that we have barely caught our breath from our last crisis and now face a new one. It appears a plaugue has come to Korvosa."

The crowd is stirred by this. The last plague was ten years or so ago, and while the illness was not fatal, many of those below were forced to cancel tea parties due to the suffering. The Queen allows the murmurs to continue a moment and then holds up a hand. This time, everyone obeys quickly and gives her their full attention.

"Fortunately, we have reason to hope. A well respected physician from Chelix is on hand. And I have asked him to help us organize and respind to this looming crisis. Please allow me to introduce, Doctor Reiner Davalus. Dr Davalus..."

A tall, older man wearing a plain red robe stitched with worn leather appears from the Keep door. His head is cocked slightly to one side, as if looking at everyone quizzically,and there is a slight smile on his face. He waves to the crowd, though no one is cheering.

Behind him walk two men. At least you assume they are men. The leather masks they wear hide their faces. The masks are their most notable features. The masks have goggles sewn in over the eyes. And instead of a mouth, the mask tapers off into a long, thin snout. It is almost like a misquito in comparison. These men wear red and leather robes like Davalus. In the coat pockets, you can see what appear to be medical instruments.

The Queen greets Davalus formaly, and makes a few statements. You hear a groan from your right and see Kroft frowning. As the Queen invites servants to bring refreshments...the ceremony seems to be turning into a garden party now...Kroft turns away from the railings. She motions for you all to follow and heads to a small room just off the hall you came in from. She waits until the door is closed and looks at Dhatri. He nods and introduces himself. They two talk quickly. Dhatri outlines his plans and Kroft nods. "Agreed. I'll lend you any resources I can." She looks at you all. "Will you be assisting Vaultkeeper Dhatri?"

"We will assist him if we are needed."

Kroft muses a moment. "By the way. One of my captains reported seeing your friend...the tall skinny man with the drug habit leaving the city. I'm glad he got out. If you happen to see Vencarlo around, tell him I said hi." She nods at you all and exits the room.

You spend the next couple of days helping Dhatri. Or more accurately, following him around as he goes from temple to temple. Things seem to go well. Even the dark priests of Asmodeus seem concerned.

In the meantime, the sickness spreads. They are calling it Blood Veil, after the fine mist of blood victims in the final stages cough into the air. It sweeps through North Point and Salt Lick. By the end of the second day, the death count...the confirmed one anyway...threatens to cross one hundred. From what you see following Dhatri, the number of infected is easily five times that.

Vencarlo sends a letter. It is a chart of the bay between Trail's End and North Point. He has marked the section where the mystery ship went down. The water there is  deep. The fencing instructor says he is working on finding some magic items which would allow safe exploration and will contact you once he has located them.

On the third morning, you report to the Vault as usual. The walk from the Inn to the Vault is eerie. No one walks the streets any more unless they absolutely must. When you arrive, you find Dhatri discussing something with a young priest you haven't seen before. The young man wears robes with the symbol of Iomedae stitched across the back. Dhatri motions to the young man. "Allow me to introduce Kasak."

Kasak nods as Dhatri introduces each of you in turn. Dhatri then clears his throat. "Kasak has brought me a report I think is needing looking into. I want to ask you all to assist him. I will compensate you for your efforts.  "

Kasak steps forward. "Yesterday a woman named Vendra Loggari announced she had created a cure for Blood Veil. Supposedly she cured a man who suffered from it as proof. She is selling a potion...the 'cure'...from her perfume shop. Naturally she already has a booming business. I contacted her last night asking if we could obtain a sample. She refused. The episode left a bad taste in my mouth. The best case is she has a cure but wants to profit from it. The worst case is she is a charlatan, making money off people's fears and despair. If her formula works, we would be willing to pay her a handsome sum for it. We could then distribute it freely. But she won't sell us a sample. And fankly, we don't know if it really works. We need people she doesn't know to purchase some. And if she is a fraud, to help shut her down."

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 93):

"Yes Brother Kasak, I'll gladly assist in your endeavor." Vaddis then looks to the others in turn. "Do you know what she charges so that we may purchase it from her?"

"This morning it was a three hundred gold for a small vial," Kasak answers. For many in Korvosa, that's more than they make in a year.

Dhatri turns to Tarrov. "If I may. There is a seperate matter I would like your assistance with. As you know, my efforts to help are hampered by my Church's doctrine. That is painful for me to admit. But it is true. However. While it is true my Order must receive payment for their services in accordance with Abadar's will, there is nothing that says the payment must come from the patient. I am going to call on a couple of patrons I hope to convince to donate funds for exactly this effort. I've noticed you have a bit of a silver tongue. I would appreciate your aid. "

"You would divide our group?" Vaddis then turns to Selvin, "perhaps you can get her to sell to you? I can not do it in good faith, as the Brother knows."

Selvin gave a shrug. "I don't have a moral issue with it. Giving money to get something that may benefit others, or uncovering a fraud who is wrongly charging money for healing, either way works for me. Or both."

"My only moral issue would be to openly lie."

Kasak nods sympathetically. "As long as she doesn't ask 'What are you going to do with it' it should be fine. Though you may want to let one of your associates make the purchase."

Let's move threads please. Thanks.

---

---

Tarrov's mouth twisted as he watched the "Queen," and he couldn't help but putting that word in mental quotation marks, spoke to the city about the plague.  He also wondered about Kroft; how could she continue serving a woman who had essentially betrayed her?

People had their reasons, he supposed.  Kroft probably had hers.

Once back at the temple, the bard nodded at Dhatri's request; shaking contributors down was something with which he of necessity had plenty of experience.  "I'd be happy to help out with your patrons, Dhatri, if you think that would help speed along the treatment and cure for this plague."

---

---

Dhatri stops and points across the street. The building he is pointing at is the headquarters for East Star Traders. You guess you are here to see Olaruen Carowyn.

Tarrov, the two of you met earlier with the charming elderly widow of a former landowner. Dhatri's intentions for bringing you along on that meeting were obvious. The widow hung on your arm and chirped, delighted to be in the company of a handsome young man. You played your part and she readily agreed to fund cures for one hundred people. You suspect she would have done so regardless. She is quite kind. But having some eye candy around probably didn't hurt.

Carowyn is a bit of a different fish. You know the Carowyns as they patronize several theaters. You probably have met him once or twice at cast parties, though you doubt he would remember you. He may remember your mentor however.

Mr. Carowyn has a reputation. Several in fact. He and his wife enjoy the good life and make no bones about it. But Caroeyn finances their vices by being a ruthless businessman. You would imagine he is a devout believer in Abadar. Whether that means he is a generous believer is another matter.

Dhatri looks nervous which isn't a good sign. He sigs and steps towards the building.

You are shown in short order to Carowyn's office. He is a man in his early fifties. Athletic but with a paunch. He has a shrewd look to his eye and he shakes your hand with a firm, almost overpowering grip. He listens to Dhatri's pitch and frowns. "So...there is a plague? I had heard rumors..." He considers. "I don't mind charity. I'd be willing to sponsor a few 'cures'. Put me down for ten."

Dhatri blinks. "Ten..."

"Ten people. Cures. Whatever." You know Dhatri was hoping to secure funds for at least a hundred cures. But the priest doesn't seem to know how to broach this. He glances at you.

---

---

Tarrov raised an eyebrow at Dharti.  What does he expect me to do?  The bard knew Carowyn and his type.  But then again, the young man also liked a challenge.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

"Mister Carowyn," Tarrov said, taking over for the flummoxed Dharti.  "Times in Korvosa are difficult.  And they are also in . . . something of a flux.  A new monarch in power, a plague spreading across the city . . . the status quo is anything but, wouldn't you agree?"

"Now, you may not remember me, but I was trained by the late Mikael Burwich, gods rest him, and I remember your generosity as a patron of the arts."  Tarrov smiled and nodded appreciatively at the businessman.  "So, although I'm not supposed to," he looked to Dharti, as if seeking approval for his impetuous action, "I'm going to let you in on some of the conversations we've been having with other prominent Korvosans."

Tarrov coughed, as if he was unsure whether he should continue.  "I don't want to speak out of turn, but many of those contributing to the cures have done so less out of a charitable impulse than a desire to favorably position themselves with the crown, if you take my meaning.  I'm sure you have connections with the palace that will confirm my current employment with Field Marshal Kroft, who along with the queen is very concerned about the plague's progress."  The silver-haired performer watched Olaruen Carowyn closely, to make sure he was following along.  "Many of those who have funded cures have done so on the condition that I pass along their participation to the Marshal.  So much so that she, and I assume the queen, are using cure purchases as a shorthand proxy not only for how committed one is to Korvosa, but how much they believe in our new royal."  He gave Carowyn a measured glance, as if to ensure the import of his words did not go unnoticed.

"Now, the last thing I want to do is cast any slight on your charitable impulses, as to my mind these other people," he made the words sound like an epithet, "were contributing out of sheer desire for personal gain.  I doubt they would have funded any cures if they didn't see them as an avenue for acquiring influence with those in authority.  And I can't abide the thought of a civic-minded man such as yourself, a supporter of the arts, shunted to the side or outbid in this quest for influence by those who have never shown any interest in improving Korvosa's culture or civic life."

"Of course," Tarrov gave Carowyn a respectful bow, "it's possible you don't care about such things, and that my warning is unneeded.  In that case, we appreciate your generous purchase of ten cures."  He nodded thankfully.  "But if you are interested in purchasing more than just cures, I can tell you that the largest purchase we've had to this point is 200, although most are only buying 100.  So you can use that information to decide exactly how many you wish to purchase to present yourself to our new queen in the most-favorable light."

---

---

Corawyn regards you levelly for a moment and then throws back his head and barks out a laugh. "Egad! That was brilliant! You are Berwich's man. There's no doubt on that score."

He stops laughing and looks up at the ceiling. "The Queen...huh." He looks back at you. "Alright. I'll pay for a hundred cures. And I'll throw one hundred fifty more on top of it. If..." He holds up a hand. "...you will do me a favor. My wife is throwing a bit of an affair come the end of the week. We have entertainment for the first night. But nothing lined up for the second. Come by the house. Say an hour before sunset. Entertain us that second night and I will fund those additional one hundred fifty. After all..." he smiles at you. "...that would surely prove to the Queen how dedicated you yourself are to the cause. No?"

---

---

Tarrov grinned as he sketched a short bow.  "Indeed it would.  And it would be nice to spend an evening concentrating on nothing more perilous than the entertainment of your guests."  He nodded.  "I will be there an hour before sunset.  Much fun shall be had by all, and the Queen should be impressed with us both.  Everyone wins!"

---

---

Corawyn nods. "I expect quality then. Gentlemen. I bid you a good day."

You spend the rest of the day making calls with Dhatri. You have to play eye candy once or twice more. Overall though it isn't difficult. Either the upper class in the City aren't so bad or Dhatri is keeping his call list to those he thinks most likely to provide funds. You imagine it's more the latter than the former.

Dhatri sighs a little contentedly as you walk back to the Vault from your last trip. "That went better than I thought it would. Thank you. I only hope we can make good use of these funds. " He sounds doubtful of the point.

It is near sunset. You can join the main group if you like or continue here for the time being.