As you walk back to the Inn, you can hear the streets buzz with the news. Many are excited about the return of Blackjack. He is a legend to the rank and file of Korvosa. Just as many grumble anout the Queen. It seems that Blackjack's barb at her has reignited the simmering dislike the common people have for their regent.

You have not stepped four feet into the door when a man is suddenly before you, grabbing at your hands and shaking them with true gusto. "Ah! I have been waiting for you! My friends. Welcome back!"

You all puzzle at the man's identity. He seems less sure when he grabs Izzick's hand and pumps it and seems to be looking around for someone missing. He is dressed in guard uniform. An officer...

Oh yes. That drunkard you found the night after you lashed Geadren. Grau something. He at least is not drunk now. He is clean shaven and looks more hale.

Grau gestures to a table. "Please. Let me buy you a drink. I...have a favor I need to ask."

Vaddis sits at the table, how can we help, what is it? 'Sgt.' Grau?"

Selvin looked a little uncomfortable. He wasn't used to being touched very much, and usually he preferred to have his ally surrounding him. But he endured it with a small strained smile and then shrugged. "Sure. I could use a drink."

The green skinned man shakes the hand, though perhaps even more confused than his allies, he turns to them only as their memories of the man seem to return. Clueless, he follows suit in joining the rest for a drink, suspecting perhaps that all three have been up to more than simply stopping a necromancer collecting body parts. "Well, I can't say no to a man offering me a drink."

---

---

Tarrov frowned his way back to the inn from the farce of a "trial."  He had suspected that this might happen.  Well, the railroading of the suspect, not the last-minute rescue by a folk hero.  His trust in Kroft had been, apparently, misplaced.  His trust in her influence, at least.  She clearly hadn't been happy about the trial either.

It certainly seemed as if the Queen was behind the show trial and quick execution.  Which meant she didn't want the truth about the King's death out there.  Which meant . . . .

Tarrov sighed.  Dark days lay ahead for Korvosa, if this was any indication.

So Tarrov wasn't in the brightest of moods when the lush-like Sergeant Grau accosted them yet again, asking for a favor.  At least he seemed sober, which was a good sign.  And Tarrov never refused a free drink.

He nodded his acquiesence along with the others and followed Grau back to his table, raising an eyebrow as he did so.  He ordered a fine vintage of wine, then turned to Grau.

"So, Sergeant, here we are.  What is this 'favor' you're asking?"

---

---

Grau's smile seems to freeze a little. Perhaps he was hoping you would have forgotten his drunken escapades. But he seems undauted as he orders a round for you all. He sips his and then pushes the flagon aside.

"Right. I know you're busy people. But my family is in a bit of a crisis and it is past the point of the usual. My youngest neice has fallen ill. She is a sweet child and usually quite healthy. But this illness has come upon her. And it is not the usual kind. I...I am not sure she'll live." He stops speaking a moment and gets himself under control. He takes another sip from the flagon and pushes it further aside than he previously did. "I asked her about how she might have come to be sick. Was she bitten by anything or the like. She wasn't. The only thing odd that has occured to her was finding a small box that washed up on shore not long ago. I..my sister-in-law is not wealthy. And I have little coin to my name. We can't afford a healer from the Bank of Abadar. But I thought of you. You have been resourceful in dealing with several situations. Commander Kroft speaks highly of you. I was hoping you might go out and see my neice. Maybe you can see some solution I can't. Or maybe...one of you has the abbility to heal her. I know I have no right to ask anything of you. You have already been kind to me. But this is for my neice. And we really have no one else to go to on this... "

"I don't know if there is much we can do, but we'll look in on her sergeant. Shall we go now?"

Selvin looked at his drink and downed it. "Yeah. Sure. No rest for the wicked I guess, eh?" He let out a small chuckle, only slightly bitter. He stood when the others did.

---

---

Tarrov tapped his fingers on the table.  Looking into a little girl's illness seemed innocent enough, but . . .

"What do you know about this box, Sergeant?  Any markings?  Did she open it?  The more we know, the better we'll be able to help."

---

---

"I'll tell you what she told me as we go," Grau says to Tarrov as he stands.

He leads you out into the street and down a road heading towards the North Bridge and out of town. "They live in Trail's End..." he explains of the route. If so they must be poor. Trail's End is more or less a squatter's town built on the shore outsode the city walls. Only those who can't afford even slum rent live there.

"Brienna...my neice...brings water up to the shack. It's one of her chores. She said that a few days ago when she went to fill the buckets, she saw a little box of black wood washed up on the shore. The tide will sometimes wash things ashore on Trail's End. She opened the box and found some coins inside. She said there was a snail...that's what she called it. A 'snail'...on the box. You have to understand. 's not often she sees coin. Anyway she says she tossed the snail aside, opened the box and picked out tha coins. It sounded like there were a dozen silver in it. She dropped tha box and ran to tha market right away." He shrugs. "I can't fault her for buyin' the family some food an' basics. I think she bought herself a new scarf too." He shakes his head. "Anyway, she came down sick a day later. Started kinda easy. Just a cough and a light fever. But...she started gettin' these blisters on her skin. They were filled with pus an' blood. She...she's such a pretty girl too..."

Grau shakes his head again and you are all soon walking out of the town gate and across North Bridge.

Trail's End appears to be mostly Varisians. You all get a few black looks as you walk into the shanty town, though several of he passersby nod at Grau. He leads you to a shack not far from the shore line. Two young men stand up as you all walk in, though they relax visibly once they see Grau. He looks at them. "Your Mom with Brie?" he asks one of them.

There are two open doorways at the back of the room. One has a curtain of cheap cloth hung over it and from behind it you can hear a hacking cough. The other door opens onto a small kitchen. An odor of burning herbs wafts in from there and a man in white robes with gold thread stitching walks out, wiping his hands on a towel. He blinks at you all and mutters, "Oh dear...". Grau seems surprised to see him. But then he had told you the family couldn't afford a priest of Abadar, which from the symbol stitched on his robe he clearly is.

The priest motions for someone to shut the door. "Hurry! No one can know I'm here..." He tosses the towel onto a counter and looks about at each of you nervously. "I am Ishani Dhatri. Please...can we keep this quiet?"

"I will pay you if that is your worry priest. Sergeant Grau will repay me when he can, in favors if he must. How is the little girl?"

---

---

"I don't think anyone can fault her for using her new windfall, Sergeant," Tarrov said kindly.  He was no healer, but the girl certainly sounded sick.  Although the presence of the box indicated that it may not be any normal illness.  He racked his brain to try and find any information he might have heard or learned about a box of that sort.

Tarrov was shocked when they entered the girl's home to find a priest of Abadar already there.  He knew the Abadaran priesthood made a special point of always receiving compensation for their services, so this man Ishani was clearly there without his superiors' blessing.  His furtive demeanor confirmed it.

"Mum's the word," Tarrov said, nodding.  "We're also here to help.  What can you tell us about this girl's illness, Ishani?"

OOC:

Knowledge checks regarding the box. its snail symbol, and the coins -

12:31, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 28 using 1d20+8. Knowledge (Religion) Check.
12:30, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 21 using 1d20+8. Knowledge (Local) Check.
12:30, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 16 using 1d20+8. Knowledge (History) Check.
12:29, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 10 using 1d20+8. Knowledge (Arcana) Check.

---

---

Selvin agreed with Tarrov regarding the girl. He knew he would spend money if given time. So far they'd been rushing around a lot, so he had most of the money they'd made so far.

When they arrived at the house, he cocked his head as he looked at the priest. He wasn't so sure that the priest was worried about getting paid. "Why is it that you don't want anyone to know you're here, Priest?"

"Because these people have no money Selvin. His religion requires him to get paid first, they do not believe in charity."

Sorry Tarrov. My narrative should have been more clear. It was an actual snail on the box. Not a symbol.

You know there are several varities of snail that live in the area. Though whether any are poisonous is not clear.

You don't have enough information on the coins. They could be of any mint or make.

There's not much to go on for the box either. You do know Chelaxians favor finely crafted boxes stained pitch black or blood red. But without seeing the box, there's no way to know if it was one of theirs. It sounds like it.

Dhatri bows to Vaddis in appreciation and then to Selvin.

"Yes...I'm afraid things coild become awkward for me if it was known I had made a...uhm...house visit." He sighs then turns to the bard. He glances at the curtain hung door and then lowers his voice. "I won't lie. I'm concerned. This illness is not one I have seen before. That poor girl...blood blisters form on her skin and rupture. Her breath is labored and she has great spasms of pain. Particularly around the joints and fingers. I can offer some relief with my medicines. But a cure...well...I just don't have the rank to purge it from her, even if I had the funds. " He looks at Grau and raises an eyebrow. Grau nods. Dharti continues. "She isn't the first case I've seen. Though she is the worst. Some of my breathern came down with symptoms that sounded like her early symptoms. A fever and cough. An ugly reddish rash on the hands and around the eyes. They were cured before they moved to the second stage. From what her mother tells me, vomiting and bloody discharges came next. As well as awful headaches. I think once the blisters began to form she has moved into what I would guess is the final stage." He shakes his head. "At this point, I don't know anything to do for her but make her comfortable."

Vaddis goes to the little girl and lays his hands upon her.

"Oh great Iomedae, heal this little one through your divine energy!"


01:45, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 8 using 2d6. channel positive energy.

Selvin looked a bit more worried. "So...others have come down with this..affliction as well? And did they have any contact with this family?"

"The ship with the disease flag flying from the mast that came into harbor uncrewed?"

Few in Korvosa could claim they were well off, but Izzick had certainly made it through childhood without ever coming across an illness like this, that he could say for sure, but the pain struck home still. He had primarily studied magic, not medicine, but Vaddis made an important point. "He's right. Kroft had mentioned a ship flying a flag of disease had been shot down in the port. Tides and currents could have pulled parts of the wreck anywhere. But how would the priests of your order been infected?" That was perhaps the strangest question if the Vaddis was correct.

Vaddis walks through the curtains to find a middle aged woman tending a young child. Dhatri's description of the boils was an understaement. The girl's face and arms are horribly scarred. His touch causes her pain before it brings relief.

Dhatri puts a hand on her mpther's shoulder and says, "This will give her some relief for a few days. But keep applying the red ointment to any new blisters. And I have brewed some tea you should give her." He motions for you all to follow him back into the outer room and helps Vaddis pry the grateful mother from his arm.

As the woman goes to prepare the tea, the cleric speaks in a low voice. "Thank you for that. It will give her a few days more. I'll see if I can figure out something before she relapses..."

He shakes his head at the question about how his brothers became ill. "I could not say. Most of us are so busy with the church's business, we have little time to even venture outside the temple, let alone come down to the river. I did hear about that ship as well. I suppose the illness could be linked to it. But how the Brothers would have been afflicted..." He sighs. "I can't stay any longer. The abbott will become suspicious as it is. Here," He reaches into a pocket and comes out with a small prayer bead made into the likeness of a coin. "If any of you should begin to experience symptoms, come to the temple and present the guard with this. Ask for me. I will see about getting you into a healer as soon as I can."

"Is it a disease that can be healed, or a curse that can be removed?"

Izzick allowed the two clerics a moment to speak on matters of their divine magic, while he returned inside the veil of the girl and mother. While he knew that there was little he could do, he pulled from his belt pouch a deck of harrow cards, asking the mother, "Would you mind if I drew cards for her?" The fortune telling was not a magical one in any way, but Izzick knew that insight from the cards could often help both himself and those he read for.

Assuming the mother did not mind, the half-orc quickly found a table and began the reading. He looked over each of the cards for a few moments, and then offered,

"Your daughter certainly has a loving, but curious nature. She's a smart and ambitious girl to be sure, for better or for worse. In this case, the disease  has touched her deeply, but she's also a strong girl." He points to a few cards, pointing out their meanings to the mother if she was curious, "In the Negative Past - we see the Keep - temptation. This is the moment she touched the box. But likewise, here we see the Positive Future is The Snakebite. It means new knowledge - potentially the cure." He points out the cards below it, "While the Uprising and Mountain Man represent potential problems for us. They are powerful adversaries, but ones we will do our best to stop." He goes back to the center card, pointing out the Queen Mother, which resonated strongly with him. "And this card represents an oath that guarantees our victory." he promised her, "And so I am sure that we will be able to make a headway into this illness."

Assuming this is ok, I'm going to draw 9 cards. I only have Harrowed as an applicable feat which only applies to one card that gives me a bonus, but this seems as good a time as any to get it in. Since Izzick is Neutral, I chose that card to represent him, but drew 9 just so I could interpret the reading.

11:50, Today: Izzick drew the 9 cards: 2H, 4H, 10S, QH, 3C, 7D, 7H, 9H, 5D using a deck of 54 cards. LG, NG, CG, NG, N (Izzick), NE, CG, CN, CE.



Izzick gets a +2 to a single Wisdom check today

---

---

Tarrov followed along with Izzick's fortune-telling silently, his face expressionless.  He wasn't sure what he thought about Harrowers.  Some of them seemed to be the real thing, others were fakirs.  Or did the ability come and go?  Or was it merely luck of the draw?  It was hard to tell.  The result of most Harrowings was so vague that they were little more than mere platitudes, in Tarrov's estimation.

So it was with Izzick's reading.  No kidding the disease had touched the girl deeply.  And equating temptation with box-touching seemed to be a stretch.  You were tempted to do things that were wrong, right?  Opening a box you found on the shoreline was far from a moral violation.

Tarrov gave a mental shrug.  If it helped some people, who was he to argue?

"How much do we know about this diseased ship?"  Tarrov interjected after Izzick was done and there seemed to be a pause in Vaddis' conversation with the Abadaran cleric.  "I mean, Vaddis is right.  It seems like more than a coincidence that a ship carrying some sort of disease sails into the harbor and then," the bard gestured to the girl, "a disease-carrying box washes up on shore."  He paused.  "We might want to look into that ship.  Odds are good that's where the box originated.  And if we find the origin of the box, we're that much closer to figuring out what we're dealing with."

"Although Izzick's question is a good one as well.  Do the members of your order know how they became infected?  Do we even know how this disease is communicated?"  He scratched his head.  "There's so much we don't know right now."

He looked around at the gathered group.  "I doubt this will be the last case of this disease in Korvosa.  If we don't move quickly, we could be looking at an epidemic."  He glanced at the cleric.  "Is the box available?  I'd like to examine it."

---

---

In reply to Tarrov Garrick (msg # 23):

Izzick, I don't have my Harrow resource handy, so I'll have to get back to you on it. The wisdom bonus is fine.

Dhatri shakes his head at Vaddis' question. "I don't know. Honestly I am not of sufficient rank. Such questions are beyond my training. I believe it is an infection. But I can't rule out a curse."

You all watch Izzick's reading. The family seems mezmerized by it. Her mother seems to infer that there's hope for her child from the reading. And whether the power of the Harrow is real or not, it accomplishes something just by providing that hope.

Grau shrugs. "I heard a report on the downed ship. I can certainly see if I can find out where it went down exactly."

Breienna's mother shakes her head when the box comes up. "No. I'm sorry. We've looked for the box but couldn't fine it. Brie just got so excited whe she saw rhe coins she ran off with them. She didn't keep track of the box. "

"I heard there's been others found." You all turn to look at one of Grau's nephews. "There's been talk. I know Gorgot found one this mornin'. I told him ot to touch it but he did. There was some coin inside. He went to town. There's this necklace he wants to buy for his girl. "

"Hmmm, sounds like someone did this on purpose then. Do you know if he still has the box? Very sick?"

Selvin made a hmm noise. "The boxes are from the plague ship maybe then, washing up on shore after either being set out from the ship, or floating away from a damaged cargo hold?"

The boy nods. "I saw him put the box in his pouch. He was going to see if he could sell it since it looked like it was expensive."

"When did he try to sell it?" Izzick asked. If it was only a few days ago, it might give them a lead into who to look to, but if it was some time ago, "A member of the church might have been the buyer. Many of Abadar's priests are also merchants, are they not?"

"Ahhhhh, that could be the connection then!"

The boy shrugs. "I don't know. He just found it this mornin'..."

"Did he take it into town?" Dhatri asks, his voice thick with concern. The boy nods. "He was gonna sell it."

Dhatri rubs his face. "If your friend found the box this morning, he couldn't be the cause of the brothers coming down with the sickness. But if he found a different box...there must be others. I'll head to the Bank," he says, meaning the temple to Abadar. "Ask about to see if there have been any boxes in trade. We need to find out how many other boxes may have washed up on shore around here. And we need to find this friend. Stop him from selling that box. Can I ask that of you?" he says, addressing the group. "I will make inquiries among those of my brothers who came down sick to see what they traded in as of late."

"Selvin? Tarrov? Izzick? What say you?"

"It seems our best course of action at the moment," the half-orc said with a nod.

Selvin gave a nod. "Sounds fine, but we'd better hurry if we're to stop him, yes?" He hesitated and then frowned, "Should I summon my friend? I don't think we're going into combat..."

"Can you summon him later if you need him?"

Selvin gave a half-nod. "I can but it takes a full minute."

Dhatri looks at the boy. "This Gorgot...what does he look like? And you said something about a necklace..."

The boy scratches his chin. "Gor's got a big wart onna side of his nose. And he's missin' a chunk a' his ear...here..." The boy touches his left earlobe. "...from that time tha big rat got at 'im. His girl was talkin' about this necklace she saw with green glass beads at tha little market just inside tha Gate Square. I don' know who was sellin' it. Don't think Gorgot knew either. But he was gonna find it..."

You passed this market on the way here. A collection of sidewalk hawkers and produce carts that gathers in the square just inside the city gates.

"We should start there and quickly. Thank you."

The guards at the city gate had let you out of the city with a bored indifference. But when you join the queue to go back in, they seem much more attentive. They are questioning everyone. Poking into sacks and in a few cases pulling people out of line to search their persons. Fortunately, the guards seem to recognize you as Kroft's personal gofers and let you pass without much trouble. As you walk through the gates, you see the reason for their sudden passion for discipline. Two of those female soldiers you saw during the execution are hovering around. They seem to be speaking to the captain on duty. Though with those expressionless, full face plates it is hard to tell. One of them watches you pass. Her face plate is cold and almost featureless. She says nothing to you. Just simply watches.

The square just past the gate is thronged with peddlars and their customers. You see all sorts of vendors, some with a few cheap goods set out on blankets. Others with elaborate carts that showcase everything from fresh vegetables to mended pots. The scene appears chaotic but there is a method in all the madness. Those selling produce and other foodstuffs line the south end of the square. Those offering services take the western end. The north as the junk merchants. Those selling trinkets and cooking utensils and cheap shoes. If the boy...this Gorgot...was looking for a necklace of green beads, he should be searching the northern portion of the square.

We head for the north then.

22:57, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 11 using 1d20. Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:57, Mon 01 Sept 2014.

There are several youngsters who, at a distance, might be him. You all stop a few but seeing no wart and seeing an earlobe where it should be, let them pass.

Vaddis, you turn from where Izzick is questioning a peddler. Tarrov and Selvin are questioning a couple of hawkers right across the narrow lane formed by the various peddlar's displays. Suddenly a young man with a wart and missing earlobe strolls between the four of you. He is holding a necklace of green glass bads aloft, examing uow the sunlight looks when it passes through the bead. He stops looking around in a panic when one of you calls out his name.

On the back of the hand holding the necklace, you can all see the skin is red and dry, as if a rash were forming.

"We only wish to talk, nothing more. What's your is yours."

07:19, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 25 using 1d20+10. Diplomacy.

Selvin casually sidled around to the side, impressed by the way in which Vaddis spoke. Usually the man was so forthright and direct. Well, he supposed that they had been in several situations that warranted that. And really Selvin wasn't in a position to point fingers.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:16, Wed 03 Sept 2014.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 42):

Indeed. Nicely handled, even without the roll.

Gorgot visibly relaxes as he eyes the lot of you. "I...I know you guys? What's up? "

---

---

Tarrov nodded appreciatively at Vaddis, then turned to Gorgot.  "We've been told about the box you found earlier today.  Unfortunately, it might be linked to an illness, and we're attempting to investigate it.  We don't wish to take the box from you, but we are concerned about it.  Would you happen to still have it on you?  If so, would you mind allowing us to inspect it?  If not, do you know to where it might have gotten off to?"

The silver-haired man looked pointedly at the back of Gorgot's hand.  "And how long have you had that rash?"

---

---

As Vaddis caught up with the young man, Izzick pulled away from his conversation with the merchant who clearly seemed inclined to leak information once he bought something. A half dozen "No"s later and he managed to get away to join the others. As soon as he'd arrived however, things were looking down - the rash had started on the boy. Their lead was right, but Izzick was hoping they hadn't been too slow.

"Where is the merchant you sold the box to? Please show us the way."


09:12, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 16 using 1d20+10. Diplomacy.

Selvin let the others handle it as they were doing a great job so far. He stayed ready in case the boy rabbited.

Gorgot looks at his hand and then around at each of you. He seems a little stunned. But he points to the end of the line of peddlars. "Him. Down there. Tha guy with all tha beads."

The man in question is seated on a blanket. Large baskets of glass beads in various hues surrond him and he is threading them onto leather strings in order to make neckalaces. He glances up at all of you and sighs. "Look...if you're here to ask for 'rent' coin I already paid Big Olfis. " His eyes narrow when you mention the box. He shrugs and reaches into a sack pulling it out.

It is perhaps mahagony. Though it's stained a deeper shade of black. Small fogures are carved onto the top and sides. Nonsense patterns designed to appeal to the eye.

"When I saw the boy had one a' these boxes, I traded him for it. These are fetching a nice price I hear. Too bad he cleaned out tha coin in it," the merchant laughs. "Then ot woulda been a really noce trade... "

Taking the box from him?

---

---

Tarrov looked at the box skeptically.  He did not move to take it, instead mumbling some words as he waved his hand over it, attempting to determine any magical properties it might have.

OOC:  Tarrov casts Detect Magic

---

---

Izzick looked uncertain, his forehead wrinkled as he brought up, "This may be a bigger problem than we thought. If those are catching on, there's no telling how many people have one at this point." Exactly how they could get all the boxes back before this spread was a new question entirely - or were they already too late for that. Perhaps with their connections with Kroft, they could get some sort of decree, but she seemed a busy woman with too few resources already. Stopping this wouldn't be as simple as they'd thought, it seemed.

Selvin shook his head and let out a deep sigh. "This is bad. Very bad." He looked to Tarrov to see what the man saw. This seemed to be a magical plague possibly. Could finding the source stop it from spreading or cure it? "I think we need to go check out that ship."

Vaddis gives the boy a good gold coin for his help.

"How much to purchase the box from you?" Vaddis asks the merchant, "it is infected with disease and can not be sold into the public except at great risk. Do you know where there are others of these?"

Tarrov, the box whiffs of necromancy. Necromantic magic always has the odor of burnt curry so it's hard to miss. The whiff isn't strong though. It seems to be coming from the inside of the box as opposed to the outside.

The merchant looks surprised. "Disease? Can't be. I feel fine..." He shrugs. "A few a' these boxes been washin' up on shore around here. The folks that find 'em pocket tha coin inside and then sell tha boxes. Usually we can sell 'em on to some Chelish merchant or such. Them Chelish like anything that looks all spooky ya know." He shakes his head. "I don' know if anyone has one now. I know Carla who sells shoes got one a couple days ago. Saw her earlier. So she's around somewhere."

Vaddis opens the box and looks inside. "Perhaps it wasn't the box afterall, perhaps it was the coins!"

Selvin grimly nodded at Vaddis' words. "That's just what I was thinking, but you beat me to it. We need to go get the boxes and stop more from coming in."

"How would you do that?" The merchant raises a quizzical eyebrow. "Do you know how many coins flow in and out of this market a day? And this is just a small one." He shrugs.

Before you can answer you hear a voice behind you. "Hey. Aren't you guys tha ones who did those jobs for Commander Kroft?" Coming down the lane between the peddlars is one of the Guard Officers. He nods to each of you in turn. "Sorry to interrupt. But there's someone lookin' for you. You guys know Vencarlo Orsini?"

Tarrov, Selvin, and Vaddis may recall the dueling instructor quite well. Izzick, you know him by reputation. A well known duelist who runs a sword school here in town.

The officer continues. "He's good friends with a lot of us in the Guard. Many of us trained with him. Anyway...he let it be known that if we saw you we should let you know he's lookin' for you."

While Izzick did not want to speak for his new allies, he explained, "We unfortunately have quite a lot on our plates right now," trying to be polite, "But thank you for telling us. I believe I know where he trains though. We shall try to make a stop at some point." Once the man had left, Izzick turned to his allies, "Right now, I think we may have more pressing matters. But, perhaps helping a friend of the guards could earn us a few favors in the current situation." He hadn't wanted to fully  dismiss the request, but accepting it now seemed more trouble than it would be worth.

Selvin's face scrunched up a bit. He wasn't sure about what to do. "On the one hand, we really needed to keep looking into the plague. On the other hand, what if Vencarlo Orsini has information that might help with this, as much as I doubt it?" Selvin realized it was likely Orsini wanting them for some completely unrelated task but...

---

---

Tarrov shrugged at the others.  "It certainly seems that we have hit something of a brick wall when it comes to investigating this illness."  He straightened the sleeves of his tunic.  "Perhaps we can talk to Vencarlo and see what he wants.  Not only might we be able to kill two birds with one stone, but it's entirely possible he might have some perspective on our current problem that we ourselves do not.  He is a man reputed for his wisdom, after all."

---

---

"I hope he has good news, we know getting a coin out of circulation once in is virtually impossible, there is no way of stopping the disease that way."

Vencarlo's school is in Old Korvosa. The island just off the northern shore of the peninsula. You don't have far to walk and soon cross one of the numerous bridges that lead from the mainland potion of the city, over the river, and on to the island.

None of you have ever really spent much time in Old Korvosa. It's not that it's so much different...one section is for the rich, the rest for the poor. But somehow it seems more tired. The houses are older. The people walk a bit more heavily. The smell of the river washes over everything.

The gate to Vencarlo's school is closed. A sign hangs on it stating classes are cancelled for the week. You pull on the chord of the old brass bell hanging out front. Soon Vencarlo himself swings open the gate and quietly nods you all in. He glances at Izzick, and then at the rest of you, silently asking if this guy is alright. He seems satisfied with the answer and slaps the half orc on the back after he's shut the gate and nods towards the front door. "Thank you all for coming. I wasn't sure who else to turn to."

He says little else until you are all inside and he's shut the door. He gestures for you all to sit and then chews his lip. "Well...might as well get to it..." He asks you to waot a moment and then leaves the room. When he comes back he isn't alone.

Trinia Sabor looks fairly good for someone who was supposed to be executed for assassinating a king just a couple of days ago. She is a bit wary as she looks around at all of you. But she nods as she stands close to the doorway. Vencarlo nears a pitcher of wine. "Will one of you grab those cups over there? I think you all know Ms Sabor." He begins to fill the cups with wine and pass them out. "You can probably imagine why I sent for you. When I came home after that debacle of a trial and..." He glances at Trinia. "...uh...'show' afterwards, I found an old friend of mine waiting in my home with Ms. Sabor. I've had dealings with Black Jack over the years. Anyway. He asked me to harbor Ms. Sabor and help her escape the city. I have made arrangements for her to stay with some friends in the town of Harse. Getting her to Harse shouldn't be a problem. Ot's not a far ride. Getting her out of Korvosa is another matter. My usual contacts have all gone to ground. Things these days are...well. You know how things are these days. The Guard and the Sable Company are searching for her. As are those new...'troops' of the Queen. The Gray Maidens. Have you seen them?"

He must be speaking of those female soldiers who wear the odd full face plate masks.

Vaddis nods they have and waits for him to continue.

---

---

"Indeed," Tarrov affirmed Vaddis' silent nod.  "But we're dealing with another pressing issue right now as well.  It seems that a strange disease has come to Korvosa, one spread by coins in boxes we believe were distributed by that shipwreck in the harbor."  The bard gestured in that general direction.  "We were hoping that you might have some insight into how to combat this illness, or at least stop its spread."  Tarrov gave the swordmaster a sober look.  "It is extremely virulent."

"Perhaps we could work together on both of these projects, fighting the illness and spiriting Ms. Sabor past the Gray Maidens together?"

---

---

Selvin sat down and waited as things unfolded. He did, however, stand up when Trinia was brought in. He gave her a smile and a small bow, before fetching the cup asked for. Only after that did he sit back down. "I think we all agree that we'd love t'help Trinia out again if we can. We jus' also wanna make sure that these...boxes with coins in them are stopped."

Vencarlo frowns. "Boxes? Illness? Please explain..."

He listens quietly to your words, asking questions to make sure he understands. The Swordsmaster considers for a moment. "You are right. This is serious. But if the coins are in circulation...Hmmm. I will talk to some of my contacts. First, to start spreading caution about these boxes. And second, to see if we can get some kind of plan put together about treating this disease before it spreads too far." He smiles. "Perhaps we can offer a bounty for the boxes. Control where they get delivered. And cure those who handle them before they pass it on."

Vencarlo takes a deep drink from his cup. "Do you think it would be worthwhile to investigste this ship? If it has sunk you wojld need the appropriate...uh...equipment...to investigate. I may know someone who can help. As for Ms. Sabor...if you can get her outside the city gates, the rest has been arranged. It is only getting her from here to there that's the problem."

"We'll use the Hat of Disguise again, she saw Toke, make herself look like him and no one will be the wiser. We walk right through them."

Selvin nodded and shrugged at the same time. "I think investigating the ship is worthwhile. I mean, if we can stop more of the boxes from coming out in addition to containing the ones already in circulation somehow, that would be best, right? And see if this is deliberate or not, maybe stop whoever's behind it."

Vencarlo nods. "I will gather what information I can for you on the ship and these boxes then. When you leave the gate, head across the bridge and look for a small inn a half mile from the bridge called the Sailor's Hike. The barkeep there will knpw what to do."

Trinia fidgets under the hat, but soon is looking very Toke-like. She sighs and then, after thanking Vencarlo again, follows you from the house.

The walk to the gate won't take long. And no one seems to be paying you much mind. Trinia shies away from contact though, staying closer to Izzick than the rest of you. She finally asks, "You guys aren't gonna turn me back in. Are you?"

Selvin stopped himself from glaring at Trinia and bit back an angry retort at her words. "You were in the room, I believe, when we were told you would get a fair trial, right?" He gave a snort and waved a hand. "Nevermind. You wouldn't understand. No, we're not gonna turn you in. Hence the disguise."

And he went silent after having said his piece, not really caring to continue the conversation.

"You are under my protection. The only way they get you back is over my dead body. I'm not suicidal."

Izzick seemed concerned as to why she shy'ed closer to him, but then again, he realized he'd had much less contact with the watch than they. "Don't worry, I believe the queen's actions have left all of us quite a bit displeased, as of late." While not the best at reassuring, he tried to promise, "</darkgreen>While you are with us, you'll be fine.</darkgreen>"

---

---

Tarrov gave a sour look to no one in particular as they walked along.  "We were assured you would have a fair trial.  We trusted someone who apparently didn't have as much power as we thought she did.  Or even that she thought she did.  There are a lot of people who aren't happy with that sham of a trial, milady.  And we are foremost among them."

---

---

Trinia glances around then looks down at the ground. "Yeah. That was kinda stupid of me. Sorry. It's just been a rough week. Ya know?" She glances up. "I saw the Queen. The night before...well. She came by my cell. She just sorta looked at me. She said, 'Not so good lookng now. Are you?' I didn't know what to say. " She sighs. "Anyway. Thank you. I relly do appreciate it. I guess we all've been screwed lately."

Getting through the gate is remarkably easy. No one looks at you twice. Just more people passing to and fro.

The inn is easy to fond as well. The barkeep nods when you mention Vencarlo's name. He leads you into a back hallway. Tinia takes off the hat and passes it to one of you. "Thanks again." She frowns and then stands on tip toe to give each of you...at leadt those who allow it...a kiss on the cheek. "For luck. I think you guys are gonna need it."

The trip back is also fairly uneventful. As you near the shore, you look to see if there are any black boxes wshed ashore. Sadly, the current does not seem to have carried them here. There's no news at the inn either. Vencarlo is probably busy checking into the things he told you about...he's probably trustworthy enough to keep his word. Not even Kroft has sent you word. Though that may be a blessing in your current mood. You all turn in early. Whether you can sleep or not is up to you.

Regardless, one of the innkeeper's sons is knocking on your door the next morning. You have a visitor. It is a young man, wearing the acolyte robs of Abadar. He seems nervous. "Uhm...hello. Vaultkeeper Dhatri asked me to come see you. He asked...if you could...could you come by the Vault. Er...uh..things are getting a bit ugly there... "

As you step out onto the street you can feel it. Tension. It's obvious among the people. They congregate in small clusters, talking excitedly. As you walk by a man in one group coughs. Everyone else goes silent and looks at him. He glances nervously around at all of them and mutters, "I just have a cold..." The crowd suddenly fractures. Everyone moves quickly away and heads in whatever direction will take them away from the cougher as quickly as possible.

The acoyte shakes his head. "Everyone's talkin' about it. Them that died in Northpoint last night." North Point would be the section of the city closest to the river where the ship supposedly sank. "And some  also fell in Sea Lick." That's a bit more odd. Sea Lick is a small ghetto on the western shore of the city. Almost the exact opposite end from North Point and Trail's End.

The Vault comes into view in a few more blocks. It rises above most of theothr buildings in town. A white, almost painfully so, square solid building that seems too pristine to be located in Korvosa. As you come down the road to the square before it, you can start to hear them. People. Shouts. Pleas. Not a large number. But enough so you her the before you're even in sight of the building.

There must be a hundred souls bunched up before the stairs to the Vault. Temple guards are stnding at the top of the stairs, regarding the crowd waryily. The crowd looks to be made up of mostly the poor. Though you spy the odd fine robe denoting some one who does well in their trade. Most disturbing are those who are laying down. A line of people...some on homemade stretchers and some just collapsed and dragged over to the area...laying on the street. They re in various stages of an illness. A couple seem to be bleeding from their noses, ears, and eyes. One woman is screaming in between coughs. Each chest wracking round of coughing sends a fine spray of blood shooting out of her mouth. The droplets form almst a mist in the ir before settling back down on her. Covering her like a veil.

The acolyte shakes his head. "There's more 'n there were an hour ago. Damn. " He points to the stair. " There's...there's no other way in. We gotta go through 'em.... "

The half-orc had never run with the best bunch, and he knew how to keep watch for pick pockets, but he still made sure to keep a good amount of coins in the hidden pocket of his scarf for safe keeping, all the while bringing the scarf to his mouth as they moved through the masses. If any of them were infected, it would only make their situation worse. "From the looks of it, things have escalated far quicker than we thought...Perhaps we were wrong to assume the boxes had to do with it. Or perhaps it's just been spread through unfortunate incident." Of course, he knew many plagues in history had started with just a single unfortunate infection, but it at least seemed like many were at least claiming the plague had affected them. Just a day ago, it was a case or two and now they had an army of beggars outside the church.

"And the church will let the poor die due to lack of funds I suppose?"

Selvin finished escorting Trinia in silence from then on. He accepted the cheek kiss and gave her a nod of goodbye but that was it. He slept fitfully that night and was awoke by a knocking on his door.

He looked surprised by the summons but nodded immediately, mumbling a quick prayer to his god Abadar. "Of course. Right away."

He followed after the acolyte and he frowned when he saw the mass of sick people and heard about the deaths. It was spreading quickly. "This is very bad."

He shot a sharp look at Vaddis. "I don't mock your god, do I? Show some respect even if you don't agree please."

Selvin began gently making his through the crowd, trying to offer words of comfort as he moved, trying to give a small measure of reassurance when he could.

"I was not mocking, I was asking a question, knowing that your faith does not allow clerics to perform work without pay."

The acolyte glares at Vaddis, but answers the question.

"Whether we can or can not, we have spent all last night and this morning healing. Removing illness is not something every brother can do. Abadar only bestows such skill on those with a high rank. And they can only do it so many times a day." He shrugs. "The same will be true for your faith as well as any other. It isn't a question of wanting to. It is a question of 'can you' and 'how often'." He shakes his head. "Vaultkeeper Dhatri I know is concerned. He has spoken up quite a bit. I would ask that you speak with him before passing judgement."

The ire fell off of Selvin's face at Vaddis' return words. "Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to snap and take offense so quickly."

He listened to the acolyte and tilted his head to the side. That was news to him, but then he wasn't a cleric. "Well then. Let's go speak with the Vaultkeeper."

"Aye, let us speak to the Vaultkeeper."

---

---

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."

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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?"

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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!"

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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.