As Deverick walked onward, his mind had to dwell on the news that the young beggar gave him. That Gaspar wanted him to mayhaps join him at the Beggars' Union. That a Deputy Constable and nephew of the mayor himself, was looking for him. For what reason the big warrior could only guess. Then there was the news that Ren himself was walking the streets of Greyhawk! If so why? Why did the Master Merchant send them to the High Quarter when he was seen there? So many questions with little answers it would seem. He might fine some answers upon reaching the casino, The Wheel Of Gold.


To The Wheel Of Gold thread.

From The Behind Close Doors thread!

Deverick made his way as quick as he could but the Strip was as crowded as usual. Even for a big man like Dev wearing the Uniform of a Watchman. Yet, Deverick did better than most. Because of the crowd and all the revels, the big warrior could not be sure he had a tail or not. At least no one stood out to him. No Ren o' the Star, or halfling, or red-headed gnome. Finally after about a hour of working his way up the strip Dev finally made the side street Dim Lane, which in turn lead to the alleyway called Moonshadow Lane! The all too familiar sign swung in the slight evening breeze. The sun was slipping below the horizon as Dev pushed his way through the door.

As Deverick entered the tavern, the dock workers grew quiet. The mercenary doubted, dressed as he was, they would remember him. Besides most were deep into their cups. As his eyes adjusted to the dimness of the place, he picked out the table where Ovo and Blossom sat. Blossom looked somewhat dejected as she sat staring into her cup while the dwarf was turning his up with three "dead soldiers" set about him.

Amli was behind the bar, squinting in his direction "Garret? Nay too big... can I help you Watchman? Do you seek Deputy Constable Starlen?"

 Deverick walked into the Widows Rest,and much to his surprise, his own cousin did not seem to recognize him in the Watchmen uniform. He started to find the situation amusing, until she made mention of Starlen.  He attempted to disguise his voice when he spoke.

" Has the Deputy Constable been here recently?"

The dock workers looked from Deverick back to Almi and waited for her to speak once more.

"Ahhhh... You came to see the Deputy Constable then. Well he lives upstairs. He should be up as he deals with the Night Watch. The sun is setting no? Is there anything wrong? I am close to Garret Satrlen... and he likes me as much as anyone could."

The dock workers chuckled a bit at the last.

"If it is about my nephew hitting Rogio, I have many wittiness that will testify that that the Rhenne bastard started the fight and Deverick just finished it so you'd be wasting good time in that regard. So how may I help you... as you see I have a tavern to run."

 Deverick leaned over and spoke in a low tone in the tongue of the Barge Folk " Auntie, it be yer nephew. Take me somewhere so I ken shed meself o this Watchman garb."

 Dev then attempted to sound very official. "I need ta speak with ye..in private."

Her eyes widened a bit upon realizing it was indeed Deverick. Almi then called for her daughter to take over the bar. Amali hugged Deverick as she passed him and her mother.

"Twice in one day? Aten't we blessed by the fates!" she said as she reached the bar. "Okay! Everybody who be dry order up! We make no money with you all just propping up the bar."

Almi lead Dev back to her room where earlier she had read her cards. As she peered around him just to make sure they were not followed she spoke.

"Go on nephew. We are alone now. Why are you wearing such a costume? What have you done now? What is it you need to tell me?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:27, Fri 12 Aug 2016.

 As soon as Deverick was with his aunt in her back room, he started to divest himself of as much of the Watchman's uniform that modesty would allow, in front of his aunt. He tried to fill her in as he stripped.

" Me and me mates got ourselves involved in some high en mighties doins,auntie. There be some odd goings on er in th city,en we got caught up in it, when we hired on fer a job. Seems everyone be lookin ta hire me or wants ta talk ta me. I was up at the Citadel talkin ta th Constable,en she gave me this ta hep me get here without being followed. Seems the Deputy Constable wants ta "talk' ta me,but I spect he wants ta do more en talk."

 Almi listened with great interest while Dev explained his situation. When he was finished the Vetha gave him a wryly smile.

"There be an old Rhennee curse that says May you live in interesting times! I do not think Garret Starelen wishes to talk to you. He knows about you for sure... I brag about you nd your brothers oft enough. So if he wished to speak with you I would know about it I'm thinking. I sent Tess to learn more but she has yet to return. She told me you would not have her in your company because she is not a guilder. You know most of the Rhennee thieves, including your cousins nay be guild thieves, not that I would let them go adventuring anyway. My advice is to always choose loyalty over some guild card but it be your life.

She nodded her head upon hearing of the Constable "She is known as a fair and honest. If I were wagering I would put money on her. What can you tell me of this job and the people involved? Remember the reading... a man will bring you important news. Do you wish me to arrange a meeting with Deputy Constable Starlen? He may be able to shed some light on your predicament. He will keep quiet if I ask him."

 Deverick did not argueing with his beloved anut, but he did so anyway. "Auntie, I knows that me cousins in the Folk nay be o th Guild o Thieves. But they nay be city folk fer the most part, en besides, nay one expects em ta join th guild. But People like Tess be different, we av guilds in th city fer good reasons. it keeps things organized and makes the place run mostly smooth. If we let anyone do as they bloody please, and flaunt th guilds, things get all buggered up. But that nay be important right now."

 Deverick dropped his mail hauberk onto the floor and finished getting rid of the last of the Watchmen uniform. He had his own breeches and shirt wrapped up,so he started to dress himself in his own things.

" I promised nay ta reveal who it be, we rescued, but it be on o th high en mighties. It be someone on th Council,en there was a bloody Priestess of **** that had him prisoner in the slums. We beat er en her lick spittle lackeys. I turned er over ta the Watch station,but she died in th care o the Deputy Constable. The Constable seems, ta me way o thinkin, ta think him suspect. It seems that there be forces that may be trying ta replace Oligarghs on th Council, I dunno how,magic I spose. But me en me mates be in deep water fer sure, by the gods."

Almi held up a hand "You keep saying Deputy Constable. There are two Deverick the Tall. Deputy Starlen is in charge of the Night Watch. Now the other one is a nephew of the Mayor. And already nearly as rich from all the bribes he takes... at least tha's the word on the street. Garret has very little to do with him... I rhink it because he's an honest man. The Constable thinks highly of Starlen. What did she have to say about Gasgal? Do you wish to talk to Starlen? If so we must hurry! He'll be on his way to the Citadel soon."

" Negly in charge o the Old part o the city. He be th one that be lookin fer me. When the Constable tells me ta stay clear o this Negly, I will heed er counsel. As fer meetin with th other Deputy Constable, I av ta say nay, There be enough cooks in this er stew ta ma way o thinkin. Me and me mates jus hav ta lay low like til we can talk ta our patron agin, Which reminds me, I av ta go out o th city  ta th Sullen Selkie er soon. But time fer a pint er two afore we go."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Sat 13 Aug 2016.

Almi just nodded.

"Taking care of our own business is the Rhennee way. Very well Deverick the Tall... blood of my blood, know that you will always have a place here. A safe place where you may rest your head. Now go and speak with your friends. They too have been worried about you."

Your Aunt then lead Dev back to the common room where the dockworkers, full into their cups, started singing an old sea chantey which they sometimes used when loading and unloading a ship or barge, just to pass the time during such back breaking work.

Upon entering the room itself, Blossom rose slowly and looked as if she had seen a ghost. Her mouth hung open for several heartbeats and then she ran to Dev, throwing herself into his arms!

"Oh Borcarsen! I did not know iff ya vere whole n' hale... or how vould vee get ya oout of dat fortress if da vatch vanted ta keep ya. Ovo said not ta voor-ey but I could not help it."

She hugged him hard and there was strength in Blossom's arms for sure. When she lifted her head from Dev's chest, the maiden's face was streaked with marks from fallen tears. Whatever she was about to say was drowned out by a roar from the table as Ovo rose from the that place with tankard in hand!

"See! I told ye the lad would be awright! Ye survived the meet'n with the watch did ye? Ye learn anything?"

The waved a hand and then beckoned Dev to join them at their table.

"Deverick's cousin!" the dwarf shouted at the bar!

Amali just laughed as she peered between two brawny dock workers "Aye! I know! More ale! Right? This one for my lunk o' ah cousin I suppose! Have patience and braid your beard will ya? Coming right up!"

Her wink and smile took the sting from her words and Dev could tell the youngest of Aimi's daughters had taken a liking of the ole dwarf.

"Come on! Let 'im breath ah bit eh Blossom? We've nay much time... n' let the lads has some talk n' drink'n ta do!"

Blossom gave him a final tight squeeze and whispered in his ear before letting go.

"Kum! Join us Borcarsen. There vill be time talk later yah?"

Deverick hugged hus aunt, then followed her out back into the Common room. He waved to his cousin, but before he could say anything, he was grabbed up in an Owl Bear hug by Blossom.
 " Umph!. Well, it be bloody nice ta see ye as well,Lass. Be not sad, Lass, I be whole en Hale.me word on that."
The Warrior nodded to the Dwarf Ovo. "Ye be  a pleasing sight ta these eyes, Master Dwarf."

Deverick joined them at table,and gladly accepted the tankard of ale from the hand of his cousin. After Dev took a long pull from the tanlard, he wiled his mouth free of foam.

"By the gods, that be good en needed." He said,then leaned in to whisper.

" The Constable heard about what we did and wanted ta know more. The Half-Orc we turned over ta th Watch died afore she could be made ta talk. The Constable seems ta want ta help,but I could only tell er so much. But it seems the Deputy Constable, th one that ad charge o the Half-Orc wants ta "talk' with me. She thinks he means me ill,so e may be part o those that took ye know who."

He took another long pull of the tankard, before he spoke again. " I told er we where hired ta rescue someone,and bout the council mess.she wanted me ta tell his nibs there be a secret meeting this very day. She then game me a watch uniform ta slip away and back er. I nay think I was followed." 

The dwarf took a long pull from his own tankard. With the foam dripping from his beard.

"I nay like it lad. Ah Deputy Constable ya say? That be ah might troublesome ta me. We have ta return ta the Selkie this eve but I be wonder'n about something... wot if ye know who ain't there lad? I mean Blossom saw him in the city. Ye don't think our charge be paly'n us fer fools do ya?"

Blossom nodded sudenly she was very serious "I saw him Borcarsen. I swear it! It vas him or his twin. But if dey be trying to take over da council dey may be using magic ta do it. My people hold no truck vith magic save dat kums from Kord. I say vee go n' see at da Selkie. If our man izz there den vee know da other vas ah impostor yah?"

 Deverick listened to his companions,as he drained the last of the ale. " Aye, we av ta go en see if his nibs still be at the Selkie. I av a message from the Constable fer em anyways. So we kill two Goblins with one arrow, eh.  Let us be off then."

 He got to his feet,and then paused. " I almost forgot, I av a gift compliments of er nibs up on th hill. Potions that will heal wounds,so I be told. I trust er,cause she be a Priest o Pelor." Deverick handed each of his companions a healing potion.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Sun 14 Aug 2016.

Dev and companions drained their tankards and made ready to leave. Goodbyes were shouted from the bar from Dev's cousin Amali and not a few of the dock workers who most like would nay remember them upon the morrow. Out side the sky was dark... the stars and moons being hidden now and then as clouds raced by. To Dev if smelled and felt as though rain was imminent.

Out of the shadows of Moonshadow Lane and only a short stretch upon Dim Lane, the trio soon found themselves back on the strip which was as lively as ever. Revelers, thieves, whores, and those seeking entertainment or drink moved ... .at a snail's pace due to the crowd. Some folk just stood and talked, knots of people scattered all up and down the Strip in fact. Luckily for Deverick they left this busy thoroughfare for the busy but much less crowded Cargo Street.

They had not traveled far when they spied the Cargo Gate itself. As usual there was a standard patrol manning the gate and because it was dusk, the gate was closed. Here, Dev hoped either Ren's ring or the Constable's writ would get them through. The Sergeant in charge held up a beefy hand and said what all three had expected!

"Halt! Halt n' state yer business fer the gate be closed."

 Deverick showed the ring to the One that told them to halt. " I appreciate if ye would let us pass, good watchmen."

The Sergeant waved over one of his men-at-arms who held a lantern. Upon seeing the ring, his brows rose and his lips were pursed as if he was in thought. three heartbeats later he nodded his head.

"Looks ta be in order." he said with a wink and was turning to those men-at-arms at the gate, presumably to have it opened but a voice... a rather rough voice spoke from the shadows.

"Half ah moe Sergeant!" a lithe silent man said.

This man in dark leathers strode from the shadows with his dark grey cloak about his person and a hood over his head. The latter hid the features of his face.

"That's the man Sergeant! The one that the Deputy Constable wishes to question. If ya nay believe me just take a closer look at 'im."

The sergeant did just that, his eyes became narrow slits and he rubbed his stubbled chin.

"Aye! He fits the description awright but he has Ren's ring by the gods! Ren sits upon the council don't he?" he said puffing out his chest as if he wished to show his authority.

"Does 'e now? Mayhaps that be Ren's ring n' mayhaps not. Ren was kidnapped jus two nights ago. Who's ta say these aren't the buggers that done did it. Sides... The Deputy Constable be in charge o' the Watch n' you. Ren has nay ta do wi' that."

The watch sergeant appeared a bit confused now as his head whipped toward Dev!

"Wot ya got ta say ta that lad?" the sergeant said with his hands upon his hips. Dev could tell the watchman did not like the other fellow and was giving Dev his chance to explain.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:52, Sun 14 Aug 2016.

 Deverick was taken aback at first, when the man stopped the Watch from letting them pass. But when the hooded figure accused the three of actually kidnapping Ren, Deverick started to become angry.

"If th ring nay be enough ta let us pass, then mayhap this will clear th matter up fer ye."

 Deverick reached into a belt pouch,and produced the document that the Constable had given him, that stated he was to be passed through all gates and not be hindered in any way. He offered it to the Sergeant,making sure the hooded one could not make a grab for it.

 When the Sergeant had the document," As ye can see, Sergeant, we be on someones business this night,en that someone ain't a beggar."

The Sergeant looked to the shadowy figure who had spoken grinning ear to ear!

"Hah! The lad has trumped yer Deputy wi' ah full blown Constable he has! This here be ah writ from Derider herself. It states he may pass any and all gates, and may nay be stopped or hindered by any patrol save if he... I'm assuming it means the lad here... be in ah act o' ah crime. I see no reason ta detain 'im."

He turned to Dev, handing him the writ once more "Take care o' that lad. It'll save yer arse afore this is over, Now then! Get on wi' yer business n' let me handle things on this side o' the gate."

As Deverick turned, the other man was already melting back into the shadows. The gate creaked open and the three companions went through. They had walked about a bow shot from the gate when they heard someone shout.

"That's the one that it Rogio at the Rest!" it was in the tongue of the barge folk... the Rhennee!

 Deverick thanked the Sergeant and made sure to return the Constable's pass to be tucked inside his right boot. They passed through the gate and beyond the walls of the city. The trio had just really started to walked to the Selkie when some shouted in Rhennee,and it was about Deverick.

" We might av trouble, keep yer blades loose." Said as Dev looked for the source of the potential trouble.

To The Sullen Selkie! thread!