Moving on

---

As you turn a corner, you find yourselves on a street that has been cordoned off by the City Watch. Lying on the cobblestones are a half-dozen corpses, seemingly the victims of some terrible skirmish. Watch officers have disarmed and arrested three blood-drenched humans and are in the midst of questioning witnesses. One of the officers sees you. “Get on,” she says. “Nothing to see here.”

Filimena finds herself in a strangely good mood as she strolls through the city. Certainly, after what felt like years in that dark dwarven dungeon (OOC: Hehehe) it is a pleasant change of scenery. She even finds herself giving a sideways grin as she watches the big cat plodding around in front of her, casting her gaze around suspiciously at the city’s avian inhabitants. The fact that They had spoken to her once again drifts slowly to the back of her mind.

The sight of six corpses lying bloody on the ground is a somewhat rude awakening to all of this. Hearing the City Watch officer dismiss them, FIlimena catches herself, and does her best job of feigning innocence, bringing a palm to her mouth and gasping, eyes widening in mock horror. “Oh my!” she cries, staring at the corpses, then turning to the Watch officer, trying her best to look small and harmless. “What in the world happened here!

OOC: I rolled a 15 for deception.

Also rolled an 8 on investigation to try to discern the possible cause of the fight, e.g. whether it was a gang thing. It says 10 in the dice roller, but this is cos it re-rolled the Guidance d4, which it should because Halfling Luck only works on d20s. In any case fairly sure it was not a successful roll.

Could we assume as we were leaving the tavern and Filimena was handed the gold purses by Disanz she asked him where the Skewered Dragon is and where to find him afterwards? Also, naturally, Filimena peeks in the purses
This message was lightly edited by the player at 00:37, Fri 28 Sept 2018.

Marik frown at the grisly sight. He's about to ask what the hell happened, but is relieved that Filimena speak first.

His attention drift to the blood-soaked humans. What could have prompted such violence? Gang wars or something more?

OOC: Marik rolled 8 for Insight to try to gain a sense of the humans killers motive.

dock ward ambient music



The guards don't let Marik or Rani overly close to the bodies, though Marik can see a fair number of stab wounds from shorter blade - perhaps a dagger or shortsword. Looking about Marik does note that the tall, densely packed tenements leave most of the neighborhood in shadow at ground level. Most of the streetlamps have had their glass smashed and their candles stolen, and the smells of salt air and excrement linger as you pass by rows of run-down buildings

Filimena shudders ”My friend and I are not from this city originally,” she replies, turning back to look briefly at Marik and the big cat. ”Does violence like this happen very often here? Should we be worried?’ Hawks’ and ‘Eye Watches Eternal’ sound like gang names.”

OOC: Are we particularly close to the docks or to the Skewered Dragon at this point? Just need to consider whether this event might be related.

Marik is about to say something, but refrain himself. No point in pointing out the obvious to someone who lived in a city for most of her life. Cities are stone cages for trained animals, nothing more. Worse even...He's been here a few days and he can feel the palpable stress of living in such a busy, tightly packed habitat. No wonder they lash out against each other.

On that note, he doesn't feel that comfortable looking around and seeing only cramped and dark alleyways. He's been in that city for too long. He need space. He can hear the sound of the waves and the cries of birds. The water must be near. Might as well get some fresh air. She would find him and Rani easily.

 [Language unknown: "Be naus in nteromere etsana ekpa alecth ha pl estoulwasine, nores astad N tedei any."] says the elf to Filimena. Guiding Rani, he turn the panther around and goes some distance ahead in the direction of the tides.


OOC: Beginning to walk near the waterfront, Marik would like to keep a eye out for further signs of struggle. Patches of dried blood, pieces of torn fabric, bodies floating in the water. He instruct Rani to try to detect the smell of dried blood among the variety of odors from the wharf.

OOC: Rani rolled 18 for Perception (smell). Marik rolled 9 for a Investigation check.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:21, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

Yes the Skewerd Dragon is in the dock district - which Disa forgot mentioned before y'all left but we will hand wave it ;)



Marik can't out make out much of what happened as unfortunately cobblestone streets don't hold  onto as much information as the forest floor would. Rani seems overwhelmed by the smells of the dock district, as she moves about sniffing everything and everyone. Marik does see boats in the distance, perhaps some 500ft (152m) away, but he has no way of knowing the most direct route as the streets do little to aid his sense of direction
This message was last edited by the player at 04:00, Tue 02 Oct 2018.

Filimena glances over her shoulder. "Oh! Oh my!" she remarks, and makes to follow after him, but pauses and turns back to the Watch officer. "By the way, you wouldn't happen to know if The Skewered Dragon is nearby, do you? My friend and I are headed there. Hope there aren't any dangerous criminals there like the Hawks or those Eye people. Wouldn't want to get into any trouble!"

OOC: Hahaha! That's great XD


Marik continue to wander off slowly in the direction of the sails and boats, thinking he's going in the right direction. Rani frequently stop to sniff the pavement and buildings left and right. After a time, he check to see if Filimena is still visible. There she is, little dark shape with a pale visage talking to the crouching guard.

FIlimena gulps visibly for the watch officer's benefit. "Well," she says. "Thanks for the tip. We'll be sure to be careful. A good day to you." With a solemn nod and a tip of an invisible hat, she bids the watch officer goodbye and trudges quickly down the road towards the dwarf.

"Seems there was an altercation between two gangs, the Hawks and the Eye Watches Eternal. I don't know if you heard. I noticed you wandered off," she says, once she's close enough not to have to shout. "I mentioned to the watch officer we were headed to The Skewered Dragon. I'm not sure there's any connection. It's apparently quite a rough place though. And also in pretty much in the opposite direction we're headed." She adds the last bit matter-of-factly.

OOC: Sorry! Was rather occupied the last couple of days!

Filimena find the elf and the panther looking at each other, as if they were both unsure about what to do.

[Language unknown: "T... A al esolacch plchilpe din een?...Na...M en dieiiv, post ac K llckti siha sssechli....Lo m noint ofev out ionoerrom o eauvorble ionearenc...Ll outra me day omeughres utlaat avehislar sanmanerestashe......"] He sigh. [Language unknown: "Ckssai terourrea ilalou lo ch loatch, Nce somallain sear..."] he turn around, now following Filimena.

[Language unknown: "Thul earmanted-yinort er Pewapaee Dipono, fima esth? Ess ioma ssilnt e plec'sibe rederathiome antessmen ou wi entartmen ithon? Notioubut esnielta m korha notpl t p ughhousomardant?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:22, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

Filimena shrugs, and turns around to lead the way the best she can, based on what she was told by the watch officer.

[Language unknown: "T protedera esho unsame ect bemi,"] she replies, switching to elven, after continuing down the road a bit. [Language unknown: "Ca weekpl ho esha itpene u n. Om Ni hisearnde mo plouhi estol ckrut to. A ounus ai ni en e mi adaihi tewiwe, lock werdi N oersetkor lieica loolevte pe ourom sseesi."]

Marik walk besides Filimena, warily following the halfling in the crowded streets.

 [Language unknown: "Inset llhas eststaers wh vir etort...oreandnde uric ureandeen ncesanher nd u ate melin neou on ver lali a pro on iou ncprpo ma iou oerro hiri eeel..."] He pause [Language unknown: "O ainti nt, U thllni saat Itoun und anyartestleslin thesei aini oreentiou on ome tiosetlartin. Usurli ckol bein pl virwasich wastrales antntetho...Fotone hi hisal iv moin to ticintmanearwhe ladilo."]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:22, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

It takes Filimena a moment to recall that Disa mentioned that he and Floon were drinking at the Skewered Dragon a few nights earlier (per msg 10)

The group moves along the city streets till they find themselves at Zastrow Street and Fillet Lane. One nearby shop stands out from the others. It has a deep purple facade, and in its window hangs a stuffed beholder. Above the door hangs a sign whose elaborate letters spell out Old Xoblob Shop.

Marik can make out a street sign a few blocks away noting the cross street is Net Street.

 "Ne...Net Street" spells Marik. [Language unknown: "U vorichhas o stail alleraati ounhising n verder-omente, ac ss she p ard trofwh k any butlesera inther-vorain?"]

He looks curiously at the stuffed beholder. What the hell is that supposed to be? Wierd, ugly as sin, but still kind of adorable wih those big googly eyes. The artisan that stuffed this sure has a wierd imagination.


OOC: I wanted to try a Nature check to see if he ever encountered info about Beholders and rolled a 1...

"We must be close by now," Filimena replies, her attention drawn to the stuffed beholder as well. "The watch officer said to look out for Old Xoblob's Shop. Let's head down closer to Net Street. Unless you're curious about the shop."

OOC: Is it a real beholder that's been stuff, by any chance? And could Filimena attempt to peep discreetly into the shop as they pass by, assuming they pass by and don't go in.

[Language unknown: "...Pena derreafor I ut...heranyone ngaibe"] says Marik, who continues to walk alongside Filimena.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:23, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

The beholder looks like paper mache rather than a real one.

---

Moving on the pair find themselves in front of the Skewered Dragon which looks like a ruin. Both of its front-facing windows are smashed, and a ship’s anchor is lodged in the roof. Through the windows, you can see a group of haggard patrons drinking from huge tankards.

[Language unknown: <En>"Ersoulest eau...p...."]</Blue> says the elf, checking the building from wall to roof. [Language unknown: <Red>"Antho?"]</Blue> he let out, as his eyes meet the anchor lodged in the roof. Drunken ogre? Raging half-giant? A wizard with a grudge? Possibilities race in his head without any making sense.

[Language unknown: "Ous eareveint dayoveint ratonsvor...teofelll miisul oveiveint houpr notingred m nealarus en. Man rutta reasfo etone ereardain san nd ughsonwil she shestiest os ioom omedaywas." ]
says the elf. [Language unknown: "Ri re wh o safi eretiorat, uslin ol eedion anlat ereverwhe n estthasetrom. T ich rima-elnd, t ivwi utio a encho etwa con all menouspre ard trnot esttedhis? Thie u oul oneeraast eenectatiall utinbe stiek allonsort i a usalwe ofprosio el icst itonadun thio teetom Hasantwil paloei asus liles esronc lesineainkor? Pl sentwi p ceiou ichill'manrat t ate pawh o fi heof Et...T ll po tr voroulany al ti, E inul ss matr-napa n urermi tr nawiel ratintsom la u ha werthacon ie p."]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:25, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

Filimena shrugs. [Language unknown: "Ith,"] she says. [Language unknown: "Nd caasil. Ie urch to venbutour diutlo tioorthasterenteen i Re toint ol pa ei Elone, nihi p areinetin os oertioble Ere ti wilughine os n."] She grins slightly for a moment, but this turns quickly and purposefully into a sneer.

Pushing open the door to the tavern, Filimena steps in. Pausing only briefly to find the bar, she strides confidently towards in, hops up onto bar stool, and calls loudly for an ale, the strong stuff.

OOC: My text assumes nothing happens while Filimena strides through the tavern. It assumes there is a bar, there is a stool at the bar, and there is someone at the bar to take her order. Let me know if any of those things isn't true and I'll change it. Haha.

An obvious question is, what does Filimena see throughout all of this? What are the other patrons like, etc.?

In the meantime, Marik and Rani start strolling around the tavern, looking for signs of past struggles, pieces of ripped clothes, patches of blood. For a moment, the ambiant sounds appear dull and distant, as his trained eyes are focused on interpreting another langage: the unique markings and scars left on the earth in the course of pursuit of struggle. .


OOC: Marik rolled 16 for a Investigation check.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:25, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

A few patrons, probably regulars are in the tavern, a trio at the far end of the bar and a pair in the corner rolling dice. A rough looking copper dragonborn comes in from a door behind the bar and smiles showing just a few too many teeth.


Back out in the lane, Marik does make out the signs of a fight - perhaps a day or so old. The normal dust and mud on the cobble stones has been greatly disturbed and a few droplets of blood are still visible.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:12, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

"Hm" mutter Marik. That's a start. The marks don't appear too fresh or old, which would fit the timeline Disanz gave them. Now, how to make sure it's was Floon and not some other drunkards or a gang that got in a fight? Disanz did say they went playing and made a few coins. Maybe he could see if he can spot dices or playing card laying around the scene. He doubt loose money would stay for long on the floor in a place like that.

It's seems the fight was swift and brutal, given the blood and the quantity of dust disturbed. Maybe enough to have piece of cloth teared out from Floon "princely" suit. Maybe he could find traces of odd-colored garment laying around or feathers like he's seen some people around here wear of their hats...

After thinking a bit on possible hints of Floon involvement, Marik signals Rani to slowly circle the area of the fight. While looking for clues, he also tries to get a sense of how many people were involved in that fight.


OOC: I case it is necesseray, Marik rolled 10 for Perception to spot sign of Floon presence and 21 for Survival to ascertain how many people were involved in that fight.

Filimena grins slyly at the trio at the bar. "I'll have whatever they're having," she says, motioning at them to the barkeep. "Since apparently they think they're the strong stuff."

Having said this, she places some coins on the bar - enough to cover whatever it is the dragonborn might serve up - and proceeds to completely ignore everyone else in the tavern, focusing her attention instead of such details as the length of her fingernails, the state of the wood forming the bar, and the scuff marks on the floor beneath her stool.

OOC: Of course, the entire time, she's actually trying looking around the room, trying to notice any suspicious details (and rolled a 5, presumably sees nothing), but also trying to look suspicious enough herself that the others at the bar will hopefully get curious and strike up a conversation with her.

22:30, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 5 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones with rolls of 2.  Perception.