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21:21, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 8: Siren Song.

Posted by ArtemisFor group 0
Artemis
GM, 961 posts
Wed 23 Oct 2019
at 13:52
  • msg #1

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Uzai lies before you, all black marble buildings and white stone streets. It's a very wealthy place and prices are ludicrous compared to what you're used to, but at least the quality is better too. By the time you arrive it is but early afternoon and Loden manages to haggle for an inn whose price is only slightly strangling.

The inn itself is called The Kicking Rabbit and has seen better days but at least seems mostly clean. Raina immediately sets down her things and heads for the library, bent on clearing up this Tanzy business as soon as possible, which is a relief for more than one of you. In the meantime you may do as you wish. The tavern is filled with the lunch rush of patrons, all bustling and laughing, and there are shops a plenty to be found as well. Halek, wide eyed and nervous in such places, sticks close to Raknesh, though Loden seems quite at home in such environs.

ooc: Ok, there's a lot of places you can go. There's the town square where there's carts and shops and an enormous fountain that people like to splash in. There's the library of course, several taverns and the like, restaurants, and apparently a school for bards is located here too! They are known to litter the city, selling songs and stories for cheap. So everyone let me know where you want to go and for time's sake please roll spots, listens, and gather information so I have them at the ready should I need them :)
Bryon
player, 263 posts
Warlock
HP62/50 AC17
Wed 23 Oct 2019
at 18:37
  • msg #2

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Bryon and Ulthol go to the town square. She had fun splashing in the fountain and then...shopping!

While shopping Bryon uses detect magic.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:21, Wed 23 Oct 2019.
Tanzy
player, 403 posts
Wed 23 Oct 2019
at 21:59
  • msg #3

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Tanzy will do some exploring of her own but offers to meet Raina at the library later in the day.
Search:18
Listen:15
Spot:7
Gather info:26
This message was last edited by the player at 22:03, Wed 23 Oct 2019.
Prizzard
player, 774 posts
Bounty: The Shadow Scythe
Rashemi of the Wild
Thu 24 Oct 2019
at 10:51
  • msg #4

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Prizzard seeks first a magical authority, particularly a divination specialist. A grand city such as this should have one. I'll move my various business here to a PM
Raknesh Kaltash
player, 617 posts
hp:44/156
Sat 26 Oct 2019
at 18:17
  • msg #5

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Raknesh sent Rocky for a quick scouting fly around the town, just in case, while staying close enough to be heard and called if needed.

He will go to the bardic school. As they are known to be able to keep themselves up to date with the world's events.  If something noteworthy happened, they probably will know about it.
Artemis
GM, 962 posts
Mon 28 Oct 2019
at 19:19
  • msg #6

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Bryon: Hand in hand with Ulthol, you are having a wonderful time already! There are so many shops about with sweets and clothes and jewelry and shoes and books and just about everything else you could wish to look at. You do find a few sources of magic when you try to detect it. One, is a weaponsmith who seems to have quite a collection but the prices are staggering. The other, is a woman selling random items from a dingy looking cart. She is rather dirty and worn looking and the things she's selling don't look in particularly good condition either, but you can tell there's strong magic coming from something on her cart. Should you investigate you find it is a rusty little hand bell of all things.


Tanzy: You have always felt most at home within a city, and now, finally back into the world of the living, it's all the more relieving to be in such a place. It's also nice to finally have a bit of solitude. You rarely get it these days, though Perkins accompanies you if you'll have him. Somehow, he doesn't count. He's a frog.
You look all about, very enticed by several shops though the prices give you pause. Of course, there's the five fingered discount you're so fond of, if you think you can get away with it. Meanwhile, you are able to gather some general information. It is a very good year for crops. Twice the number of babies are being born lately, and then, your blood freezes as you hear something else. In the neighboring kingdom of Yvayne, Lord Greystone is finally taking a bride. Lady Tala Vistar. Your mother. You don't know what grates you more, that she's actually marrying him or that she's gone back to her maiden name, doffing your father's surname. All the folk are quite excited as there is supposed to be many a festival for the lord's nuptials. It's only a day and a half ride to the land so many speak of going there for holiday.

Raknesh:

The bardic school impresses you. It's clearly very expensive and something tells you only the wealthiest students can afford the place but then with such an impressive education they are like to do well in the world. You can already hear music as you enter, a young woman's beautiful and clear lilt coming from down a hallway, though it's often interrupted with the bellows of a man yelling at her to do better. Halek accompanies you if you'll have him, and he looks irritable at such a lovely voice being constantly scolded. You can tell it irks him.

When you ask for news, a scrawny stick of a young man eagerly tells you he'll tell you all, for a price of one silver piece. Should you indulge him he spouts some awful rhyme about how many more babies are being born as of late that you're pretty sure borders enough on a dirty limerick that you interrupt him for the last part. After all, whatever rhymed with keenness couldn't be good for the boy's innocent ears. Fortunately, another student, a young man of about fifteen, shoves the other aside and sends him scurrying away with a boot to the rear. Sorry about him. He's a bit of a per-uh... seeing Halek he stops himself. He's not a very good bard. Now, if you want news I'll give it to you for free. This town is awful. It's expensive and dull. Thankfully there's to be a noble wedding in the next kingdom, and if you're smart you'll head over there like the rest of us! Lord Greystone is giving a holiday for his people and the celebrations are no doubt unmissable! he grins eagerly.

Meanwhile Rocky, still out and about, tells you the town looks safe enough, but that he has noticed a little girl of about five, wandering about by herself and he's a touch concerned.

Prizzard: You are able to find a diviner, though it takes a few tries. You find a blind old man, eyes wrapped in a blindfold, sitting in a small apartment on the north end of town. Should you knock he'll tell you simply to enter, gesturing to an empty chair at the table in front of him. Want your fortune do you? Whey else would you be here? It's twenty silvers and not a copper less. I can feel the ridges too, so don't think you're going to fool me. Besides, my granddaughter is upstairs, so don't try anything. He sounds surprisingly crotchety, not like you'd expect a diviner at all.
Tanzy
player, 404 posts
Wed 30 Oct 2019
at 08:08
  • msg #7

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Tanzy pays for her items, deciding to save her “discount” for another time. Uzai was a little too close to home and the last thing she needed is to get into trouble. News of her mother’s wedding kindles anger and she stuffs her purchases into her pack with unnecessary force. “Looks like we have a wedding to attend,” she mutters to Perkins as they step out into the street. Having spent a great deal of time together in the underworld the little frog is familiar with Tanzy’s past as well as what was experienced during the trials. It should come as no surprise to him when she voices her plans. “Only what excuse can we give the others for slipping away for a few days?” Her family matters seem small compared to saving the world and she had no intention of distracting her companions with something so trivial.
Prizzard
player, 775 posts
Bounty: The Shadow Scythe
Rashemi of the Wild
Wed 30 Oct 2019
at 08:45
  • msg #8

Chapter 8: Siren Song

"Money will not be an issue, but I was hoping to find a diviner of a more.. official capacity. I seek not a fortune-telling, but a mind-reader to help clear my name. I doubt you'll need magic to point me in the right direction." Two gold coins roll across the table toward the man. Prizzard had less patience than the average human but managed to keep himself calm when hunting what he needed. The darker side of society had taught him that impatience and temper did not help negotiations.
Raknesh Kaltash
player, 618 posts
hp:44/156
Wed 30 Oct 2019
at 11:29
  • msg #9

Chapter 8: Siren Song

They had, of course, to caught the one bard that was awful.
Thankfully the next one proved more useful.
Apparently, there was no news of the bad events that kept following them.

As Rocky made his report, Raknesh asked for Halek's opinion, knowing what the boy would say.

So they went and followed Rocky's guidance to find the little girl.
Artemis
GM, 964 posts
Tue 5 Nov 2019
at 22:36
  • msg #10

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Bryon: You take a long few minutes to examine the handbell, frowning as you concentrate on it. And then it comes to you.  Meanwhile the vendor, confused at such interest in such a piece of junk, asks if you're alright. It's nice in'it? It could shine right up I bet! I'll sell it for twenty silvers? she arches a wary brow, for it is a ludicrous price considering what she thinks it is. Of course, knowing its true nature, it's laughably low. Still, haggling is half the fun of buying things...

Tanzy: Perkins listens with the froggy equivalent of sympathy. So you plan to stop her eh? How will you do it? he asks. At your suggestion of slipping away he frowns. I understand not wanting anyone in your business, believe me, but...well if you're going to come up with a story it had better be good. That Prizzard fellow looks at you like he expects you to turn siren any second! Considering he killed you last time, I'd watch yourself around him. If you give him any reason not to trust you I worry what rash things he'll do. Thank goodness his powers are burned out! he adds with a shudder and you get the feeling that the little frog is somewhat intimidated of the man.

Raknesh: As you ask Halek his thoughts, before the boy can answer, the new bard gives you a knowing look. Did I hear you say a wandering girl? If she's in the rose district I'd be careful of her. She's not what she seems you know, he says knowingly. What do you mean? Halek demands, already entranced. Seeing the boy so curious the bard eagerly turns on his storyteller charms. Oh for a silver piece I can tell you all about her! Before you can protest the boy immediately dips his fist into his pocket and tugs out the coin, which is plucked quickly by the young bard. Well. It all started a century ago. She's been seen that long you know. A little blonde haired thing, the most pitiful creature you've ever laid eyes on. She's always in the same place, wandering through the alley's of the roses, that's the pretty way of saying it. Really it's just some back streets in the slums, but there's the thing, she doesn't belong to anyone! At least no one alive that is. She asks for help, begs and cries and looks lost as a lamb in the snows! Many a soft heart has tried to help the poor little waif. And what do you suppose happened to them? he leans in mischievously to the wide eyed Halek. What? Halek demands. C-RRRRRRK!! he makes a horrid sound, dragging a horizontal finger across his throat. Dead! They disappear for three days and on the morning of the fourth their bodies are laid all out in the street, throats slit! Halek looks aghast at this and then turns to Raknesh. That's awful! We should do something! Right? Maybe?

Prizzard: Hearing the sound of coins, the blind man feels around for them, gripping them tightly and feeling the ridges. Hmph. Well I'm well respected round here, you should make no mistake about that! he huffs. But...if you're lookin to clear your name, your best bet is Lady Silda Vistar. She actually lives in the next kingdom over but wedding business for her sister has put her in town. I should know, she came to see me just yesterday. He looks grumpy at the memory for some reason. She's a piece of work though. Biggest snob I've ever met. She doesn't like me. Nothing she says about me is true ya hear? But if you give me a few more of those coins I'll tell you where she's stayin... Should you do so, you find she's staying at a nobleman's house, a Lord Omerik, who apparently is holding a gala that very night to celebrate his accomplished guest...
Prizzard
player, 776 posts
Bounty: The Shadow Scythe
Rashemi of the Wild
Wed 6 Nov 2019
at 04:43
  • msg #11

Chapter 8: Siren Song

"At your prices I can't afford to sate my curiosities. I don't mind paying well for the use of magic, but information I could find by overhearing gossip? This isn't exactly the black market." Prizzard rolls the blind man one more gold coin and begins to rise to leave. Perhaps the man will try to create a return customer and give the information. If not, perhaps the lawmen will be his lead on where to find this Lady Silda Vistar in town. Too bad he wasn't particularly practiced at lying..
Tanzy
player, 405 posts
Wed 6 Nov 2019
at 09:41
  • msg #12

Chapter 8: Siren Song

“Mother can marry Graystone if she wants, they deserve each other. She’ll just end up a widow again soon after.” Tanzy grins at the prospect and pauses in the street to drop a coin in an old beggars hat.
“I don’t think we need to worry about Prizzard?” The fact that her words ended in a question show her doubt. If she were being truthful the idea of trust issues over the siren business struck a sore spot. “He knows more than most about my history. We could give him a watered down version of the truth and he would probably believe it. I could say I want time alone to visit my family’s graves since we are so close. The siren isn’t due to appear for awhile and it’s not like they can force me to stay?” Another question. Rolling her eyes she turned down a side street that would hopefully lead to the library. “Or we could save everyone the drama and send a message and just go now...”
Bryon
player, 264 posts
Warlock
HP62/50 AC17
Wed 6 Nov 2019
at 18:22
  • msg #13

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Bryon is always too honest for her own good. ”I think you miss judge the value of this object. Even paying you twenty gold would be too little. I will offer you fifty gold, though, especially if you get it shiny again.”
Raknesh Kaltash
player, 619 posts
hp:44/156
Sat 9 Nov 2019
at 16:13
  • msg #14

Chapter 8: Siren Song

The more the bard explained the rumor/legend, the more Raknesh raised his eyes to the sky.

Of course it could  not have been a normal little girl that got lost...

"Well, I guess we could take a look. After all, we do have some experience with the odd things, disappearances and deaths...  But you won't do anything without asking - or at least explaining it to - me."

'Rocky, could you fly and try to find the others to explain the situation, just in case we do vanish...'
Artemis
GM, 965 posts
Tue 12 Nov 2019
at 19:00
  • msg #15

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Tanzy: At your mention of your mother being widowed again, Perkins gives a gasping little laugh of glee, much like a middle aged woman who's heard a particularly naughty joke and is shockingly delighted. As you go on with your possibilities, he grips your hood in his little webbed fingers and shakes it. You want to just slip off?! How tricky of you! Oh goodness, dare we do such a thing? How hard is it to kill this Greystone fellow? I can help you know. I have many uses, but if he's well armed...goodness what a predicament! But then I don't really see the others volunteering to murder a man either. They seem awfully good. Well, except that Prizzard, oh but then I already mentioned I don't trust him! he sounds frustrated at his lack of decision. And is any of this anyone's business anyway? But then supposing we do kill him. You'd better have a good alibi or they'll know you did it. That might cause problems with some of them. That Bryon seems pretty straight laced eh? Have you ever murdered a man? Self defense is one thing, but just slipped in and slit his throat? Takes a bit of getting used to, you should know that, he wags a green finger at you. It wasn't til my fourth one that I was really any good at it.

Bryon: The woman looks stunned, and your husband gives a slightly strangled expression but of course he's as supportive of your ways as ever. After a long moment, the vendor gives a slow nod. Well you sure don't know how to haggle do ya? she gives a grin. You must be noticing something I'm not. But...if you're sure... She accepts the coin, then feels guilty and looking around her dingy cart proceeds to shove a few other things your way. You end up with some worn but serviceable rope, a copper canteen, doilies of all things, and a small tin mirror. As she's finishing piling on her "extras" you see Raknesh's psicrystal Rocky fast approaching you. He telepathically informs you that his master and young Halek are investigating a string of disappearances and deaths in an alley in the east part of town and that, considering it's apparently dangerous, he thought you should be made aware...

Raknesh: Halek gives a grave nod at your orders, looking as obedient and well behaved as a little soldier. As soon as he has your permission though, he grabs your hand and tugs you on, eager to find out what's going on. It doesn't take as long as you thought to get there, though along the way you're bombarded with young men and women, eager to sell you a story or the latest gossip. You even run across the dirty limerick boy again on the way out who promises you "plenty of raunch" though of course you ignore him.

At last you arrive at the alley and for the moment it seems normal enough, albeit completely deserted. It is tucked away between two buildings, each roughly five stories high and each with boarded windows and doors. It seems abandoned, but no doubt considering its reputation this is no surprise. At first there seems to be no one there, but Halek calls out, Hello? Is any one there? then he claps his hands over his mouth. Sorry! Should I have asked first? Before you can answer though, you hear a noise behind you and see a little blond girl, standing in the street behind you. She is not acting the way Rocky or the stories described. She does not look innocent or lost or afraid. Instead she just stares. Right at Halek.

Prizzard:

Sensing he's burning his bridges, the blind man quickly backtracks, even pushing the coin back at you, to your surprise. You really are new here, he mutters. Here's a tip for free. Everyone haggles in this city. Everyone. Never accept anything at first price, you're a fool if you do. You honestly could have gotten information a lot cheaper if you just put forth a little effort. Consider that advice partial payment for money already given. The rest of it I'll give now. With that he goes on to tell you of the gala and Lord Omerik, even giving you details as to where he lives. If you want an audience with her so badly though you'll either need to have enough coin to get you an audience or you'd better have a wicked compelling story. Or be good looking I suppose. I hear she has a soft spot for pretty men. I don't suppose you're handsome? Wouldn't know of course, he gestures at his blind eyes. She is a snob but I'm told she's fair. You want your name cleared she's the one to do it.
Bryon
player, 265 posts
Warlock
HP62/50 AC17
Tue 12 Nov 2019
at 19:34
  • msg #16

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Bryon kept trying to stop the lady, but she was busy trying to appease her customer. At the end she handed the bundle to Althol and gave the woman a hug, ”My dear, you should never look a gift horse in the mouth. This bell is magical. I should pay you for these other things, how about 5 gold?” Rocky approached and told Byron. She nodded and kissed Althol on the cheek. ”Please give this nice lady a little more money and meet me in the alleyway.”

Turning back to Rocky, ”Please take me to Raknesh.” She followed the little crystal thing to Raknesh...
Prizzard
player, 778 posts
Bounty: The Shadow Scythe
Rashemi of the Wild
Wed 13 Nov 2019
at 00:38
  • msg #17

Chapter 8: Siren Song

"I seem to lose more than I gain when I attempt negotiation. As for how to approach her, I think I know the right person to help plot the best course. I thank you for your time and mercy." Even understanding its value, he left the coin on the table and left, a little grease in case this particular wheel needed turning again soon. One thing he understood well is that those who pay generously recieved generous and usually loyal service. It seemed it was time to visit a great tailor, and the thought of finally doing this after all these years gave him an almost giddy smile.
Raknesh Kaltash
player, 620 posts
hp:44/156
Wed 13 Nov 2019
at 08:00
  • msg #18

Chapter 8: Siren Song

The fact her behavior changed from the previous description, combined with her staring at Halek only raised Raknesh's suspicion of a trap.

"Stay behind me, boy.  It might be a trap."


"What do you want?" he asked, ready to fire at the slightest threatening move.
Tanzy
player, 407 posts
Wed 13 Nov 2019
at 09:20
  • msg #19

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Tanzy blinks, surprised at Perkins enthusiasm. “I’m not slitting any throats, that’s a cowards way out. No offense,” she apologizes as this seems to be a favorite for her frog friend.
“No, I’ll be looking him in the eye when I kill him. He’ll know who I am and why I’m there.” Her voice is cold with no worry or doubt as to the success of her mission.
“I won’t  need an alibi, I’ve been gone long enough they probably assume I’m dead in a ditch somewhere. I was not very capable when I ran away...” Indeed she’d come close to dying in many a ditch those early years on her own.
“I’d like to think the others would be understanding about the cause once they knew the whole story... but I‘ll not risk it just in case I’m wrong. Best we tell them we want to see the festivities especially since its in my home town.
Bryon
player, 266 posts
Warlock
HP62/50 AC17
Wed 13 Nov 2019
at 13:47
  • msg #20

Chapter 8: Siren Song

Bryon and Althol walk up on Raknesh and the situation he finds himself in. ”Well, isn’t this cozy? Your um...friend said you needed aid so here I am. What can I do?”
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