Ayeesha's words are drowned out by the cacophony of noise as the masses are screaming at the top of their lungs to be let in. Trying to push through the crowds is going to be a challenge, especially with a dead body in tow. Given the state of panic it would likely cause a riot if the masses believe the body died of blood veil.

Kyra could simply fly over the crowd but again what would the sight of someone flying over, perhaps cutting in line, do to the angry mob? The crowd is a hair's width away from turning violent.

OOC: Consider your next actions carefully is all I'm trying to say. You have a dead body and a mob on the verge of outright riot.

Seeing that Ayeesha is not getting through to the crowd, and just how close things are to spiral out of control, Kyra changes her mind. "This... seems like a bad idea. At any moment this place could turn into a bloodbath, and I have no wish to be the cause of that. Let's look for another way to contact the priest instead."

Kraw falls back on his training to circle the mob, find an access point on the outside of the bank, and stealthily climb up unseen by the mob. It is his intention to slip into an upper window or flue to gain entrance and alert the brethren that they had discovered something critical.


09:55, Today: Kraw rolled 21 using 1d20+17 with rolls of 4.  Acrobatics .

09:55, Today: Kraw rolled 26 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 20.  Climb.

09:55, Today: Kraw rolled 31 using 1d20+14 with rolls of 17.  Stealth.

09:55, Today: Kraw rolled 22 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 10.  Perception .

In reply to Kraw (msg # 80):

Ayeesha backs off and re-groups with Kyra and Figus while Kraw works his trade.

"If Kraw cant get through maybe we should check in with Cressida."

Kraw finds his way through an upper story window and is almost immediately intercepted by guards having tripped the magical wards set in place. Breaking into the Bank of Abadar is almost impossible even for a master thief however Kraw is not attempting to steal from the vault. Finding out that he is one of the watch and came in through an "alternate entrance" because of the mob outside leaves the Abadar guards satisfied although they do escort him to Ishani.

Ishani waves off the guards, taking full responsibility for Kraw. Despite all assurances that he belongs here and has business here the guards give Kraw several dirty looks before departing.

"Well then, that was unexpected. When I heard someone had broken into the Bank I wasn't expecting to see you as the culprit. How can I help you?"

"We investigated the quarantine ship that was sunk in the harbor. Despite the interference of a sea hag, we recovered a body as well as several papers and a sealed box that has necromantic energies eminating from it. We were hoping for a Diagnose Disease, maybe a Speak with Dead to unravel further information. We also found out who the owner of the ship is."

Ishani nods gravely, taking up a nearby quill to jot down notes.

"My spells have already been expended for today but I promise you tomorrow I will pray to Abadar for what you seek. I...wouldn't advise asking the rest of the clergy. You would likely not even get more than a grunt from them unless you dangle a hefty pile of coins and even then you would be competing against the merchants and nobility of the city. Even consultations are being priced at hundreds of gold pieces. There is just too many seeking our aid and they are trying to price the temple right out of the market.

As for the owner, is it someone I would know? I thought I heard it was a Chelish ship and I am not familiar with their navy."

Outside

While the party is waiting for Kraw to let them in a woman approaches. She has long dark hair and an attractive figure spoiled by the look of anguish on her face. Judging by the dark circles she has not slept in days and her eyes are red with either fatigue or grief.

"Wait! You! I know you! Or I've heard about you! You're the heroes that saved that sick little girl! I need your help! Please!"

She practically rushes down the street towards the group, her eyes fixated on Figus as his dark skin causes him to stick out compared to the typical Korvosan.

"It's my brother. I need your help! Please save him!"

"Ahhh, I think we need to leave and quickly. This mob will swamp us. They do not know that we can't do anything to help them."

Figus looks for the best way to get out as soon as the others agree.

In reply to Figus Dva (msg # 87):

Ayeesha listens to the woman with some empathy then responds.

"Hello, Iam Ayeesha, What is wrong with your brother? Is he sick?"

"Ayeesha, I know you mean well, but this is dangerous. These people have nothing to lose and if they think you can help they will literally tear you to pieces. Let's get out!"

Kyra is torn between wishing to help the woman and worrying on how the crowd may react.

"Tell us where we can find you later, and be quick." She hisses to the woman as quietly as possible, before adding in a theatrically loud voice: "You got it all wrong good woman, a priest of Abadar saved the girl, not us. Seek help in the temple!"

Is a bluff roll needed? DM can make one for Kyra if yes.

In reply to Ishani Dhatri (msg # 85):

Kraw nods. "The body, papers, and box are outside with the others. There is an odd Religious sign we do not recognize. The ship belongs to a group that identifies itself as B7. The cargo, which I think contained diseased rats, is listed as 'Specimens', and the paperwork suggests that title to the cargo belongs to R. Davaulus......as in Dr Reiner Davaulus, the Queen's personal physician."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Fri 21 May 2021.

When Kraw shows Ishani the symbol the man takes a step back, putting his hands up in a warding gesture on impulse. Quickly he recovers and rushes foward pushing the symbol back into Kraw's pocket.

"I'm sorry but you must keep that covered here. Do you know what that is? No, of course you don't, that is why you brought it here, right? That is a symbol of Urgathoa, the goddess of disease itself! If there is a cult of Urgathoa here there is no doubt it is linked in some way to the blood veil. The question is did the disease erupt first and thus attract her worshippers to help it spread, or did they arrive first and unleash it?"

When Kraw mentions the ship belonging to the Queen's physician Ishani just shakes his head.

"My apologies but I don't know what to make of that. Was his ship stolen by cultists? We will know more when we speak with the dead tomorrow but for now I would suggest keeping all of this quiet until we have more proof. The queen's personal physician is in charge of stopping this plague. Throwing an accusation unfounded might cause more harm than good. Return tomorrow..."

He pauses and the two can hear the uproar happening outside as the mob is clashing with the guards.

"No, I will meet you at the guard quarters. Arrange for a private room so that we might not be disturbed and I will let you speak to the dead and bear witness to its answers. I must speak with the senior priests about this...quietly of course. The Bank of Abadar does not wade into local politics lightly and we do not wish to make an enemy of the Queen but if the queen's doctors or his physicians are spreading the plague then it is our duty to intervene. While I cannot promise the entire Bank will step up you at least have me as an ally, and anyone else I can convince."

Deyanira's eyes go wide at the mixture of reactions to her pleas and she looks around and seems to understand. She lowers his voice and approaches. As the group is waiting in an alley off to the side they are mostly sheltered from the cries and shouts of the mob at the front door but she understands not to draw undo attention to the group.

"No, he isn't sick. At least I don't think he is. I mean, I don't know where he is. He's gone missing. I've been pleading with the guards to investigate but they always tell me that they're too busy dealing with the plague. They won't listen to me. Or they won't believe me. They don't understand, but maybe you will. A couple days ago my brother, Ruan, was invited to a personal masquerade at Carowyn Manor. They're Korvosan nobility and longtime patrons of the arts.

When he didn't return, I went to the estate only to find it abandoned, I think. The entrance is locked, the curtains are all pulled and there's no sign of activity inside. This isn't just a case of the plague, think about it. The night before a bunch of the Korvosan aristocracy goes to a private function and then the next morning everything is locked up and abandoned? Something happened there and given who the Carowyn's are that is a matter of concern for the city.

I know you have other things to do but I beg you to go into the manor and find my brother. I'll give you everything I own. I'm a singer, I'll compose a song in your honor and my brother will perform it for everyone, I'm sure. Just please, help me. Please!"

No bluff check needed because she is looking for the town guard, not a priest
This message was last edited by the player at 20:41, Mon 24 May 2021.

In reply to Deyanira Mirukova (msg # 93):

"I am so sorry to here about your brother, we are in the midst of an investigation but perhaps we could swing by this Carowyn manor and do a welfare check and see what we can find out."

Ayeesha weighs the needs of the many versus the needs of the few.  She hates to leave someone hanging but the plague is of utmost importance. Maybe if we have a lull in the investigation they could stop over at the manor for a quick look?

"Right. Just as soon as we get rid of that." Kyra points over her shoulder to an unmistakably corpse-shaped wet bundle carried around by the party.

Does Kyra know where this Carowyn Manor is? Or anything about them? She has Knowledge Local and History but that sounds like Knowedge Nobility.

Deyanira nods and gives the adventurers directions to both the manor and the home she shares with her brother in case they find him and need to bring him back.

Kyra strokes her chin thoughtfully. From what she has heard of Carowyns, the woman's story does sound plausible at least. "That... is a bit strange. Even with the current mess, someone that influential does not just disappear without investigation. We should look into this as soon as we can."

Ok, so we are waiting for Kraw to return, then we go to the Marshal with what we found? Or do we hold with the report until tomorrow, for the priest to do his stuff first? I'd prefer to wait until we gather everything we can before we start throwing accusations.

Either way, we should have some time today to follow that new plot hook, I think. And Kyra still has most of her spells.

In reply to Kyra (msg # 97):

OCC: I think Ayeesha is at 31/47 hp at the moment with one spell, 8 rnds of rage, and 2 destined strikes. If I get healed to full and equipped back to normal I will vote to check out the manor.  Maybe DM will be generous and let us go in fully rested and equipped with new purchased items?

"I agree Kyra, The sooner the better."

Kraw agrees and makes his way back out, avoiding the mob. He seeks out his group. When he arrives, he says "the prelate has agreed to cast a Speak with Dead and let us listen in. We have to secure a private room at the guard headquarters for this. And I found out about that religious symbol, too."

I don't recall when you took the dive but I imagine the undersea adventure only taking 30 minutes tops, plus a couple hours of walking around. I imagine you could probably go back to the guard post, sleep, and visit the manor just as the sun is setting...

Oh, hell. I forgot about healing after the last fight. Let's see, Ayeesha is at 31/47 and Figus at 15/42. Kraw is at full health, at least by the last combat log. So, Kyra will burn some wand charges to heal Ayeesha and Figus.

22:41, Today: Kyra rolled 6,4,4,8 using 1d8+1,1d8+1,1d8+1,1d8+1 with rolls of 5,3,3,7.  CLW x4.
22:43, Today: Kyra rolled 3,2,6 using 1d8+1,1d8+1,1d8+1 with rolls of 2,1,5.  CLW x3.
22:43, Today: Kyra rolled 7 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 6.  CLW.

First 3 rolls bring Ayeesha to 45/47, the rest go to Figus to bring him to 41/42. Burned 8 charges for that.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 100):

"Thank you Kyra, I feel much better."

After Ayeesha rests and prepares for the manor visit, she regroups with the party.

"Shall we proceed to Carowyn manor?"