In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 33):

Drake announces himself ‘ I’m Drake from old keep. I joined my friends in trying to bring honour and order to these streets. But not the city watch way.

"Don't you, now? Well, assuming they weren't pretending to be fanatical terrorists for the fun of it, whatever they were up to doesn't bode well for the City."


The eyes of the watchers go wide at this and they make some furtive hand gestures that look ritualistic, as they mutter excitedly to each other.

Crivens notices this. "Oh, well, that explains that, then! I'd been hearing some murmurs about a holy man in the district. Something about dying at the claws of a dragon and then rising again to fight for the oppressed? I guess they think that's you, eh? Interesting. Frug. You'll pardon me if I don't genuflect, I'm sure."


Crivens either doesn't notice this, or does a good job of acting as if he doesn't notice this.


"Good to meet you, Mr. Sietnyas. Have I heard your name in relation to excursions into Undersharn? Fascinating line of work, I imagine. Me, I'm for the surface world," he glances up, where bridges and other stone work obscure the sky for the next thousand feet or so, "eh, so to speak. It's no less dangerous, I suppose, but the eating establishments are better."


"A-heh," laughs Crivens. "I understand, and I can't entirely disagree. Some Watchmen might even support your effort - until you get in the way of one of their schemes or another."

A finger brushes his lips as a Watchmen walks up. The guard whispers into Crivens's ear. "I see," he says with a nod. He turns to the group. "Pardon me, please. One of the Watchmen will take your names, and how to find you." He glances at the remains of the Emerald Claw unit. "Well done, by the by. You've made an enemy of the Emerald Claw, though. If you'd like to stay on the offensive, let me know. Ask for me at the Bell, Book and Candle." With that, he lets himself be led toward some other point of interest at the scene.

The other Watchmen don't seem eager to interview you, but before you can go anywhere, the half-elf woman comes up to you and immediately starts talking a blue streak. "Daria Danno, Sharn Inquisitive," she says, identifying herself not as another detective, but as a reporter for one of Sharn's newspapers. "Just have a few questions for you, a few things the people in this city deserve to know the answers to. I'll want to get your names in just a moment, but first, can you tell me how you knew those soldiers were active in this area? And how do you this this will impact the plans to expand the liveable areas of Lower Dura. And, another question...."

---

Status:
Lower Dura.
Party in open area in a business/shopping area.
Daria Danno talking to party. Crivens and Sharn Watchmen nearby.
Small loose crowd of gawkers with a knot of people paying close attention to Frug.

Tuur kept back and leaned against a building. Drake and Frug had gilded tongues he knew and he wasn't keen the be the first one seen nor spoken too. He knew this area better than most, and had frequented it often. It was a dog-eat-dog area on the best of days really, and his eyes gazed around, primarily to see if anyone stood out, smiled too broadly or focused too much on one person. He had stalked people before, animals and knew the "eyes of a hunter.
He kept close to the others, but enough away to remain observant.
As Crivens eyed those present he nodded to him, but remained silent for now. If asked, he exclaimed calmly. "Tuur. A pleasure".
This message was last edited by the player at 21:28, Mon 17 May 2021.

"Oh, there's plenty of things to eat down below. Some are hard to catch, is all. And some want to catch you. But tasty!" Sietnyas explained. "I like the skitter beetles."



Sietnyas perks up at the mention of a newspaper. They were those weird scroll-like things, he'd seen some... "We didn't know they were here; they just bumped into us. Uh - how many people see your paper? Can I write a story? Is it hard? Do I have to know how to work the printing machine? I can usually figure out machines pretty quick."

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 37):

Frug takes the distraction of Sietnyas asking questions to head over to the group that seems interested in him. He greets them, “May Onatar guide your research into arcane creativity! What chance meeting do we have here today. My name is Frug, it’s a pleasure to see you. What are you up to in Lower Dura today?” Throughout this greeting Frug is nervously moving his arms and staff around without synchronization to the words of his greeting. He feels completely awkward and hopes that he doesn’t look that way. Noticing this he try’s to calm his movements, but his right foot is tapping without any rhythm.

"Well, well," Danno says, looking down at Sietnyas. "Nice of you take an interest. You can file an application with my editor, he takes freelance stories sometimes. It's got to be something really interesting, though... like the son of an Aurum member dying while on an expedition to the Depths. An exclusive interview with the distraught, vengeful and very rich parents would almost certainly get a paragraph or two in the Society section. A statement from the leader of that expedition might make for a good filler story. Care to offer something?"


The members of the group are overwhelmed with emotion. None of them seem sure what to say, and Frug's pleasant words and demeanor don't seem to do anything to relax them. "Frug..." some of them whisper, trying out the name. One of the supplicants, draws up her courage and raises her voice. "Forgive us, please. We have let our faith waver, in recent days, as our district shrinks and falls further and further into disrepair, more and more towers given over to monsters and criminals. When we heard of your arrival, we thought this might mean our prayers had been answered, that Onatar had sent aid and the lights of torch and forge might again illuminate the darkened corridors." She had obviously spent some time rehearsing this, and at the end all she can do is bow her head like the others.

---

Status:
Lower Dura.
Party in open area in a business/shopping area.
Daria Danno talking to party. Crivens and Sharn Watchmen nearby.
Frug talking with Onatar sect members.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:46, Wed 19 May 2021.

Froodle is looking over the bodies of those they have killed. He begins to wonder what they were doing, but his ears prick up as he overhears a conversation between Sietnyas and an Eladrin man who has introduced himself as Crivens.
Froodle listens in, the man is a licensed inquisitive, so must know a few things, but he also mentioned eating establishments. That got Froodle’s attention but before he can question the inquisitive further the conversation moves on.
Froodle gives his name to the watchman along with details of where he can be reached.
He listens too to the conversation with the reporter, noting that she knows something of plans to expand the liveable areas of Lower Dura. He can’t answer her questions though, so, while noting she may know something stays quiet without entering the conversation and potentially giving the game away that they didn’t know the soldiers would be there.

Froodle can see an opportunity for more adventuring, he’s not worried about having made an enemy of the Emerald Claw. If anything that will bring a fight his way and he enjoys those.
He considers the next move could be to go and see Crivens at the Bell, Book and Candle, away from the prying eyes of others, after all, there could be Emerald Claw spies in the crowd.

He then looks over at Frug, amused and intrigued at the scene developing before his eyes.

Sietnyas was still a little excited, if perplexed. Why wouldn't anyone want a free lance? Good to poke things with, or you could always sell it. Strange fellow, this editor. But perhaps, perhaps a story about the yterbsijamak might... wait, what was he asking about?

"Umm.... Oh. I was just a guide." Something to offer... "Ah! If someone warns you to stay away from some big beetles, the ones with the weird horn on their head? You should stay away. They don't look too dangerous when they're resting, but they're beetles. Can't really reason with them. Maybe you might just be brave or curious, want to see them closer, but a knell beetle doesn't care. It's a pretty quick way to go, at least, when it's the sound that gets you."

"What was the name of the family? I only knew him as... zer... erz.... Erizio! Yes. Very rich?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:36, Wed 19 May 2021.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 39):
“Although you don’t need my forgiveness, I do forgive you and hear your plight. I didn’t know much of Lower Dura before today, but I have now seen firsthand the criminals and monsters that you speak of. It may be that I have been brought here to brighten up the darkened areas with the torch and forge.” Frug pauses as he remembers where he is at. He starts again, “I have a commitment to help those in need that I made to Onatar when he brought me off the streets to the creative warmth of the forge. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I would like to know more about the darkness that closes on Lower Dura. Can we meet somewhere that you might give me more details about what has happened in the recent past. This will help me figure out how to ignite the torch and forge this community needs.”

Frug waits for a reply and plans to rejoin his companions to discuss the day’s events and let them know that he plans to talk with his fellow followers of Onatar.

<quote>
The members of the group are overwhelmed with emotion. None of them seem sure what to say, and Frug's pleasant words and demeanor don't seem to do anything to relax them. "Frug..." some of them whisper, trying out the name. One of the supplicants, draws up her courage and raises her voice. "Forgive us, please. We have let our faith waver, in recent days, as our district shrinks and falls further and further into disrepair, more and more towers given over to monsters and criminals. When we heard of your arrival, we thought this might mean our prayers had been answered, that Onatar had sent aid and the lights of torch and forge might again illuminate the darkened corridors." She had obviously spent some time rehearsing this, and at the end all she can do is bow her head like the others.
<quote>

Drake’s ears prick up at the thought of championing a cause, restoring order, administering justice in Bahamuts name. However he is cautious at the stilted manner in which the women said the words. He observes the women and the rest of the group with her, to see f they look towards another, in the hope of the main protagonist being revealed. Crivens comments are also of interest but Drake realises this is not the place or time to explore that issue further.

<quote>
"Forgive us, please. We have let our faith waver, in recent days, as our district shrinks and falls further and further into disrepair, more and more towers given over to monsters and criminals. When we heard of your arrival, we thought this might mean our prayers had been answered, that Onatar had sent aid and the lights of torch and forge might again illuminate the darkened corridors." She had obviously spent some time rehearsing this, and at the end all she can do is bow her head like the others.
<quote>

Darkness increasing? Thats not far from my home...
Tuur rose, and moved closer to Drake.
He was curious, and concerned.
"Say, can you speak more of the area? What have you seen? What and how is the darkness spreadin?"
Tuur was not a gifted orator nor a people person by nature, but his concern for Sharn the town he loved and the risk of darkness spreading, rub him the wrong way and went against anything The Path of Light had taught him and which he believed in.
"Let me know, I will help if I can."
..he said in a dry tone.

"Yes, Marron ir'Erizio, and yes, very rich. If you want to know more, might I suggest you stay current by reading The Inquisitive? "

Danno slaps her tablet shut and sighs. "Well, looks like I'm not going to get many more details here. I suppose the cheap shot would be that I've never let that stop me before...."


The assembly looks surprised but grateful at this generous offer. "Uh... Yes! Of course, yes, your, ah, your Grace. We have a humble shrine where we meet. Eh..." she looks furtively around. No one seems to be be noticing the group, though Daria Danno is not far off and one gets the sense that she doesn't miss much. "We will get a message to you regarding the location. Someone will always be there."


The speaker for the group glances at Tuur and the dragonborn warriors and back at Frug. "Your disciples seem good and true. No doubt they will serve you well in your worldly trials. But it is best if explanation and planning come later. We will message you soon. Thank you again!" The group makes to leave, as does Daria Danno.

The City Watch appear to feel that they know enough if they need to contact you. You're free to go.

---

Now it's up to what you want to do before or in preparation for following up one of the leads.

The party is allowed to leave the scene. As they're leaving, a group of warforged laborers arrive. One of the Watchmen dismissively tosses them a bundle of dirty red rags, which the constructs affix to their arms, apparently marking themselves as acting in the service of the watch. They then set about picking up the dead bodies, for disposal - one hopes - elsewhere in Sharn.

The adventurers presumably have some time to kill before traveling to the Bell, Book and Candle. Some of that will have to be spent finding out exactly where that tavern is. In the meantime, they have nowhere pressing to be, and wind up wandering in Lower Dura.

Lower Dura is not known for its shops. The closest legitimate market in the district is The Bazaar some dozen or so storeys higher up in Middle Dura. Most of the business done in Lower Dura is in the warehouse districts, and that is in terms of cargoes brought in by water and air from elsewhere in Khorvaire or from Aerenal, as well as sometimes from Xen'drik, Argonessen or far Sarlona. Still, there are goods and services for sale in Lower Dura, some of them even wholesome.

Even the wholesome ones are often somewhat fraught, though. As in most of Sharn - perhaps in most of the world, or even the cosmos - one's place in society can be rather tenuous. Unlike those at other levels of the city, though, people who fail here don't have anywhere soft to land.

So, this might explain why, as the party wanders the district, they find themselves on a wide bridge where, between the tenements and shacks along the sides, is an almost palpable tension. This is concentrated near the middle of the bridge where two shopfronts face each other. One is an alchemist's, with two metal dogs standing guard in front of it. The other appears to be either a restaurant or a house of healing or both. It has no apparent guards.

There's a flapping and whirring sound from ground level. A small metal sphere has rolled to a stop before the party. It ticks for a second and then pops open along a seam. From this opening uncoil two springy metal rods. These spread to hold a lightweight banner between them that reads "Welcome to Jumper's Bridge, Adventurers! Gunther's Alchemicals for your Offensive and Defensive Needs! We Have Healing!" At the bottom of all this is a small sigil denoting that the seller is licensed by House Cannith. That ensures quality, but means further lining the pockets of a dragonmarked House.

Almost before the party is able to finish reading this, the homunculus is moving away - but not under its own power. A halfing man has stepped up to it and given it a sharp kick, which lofts it into the air, through a narrow gap between hovels and over the bridge railing. It flutters from sight.

"Aw, shame that," says the halfling. "But it shouldn't go bothering nice people such as yourselves, who are only trying to go about their day. And now, I'll leave you to it, only... small bit of advice:" he leans in conspiratorially. "Give Gunther's a wide berth. Those metal mutts out front? They'll bite you soon as look at you. Why I reckon one of 'em still has a bit of my nephew's finger in its mouth. Kids were only trying to play a game in the street, and get maimed for their trouble. Tch. Oughtta be a law. Well, enough outta me. Though I might as well say that I'm Berrt, and if my family or I can be of any more service to you, pop on into the Needle and Gut, directly opposite Gunther's which, as I've said, you'd be better off avoiding. Ta!"

---

Status:
The party's wanderings have brought them to what is, apparently, Jumper's Bridge. The span between two towers in Lower Dura has been congested with buildings on both sides, leaving a narrow lane between.
The fight with the Emerald Claw was not long ago, and there's some time before it's worth trying to meet with Crivens. The party still needs to locate the Bell, Book and Candle anyway.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 46):
Frug gets curious about the dog constructs and starts to walk in the direction of Gunther’s. “Biting off fingers, hmmm!”, Frug mutters as he tugs on the whiskers of his beard. Stopping at a distance where he could blast the dogs, if needed, he investigates at the distance how the dogs mouths could function... This investigation includes much muttering and tilting of Frugs head.

This, this kind of situation he recognized! Sietnyas grinned a little wider than usual, and weaved past Frug, busy studying the dogs, and went the other way, into the healer's shop.

"Doesn't seem as bad as that alchemist said," he greeted the proprietor enigmatically. "Are you Needle or Gut?"

Froodle considers for a moment. He wonders about the strange dog statues but then decides all that mechanical stuff is beyond him. He walks past Frug, giving words of encouragement that he share what he discovers and a message to call out if they do come to life.
With that, he follows Sietnyas into the needle and gut, sure he can smell the aromas of a delicious meal cooking. He seeks out Berrt and enquires as to the menu. Once he has taken time to soak up the atmosphere and his ever ravenous state has been satisfied he'll ask about the Bell Book and Candle.
It may be a rival establishment, but it's where Scrivens and a potential for adventure lie.

With a concerned or rather discerning look Tuur sized the hounds up, like the others but ultimately as he saw Froodle head into the needle and gut he turned and with long steps made haste to keep up.
His eyes darted about to size the location, as new places rubbed him the wrong way, at least initially. He had passed this place a few times but never taken time to venture inside really. A shame, by the looks of it.
The smell inside did a number on his gut and for a moment he realized that dinner may not be a bad call right now. At least until the next step became obvious.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 46):

Drake is impressed by the mechanical spheres advertising and sees the party minus frug head into the needle and gut. Encouraged by Frug not being eaten upon his approach Drake decides to try out Gunther Alchemy to see what offensive and defensive concoctions are on offer.

Drake walks past the dogs enters the shop and pauses to observe the interior, allowing his eyes to adjust he also lets out a  small sigh as the dogs remained inactive.

‘Hello? Can you take me through what you have for sale please?’

The dog-things are fairly standard homunculi, constructs that can be given simple instructions and obey them until told (or forced) to stop. These have apparently been given instructions to stand in front of this storefront. Their heads swivel toward Frug as he approaches, and track Drake closely as he enters. One of the quasihounds enters behind the paladin, metal muzzle pointed unerringly at him.


The human man inside Guther's (presumably Gunther himself) raises his head from where he had been resting it on the counter behind which he's sitting. Behind him are shelves of reagents. He seems a bit surprised to see Drake enter.

"Oh, uh, hello, so nice of you to visit. I'm Gunther," he says, thereby solving one minor mystery. Then he looks apologetic, "Look, I know what the brazen hawker says, but I can't sell you any healing," something occurs to him and he brightens. "Unless you have a command word for these damnable -! Uh, I mean these homunculi."

Upon further questioning, Gunther explains that he does have a couple of healing potions in stock, but that the homunculi, which had been "helpfully" provided by House Cannith, won't let him at his own stock, as they have been given instructions to deter theft, but don't seem to know that Guther's supposed to go into the storeroom. Supposedly, there's a command word to call them off, but Gunther doesn't know it. It's clear that he wishes the things were gone.

For now, he can offer a few alchemical items that he can prepare in relatively short order:
Alchemical Elements (Acid, Fire, Frost): 20 gp, or 25 for one piece of ammunition)
Antivenom: 20 gp.
Clearsense Powder: 20 gp.
Clearwater Solution: 20 gp.
Tanglefoot Bag: 25 gp.

---

The halfling woman at the back of this small, low-ceilinged chamber, says "The name of the place is the Needle and Gut. We're fully licensed by House Ghallanda and House Jorasco to offer hospitality and healing. You look healthy enough, I guess, so I can get you a table. If the big fellas are with you," she says, indicating Froodle and Tuur, "I'm afraid I can't offer you balcony seating. Anywhere in here is fine." Shooting Froodle another appraising look, the woman takes a corner of her apron and wipes the "all you can eat" option from the chalkboard menu.

Berrt had entered just before the two adventurers and when he sees them come in he gets up from his seat and comes over to them. "Ah, welcome, lads! Was there something else you were needing? I'm afraid we're, uh, unable to offer portable and potable healing just now, but I don't suppose you're looking for work? Because I've got a bit of that for interested and interesting folk such as yourselves."

Whether they're interested or not, Berrt launches cheerfully into an explanation that the Needle and Gut would happily work with Gunther to provide services to the locals, but that his homunculi are vicious and won't let any halflings anywhere near the store. But if someone were to take out the constructs, or keep them occupied, then maybe some "business" could be done.

---

Status:
Sietnyas, Tuur and Froodle: In the Needle and Gut, talking to the proprietress and Berrt.
Drake: Inside Gunther's, talking to Gunther. Canine homunculi is present.
Frug: Examining the other homunculi from a distance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:28, Wed 02 June 2021.

Froodle watches as the "all you can eat" option disappears, along with an opportunity for a challenge he likes more than a fight. Oh well, he sighs, he'll just have a regular pie or stew, whatever they have going at the moment.

He then starts to join the conversation, so, these dogs bite children and won't let halflings near. Yet adults can enter. Maybe they are designed to keep little people away. Either way, through the window he sees one follow Drake inside and decides to keep an eye on developments there, almost expecting a cry from Frug that would allow some use of his rather unreliable battleaxe. For now though he will watch and converse with Buurt. What more does he know of these constructs? Can they be sent away, or recalled by someone who put them there initially?

"Ohh, the name of the shop! Though Gut would be a good name for a surgeon, I think. This table is fine for us. Ummm - do you have skitter beetles? Or ratkebabs?" "





"It does sound interesting - I've never messed with homunculi before. And I suppose you could do quite a lot of 'business' with Gunther when they're gone? We might be able to help. How hard can it be? They don't look all that big. Are there just the ones we saw outside, or are there more hanging about somewhere?"

In reply to Sietnyas (msg # 54):

Frug, feeling confident about the dogs, follows Drake into Gunther’s after a few minutes....

‘Good day Gunther. I’m Drake. Hmm yes the errr dog constructs are quiet keen aren’t they and a little off putting. I’m
Happy to help as our party could do with some Healing potions, can you tell me a little more about why House Cannith placed them here, and why haven’t you been given the correct commands, can’t you just ask House Cannith for the right commands or to
‘Reset’ the conditions of them guarding your store?’

Whilst talking with Gunther Drake studies the homunculi closer assessing offensive capabilities, weaknesses, any writing that may be on them or anything else that may help.

The proprietress takes this in stride and serves up something that's a cross between a pie and a stew, sort of a mash of meats and vegetables, in fried dough. It arrives on a bone plate that appears to be the sort that might stick out of the back of a bloodspike behemoth.


"Oh, anyone can go into the shop who wants to. But I put it to ya: who'd want to? The whole place says 'Go away!' It's a blight on the bridge, I tell ya."


"Me?" says Burrt. He scoffs. "What do I look like, some sort of potion mixer? Nah, I'm just a concerned citizen, and all I know is that no one who's fair-minded and part of the community needs gizmos like that. Sure, and they can be 'sent away.' Sent away in pieces over the side of a bridge! And I'd say your axe looks like just the thing for it."


"Oh, skitter beetles, aye, you've got good taste." She brings out a bowl of steaming arthropods. "I wish we had a nice bit of rat to offer you. Most folks don't seem to know how good they are. But the rats 'round here have figured out that if they stick close to Gunther's we can't get to 'em. I guess he likes rats more than we do!"

"Yeah, there are at least a couple of others skulking around. Manikins, 'bout our side, made of clay. In fact, it seems like the guardians mostly guard those things, more than the shop itself. The clay ones guard the stuff inside the shop, near as anyone can tell."


"It's part of my license agreement with the House. I get access to better materials and advertising - you saw the brazen hawker. Hm... I wonder where that got too... Well, anyway, I had to report a few thefts, you know, so I didn't get charged for the loss, and the next thing I know these homunculi moved in. One had a note tacked to it saying it was mandatory. I mean, it's not like I have to feed them, and they have stopped the thefts, but like I said they won't even let me get to the more expensive stock. I was never told any of the commands, and the House rep I work with told me not to worry about it. I sort of think they don't trust me, like maybe I had something to do with the thefts." The man crosses his arms over his shoulders and frowns.

"Between you and me, I wouldn't be sad if someone smashed these things flat, but Cannith would probably just send more, or even cancel my license. Maybe if someone were to root out the local thieves, I could get Cannith to take these ones back."


To get anything of use, one would have to spend some time examining the constructs up close.

In reply to DM Paul (msg # 57):
Walking in and hearing the ending of Gunther’s description of the dogs, Frug takes out a magnifying glass and a probe, to take a closer look at the homuculi. “I have always had an interest in these. Seen a few under construction in the temple’s of Onatar. I’m going to be getting a good look at this one. See if it stirs up any memories from my research and discussions with folks who have made these. See if we can get your shop running properly and have these constructs focus on their assessment.” Frug is doing what he can to see any markings or signs of a crafts person that can give him a clue towards the task. He makes a few attempts at getting under the construct, but never touches them with his hands.