Reticence, 93 Letum 1999 GR [continued]
Caladay, 39
Autumn Colours 204 LE
The Scribe returns to the fourteen yards in the early evening and
tells his companions everything he has discovered. Jirokichi begins
to slowly regain his senses, but lies inert for a while trying to
work out where he is, who the people around him are and whether
he would be in a greater pickle getting up and moving about. In
the end he concludes that it is safe and makes himself known to
his companions. He is shocked to discover that he owes Alarius money
for healing he received while unconscious.
Clara eventually disgorges herself from the necklace, much the
worse for wear after her discoporation at the hands of the ethereal
slayer. She informs the group of the location of the man who threatened
them. This makes the necessary tie back to Herdzig Lucifer and the
group that was manipulating Fisk. But who are they?
With Jirokichi badly wounded it is reasoned that there is nothing
to be gained by assaulting them tonight. They think it is a good
idea to go and buy some healing potion. Revda would also be interested
in acquiring a lance. There is no market district in Tharkis per
se, but Alarius has heard of an interesting little shop in Northgate,
not too far from here, run by a creature called Valdemar.
Alarius, Revda, the Scribe, Clara and Jirokichi head to this ship
while Gazahi and Lycaon go to the ruin of the Darkmantle. Gazahi
peels off during the journey. His intention is to create a safe
house elsewhere in the city (unknown to his companions) and hide
his share of the loot there. Lycaon arrives back at the Darkmantle
- few in Tharkis would challenge a barghest out for an evening stroll.
He settles down and begins to reflect on what the hell is going
on, and why he is still here.
The shoppers arrive at the dingy shop front of Valdemar's shop.
A bell tinkles as they enter, and they soon meet with the sweaty
and serpentine shop-keep. They engage in some small banter. Valdemar
can produce half a dozen healing potions, but the price of 2500
kor is a bit steep for Jirokichi (even though the Scribe assures
him it is a fair market price). Valdemar offers to do a deal on
the strength of further business from Jirokichi's companion.
Revda wants an unbreakable lance (preferably magical) to keep with
his horse. Valdemar says that he knows a craftsman who could produce
such a weapon in two weeks. The cost would be 5000 kor, which Revda
pays in advance. The scribe is still looking for a surveyor. Valdemar
knows a gnome called Ponkins who would probably help. He instructs
the Scribe to come back in two days when the Valdemar has the chance
to make contact.
Alarius wants to do away with the clock and swap it for something
'interesting'. Valdemar offers 200 kor in cash, or 400 kor in credit
for the clock. Alarius accepts the credit. Valdemar first offers
Alarius one of the strange multi-legged creatures in one of the
cages on the high shelves, but Alarius rejects it. In the end he
accepts a beautifully made and inlaid pocket book.
The shoppers go back to the Darkmantle (Gazahi is already there
by the time they return). Alarius spends some time looking at the
pocket book. He discovers a lock pick comes out of the bottom when
the spine is stroked and that opening it fires a dart from the top
of the spine (the dart can be poisoned). Darts are stored under
the frontispiece. Also a very sharp circular knife can slid out
from the back cover. Alarius is very amused, but realises that this
isn't for him. He gives the item to Gazahi. Jirokichi heals, spells
are cast the party waits until the morning.
Diligence, 94 Letum 1999 GR
Sharday, 40
Autumn Colours 204 LE
Alarius says he will go into the city on an information gathering
expedition (first to Wharfgate and then working closer to Fisk's
home in Oldgate) searching for more information. Lycaon also says
that he has business in the city.
Lycaon leaves the city and goes to a large stone head fallen on
its side about a mile from the city (once part of a great statue?)
He smells the presence of another pack of barghests in the vicinity.
He then returns to the city.
Alarius begins to work the taverns and inns around the Fourteen
Yards. It is early in the day, so he is talking to the staff. Alarius
is charming and ingratiating and seems to be able to ask a lot of
questions and get away with some things that one would think would
normally get him stabbed. He is specifically asking about Herdzig
Lucifer, but does not discover anything he didn't already know.
Lucifer was seen by some members of staff the previous day in the
company of Alarius himself. This tracks with Lucifer's 'employ'
in the service of Fisk. Alarius also gets the impression that Herdzig
Lucifer is not from Tharkis, and that he is widely feared.
Meanwhile, Lycaon enters into telepathic communication with a hitherto
unknown contact of his outside the city. He explains what has happened
to the Grey Minstrel and the events since. He describes the rest
of the party as a bunch of lunatics, and considers the Death Knight
to be the most stable and pleasant one of the bunch. The contact
can offer no help to Lycaon as to what to do next. The Grey Minstrel
was the only "lead" he could provide. However, he can
answer some questions about the Voice Macabre.
The contact says that the Voice Macabre are an organisation dedicated
to keeping the Great Dark "pure". They go out of their
way to eradicate hope and any semblance of do-gooding. The Great
Dark was supposed to be a prison and the Voice Macabre are trying
to make sure that it stays that way. The Voice keeps itself secretive,
and will kill to protect its anonymity. Herdzig Lucifer is known
as a high ranking member of the Voice Macabre. The reason they went
after the Grey Minstrel seems to become clearer. Lycaon then goes
to locate Alarius.
Alarius has moved to the Oldgate Ward (still keeping far from Fisk's
house). He interrogates a few people, but such is the fear that
Lucifer and the other veiled individuals inspire that no-one is
talking. Alarius spies a coal merchant on his way home to the shaky
tenements of Northgate and follows him. Cornering him in a dark
alleyway (as the man is relieving himself) Alarius frightens him
into revealing the following information:
Three veiled men have been seen leaving Fisk's house and collecting
food and provisions for the house. How much food? Enough for four
people for three days (or twelve people for one day). Alarius realises
that he can get no more information out of his man and lets him
leave. On his way back into town he meets up with Lycaon.
Meanwhile, Lord Revda and the Scribe decide to use this time to
swell their ranks. Travelling to a pauper's graveyard in Fallowgate.
It's a twenty mile round trip through the streets of Tharkis, but
this means nothing to Revda's nightmare steed. Once there, they
obtain some skeletons. Revda animates six and the Scribe animates
two and then they return to the Darkmantle.
Jirokichi has been commissioned by the Scribe to do something with
Raegar's remains so they do not putrefy (the Scribe envisioned many
happy hours speaking with the corpse). Jirokichi turns two of Raegar's
four heads into a pair of attractive book-ends. The Scribe visits
Jirokichi's hovel and sees the horrors within.
The group decide that a degree of reconnaissance is needed before
any assault on Fisk's house. Gazahi and Clara go to have a look.
Gazahi crouches down on top of a building opposite Fisk's terraced
mansion and observes. Clara drifts into the back garden incorporeally
and hides in a tree. She observes two brutish giants guarding the
back entrance to the place (all glass like a conservatory). They
have large plates of metal riveted to they, and seem as much construct
as living creature.
The Grey Man Index
| Previous Session | Next
Session
|
