Chapter 1: The Wreckage

[tibbius]

"It makes a difference," said the young gnome fussily. "If he was thrown it was a death by violence and he should be buried under the Sun. If he fell it was a death by accident and he must be buried under the Moon." He gestured vaguely toward the stage. "When a king's burial is at stake these are important questions! ... Your accent is good. Have you lived here long?"

[sirravd]

"I'm aware it is important, but I don't know the answer. As for how long I've lived here, that's none of your business."

[tibbius]

The gnome stamped his little booted foot impatiently. His dark braids swung from side to side. His nose was about even with Galeschin's navel. Looking upward at the big Riverine man, he seemed exceptionally childish. "Courtesy would serve you better," he said sharply and shrilly. "I am Doblas, second underdeputychiefpriest of the Sun. My mission is to investigate the death of the late King Bryce and properly inter him. Where is his body?"

Einrich had walked away, gathering a squad of soldiers to retrieve the bodies of his previous squad.

[Rex]

Rus

Rus stays with Einrich and continues to ignore the gnome.

[tibbius]

Rus

Rus stays with Einrich and continues to ignore the gnome.

The fallen soldiers from earlier in the day maybe got up and wandered away. Their weapons and bodies were not where Rus remembered the affray. Einrich kicked at the smooth moon-grey hexagonal pavers and struck one hand into the other: "Damn their eyes, they've deserted. Eleven men short."

The delegation from Sun City continued to move around the plaza with sacks, gathering especially the scattered books and scrolls. They avoided interacting with the soldiery.

[Rex]

Rus

"Maybe we should head back then. This place is a mess in more ways than one."

[sirravd]

Galeschin wearily concurred. This is hopeless. Who knew that regicide would result in so much chaos?"

[Rex]

Rus

"I think he probably tripped well trying to take a piss, but don't tell the gnomes that." Rus says with a chuckle.

[tibbius]

Galeschin feels his hand begin to twitch. There's a faint tingle down his spine, as well. He knows fairly soon his mouth will be watering and his attention will be jumping all around.

He reaches for his pouch of coins and berries, and it isn't there. Must have broken from his belt during an earlier fracas.

I rolled that as a random event.

[sirravd]

"Hey," Galeschin whispers conspiratorially, "I'm jonesing hard for steadyberries. You know where I can score some?"

[Rex]

Rus

"Nope, don't touch them myself. Maybe the captain knows. We can try heading for the docks, you can get anything there if your willing to pay the price."

[sirravd]

"I remember that alchemist..." muttered Galeschin. "I'd better get to him, and fast. The lack is getting to me..."

[tibbius]

It seemed that Galeschin needed to look up his alchemist buddy soonest possible.

There remained the matter of what to do with the soldiers. Would Galeschin return command to Einrich, who itched to return to camp and get clear of the city?

Also, what of the delegation from Sun Citadel? Was anything to be gained from interacting with them?

Would Rus accompany Einrich, or Galeschin?

[Rex]

Rus

Rus stays with Galeschin, it looks like he may need his help soon. "Lets go and find your alchemist friend."

[sirravd]

Galeschin, in an increasingly unsteady voice, thanked his friend, and set out for the alchemist.

[tibbius]

Surprisingly, the shop of "Zadran, Dr. Alquemic" was open for business in mid-afternoon. Unsurprisingly, empty of customers. Galeschin remembered that Zadran's clientele, like himself, mostly stopped by in the later evening. Under the steady white glow of the Tower ... something he guessed he wouldn't see again. The light show last night had been wild, like lightning without thunder. The streets had been dark and scary, the profession of torchbearer being pretty much unknown in Moontower.

Zadran greeted Galeschin pleasantly, thanked him for his business, and pulled out a fat bag of steadyberries from a cabinet. He counted fifteen into Galeschin's tremoring sweating palms. "Do you want more?" he asked. "Remember, overdose can happen. Be careful."

Anything more to be said to the alchemist?

[Rex]

Rus

Rus will wait outside well Galeschin deals with the alchemist.

[tibbius]

Pelias walked up to Rus. His green linen robe was very badly wrinkled and smeared with dirt from where he had fallen in the street that morning. His expression was disgruntled and frightened.

"Everything's going to hell," he said directly. "Just like it did before. We should either get out of here, or attach ourselves firmly to the Fauchardians. They're the only stable force right now, and if they pull out and if we stick close enough, we can get to safety with them. Pretty soon, the madness from the city will spread out to the surrounding villages."