Chapter 7: Something Rotten In Greyhawk

[Stonjuz]

Chapter 7 : Something Rotten In Greyhawk

[Stonjuz]

Gilnes knows that Greyhawk has a rotten side. Gil jumps from the roof, to another higher off the street. Then another, then another. Dropping to an alleyway, then another rooftop, then dropping once again, now waiting low, hiding patiently, the elf relaxes to catch his breath, confident that he has lost his robed pursuers from the sewers.
He gasps heavily as he has earned this escape. It has taken him to a temporary loss of strength as he rests momentarily.
Thankful that he still has all of his equipment he tries to think of a way to get back at one of his attackers in particular, the one who wore the twisted pitchfork pendant made of silver. The same one who gave him the facial cut that continues to bleed even as the elf slows his heartbeat.

[wolfpack]

Phineous folows Greystarr. Suspicious of the compact city streets. the young hero knows the other man knows his way around.

[Stonjuz]

Phineous follows Greystarr. Suspicious of the compact city streets. the young hero knows the other man knows his way around.

Greystarr, Cobbler and Lokvin
These three LOCAL humans are inclined to know a few things about the city.
As the three walk the streets, the conversation strays to geography and legend[/quote]

[Rukellian]

"So, Mr. Cobbler was it? What brings you to the 'fair' city of Greyhawk? I've heard mention of your name in the arena bout, but nothing much outside the city I'm afraid. Sightseeing or something of the like?" The doctor speaks casually enough, trying to break the awkward silence in the group, but he knows he is at a disadvantage when it comes to social activities, especially starting up conversations.

[wolfpack]

"So, Mr. Cobbler was it? What brings you to the 'fair' city of Greyhawk? I've heard mention of your name in the arena bout, but nothing much outside the city I'm afraid. Sightseeing or something of the like?" The doctor speaks casually enough, trying to break the awkward silence in the group, but he knows he is at a disadvantage when it comes to social activities, especially starting up conversations.

The greasy merchant Mechinstien has been sending hired muscle to the outlying villages with papers he claims as deeds to the land. He has been picking prime spots and ousyting families who homesteaded there generations ago. The people don't really have much in the way of protection and no one to go to for help, so some of the families asked me to come and see what I could find out.

[Rukellian]

[1d100] = 26 [1d20] = 10 [1d10] = 9 [1d8] = 4 [1d6] = 6 [1d4] = 2

"Mechinstien, Mechinstien.... he sounds familiar. Hmmm, yes. If I remember correctly, he didn't seem particularly honest." The doctor shrugs afterwards, forcing a laugh, as he says quickly afterwards, "then again, I've dealt with many unsavory types in my line of work. I could be mistaking him with someone else right now. It just simply cannot be helped, can it? Anyways, have you gotten any leads on this man? We might be able to help out once we settle this business with the paladin's attackers."

[ragnboneshopper]

Agrim takes a detour to the Druidic Stonering on his way back to the Whistling Fish. He gathers two small sacks of holy soil, breathes deeply of the natural air, and then hurries back to join his friends.

"If L-Lady T-Talaseka would have us check th-the d-dealings of Mechinstien, I would see it d-done," he says to his fellows. "Anyway, it is a l-l-lead."

[Majik]

As Gilnes waits, catching his breath, he recalls the less than friendly chat he had with the interrogator with the twisted pitchfork pendant made of silver.
"Something about friends” Gil muses… “That must have been that group with the uncouth guard that won at the arena”.

Gil smiles as he catches his reflection in a bit of broken mirror in the ally, “Here’s another fine mess you got me into” he says and his smile gets bigger.
"Bah, who could stay made at you?” he finishes with a small laugh that stops only when he gingerly touches the cut on his jaw.

Standing and arranging his equipment and garments, soiled somewhat with the unwanted stains of the sewers, Gil takes once more takes a deep breath and exhales with a determined glance around him confirming the lack of angry pursuers from the sewers.

Nodding Gil thinks to himself, “Well, back to the rooming house, a change of clothes, and a bath…” as he smells himself with a repulsed expression, “and if fate so decides, lovely lady that she no doubt is, should I run into that motley crew, I shall tell them of the ordeal that seems to concern them as well.”
He thinks to himself as he glances up and back the way he came and steps out into the streets of Greyhawk.

For the DM: [1d100] = 24[1d20] = 2[1d10] = 8[1d8] = 7[1d6] = 6[1d4] = 4

[Stonjuz]

Somewhere:
Abriago rolls the scrolls tightly and slides them into the scrollcase.
''Hehe. Ni doin bidnezz wiyou''.
Mechenstein handles the scrollcases with his usual disregard. His lunch is proof as tomatoes stain the exterior.
"Abriago alwaid besto'debest."
The man happily completes the transaction, turns and wipes the oils from his handshake.

Talaseka made no mention of knowing anyone named Mechinstein.

[Stonjuz]

As Gilnes waits, catching his breath, he recalls the less than friendly chat he had with the interrogator with the twisted pitchfork pendant made of silver.
"Something about friends” Gil muses… “That must have been that group with the uncouth guard that won at the arena”.

Gil smiles as he catches his reflection in a bit of broken mirror in the ally, “Here’s another fine mess you got me into” he says and his smile gets bigger.
"Bah, who could stay made at you?” he finishes with a small laugh that stops only when he gingerly touches the cut on his jaw.

Standing and arranging his equipment and garments, soiled somewhat with the unwanted stains of the sewers, Gil takes once more takes a deep breath and exhales with a determined glance around him confirming the lack of angry pursuers from the sewers.

Nodding Gil thinks to himself, “Well, back to the rooming house, a change of clothes, and a bath…” as he smells himself with a repulsed expression, “and if fate so decides, lovely lady that she no doubt is, should I run into that motley crew, I shall tell them of the ordeal that seems to concern them as well.”
He thinks to himself as he glances up and back the way he came and steps out into the streets of Greyhawk.

Detailing the escape could have been a bard's masterpiece. If it had worked.
Gilness, totally exhausted from all of the wall climbing, roof jumping, fence tumbling and swordplay, finally gives up.
He thought he had got away,.....
......only to quickly hear a number of his pursuers just around the corner. Slowly he hunches over. No longer able to turn and run with the required endurance to match his last attempt, he gasps for breath and raises his arms and sword for a last defiant fight. When the group rounds the corner, it is not the blue-robed attackers he had resigned surrender to, but rather, here stand the humans, without the halforc who had accompanied them the night before.

[Majik]

Totally exhausted from all the wall climbing, roof jumping, tumbling and swordplay… Gilnes decides it’s better to make a last stand.
Taking a deep breath, Gil centers his mind ready to slowly draw the fight into the streets and hopefully the eyes of a city patrol when …

When the group rounds the corner, they see a striking handsome elf who is obviously forming a defensive swords-man’s stance with little strength left to fight beyond a single passing of the blades.
He seems something more from a children’s story than a credible threat with a sword, more flash and style than substance.

Gil is lightly armed and without armor.
His belt is red, with tall black riding boots and grey pants.
His big grey hat has a large red feather extending up and back from the left side.
His gloves are gray and trimmed with red lace, and his cloak is also grey.

When Gil does see that they are not the ones from which he flees, but to those that he hoped to seek, he lowers his long-sword and without energy to sheath it, lets it sink point deep into the ground and drops to one knee leaning off the pummel for support.

Lowering his head Gil removes his large hat and slowly raises his eyes to meet each of theirs in turn. “Hail and well friends from the Whistling Fish. My name is Gilnes, and it was most fortunate honor to have been at the Fish last night when young Benson was regaling us assembled few with tales of his inspired win in the arena.” He pauses a moment lowering his head to draw in strength and air, raising it again he continues, “While leaving the tavern that night I was assaulted by blue robed men and have been held hostage since then in the sewers below. I tell you this not because I am at my bodies limits and may collapse soon, but because the questions put to me are of concern to you. For although I know nothing and thus could not betray your parties agenda in any way, I was questioned most aggressively about your plans, by blue robed men. One in particular had a twisted pitchfork pendant made of silver”.

Dropping to both knees he continues with a strained breath “I know no more of them, but they seem to know a great deal about you.” The last words trail off into a horse whisper.

For the DM: [1d100] = 32[1d20] = 12[1d10] = 7[1d8] = 2[1d6] = 5[1d4] = 4

[Rukellian]

Fezuul Lokvin is quick to take action as he helps Gilnes, the person he just met, up to his feet, propping him on a shoulder. "Whoa there! There is a place and time for such conversation. Right now we need to get you treated properly. Come, my clinic is but a short distance from the Whistling Fish. I can treat your wounds there, or at the least bandage you up." The doctor, holding Gilnes up, looks towards the group silently, searching for approval of this course of action. "If some of you are still insistent on heading to the Inn, I'm sure we can catch up with you very soon. But I cannot just ignore this."

[NJWilliam]

Branc Temugen, wild mage

"I'd like to accompany you and have a chance to see your clinic and help with what I can if that's alright.
"I don't suppose The Whistling Fish is going anywhere soon."

[Stonjuz]

......"One in particular had a twisted pitchfork pendant made of silver ”.

Benson and Branc (and Agrim, though not present yet) have seen such an item. With little effort it is soon confirmed that the item described looks like the one worn by the outpost priestess.

iuzpriestess.jpg (68.32 KiB) Viewed 1080 times

[Majik]

Looking with some concern at the unknown but obviously friendly human, Gilnes nods and smiles at the doctor.

“Thank you kindly doctor. You I think, would be the one that just opened that friendly looking clinic just down the street from The Fish then? Such a kind man I have heard and now have no doubt as to the truth of the words.” Gil finishes with a weak but sincere smile.

For the DM: [1d100] = 42[1d20] = 12[1d10] = 4[1d8] = 7[1d6] = 2[1d4] = 1

[grey_starr]

*frustration shows, but it's clear Benson just wants everyone to be together for this start*Fine - this is a bit of bad timing... I'll go to the Fish and bring Ag and whoever back to Doc's place.

[1d100] = 38, [1d20] = 7, [1d12] = 9, [1d8] = 4, [1d6] = 6, [1d4] = 4

DM edit: Woops, I just realized that I need minimum 1d10 and 1d20in your macros.
pick one of the others, that you wont need, to do away with, 100,12,8,6, or 4, and substitute d10 in its place.

[1d10] = 1

[ragnboneshopper]

When Agrim rejoins the party, he takes great interest in Gilnes's story, and especially in the description of the Iuzan symbol worn by one of the blue robes. "I was warned th-that such an evil had come t-t-to Greyhawk," he says. "D-d-do y-you know where to find th-them, Gilnes?"

[1d100] = 2, [1d20] = 10, [1d10] = 7, [1d8] = 2, [1d6] = 3, [1d4] = 4

[Stonjuz]

When Agrim rejoins the party, he takes great interest in Gilnes's story, and especially in the description of the Iuzan symbol worn by one of the blue robes. "I was warned th-that such an evil had come t-t-to Greyhawk," he says. "D-d-do y-you know where to find th-them, Gilnes?"

Gilnes does not know where to find them. He does know where they found him.
He left the Whistling Fish and was headed to The Unseen Servant to perhaps learn what OUR group was all about.
He had heard of the djinn event, and was preparing to begin his own investigation, when he was attacked on the way to the Servant.

* Benson just wants everyone to be together for this start*.. I'll go to the Fish and bring Ag and whoever back to Doc's place.
[1d100] = 38, [1d20] = 7, [1d12] = 9, [1d8] = 4, [1d6] = 6, [1d4] = 4
[1d10] = 1

Benson finally gets the group all together.
Escorting Agrim to the clinic, the two are greeted by Branc as Gilnes and Phineous are taken to the patient area, by the doctor.
This is how horror stories start.

[Stonjuz]

Looking with some concern at the unknown but obviously friendly human, Gilnes nods and smiles at the doctor.
“Thank you kindly doctor. .”

I personally cant wait to see how the doctor plays this out as Gilnes takes a seat on one of the clinic benches.
Im sure he would appreciate a blood sample, but thats up to him.

Fezuul tells Gilnes that the strength loss effect is only temporary and the doctor truly believes that, but he suspects necromancy once again.
No str bonus to hit and attack for at least a few rounds of the next combat.

Branc Temugen, wild mage
"I'd like to see your clinic and help with what I can if that's alright.
"I don't suppose The Whistling Fish is going anywhere soon."

Branc watches the Fish until Benson and Agrim return to the clinic.
The group is together, Congrats.

"So, Mr. Cobbler was it? What brings you to the 'fair' city of Greyhawk? .

The greasy merchant Mechinstien ........some of the families asked me to come and see what I could find out.

Phineous feels very much better after seeing the doctor at work, but his heart and pride still pains for Greyhawk.
No penalties.
[1d100] = 23 [1d20] = 11 [1d10] = 8 [1d8] = 5 [1d6] = 5 [1d4] = 1