Gull's Landing

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne will restock her arrows.

"No, do you have something for her?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik "Well guess I'll go first then." he says as he steps down into the darkness on the steps.

[tristenc]

Nis makes a silent sign of protection towards Medipheria's house, and touches the amulet lightly. Not having her ally by her side would make things slightly more difficult, but neither could she forgive herself if disaster befel her kind new friend. The lady was bookish and not used to such hazards, and in the chaos of combat Nis worried for her. No, she would let her friend enjoy peace a while longer, though if the carnival were any judge she feared the studious witch would be drawn into the new maelstrom her own life had lately become.

Nis readies her bow and leaves it to others to answer the young guard.

Were there any soldiers still loyal to former Captain Macree? Or does it seem like the young guard has some other motive looking for Mave?

[spanningtree]

Thena

Hearing the young guards query she stops and makes a show of checking Valentin, Bessa, and Jacinthe, tugging on their packs, rope, and such... getting ready for a delve. In a very low voice: These guards may not be what they seem, Valentin/Jacinthe spread out, Bessa stay behind/near me. She draws Rover in a calm, non offensive, way as preparing to traverse a ladder.

[Darithe]

Mave

Pauses above standing next to Morwen, watching Torvik descend. To those still above she says, "Be alert and start down as soon as Commander Torvik declares it safe."

[Revenant]

Starting two new threads for the expeditions below. And the answer to both of tristenc's questions is possibly.

[tristenc]

Starting two new threads for the expeditions below. And the answer to both of tristenc's questions is possibly.

Fair. Can she make some kind of wisdom check to see if his motives are good or ill?

[Revenant]

Of course, make a wisdom check. It may well answer and provide some additional info.

[tristenc]

===

Wis (16) guard motives check [1d20]=11

[Revenant]

Niserie realizes that one of the guards, one of the silent ones, was with Macree when they confronted the party outside of Gull's Landing. The others look familiar too, but she couldn't swear to it. So likely they were all under Macree's command.

[Revenant]

“When listening for danger, one must never mistake silence for safety.” ~ Christopher Buehlman, The Blacktongue Thief

The days passed like the ships in the sea beyond the piers of Gull's Landing. Wounds healed, bruises lightened and scars...well scars are carried always be they outside or in. But the group slowly recovered from their journey within the sewers and the halls of Sister Lamentations.

The king decreed a day of celebration throughout the city and a banquet in honor of the brave heroes. The biggest part of the city-wide party was to take place in the Gallowhawk compound with some special honors to be bestowed by the Lord. Of course only selected invitees were to attend within the gated compound, by invitation only. The heroes are welcomed to stay within House Gallowhawk or at their inn across the road until the appointed time. There is a lightness in the heart of the city. A foe had been vanquished and those who lived now held in the dungeons. Four prisoners survived the battle below to be confined in those cells. The lone surviving northman, Adwin and Sylas Gallowhawk, and Athelwyll were languishing in the cells awaiting their fate.

The day is bright and clear on the date of the celebration. And the small band rise...or deign to stay in bed a bit longer....

[spanningtree]

Thena

In no particular order Thena will work on the following first:

Attend the celebration, if needed.

Revisit the loot already at hand and what was recently recovered from the sewer campaign. Inquire with Malaguerre if it would be possible to ID some/all.

Show Nis the raven/crow she recovered. Not sure what this is.... any ideas?


OCC: Spells updated

[Rex]

Bryne

I thinking getting everything we found checked out and identified is the first priority.

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik same as Bryne

[Darithe]

Mave

Though it is likely a worthless effort on her part, Mave when she recovers enough will make her way to the dungeons. First she will speak to the captured northman, "I have but one question...why? If you explain to me why you came here and joined the witches, I will speak on your behalf to my father the lord. He may spare your life if you are open to our questions." She will ask followup questions should the man be willing to talk.

After their talk, she will move to Adwin, "Brother, I cannot even begin to comprehend your traitorous actions. But as my brother, I am not prepared yet to abandon you to father's judgement. Tell me of your compatriots and their plans and I will try to convince father to show mercy."

She will ignore her cousin and his man, content to let them meet their fate.

[Revenant]

“I don't want everyone to like me; I should think less of myself if some people did.” ~ Henry James

The guards stood near Lady Gallowhawk, ever watchful of the rogues, and they now included her brother in that grouping, she spoke with. The northman who had been captured in the halls below, looked at Mave with mournful eyes, "Why? I am a soldier, I do what my commander orders me to do. I would be dishonored to do less. And as a soldier, I owe you no further answers."

Moving to her brother, whose hand had to be removed due to the damage Thena inflicted upon it, she asks him of his plot with the witches, and he looks at the stump at the end of his arm, "I have no wish for mercy. The only thing I wish for is father's seat. And if I survive his judgement, it is exactly what I will have when the storm descends upon these lands." He moves closer the the bars of his cell and moves the stump through them to touch her cheek, "Sister, it is you who should be begging me for mercy. Alas when that time comes I will not be able to wear a ring for you to kiss."

---------------------------------------------------------

Abaessa is confined to the temple of Valkur, within the compound, to be treated by its healers, her father constantly by her side. There are frequent visits from the priests of the temple of Selûne as well as visits from Brother Lucente and the priests from Tempus. And Mave's mother, herself still recovering from the Displacer Beast's attack, also makes frequent visits.

----------------------------------------------------------

De'Athyra and Liviel keep company in the courtyard making a point to deliver the meals fed to the captive Displacer Beast kitten, hoping it will warm to their presence. Mediphera visits often to check on the vagary child and is teaching De'Ath some skills and the ways of witchcraft.

----------------------------------------------------------

Athan watches over Morwen until she fully recovers, and introduces her to his brother in arms, Dorian. It is quite common to see the three with Liviel, especially when Mediphera is teaching De'Ath.

---------------------------------------------------------

The three young rangers of the Horn spend much time together, both in the compound and the city proper, like young cubs expanding their horizons, though they never stray too far from their commander.

---------------------------------------------------------

Notably missing are Zed, Esdra and Swifthollow who left town immediately after the battles. Brogan and his young quarry do the same though you except he will return for Lord Gallowhawk's rewards.

----------------------------------------------------------

Soon it comes to the day of the celebration and activities in the compound are like bees around a honeycomb, as servant decorate the courtyard and cooks are busy in the main house preparing the feast. Lights are strung throughout the area and Lord Gallowhawk has decided to open the doors of the compound to the public so that all can join in the celebration. Numerous minstrels and mummers flock to its walls and the Lord has ordered his guardsmen to be on the alert for any pickpockets and wastrels.

[spanningtree]

Thena

Joining the celebration, Thena strides through the gathered warriors and well-wishers, her armor still bearing the marks of battle. She finds Folcard, Bear, Jacinthe, Valentin, and Bessea, clasping each of them in turn, her grip firm with gratitude.

You fought with valor, as true warriors should. My companions and I offer our deepest thanks—Tempus himself must have looked upon us with favor in that sewer. There was no mere difference made today. You were the difference.

As she catches sight of Brother Lucente weaving through the crowd, she lifts her voice once more.

Brother Lucente, Fist of Tempus! I was just honoring these stalwarts for their deeds. But the war is far from won. This was but the first strike against a greater darkness, and the battlefield yet calls. There are still foes who must feel the wrath of Tempus’s judgment. I may need these warriors at my side once more before this crusade is through.

She meets each of their gazes with a warrior’s promise—this was not the end, but only the beginning.

Thena also spends time with her companions, assessing what their collective next step(s) might be.

[tristenc]

In the following hours and days, Nis makes her rounds. She is sure to warn Mediphera of the goings on, and divides her time between the pair of Mediphera and De'Ath and checking in on Abaessa. Part of her visits with the other witches include feeding the Displacer Beast Kitten, and even coaxing Ducky into meeting the young creature.

In the few moments of private she allows herself, she reaches out with a thankful heart and tests the new gifts of her patron; specifically the prayer to allow one to Speak with Animals. She practices first with Ducky, getting to know him a little better; though his stoic personality is remains constant she finds his inward curiosity more potent than she had realized. While he might outwardly be content to laze around, his sharp eyes and quick mind seemed almost constantly occupied with his surroundings. A promising start.

She does her best to find and gather, purchase or borrow (from Mediphera, with permission) the incense and materials required to perform the Familiar ritual

Nis dresses in flowing green for the festival and hovers between her companions, her Charge (De'Athyra) and her Sisters (Mediphera and Abaessa if the later is in any shape to attend). She curtsies to Lord and Lady Gallowhawk. A fine festival indeed, good Lord and Lady. May I have the pleasure of announcing 'Sir Duckington of Tuxbury." She gestures to Ducky with a smile. He has donned his finest attire for the evening. She grins. Aside to the lady she inquires, I hope you are recovering well from the ordeal, and the recent unpleasantness in town... she says sincerely

====
She will use whatever her split of the money is if necessary, or identify and pick herbs and such as able like she has in the past. Would she have enough resources at this time to perform the "Acquire Witch's Familiar" ritual? it says 100-600 gp value in fine incense, and small tokens of food or shiny things (she will make some cat-toys with bird feathers and small stuffed leather balls, strings and ribbons )

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne will rest and check in on her companions. When the celebration comes she will join in, but seems weary and on edge.

[McThunder]

Dorian knows this isn’t an opportune time, but the king’s niece needs to be found. On the other hand, Athan might need some coercion, after giving him time in Gull’s Landing, to catch his breath.

“I know the city is in celebration, and I won’t keep you from it longer than necessary. But the King has given me a task—his niece is missing, and I intend to find her. I could use your help.”