Lower City: Blade & Stars

[hedgeknight]

Frumple nods and takes off at a trot, forcing the rest of the group to hurry to keep up. The dandied Gnome travels along passing several business and a street full of people, about two blocks or so, and stops in front of what looks like a comfortable inn. The sign is missing, leaving only the hooks over the door, but Frumple points and says, "The Blade and Stars."

Inside, the room is warm and airy, with the smell of baked bread and something on the stove. A pretty young woman is looking out one of the windows, watching the street. Her hair is a bit mussed and she looks somewhat worried...but the look disappears as you walk inside.

Lupeen.jpg (50.54 KiB) Viewed 1370 times

"Welcome to the Blade and Stars! I am Lupeen. Can I get you some rooms?"

[Belkregos]

thank you Lupeen, i think that would be a good idea, we just arrive to the city, Im Tommy
he smiles and looks around taking in the details of the room,
but first, My friend here he nods to Ostis was looking for someone here, i think
steps to a side giving Ostis the center and tries to see outside the window to catch whatever the girl was watching

[alchemy]

Err, yeah, Quinlapp said I could meet some'un here could help me. Ariaina or Aurine or some such. Don't rightly recall the name. He did say that she was with another woman. Sounds like fun...um, but that's not really my business. Quinlap said that she could help me. Um, but I said that already. Is she here, lass?

It is apparent to all nearby that Ostis is very nervous.

[hedgeknight]

While Ostis rambles on, Lupeen's neck flushes, her eyes moisten and she blinks rapidly.
"Aurayaun...my...well, sh-she is gone. It's been almost two weeks...and...and I haven't heard a word from her. She took, um, the shield, our sign when she left. I-I don't know why."

Her voice trails off and she has to take a few breaths to compose herself. When she is finally sure of her voice, she asks, "Why are you here? Tommy, who is Quinlap?"

[Belkregos]

Tommy steps closer to the counter listening to the girl
Quinap is one of the sages from candlekeep, that's where were coming from, we helped them with some problems but in truth they are helping us, I'm not sure why they though Aurayaun could help Ostis but the candlekeep sages haven't steered us wrong so far 
he looks to his companions what do you think? maybe walking the road is its own reward and helping by others we help ourselves he makes a serious face imitating one of the sages from candlekeep then smiles and looks back to the girl 

he continues the conversation trying to get some information that might help locate Aurayaun
would you allow us to help?
What do you know of your kin's departure? any idea where she could have gone? any reason you think she could be in danger? Anything unusual happened before she left? did she have any notes? what does she look like (any paintings or images of her) how about the shield? would you mind if we look at her things for clues? 

[alchemy]

Ostis growls his frustration.

Quinlapp said I had to talk to the other girl. Said she could help me. Said that there was, uh, some sort of, uh, I dunno, traning, schooling or some such? I gotta find her! I'm about goin batty, 'fraid I'll do something stupid that'll get us all in trouble!

[hedgeknight]

Tommy steps closer to the counter listening to the girl...would you allow us to help?
What do you know of your kin's departure? any idea where she could have gone? any reason you think she could be in danger? Anything unusual happened before she left? did she have any notes? what does she look like (any paintings or images of her) how about the shield? would you mind if we look at her things for clues? 

Lupeen puts her hands on either side of her face. "So many questions. Um...sure I-I guess. I want to trust you. It's just...well, others have come promising to find my...to find Aurayaun. They've taken my gold and never returned. I have little left to offer."

Ostis growls his frustration.
Quinlapp said I had to talk to the other girl. Said she could help me. Said that there was, uh, some sort of, uh, I dunno, traning, schooling or some such? I gotta find her! I'm about goin batty, 'fraid I'll do something stupid that'll get us all in trouble!

"It's in your blood, isn't it? There is a calling...something...bestial, isn't there?"
Her voice is barely above a whisper, her face flushed. "Aurayaun...she was the same. She learned to control..."
Lupeen looks around the room to make sure only Tommy and Ostis can hear her. "She learned to control her rages...her thirst for pain."
Ostis hears the blood pounding in his temple...

he feels aroused and nervous at the same time. It doesn't help that Lupeen's nipples are trying to poke out of her blouse.

Suddenly, Luppen shakes herself and steps back from the desk counter. "Erm...how about I arrange rooms for you...and then you can see Aura's things. Alright?"

[alchemy]

Ostis is barely hanging on. He plants his hand over his rising ardor, trying to keep things under control.

Ya may hafta put me somewhere until I settle. The girl, she's a pretty one, and she smells nice. I'm makin' a fool of myself out here.

[Belkregos]

Tommy tries to break Ostis tension, takes him by the arm gesturing to the window and start walking with him as he keeps talking with Lupeen

don't worry about any payment or gold, we just need help and advice from Aurayun, we'll take a room if you have it but we best start looking for her already, just tell us anything you think could help and we'll start, please also let us know who else is looking for her so maybe we can work together if they have a head start

[hedgeknight]

Lupeen nods and swallows several times, regaining her composure.
"I'll go make sure your rooms are ready. If you'd like to order something to drink, find yourself a chair. And if you'd like to order something in your room the food here is very good. Just ask our regulars."
She heads upstairs, while Tommy takes Ostis by the arm for a change of scenery.
(I can't remember whether I said so, but Erevan has taken his leave, asking the Gnomes to escort him back to Whitkeep Hostel. He won't be returning any time soon...if ever.)

When Lupeen is gone, you glance around the common room of the Blade & Stars and there are a couple of folks sitting and sipping, reading or looking out a window, people-watching. One fellow catches your eye, raising a mug to do so.
He gets up and walks over to you. He's comfortably dressed for a Dwarf and his bulbous nose is slightly red from the alcohol he's consumed already today.
"Kelvar Ironstar is me name. I rent a room here, have so for almost a year now. Nice place, close to my work. If ye've come looking for Aurayaun...the story goes she was last seen removing the shield from over the door and then disappearing with a cloaked figure down an alley. About once a week, Lupeen gets a piece of the shield delivered here by an errand boy or girl. When questioned they know nothing other than someone game them a silver to make the delivery. Lupeen might know more but...well, as ye can imagine, she is still quite upset about it.
"Anyhow, what brings ye to Baldur's Gate?"

Ironshield Dwarf.jpg (31.89 KiB) Viewed 1339 times

[Belkregos]

"Kelvar Ironshield is me name.
"Anyhow, what brings ye to Baldur's Gate?"

good to meet you Kelvar, Im Tommy, my friend here is Ostis, yes sounds like we could be neighbors, at least for a bit
tommy gets confortable and looks around the room taking note of the patrons
actually we came to Baldurs looking for Aurayun... her missing is bad business, we might have come all the way for naught
he shakes his head and asks for a warm cider and gestures with his hand asking to add some schnapps to it
the girl, Lupeen, she seems nice, shame about the situation, do you know of anybody who might have ill will towards Arauyan?

[alchemy]

I need a room, and some quiet. It's almost a demand, coming from Ostis, but those who know him, which now consists of Tommy and aught else, understand his tempers. When the woman comes back he asks her for a bed and quiet.

[hedgeknight]

Lupeen returns before Kelvar can answer Tommy's question. She gives both the barbarian and the tabaxi a key and tells them their rooms are upstairs down the hall to the left near the privy. Ostis takes his key and heads to his room.
Kelvar beckons Tommy to a chair by the window and asks for Lupeen to bring them something to sip on. "Whatever you like, my friend. I'll buy this round seeing as you are a newly arrived guest."

Once Lupeen is gone, Kelvar says in hushed tones, "Aurayaun was a strong woman, a protector if you will of those who could not often protect themselves. She put up with no shenanigans in this place, and took great pride in only letting certain folk rent here. Well, that all began to change a few months ago. She seemed more distant, more distracted...as if...as if she knew something was about to happen and only she could prevent it from happening! I still don't know why she took the shield over the door. Was she compelled to do so? Threatened?"

[Belkregos]

tommy takes a drink while he listens to Kelvar feeling an urgency to find Aurayun 
not much to go on Kelvar but there's a few threads to follow, sounds like Aurayun had an inkling that something was about happen....
 did anyone get a description from the errand boys on who gave them the silver? Where were the kids approached ? was it the same location?
when Lupeen comes back Tommy tries to reassure her
we'll find her Lupeen, we'll find Auruyan, can you tell me more about her? (where is she from and history)
would you mind if I examine what you have of the shield?  

 if he gets a few pieces he examines them
 a few things he looks for 

• were cut off or  torn off 

• from about what area of the shield are the pieces from, 

• any significance to the pieces  

• he casts mending on them to try to put them together  

  

• asks to examine anything else available, her room, any notes she kept?

OOC: cast guidance to roll investigation (1+20+3=24)Guidance: Investigation: 

[hedgeknight]

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Lupeen sits down with Tommy and Kelvar as the tabaxi is asking questions about the delivery boys. She has a cup of hot coffee in her hands, probably to give them something to hold to so they don't tremble while she talks. "There were always two children...a boy and a girl. Same ones every time. The girl brought in the pieces of the shield in an old sack; the boy stood by the door, watching...I don't know if he was watching her, or watching out for trouble. He was just...watching.
"The one thing I noticed is the girl has a lot of freckles and green eyes and is of elvish descent...but she has a pet mouse. I've seen it creep out of her cloak and nuzzle her neck. So...I refer to her as 'Mouse' since she never speaks or answers questions and I know nothing else about her."
Lupeen reaches into her vest pocket and pulls out a piece of parchment. "This is Mouse."

girl urchin mouse.jpg (87.91 KiB) Viewed 1316 times

[Belkregos]

Tommy takes a sip of the coffee-
thank you Lupeen, its good to let Ostis gather himself and rest, he's rough but a good person, we can call him if thigs start moving
he takes the parchment examining the image-
this will be very helpful, have you seen or know anything about her Kelvar? we should start looking for the girl mouse and the boy as soon as possible
he pauses to thing for a moment-
  although i've been in Bauldur's gate before, in truth i don't really know the town so i wouldn't know where to start
pauses again giving time for any suggestions and looks at the image again
she is rather unique and might stand out, would there be someone who knows the urchins of the neighborhood, maybe they've seen the couple or might know from which neighborhood they might be from? this could give us a starting point

OOC: would the mending spell work on getting the pieces of shield back together?

[hedgeknight]

The coffee is strong enough to crawl out of Tommy's cup, but he manages to keep his face straight. There is a small jar of sugar and a tiny cup of cream...which calls to the Tabaxi's nature. As if somehow sensing what is going on, Lupeen did bring the sack of shield pieces and helped Tommy lay them out on the table.
Kelvar watched quietly, sipping his beer, while Lupeen's delicate hands arranged the pieces, trying hard to ignore the tears dripping down her face as she does so. At one point, the Dwarf places a soft hand on the young woman's arm and she nearly breaks down. She lifts her reddened eyes up to Tommy, not saying anything, but the silent pleading is there.

Tommy breathes in, passes his hands over the pieces (there are six of them) and breathes a simple spell of mending. The pieces jitter a bit and then slowly, begin to move into place. The outer edge of the shield begins to come together, forming the upper half of it. Several of the "stars" can be seen and much of the tip of the blade. Tommy figures there's probably another half a dozen or so pieces missing.

Lupeen, crying freely now, runs her fingers over the repaired shield. "I get...a new piece arrives (sniff) about every 4-5 days. M-mouse should be coming by some time this afternoon."


Upstairs, Ostis just stands inside the door looking upon what must be the nicest place he's ever been in. The bed, while not too large, looks soft and there is a basin of fresh water with a towel and a dish with something lying in it...soap, maybe, and a window looking out over the neighborhood to the northwest. The room smells of some scent his nose cannot work out, but it is not unpleasant. A large plush rug is on the floor near a small desk with a trio of burning candles. The window is raised a bit to let the air in...and the noise of the city.
It's so nice and neat, he's almost afraid to touch anything.

[alchemy]

Drawn to the sounds of the city, Ostis looked outside. Before heading upstairs, he'd heard something about a 'Mouse'. As a tot, he'd been called mouse, once upon a time. A VERY big mouse. A small smile crossed his face, then he kneeled by the window and watched to see who showed up at the inn.

[Belkregos]

Lupeen, crying freely now, runs her fingers over the repaired shield. "I get...a new piece arrives (sniff) about every 4-5 days. M-mouse should be coming by some time this afternoon."

Tommy nods, we'll find her soon Lupeen, this nightmare will be over soon
turns to Kelvar
you are in to help then Kelvar? if we can prepare anything now's the time....
if you are willing to help, i say it will be good to have a look out down the street to see if there is anything unusual, you think oyu can help with that?
i want to talk to her or the boy, then, depending on if we can get any information either go with it or follow them

OOC: how hihg is the building? im just trying to parpare a route to follow, not sure it will come down to it but if the buildings are tightly packet Tommy could try to follow from rooftops

[Belkregos]

Lupeen, tell me about Aurayaun....

in a conversational way Tommy will try to understand Aurayans background, things like how long they new each other, what she did before, what wis the significance of the shield, did the shield have a significance to anyone else? did she have other friends and enemies (new and old)