Shattered Star: Shards of Sin [IC]

[Foryn Gilnith]

A motley group of six mostly humans makes its way through the rough-and-tumble neighborhood of Beacon's Point. Ranging in stature from the short and sprightly 5'0" to imposing figures well above 6 feet, they weave their way through narrow streets and past idle loiterers until they reach their destination: Washer's Row. Washer's Row is a tangle of open air laundry stalls, carnival-style amusements, and Varisian tent wagons, populated mostly by people toiling in the laundry and tailoring industries, though there are some who practice less savory trades...


At the southern end of Washers’ Row, a tattered banner hanging over the entrance to the small side street advertises “Professor Callivario’s Stupendous Exhibition of the Outrageous and Sublime.” Beyond this overly exuberant advertisement is a squalid setup consisting of little more than a series of rundown sideshow booths and carts with assorted games and amusements of the meaner sort. To one side, urchins pitch pennies at lily pads floating in a small, scum-covered fountain while a bored carnie looks on. Nearby, the sound of cats hissing and fighting arises from behind a cart where a small crowd of ne’er-do-wells has gathered to cheer and place bets. Everywhere lurk faces pinched with suspicion or hunger — expressions worn by workers and visitors alike. This is not the sort of place to be careless with a coin pouch.


In fact, here comes one of them now, a squat and heavily tanned man who makes no secret of wearing chain mail and live steel weapons. "You with them Wrecked Washers?" he spits, sending a mean glare to the whole party but lingering on whoever's standing in front. "Momma said your coin's good here but that doesn't mean we like seeing your ugly mugs. Stars above, if Zograthy didn't stand up for you too, I'd love to just..." The thug beats his fist into his palm a couple of times, sneering at whoever he's craning his head upward to address.

[u-b]

A beautiful young girl dressed in flashy silks (clearly to some fashion, even if not quite to local one), who is originally not in the front of the group, steps forward with a shy smile. "No, not with them. Are not particularly liked here, are they? I do assure you we would respect and behave, so you would have no reason to apply your more violent skills. That said, we do want to meet with Amazing Zograthy." This is all said with a noticeable foreign accent, hinting indirectly at the impossibility of the speaker being with any local gang.

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[razorback]

Acilitus marches along with the rest of the group, his cloak leaving only shadows of his face. He spoke with Garril as they walked, the brawny Shelynite a bit different in tempermant than himself but pleasant enough just the same. The others were a good enough lot was his thinking. He appreciated the company and, this being their first mission, appreciated whatever skills the others brought to the table that he lacked. As Sarina spoke up to armored brute who confronted them, he felt gratitude as he kept back, eyes out for other trouble. The various Sczarni were known for different practices and he didn't feel like being ambushed by such a distraction.

[Farmerbink]

The ruddy-skinned Half-Orc trudges along in silence. His eyes scan the various stalls and carts with an unreadable expression, though they occasionally flit upwards or down a narrow alley- constantly reminding himself of the various avenues for danger to come running. For what surely won't be the last time, he quietly murmurs "What could possibly be found here to warrant our pay?" Shaking his head at the absurdity of it all, he redirects his attention to his surroundings. One hand rests lightly on the bone-handled hilt of his dagger. Not a threat, just a fairly comfortable posture.

When the mean-looking thug strolls up, one of Turnok's bushy eyebrows raises in near-comical disinterest. He stands back as the almost impressively short sorceress- Sarina, was it?, he recalls idly- approaches him with honeyed words and batting eyebrows. Plenty of time for earth-breaking later.

While he wouldn't say he wants to meet this Zograthy fellow, it pains him to admit it's their best lead.

I typically note internal thoughts with italics and spoken word with quotations. Both are in Turnok's color. Is that good with you, Foryn?

[kjelfalconer]

"Besides, if we were with the washers, there's no way we'd come to wringers territory wanting trouble with so few people. We're not stupid." Garrill flashed a winning smile. He was fairly sure a little bit of knowledgeable flattery would smooth things out, but if that failed, there was always his coin pouch.

He just hoped the thug had enough sense not to bring it to blows over marking his territory.

[Ruin Explorer]

Cathoris walks the city slums, he thinks back to his home in Sothis. The rows of tents reminded him of the bazaars of his home town. Being in Magnimar only a short time, he was still getting used to his new surroundings.

Cautiously, Cathoris watched as the man approached, unsure of what to expect. He was impressed to see Sarina take the lead. Then, nods along as Garrill.

[Foryn Gilnith]

"No, not with them. Are not particularly liked here, are they? I do assure you we would respect and behave, so you would have no reason to apply your more violent skills. That said, we do want to meet with Amazing Zograthy."


"Besides, if we were with the washers, there's no way we'd come to wringers territory wanting trouble with so few people. We're not stupid."

The thug is visibly taken aback as a beautiful and very foreign girl comes forth to talk, bringing his gaze down to meet her eyes and the rest of her body. "Yeah, that's, uh..." he stammers for a bit before a familiarly-accented voice continues the conversation and brings him to his senses. "Yeah, that's right, we can take you any day. Ain't that right, Grigori?" He turns his head over his shoulder to holler a question at one of the idle carnival barkers, a pale and gaunt man with a visibly crooked jaw, who responds only by raising his arm in a corte de manga before slinking out of sight into an alley.

"Heh, just busting his balls," the squat man mutters before starting to walk down the road, beckoning the group forward with a gesture. "Zograthy's right down here, you can't miss him. Only thing is - make sure you make sure what you ask him for, aye? Last group to come through walked out with a pouch of that Qadira blue before storming back in a huff... heh." He leads you into a small, well-patched tent crudely painted with mystical symbols and decorated with chicken bones and other oddments, above which is a wooden sign bearing the letters AMAZING ZOGRATHY - SEER OF THE DARK.

Within the stuffy, cluttered tent is a table covered in blue velvet stitched with moons, stars, and arcane symbols. A dusty crystal ball and a dog-eared harrow deck sit upon it. Behind this table sits an aged, bald, Varisian man with threadbare purple robes and piercing eyes - the one and only Amazing Zograthy. Upon the party's entrance, he gestures broadly and speaks in a tremulous voice. "The Amazing Zograthy sees all and knows all! A double fist of silver for a turn of the cards or a vision in the crystal... or a treble fist of gold for the secrets of the multiverse."

https://ssgame.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/zograthy.png

[Farmerbink]

Turnok snorts quietly at "Grigori's" reaction. He treads quietly along with the group as they venture towards Zograthy's tent, wondering thoughts of flies, honey, and excrement. He continues to eye the suddenly-polite Sczarni oddly, like he's waiting for a betrayal rather than wondering if it will happen.

Trusting his physique more than his allies, he pushes through the open folds of tent, intent upon being the first one into the breach, should this turn out to be one. When no ambush comes, he steps to the side to allow his allies to file into the seer's presence.

The sight of the bald man draws an odd reverence from the Shoanti warrior. Elders are given places of honor in his culture, and this man deserves no different. As his allies crowd into the room, he lowers his head deeply in respect. When his voice comes, quietly and weakly, anger and sadness flash across his face. Either someone has hurt this man, or time and age draw his end near. Turnok has no way of knowing which, and is well familiar with Pharasma's inexorable draw into the night.

He stands silently, relaxed, before this man of age and wisdom, not trusting himself to speak nearly so eloquently as Sarina or the oddly-tall fellow.

If it's applicable, I'd like to treat Turnok's behavior as an attempt to assist a diplomacy check. [roll0] vs DC 10 to grant a circumstantial +2 to an ally- either Sarina or Garrill.

[u-b]

"Greetings to you, Amazing Zograthy! We come to you to have some fate discovered. Namely, the current fate of Natalya Vancaskerkin. I'm not sure if that is a secret, but in case it is..." Sarina fumbles in the folds of her dress and produces three fistfuls of well-circulated Quadirian gold coins. Each subsequent fistful is smaller than the previous, and Sarina has rather small fists, but there should be about 24 coins total, put on the velvet of the table. "We want to find her, or have her find us, either way would be fine."

Diplomacy: [roll0] (incl. Turnok's help, but not including the monetary transaction)

[razorback]

The thugs behavior, in itself, doesn't bother Acilitus in the slightest but he has to stifle his grin at the salute given to him by the barker.
As they make their way to this Amazing Zograthy, he doubts about how amazed he will be after the meeting. Keeping one hand on his bow and one on his coin purse, he follows the others in with an eye for any duplicity. Upon arriving in his presence, Acilitus keeps his hooded face blank as it would seem The Amazing Zograthy had seen more amazing days in the distant past. Telling fortunes could be lucrative with the right mark but he was making sure they didn't get lifted of anything more than what they offered as he kept quiet in the back of the room.

[Ruin Explorer]

Zograthy’s tent piques Cathoris’s interest as he follows the rest if the party. Real, or just for show? he wonders at the symbol and ornaments outside the tent.

Pausing of only a moment outside, Cathoris ducks his head and staff under the curtain to enter. His eyes lit around the space and clutter, taking it all in. He continues to search the room while the others speak.

[Ruin Explorer]

Sorry to double post, but I don’t think I can roll on the edit page.

I’d like to use knowledge arcana to see if there’s any significants to the symbols and bones outside the tent, and a search/spot inside the tent.

Arcane: [roll0]

Perception: [roll1]

[Foryn Gilnith]

Zograthy has a strange look in his eyes as Sarina empties a pile of coins onto the table, leaning over to examine the money as if weighing something, but then returns to his comfortably seated position. "Less than I'd normally charge gorgios," he says with a scowl on his gnarled face, scooping up the coins. "But I can hardly pinch pennies in front of a lovely lady like yourself." Zograthy leans back in his chair before continuing, putting on a knowing smile and projecting his voice throughout the room.

"Ah, Natalya, Natalya... not even the other Tower Girls know where that little mothling has fluttered off to. But then again, she'd hardly be the only Tower Girl gone missing these days, no? Not after that turf war with the Wreckwash Blades at the end of Erastus... see, this is why those young bloods have so few friends on these streets." He stops to shake his head wistfully before turning his piercing eyes into those of Sarina - and Turnok, and Acilitus, et al. After a moment, apparently satisfied with what he sees, Zograthy continues to speak.

"Joking aside, I couldn't tell you where Natalya's gone. The girl went crazy and vanished off the face of the map. Maybe she got stolen by those Nidalese slavers down in Dockway - she wouldn't be the first poor Varisian to go missing in the night with nobody to care about them. Maybe she's hiding in Underbridge with one of the scum-suckers like Fenster. Or for all we know, the Watch arrested her and locked her in the dungeons of Arvensoar; that's the kind of thing that happens when you run without the protection of a gang." His eyes flicker to the tall and lanky Garril as he says that last line, long enough to send a message but not long enough to linger.

Gorgio is the Varisian word for a non-Varisian.

Erastus is the 7th month of the year. It is currently early afternoon on the 23rd of Arodus (the eighth month of the year).

Cathoris's examination indicates that Zograthy is not an arcanist of any sort - at least, not the sort who's versed in ritual magic or formation - and in fact seems to be more of a drug dealer than anything else, judging by the scraps of dirt pesh and paraphernalia scattered in the corners of his tent. A more detailed examination would be construed as theft unless you pass a Sleight of Hand check, and reacted to accordingly.

[Farmerbink]

Turnok frowns, thoughtfully. He inclines his head to the seated scoundrel before opening his mouth to speak. "You speak of many trails, revered elder. We will seek her with your guidance. Thank you." He bows once more, giving his companions time to speak, before leading them back outside.

"Do any of you know where we might find these 'Wreckwash Blades?' If others of Natalya's companions have gone missing, she may well be among them."

Turnok (and I) thinks the other gang turf war is the best lead we've got. Also worth considering: inquiring with the guard, inspecting under bridge (and a fellow named "Fenster?"), and the slavers. I think the slavers are the least likely lead, ((meta)) because that would get really open ended, really fast. The other two seem plausible, but less plausible than the turf wars (to me). Anyone else have something to add?

[u-b]

"We will investigate those leads, thank you. Just, uhm, what do you mean by "went crazy"?"

Whatever Zograthy answers, Sarina nods, thanks him again and leaves the tent with the rest of the party. She is not inclined to stay and discuss the plans in the immediate surroundings.

[razorback]

As the seedy Zograthy finishes, Acilitus mentally breaths a sigh of relief as Sarina thanks him and makes it obvious that the group is ready to move on. The evidence of Zograthy's lifestyle rubs Acilitus all the wrong way. He was all about giving people the choices in their lives but wasn't comfortable with the ones Zograthy made and didn't want to feel 'tainted' by them.

[Ruin Explorer]

Look with your eyes, not with your hands, Cathoris. The worlds of his mother swam through his head. He smiles a little smirk thinking briefly about her reprimand. He rarely listened to her as a child, bur he heeded her words now.

He, too, is satisfied with Zograthy’s information. He waits inside for Zograthy to answer Sarina’s question, and exits with the rest.

”Agreed, the wreckers seem like the best lead. He said the ‘end of Erastus’. Is that a street or something?”

[Farmerbink]

Turnok frowns, surprised that anyone would be so ignorant of the changing of seasons. "Erastus is when, not where," he grunts. "It means they fought just less than two moons ago. Probably somewhere that both groups claim as their own. We can find out where that is from the local rumors."

[razorback]

"Well, best to get on with getting on, eh? Shouldn't be too hard to find out about a turf war that has been happening that near in the past. One of you smooth talkers should probably do the asking." he says from beneath his face shrouding cowl.

[Foryn Gilnith]

"Who knows," Zograthy replies curtly to Sarina's parting question, picking up and examining one of the Harrow cards on his table - the Carnival, for anyone paying close attention. "If it matters so much to you, perhaps you should ask the Tower Girls yourself." He chuckles to the room as your party leaves, paying special attention to Acilitus' obvious discomfort, and then fades from view as the entrance to his tent flaps closed and the crumbling cobblestone of Washer's Row presents itself once more.

The street is relatively clear compared to before, with some stalls packed up but most of them abruptly abandoned, with only a single lanky Varisian looking over them while leaning against a building wall. The tanned thug from earlier is off to the side having a heated but muffled exchange with someone out of sight in an alley, and leading the group away from prying eyes and open ears is a very straightforward matter. As the sun makes its way across the lightly clouded sky and a fresh ocean breeze rolls in from the sea, you are faced with a choice...

[Farmerbink]

Turnok only response to Zograthy's final words of advice is a subtle nod of acknowledgement. Back on the surprisingly clear street, he addresses his companions, though his eyes continue to scan their surroundings distrustfully.

"I know not where to find these people, but am sure others would.
Perhaps we can begin dockside, and see who tells us what."

Barring other suggestions, I think we should move on to the dockside region and begin plying (someone else's) diplomacy efforts.