A Tide arrises......

[Voladilk]

Thinking about his empty stomach and the empty bottle he left in the alley, Tolan replies to the dark skinned elf, "As long as ye don' take too much of me time, I am the man fer yer job. Just point me in the direction o' what needs liftin' and liftin' it will be." Tolan waits for the reply and then sets about assisting in the loading of the ship, thinking that the trip is a bit too far for it to be worth the effort of the elf to press him into service unwillingly.

[Rylek]

Looking inside the broken window and hearing, "Hey, stranger... We got a dwarf here, he's dyin'. Get some help!" Zaak immediatly looks around outside for anyone who might be able to assist with the dying dwarf." [if no one is close to the building Zaak will then begin to run and look for anyone who may be able to help with the fallen dwarf]. He yells back through the window, "I am working on that right now....!!!...."

[haldir]

Zaak & Vieta--

 

Zaak,as you turn to find help, you see that person that ran off for the city watch running back with two studded leather cladded guards with long swords drawn "There!!! There!!" he shouts. "Hold, elf!!!" shouts one of the guards & points his sword at you.

 

The gathered crowd seems dumbfounded for all of this, until a small girl pipes up "Hey!! he was tryin to help, or at I think he was, cause I didn't see the other person, but well there was boom & the window shattered & then he came up to the window & he doesn't look like a wizard.... "Enough, girl!!" "You!!" "Lower your weapon! & what is your buisness here?" (I'm assuming you still have a grip on your bow)

 

The other guard moves to the door to the store & opens the door carefully "WOAH!!" Captain Dumas you might want to take a look at this!!"....

 

Vieta, The rogue seems to move in the northwest direction but it hard to tell exactly.You scrunge around the behind the case, avoiding the broken glass & such & find a rag looked to wipe down the counter, it's not very sanitary, but you get it over the wound in the dwarf's shoulder, the blood soaks the cloth like a sponge, but it seems to ease a little but Gim still is in trouble, he's gonna need clerical help soon "Ughh, thaaank you...." Gim mutters "They got me, 'cough' good didn't they.....never was 'ack' fighter like my father 'cough' ". His eyes close but he gives anther cough, a sign he's still alive at least. As the dwarf coughs you hear a familiar "DING!!"...

 

Tolan--

 

"Excellent!!!" the Sheikh shouts. "Not to be rude, but in my customs, commoners may not touch me or I would shake your hand." He points to a area where the line of workers seems to be coming from, a couple of wagons full of crates, barrels & other cargo. You walk over to the area, grab a crate & put it on your shoulder. The dark skinned human just watches you as you walk over to the cargo.

 

The crate is heavy but your able to walk with it with the rest of the workers, which look to be the same ethnic group as the elf, darker skin tones, loose clothing, most are bare feet. They are mostly human with a few elves & half-elves among the mix. "Ahhh I see His Highness, bought anther one, ha ha" says a human worker, in Common tongue, the other workers laugh along & then one starts up a song, apparently a work song, as the others join as well.

 

About an hour into the job, whatever alcohol was in your system was sweated out due to the hard work, for once in awile you feel refreshed, like a little bit of weight has been lifted. The cargo seems to be about halfway done, you encountered a few heavy barrels & such & got help from anther worker to team lift the barrel, the worker whose name was Apu, the same one that first spoke to you at the start of job, you get to know more then the others. As you & Apu, get to the hold with a long box, "Ahh the glory of slavery, ha ha" he says to you when & him are alone. "Not that His Highness treats us bad, it just what I know, I was born into it, so I know nothing else, but at least with His Highness's sea-lust at least I'm not cooped up in a palace doing those kinda things, ha ha. "So are you from here in Sasserine??" he says.

[Rylek]

Zaak slings his bow back over his shoulder. He says to the guards, " I heard a loud boom and came running down the street to see what was going on. I saw a broken window and heard something inside, so I yelled into the window to see if I could break the fight apart but I started to get attacked myself by a human who somewhat disappered wearing a purple shirt that somewhat matched the Half-Orc that is lying there on the ground. The human that was here one minute ago pulled a vial, drank from it, and was gone the next. I believe the dwarf behind the counter is in dire shape and in need of clerical help very soon or I am afraid he will be dead."

 

If no one has went to get clerical help Zaak will then turn and go look for it himself.

[Voladilk]

Wondering if what Apu is saying holds true for himself Tolan cautiously replies, "Yes, I am from here in Sasserine, but please, tell me more about your slavery. From the discussion I had with the Sheikh, I am not a slave, but a hired servant working merely to assist in the loading of this cargo and then my duty here is done. If the Sheikh has dealt wrongly with me, he and I will no longer be friends." Tolan gauges Apu's response and continues working as if nothing is the matter. He does, however, look for possible opportunities for escape if he has been double-crossed by the Sheikh. He also notes the time from the sun and thinks about the appointment he must keep.

[CuCulain42]

Hmm...very interesting, either our client is hiring some competition or has a number of jobs up their sleeves. If it's the latter this could be very lucrative.

While his mind wanders a bit with thoughts of possible magic treasure he settles back to watch until the appointed time, as he can no longer afford to rent a room for the night...

[Vinny]

"Don't thank me yet, mate." Vieta says to the dwarf. "That one-eyed bastard got away, but I shot down his greenskin friend there."

 

Hearing the bell ring and oblivious to the fact that the guards have arrived, Vieta shushes the dwarf by tapping his finger gently on the man's lips. Then, he stealthily kneels under the cover of the counter and goes for his pistol, drawing it from his belt loop. Cocking the loaded firearm, Vieta attempts to hide under the frame of the counter while peeking over it to see whoever it is that entered the shop (if possible, without them seeing him in return). He clutches his gun, ready to ambush and shoot down the newcomer if he or she proves to be hostile.

 

Also, he keeps his eyes open for shadows or cover inside and outside the shop, as well as a back entrance, just in case more thugs are around and things turn ugly or if the authority drops by and gives him unnecessary attention.

[haldir]

Yarrin--

 

As you step outside the Plucked Parrot, a fight breaks out across the street in front of the The Velvet Hatch (a brothel) between 2 sailors, probably drunk on something, but alas life in Shadowshore, no really seems to take notice of the incident, until a scantily clad elfin woman comes out & starts bashing one of the sailors with her fists as well. As you walk past you notice that one of the fighters appears to be a half-ogre, & the elfin woman are teaming up on the sailor. "You no pay, you get lost!!!" the half-ogre says & picks the hapless sailor up & gives him a mighty heave, throwing him a good 10-15 feet down the street. The sailor barely moves. "Hey sweetie, care for the ride of your life?" the elfin woman says as you walk past.

 

Gil--

 

As you lie down on the wall to make your self "blend" in with the wall better, not much happens after Kora & the human left & it's about 2 hours later she & the human return. "I hope Lady Vanderboren knows what she is doing, she just hasn't been herself since the incident " the little gnome says to the human "The Vanderborens are risk takers, Kora, you know that Verik & Larissa were adventurers & if not for that, Lavina would not have what she has now.." "Yah, Jared, alot of debt that needs to be paid off" Kora cuts the man off, abruptly, but the Jared responds kindly by saying "She'll find a way, Kora. Vanderborens always find a way" & Kora produces a key & her & the man enter the manor.

 

Tolan--

 

"In my nation some families are born either as free citizens or by slavery, either due to past criminal convictions or families relatives were bought. My great grandfather, Mahzakil el-Odama & his brother Hhotep Abdul-Muta'al stole a family heirloom of his Almighty Sheikh Rayhan ali-el Altair, a great eye you might say from a giant golden eagle that is in the grand palace at Malakal in Zief, my grandfather's brother was beheaded for this crime but Almighty Sheikh Rayhan ali-el Altair decided that he needed a servant to tend to his many sheep & cattle, thus my line was born & that was many generations ago" says Apu.

 

"I have no shame, it's the way of life for me, if I were set free I'd probably die as I don't know anything else, his Almighty Sheikh Khuzaymah ali-el Altair takes care of me & my family, all 7 of us, so I would not be want to be free!" with that Apu, stands straighter clinches his fist & strikes his chest.

 

"I would not worry about being forced into slavery aboard the Great Golden Eagle, my lord has enough crewman to man her, he is just behind due to some foul up on your harbormaster's part". "We should get back to work, I don't want to keep my lord waiting any longer then he has too + our journey is long" & with that he walks out of the hold, as a couple more men come into the hold with anther huge crate.

 

Vieta & Zaak--

 

 

Vieta, as the ding subsides you hear a "WOAH!!" Captain Dumas you might want to take a look at this!!" "It pretty messy in here!!" with that the senior guard says "Hold right there,elf. Move & I will use force on you & yes I do know how to use this sword too." he steps over to the doorway "Ughh they're ugly when they have a face & even uglier when it scattered across the room. "Hello, anyone in here, Shopkeeper are you here?? the senior guard yells into the room. "Johan, check it out, I need to deal with the elf" "Yes, sir right away sir"

 

As you move toward the back of the counter you take a layout of the room, there is a beaded entrance in the back, thou your not sure if there is a backdoor to the place. You can kinda get a view of the door if you peek behind through the glass showcase but it's not much. You also see the elf & the senior guard talkin right outside the window.

 

You get to the counter as the other guard "Johan" enters the shop.

 

"Iiiss anyone here??" Johan's voice is shaky as he enters the room. "Please show yoursselff iff you are??" "Wow!, what a mess" you hear as you see him move over the half-orc's body "Anyone??" Crunch as some showcase glass is crunched. He is now near the shattered showcase. "Oh my Captain Dumas, I found him!!!!!!"

 

Zaak, as the Captain moves toward the door & discusses things with the younger officer, the little girl that tried to explain things to the guards comes up to you "Hey mister, there is a Temple to Fharlanghn across a couple bridges on Gold & Silver Street cross, I can take you & Gim there if you don't know the way (she kinda gives you the look over seein your dress).

 

"Hey girl get away from that elf!!!" as Captain Dumas comes back "Shoo!!" he waves at the girl & she backs away, he turns to look at you with a steely eye "My guard is checkin the shop out you better hope he doesn't find anything.......... "Captain Dumas, I found him!!!!!"

[Vinny]

Oh, godsdamn Watch...

 

Realizing that he probably couldn't sneak through a beaded entrance without making some kind of suspicious noise, Vieta reveals himself over the counter and raises his pistol, putting extra pressure on the hammer so it clicks noisly upon being cocked.

 

"Guard!" Vieta hisses to the investigating Watchman. "Keep quiet. Everything's fine, you found no one. Call off your cap'n or I'll blow yer rookie head off!"

 

[Vieta attempts to Intimidate this nervous guard into calling off his captain from comming in (sorry, I don't have a die with me at the moment)]

[Voladilk]

Tolan thinks that the situation might not be as bad as it could have been and thus continues on with the work, keeping a watchful eye for any treachery. He hopes that the job can be finished soon so that he can get paid and get to the meeting on time. Meanwhile, he continues the work and sticks close to Apu.

[Rylek]

Hearing, "Hey girl get away from that elf!!! My guard is checkin the shop out you better hope he doesn't find anything.........." Zaak immediatly tries to get the little girls attention. He says, "Go get a cleric from the temple and fastn if you would please. It appears that [facing the captain] The Captain Dumb-Azzzz here is going to be needing me around for a bit so he is assuring the little dwarf dies in the process."

[Outkast Samurai]

Yarrin sighs walking past the scene and the elf. Despite being used to this type of situation he still pities the lost. Continuing his way towards the impending meeting his thoughts drift to what all this may mean and what Procan has instore for him in this. Absently rubbing his thumb over the crystal about his neck Yarrin once more turns his attention to his surroundings careful to avoid anything that may delay him any further.

[CuCulain42]

Gil looks at the sun, and thinks,"not much longer til my meeting, I wonder who they found to meet with me. I wonder if they'll have an interest in this info. Maybe I will be able to afford a bed tonight.

He looks around to see if anyone is looking the attempts to move closer to the main building to attept to listen at one of the windows. (Hide=25 Move silent=13 Listen=10)

[haldir]

Gil--

 

You start your crawl down the wall, keep close to it & a couple feet or so you drop to the ground with a soft thud. You scan the area & there is nothing in the way of guards on the grounds or other employees that you might think would be in the grounds, such as a gardener or what not.

 

You scamper over to the closest wall of the manor & you see many windows, but they all have heavy maroon curtains beyond them. You head SW down the wall to the entrance of the manor, two heavy oaken doors bearing a carved crest that split down the middle where the doors meet, the crest looks like this -- Vanderboren Crest, of course no color, other then the color of the stained oak. You listen at the door & you can't hear anything, either the doors are too thick or no one is near the doors.

 

You get to the southern part of the manor & come across a window that the curtain is tied back, but the window is dusty. It doesn't obscure your vision enough to see a big room full of marble statues, one catches your eye, it being on the south wall, it is a gem encrusted ceremonial silver dragon, carved into the statue are various symbols you never seen before, it's green gem eyes stare at you intently. You do not see anything else in the room but statues, thou as your turning to leave a grouping of statues catches your eye, in the center of the room are 2 statues, both are unfinished, having been carved down to nose, one is woman & anther is a man. Their eyes stare at you.

 

You get to the southern part of the wall & make sure no one is in the yard as you round the corner, there appears to be a fireplace, as the pattern of the wall changes to reflect that. You come across anther window but it too is curtained up & the window is very dusty. As you go past the window, the wall dips inward & you come upon a wooden door......

 

Yarrin--

 

"Ah yah wussy, you couldn't pleasure me anyways!!!" the she-elf says & gives a "Hmpf" as she turns back into the brothel. The half-ogre just laughs & sits back down on his bench, he pulls his dagger out of the wood next to him & starts to widdle on some wood. You notice the rough up customer, is finally pulling himself off the ground, but only to be jumped by a couple of street rats & give him a once over & take something, it happens so fast & they scatter to wence they came from.

 

You come upon a large rectangle building that dominates a portion of the shore, with 2 interconnected docks that form a D from the building in the bay, this is the Amedio Trading Concerns building, you've heard of the building, a very rich man, one you think is not in his right mind leaving & working in Shadowshore, Vico Bevenin runs a very if not the most successful import/export firm in all of Sasserine. No guards are near the entrance as you walk by it.

 

You walk past the Sailmaker's Guidhall & make your way to the many gondola stations set up to connect the various districts of the city. As you reach the boathouse, a man says "3 silvers, mate". You hand over the coin to him, & take your seat in the gondola, all the wile wondering how many more times you'll be able to hand of coins, as you money is dwindlling down to a few coppers & such. As the Gondolier starts to pilot the small craft across the bay, you start to wonder about the future job that might come to you, who this Lady Lavinia Vanderboren is, apperently she must have wealth, as the old gnomish woman said she was in her employ. You lose yourself in your thoughts thinkin about this, maybe some sorta recent news might reveal something.

 

Tolan--

 

As you walk out of the hold you notice that dusk is settling upon Sasserine, there is still light about but you see some of the workers start setting up a line of torches to light the way. As you walk down the gangplank to gather anther crate, you see the Shiekh & his bodyguard, (you found this out earlier) are still standing in the same spot. "Ah, you come here for a minute." the Sheikh says, "I never got your name."

 

Vieta & Zaak--

 

Zaak, the little girl nods in approval & runs down the street towards the temple. "So now let me get this straight, you hear a sound & come upon the shop, a jewelry & gem shop. You draw your weapon, luckly that isn't a powder weapon, elf or I would have arrested you after seein that half-breed in there. Anyways, upon coming over to the window you see a struggle inside between a man wearing the same color shirt as the corpse in there & someone else, now was this some one else, the shopkeeper or anther person?" Hmm, out with it I don't have all day here!!" He puts his arm on his hip as he finishes talking.

 

Vieta, "Uhhhhhhh Sirr nevermind, myyy miisstake" His sword lowers to the ground. "Please don't kill meee, I have a family to feeeedd" "I want to help the dwarf, heee appearrss to be the ssshhppk...owner" He kinda straightens up a bit but it still shaken by the sight of you & of the pistol.

 

"Arghh!!!" Gim suddenly jerks & the wound starts to bleed again..

[Voladilk]

Tolan approaches the Sheikh and says, "Honorable sir, my name is Tolan Darkshadow. I thank you for the work, but unfortunately I have other commitments that must take me away from your service. I do not ask for payment as I have not completed the entire task you set me to. Perhaps when next you return to Sasserine, I could be of more service to you, but alas today I must depart." Tolan tries to gauge the Sheikh's response and determine whether he needs to find an escape route (Sense motive check: 20).