Birthright 3: The Worm's Supper , Chapter 2

[VAN]

Filbert/Perry

Filbert glances at Milo, he was right about Terem, the plan wasn't good but the halfling doesn't want to make it better anyway.

"True, many pies indeed and the mask will protect our identity if we don't get caught. But can you tell us who is the benefactor?"

[ewancummins]

IN LOFTON
AT THE SIGN OF THE POXY DOXY
TEMERLAN & SAFANA

Before the bard or anyone else can intervene, the creature leaps on the fallen man and rams its knife into his neck. The victor cries out, ‘’Karathok!”

Termelan is shocked by this open display of violence. He has seen death, he has had to visit it upon foes and ruffians in his time occasionally and while he wouldn't be surprised to see such illegal violent pass-times in the back-alleys of shady parts of the city, he certainly didn't expect to see a bloody murder in the open, in a populated tavern so near the road.
He looks around confused. He looks at the green creature and the dying man.
He doesn't hold his tongue and this time it's not praise. "Someone do something! The man is dying! Do you really find pleasurable the death of one of your compatriots at your very feet?" he admonishes them loudly. "Haven't you seen enough death and violence already?! Haven't you seen enough blood to sate your appetite for this? Would you want others to treat you with the same disrespect? Finding amusement in your death! Someone move! Get a healer! A man is dying at your feet and you cheer!"

He shoves past them, and with a hand to his dagger, openly, he eyes Karathok. "I don't want a quarrel with you Karathok, but I'll do what I can for this man. Step away!" Still wary of the greenskin killer, he kneels next to the downed ruffian to see whether he's still alive.

From the moment he started giving the probably bloodthirsty people a lecture and got himself surrounded by them, near the murderous green creature, he didn't even spare a glance to Safana, not wanting to implicate the woman if she didn't want a part of this, admittedly dangerous, endeavor. He didn't want this crowd to know she was with him.

The greenskin stands, regarding Temerlan with a quizzical look, head tilted to one side and eyes wide.
"'Karathok? You human call on Karathok?"
The creature makes no attempt to prevent Temerlan from checking the fallen man but instead heads for the back room.

Temerlan rolls the man over. The injured man spits up blood all over the bard's chest and arms. He claws at Temerlan, making wet gasping noises, his eyes wide with terror.

While Temerlan is busy trying to save the bleeding man, the crowd reacts to his passionate speech. They act, but in a disorganized fashion.
Many of the guests go chasing after the greenskin, shouting aloud and knocking over chairs and tables as they search for the fleeing killer.
Others rush into the street and cry out for the city watch.

The injured man

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dies in Temerlan's arms.

[ewancummins]

SAFANA

Safana moves closer to the men discussing the proclamation, assessing if they are for or against before entering their conversation. She is just about to try and learn more when she hears Temerlan's voice echoing across the room.

"Oh boy."

She turns to glance across to the voice, distracted from her approach as she tries to assess how this is going to go...

She sees Temerlan go to the aid of the fallen man.

The goblin makes for the back of the place.

And then things get wild; men shouting and running, furniture crashing all about, the barmaids screaming like madwomen.

Making her way through the tumult, she finds Temerlan kneeling on the floor holding

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the man's corpse in his arms.

Blood covers the bard's hands, forearms, chest. His lips move.
Someone is screaming ''get the waaaaaatch!" so loudly behind her that Safana has trouble hearing if Temerlan is mumbling a prayer or just catching his breath.

[ewancummins]

Filbert/Perry

Filbert glances at Milo, he was right about Terem, the plan wasn't good but the halfling doesn't want to make it better anyway.

"True, many pies indeed and the mask will protect our identity if we don't get caught. But can you tell us who is the benefactor?"

''If you prove yourself worthy of greater trust, you might earn the privilege of knowing more, Half-Man. For now, just pull on your mask and fall in line."
Terem frowns.
"Or are you saying that you are against us?"
He tugs on his own mask.
Now everyone in the room except Filbert/Perry and Milo wears a mask.

[ewancummins]

DOMENICA/'DELSENORA'

They head home to change before heading back to the same rich Inn as the previous day, via carriage.

'DELSENORA' AND HER MUTE MANSERVANT
AT
THE MERRY TRAVELLER, A FINE INN OF HAES



Domenica , going under her alias of Delsenora, arrives at The Merry Traveller and takes a table for dinner.

As yesterday, she sees the fat lordling, Bramm, Count of Elevesnemiere working his way through a platter of food at a table across the room. His hired swords are with him.
But today Bramm looks up from his roast pig and spots her. His face reddens and his eyes widen a little bit. He daintily wipes his mouth with a linen napkin and then leans over to whisper something to one of his swordsmen.

Covering her mouth with her napkin as well, pretending to dab at it, she whispers to Gimp "It appears I have been noticed, Gimp. Be ready for a visit from one of that man's muscle."

Gimp moans softly and places his hands under the table.

A short while later, after Domenica/Delsenora has ordered her dinner but while she waits for the food to arrive, one of the Count's hirelings approaches her table.
The man bows, adjusting his baldric as he lowers his head and shoulders. The young bravo delivers his message in a stiff, formal manner,
''Gentle lady, my master wishes to inquire if you are here waiting for another party to arrive--and if not, if you would consent to dine with him."

[alhoon]

Termelan, Safana, Lofton

Termelan closes the eyes of the now dead man with a sigh. He raises his eyes inspecting the chaos in the room and his gaze meets Safana. He stands up and approaches her, calmly now that nothing could be done about the dead man. Trying to avoid drawing any more attention he tells her "I think we should better cut this trip sort my dear. I will certainly need a strong drink after... this, but I prefer to do it over Haes."
Looking over his bloodied clothes he turns to her and says "I'll try to find a wet cloth to wash some of this blood before leaving and perhaps getting a jacket or even a blanket to cover up. If the guards come in the meantime, I'll give them an honest report. I will not implicate you. If we have to split up, I'll look for you by the boat we arrived."

And with those words he turns away and approaches a maid. He tries to calm the woman enough to get her to bring him a wet cloth to wash some of the blood and he inquires around, again trying to calm people to talk, for any person willing to trade any old and tattered jacket for a few coins.
His hand never goes far from his dagger and eyes often towards the door the green creature went through.

[ewancummins]

THE SEARCHERS



CORMAC


So far as the druid can see, the tunnel in the back of the cave tilts downard at a steep angle. The rock shows tool marks, as if someone had chipped out a wider passage where nature had made only a crevice,

[steveflam]

DOMENICA/'DELSENORA'

Gimp moans softly and places his hands under the table.

A short while later, after Domenica/Delsenora has ordered her dinner but while she waits for the food to arrive, one of the Count's hirelings approaches her table.
The man bows, adjusting his baldric as he lowers his head and shoulders. The young bravo delivers his message in a stiff, formal manner,
''Gentle lady, my master wishes to inquire if you are here waiting for another party to arrive--and if not, if you would consent to dine with him.


"Delsenora" looks up at the man, smiling. "Might a lady inquire as to whom is asking her presence at their supper table?"

[ewancummins]

"Delsenora" looks up at the man, smiling. "Might a lady inquire as to whom is asking her presence at their supper table?"

''I serve His Lordship, Bramm, Count of Elevesnemiere.''

[RocEter]

THE SEARCHERS



CORMAC


So far as the druid can see, the tunnel in the back of the cave tilts downard at a steep angle. The rock shows tool marks, as if someone had chipped out a wider passage where nature had made only a crevice,

The Bard will assist in grabbing what gear they can from the horses and pack mules. She will then follow the rest of the party deeper into the cave.

[steveflam]

"Delsenora" looks up at the man, smiling. "Might a lady inquire as to whom is asking her presence at their supper table?"

''I serve His Lordship, Bramm, Count of Elevesnemiere.''

Still smiling, she nods. "Very well, then. I accept His Lordship Bramm's invitation. My manservant Gimp comes with me, of course."

[ewancummins]

"Delsenora" looks up at the man, smiling. "Might a lady inquire as to whom is asking her presence at their supper table?"

''I serve His Lordship, Bramm, Count of Elevesnemiere.''

Still smiling, she nods. "Very well, then. I accept His Lordship Bramm's invitation. My manservant Gimp comes with me, of course."

The swordsman escorts Delsenora and Gimp to the Count's table.

The Count rises, his belly bumping the table as he does so, and bows over his plate of food.
"Lady, you honor me by accepting my invitation."

[steveflam]

Delsenora curtsies in return. "Thank you for your kind invitation, Lord Bramm," and sits after Gimp seats her, taking a seat next to her.

"So, what might I inquire, brings a Lord of Elvensmire here? Is it the Ducal wedding? Or you perhaps have other interests? Pardon my bluntness, sire,
I am curious is all."

[ewancummins]

THE SEARCHERS
GOING UNDERGROUND

THE SEARCHERS



CORMAC


So far as the druid can see, the tunnel in the back of the cave tilts downard at a steep angle. The rock shows tool marks, as if someone had chipped out a wider passage where nature had made only a crevice,

The Bard will assist in grabbing what gear they can from the horses and pack mules. She will then follow the rest of the party deeper into the cave.

The party drives the animals out the front of the cave, and then descends down the tunnel as quickly as the narrow space will allow.



...

The party moves single file down the twisting passage in the rock, with the noise of pursuit echoing above.

They notice wooden braces, like mine-works, at several points along the passage walls.

[ewancummins]

THE MERRY TRAVELLER

Delsenora curtsies in return. "Thank you for your kind invitation, Lord Bramm," and sits after Gimp seats her, taking a seat next to her.

"So, what might I inquire, brings a Lord of Elvensmire here? Is it the Ducal wedding? Or you perhaps have other interests? Pardon my bluntness, sire,
I am curious is all."

''Yes, I've come to attend His Grace's wedding. And to visit my children here and to take part in the tourney."
He sips wine from his goblet before continuing.
"I am afraid I don't recognize you, my lady, but it's clear from your manner and aspect that you must come of aristocratic stock."