Realms of Dread, Chapter Four

[steveflam]

Breana grins at Blaise. "Just give me a sec and I'll disguise myself too." She moves into the shadows, removing her badge. She just thinks about her hair being black and it becomes black and her eyes change to black as well.

She emerges and tells Blaise "Ok I am ready, let's move on."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Ha!" says Blaise. "Marvelous! I had a feeling that you had some sort of masquerading glamer at hand, but that's very good. And no, I don't really care if your 'true' appearance is a false one, too -- as long as your actions and dealings with me are true. Believe me, I understand the need to present a new identity every now and then. Now, let's explore this fresh daisy of a neighborhood."

Blaise leads the pair in search of a local tavern.

[ewancummins]

King's Tower

"I would suggest finding out who organizes the night soil men, who pays them. I highly doubt the night soil men would know whether they where involved or not. Of course, we have yet to even prove if my theory has a leg to stand on. At this point it could be just mad speculation."

''I recall hearing that they have some sort of union. Everyone seems to belong to some sort of brotherhood or circle in this damned city- and half these circles are involved in some kind of questionable activities. It's as bad as Pont-a-Museau, back in our own world. Did you ever visit that city? It is a proper rat's-nest- Marsember reminds me of it at times.''

Jamethon makes his way to the door.

''Alain, let's ask one of the men who approves guild charters and collects payments on such. Surely he'd know about the nightsoilers' organization, if they've got one.''

[BigBadQDaddy]

Alain nods in agreement. "That sounds like a great place to start." Then, along with Jamethon, he exits the room.

[VAN]

Inovidil stands up and bows to the illusionist.

"I'm Inovidil and I'm an arcane spellcaster. I have heard that you are an illusionist, one of the best actually. I'm seeking a spell and I wander if you would be so kind to let me get it from you. Please join us for a drink, will be a pleasure to talk with a famous spellcaster."

[ewancummins]

Drowning Flagon-

Vindala replies-

''Yes, of course. I rarely refuse an offer of hospitality from a fellow practioner of the Art. ''

She takes a seat at the table.

''Inovidil...ah, yes- I've heard of you. You are serving in the city watch. It really is too bad about Magus Delthrin....''

She pauses for long few seconds, then asks

''Well, then, this spell- what exactly is it that you need? An illusion?''

[ewancummins]

The Old Shell-

Shana checks the rooms upstairs and then takes a seat and relaxes, gossiping quietly and picking up the news, sitting with the door in her field of view

The news/rumors that Shana overhears as she waits for her friends to return:

• The Regent will be in the city in just a few days!
  
  The navy has captured a pirate galley. Auction of recovered goods and the vessel itself will be held tomorrow afternoon at the King's Tower, along with the pirates' maimings [right hands] and executions [hanging of repeat offenders].
  
  There are vague rumors about some sort of trouble at Morningmist Hall- but none of the speculation is very close to the truth.
  
  A member of the Spicer’s Guild has been arrested by the Baron's personal guards for distributing seditious writings.
  
  
  Nell Wynnet, Delthrin's daughter, is going to buy the Palace of Celestial Delights and turn it into a home for the crippled and infirm.
  
  A Sembian trade delegation was expelled from Arabel about ten days ago, and no one knows why.

[ewancummins]

King's Tower, upstairs office of the Registrar of Guilds, Costers, and Fraternities.




Ambold Funchel is a fat, short, bald man with no neck, goggle eyes and a too-wide mouth. He might even be said to resemble a fish. His voice is guttural and rasping, despite the considerable quantity of mulled wine he sips [with no sign of drunkenness] as he interviews Alain and Jamethon.

''So, you want to know about the night soil-men? They...ruuug...'scuse the cough, got a nasty case o' the vapors...ruuggghhh... they don't have a proper guild, but they do have meetings and fees. Have...rugghhh.. Been trying to convince the Baron that it is high time we recognized them- and started getting proper fees and tax from their guild. They answer to a man named Humber. He lives in the Marsh District.''

[ewancummins]

warehouse district

The first tavern Blaise finds can be located by means of the nose alone....it's sign is a dead fish [real, not a painting] nailed to a wooden board that hangs over the door.

Inside, the place smells slightly better than the sign. It's dimly lit, not very clean, and packed with the sort of men who'd stab you in the guts as soon as look at you, along with women who are for rent by the hour- and will also likely stab you in the guts. Even the servants look disreputable. Knives are worn openly, despite a sign that reads-

NO KNIVS IN HER

A toothless drab of forty-going-on-eighty approaches Blaise and attempts to give him a wet, gummy kiss.

''Gizza silver piece! Hehehehehehe...Magga make you happy!''

[steveflam]

Breana sits across from Blaise. She raises an eyebrow at the approach of Magga and her eloquent proposition to the bard.

Looking at Magga, Breana figures some fun is in order at Blaises expense,
so she asks the woman "Do tell, lassie, how do you plan to make my friend happy here? And for a whole silver piece no less? This I have to see!"

The woman leans forward, looking at Blaise with a smile on her face.

[Ken of Ghastria]

warehouse district
A toothless drab of forty-going-on-eighty approaches Blaise and attempts to give him a wet, gummy kiss.

''Gizza silver piece! Hehehehehehe...Magga make you happy!''

"Here, my lovely," says Blaise, thrusting his forearm between them while dropping a silver piece on the table. "You can make me happy by getting me and my friend some ale! Keep the change and keep this advice..." He brings his face closer to hers and says in a harsh voice, "If you bring the ale, more money may come your way. If you keep that coin and don't bring the ale, you'll regret it. "

[VAN]

"Infact I'm in militia."

Inovidil avoids to make any comment about Delthrin and gets to the point.

"The spell I'll like to have is indeed an illusion one. Is the one that creates a few images of yourself. Is very useful to protect yourself because the attackers don't know who is the original and who the image. I'm sure you have this spell Ms Vindala because is one of the basic and more important spells."

[BigBadQDaddy]

King's Tower, upstairs office of the Registrar of Guilds, Costers, and Fraternities.

Alain feels a cold chill race up and down his back at the mention of this Humber fellow. It isn't the name that does it. It is where he resides. Alain distinctly remembered Mara mentioning a friend of hers had disappeared in the mists of the marshes. It could just be a coincidence, but then again, everything was fitting into place.
He looks from Jamethon, back to the fish-faced man known as Funchel. "Does this man Humber come into the city proper to work? or does he run his operation from his home?"

[ewancummins]

at the King's Tower

Funchel replies-

''Runs his operation out of his home...hurk... lives on a derelict barge- it's beached beside the Old Canal, just outside the Marsh Gate, in the slums. Nasty place...''

Funchel begins to cough, dabbing at his mouth with an off-white linen handkerchief. With the aid of more spiced wine, his throat becomes cooperative once again, and he adds-

''Now, if that's all you need- I must get back to my work. I wish you well...gentlemen... urrgh...Damned bad air here, miasma.''

[ewancummins]

Drowning Flagon-

Vindala answers Ino-

''Ah, yes, I do know that one. Well, would you like to trade spells- or are you requesting to simply buy it?''