While you are talking with Mayor Kendra Deverin, Sheriff Belor Helmlock and elf ranger Shalelu Androsana you hear a scream coming from outside.We are going to try and advance as far as we can "offline". I tell you the scenes, you tell me what your characters want to do, if anything. As I couldn't confirm all of you, maybe we will revisit this for some characters at the beginning of next session, if they don't post anything before Monday.
- Deverin! Come out! - You instantly recognize Titus Scarnetti's Voice - You need to pay for this!!
Kendra turns towards you, her face betraying, for a second, weariness and sadness.
- I would have liked to have more time to talk to you, and explain you what is happening here - she sighs - but now... I can only ask you to act as your conscience dictates you.
Se stands up and goes out of her office.
Outside Titus Scarnetti, with some 10 bodyguards, between humans and halflings, is standing right in front of the town hall. Behind him are close to a hundred people, most of them - unlike Titus - with ash in their clothes, and tired and angry eyes. Only a few of the crowd are Varisians, most of them dress with Colonists clothes.
- This is your fault, Deverin... yours and Belor's fault. Your lack of foresight has cost us dearly. People is dead! Houses burned! Your fault, Deverin!
His bodyguards, and some of people (maybe a third), starts screaming towards Kendra, who stands firm over the denouncements. She tries to defend herself.
- We didn't have any sign this was going to happen! There was no way...
She is interrupted by more screams. Belor stands behind and to her side, fists clenched and teeth grinding. Shalelu moves quickly and discreetly away, over one side, getting lost around the corner. Your group, prudently, get to one side, not behind the mayor, nor behind Titus, and watches in silence.
Titus rises his hand and the screams goes silent.
- You know you need to resign, Kendra - says with conciliatory voice, while looking at Kendra's eyes - you and your... sheriff.
Belor fists clench even more. Kendra holds Titus eyes with hers.
- And who do you propose for taking our jobs? - Kendra asked him with a smirk.
- For mayor, I think the mercantile council can find someone - his mouth in a slight smile - and as for sheriff, I think I know just the right person for the job.
Kendra kept silent.
- Captain Kealm. He has showed us he is better than any of us for the job.
Most of the people, at the mention of Kealm's rank and name, clap and cheer. You notice Belor shoulders dropping, his face turning down.
Kendra Deverin waits some seconds for the cheering to subside, and then replies.
- Sheriff Helmlock is going to Magnimar for reinforcements - many people look worried - just to be sure we have enought forces to dissuade another attack. And I was going to ask Captain Kealm for him and his men to become a "special" team for the town, not directly under the sheriff orders, but responding to the mercantile council directly.
Almost all of the people cheer at Mayor Deverin suggestion. Titus quickly grabs the initiative.
- As head of the mercantile council I find the proposal adequate - he can't help to smile - but there is something else to deal with... your resignation.
All the people fall silent... Kendra lowers his face, as in deep thought.
Do you say something?
If you want to influence the crowd, or one of the NPC, please roll your Diplomacy check. If you want a bonus (or even and automatic success - or failure ) make good your rhetoric.
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You walk towards the Inn, to rest and bathe. Some woman goes towards you, embraces all of you and gives each of you a fresh loaf of bread. Tears flow from her eyes, she doesn't say anything. She leaves as quickly as she appeared.
The people that see you pass smile to you. some of them greet you. Some even pats you on the shoulder. You hear phrases like:
- The Captain... faced it alone...
- He changes... a fearsome Tiger...
- She was hurt.. died... fantoma...
- Albastri faced them... beautiful eyes...
- The Scorpion... he can do magic...
- With one shot... in the middle of the head...
- Poor donkey...
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A small varisian child stands in front of you. He looks at you without shame or fear, and speak to you:
- She wants to talk to you.
He gives you a card. It has a beautiful drawing of a woman (or monster) removing a mask from her face, uncovering her real monstrous features. A really complex and well done drawing. In the back of the card, written with a shaking hand, some words: Madame Mvashti. Each of you alone. A Gift.
- She told me she will jinx you...
He smiles like he has just saw the most beautiful thing in the world, while he extends his hand, waiting for you to give him some coins.
Do you give him something?
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At the inn you all find notes and gifts for you. Small tokens of appreciation (trinkets, small clothing items), some food (loaves of bread, candies, cookies, cheese), and thank you notes. Tens of them, for each one of you. People thanking you for saving a love one and/or defending the town. People complimenting you on your bravery and gallantry.
Some notes grab your attention.
- Ethram Valdemar ask you to a dinner, the next day at night. He ask "for your discretion" while he has a chance to talk to you.
- Garridan Viskalai, owner of "The White Deer Inn", sends a thank you note and invite you to stay at his inn, all expenses paid, all the time you want.
- Aldern Foxglove, the noble you saved from the mounted goblin, left a very elegant note thanking you profusely, inviting you "at your earliest convenience" to a boar hunt, and promising you "a significant reward" for saving him. He finishing telling you he is going to leave for "business" at Magnimar in 3 or 4 days, so he would appreciate if you can make time for him before that. He tell you to contact him at "The White Deer" inn.
- There is a simple note, signed and sealed by Titus Scarnetti, asking "Captain Kealm" for an audience at Scarnetti Manor at 17:15. He ask for "due discretion" for the meeting.
- There is a light purple note addressed to Grift. He takes it but doesn't open it. He goes to his room.
- Another small envelope contains only a small estrange flower, with a sweet perfume. It is addressed to Kealm.
Bethana Corwin, the Halfling maid, with bloodshot eyes, tell you about the children. They gave them a couple rooms. They are sad and tired, but sleeping now. She seems on the verge of tears too. Dave is in a room also, recovering from his wounds. She tells you all have rooms now (many people left town after the festival and attack). And he passes some messages to you:
- Shalelu Androsana - who is sleeping in her "usual room", she tells you - wants to invite you dinner that day, to "interchange information".
- Ameiko Kaijitsu - the inn owner - is out, but wants you to feel "like in your own home" for as long as you need. She hopes she can have a word with all of you later.
- Falk - the elven wizard that accompanied you from Magnimar - left a message thanking you for everything, but he had to left Sandpoint because of "pressing matters". He hopes he'll see you again.
- Maelx - the Dwarf summoner - got a job and Sandpoint Academy and has already moved there.
- Revan - your half-elf guide - moved with her sister (Rynshinn Povalli) at Revah's Clothing.
After leaving you in your rooms you see her move away more slowly than ever, and hear her cry very quietly.
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You are left in your rooms at 10:00 hours. You have not rested, so you don't have recovered spells or abilities yet.
So what are your characters going to do?
How much time will you rest?
Who do you want to visit, or look for?
How many time will you use in each visit?
If you want to find info, please tell me who are you asking for, and the Diplomacy check roll. If you want a bonus (or even an automatic success) tell me who do you ask for the information.