The group discusses what their next moves should be in this PbP style Continuing Story segment. On-going GURPS adventures set in the beautiful and evocative Bay of Spirits setting by Randy M. at Roan Studios.
GURPS: Mysterious TidesSession 004.5
What Did They Want?
230725-230820Near the Docks, Piper’s Quay
After the fight with the three red-hooded foes, Taber Sinann and his men take the remaining assailant into their custody. A quick search reveals several weapons and some small vials and packets that are believed to be poisons. The woman refuses to speak at all as she is bound by the town guards.
“What is going on here? This is no common tavern brawl, what did these attackers want from you? I am responsible for the safety of this fief and we’ve already got this huge, dead eel thing that apparently spews out zombie-making swarms. Now I’ve got poison toting assassins running around?” A mix of anger, exasperation, and exhaustion flashes across the Laird’s son’s face. He puts his hand on his forehead, covering his eyes, then lowers it and looks at the assembled group. “Well…?” he asks.
A small group of locals have gathered down near the docks, though none of them get too close, just close enough to listen in for gossip and rumors. Up the hill at the Windbreak, Carmel can be seen watching from the open doorway, backlit by the fire and lanterns inside.
The Enibrian sips his beer as he shrugs, then replies, “Best guess, it has something to do with the two murdered Rogans - your townsman, and shortly after, the Old Bear, Rogan Rocht. Some of the townsfolk would have known him; he and his son here” he says as he nods toward Ragnar, “were hunting cotters out in the woods who traded in town for supplies. Ragnar’s an old friend of mine who arrived in town yesterday on the trail of the killers of his father and told us about it, so we’ve been asking around a bit once we realized that two people with the same name have been murdered in the space of a little over a week. Seems like more than mere coincidence.”
“Two dead Rogans you say? I was aware of young Rogan Naaj’s death, but had not heard of the Old Bear also being killed. I knew him in passing, a good man for sure,” he says, nodding his head in Ragnar’s direction. “Go lock her up,” Taber commands his men, then turns back. “So two dead men, and now these three red-cloaked strangers are searching through your stuff? That makes no sense. What do you have that they could want?”
Nilas looks around at everyone. “I don’t know what exactly is going on around here, as I am new to this area. However, the death of two men by the same name and the sudden appearance of these cloaked figures seems too suspicious to me. The attacker did say something to me, but I could not make sense of it. She asked me to give her something, a token of some sorts. I don’t know of any tokens in the Shrine to the Sea, unless there is something that Callast Zale would happen to have that she is after. She knows something. Who were the other attackers?”
Nilas looks around again and then says to Taber, “Before you take her away my lord, may I have a better look at my attacker and maybe a word or two? Perhaps she will answer better to Calla?”
Bro’ Bob rubs his chin thoughtfully, “They searched a shrine of Calla, and a ship for it. Something nautical maybe?” He looks at Taber, “Have any other craft been ransacked recently?”
Ragnar chimes in saying, “I don’t know about what they could be looking for, but they also ransacked my cabin and the cabin of the other Rogan.” He pauses, scratching his beard. “Well, there’s another possibility, that there are two groups of outsiders, one looking for something associated with a Rogan and another looking for something else.” Ragnar shrugs. “I donna know. Seems a bit far-fetched for two different groups to be noodlin’ about the town causing trouble and killing folk along with that dead eel thing and walking dead and what not.” Casting his eye back to the shore he adds, “I may look at their tracks, see if the boot prints look something like what I saw around our cabin.”
Nilas walks over to the assailant and removes her hood.He pulls her to look him in the eyes. “Now, tell me, by Calla’s Wrath, who you are and who do you work for?!”
The captured woman’s face drops and her lower lip begins quivering. “I… I… I’m sorry, milords, I’m just a poor vagrant, was lookin for some food, me was. I didn’t realize I was poking around in such a mighty warrior such as you. I just needed some bread and maybe a bit’o ale.” She lowers her head, looking at the ground. Nilas is quite sure that he can see her mouth twist into a sneer, out of sight of Sinann and his men. “Don’t know nothin bout no Rogans or dead men nor nothing of that sort, no sir, not me. I’m just a poor beggar girl.”
Taber Sinann eyes her fine red cloak and leather armor, and shakes his head in disbelief. He mutters a gruff, “Mmmm hmmm,” but does not say anything else. He turns his gaze toward Nilas and the others.
Nilas shakes his head in disgust. “I highly doubt that you are some poor vagrant. You moved like you were trained to fight, you carried poison and other vile tools, and had the audacity to try and ransack the Shrine to Calla? You are a criminal and liar! Calla may have shown you mercy today, but cross me again, and I shall not.”
Nilas looks to his companions. “Do any of you have further use for this would-be assassin?” Waving his hand away at her, he looks to Taber Sinann, “Her quality weapons, cloak and armor betray her comments. My lord, I hope that you find suitable punishment for this foul woman. I don’t know what means that you may have, but we need to find a way to make her talk.”
Nilas turns away so that the woman can not see him and he winks at Taber. “Maybe we can kill two birds with one stone. Maybe we can analyze those death-crabs while at the same time seeing how they work by letting them inside this assassin’s body?”
Listening to the exchange, Ragnar finally turns away in frustration to go examine the tracks. Then he stops and goes to look around the prisoner to see her tracks first.
The orange glow over the rise at the edge of town says that the townsfolk are busy at the firebuilding around the dead eel-serpent-thing. The prisoner merely shrugs at Nilas’ comments about her gear and potential torture. Taber Sinann shakes his head, “No, I don’t think we’ll be doing any of that, young Callast Nilas, but I will see what I can do. We will hold her in a secure room at my fathers lodge,” he says, nodding his head toward the largest building in Piper’s Quay, Laird Erskine Sinann’s lodge. “If she won’t talk, I think I feel good enough sending her off to Hawkstone to let her rot in the Baron’s dungeons. If you come by in the morning, I will let you know if she has changed her tune any. Otherwise, if you don’t need anything else, I think I shall see to her proper confinement then get back over to the beach and see how things are progressing with the burn.” He nods to everyone present, a thin smile on his lips.
Ragnar, having examined the woman’s boots and the prints all around the area is certain enough that these boot prints look at least similar to the boot prints he found up at the little camp in the woods above town. There are no distinct marks to positively identify them as the same boots, but definitely could be the same boots.
Nilas shrugs. He never intentionally planned to torture the woman, that would be totally unethical to him. In his rage and anger at the moment, the threat of torture was enough. He wanted to vent and scare the woman into telling him who they are and what they are up to. They were at the Shrine to the Sea, she attacked him, she kicked him in the ‘buried treasure’, they were on his friend Jens’s boat and attacked his new friends as well; not to mention that these assassins may be responsible for the death of Ragnar’s father.
All of these things combined together are building a rage inside of Nilas and he wants answers and he wants vengeance. He looks to Taber and agrees, but his tone denotes his displeasure. “As you wish my lord, this is your area of expertise. I just want proper justice and answers for these wretches that dare attack myself and my friends. I WILL be by in the morning. I shall pray to Calla tonight for answers, perhaps the Lady of the Sea will guide me better.”
“I shall speak my words of prayer to the Tempest, as well. I look forward to seeing you in the morning,” Taber says before leading the prisoner away.
Nilas watches as Taber and his guards escort the prisoner. He scowls. Nilas is still angry and knows he needs guidance. He turns to his newfound companions. “I’m sorry my friends that I lost my temper. I am beside myself on this matter. The attacker was in Callast Zale’s home and then came after me. Now I hear that they were on Jens’ boat and came after you as well. We need to figure out our next step. I must admit I am new to these things and not really sure what to do.”
Nilas then looks around one more time at his friends, “Well, at least we have an audience with lord Taber Sinann in the morning, that gives us some time to prepare I suppose.”
The monk holds out his cup to Nilas (who can clearly smell the rum), “It’s not Skullpin, but go ahead and finish it; you could use a stiff drink. I’m heading back to the inn, where I am going to eat my damn breakfast!!!! And I swear on the vine, I will fong anyone who interrupts me a fourth time!” he concludes with a touch of real menace in his voice as he stalks off toward the Windbreak.
Ragnar watches Brother Bob vent his spleen and stalk off. After a pause he shakes his head saying, “Can’t fault the man for wanting breakfast in peace. Normally I’d be there with him but this whole mess is unsettling. Her boot prints match fair enough to the ones at the camp above town. Something mighty strange is going on and I think we need to figure it out quick. Somebody is looking for something and based on this day’s events, they’ll stop at nothing to get it. Our village itself is in danger, I fear.”
Bob makes his way back to the Windbreak. It is filling up again, as more and more townsfolk are returning from the burn area down the beach. Everyone is tired and soot-covered. Several folk give thankful nods and some pat Bob on the shoulder, which is not much welcomed. Several full mugs of drink and a plate of food are delivered by Carmel. “You looked hungry,” she says. “And several locals are keen to buy you drinks for what you and your friends did earlier.”
Back outside, Nilas, Ragnar, and Jens stand around in the cool night air, looking at each other. Jens confirms that nothing seems to be missing from the Kittiwake, though Lady Margo is quite perturbed from being bothered with all the running, shoving and fighting on deck. Captain Jens tries to soothe her and quickly gets things stowed away nice and tidy in no time.
Nilas just stands there for a moment and then quaffs down the rum that Brother Bob gave him. Nilas shakes his head. Bob is right. This is all a mess and I can’t process anything more right now. Food and drink it is. The death-crabs are vanquished, the Laird’s son is in charge of all of that now and the assassins were thwarted. Nilas heads back to the Windbreak Inn to rest and recover. He used a lot of his magical power recently and has not felt drained like this before. Time to refuel his body and get some rest. He will need a clear mind to speak with Taber Sinann in the morning.
The monk thanks her and nods in thanks to those around him and replies (loudly enough to be heard at the nearby tables. . .), “I hope then that they’re tipping you well, Mother Carmel. You did as much as the Callast and I; and, I believe, at greater risk to yourself.” Then, with a pained expression, he adds quietly to her, “and please tell me that you have some sort of distance weapon or spell to fight from further away than a zombie crab can jump.” With that, he tucks into his food like a man who hasn’t eaten all day. Seeing Nilas enter, he waves him over to the table and holds out one of the mugs, nodding wordlessly and still chewing.
Carmel smiles kindly at Bro’ Bob. “Well, I can use a sling fairly well, I suppose, though I have not picked one up. I suppose I should do that if I’m heading back out into the world.” She lets out a heavy sigh, looking around at the busy room, “And yes, the people of Piper’s Quay have been taking care of me well enough. Not quite enough to fund another expedition around the Bay, but if you’re offering me a ride, I think I’m ready to sail,” she says with a wink that Bob completely misses.
Nilas makes his way over to Brother Robert’s table. He is definitely craving that drink now after this entire debacle of the Giant sea serpent, the death-crabs, and now the attack from the red-cloaked assassins. “Brother Robert, I’m here to take you up on that offer and give our regards and thanks to Enibria. I’m going to need a few stiff drinks after this day. I am just overwhelmed and ready for this day to be over.”
Nilas takes his seat and starts drinking from the mug Brother Bob places before him. He holds it up and gives his toast and thanks to Enibria and starts drinking. “I hope Jens and Ragnar join us, though I know that Jens was going over his ship, making sure that everything is in place.” Nilas then continues on with drink and food.
Ragnar makes one more lap around the area looking for tracks or signs he might have missed then heads over the Windbreak. Looking around he sees the others and joins them at their table after stopping a server to request some water and a hot meal. Nodding a manly greeting he takes a seat and leans back, looking at the others. Shaking his head he says, “I’ve never seen or heard of the like. It’s a mess that keeps getting messier. Murders, more bold attacks, strange monsters and undead or whatever those were … it’s a nightmare. I’m not giving up, though. It’s got to be all tied up together, somehow. I couldna find anything else out there, not a clue, but I’m not giving up on this. Someone will answer.” When his food arrives he digs in with gusto.
Jens remains outside at his ship, too worried to let it out of his sight. Piper’s Quay has certainly not been the safest port this trip. Back inside, the others finish their dinner and decide to call it a day after all the excitement of the day.
When he sees she has a moment, Bro’ Bob waves Carmel over and asks if there are any rooms available and how much they are for the night.
Carmel tells Bro’ Bob that there are a couple of cots in a small room beneath the stairs that he can snag for 10 silver per cot. She looks at Ragnar to see if he is interested in the second cot.
Nilas finishes his meal. Looking at his friends, he comments. “If you are both okay with it, I want to get back to the Shrine of the Sea and make sure that nothing is damaged or out of place. You are both welcome to stay there with me if needed, there is another cot there.”
Nilas then looks at Carmel walking off and leans back over to his two companions. “You know…..she has mentioned that she wants to get out of town and go on an adventure and she proved very helpful to us. Maybe we should invite her to come along with us, at least for a little bit to get her into another town. Clearly Taber doesn’t support her being here, and we can offer her some help. Having another person along with healing abilities will help too if we run into any more trouble.”
“Sleep on it and we can discuss this more in the morning. We have a meeting with Taber and hopefully he has some answers as to where we can start looking. We may also want to consider showing him the token that we found, since this could be linked to the death’s of both Rogans”. With that, Nilas bids his friends a good evening and heads back to the Shrine of the Sea.
Ragnar nods at Nilas’ comments. “Aye, if we can help the lass out and keep her out of danger that’d be fine. I was gonna sleep outside; I like to when the weather permits. But given what all has happened, it might be good to stick together. And a cot sounds nice, so I’ll take you up on the offer.” Looking around at the small group he adds, “I want you all to know I’m grateful for you sticking your foot in the noose for me with this. You dinna have help but you have, and I’m grateful.”
The monk checks his purse, then shakes his head ruefully. “I’m afraid that would be nearly all I have,” he sighs. “It may be wiser, in terms of both finances and everyone’s safety, if one of us joins Nilas in the shrine and the other bunks on the Kittiwake with Jens. I’m used to the rocking, so I’d suggest you take the shrine.” He looks across the room at Carmel and says, “I agree about Mother Carmel, and she was saying that she’d like to get traveling again.” He then leans over and says softly, “But I don’t think we should say a word to Taber about the only possible clue that we’ve found, much less show it to him. We’ll never see it again, and as soon as we’re out of town, he’ll never give another thought to your Pa. As far as I’m concerned, there is no medallion and I have no idea what that woman was talking about.”
Nilas frowns at Bob’s comment “It is not in my nature to lie about things. I have no reason not to trust Taber on this matter. He did rally his guards and help us quell and finish off the death-necro-crabs and secure the prisoner that I managed to defeat.”
Shaking his head, Nilas continues. “I understand your point, and while I will not lie about things, I can choose not to discuss it if that would suit. I still think we should have an audience with Taber and get more information about these attackers and maybe some answers from the one we captured. I would like to think that Taber could be of use and support for us. Perhaps we will know more in the morning after we speak with him. Brother Bob, if you wish to take the lead on this, I will be more than happy to let you. If you want me to try my skills at diplomacy, I shall, but then I would ask that you put the medallion somewhere and hide it out of my knowledge, so that I am not lying to a nobel on this matter.”
Finishing up his drink, Nilas concludes: “....Bob, you are also correct, we should all at least not be alone in the event that those assailants return. Someone is watching us and we now have attention from Calla-Knows-What. You should hang out with Jens and Ragnar and I shall stay at the shrine. We will all met up in the morning at the Windbreak and from there hopefully get some answers from Taber. Sound fair enough to you my friends?”
Nilas then gestures for Ragnar to follow him to Callast Zale’s home. They inspect the home to find that the assailant did not get to do too much damage or disarray. Things were thrown about but nothing appeared to be damaged Nilas must have startled the assassin before she could get too involved her search he concluded and once the shrine was secured, he and Ragnar would bed down for the evening.
“Ragnar, I am sorry again about your father. I told you that I would help you and I will continue to do so. It seems we are all wrapped up in this mess together, much like a fisherman’s net in a storm, collecting all manner of oddities, so too are we all linked together. Calla will watch over us and we will avenge your father in due time.”
Bro’ Bob finishes his meal and thanks Carmel. “Given the trouble tonight, we’ll pass on the cots. I’m heading down to the Kittiwake for the night, and Ragnar is joining the Callast in the shrine. We’ll keep you informed if anything develops, and I’m sure there’ll be a free berth on the Kittiwake whenever we set sail once more.” He thanks the townspeople for the food and drink, then heads out cautiously down to the docks and joins Jens to bunk down for the night.
Session Notes
Another PbP Continuing Story session between live Roll20 sessions. I really like these interludes as we can dive deep into the setting and personality of the characters and NPCs.Cast of Characters:
Brother Robert (Bro Bob) D'Nagien, a young Enibrian monk and archer - played by Amergin KCallast Nilas Orkan, a young priest of Calla the Storm Goddess - played by Mike B
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