Session 3: Drugs, Downtime, and Desperate Deals

Ribbit Aftermath

Began session in the lair of Big McRibbit, after his death. Salxius took up talking to the remaining toadstools, who did not speak common (rrribbitt) and they eventually bounced away to safety. Demicoso picked up a necklace, which happened to have disease-suppressing properties, and found a stash of drugs in Ribbit's cabinet, along with notes and papers all in Bullywug. And Rupert found some gold trade bars totaling about 1,500gp, a potion of cure poison (which he took and healed from the spore poisoning), and a magical set of scale mail that appeared to be blackened at the fringes (it was a set of smoldering armor).

Demicoso, as part of the Watch, was able to identify one of the drugs as Bottled Lion, a steroid-like drug often used by fighters in the pit. The other two types were unknown to him, but he pocketed them all.

Splitting the Party

From there, they decided to split up. Sal, feeling sick from the sewage bear trap, made his way to the Temple of Ulmo, to seek a cure for his disease. He tried to lie about where he got sick, but the priest (Billbury) charged him 250 for the Lesser Restoration spell. On the way back, he saw another tiefling look at him, give a knowing nod, and walk into an alleyway. Sal nodded back and continued on his way.

Meanwhile, Rupert and Demicoso decided to collect the reward from Feathercasket. Following his instructions, they met him in an alleyway with several other Crow surrounding them. Feathercasket offered them a reward for 1,000gp or a favor, to be collected before the Autumn Solstice. They decided on a favor. They gave proof of McRibbit's death (his head), and the Crow took off with it.

Regroup and Recoup

The party regrouped at the Sunk’n Norwegian to evaluate their plans moving forward. With no immediate direction, they decided to keep in touch and go back to their regular routines. They also got paid for their own respective jobs, since it was the last day of the tenday. Everyone leveled up!

Heated News

When the Newspaper released the following Manwës, the city's mood turned anxious. News was released that a noble was murdered in his own home, with the killer remaining at large. The question that was on everyone's minds was whether or not this was the escalation in the power struggle for a succession to the throne of Dianmallo. Up to this point, no blood had officially been shed. But it is widely believed that once blood is shed, the streets will begin to flow with it. A couple of things followed from this newspaper release...

The Watch

In his briefing at the Emât's Watch, Demicoso heard the shift commander, Luc Pierre, give a scathing reminder to the entire guard about the "Watch guard" reportedly seen near Lord MacGuff's Manor. Luc charged the Watch with finding whoever was responsible for the murder, but warned them to never use their badge while off duty or in another district. Fortunately, Luc believed it was a setup by Guild Master Xandar Naïlar and was not blaming specific people.

While on shift, Demicoso did turn in one vial each of the two drugs he could not identify. They were identified as Blisssap and Voidwine, newer drugs being sold everywhere by all kinds of new gangs. He was reminded to arrest anyone who is caught in possession or selling them because of their addictive properties and danger to the city at large.

More Trouble

Because of its location near the Dianmallo Arcane District, some Watch Members walk up to the Gilded Keg and harassed Rupert at the door, making heavy implications of his involvement in the murder of MacGuff and threatening to take him into custody because of his past history in the Watch, not because of any revealed evidence. Before a fight could ensue, some Redblades broke it up and warned the Watch to stay out of the Misleans. As they left, the Watch warned Rupert to stay out of the Arcane District, threatening no mercy if he showed his face there.

Gearing Up

At his abode, Demicoso learned from his cousin Morgath, who works as an apprentice in the Misleans, that the Redblades have been requesting a large amount of gear - swords, armor, etc. - per the command of High Lord Max Le’Moar himself. She expressed serious concern about the state of the city if this lord's murder did happened to be a political move. In any case, the Redblades appear to be preparing for something big, particularly if the connection of bloodshed to the political power struggle is proven true.

Plotmail

Later, two letters arrived at the Gilded Keg, one for Salxius and the other for Rupert. The letter for Rupert was from some noble named Lord Erasmus Deseo, extending an invitation to a private party in the Arcane District on a future date. And the one for Salxius appeared to be from Marluxia, a blackmail letter,

Sal, Shame that the late Lord MacGuff had to be murdered the same night you were planning to break into his manor… I didn’t think you were that sloppy. In any case, the Watch and the Wardens are looking for any clues related to the case. Quiet mouths aren’t cheap, and that bounty is looking more and more like a vacation to Freeport.

Fortunately for you, I have a job in mind that can keep my mouth shut and put an end to this manhunt. Stop on by. I hear the bounty for the killer’s growing day by day.

P.S., you can bring your friends along, but if anything happens to me, I have contingencies to put you in chains.

— M (implying Marluxia)

Sal responded with a request for Marluxia via mail to come by the Keg and share the offer.

The Borrowed Pint

Demicoso, on his downtime, did some research into the documents scribed in Bullywug. He was directed to a Kender named Fez in the Kender Gentry (located in the King's Sliver). Taking Rupert with him, they traveled through bad traffic to the Borrowed Pint, where they received a warm welcome from everyone in the tavern! They also lost a few items - Rupert lost his wallet and later retrieved it.

Inside, they bought drinks for everyone, were given a complimentary shot (which was actually piss), and gave some real alcohol to the bartender, a halfling with a thick beard. The halfling expressed gratitude and pointed them to Fez, a Kender with a bright red fez, a wicked leg scar, and 3 toes between both of his feet.

Fez looked at the documents and told them he would be able to translate everything by the end of the week most likely. No charge, but they would owe him a favor later!

Marluxia's Proposal

After receiving a response of "no, you come to my place", Sal, Demicoso, and Rupert made their way back to the Gaels to Marluxia's residence to hear him out.

In short, Marluxia is tired of all the guards in the area, and also wants this whole MacGuff case solved. He doesn't care whether the party did it or not, neither does he have qualms about turning them in based on circumstantial evidence. However, he has a better idea for a solution. Framing a rival criminal named Slay to take the heat for the murder. He gave the party a deadline of a few days to either frame Slay or be willing to have a bounty put on their head by the Beams.

Session ended with the crew headed back to discuss with the rest of the party.