Spend the rest of the autumn afternoon shopping for supplies for the trip with Wu. We purchase supplies in the market square, tanglefoot bags, rations.
In the market square a man with a scimitar preaches about Sarenrae; two hobos are watching him.
Rhun walks over to him
He notices – “A fellow worshiper! Tell him the light “
He steps down – “So glad to see a fellow worshiper here. A small group has assembled in town. Vosa Goldenrod is head priest -you should speak with her.”
He is George of Morin.
We seek out Sosa at the address given. Not hard to find the very small run down shrine in a rough and tumble part of town.
Some people working on the building, all humans. Three of them look like laborers, two of them in robes, Vosa stands out. Finer robes, symbol – tight curly black hair, charismatic and beautiful in that way. She’s painting. Has a gigantic scimitar.
“By Sarenrae’s light you’re welcome here – what brings you here?”
Rh – “Campanions came for various reasons; I accompanied Liadan my companion here who came to investigate the gold rush”
“We hail from New Albion – come to bring the light of S to these poor citizens who came in search of gold and only found despair. Keep them from the shadow of evil. Much easier to keep them from evil than to recover them later”
Rem’e assesses the property tactically – are they doing what they say they are doing. They are cleaning it up and making it a sacred space.
Rhun senses she’s very sincere, but stressed.
“Another church has taken up in the other side of town… Asmodeus.” Asmodeus’s church has been handing out food and have gathered more followers.
Rem’e wants to learn more about this. Rhun and Vosa explain how the Asmodeans teach that the strong will triumph over the weak.
Rhun explains some of his background; exposes himself for his zealotry a bit.
Vosa: “Telamro – recently imprisoned – he’s a commoner – murdered a nobleman (member of the Tang family). He awaits trial. I tried to approach him, but he’s rebuffed me. He’s well known among the townsfolk.” She suggests that helping him would bring others to the church.
We head to the keep where Telamro is imprisoned. We bribe the keeper to gain access.
We find Telamro – tall, broad, brown hair, brown eyes. He has a strong jaw. He’s someone to recon with in a fight.
Cell is first floor, but below ground; high narrow window with bars.
Rem’e examines the cell – maintained by the church of Abadar. Most of the other cells are filled with people sleeping it off in the drunk tank. There are 8 cells.
Rem’e and Ariza could fit through the bars, but it would be very tight.
Rhun speaks with him.
Rem’e notes that we recently had an encounter with a gang. Wants to learn who decided that Telamro would make a good target.
“People come from all over thinking they’re going to strike it big, and when they don’t they turn bad fast.”
Rem’e walks away to game with guard – but guard won’t do it.
Rhun says, “I came here to help a friend. What can I do for you?”
“You’re not here for gold – but the Tangs are, and they’re still out there”
He lowers his voice – “I don’t have a deed to a gold ….my girl (Renalda) does though” Afraid that the Tang clan will get to her before he’s out of the trial.
Rem’e finds that no one followed us or notices we’re there.
We discuss what to do.
We decide to bring Renalda to the chapel of Sarenrae for protection.
She’s staying at a large boarding house – long term residence (by the week)
We go to the boarding and introduce ourselves
She’s wary.
We ask her to come to the chapel with us, so she gathers some things.
As we are leaving three men walk into the entryway
Rhun to Renalda “Do you know them”
“They are tang”
BATTLE:
[baddies] middle of three spreads sand and rose petals in the air — Ruhn and Rem’e feel the effects of sleep. Rhun shrugs it off. Rem’e decides it is a good time for a nap.
Liadan uses bow at magic user – and hits; buries in thigh and he screams.
Rhun burning hands – burns all three, and curtains in the windows next to me burst into flames
Ariza flips to bottom of stairs and gives Rem’e a kick
[baddies] spellcaster casts a spell against Liadan; other two attack Rhun
Liadan: leaps over the rails and casts burning hands. Does damage. Wizard drops!
Rem’e fires from prone. Hits one of the other thug – wings him
Rhun draws scimitar cutting at rightmost thug and drops him.
Ariza attacks remaining with dagger and hits, flanking and with sneak attack – drops him.
1200 xp (300 per player)
…at some point in all this we help put out the fire…
Thugs have 77 gold between them; wizard has a fine looking ring (platinum set with fire opal – we determine that it’s this man’s arcane bond, but for us just a piece of jewelry — 250 GP)
We drag the bodies to the street; Rhun asks if anyone knows these men; Tell the people that we work for the leadership of the town; announces that we will not be intimidated.
Bring Renalda to Vosa. Vosa: “She will be protected by Sarenrae”. We all decide to stay, Ariza resignedly, Rem’e very begrudgingly. Rem’e isn’t happy about the added complexity to his life. It is bad for his “relationships”.
We stay for the evening.
In the morning – Renalda stays at the chapel. We go visit Telamro.
six men with polearms approach us. “Stop! You are under arrest for murder and destruction of property. Drop your weapons.”
Stand off. Rhun and Rem’e very reluctant to drop weapons. Ariza – nothing to prove, drops weapons. Rhun then does too. Rem’e drops sword, but refuses to drop gun, after leader says “drop that too”
Rem’e speaks and intimidates – they’re nervous
Rhun speaks and diplomacy –
Leader says last chance halfling sorry to do this, but drop weapon. No.
Two advance on Rem’e
Ariza throws tanglefoot bag at leader
Rem’e steps back and announces to the crowd: “we have done nothing wrong, and we’ve been advanced on” — appeal to the crowd
Rhun steps forward attempts to cast doom on chief, but no good.
Liadan calls to us “surrender now”
Rhun says to chief “this is a misunderstanding” and drops his weapon.
Rem’e disables his gun.
They advance on us – and we are arrested and taken to jail.
