THE ROPER LODGINGS:
Zarek, still not having met Alley, was woken up at 5am by Mrs Roper and told to begins his daily tasks. Collect all the pots, with the night soil, from the tenants, sperate the liquids from the solids and then hand that over to the tanners that come to collect the tools of their trade. Zarek then had to cut the firewood, stored in his basement hovel, light the fire and cooker. Once breakfast was over, Mrs Roper brought down his breakfast, whatever was left over mixed and extra oats added.
Zarek had the rest of the day to himself but had to be back to help with the evening meal at 6pm.
Zarek spent some time planning what he should do next and realised that he needed to use his greatest assets, his mind and knowledge. He knew that he had to start an investigation and follow the clues that he had.
“I need the tools of my trade, quill, ink and parchment.”
Zarek headed off to find the writing supplies he needed and ended up finding them on a cart, which appeared to be the sellers’ personal belongings, being sold by and slim, wiry moustached gentlemen from the south-east regions of Faerûn.
After a failed try at haggling with Alif, Zarek had to pay the price as shown and knew he had to practice his social skills a lot more. With charcoal, quills, ink and parchments in hand, Zarek headed back to his digs in Twelvedog Court to write down all of his questions and leads to see what path to take next.
“And what will I do when I find those that killed Alexander?”
The questions that Zarek wrote down were quite a few but he began to have a clearer picture as to what has happened and what he would need to do next to find the killers.
Zarek made his way to visit the run-down theatre and then onto the Endshift Tavern to see if he could gather any more information about ‘The Actor, Roach’.
Near to the theatre, Zarek made himself inconspicuous and cast his trusted ‘Disguise Self’ spell and this time elected to be in the guise of a Human Local Butcher. This way he would blend into the background of the many residents of the Field Ward.
As Zarek approached the Theatre, in the early hours of the morning, he noticed that there were two unsavoury characters sitting on the steps outside the boarded-up building. Now, on a closer inspection and with the cold light of day, Zarek noticed that the building was lot deeper than it was wide and that it was in a poor state of repair with rubbish collected all about the walls.
Zarek, in the guise of a burley butcher, asked the youths if they knew where he can get some livestock and that he was willing to pay. The 2 bloodshot thugs were not interested in the butcher offer or his threats and intimidations. They were too cocky by half and think that they were protected for such menaces.
One of the youths tosses a bottle in the direction of the butcher as a threat of what would happen if he didn’t move on. That’s when the other youth saw 2 fellow thugs arriving from the west side of the Field yard, he signalled them to halt and they both hid in the shadow of a building.
Zarek choose to cut his losses thinking that these 2 thugs were preoccupied and had no intention of aiding him or had a job to do, whose failure to finish would mean a very permanent solution. Zarek headed back from the direction he came intending to look at the visiting thugs to see if they also had bloodshot eyes and a nervous disposition like their fellow conspirators at the theatre. They were too well ensconced that Zarek was incapable of discerning what they even looked like.
Zarek then headed onto the Endshift Tavern to see what further information he could gather. There were posters on the wall of the tavern and Zarek took a close look to see if he could find and mention of ‘The Actor, Roach’ but he found nothing and there also was no information about the Quarantine or the reason why there was one in place.
Zarek, still in the guise of the butchers, reported that he had heard of evil doings and the City Watch guard told him that all information was handed to The Civilar Alonzo Redhawke as he was overseeing the operation within the Field Ward. Zarek realised in time that he will not report the death of Alexander Brightlamp as he had only just entered the Field Ward.
Next Zarek thought he should return to the stables by Trollgate to see if they had taken possession of a new horse. Still in the guise of the butcher, Zarek was going to inquire about any horses that were for sale and that he would pay well for their meat. On reaching the stable they appeared shut against the cold weather and only a few stable lads would be seen cleaning the area.
Zarek engages in conversion with one of the lads asking if they had horse for sale and the lad, slightly intimidated by the burley butcher, explained how they were not open for business and that the stable would keep the valuable merchandise from sale for now. The butcher was none too happy and that when 3 male humans emerged from the barn. 2 appeared to be foreigners as one wore very little and was dark of skin, while the other had a very strong accent. The third looked like a local Waterdhavian and did not talk.
It turned out that they were stabling their horses and they offered to also provided protection for the stock and they would also take advantage of the roof over their heads.
“Do you want to have us call a robe?” said the Waterdhavian and this was not understood by Zarek or the other 2 foreigners.
“What’s a robe?” asked Zarek.
“You don’t even know what a robe is, where did you say you came from in the Field Ward?”
Thinking it was best to leave and not confront 3 armed adults Zarek leaves and heads back to the boarding house determined to return later and look for Hero.
Frustrated Zarek headed back to the boarding house to learn and do his evening tasks. More wood chopping and fire building was required and then he was left to clean-up after all the tenants. Then his meal was brought to him by Mrs Roper. Zarek took the opportunity to question Mrs Roper some more and felt that she was too sheltered and as mad as a box of frogs that he was determined to continue his investigates by himself.
- Who had killed Alexander Brightlamp?
- Where was Hero, his horse?
- How did they re-enter the Field Ward?
- Who let them in?
- Did they have to pay them?
- Are they members of the City Watch?
- What did they do with Hero?
- ‘The Actor, Roach’ must be a nickname and not their real occupation as they stole and killed.
- Where can I start to ask around for ‘The Actor, Roach’?
- Near the Theatre, Tent Town or Firewire Alley.
- Where would they have changed the coins?
Zarek hit the flee infested hay early and intended to carry out his morning chores and then sleep so that he can regain his Spell ability and then go out to continue his search for Hero and ‘The Actor, Roach’.
Zarek wakes up early at 2am and heads back to the stables were he stealthily moves to and then climb up to a window and from there he can see the men, and a few others, guarding the horses and in the end stall Zarek finally finds Hearo.
“Well at least he is safe and if it’s the last thing I do I will get him back.”
Zarek carries out his morning chores, after very little sleep and then rest for the afternoon until he has to work the evening shift. He would then have his ‘Disguise Self’ Spell available to use.
Zarek’s intension is to visit the Endshift Tavern and report the stolen horse and its location. He would also go in the guise of Alif to throw off any suspicions towards himself. At the end shift Tavern, once again, Alif is treated with respect and his details, the details of the theft and the items’ location are all reported to the City Watch guard and Alif explains that he would return for any news as he had not permeant location at the moment.
Then on his way out Zarek, in the guise of Alif watches as a City Watch member adds 2 new wanted posters to the board.
Oliver, A.K.A. the Actor and Lucas, A.K.A. the Roach wanted for questioning.
At last, Zarek had the information that he was looking for and a description of the 2 villains.
“What about the third pair of tracks that I spotted?” Zarek asks himself.
With this new information Zarek, still in the guise of Alif, re-enters the Endshift Tavern and demands that they inform Civilar Alonzo Redhawke that The Actor and The Roach were the horse thieves and they needed to investigate. The guard assures Alif that they would do so and Zarek makes his way back to the Northyard intent of watching what happens with Alif and if Civilar Alonzo Redhawke would question the seller. After several hours waiting, under a makeshift shelter used to hide himself, Zarek sees 4 City Watch guards arrive with another member who looks like their superior and 2 City Watch guards stay by Alif’s cart and the rest leave and head back in the direction of the Endshift Tavern.
After a while Zarek tries to leave the area with as little attention as possible but the entire shelter falls around him and he leave, so much so that one of the guards comes over to help the now exposed Tiefling.
“Thank you but I’m fine, thank you.” Says Zarek as he leaves in a hurry.
Zarek reaches the boarding house and makes some rough sketches of the 2 Villains to have as reference. Zarek spends the night planning on his next steps and what he will do once he had found Oliver and Lucas. There was something odd that he couldn’t quite understand, why if they were only petty criminals, as stated by the City Watch, did they turn to murder? If it was in fact their intension at all.
Zarek is intent on hunting his pray and goes out in the evening looking for location where he thinks he can find the 2 Villains.
“Somewhere where they would spend the out-of-town coins, hide in plain site or without the fear of not being spotted by the City Watch?”
Zarek walks towards Nanze Street, an area that looked very rough to him when he first came to the Field Ward, finding nothing but ‘Sharpjaws’, ‘Fastfists’, ‘Bullyblades’ and ‘Alleyblades’ Zarek continued to walk around the area and came upon
This rarefied sight, a two-story stone building serves as a gathering place, an inn and den of vice in the Field Ward, The Almondine’s Delight Tavern (A.K.A. The Duke of Norfolk)
Covered in shoddy velvet make up the ground floor, with the rooms above assigned to lodging and more private forms of recreation. A massive wooden serving counter wraps around the walls across from the main entrance, accompanied by servers and bar-hands from all walks of low life.
The crowds that often occupy this inn are among the worst kinds of the people in the Field Ward. Liars, cardsharps, thieves, and the like will congregate here on a regular basis to shave their share of coin from passers-through and the less fortunate who are seeking to try their luck.
Inside the Tieflings observation skills let him down and as he looks about the place, he sees nothing of interest and chooses to order a drink at the bar. Once again, he is faced with the new rules and prices of a quarantined Ward and has to pay for 2 drinks. This though, allows the Tiefling to plot-up at the back of the tavern and spend some time looking for The Roach and The Actor among the many revellers inside the tavern.
After an hour or so, the Tiefling walks over to the bar to retrieve his second pint of Ale and so that he can look about the patron once more. It was at that moment that his patience’s paid off as he saw and recognised both ‘The Actor’ and ‘The Roach’, sitting at a table and wearing some very bad disguises.
After watching them both, surreptitiously, finish their beers and then club together their last coins for a drink, the Tiefling ordered another 3 pints of Ale and carried them over to the table just as they finished their last sips.
“Mind if I join you, here have a drink on he, I could do with the company.” Said Zarek.
Oli was suspicious and stated that they were not part of the ‘Flesh Trade’ and he was mistaken if that is what he thought. Lucas happily drank his pint and thanked the Tiefling.
That is when Zarek noticed that both Villains had Bloodshot eyes, shaking and their speech was slurred. Not just the Ale then?
Oliver, noticing it was late insisted that they needed to leave but Lucas was reluctant to leave the free Ale. That is when Oli spoke to his partner in crime is words and phrases that were unknown to Zarek.
The 2 villains got up and left, thanking the Tiefling as they left.
Zarek waiting a few heart beats and then followed the two as stealthily, using the corner of building and huts as cover. Zarek believed he was avoiding being seen and kept an eye on the 2 villains. The 2 then duck down a narrow alley without looking back. Zarek decided to catch up and dashes ahead and down the alley.
Zarek dashes out of the alley and it too late to realise his mistake.
MEETING ALLEY:
“I told you I saw someone tracking us Oli, I’m not paranoid you know.” Said Lucas.
The 2 villains start to intimidate Zarek and he begins to think that he did not think and what on Faerûn was he doing tracking 2 criminals, at night and with only a Dagger and Spells for protection.
“Spells are my only hope.” Thinks Zarek to himself.
The Tiefling is the first to act and casts his Spell of ‘Vicious Mockery’ at Oliver but the criminal can, or too far gone to be affected by, the Spell. With sire desperation the Tiefling then slashes out with hi Dagger and attempts to cut Lucas. His attack fails to make contact with the second criminals who staggers backwards.
“Hold fast gentlemen, this is no fair fight and I am here to even the odds.”
All 3 of the combatants turn around to see a young human man, wearing a cloak, covering leather armour and he was wielding a Shortsword.
“My name is Lord Lothian and I fight on behalf of the underdog and eradicate evil from existence.”
“Thud”. A bolt shot out of the dark adjacent alley and strikes Lord Lothian in the heart, the leather armour not capable of protecting the young, short-lived adventurer.
“God he was annoying, where is my meat and sauce pie you two, I sent you out ages ago?”
“Sorry Rufus, we were being followed and didn’t want to bring the heat down.” Says Oliver.
Zarek notices that ‘The Actor’ places his hand to his chest and garbs at something.
Rufus reloads his Hand Crossbow and waves it in the face of young Zarek.
“It’s great what people sell when they are desperate.” Rufus says and appears to be very pleased with his weapon.
Rufus orders the 2 Villains to dispose of the boy and bring back anything good that they find, reminding them that they would suffer if they held anything back. The pair pick up the body of Lord Lothian and head off into the night heading South.
Rufus begins to talk about his meat and sauce pie and how he always asks for no cabbage or onions. Then suddenly a hooded cloaked figure emerges silently from behind the large thug and utters a single word.
“Grovel”. The young female voice commands.
Rufus falls to the ground lay out completely flat.
“Now RUN!”. Shouts the female voice within the cloak.
The Tiefling not giving it a second thought start to run behind the girl as she heads slightly south-westwards of where the 2 Villains had taken the body. After a few minutes and several unusual looks, for those up and about on this cold night, the pair stop to rest and make introductions.
The girl pulls back her hood to revel and young teenage human girl, cute more than attractive, with ice blue eyes, almond skin, fair hair, 5’ 1’’and of an athletic build.
“Hi my name is Alley, are you OK, is there anything I can do, are you injured?”
Zarek was wary of the sudden intervention and this seemly pleasant young girl. The young lady asked of the 2 Sharpjaws and the big Fastfist as she was worried, they can be followed.
“What did you say and do to the one called Rufus to make him fall to the ground, know you Spells?” Asked Zarek.
“Err, I do indeed but would rather you didn’t mention that to anyone please.” Replied the young girl who called herself Alley.
The pair thought it was best to move away from the vicinity of the 3 Villains and they headed East. Alley asked Zarek about his family and where he was staying. Zarek said that he was alone and staying in a boarding house. Alley went on to mention that her father and Mother were in Waterdeep and that she had been caught in the Filed Ward due to the Quarantine.
Alley then invited Zarek to stay with her in her lodgings.
“There is plenty of space on the floor and I am sure that Mr Warble Bandlewagon will not mind.” Said Alle.
Zarek still Cautious, decided that anything would be better that Mrs Ropers establishment and he would not miss the chores.
“I don’t have that much money.” Said Zarek.
“Don’t worry, let’s just hope that we can leave soon and you will only need to pay for your meals as I struck a very nice deal with Mr Warble Bandlewagon and I am paid-up for the Tenday.” Exclaimed Alley.
Alley and Zarek headed back to Mrs Ropers Lodgings and Alley offered to help but Zarek said that there was no need and he went down by himself. He also did not close the hatch behind himself. With his possessions stuffed in an old sack, Zarek and Alley headed North-East to Chop Street and the famous establishment called The Scrap’d Rafter (A.K.A. The Earl of Lonsdale).