Blood in Ferelden: Chapter 1

Being the last one inside, I carefully close the door behind me, being respectful of this family and their home. I stand beside my comrades, nodding in agreement to their words toward the family. "It is true. For your safety, we implore you to take advantage of Bann Nicola's offer of hospitality." I look around at the room we battled in, surveying whatever mess and carnage we were part of. I then whisper to the other group members "Perhaps we should help dispose of the bodies after making sure of this family's safety."

"Bann Nicola? We- we can go to her manor? But.." The frightened man hesitates for a moment, surveying the mess again. "'tis a good idea, they would have had our door down in no time if you'd not come by. We'll go along, best we find safety while these animals are about."

The man hurries his wife and daughter to the street outside, trying to shield the young girl from all the corpses. He then returns to the bedroom and collects a few things, and returns to wait outside with his family.

Good job team, some better rolls this time around. 300 xp each. What do you want to do next?

After seeing the family ready themselves Jake asks his group, Should we see them safely there, or should we see how the guards are doing with the other location?

OOC: Did we ever get the next address? also taking a breather to get back 6 hp and 10 mp using the mental rest rule.

All you know is the guards were headed to Dogget Lane. Bray & Lockley should be able to figure out where that is.

"Let us escort them. We can back up the guards afterwards."

"Please come with us; we'll make sure you get to the manor safely."

Rothas will help them out of the bathroom and past the slaughter. Is it just two of them?

Two parents and the child.

Rothas is curious about this Bann Nicola person, and wants to make sure the family arrives unmolested. It is certainly the first chance he, as an elf, would ever have had of seeing the inside of a manor. So he follows them out into the street, staggering a bit in his weakened condition but trying not to show it. He pauses for a moment to respond to Bray: "Yeah, see if there's anything on the bodies that could be useful in identifying them; I'm going to keep my eyes on this family so that more of these quatzkaws don't get them."

(OoC: ordinarily my characters would help with the bodies, but Rothas' primary motivation is in glorious battle, and cleaning up/searching dead bodies does not fit into that at all. The only way it would is if I make him collect bloody trophies, and I'm not particularly inclined in that direction - among other things, it would make his acceptance in polite society that much more difficult. What do you all think?)

On the cultist's bodies you find their weapons, short swords and daggers on each of them. The mage has a wand and a quarterstaff, as well as a rolled up piece of parchment in his pocket.

The note reads:
The family is gathered and ready, do you still want to go to Bann Nicola's estate with them?

Lockley looks at his companions after they read the parchment. "Is this where they are taking the children? We may have to move quickly." He shoos everyone out and makes for Bann Nicola's with all due haste.

As we walk briskly to Bann Nicola's estate (hopefully someone inside gets the wand and staff before we go), Rothas will try to recall his mental map of the city; what's at the end of Cooper Lane?

You remember that it is up in the northernmost area of the dregs, up against the city wall. Most of the dregs is filled with abandoned buildings and residential buildings. You can't recall any locations of note on Cooper lane.

You remember that it is up in the northernmost area of the dregs, up against the city wall. Most of the dregs is filled with abandoned buildings and residential buildings. You can't recall any locations of note on Cooper lane.

As we walk, Lockley will minister to Grapthor, the only one of us who seems wounded.
Edit: 6 stunt points: Ill reduce the mana cost to 0 and then cast another on Grapthor. DD is 3

The party makes there way across the bridge, and toward the Royal palace where Bann Nicola Baranti's manor is located.

Many of the city guard give you dirty looks as you enter into the Royal quarter, but non confront you and you reach the gates to house Baranti.
A guard at the gate challenges you: "Halt! What is the meaning of this? The Bann takes callers only in appointment, and by the looks of you, you aren't the type to make appointments with the the Bann... Move along"

On the horizon the beginnings of a sunrise is evident...

"Braedon sent us. We've rescued this family from the cultists that have been doing foul work tonight, and have brought them here for shelter." Rothas will offer up the sheet of paper that Braedon gave to him as evidence that what he says is true.

The guard takes the note and examines it. "The captain left earlier in the night, had some servants prepare to receive guests. He hasn't returned though, do you know where he went?"
The guard opens the gate and gestures to bring the family inside. He sends a footman to run to the house to prepare quarters for the family.
"Did he go to this other address? Perhaps he ran into trouble? "

Rothas exchanges a look with the others, allowing himself to feel weary for a moment. Then he shakes himself and puts his hand to the haft of his axe again. "If they're not back, then who else can investigate unless it's us?"

Lockley eyes the guard, "This happen every night? Never mind. Come, let us make haste."