SpearHead LRP

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The cells are the Watch Tower are often in use; cooling off time for drunkards, punishment for minor felonies and the holding of captives or prisoners.

The arrival of the ship bearing the last group of venturers from the southcoast also yields a cargo of a prisoner to be escorted to the Watch Tower. A subdued Grell that still retains the will to cast a gaze of ire to those who collect to see him pass by.
The arrival draws talk of the captive being a shylock from the Blithe Brother firm. No doubt the money lender knows and recognises a few of the faces of the crowd; debtors and previous customers.


One of the more secure buildings within the town, the Watch Tower is further fortified through the presence of watch guardsmen. Additional guards are placed and access to the money lender is restricted.


Time passes and by the late evening, the arrival of the captive will only be given passing mention in the tavern talk, the initial excitement moves on to the favoured topic of the assault of ScrubCliff.


At the Watch Tower, come morning, the long strided crunch of footfall of Priestly and the robed shuffle of Ebban would normally be enough to alert the guards to appear to be on attention. But on this morning the pair are surprised to find the guards seemingly slumbering; even more surprising if not alarming is the number of nudges of the boot it takes before the Watch Sergeant appears to awaken, groggy and confused. By the guard's bloodshot eyes and the whiff of herbs on the air, Ebban recognises poison's touch.....and thus the alarm is raised.

More sleeping guardsmen mark the stairs and passage to the stone walled cell in which the shylock was left. The door once locked firmly shut is no longer; leaning against the wall with the leather hinges sliced neatly with a sharp tool or blade.
The sight of the contents of the cell causes all who come to witness to pause within the doorway. Hisses of alarm, an instinctive glance elsewhere or the gulp of a retch swallowed are all common reactions....

The aged money lender lies on his back, arms out-stretched towards the far wall, a large pool of tacky blood swamps the floor. There is no need for a check for the sign of life for it is clear it is far too late for such a chance. A closer examination does reveal his wounds; precise cuts to wrists and lowers arms.

Once the shock of the sight and smell of the body and blood passes, other details of the room can be taken in. The eyes are drawn to the far wall where daubed in blood, words and a symbol give more meaning to the fate of the lender. Two words dragged out in blood, 'debt paid', denotes the defining trade of the dead Grell.
The symbol, also in blood, is less clear in meaning to the casual observer but perhaps holding far more than the words to those who may know of such things. Dark, bold swathes of bloody red, the symbol appears to be that of a crudely feathered wing of a bird....


Such early morning activity is heard of by everyone and soon the tavern talk returns to the shylock, his death, his killers and the possible meaning of the words and symbol that mark his passing.....