20060105
The Left-hand Doesn't Know What the Right-hand Does
12.27.1561 FR (Night)
Unable to leave the Prancing Pony without being barred out for the night, Ali makes a deal with Brutis, the door guard to let them back in surrepticiously, provided that they return before his shift ends at midnight. The streets are dark, the night is stormy. People on the street are huddled in groups with lanterns and torches.
Ali is immediately approached by a Blayze dealer called The Grey Man and his assistant Mungo.
The group makes its way a few blocks north to the entrance of Uptown. The gates are guarded by 6 men bearing the sign of the Red Hand. After much argument, the party pays a small fee to leave their weapons in a locked chest at the gatehouse and a silver mark each to enter Lower Uptown. Inside the gates, a minor scuffle ensues over Eriola's tendency to "mess things up". Nothing is resolved before a beat cop breaks up the fight and threatens to escort everyone out of Uptown.
Dorian rents a liveried carriage for the night from a dapper gentleman in a jaunty cap named Bedrick. Bedrick gives the party a guided tour of Uptown. Returning from High Uptown, the carriage is forced to the side of the road by armed cavalry while a carriage thunders past bearing the sign of the Red Hand. The carriage and escort proceed toward the Fortress of the Hand.
The group heads back to Lower Uptown for shopping and information gathering. Eriola makes "friends" with an uptight woman called Lady Scarlett. Xandessa just laughs. Ali gambles with a gregarious old codger named Captain Jack Reynaud. Dorian buys an ornate longsword in silver and red gold. Irma stocks up on herbs and apothecaria.
They determine that there is a "First-Night" Celebration on the night of the 31st into the 1st of the new year. The Red Right Hand usually makes an appearance with his "bride".