Mavor the Green? I suppose it sounds alright, but it doesn't say anything about me.
Mavor nods at the Queen's words, but there's a little thought creeping up in his mind.
The city guard? Well that's a group I'm familiar with, hopefully they don't remember me, but that's unlikely. I'd rather not get too close.
"If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have an escort of guards when you leave here—they can see to your safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of you to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft to let her know you are on the way—the Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it can certainly use the aid of heroes such as yourself."...
"Well, if I may be so bold, I have a question. First, I should say that I agree with your assessment that your forces seemed stretched thin as the streets outside are extremely dangerous. But, I need to know exactly what you are offering. Are we to be employed by Field Marshal Kroft upon our arrival, or are you looking for volunteers? Jobs are hard to come by, and it would mean a lot to me as I'm currently unemployed."
Hung Hei Kwoon then inspects the gold, and then hands it back to the guard. "No thank you, I didn't earn this as I was there for something else. However, please use this gold to hire more guards to defend the streets."
The queen smiles at those who thank her. "I should be the one who thanks you, future guards of Korvosa. So thank you, for making this choice."
"You will be employed," the queen clarifies to Kwoon, "but if you want to volunteer that's alright. You can go over that with Field Marshal Kroft. As for the gold, your share will go to the training of new guards. Sabina, see to it the others receive their share."
Sabina nods again, and the queen continues to talk to the party: "Now, I need to retire to my personal quarters—my grief over the king's death has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning."
With a whirl of the hem of her mourning dress, Queen Ileosa is gone from sight. Sabina escorts you to another room, where she explains the issue with dividing the gold bars to a man. The man then takes the chest with gold bars from you, and later returns with four bags.
"The chest itself also has some value," the man says, "which is why I rounded the amount of gold coins in these bags up. Each bag contains 250 gold pieces."
After those who chose to accept the money take their bags, Sabina escorts you back out of Castle Korvosa. She assigns you an escort to the Citadel before bidding you farewell also.
Baer smiles at her good fortune, feeling as if her luck had turned around after the death of Lamm.
"Denario, does it not feel as if the gods smile upon us after the death of Lamm? Sure, we have fought in the streets, but we met the Queen and leave blessed by her largess. These are good omens," Baer asks as she walks out with a bag of gold.
"And now we have employment. Sure, it is with uncertain duties, but it is a small path until I find my own. That is a good thing."
Denario smirks.
"I'm not a religious type, but if the gods smile upon us today, then they musn't be the bad sort.
True, we'll see what the future holds next."
Baer glances at Kwoon, unsure what to make of the man.
"Mavor, Allyph, Denario...and uh, Ennui, if we are going to work together, we might do well to invest some of this gold on a wand to heal our injuries. Denario, when you go to the Academae, I will not be joining you," Baer blanches.
"I cannot return there...at all. My subsequent attempts to explain my innocence has lead to certain threats if I go back. I shall wait outside...but might you inquire about a wand of contract's blood. Or something that might heal us, we could split the costs.
He looks at Baer in a serious but understanding way.
"If you feel that way, okay.
Let me ask you, if we come across any evidence freeing you of blame in the future, would you still feel that way?
As for the healing wands, i'll get us some."
"Do any of you have an opinion on this Queen? Many in the streets are against her, but I am unsure who they are for other than themselves. I no not of the politics of this region. I would like to know more about my employer."
"Hmm. I find it a bit off to be honost, off as in hasty.
But nothing as unpredictable as emotions. Some people shut the grief within themselves and remain composed, cold some would say. This could go either way, but for now she seems to wish for stability."
Which we could use right now.
You arrive at the Acedemae's walls. Denario's notices nothing's changed since he last was here, safe for the faces of the guards.
One of the guards that escorts you shows the guards at the gate a sealed letter. "Denario Vasquez, acquisition agent of the Academae, has been granted access onto and leave from the Academae's grounds by Her Majesty the Queen. He is to deliver this letter to his employer, Toff Ornelos, head of the House Ornelos and Headmaster of the Academae."
The guard who checks the seal immediately recognizes it's the crown's, and opens the gate for Denario. "Please enter, sir," he says while the guard that holds the letter hands it to Denario.
Ornelos takes the letter you brought. He takes a quick look at the seal, breaks it, and reads the letter. "Hmm... yes... So you will be deployed for a just cause? Hmm... well we didn't hire you for nothing, but I can't go against this."
The wizard places the letter on his desk. "Your absence will be missed. We'll need to find a replacement for you, but remember you can always return. You have a knack for identifying items, and we'd be glad to take you back."
He then asks you if there's anything he can do for you, and suggests you go to your quarters to pick up your personal belongings. "Your quarters will stay yours, unless it's likely you'll never come back. If we expect such a thing, we'll contact you and give you a chance to pick up all your possessions. Keep the key for now, because I still have good hope you'll return when the peace in Korvosa has returned as well."
Not much else seems to happen, currently.
Baer waits outside the stupid halls of the stupid Academae that no stupid one would want to stupidly enter anyway. Her arms are crossed and her nostrils flare.
He sure is taking his sweet time in there.
"Mavor, would you believe I once walked these halls?"
Denario nods politely as the guard lets him enter.
He turns his head to the others.
"See you in a bit."
Once inside:
"Hello Headmaster Ornelos, good to see you. Yes, with the city in turmoil and the Academy on lockdown, my usual work can't be done. Her majesty wished to enlist me with the city guard. But don't worry, i'll come back to work here at some point."
He awaits the response of the headmaster, before asking something else.
"Headmaster, are there any healing wands in stock?"
Mavor leans against the outer wall of the Academae, arms crossed as he waits for Denario to come out, the whip held loosely in his right hand.
"I could believe that yea, you seem to have some skill in magical arts. Though I have no real knowledge about anything concerning those arts, my focus lies on the streets of Korvosa."
Mavor frowns and curls up a lip before putting a small twig in his mouth.
"I do have to say I feel a little uncomfortable about the idea of working for the city guard. It's totally out of my comfort zone, I like my freedom and none of the regulations of the guard and law."
"I'm just glad I finally found a job. I just want to make sure I've got the right employer. I hope they don't ask us to do something against the people of this city, I'd have to leave and find another job."
"I do have to say I feel a little uncomfortable about the idea of working for the city guard. It's totally out of my comfort zone, I like my freedom and none of the regulations of the guard and law."
Baer snorts in agreement.
"Me too...but I intend to avoid signing any contracts. I will see what the work holds before making any judgement. If they have me guarding gates, I shall move along in due time. But if it is something interesting, like fighting the Shoanti, then that is more interesting. Hopefully the unrest will end so we might find interesting work."
Baer looks around, wondering what is taking Denario.
"We do. Of course we do. Cure light wounds, or another type? Just name it. You'll have to pay the normal price for it."
"I worked in a store before Lamm killed my mother and uncle. I haven't had a job ever since that happened."
Allyph looks at the people that are observing the party from their houses.
Are we that interesting?
"Thanks. I'd like a wand of CLW, but i'll have to leave briefly, since it would require some money from my new aquaintences."
Back outside Baer would see a card with the joker passing in a weird course, before coming back like a paper plane in the card player's hand as he comes close.
Baer takes note of the card, awhirl. She says nothing of it, but notes it.
"Allyph, so you will be coming too? You seem dangeroulsy weak, uh, unsuited, for guard duty. Are you sure you wish employment like this?"
"Mavor, Allyph, Denario...and uh, Ennui, if we are going to work together, we might do well to invest some of this gold on a wand to heal our injuries. Denario, when you go to the Academae, I will not be joining you," Baer blanches.
"I cannot return there...at all. My subsequent attempts to explain my innocence has lead to certain threats if I go back. I shall wait outside...but might you inquire about a wand of contract's blood. Or something that might heal us, we could split the costs.
"What's wrong you need some more cash for that curative wand?"
Mavor says as he knows what the look on Denario's face means. He's out of gold. I know that look upon his face, I've seen it too often in the mirror.
"I've got only 90 gp left to chip in for such a wand, it's far more than I usually have on me, though something tells me a wand is far more expensive than these 90 gp can fix for us."
"I've got only 90 gp left to chip in for such a wand, it's far more than I usually have on me, though something tells me a wand is far more expensive than these 90 gp can fix for us."
Baer coughs, waiting for Mavor to pony up his bag of coins.
"Oh yeah that's right we've gotten reward money for the brooch, already forgot about seeing so many gold coins together."
Mavor hands over the bag of 250 gp to Denario.
"You better make sure you're not conned out of our money. I'd like to have a wand that works perfectly."
"Heh, no way. I get it from the Academy's stock, if the headmaster says they're ok, they're ok."
"Heh, no way. I get it from the Academy's stock, if the headmaster says they're ok, they're ok."
"Yeah, sure. Talk to the Headmaster, he's a *swell* guy, uh-huh," Baer grumps.
That guy is a tool, makes a flailsnail look like fun. He's a jerk.
Baer waits for Denario to return from talking to his bestest friend in the entire Golarion, the freakin' headmaster.
Coming back he holds up the wand.
"Well here's the wand. We should have some better chances."
Before Denario heads back Allyph will give give him 187gp and 5sp, a quarter of the money needed to buy the wand.
"Of course I'll also pay for the wand."
She grins and looks at Baer as she adds "It's in my best interest to stay alive, isn't it? I'm a bit... squishy... I'll admit."
You hand over the 750gp and the old wizard lets you take the wand of cure light wounds, knowing that you're able to easily spot it in between the other wands. "Good luck, Denario."
When Denario returns with the wand, holding it up for everyone to see, the party continues their journey to Citadel Volshyenek.
Citadel Volshyenek is located in Midland, overlooking Jeggare Harbor, where it serves as the base of operations for the Korvosan Guard. The Citadel currently operates on a skeleton crew, as almost all available guards are hard at work in the city, desperately trying to keep order. Two nervous guards stand at the entrance to the Yard, but as the queen promised, you are expected. They quickly wave the party through, and one guard escorts you into the central keep, where a harried and tired-looking woman rises from her desk to greet you—this is Field Marshal Cressida Kroft, an attractive, dark-haired human woman dressed in red armor. She introduces herself and asks for your names as she bids you to sit. Since Eodred II’s death, Cressida hasn’t slept, yet she bears her exhaustion well, in no small part due to regular visits from a priest of Abadar who casts lesser restoration on her to help in fighting back fatigue. She sighs deeply as she speaks to you.
"Ah yes—you are the ones sent by Queen Ileosa. Greetings—my name is Cressida, and heroes of your caliber are exactly what Korvosa needs now. You’ve been on the streets. You know better than me how bad things are out there. It’s breaking my heart to see Korvosa tear herself apart like this. Every little bit of aid we can get from upstanding citizens like you helps. If you’re willing, I’d very much like to retain your services as agents of the Guard. I don’t need to say, of course, that you’ll be well compensated for these services."
Allyph wobbles into Cressida's office, still not recovered from the drain on her dexterity.
"My name's Allyph Yssal. Nice to meet you, Field Marshal. I directly have a question, if you don't mind. We've been attacked by imps, and half of us are still a bit... weakened... Is there something that can be done about that? I fear it may interfere with our job here."
Baer nods, listening, to indicate initial agreement.
"What would you have us do?"
Edit:
"Yeah, my companions are too weak to fight off the poison on their own...but...uh...they will make good guards."
Baer considers.
"We all could use some rest. The recent battles have taken their toll this day."
Cressida takes a good look at all party members, and nods her head. "It's almost night, and you'll be escorted to the Citadel barracks soon. You can stay there tonight. Tomorrow a priest of Abadar will come, and I'll ask him to ease your discomfort."
"I'll put in a good word with Theandra Darklight, the owner of the Three Rings Tavern in Five Corners. Tomorrow, you should have a line of credit there that gives you a place to both sleep and eat while they’re in the service of the Guard. See it as your personal headquarters, except there will also be some other guests. You won't be serving us as actual guards, but you'll be agents of the Guard."
The Field Marshal initially wanted to wait for everyone to introduce themselves before telling what your mission will be. When Baer asks Cressida what she wants the party to do, Cressida figures she'll just tell them.
"Korvosa’s got enough troubles as it is without my own men losing their way and going rogue. As much as it pains me to admit, though, this has happened several times already. Many guards have deserted their posts, more concerned about friends and family than the city. I can understand this, yet not all of the deserters have family—some of them are simply using the riots as an excuse for personal gain. One such man is Verik Vancaskerkin."
"Worse than a lone deserter, he’s convinced a small group of fellow guards that Queen Ileosa is going to ruin the city. Whether she does or doesn’t isn’t the point—right now, we’ve got a city-wide crisis on our hands, and I need all of my guards working with me to see us through. A deserter is worse than a lost resource—it’s an infection. I can’t afford to pull any of my other patrols off duty to deal with Vancaskerkin, and I’d rather not expose any of them to him anyway, since I neither want Vancaskerkin to infect more guards with his talk of secession, nor do I want some overly patriotic guard killing Vancaskerkin outright. I need impartial, skilled talent. Like you. Hence agents of the Guard, instead of becoming actual guards."
"Vancaskerkin and his men have holed up in an abandoned butcher’s shop up in Northgate—the place was called All the World’s Meat. I need you to check out the place. Try to avoid killing any of the deserters if you can, but if you must, they brought it upon themselves when they threw in their lot with Vancaskerkin. For him, I’d really prefer it if you could capture him alive and return him to me for interrogation, but if he makes that impossible, I’ll accept his body as well. Finally, see if you can find out why Verik deserted—if there’s more to it than simple personal politics, I need to know immediately. Bring me Verik alive, and there’s another thousand gold in it for you. Dead, he’s only worth half that."
Denario remains composed, Allyph seemed to be doing a good job.
Well well, seems a certain half-orc is getting a bit mellow.
"Seems pretty clear to me, " Allyph replies to the Field Marshal.
"Unless anyone else has questions, I'd say it's time rest." Allyph looks at the others, awaiting their reactions.
Baer nods to Cressida, bending her head towards Mavor.
Baer turns back to Cressida.
"What does Verik look like? How will we know him?"
"Verik's a rather broad-shouldered Caucasian man in his early twenties. He has brown hair, and brown eyes. I do realize that's a rather generic description, but it's the best I can give," Cressida tells Baer.
Cressida thinks for a moment, then adds something else: "I do have some info on his fighting style. He prefers to keep his distance, and use his composite bow to shoot enemies. He'll probably use a spear if you engage him in melee, but will try to stay out of melee whenever possible."
Mavor nods to Baer and replies back in the Orcish tongue.
Mavor then looks to Cressida with a frown and an awkward glance.
"Agents of the Guard? I can live with that, providing information and such, cleaning up some messes the guards themselves can't touch? That seems right up my alley" Mavor grins, having put the small twig back in his mouth.
"Though I'd hope you're not spreading any rumours about us through the guards themselves. I'd like to keep a low profile where I live. Wouldn't be good to be known as the Guard's henchman."
Baer looks at Kwoon to see if the man is going to say anything.
When Kwoon is done, Baer thanks Cressida and readies to go to the Inn. She seems excited to have a bit of purpose in her life, however temporary.
"Cressida, I have a host of questions, as my last employment did not work out very well as my employer decided to change the terms at the last minute, forcing me to resign. So, it's nothing against you or the guard, but I want to be completely sure of several things before I agree to accept this job."
"My first question is, you say we get a line of credit for food and lodging, and yet you also say we are to be well compensated. So, is the compensation in excess of the food and lodging, or basically the same? Second, the reward for Vancaskerkin, is that to be shared equally among us or is that the payment per person? Third, what if, in addition to capturing Vancaskerkin, we come across additional things of value. Can we keep those items for ourselves or must they be turned in? Fourth, does healing from the Priest of Abadar come with the position or is that a separate one-time benefit? And fifth, more of a question for everyone else here with me, will we share in the loot equally? I'd be willing to share if we help each other. It's a question I wish we could have discussed prior to facing Lamm, but the situation wasn't available."
Denario kept his mouth shut, but his thoughts were much more rapid.
Are you kidding me?
This line of questioning is more like fill-in questionary in schools.
Is he asking if you get paid for a finishing blow?
What's with the "i'm willing to share"? You finish a task together, you share the spoils, even low level standard criminals devide loot.
Save for when they refuse their share..that's an entirely different matter.
Cressida hears Kwoon out. She's quiet for a moment when he's done asking questions. "Your compensation for your mission has nothing to do with your line of tab. You can keep the items you find, unless you find something that shouts 'Cressida must be notified.' I don't care what you do with the things you keep, but I suggest you divide them equally. Just like your compensation for the mission will be divided equally."
"Did I leave something out...? Ah, yes, the healing... I hope I don't have to call in a priest every time I see you, and I can't guarantee I'll be able to every time you need healing."
Allyph turns to addres Kwoon: "Kwoon? I want to suggest we just share whatever we find. Just like the others and I did with the things we found at Lamm's place. Everyone will end up with an equal share of the 'loot' and compensation."
"You didn't have money to pitch in for the wand earlier, did you? Which is why I want to suggest something else as well. If you promise to pay 37 gold and 5 silver to all four of us," Allyph points at Denario, Baer, Mavor and herself, "once the mission's over, then you can make use of the healing wand as well. You may even make use of it during the mission, because we'll know you'll pay your share later. Do you like this offer?"
Baer waits for Kwoon to have his say before moving on.
"You've got alot of questions there Kwoon, also to us, but like Allyph said if we work together we also share together."
Mavor blinks and winces a bit as he feels the pain and bruises of the Otyugh's squeeze.
"I'm all for a good night's rest, but I think I'm the first one to ask for healing from that wand if we don't get a cleric's attention."