Neva sighed. This is why she left Korvosa two decades ago: so many people in need and no way to help them all. The thought made her feel tired.
"Felgar's right. Let's focus on what we're doing now, and hope that it's for the best."
"A task more easily done knowing that others are properly attending to theirs. Nothing worse than self pitying fools."
You all manage to return to the Citadel in time to see Cressida finish chewing out the recently returned guardsman
"Yes, Ma'am." He makes his way to the barracks, giving you a thankful nod as he goes.
As she sees you she looks hopeful, "Do you have the information we need?" As you hand over the scandalous letters, , she blushes as she reads them and quickly passes them to a clerk for safe keeping. "They should work perfectly should the need for some leverage against the ambassador ever come up." She remarks. Motioning to another clerk, he steps forward with a heavy bag, she adds appreciatively "Here is a bonus for your fine work. I currently don't have anything more for you, so why don't you four take a week off? If anything comes up, I'll have a runner come find you." Noticing the additional halfling tagging along, she puts her hands on her hips and looks down at him, addressing the group. "Who is this you've brought with you? Is he with you guys, maybe seeking a position in the guard to stand firm against all enemies of Korvosa?"
I be in agreement that we should be given her less than the full letters, maybe in an attempt to bribe the woman, like Rutter be sayin', eh?
HP:
Pravlox ponders the lady's words. Work for the guard? I suppose I could do worse, and it'd at least be a way to get relatively guaranteed meals. Wonder how the guard would feel about Rex though. A lot of people seem to get creeped out by him and try to chase him away, which wouldn't do at all. "I am Pravlox, and I can speak for myself, thank you. I might be in a position to aid you on a more permanent basis, but there are certain considerations that have to be weighed first, as they relate directly to my ability to be of assistance."
"Sure. Im sure leverage over a person of that sort could prove useful in many situations . Unfortunately, the leverage is only likely to work once. So the trick will be to know when to use it."
Copper opens his mouth to answer the woman about Pravlox, but is cut short by the summoner. He closes his mouth, and a smile comes over it as he becomes more and more amused by his newest ally.
A) What books are you ok with us using for leveling up? Do you want it limited to Core + APG, or is Ultimate Magic work as well? Anything by Paizo?
B) Since we began this game, UM and lots of other stuff have come out, and I was wondering if it would be ok for me to alter my character a bit. I was hoping to change from being an arcane bloodline to either a combo bloodline (keeping arcane as one of the two) or maybe one of the new ones. Just let me know. If thats too much hassle, dont worry about it. ;)
During the coming week, Neva took to spending time at a makeshift desk in Zellara's old hovel. She was writing. Or painting. Or just contemplating.
At least that's what it looked like to those who saw her.
She was, in fact, attempting to get her mind around certain changes she'd been experiencing. The abject need of so many in Korvosa had previously been an oppressive weight on her mind and soul. But now, she felt different. She felt more capable, not less; more willing to help (or at least try to help).
As her companions came and went at various intervals, she looked on each with growing affection, sure that they were the source of her new found strength.
And she put those feelings, those thoughts, those musings into words and prayers that she hoped would prove useful in the future that only the Gray Lady knew.
a) lesser restoration; 2x3x12.5=75gp
b) augury; 75gp
c) comprehend languages at second level: 1x2x12.5 = 25gp
Total of 175gp spent.
Spellcraft checks are DC 8, 8 and 7 respectively, which I can't fail with my +7, so it's done. (Barring any adjudication by DM Aardvaark)
During the week, Felgar spent his time getting to know his new companions better and practicing with sparring sessions at the barracks with his War Axe.
After clearing Rex with the Guard and the Guard with Rex, Pravlox spends the week settling into his room in the barracks, not used to having an actual bed. Not having much to spend his money on at the current time, he decides to convert most of his pay into easily carried and hidden gems until such time that he had enough to buy something he could actually use without overburdening himself. Once that is secured, he trains with his new allies and Rex, starting to get used to the strange power that ran through his veins.
Copper spends several days alone in the back room of Zellara's house, meditating, mentally perfecting the spells he had thought of earlier in the week. Mostly, it is quiet coming from the other room, but occasionally, anyone listening can hear him mutter phrases in a strange tongue.
When he finally comes out after nearly 3 days of isolation, he appears a little thinner from not eating, his hair messy, clothes disheveled, unshaven. The stangest part though is that it appears as if he has gotten a tattoo while in the room. Wisps of runic fire stretch from the tips of his pinky, ring, and middle finger of his left hand, almost seeming to be coming out of the ring he wears on his pinky, and stretching up onto the back and palm of his hand.
He leaves without speaking, save to say he is going out to eat, clean up, and do a bit of shopping.
When he returns, he appears his happy, normal self. Sharp, clean clothes, clean shaven, and carrying a bag with several objects inside.
I'll also drop a few gold for the food and new clothing. Just let me know what everything will cost, please, and I'll deduct it from my sheet.
Rutter pulled out a couple letters from the stack that identify and implicate the noblewoman in the affair before they brought them to Kroft. During the week, he tries to track down the noblewoman and find out if she has anything to lose or anything to offer for a possible blackmail scheme.
Felgar's familiarity with the Citadel is instrumental in helping Pravlox and Rex get acquainted with the environment and some of the fellow guardsmen. Now and again during the week, the two of you see the drunk from the street, he always has a gracious nod for Pravlox, but hangs his head a little at Felgar's gaze. Cleaned up, you see that he is a Watch Sergeant, and goes by the name Grau Soldado.
Rutter's adventures in the streets, talking to the help and the hired hands of the noblese, nets him a good idea of what he has in the letters. In the alleys near the server's entrances he learns that the woman is not in Korvosa, she's the wife of a nobleman back in Cheliax. The ambassador must know her either from before he came to Korvosa, or from his trips back there for business.
Copper and Neva find that the old home of Zellara is a little bit of a tight squeeze for the two of them. Luckily, they each spent plenty of time in quiet separation, so running into each other was not a problem. There were little signs that maybe Zellara still had a presence in the small hovel. Things slightly off from where you were certain they had been placed, curtains rustling with no signs of wind, and the creak of boards when no one is moving.
As you each move through the city on your own personal errands there is still a lot of talk abound about the treachery of the queen, some still hissing about the "usurper" and "murdering harlot", most of the rumors seem to revolve around the idea that Kind Eodred II did not die of natural causes. Shortly thereafter, though, the tune changes. The word beginning to float around the city is that an assassin has been named, it is said that the killer was a young woman by the name of Trinia Sabor. The rumors tell of how she used her skills as a painter to get into the castle, and poisoned him after finishing the painting of him. The word is that one of the guards confessed to helping her. With a name on their lips, the city once again seems to devolve into riots, but this time it is not the queen's name they cry, rather the name of the true murderer.
As you are all squeezed into Zellara's shack, sharing a brief respite and catching up on each other's action over the week, a breathless Korvosan Guard appears in the doorway. He looks down the street as he catches his breath. Standing upright he reports, "Field Marshal Cressida needs to speak with you immediately. She will arrive in but a few minutes." The look on his face, as he takes in the place you chose to stay, is clearly disgust. You can see that he doesn't know how you expect to meet with a woman of the Field Marshal's position in a place the condition this one is in. Not inspection worthy. He calmy continues to catch his breath, as he takes up a position just outside the door. He snaps to attention and salutes as she arrives, announcing her entrance to the room. At her nod he shuts the door behind her, leaving just you and her to talk alone.
Cressida steps in, eyeing everything within immediately, her experience showing in how she evaluates her environment before continuing. "Hello all, you've doubtless heard the stories that the king's killer has been named. Yet there's something more going on here, I'm afraid. Queen Ileosa could have quietly had this Trinia Sabor arrested at any time, yet the way in which she revealed the information to the city seems to me like she wants the riots to come back. Certainly, with the mob and the Hellknights out on the street, the girl doesn't stand a chance at a trial; they'll lynch her the moment they find her. And even if she did kill the king, mob justice isn't the way. Worse, if she's innocent, the real killer can use this distraction to throw us off the trail forever."
She draws herself up, official like "Before Trinia is executed, we need to be absolutely sure she did this thing. And that means we need to catch her before the mob. We know where she lives, a flat in Midland at 42 Moon Street, but soon, so will the mob. The Hellknights don't seem to care as much about catching her as they do about containing the mob, something about the 'order of law' makes it a greater priority for them to contain than a possible assassin. I can't say I disagree completely, but the problem is, the Hellknights are only making it worse. The mob's covering most of Midland now, and Trinia's flat is near the middle of the mess. I've got all available guards at work keeping things from getting any worse, and if I were to send them into Midland, they'd trigger a riot."
She looks as if some weight has been lifted just by telling you what she needs, probably a sign of her confidence in you. "I'm sure you can see where this is going. I need you to get into Midland, find Trinia, and bring her back to me so we can deliver her, safe and sound, to somewhere where she can be interrogated; preferably with magic, so we can be absolutely sure about her role in Eodred's death. Get in there, catch her, and get out without letting the mob get its hands on her. I'll have agents and officers nearby. If you can get her to one of them, we'll be in the clear. Any questions?" She folds her hands behind her back, an eyebrow raised as she looks to each of you, waiting for anyone to speak up.
Neva stood up and gave a short nod assent to the Field Marshall. "I've seen a lynching before, and I'll not sit by while another one looms", she said calmly.
Turning to her companions, she added "A lynching will almost always desecrate the corpse, and thus is abhorrent to the Gray Lady. Thus, I will gladly help prevent this atrocity, especially in such an important case. But obviously, I cannot not speak for you."
And at this a wry smile appeared on her lips. "Nor, if I am to speak the truth, can I DO anything about this but for you. I am willing to give my help to the Field Marshall, but it shall be worth nothing without your help as well."
"Do you have any idea what security precautions our target may have taken? If she's able to get into the palace, I would assume that she is able to take some precautions of her own."
Felgar looks to Neva, and gives a quick nod to Pravlox before addressing the Cressida,
Me and me Axe be in, Neva! Field Marshall, I be agreein' with Pravlox. What if she doesna come peacefully, bein' a possible murderer an' all?
"She's human? Maybe we can bring some extra robes and cover her up, if she's willing to come quietly. But let's not forget, if the story's even half true - if she's a capable assassin, even if she didn't kill the king - we may have a fight on our hands. How bad would it be if we had to execute her before the mob got their hands on her? And is there any extra pay on this job, if she's dead or alive? Your assistant made it clear that we might want to fix this place up before your next visit... (though it's not really our place...)" He looked around the room as he added the last bit under his breath.
Cressida addresses the newest member, "She was able to enter through her commission to paint a portrait of the king. It was after she finished that it is said she poisoned him. She lives in the vicinity of the Shingles, and given the money she was paid for her work, at best she may not be starving. Sadly, we know nothing more of her than her name and now her address."
To Rutter she offers, "Know that there will be a purse of a thousand gold coins if she is turned over to a member of the Korvosan Guard safe and sound."
Rutter grimaced. They always want people alive. He shook his head.
Felgar shakes his head and addresses the companions,
We be havin' any tricks to make her go quiet like, other than a knock on the head?
Neva noted everyone's responses with growing satisfaction. Good questions from Pravlox, Rutter and Felgar. Pharasma has blessed me with competent companions.
Then she smiled. Poor Rutter, we make things so much more difficult for your!
Responding to Felgar, she said "Perhaps we can simply offer her our help in avoiding her own lynching. Certainly we can convince her that our protection will be more comfortable than a hastily tied noose."
Hmph..we shall see, Neva. If she is an assassin, that might not be workin'.
Copper nods his accepting of the job to Cressida before answering the dwarf, "If she doesn't cooperate, we'll just have to make due.", while twirling a short wand in his finger.
Cressida, ever the soldier, returns to a rigid upright from her relaxed stance before she begins to leave. "I encourage you to make haste. Time is a factor, and every minute you delay, is one minute closer the mob gets to her." She excuses herself from the small domicile, and leaves you to make any preparations you need before you move out.
Well folks, we best be movin'
Felgar takes his Axe from the loop and rests it on one shoulder as he rises and heads toowards the door, waiting on the others.
"Agreed."
When the group nears the section of town they are headed to, Copper recites a short incantation, while moving his hands in a pattern that should be growing familiar to Rutter. With the spell cast, he pulls the crossbow from his shoulder and checks to make sure the bolt is still locked in tightly before slinging it back over his shoulder.
Seeing Copper's action, Pravlox does the same, hoping that 3 hours would be enough, but ready to deal with it should it not be. With that done, he goes to the door with Felgar, not needing to prime a weapon, as his magic was always ready.
"I'm right with you, and may Pharasma guide us all."
"Yeah, let's go get our money." Rutter put his hat back on as they left the Guard's headquarters. He'd been rather proud of himself for thinking to take it off inside, all polite-like.
Hey Rutter, you wanna be checkin' this door for traps afore I let meself in?
Entering Midland is relatively easy, as long as you tend to avoid the main streets. Several times you need to take detours to avoid crowds of angry mobs or Order of the Nail patrols. When you arrive at the tenement in which she is said to live, you find the place in a densely built section of the city, a place where, at ground level, direct sunlight is a rarity. Above, jury-rigged catwalks, overhanging roofs, lines of laundry, and homemade bridges of rope and boards create a cluttered tangle, a multi-level mess of gutters, upper floors, and rooftops. This is the slum above, a place known as the Shingles.
This is where Trinia lives, and this is why the mob hasn't found her yet. Trinia's home is in an old tenement, three floors high and containing two dozen flats, many of which are home to artists, singers, students of the university, and other craftsmen. The directions you managed to get led you, with no problem, to her flat on the third floor in the southwest corner.
You stand facing a worn and rotted door within a crooked frame, the woman, most likely, just on the other side.
"Let's see if she knows what she's doing or if she's really just a painter..." Rutter whispers, as he begins checking the door for traps. If clear, he unlocks the door as quietly as he can.
Felgar readies his Axe, and he moves to a position to enter behind Rutter.
"Ready when you are."
Copper stands out of the way, a few feet off from the rest of the group, not wishing to clutter the doorway anymore than it already is.
He mentally prepares himself for gods-know-what that may lie on the other side of the door. Hopefully we can do this without a fight, he thinks to himself, though he doubts it.
If she's "just a painter", I'm a blushing bride Neva sniffed silently to herself.
But that doesn't mean she's guilty she added, trying to be fair to the unknown woman.
And being innocent won't mean she's harmless she continued.
With a sigh, she took out her crossbow and loaded it as quietly as she could. As the trigger locked in place with a soft click, she winced apologetically at Rutter.
Rutter examines the door, which is mostly crude planking on hinges, shaped to fit the frame. The thing doesn't even posess a lock. A light push, does not quite do enough to open it cautiously, however. Giving it a decent shove, nets little more result. It doean't appear to be stuck, but it will probably take a little more force to get it to move.
You be wantin' me to knock er' down?
"May as well, Felgar. If we can't be sneaky, we may as well be direct."
Felgar will attempt to break in the door with a two-handed chop with his Dwarven War Axe.
Step aside! ARGHHH!
War Axe Power ATT:
War Axe Power DAM:
Felgar whips his axe around and hacks into the crude door before them. The door itself takes heavy damage from the swing, but through the cracks left, you can see the barricade of furniture on the other side blocking entry.
Felgar throws his shoulder into the door in an attempt to push it and the furniture out of the way to gain entrance.
STR Check:
C'mon boys, little help here!
"Well, isnt that interesting." Copper mutters regarding the stacked furniture. Seeing the dwarf line himself up for a run at the door, Copper pulls a wand from his left sleeve and levels it at the dwarf, "This is as good a time as any to try this out. Loslaten!"
Copper takes a few steps back and directs the others to do the same as the dwarf nearly doubles in size.