Gaius laughs and throws his hands up at Tolenn's light chastising.
Alright, back to the Field Marshal, then. What do I need money for?
He tosses the satchel to the paladin, and gestures back towards the city.
Lead the way.
"Aye Gov." Daud thought's seems to be elsewhere as he turns and begins heading back to the Guard's base, his skin even more red than Pyron's as he goes.
The party makes it to the Citadel with no issues, the satchel of damning letters in hand and the party for the most part unharmed. The towering structure is largely empty when the group arrives, a single guard the only block between them and the front door. Recognizing the group, he stands aside and nods his head to the doors, indicating they should enter.
As the group enters, they see a fetchling and what can only be an eidolon sitting near the entrance. The hallway to Croft's office lies directly across from the entryway.
Pyron is content to get this job completed.
Daud arches an eyebrow at the two waiting when they arrive. I think I saw some of those guys when in Nisroch... Sybbi wouldn't have send him... Or would she? Not wanting to make eye contact the blood-soaked man saunters onwards towards Croft's office.
Tolenn smiles at Daud's thanks, then releases the man "If your wounds pain you later..." she offers, then deftly catches the satchel Gauis tosses to her.
Pausing to reverse her tabard and uncover the sigils of Saranae that were covered, Tolenn leads the others back to the Citadel.
She notes the two strange companions, but otherwise does not acknowedge them as they approach Croft's office.
At the Paladin's words Daud turns back with a faint smile on his face. "Thank you, milady. I'll come to you immediately."
Croft looks up from her piles of paperwork with exasperation, only to smile at seeing you, and more importantly, the satchel. She reaches forward, "May I?" Without really waiting for a response, she takes the satchel from Tolenn and starts taking out letters, scanning through them. Her pale skin flushes a deep red after reading each of them. She rings a bell on her desk, and a young male clerk enters.
"Take these to the vault for safekeeping."
As the young man hurries away, Croft regains her seat, looking rather pleased, if still a little embarrassed. "That will do very nicely, if the need for them should ever arise. The City is again in your debt." She reaches inside her desk, withdrawing a pouch heavy with coin. "Hopefully this will cover some of that debt."
She hands the pouch to Tolenn (500 gp). "It seems a young fetchling is here seeking you. He claims you saved his daughter from a man named Lamm. I believe he is seeking to assist you or at least thank you. He should have been in the reception area."
She looks down to her ledgers, then briefly back to your group. "I don't think I have anything pressing at the moment, but will you be at the residence at Lancet Street, should the need arise?"
Fetchling? Definetly from Nidal.
Unable to help himself Daud sidles up besides her desk and leans in an attempt to look at letter's contents.
After she has finished he'll ask, "Don't suppose you have washrooms in this facility?"
Pyron bows to Lady Croft, watches the money go to Tolenn, content that Tolenn will give him his due. Then he turns to go where the Fetchling was sitting and enters into the waiting area. We have just been informed that we saved your daughter when we rescued her from Lamm. It is very nice to see that we were able to help reunite the two of you. My name is Pyron Firehide. It is a pleasure to meet you. Pyron will extend a hand to welcome the man. Have you been able to take her home with you from the temple yet?
”The pleasure is all mine, Pyrion Firehide,” Zart responds, standing. He looks up admiringly with his pale milky pupil-less eyes, a lock of inky black hair spilling out from beneath his cowl. The strange man waits for the others to arrive in the large hall before continuing, ”My name is Zart and this is my eidolon companion, Raamanti. You have all done me a great service. My daughter, Donna, was a captive of Gaedren Lamm’s. I have been investigating her disappearance ever since she went missing. Just this morning, I discovered the truth of what happened.
”I cannot begin to thank you enough for what you have done for me and my child,” says Zart in a voice that is somehow simultaneously filled with sorrow, elation and gratitude, ”We were reunited earlier this evening and I have seen her safely back home where she stays now with our housekeeper, Carla.
“For my part, this debt I owe you can never be repaid. However, I hear that you have been helping to keep peace and order in this troubled city of ours. This too is an aim of mine. I am a man of moderate talents but, if you will have me, I will lend you what aid I can in this struggle against the chaos that threatens to envelop Korvosa.”
Zart - finished at last - offers each of the companions a warm, heartfelt handshake.
Raamanti nods when his name is mentioned and waits for Zart to finish the speech he’d been practicing with him all night. He moves about the room a little restlessly, and perhaps makes the assembled heroes feel somewhat uncomfortable. His features are completely hidden by the cloak he wears - a cloak that exactly matches Zart’s. His pitch black hands, while large and manly, suck away the light so completely that they mostly appear to be operating in only two dimensions. No shadow on the floor or walls accompanies either Raamanti or Zart.
While Zart shakes hands with these newcomers, Raaamanti decides to have his own say. Like the deep, bass rumble of a baritone opera signer doing lower-register vocal excercises in his room at the other end of a very long hallway, the eidolon speaks, ”DONNA WAS DEAR TO ME ALSO. I TOO THANK YOU ALL AND WILL SERVE MY MASTER AS HE JOINS HIS STRENGTH TO YOUR PLIGHT - IF YOU WILL HAVE HIM - TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES,” at that, Raamanti unstraps an enormous spiked hammer from his back, and lays the head down upon the floor. He kneels beside it, gripping the handle, ”MY HAMMER IS YOURS.”
I can be dramatic too, master, thinks Raamanti, satisfied with his own, unrehearsed speech, Though people do seem to respond better to you for some reason. I am so glad you have not given me a telepathy evolution.
You do know that I can talk to you mentally any time I like, right?
Daud arches an eyebrow at the two men's noble declarations. "Okay...," before turning to Pyron. "Do you have Zellara's deck with you?"
Ah! So, why haven't you before? Never mind this is too disturbing. Wait... did you hear what I thought before?
Pyron shakes hands with Zart and nods at Raamanti. He turns to Daud and remembers about the deck. Oh yes, he hasn't met her yet, and he should get a card after all. Let's wait on that until we get back to our safehouse. Also, we need to make sure every member of our group here is okay with them joining us, but I think it would be prudent we tell him our side o if the story of why we took care of Lamm, how we did it, and why we are helping the city.
There is one more thing I think needs to be done first: verification. Before we bring him to our safe house, we need to make sure he is who he says he is. I want to do two verification checks. First, I want to see that his daughter is home safe and sound and that she says he is her father. Then, I want to go to the temple to verify that they released her to him. This verification protects us and those who we may help in the future. Does everyone agree?
Aaaannnd this the part where papa and uncle shadow beat the shit out of Courtesan. Turning to Pyron with an incredulous look on his face, "No? Why in the Hells would we do any of that?"
We saved your daughter, but in so doing denied you your vengeance against the man who wronged her. It is fitting that we grant your request. Tell your shadow-thing not to kneel--we are no kings and queens, but servants of Her Majesty ourselves.
That seems unnecessary. What could this man and his pet hope to gain by lying to us? Tolenn may use her holy sight if she wishes, but I see no reason to distrust them. Both master and servant keep safe the laws of the land and bear no evil taint.
Though that can be misleading, he thinks to himself.
Zart opens his arms wide, palms up, "It would mean a lot to me if you could come and say hello to my daughter. I'm sure she would love to thank you personally, and it would be my pleasure to show you my humble home. I'm not one for cooking, but Carla is an exceptional chef. Would you consent to coming with me to share a late repast before retiring to your safehouse? We should also stop by the temple on the way home. I neglected to leave a suitable donation for looking after Donna.
"I am curious to see what you mean by taking a card, and to see who else it is that I have to meet. Your side of the story would be a most engaging tale, I am sure. If you have the inclination, perhaps you could tell it on the way to my house. It's about a twenty minute walk from here."
Nice work diffusing that situation, master, Raamanti tells Zart mentally, trying out this new form of communication, You are most skilled with that tongue of yours. Let us hope it doesn't get you in trouble... again.
After hearing the responses from the others in his team, he smiles at Zart appreciatively, I would be honored to share a dinner with you and see your daughter again. I would like to see how happy she is now that she is at home. I would also love to recount how we rescued your daughter. Perhaps you could show us the way? Pyron takes one more look at the others with an encouraging smile.
"Sounds like a nice evening," he says without any sarcasm, "But I'm gonna head back to Zellara's place and clean up, don't think a kid would appreciate seeing a strange bloodsoaked man." With that and a wave he makes for Lancet St.
Zart takes the remainder of the group through the darkened night-time streets of Korvosa. It is only a little while before the companions realize that Zart is, perhaps unconsciously, avoiding the more brightly lit main footpaths and adhering instead to the darkened side streets and alleyways.
The grateful fetchling listens intently to the heroes’ story as they travel through the Castle District, before moving alongside the mecantile Midland District and past the southernmost main road, the Last Way, to the very border of Midland and the Gray. Though not actually inside Korvosa’s graveyard district, the Gray, Zart’s humble home is nestled so close to the wall that it may as well be. Two large, neighboring buildings, combined with the looming wall of the Gray and a south-facing aspect would mean that Zart’s house would almost never see direct sunlight. The shuttered windows look like they haven’t been used for many years, and creeping ivy is using more than one of them for purchase. Other than that, though, the house is reasonably well-maintained. Its walls even sports a coat of fresh (grey) paint.
”My home,” says Zart in that joyless tone of his. Oddly though, he is smiling while he speaks, ”Welcome, my new friends. Do come inside and share of my food.”
On their travel through the city, Raamanti travels ahead - though never more than thirty yards or so - and scouts the way. Without a word from Zart, Raamanti checks alleyways before they get to them, and more than once gestures that they should take a different direction. No matter the lighting conditions, the eidolon seems to spot the slightest sign of danger and steers the group down a safer path.
Tolenn is genuinely pleased to meet the parent of one of the Lambs that they freed from Lamm's clutches.
She takes his hand gladly, then raises an eyebrow at Pyron's verification suggestions "Pardon our friend, he's most....efficient." she says with a smile.
At Zart's suggestion of breaking bread and visiting the Temple, she nods at Pyron acceptance and smiles herself "Let's away and make each other's acquaintance."
As they walk through the town, Tolenn freely discusses her history with Lamm < see background :) > and asks "Pardon my curiosity, but what nature of creature is your companion, Zart. I must confess he's beyond my ken."
Zart listens intently to Tolenn's life story. When she has finished, Zart nods solemnly, "Thank you for sharing that with me. It is admirable that you have chosen to take such adversity and turn your life into something so positive. Your bravery and determination in returning to Korvosa after an experience like that speak volumes for your strength of character."
When Tolenn asks Zart about Raamanti, Zart gives his companion a tilt of his head, indicating that he should speak.
"MY MASTER IS A SUMMONER - LIKE A SORCERER, BUT WITH A SPECIAL TIE TO THE PLANAR WORLD AND AN AFFINITY FOR CONJURATION SPELLS," Raamanti's voice is a gentle bellow as he explains, "I AM A PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION OF MY MASTER'S TIE TO THE PLANES, SPECIFICALLY THE PLANE OF SHADOW. I AM KNOWN BY MOST PRACTITIONERS OF MAGIC AS AN 'EIDOLON'. I AM A PLANAR COMPANION THAT MY MASTER CAN SUMMON AND BEND TO HIS WILL. HE CAN EVEN CONTROL MY FORM, SHOULD HE SO WISH. WE HAVE A MORE CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP THAN MOST - DUE IN NO SMALL PART TO MY MASTER'S TENDENCY TOWARDS SOLITUDE."
Having nothing more to say on the topic, Raamanti continues to look out for any signs of trouble along the way.
Pyron will tell him the tale of how they were summoned through the use of Harrow cards, which he will summon her when they get back to their safehouse. Then he continues to explain the rest of the story. He will even mention finding the queen's jewelry and using that money to help pay the temple to look after the children. He finished saying that the queen asked then too continue helping by working under Croft.
As for my past, I have just told a bit of my story to the group and another yesterday, and I don't want to bore then yet again, so I can tell you later in the evening after everyone has settled down. I may take a walk later this evening like I try to do, and usually by the river when I can where my familiar came to help me. He pulls out Bones. His name is Bones.
"Oh!" says Zart admiringly, "That scorpion is adorable as all f#@!!"
Carla is indeed a fantastic chef, as Zart had promised. The meal is simple, but full of flavor. The crusty bread was baked fresh earlier that evening. Donna is so in awe of the heroes that she barely manages to stammer a "Th-th-thank y-you! Th-th-thank you s-s-so much!" before shyly returning to her Garund-spiced aurochs stew.
Eventually, Zart lovingly tucks his daughter into bed, "I'm sorry I cannot be with you for longer, my dear, but there are debts that must be paid. Carla will take you to school on the morrow."
When he returns downstairs, Zart still has a smile on his face, "If your hunger has been sated, perhaps we can go to your safehouse and I can participate in a harrowing? I'm certainly intrigued to see what my future holds."
Gypsies usually say that someone's future is full of shadows and darkness. For once, when she tells you this, she'll be right.
You're welcome Donna. It was our pleasure.
Than you Donna for the wonderful meal.
I am sure she will be pleased to perform a harrowing for you.
While making himself presentable at Zellara's Daud will mention aloud to her/the house that there will probably be more people on their way later, and who might be wanting a harrowing.
Gaius enjoys the meal, occasionally casting a sideways glance at the shadow creature. At the mention of the harrowing, he stands, ready to depart.
Wednesday gets himself presentable, warning the house of the requests to come before he departs for his date with Valeria. Meanwhile, the others travel to Zellara's house, full of good cheer and good food.
Intrigued by many things, Zart first asks about the house, "So, this is Zellara's house. Pray tell, who is this Zellara? Actually, where is she? And why are you living in her house. I apologize if I missed it earlier, but I'm not entirely sure how all of you ended up in this safe house to begin with. It is very nice, though. Thank you for having me here."
"WILL WE BE EXPECTED TO STAY HERE WITH YOU WHILE WE ARE WORKING WITH YOU?" asks Raamanti, lacking his mater's manners, "IT ALL SEEMS A BIT... BRIGHTLY LIT."
The eidolon paces restlessly in the light.
As delighted Tolenn was to meet Zart, she's beside herself to meet, again, Donna, who flings herself into Tolenn's arms. Sitting in the Paladin's lap, the two of them chattering away in Lamb-speak, the little girl curiously touching the scars on Tolenn's face, one could almost see the little girl Tolenn once was shining forth from her smiling face.
A solemn goodbye and thanks for the meal to the little girl and Tolenn is ready to depart.
"'Twas Zellara that brought us all together to face Lamm. Though dead she was able to, through her Harrow cards, bring us here to her house and reveal Lamm's location. Now, it seems fitting, to stay here. I don't think she'd mind." Tolenn says with a smile.