While you speak, I will take care of those wounded. As another gesture of good will, I put down my weapons, so you know I am no threat to anyone.Blood has been shed , but if I can avoid any unnecessary death I have to do it.
Bran put down his warhammer and dagger, and starts to check on their foe's wounds
"I'm not going to put down my weapon. The second I do, that hunk of muscle with the sword will be on me, and I'm not going to let that happen without a fight." Gesturing at Kazaradin, the young man nods to Laijiri. He's handsome, with a shock of brown hair that manages to be unkempt despite its short cut, but the nervous look in his eyes and the tightness in his shoulders makes him seem older than his twenty-odd years. "Look, let me show you what we're going to be doing here, and maybe I can convince you to go away and let us do what we need to. Kroft's orders won't help people during this anarchy, but Vimanda says this will!" He tries to squeeze past Litsy and Laijiri into the killing floor. "Thank you for making sure my men don't die. We're not trying to hurt anyone, we're just trying to get food delivered where it's needed. Here's where the...work happens, as I suppose you can see." He gestures around the room, where slabs of meat hang from hooks and an occasional fly buzzes lazily around. "Look around, take your time, but get those weapons sheathed."
Bran's efforts stop the bleeding on three of Verik's men. Baldrago is only unconscious, not bleeding.
Perception:
Gio nods at Laijiri as he applies bandages. "She's quite right, you know. We came to investigate, and came under attack from your men. If we'd wanted people dead, well, we wouldn't be doing this right now." He takes another look around the dimly lit room, trying to keep his nose from wrinkling as the smell of fresh blood mingled with that of old.
Verik narrows his eyes, moving to a barrel of salt and sitting on it, his spear propped up against his thigh. He shakes his head is disgust. "I was at the Volshynek when the news came in, and none of her orders had anything to do with keeping food flowing in the event of riots. She told my men and me to get out to the docks and make sure none of those big trading ships burned or got looted. Who cares about them? The people are going to starve. Vimanda was right, the Guard doesn't care." His voice lowers in volume and pitch, and he begins to mutter under his breath.
Though they take a look around, Laijiri and Kazaradin only see the slabs of meat, the four Guards lying in their own blood and that of various animals, and a few barrels of salt crammed against the walls.
We were send here to investigate, by your ex chief, and your partners here attacked us. Now their lives are safe.That was the least I could do. You seem to be a reasonable man. Would Kroft be the kind of boss that would send people to investigate a simple butchering place, just because some of her ex guards are making some money with it? I don't know her much, so I will let you answer this question: is she the kind of person to act out of spite and for her personal interest or is she motivated by the greater good and what she think is right? When you still were a guard, if Kroft send you to investigate a place, there was usually something wrong about the place that justified an investigation, am I right?
Gio peers down the grating, having tuned out the rest of the conversation. "Hoy. Something, or someone, is moving down in this cesspool. Could someone bring a light? My eyes are good, but I need something to work with."
"So, Vimanda isn't a member of the Guard. How did she contacted you then?"
The rogue was being careful. One question too intrusive, and he could become uncooperative...
Let's do it step by step.
Fortunately, she was quite used to gather informations...
When Giorgio asked for some light, she searched what she could use.
"Here."
Kazadarin moves around the room to maintain a strait shot to the ex guard.
With Giorgio's warning, anyone who wants to is able to examine the grate (and the spoiler tab above). Litsy's examination shows a large number of bones floating in the cesspit, each mostly picked clean. She's also able to see what look like a pair of eel's tails making their way through the murky, fetid water, and every so often, an 8-inch long claw breaks the surface for a moment, sometimes dragging a piece of rotten meat below the water.
Verik continues his rambling, responding to Litsy's question, as well as that of Bran. "Vimanda...Vimanda is the love of my life. She's so beautiful, so exotic...and she's smart and she seems to care about the people. She's the one who told me this'd be a good idea." He reaches for his belt and absent-mindedly plays with a beautifully-crafted, gold-inlaid dagger. "I dunno. Kroft was a decent boss, but she was wrong about her investigations as much as she was right. If you can prove there's something wrong with this place, I'll concede that point, but you won't find anything."
Still stuck near the door, Malder looks into the room. "Hey! Stay away from that! There's no need to open it and...let the reefclaws out. Yeah. They need to stay in there, and the grate's what keeps 'em in."
Gio furrows his brow at the two guards. Neither seems to be acting normally...
Ugh...
Litsy took several steps back, her face filled with disgust.
"Don't worry. I have no desire of opening this thing!"
The mere sight of the claw was making her shiver.
"I don't know much about butchery... But surely, keeping some dangerous, carnivorous aquatic beasts inside the shop is pretty uncommon. Verik, you can't pretend that you didn't see them!"
Malder, however, is trying to hide something. Just what that something is, though...
Malder speaks up, shouting toward Litsy. "Look, it's not that odd to have a pair of reefclaws in a shop like this. Bastards'll eat anything, I swear. Refuse, fat, guts, you name it."
You would have no objection to show me around the shop, I suppose, to prove you are nothing but honest butchers and all this is just another of Marshall's Kroft mistake, and that we owe you some apologies?
Bran looks into the reefclaw's pond, and checks on the apparent meat to see if there's something odd
That Malder guy seems quite nervous about the pit...
Verik looks at Laijiri. "Well, the creatures were there when we arrived, and I don't see any other reason they'd be in that little pool. We couldn't find a direct way to the bay from here, so they're definitely trapped. They've done a good job breaking down any waste, though." He turns and stares at Bran, flipping his dagger from one hand to the other. "Now look here, man, I'm letting you take your bloody time looking through my operation, after you assaulted my men. If you want to see another room, I'll gladly show you. I have nothing to hide."
Is there something I could use to catch some bones in the pond? A fishnet or something like that? Because I've just might have seen some bones that shouldn't be in an honest butcher shop.
Bran tone is colder than before, and he tries to point the bones to Verik.
Litsy was looking at the beautiful dagger with considerable interest, but when she heard that Bran had discovered human bones, she became more serious.
"Let's take a look around," she suggested. "Maybe there's something upstairs."
"Well, I assure you, we've only been in operation here for a day, just long enough to get a shipment of meat and start selling. Vim was really on top of things, I have to say. As soon as she heard about the king's death, she was at my door, telling me what to do and how to...how to do..." Following Bran's gesture with his eyes, Verik looks down into the cesspool. Squinting, he takes a closer look and trails off, losing his train of thought. "N-now, that can't be what it looks like. There has to be some sort of explanation. Malder! You said this place wasn't being used for anything. That it hadn't been used in months!" His face turns to one of horror, and he looks at his men accusingly. "How long had you been doing this before you recommended we use this butcher's shop?!"
Malder looks toward the door and resumes struggling against the sticky tanglefoot goop. "Aw, hells." Realizing that it's futile in his injured state, he instead spits toward Laijiri and reaches for his sword again. "This mothy witch-b&$$$, ruinin' everything with her friends!"
Gio narrows his eyes at the mention of human remains, watching Verik and Malder's reactions closely.
Bran stares hard at Malder
Mind your words. We ruined nothing. You chosed a path of crime and wickedness, and bought ruin upon yourself.
Then he turns to Verik
We'll need to get these human remains out of this pit, as a proof. I must say I didn't expected this when we entered this place. Are you ready to cooperate with us, Verik, or at last to not cause more troubles?
Kazadrain readies himself for more blood shed.
The half-elf stands, from where he's been crouched by the unconscious guards. "Verik, your men have definitely been hiding something from you. You've acted in what you believed to be the best interests of the city and its people; it's likely that, if you return with us with your men having been captured for their heinous actions, it's possible they can be convinced to continue to allow you to help save this city. We all want the same thing - the only difference is in how we go about accomplishing it."
Litsy looked at Malder.
"You better tell the truth now. Who were the poor guys you've killed in that pit?"
Kazadarin frowns and moves forward to stand near Litsy as she questions Malder.
"I ain't saying nothing!" Malder, out of swords swing from anyone and hurt, glowers at Litsy and Kaz.
"L-look, now, Vim gave me the idea, but my men told me about this place. I...I can't explain the bones at all, not now, but I give up. This idea, trying to help the people, it hasn't worked out at all." Verik sits on a chopping block, pulling his bow from his back and the dagger from his belt, and sets them to the side. "J-just try to get me into a cell before Kroft sees me. Hopefully that'll slow her wrath a bit."
I'll need to find more evidence of criminal and heinous activity here. I just hope they won't be too gruesome.
Litsy shrugged, apparently not impressed by Malder.
"Your problem. This place might talk for you. It's your problem only: the longer we stay here, we longer you'll wait until being healed. I bet the Guard will make you talk anyway," she added.
Her tone is sharp and emotionless, but not convincing enough...
Bran finds the following items:
Nothing in the shopfront.
Nothing in the meat-locker.
Fragments and chunks of bones, which on closer inspection seem to be humanoid in nature, in the cesspit in the killing floor.
A handful of pigs, including two huge males, in a couple of pens.
Some skittish cattle in a larger pen.
Nothing of note upstairs except a deck of cards in what looks like a break-room and a chest with a few changes of clothes in a bedroom.
Litsy looked for something to tie the unconscious men's hands, and searched them.
Maybe they have got something useful...
Litsy secures the downed men, as well as Malder. Verik doesn't put forth any resistance when his hands are tied, instead bursting into tears. His sobs last a couple of minutes, after which time he gets himself under control, but tears continue to run down his face. The guards' weapons are of simple, but solid make, and include a light crossbow and bolts, a longsword, and chain mail for each of them, as well as heavy shields. Verik's equipment includes masterwork chainmail, a masterwork spear, and masterwork +2 longbow, as well as his dagger and 20 +1 arrows.
The search of the building doesn't reveal anything suggesting that the ex-guards owned it, and in fact, the newest ledger dates suggest the butcher's shop's been abandoned for several months.
Let's go back to Marshall Kroft. She will know what to do with these folks.
Seeing Verik crying made Litsy's eyes all teary too.
Poor guy... He just did what he thought was right. And I fear that we may commit a mistake...
The return to the Citadel goes as smoothly as it can, with Verik crying on Litsy's shoulder as he walks and Malder, Baldrago, and the others tied securely. The postern gate is secured, with a pair of guards outside and two more watching from slits above, crossbows ready, but they open it quickly as the party approaches, taking the ex-guards. One of them nods in appreciation as they drag the prisoners off to a small door at the bottom of some stairs in the courtyard.
Kroft is waiting in her office, and it's clear she still hasn't slept. She looks over the table with bloodshot, tired eyes. "Thank you for your efforts. I trust there wasn't too much trouble with them? I believe I said a thousand gold coins if he's alive, which, from my window, he seemed to be." She sighs, shakes her head, and looks back at a pile of missives and notes on her desk. "I need to get some sleep. I'll try to come up with another job my men can't do, but in the mean-time, why don't you find some beds as well? Just...let me know where you're staying so I can get a message to you when you're needed again."
Giorgio borrowed pen and ink, and made his notes about the case, including Verik's possible magical influence and apparent lack of knowledge regarding his subordinates' cannibalistic activities. Giving it an appropriate label, he slides it into the stack of Kroft's paperwork with an apologetic expression. "What's written can't be forgotten. Best to get it down while it's still fresh in the head," he explained. "If you've a corner here I could catch kip in for a few hours, that'd be mighty kind."
Kroft shakes her head sadly at Laijiri's words, and again as she skims Giorgio's notes. "Verik was a steady soldier, but an idealist. If we find any sort of magical influence on him, it'll be easier for all of us. As for the others, we'll keep them separated until we get to the bottom of what was going on.
I can offer you bunks in the barracks, but I don't promise it'll be quiet. We'll have Guardsmen coming in and out at all hours. The Three Rings might be quieter, but it's back up by the butcher's shop." Kroft sighs and stands. "I hate to say it, but I have to get a few hours of shut-eye myself. I'll find you when there's more work that needs doing."
A few days pass in Korvosa, as the freezing Pharast rain pours on the streets. Despite the best efforts of the Guard and the Sable Company, and the brutal authority of the Hellknights, the city continues to tear itself apart. A fire rips through Old Korvosa's Bridgefront neighborhood, destroying hovels and cramped shacks before the rains and bucket brigades put it out, and a number of nobles suffer bruises, broken bones, or worse.
Just as things seem to be calming down, you're each approached by a young boy in a page's outfit, with the badge of the Korvosan Guard on his shoulder. He reaches into the bag he carries, fishes through the missives and notes, and hands you a letter.
I appreciate your effort to resolve the situation with Verik and his men. Another task has come up, and I would like to meet with you as soon as possible. I will be in my offices at the Citadel.
Field Marshal Kroft.
Arriving at Citadel Volshynek, the party is escorted to a waiting area until the last of you has arrived. The Cressida Kroft sitting behind the desk is a much different woman than the one just a few days earlier. Though signs of stress and lack of sleep are obvious, she seems more relaxed and more in control. As the party walks into the room, a man stands, nodding to Giorgio, Kazaradin, and Bran, offering his chair to Laijiri, and kneeling in front of Litsy to kiss her hand. "Vencarlo Orisini. Charmed. Truly, I mean it. Miss Kroft has told me much about your help with the deserters, and of your willingness to do more for the city. If we only had more like you, Korvosa would be out of this mess already." His silver-gray hair is held back in a loose tail by a bit of leather, his clothing is simple but elegant, and he carries a beautiful rapier on his hip.
Vencarlo looks like he intends to say more, but before he can, Kroft clears her throat. “As much as I would enjoy continuing the conversation, I fear we just don’t have time. Vencarlo has often come to me with news of important changes on the streets, and this is no different—indeed, what he’s learned could degrade into sanctions, embargos, or even war against Cheliax if we don’t act now. This problem is a man named Darvayne Gios Amprei. You might have heard of him—he’s an ambassador from Cheliax whose disdain for Korvosa is well documented, and yet he’s taken great pleasure in what our city has to offer. Even before this recent unrest, this man was ready to recommend to his government a sanction on trade, or perhaps even an embargo. Vencarlo has learned through his own considerable sources that Ambassador Amprei’s actual goals are to undermine Korvosa’s economy to the point where he can buy up large portions of the city from desperate landholders and establish himself in a position of power here. Whatever the ambassador’s reasons, we can’t let his bias or personal plans hurt Korvosa. Yet neither can we take drastic action—not only would killing him be wrong, but it’d simply martyr him in Cheliax’s eyes.
“Fortunately, Darvayne has his foibles. Again, Vencarlo has learned that Ambassador Amprei has been making fairly regular visits to a place in Old Korvosa called Eel’s End. This den of vice is run by a dangerous man named Devargo Barvasi, better known in Korvosa’s alleys as the King of Spiders. I’d love to put Barvasi out of business, but he pays his vice taxes regularly and never causes any problems—in fact, since he keeps his business constrained entirely within the five ships moored at Eel’s End, he’s actually one of the least of my worries. Truth be told, I can’t decide whether Devargo is a stirge or a kraken. He seems like a bloodsucking pest most days, but sometimes I fear just how far his tentacles have wormed their way into our great city. In this case though, his insidious web stretching across Korvosa’s underworld might prove to our advantage. “Devargo would never let someone he recognizes as an ally of the Guard into Eel’s End, but your group’s a different case. I’d like you to pay a visit to Eel’s End and secure an audience with Devargo. Find out what he knows about Amprei, get proof of any illicit goings-on the ambassador might be involved with, and bring that proof to me to use to undermine any forthcoming attempts by him to get Cheliax to cut us off. Devargo might not be willing to part with his information easily. I’ll supply you with some gold to bribe him, and whatever’s left over you can keep for yourself. Remember: the man is dangerous, but so are you—if things get violent, I wouldn’t mourn his passing.” She hands a small pouch to Giorgio. [b]"That contains 1000 coins, enough to bribe Devargo...I hope. Now, if you have no more questions, I have deployment notices to write up.
The blonde half-elf hefts the coin bag in his hands, a pensive look on his face as he sifts through his memory for what he knows of the King of Spiders or Eel's End.
Kazadarin listens intently to the field marshal as he thinks about the situation and what he may know of the players.
Knowledge Local:
Goldenhawk, an inn
Twin Tigers, a gambling hall
House of Clouds, a bothel
The Dragon's Breath, a floating drug den
While the businesses are certainly morally dubious, Devargo pays a vice tax and is scrupulous about not allowing illegal activities.
Litsy, who had little knowledge about things like politeness, good manners or courtesy, was starting to grew tired of random guys who always tried to kiss her hand for whatever reason.
Seriously... What do they all have with hands?
She focused gradually though, as she was listening to Kroft's explanation: getting down to business had always be her favorite part.
"What would we have in exchange?"
She tried to recall what she might know about Barvasi. Maybe Fang had mentionned him?
We will do our best, Marshall.
The big "dwarf" seems uneasy.
Surely we can't let thieves run this city...
I have a simple request,before we go on this mission, if you don't mind, Marshall. Do you have a book collecting the laws of the town? I would enjoy to study it between duties.
Giorgio frowns slightly. "Barvasi is not a small-time player, Field Marshal Kroft. This may be sufficient to bribe him...and then again, it may not. And he doesn't seem the type to provide a written receipt for reimbursement. Have you extra funds available? I'd hate to come back empty handed."