The Dying City: DM Norv's "Curse of the Crimson Throne"

Game Master The Norv

The classic story of intrigue, magic, and strife in Korvosa, and of five figures caught in the balance of greater forces than they know.

Current Date: Starday, 10th of Lamashan, 4708

Current Map | Flex Time | Loot Tracker | Floorplan for the Rosa in Fiore

Harrow Points and Uses:

Current Harrow Points:
Callie: 3
Korriban: 2
Lantressa: 4
Matoska: 2
Teodor: 3

Flash of Insight: You can spend a Harrow point to attempt a skill check that normally requires training for a skill in which you have no ranks. You gain a one-time +5 bonus to that skill check.

Intelligence Rerolls: You can spend a Harrow point to reroll any one Intelligence-based check. You must abide by the new result, even if it's lower (but you can spend more Harrow points to reroll again if you want to).

Focused Thought: You can reattempt a Knowledge check that you have previously failed. On this attempt, you gain a +10 bonus on the check.


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Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17
Callie Cobalt wrote:
Callie mutters, "I've heard of Bavarsi. Not good things. Weirdly, I've never met him, but I dreamed once I ran him through with my sword. It was before I'd ever really seen much fighting in my life and it rather spooked me."

Korriban frowns at Callie. "Well, Teodor and I really p****d him off and now he wants us dead. So, we got to take care of that."

Callie Cobalt wrote:

Callie nods. "We all of us have friends or family we owe a great deal--and they and every single Korvosan is still in danger. We've just done a great deal of work to slow that danger. Hold onto that. Whatever happens--you've taken good care of your people already and that in itself gives them a much better chance to survive this. We'll do whatever we can to end this. Give me some time to follow some leads and we'll find a way in--and out."

She smiles at him. "I know I've only known you for a couple days, but what we've uncovered here--it's bigger than all of us. But I think we have what it takes to make things better. You've got my back on this, I promise." She nods to Teo and Lantressa. "That goes for all of you."

Korriban smiles and nods at Callie. "Yeah. We may actually be able to be heroes."

A Place to Stay:
Korriban looks at the others as they agree to go to Anca and Cristina's place. He just smiles and says, "Ah, why not? I'm in. I could use a place to stay. Thanks for the hospitality." He quickens his pace and walks beside Lantressa and Cristina.

Checking out the Bridge:
The next day, Korriban decides that he needs to check on the situation in Old Korvosa. He moves carefully to the bridge. He keeps his distance, taking a look at what it looks like, the number of Gray Maidens, their gear, and what is actually going on.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Disguise: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Perception vs traps: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Dealing With the Dagger:
Korriban looks at the possibly cursed silver dagger. He can't help but think about all the trouble it's caused him. All of the odd things that have happened around it. He decides that it's time to end this. He goes over to the church of Pharasma. He asks for their assistance in getting rid of it or de-cursing it, explaining everything he can about the dagger. If they aren't able to help, he'll go to the other churches for help (though he won't go to the church of Asmodeus).

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Loot and Selling Old Gear:
Korriban looks over the loot that they have acquired over the last few days. He decides to take the human-bane rapier, the mithral shirt, and a masterwork club. He'll also take the barkskin potion. He then goes off to the markets to try and sell the gear that he no longer needs.

I'll go into detail about this in another post.

Checking on Friends:
Given the current circumstances and the state of the city, Korriban decides it would be beneficial to check on his friends. He runs around the city, talking to Gadriel, Adoros, Imperia and her sister Celia, Raina, Diamon, Selawyn, Pietro, and Riceak (despite just seeing him a few days ago).

Checking the Cure:
Korriban will go to see Kroft in regards to the cure. When he enters her office, he says, "Hey, boss. How's it going? I know it's only been a few days. But, I'm curious if there's been any progress with those notes."

Checking on Tallak and Jolistina:
While Korriban's in Kroft's office, he will ask, "By the way, you remember Tallak? The guy from the Five Fists? Whatever happened to him? Also, what happened to the elf harlequin, Jolistina?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

Paying Off People:
Korriban remembers that he needs to give 50 gold to Samarith for identifying the magic items he brought to him. He also figures that he should give Eries the wererat the 75 gp he didn't give her for the water breathing potion.

This will depend on much gold we get for the loot we sell.

Checking on Pash's Progress:
On one of the days, Korriban goes over to Pash's place. When Korriban is in, he says, "I'm sorry to bother you again, Pash. But, I just wanted to see if there's any more progress on my case. I understand if this whole blood veil thing made you stop with the investigation."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Hearing Rumors and Goings-On:
Korriban goes out to hear the latest news and what's been going on in the city. He asks different people and uses his knowledge.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Finding a Path:
Korriban walks around the city one day, just thinking. He reflects on how far he has come and how much further he has to go. He looks around the area. He wants to be there for the people. To be like Blackjack. A hero. A master swordsman. A symbol of hope. But, while Vencarlo has taught him a great deal, he knows that there must be some way to truly cultivate those teachings. He clenches his fists. He just needs a way to do it.

This would be the lead in to the retraining and the level up.


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

The first week after the big night, Teodor splits his time between getting to know his sisters again and volunteering his healing abilities where ever the Pharasmans need it.


Male

Cristina smiles warmly at you all. "Of course--the guest bedroom may be a bit cramped, and someone will have to sleep on the couch, but there's room. After what you did--getting Anca out of this place--we can't thank you enough. Follow me."

Cristina leads you through the darkening streets to Anca's small but well-appointed home in the normally bustling Pillar Hill district. Anca's face is wan when she answers the door, but she seems already better than she was.

"Teodor..." Wordlessly, the youngest of the Niculescus throws her arms around her older brother's neck. She stays there for a long, quiet moment, before inviting you all in, introducing herself, and helping you get settled for the night. As the rest of you head toward bed, it looks as though she, Cristina, and Teodor are likely to be up late reconnecting.

So I'm about to move forward into the week-by-week posts; just want to know if there's anything Lantressa wants to do in the long interval before the next book begins; you can either trace things out week by week (4 weeks, remember) or just give me a list of priorities like Callie and Korriban did and I'll update you as we go. Teodor, feel free to add more, too! I figure I'll do one post/week to give you guys the chance to respond (and there will be one or two things to make decisions about).


Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17

Korriban smiles at the reunion of the siblings. He decides to head off to bed, leaving them to catch up.

Loot and Selling Old Gear:
Korriban decides to go off and sell his old +1 studded leather armor, his 17 remaining crossbow bolts, his light crossbow, his normal, average daggers, and the 4 onyx gems.

So, how much would I make off of all of that? I'll wait until I find that out to update the equipment section on my alias.


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

Teodor's activities/priorities:
1. Healing plague victims and reconnecting with family.
2. Researching vampires and how to kill them and spreading this information through the rumor-mill with a description of the one we encountered.
3. Evangelizing for Groetus. Whenever he heals, he says "Groetus doesn't want you to end yet." Puts Groetus propaganda through the rumor-mill. Everything Dies, but not until it's time. Groetus will smite those who would prematurely end the lives of people in this city. Groetus is freedom from injustice and tyranny.
4. More propaganda. Yes, the Queen is behind this. The Grey Maidens are a cult, aligned with the plague-makers. The crown fears the might of the people and thus tries to chain them. Deliverance is coming.
5. Selling/buying stuff. Selling his old scale mail suit. Hoping to buy a Ring of Deflection +1. Also, is anyone giving lessons on how to use a scythe?


Male

Time passes quickly now that you're not all constantly fighting for your lives...

You all wake up the next day in Anca's house and, before going your separate ways, make plans to check in with each other regularly. The first day is spent largely in recuperation, and for Teodor in catching up with his sisters. On the second day, your first task--and one you undertake as a group--is to sell everything you carried with you out of the cultists' quarters. This takes some time (you can't come close to selling it all in one place, after all, especially with the plague keeping many shops closed), but you manage to get it done in the first day, do some shopping of your own, and head back to wherever you're laying your head that night.

According to the loot sheet, you each get 1,380 gp, 4 sp, 7 cp from the group sale. Do double-check that you have everything recorded, and this is the last chance to lay claim to something! The sheet is here. I do note there are 6 CMW potions that I imagine SOMEONE wants. Korriban, the onyx gems are worth 50 gp each. You can look up the rest of the gear here; used gear is sold at half value.

Korriban on the second night:
That night, before curfew, you approach the old stone Jeggare Bridge. There are indeed a large number of Grey Maidens guarding the approach to the bridge, although you manage to remain undetected. You can't get too close, though--they've set up a cordon around the approach to the bridge, and you can see that midway down its length they've erected a tall wooden barricade to prevent anyone from crossing. The Grey Maidens seem alert and unfriendly, hassling anyone who lingers too long into moving on away from the bridge. You can see lights on in Old Korvosa, but little evidence of any other life.

----------------------------------------

On the third day, Teodor wanders the streets healing and evangelizing while Callie and Korriban catch up with their friends. Korriban makes a mad dash around the city (that list of names makes me sad :( ) but discovers that his friends are mostly unharmed...with the exception of Pietro, who is struggling to remain healthy despite his own case of blood veil, and Imperia and Celia, who are still locked out of the Acadamae and rather frantic. Callie discovers that her friend Marta has closed up her inn (does it have a name?) for fear of the plague, but is herself still healthy. "I've been scared before, but never like this," she confides to Callie. "It's like the city's gone completely mad...I don't know where it is I live anymore." Ruan Mirukova is recovering from his ordeal, in the company of his sister Deyanira, but Deyanira is secretly worried--she spent so much of their savings in the search for Ruan that she's nearly destitute. "If I don't find some way to make some coin, I'm going to be out on the street," she murmurs to Callie, safe from Ruan's hearing. "But with everyone staying inside because of the plague, there's not much call for entertainment..."

That evening, you all receive a summons to Citadel Volshyenek. There, you find an excited Cressida Kroft, accompanied by a portly middle-aged man and a bright-eyed young woman in a pixie cut. "Thank you for coming. We've done it. We've done it! Master Amberglass and his assistant here have parsed the notes that you all recovered, and he's found a cure for blood veil!" The Field Marshall laughs out loud--the first time any of you have heard that in weeks--and turns excitedly toward the alchemist. "Tell them, Amberglass."

The portly man clears his throat, and explains, "The disease is remarkable, to be sure--and the mutations that the Urgathoans visited upon it were vile to contemplate--but it was more than just virulent. The disease itself was actually magical, possessed of a malevolence, not quite a will, of its own. But in that...lay its weakness." He holds up a vile of slate gray liquid with a smile. "It doesn't look like much, I know, but I've managed to reverse-engineer a cure for the disease that these madmen concocted. It serves as both a curative and an inoculation against the disease; I myself, my assistant Lily, and Field Marshall Kroft have already taken it, this morning, and suffered no ill effects. But--and this is the wonderful part--the cure will spread from those who have been inoculated with it!" He chuckles. "Yes, the disease is magic, and spread supernaturally fast...but for a week or so after a person imbibes this cure, they too will spread the magical substance in their body. They'll cure sick people they come into contact with! It's rather brilliant, though I say so myself." He chuckles.

Field Marshall Kroft turns to you. "We're already working on mass-producing the stuff, and the Guard...well, what Guard remain...are all taking it before we send them back out onto the streets. Please, take some for yourself. It's the least I can do now, and you'll be getting further thanks from me in a more material form soon." She beams at you all.

And to Korriban, she adds, "Tallak is going to trial in a few weeks, provided nothing...untoward happens in the meantime. That crazy elf is still locked up. As she should be."

-----------------------------

The next few days pass quickly as you all pursue your own ends. Callie discovers that smuggling circles have largely gone underground, waiting for the plague to subside before resuming business. "No one wants to smuggle goods into a plagued city, much less out o' one," an old contact tells her in hushed tones near one of the docks. "I 'ear there's a cure makin' the rounds, and I hope to any god listenin' that it's true. If so, check back in a couple weeks...might be able to do more for you then."

Korriban, hunting around for rumors after the cure's been out in the world for a few days and the city is slowly starting to recover, overhears a nasty bit of business in one dank, dark tavern by the docks. "They say the Key-Lock Killer's been at it again, mate! They never caught him, y'know; just up and vanished after killing 9 people back in 4797. They say that seven of them nine had ties to nobles who opposed the arbiters, and that the Key-Lock Killer was on the arbiter payroll. I think the Key-Lock Killer was one of the arbiters themselves, and that he's still doing his job to this day, serving as a judge somewhere--and now he's gone and done it again, killing a man up in High Bridge and locking the man's house up tight for his maid to find the next day, with his entrails all over the place. That man must've opposed the arbiters somehow. It's all a conspiracy!" The man does seem a little...edgy.

Callie, meanwhile, encounters a rather dour, stolid old Abadarian on his way to services. "Bah! You know, everything's been so crazy lately...but I still believe that those rumors that King Eodred was murdered are false. He died of old age--anarchists have just been plumping up those rumors to sow discord among us! They want to sully Queen Ileosa's reputation and spread unrest in the city."

Teodor is pleased to see, though, that by the end of the week, his rumors that the Queen is behind the plague seem to have taken hold among most of the population; there are dark mutterings on street corners, and the perilous murmurs of unrest in taverns.

Finally, near the end of the week, you all receive an invitation to attend dinner at the home of Tayce Soldado. (Callie is with the others when the invitation arrives.) When you arrive, you find that the dinner--"hosted" by Brienne Soldado, now much recovered from her ordeal as one of the patients zero of the blood veil--is actually a massive party of the ethnic Varisian enclave of North Shore. Numerous families recognize you from your work on the streets, and Tayce and Grau Soldado sing your praises to all who will listen. The community showers you all with gifts, including food, ale, wine, hard spirits, and more food. The party goes late into the night, with everyone reveling in their freedom from the plague. As the night goes on, each of you is given a gift: Korriban, a deep black cloak emblazoned with an exquisite rose in the very center; Teodor, a heavily quilted blue blanket with silver threads embroidered onto it in the pattern of constellations; Callie, a brilliantly colored blue-and-gold coat in the currently fashionable style; and Lantressa, a phenomenal scarlet silk cape, with a harlequin pattern on the inside. Each of you also receives a variety of brightly colored Varisian scarves, illustrated books, and beautiful jewelry from the thankful families. These gifts total a value of 250 gp per person.

As Korriban walks back to the Niculescu residence (or wherever he's staying) from the party, he finds himself wandering the streets and wondering about his way forward. As he moves through Five Corners, the crowded residential neighborhood home to many of Korvosa's political movers and shakers, he finds himself confronted with an arched doorway in a wall. Roses bloom all around the doorway, cultivated on trellises that support it, and a middle-aged woman sits in the archway. She's rocking in a rocking chair, and holding a cane. "Nice night, young man," she calls as you pass. "But you look troubled. What is it?"

Ok! Anything I missed I'll roll into the next week. ;)

GM Screen:

Callie's rumor: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Korriban's rumor: 1d20 ⇒ 8


Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

If no one else grabs them, Callie will put the remaing 6 potions of cure light wounds in the haversack pouch that holds the rest of her healing gear, and lets the group know where to find them if they need them.

Quote:
Callie discovers that her friend Marta has closed up her inn (does it have a name?) for fear of the plague, but is herself still healthy. "I've been scared before, but never like this," she confides to Callie. "It's like the city's gone completely mad...I don't know where it is I live anymore."

A note on Marta: she, at least per past description is a reasonably successful bard, who is the in-house musician for an inn, which let's say is called the Lamb and Flag. Although her being out of work for the inn closing still makes sense.

"I have it on good authority the plague is turning around soon. Be careful for now, but I've seen the notes that will lead to a cure with my own eyes. That'll do a good deal to calm things down. I know it's terrifying -- but you helped me get my own head on straight when I was a mess. You know how to not just stay calm in a crisis but make others behave the same. Use your gifts, however you're able, let the people know things are getting better."

She gives Marta Zellara's address for where to leave a message for her since likely the boarding house she was staying in before is probably now shut down. (And will check for messages at Zellara's occasionally.)

Quote:
Ruan Mirukova is recovering from his ordeal, in the company of his sister Deyanira, but Deyanira is secretly worried--she spent so much of their savings in the search for Ruan that she's nearly destitute. "If I don't find some way to make some coin, I'm going to be out on the street," she murmurs to Callie, safe from Ruan's hearing. "But with everyone staying inside because of the plague, there's not much call for entertainment..."

She listens to Ruan and Deyanira and nods. If they accept it, she will give them 100 gold, which should be enough for rent and necessities--on the note they can pay her back if they want when things calm down. "And they will. Ruan's suffering was awful, but what they did to him and others may help us find the cure." She also gives a similar message that while they can't find work, they can still use their musicianship gifts to spread hope.

Quote:
Field Marshall Kroft turns to you. "We're already working on mass-producing the stuff, and the Guard...well, what Guard remain...are all taking it before we send them back out onto the streets. Please, take some for yourself. It's the least I can do now, and you'll be getting further thanks from me in a more material form soon." She beams at you all.

Callie thanks Kroft and the alchemist. She'll take the dose she is given when she gets to where she is staying. She also asks if they can get any more to give to any associates or key allies -- or at least start shaking their hands.

Quote:
The next few days pass quickly as you all pursue your own ends. Callie discovers that smuggling circles have largely gone underground, waiting for the plague to subside before resuming business. "No one wants to smuggle goods into a plagued city, much less out o' one," an old contact tells her in hushed tones near one of the docks. "I 'ear there's a cure makin' the rounds, and I hope to any god listenin' that it's true. If so, check back in a couple weeks...might be able to do more for you then."

"I have poundable goods that say the scuttle on the cure is true," she says. "Though you've a point it'll take awhile for trade to start moving again. I guess we can't speed that up."

She pauses. "No promises of course, but if one were to get a dose of the cure in one's digits, would that be a thing you might be keen on?"

Quote:
Callie, meanwhile, encounters a rather dour, stolid old Abadarian on his way to services. "Bah! You know, everything's been so crazy lately...but I still believe that those rumors that King Eodred was murdered are false. He died of old age--anarchists have just been plumping up those rumors to sow discord among us! They want to sully Queen Ileosa's reputation and spread unrest in the city."

Callie adjusts her posture, and puts on the East Shore accent of her upbringing, becoming in attitude the very noble she had escaped becoming. "Even if you're right, Father, there've always been anarchists and Varisian terrorists. Yet the servants of the Crown have always been able to keep order in spite of their nonsense. Even the plague isn't enough to explain how bad things have become--under his Majesty's watch, the Orders would have kept it contained easily. So... either, per the crazy rumors," she pauses to roll her eyes, as if she obviously agrees with him on that front, "Ileosa is plotting for even more control of the city than she already has and is thus benefiting from the chaos... or she's a distraught, bereaved young widow unready for the crown,"she pauses to look very sad and mournful, clearly feeling sorry for poor Ileosa, "who is unable to keep the order Eodred, rest his soul, maintained even on his deathbed.

"Either way, the city's situation is very bad for business, so it's bad for Abadar." She gives him a long and meaningful look. "So if you're worth the robes you're wearing, Father, I'd put your prayers to work so that things change in this city soon."

Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"As for me, the Pharasmans saved my family from plague, so I'm off to give them a donation," she says pointedly and departs.

(And in spite of any bluffs toward the Abadaran, she does indeed donate 50 gold to the Pharasmans. It would have been more but some of what she planned to spend she gave to Ruan and Deyanira.

Quote:
Finally, near the end of the week, you all receive an invitation to attend dinner at the home of Tayce Soldado. (Callie is with the others when the invitation arrives.) When you arrive, you find that the dinner--"hosted" by Brienne Soldado, now much recovered from her ordeal as one of the patients zero of the blood veil--is actually a massive party of the ethnic Varisian enclave of North Shore. Numerous families recognize you from your work on the streets, and Tayce and Grau Soldado sing your praises to all who will listen. The community showers you all with gifts, including food, ale, wine, hard spirits, and more food. The party goes late into the night, with everyone reveling in their freedom from the plague. As the night goes on, each of you is given a gift: Korriban, a deep black cloak emblazoned with an exquisite rose in the very center; Teodor, a heavily quilted blue blanket with silver threads embroidered onto it in the pattern of constellations; Callie, a brilliantly colored blue-and-gold coat in the currently fashionable style; and Lantressa, a phenomenal scarlet silk cape, with a harlequin pattern on the inside. Each of you also receives a variety of brightly colored Varisian scarves, illustrated books, and beautiful jewelry from the thankful families. These gifts total a value of 250 gp per person.

Knowledge Nobility on the Soldado family: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Callie graciously accepts the gifts with much thanks and as much aplomb as she can muster. She happily regales anyone she can with stories of the group's exploits, playing up the others' heroicism.

Still, she finds herself a tad nervous--her mother's side of the family had connections with the North Shore (I've never said this explicitly but it'd make sense--Varisian merchant family (father was Chelish military)), and she almost wonders if anyone would recognize her as her younger self of a decade ago. She hasn't really thought of truly hiding from her family for years, and doesn't think too much of the consequences, but it makes her oddly anxious to think of that part of her history catching up with her now.


Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17

Loot and Selling Old Gear:
Okay. So here is a list of what I'm selling and the prices that they would go for. I believe I have this right.

+1 studded leather armor - 662 gp 5 sp
17 crossbow bolts - 8 sp 5 cp
light crossbow - 17 gp 5 sp
2 daggers - 2 gp
4 onyx gems - 200 gp

Investigations (other party members can read this):
The Norv wrote:
That night, before curfew, you approach the old stone Jeggare Bridge. There are indeed a large number of Grey Maidens guarding the approach to the bridge, although you manage to remain undetected. You can't get too close, though--they've set up a cordon around the approach to the bridge, and you can see that midway down its length they've erected a tall wooden barricade to prevent anyone from crossing. The Grey Maidens seem alert and unfriendly, hassling anyone who lingers too long into moving on away from the bridge. You can see lights on in Old Korvosa, but little evidence of any other life.

Korriban is shocked by the amount of Grey Maidens guarding the bridge. He is definitely concerned about his family now. If there are this many Grey Maidens here, then he can only imagine the amount that could be patrolling the streets. It could be full patrols or no patrols, just leaving gangs to do what they want. He leaves the area and informs the others about the situation.

“The Norv” wrote:
Korriban makes a mad dash around the city (that list of names makes me sad :( ) but discovers that his friends are mostly unharmed...with the exception of Pietro, who is struggling to remain healthy despite his own case of blood veil, and Imperia and Celia, who are still locked out of the Acadamae and rather frantic.

Korriban is glad that his friends are doing well. When he meets with Pietro, who is struggling with his blood veil, Korriban tells him of the events that are going on and that there may be a cure soon. With Imperia and Celia, Korriban says, ”Imperia, Celia. Please calm down. Things are going crazy. But, we need to approach this rationally. If you want, I can look into the situation at the Acadamae. See what’s going on. In the meantime, is there somewhere you can go in case things get really bad?”

Diplomacy to calm down Imperia and Celia: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

“The Norv wrote:
That evening, you all receive a summons to Citadel Volshyenek. There, you find an excited Cressida Kroft, accompanied by a portly middle-aged man and a bright-eyed young woman in a pixie cut. “Thank you for coming. We've done it. We've done it! Master Amberglass and his assistant here have parsed the notes that you all recovered, and he's found a cure for blood veil!” The Field Marshall laughs out loud--the first time any of you have heard that in weeks--and turns excitedly toward the alchemist. “Tell them, Amberglass.”

Korriban arrives at the Citadel, eager to hear what this could be about. When he enters the room, he nods at everyone. With the young woman, he nods and gives a charming smirk and a wink.

Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Seeing Kroft happy only makes things look even better. When she reveals the news on the cure, Korriban grins and laughs with her. He turns to Amberglass as he explains.

“The Norv” wrote:
The portly man clears his throat, and explains, “The disease is remarkable, to be sure--and the mutations that the Urgathoans visited upon it were vile to contemplate--but it was more than just virulent. The disease itself was actually magical, possessed of a malevolence, not quite a will, of its own. But in that...lay its weakness.” He holds up a vile of slate gray liquid with a smile. “It doesn't look like much, I know, but I've managed to reverse-engineer a cure for the disease that these madmen concocted. It serves as both a curative and an inoculation against the disease; I myself, my assistant Lily, and Field Marshall Kroft have already taken it, this morning, and suffered no ill effects. But--and this is the wonderful part--the cure will spread from those who have been inoculated with it!” He chuckles. “Yes, the disease is magic, and spread supernaturally fast...but for a week or so after a person imbibes this cure, they too will spread the magical substance in their body. They'll cure sick people they come into contact with! It's rather brilliant, though I say so myself.” He chuckles.

It’s a bit difficult for Korriban to understand. However, he does understand enough. He says, ”So, the cure will spread as quickly as the blood veil spread! That’s amazing! However, I’m a bit concerned about this disease being magical and having a slight will of it’s will. How does that happen?”

“The Norv” wrote:
Field Marshall Kroft turns to you. “We’re already working on mass-producing the stuff, and the Guard...well, what Guard remain...are all taking it before we send them back out onto the streets. Please, take some for yourself. It's the least I can do now, and you'll be getting further thanks from me in a more material form soon.” She beams at you all.

Korriban takes a vial of the cure and immediately takes it. ”Thanks, Kroft. Thanks, Amberglass. Thanks, Lily. This is the best news that we could have gotten. Do you think I could get another vial of the cure? One of our friends is still being troubled by the plague.”

“The Norv” wrote:
And to Korriban, she adds, “Tallak is going to trial in a few weeks, provided nothing...untoward happens in the meantime. That crazy elf is still locked up. As she should be.”

Korriban nods. ”Good. That’s good. Now, we need to just find Rolth Lamm. I feel like, despite the cure going around, he’s still a grave threat. The Guard should be put on high alert.”

“The Norv” wrote:
Korriban, hunting around for rumors after the cure's been out in the world for a few days and the city is slowly starting to recover, overhears a nasty bit of business in one dank, dark tavern by the docks. “They say the Key-Lock Killer's been at it again, mate! They never caught him, y'know; just up and vanished after killing 9 people back in 4797. They say that seven of them nine had ties to nobles who opposed the arbiters, and that the Key-Lock Killer was on the arbiter payroll. I think the Key-Lock Killer was one of the arbiters themselves, and that he's still doing his job to this day, serving as a judge somewhere--and now he's gone and done it again, killing a man up in High Bridge and locking the man's house up tight for his maid to find the next day, with his entrails all over the place. That man must've opposed the arbiters somehow. It's all a conspiracy!” The man does seem a little…edgy.

Korriban’s brow raises at this. He racks his brain for more information on this Key-Lock Killer and his victim.

Knowledge (local) on Key-Lock Killer: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Knowledge (local) on arbiter victim: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

He then approaches the man. ”Excuse me. This Key-Lock Killer. I’m curious. Does anyone know anything about this man? What about the arbiter? Where did this happen?”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

“The Norv” wrote:
Finally, near the end of the week, you all receive an invitation to attend dinner at the home of Tayce Soldado.

Korriban is surprised by this invitation. He ultimately decides to go. Before leaving, he straightens and neatens up his appearance.

“The Norv” wrote:
When you arrive, you find that the dinner--"hosted" by Brienne Soldado, now much recovered from her ordeal as one of the patients zero of the blood veil--is actually a massive party of the ethnic Varisian enclave of North Shore. Numerous families recognize you from your work on the streets, and Tayce and Grau Soldado sing your praises to all who will listen.

Korriban is surprised by the amount of people at the party. He’s even more surprised by Brienne hosting the event. When Tayce and Grau praise him, his face gets very red as he gives a smile.

“The Norv” wrote:
The community showers you all with gifts, including food, ale, wine, hard spirits, and more food. The party goes late into the night, with everyone reveling in their freedom from the plague. As the night goes on, each of you is given a gift: Korriban, a deep black cloak emblazoned with an exquisite rose in the very center; Teodor, a heavily quilted blue blanket with silver threads embroidered onto it in the pattern of constellations; Callie, a brilliantly colored blue-and-gold coat in the currently fashionable style; and Lantressa, a phenomenal scarlet silk cape, with a harlequin pattern on the inside. Each of you also receives a variety of brightly colored Varisian scarves, illustrated books, and beautiful jewelry from the thankful families. These gifts total a value of 250 gp per person.

Korriban has a great time. He eats, drinks (not the hard stuff), and enjoys the party. He chats to everyone he can (and gives subtle flirtations to the women). He also wonders if he’s seen anyone at the party before.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16
Knowledge (local) on people’s identities: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

When he receives the cloak, Korriban is taken back by how beautiful and well made it is. ”This… This is…. the nicest gift anyone’s given me. Thank you. I’ll cherish it.” He also finds the Varisian scarves to be beautiful. He enjoys the books and puts on the rings and necklaces that he has been given. He notices that some of the jewelry are, in fact, earrings. His hand goes to one of his ears. He thinks for a bit before coming to a decision. ”Hey. Can anyone help me pierce my ears so I can wear these?”

How much do the cloak and books weigh? Also, what kind of illustrations are in the books?

“The Norv” wrote:
As Korriban walks back to the Niculescu residence (or wherever he's staying) from the party, he finds himself wandering the streets and wondering about his way forward. As he moves through Five Corners, the crowded residential neighborhood home to many of Korvosa's political movers and shakers, he finds himself confronted with an arched doorway in a wall. Roses bloom all around the doorway, cultivated on trellises that support it, and a middle-aged woman sits in the archway. She's rocking in a rocking chair, and holding a cane. “Nice night, young man,” she calls as you pass. “But you look troubled. What is it?”

Korriban looks at the roses on the doorway, admiring them. When the woman calls out to him, he responds with, ”Yes. It is a nice night. But… *sigh*. I don’t know. I mean, it’s everything going on. With the Queen and the disease that I helped end and everything going on in the city. I feel like that I’m a good duelist and fighter. But, I feel like I could go further with my skills.” He gives a chuckle and a smile. ”But, I’m sure you don’t want to hear me complain about my problems. How are you tonight?”

Diplomacy to make a good first impression: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Knowledge (local) (what more do I know about the area): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Knowledge (nobility) (for more information on the political movers and shakers): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22


Male

@Callie: Sorry on the bobble with Marta, not sure how I got her occupation confused...

Callie:

Deyanira accepts your monetary gift tearfully, with promises to pay it back as soon as possible. Kroft is happy to give out several doses of the cure to you on the first day, and promises more should you ever need them. The smuggler, on hearing of a possible cure, says, "Aye! I'd be right pleased t'get my hands on some o' that. Knowin' this city it'll all go to th'wealthy an' powerful in any case..."

The Abadaran looks miffed at your dig, but huffs off, convinced that you and he share a similar viewpoint.

The Soldados, you quickly realize, are no one of particular import (sorry, I should've done a better introduction...it was already a long post!). Grau, the man, is a sergeant in the Guard, who explains that he met Korriban, Teodor, and some others not long after the King's death (though he's evasive on the exact circumstances). His sister Tayce is 9-year-old Brienne's mother, and explains that when Brienne came down with blood veil, Grau thought to call on Teodor because they couldn't afford healing from the Abadarans. Although you're nervous at the party, no one seems to immediately recognize you.

Korriban:

Imperia sighs. "Yes, we could always go back to our family...although to be honest, I'd rather we didn't. Celia has never been trained! And the academies in Cheliax, well..." she glances into the next room, where her sister sits, then leans into Korriban. "Well, they're much harsher. There's a reason our parents sent us here. But don't worry about us--we'll work it out."

Amberglass's assistant giggles slightly when you wink at her, but otherwise remains professional. Although with that roll, she'll definitely let you buy her a drink sometime if you ask! Oh god what am I opening myself to... Kroft is happy to give you half a dozen vials of the cure, and promises to give you more anytime you come back. When you ask Amberglass about the disease's magical nature, he shrugs uneasily.

"Some foul magic of the Urgathoans, I assume," he says grimly. "I'm afraid the inner workings of such magic are beyond my knowledge...but honestly, it's been helpful in this case. I wouldn't say it had a true will, mind. That was a figure of speech! But it is...evil. More so than a normal plague, which is the creation of nature."

When you urge Kroft to put the Guard on high alert, her smile momentarily vanishes. "I'll do my best, Korriban," she says wearily, "but you have to realize the toll this plague has taken on my guards...both in morale and in body. It will be some time before we're back up to fighting force."

You know a great deal about the Key-Lock Killer, to the point where (when you question him) it turns out there's little that the man can add to your information. The Key-Lock Killer was a serial killer who became famous in Korvosa a little more than a decade ago, so-called because of his two calling cards: he killed many victims with sharpened keys, often leaving them behind at the scene; and he always left the murder scene with doors shut tightly behind him and locked, as they had been before he entered. He would leave his victims in gruesome displays, often working so silently that other people sleeping in the house would be unaware of the crime until the next morning (although occasionally he'd kill more than one person, presumably when someone caught him in the act). He disappeared, the murders ceasing, just as the Korvosan Guard were closing in on him. Rumors at the time depicted him as a scruffy, dirty-looking man of medium height and build, with slightly ragged hair.

You suspect the stuff about the arbiters, though, is bunk--it was a rumor at the time, but a bit of a conspiracy theory. Though one of the victims had crossed an arbiter recently, the other victims were "associated" with the arbiters only if one accepted wild leaps of logic, and indeed, the man speaking now has nothing further to offer to back up his theory.

At the party, since it's a Varisian party, there are instantly five different offers to help you pierce your ears. They'll do it on the kitchen table, if you let them. The gifts are, honestly, mutable in weight and design--you can pick out whatever gifts you'd like. I think the AP assumes that you'll sell some, since it just gives a gp value...I would imagine books of Varisian folklore, etc.

The Five Corners neighborhood you're in is one of the oldest sections of the city, and home to a lot of Korvosa's oldest non-noble families. It's a residential area serving the seats of municipal power in the city--the Bank of Abadar isn't far away, and the same is true of the old City Hall and the Longacre Building (where criminal trials are held). You're not sure what the woman's angle is, but you notice that in addition to having roses on her doorway, she wears a small red rose-blossom-shaped pendant around her neck.

The woman smiles at you. "Well, you're a polite one. I'm well. But it sounds like you're looking for guidance...not skill. You say you're a duelist and a fighter. You seem unhappy with the Queen and the plague. But do you have something that you fight for? Do you know what is worth more than yourself?"

Another week passes, and with it, the city slowly begins to recover a sense of normalcy. There are still deaths from the plague, as the cure takes time to spread, but there are few pockets remaining, and the combined clergies of Korvosa's many faiths are working as quickly as they can to snuff out the last of it. The quarantine on Old Korvosa, however, remains in effect...and now there are rumors that violence has made its way onto the streets of the northern isle. There apparently isn't anything in the way of a police presence on the island, and every once in a while plumes of smoke drift skyward, suggesting burning buildings that, fortunately, don't seem to be starting major fires...

Korriban takes the time to check in on Pash, but the Keleshite man spreads his hands helplessly. "I thank you for your understanding, Mr. Balros. The blood veil very nearly took my life--I have only Seme here to thank for my survival. Well, him and the cure that I hear you had a hand in procuring! I'm most certainly not going to charge you for the rest of this investigation. You have my thanks for that, eternally." Actually...if you want, this could be your service!

Partway through the week, each of you is approached by a citizen of Korvosa, bearing a gift (or an offer) of great worth. Each insists that you accept it, as thanks for your part in finding a cure for the plague. (These are the 1,000 gp gifts mentioned in Discussion.) It would appear that your fame is spreading...near the end of the week, too, you hear that the Queen has officially declared the plague at an end in Korvosa proper, lifting the curfew and allowing the rhythms of normal life to resume.

A pause for y'all to process that, and call my attention to anything that needs addressing, and then we'll head into the next week!


female | tiefling (pitborn) | sorcerer 8 |HP: 48/50 | AC:14 [17]; T:12; FF:13 [15]| CMB +4, CMD:16 | Fort:+6; Ref:+6; Will:+8 | Init:+2; Perc:+0 Volatile Conduit 1/1 | Beguiling Voice (dc 17) 3/8 | Fascinate (dc 20) 2/2 | Spells: lvl 1 7/8; lvl 2 4/7; lvl 3 3/6; lvl 4 3/4
Norv wrote:
Finally, near the end of the week, you all receive an invitation to attend dinner at the home of Tayce Soldado. (Callie is with the others when the invitation arrives.) When you arrive, you find that the dinner--"hosted" by Brienne Soldado, now much recovered from her ordeal as one of the patients zero of the blood veil--is actually a massive party of the ethnic Varisian enclave of North Shore. Numerous families recognize you from your work on the streets, and Tayce and Grau Soldado sing your praises to all who will listen. The community showers you all with gifts, including food, ale, wine, hard spirits, and more food. The party goes late into the night, with everyone reveling in their freedom from the plague. As the night goes on, each of you is given a gift: Korriban, a deep black cloak emblazoned with an exquisite rose in the very center; Teodor, a heavily quilted blue blanket with silver threads embroidered onto it in the pattern of constellations; Callie, a brilliantly colored blue-and-gold coat in the currently fashionable style; and Lantressa, a phenomenal scarlet silk cape, with a harlequin pattern on the inside. Each of you also receives a variety of brightly colored Varisian scarves, illustrated books, and beautiful jewelry from the thankful families. These gifts total a value of 250 gp per person.

Lantressa enjoyed the party greatly as it was very rare when someone like her was invited to such an event and she enjoyed every minute of it. When she was given the gits she was rather shocked, it was yet another thing people never did for one of her kind, and she smiled in delight at what she got. The cloak was lovely but what she really loved were the scarves. They were bright, soft, and beautiful. She took care to pack them away safely and resumed to making her rounds at the party. She paid particular attention to making contacts and trying to drum up a little potential business for herself in the future as well as contacts that might come in handy eventually.

Norv wrote:
Partway through the week, each of you is approached by a citizen of Korvosa, bearing a gift (or an offer) of great worth. Each insists that you accept it, as thanks for your part in finding a cure for the plague. (These are the 1,000 gp gifts mentioned in Discussion.) It would appear that your fame is spreading...near the end of the week, too, you hear that the Queen has officially declared the plague at an end in Korvosa proper, lifting the curfew and allowing the rhythms of normal life to resume.

When she was approached with a gift Lantressa was dumbfounded that it wasn't someone wishing to hire her services. She accepted with little thought and took the item as she looekd at the person, not even entirely registering who it was as she stammered out, "T-t-thank you." By the time she collected herself the person was gone and she turned to head back to Teodor's family home to figure out what the gift was.


Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

Once dosed with the cure and having been sure she experiences no ill effects, she goes to shake hands with various friends and associates to ensure its spread. Since Kroft seems willing to part with additional doses, she also brings one to her smuggler contact, whom we'll call Derrick the Rat.

Once that sort of business is done, Callie seeks out a dueling trainer--she decides she needs to focus a little less on her bardic arts and more on being able to harry opponents physically.

This second is to work on retraining her feat which will take 5 days; more on this in discussion.


Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17
The Norv wrote:
Imperia sighs. "Yes, we could always go back to our family...although to be honest, I'd rather we didn't. Celia has never been trained! And the academies in Cheliax, well..." she glances into the next room, where her sister sits, then leans into Korriban. "Well, they're much harsher. There's a reason our parents sent us here. But don't worry about us--we'll work it out."

Korriban nods at Imperia as she explains the situation. "Don't worry. I'll see what I can do. If need be, if you're in trouble, you and Celia can go to Zellara's house."

The Norv wrote:
Amberglass's assistant giggles slightly when you wink at her, but otherwise remains professional. Although with that roll, she'll definitely let you buy her a drink sometime if you ask! Oh god what am I opening myself to...

The greatest thing ever! XD Korriban smiles at Lily's response. When the meeting's over, Korriban approaches her and asks if she would like to get a drink with him sometime when she's free. I'll leave it up to Norv when to fit in this date during the busy downtime portion.

The Norv wrote:
Kroft is happy to give you half a dozen vials of the cure, and promises to give you more anytime you come back.

Korriban takes one of the vials. "Thanks, boss." At some point, Korriban will want to give the vial of the cure to Pietro.

The Norv wrote:

When you ask Amberglass about the disease's magical nature, he shrugs uneasily.

"Some foul magic of the Urgathoans, I assume," he says grimly. "I'm afraid the inner workings of such magic are beyond my knowledge...but honestly, it's been helpful in this case. I wouldn't say it had a true will, mind. That was a figure of speech! But it is...evil. More so than a normal plague, which is the creation of nature."

Korriban nods. "Okay. But that doesn't make it any less dangerous... or weird."

The Norv wrote:
When you urge Kroft to put the Guard on high alert, her smile momentarily vanishes. "I'll do my best, Korriban," she says wearily, "but you have to realize the toll this plague has taken on my guards...both in morale and in body. It will be some time before we're back up to fighting force."

Korriban nods. "I get it. Sorry. I guess I'll have to see if anyone has seen him." He scratches his chin. "Maybe Jolistina knows something about his whereabouts?"

The Norv wrote:

You know a great deal about the Key-Lock Killer, to the point where (when you question him) it turns out there's little that the man can add to your information. The Key-Lock Killer was a serial killer who became famous in Korvosa a little more than a decade ago, so-called because of his two calling cards: he killed many victims with sharpened keys, often leaving them behind at the scene; and he always left the murder scene with doors shut tightly behind him and locked, as they had been before he entered. He would leave his victims in gruesome displays, often working so silently that other people sleeping in the house would be unaware of the crime until the next morning (although occasionally he'd kill more than one person, presumably when someone caught him in the act). He disappeared, the murders ceasing, just as the Korvosan Guard were closing in on him. Rumors at the time depicted him as a scruffy, dirty-looking man of medium height and build, with slightly ragged hair.

You suspect the stuff about the arbiters, though, is bunk--it was a rumor at the time, but a bit of a conspiracy theory. Though one of the victims had crossed an arbiter recently, the other victims were "associated" with the arbiters only if one accepted wild leaps of logic, and indeed, the man speaking now has nothing further to offer to back up his theory.

Korriban frowns. 'D**n. That's one more thing to be concerned about. If the Key-Lock Killer is running around, then we need to try and locate him.' He thanks the man and goes to inform his friends about this, saying that they need to investigate this. The rest of the party can read the information that Korriban knows.

The Norv wrote:
At the party, since it's a Varisian party, there are instantly five different offers to help you pierce your ears. They'll do it on the kitchen table, if you let them. The gifts are, honestly, mutable in weight and design--you can pick out whatever gifts you'd like. I think the AP assumes that you'll sell some, since it just gives a gp value...I would imagine books of Varisian folklore, etc.

I think I will say that the jewelry and the scarves don't weigh anything, the cloak is 1 lb, and there are 3 books on Varisian folklore weighing 1 lb each. Korriban is surprised by the amount of people to help pierce his ears. He asks Grau and Tayce if it's okay that he gets his ears pierced on their kitchen table. If they say no, then Korriban will find another place for them to do it. Either way, Korriban is a bit nervous when it begins. There are some screams from him. But by the end, Korriban is wearing a necklace (gold chain w/ a ruby pendant), two rings on his hands, and two earrings in each of his ears.

The Norv wrote:
The Five Corners neighborhood you're in is one of the oldest sections of the city, and home to a lot of Korvosa's oldest non-noble families. It's a residential area serving the seats of municipal power in the city--the Bank of Abadar isn't far away, and the same is true of the old City Hall and the Longacre Building (where criminal trials are held).

Korriban looks around as he remembers who lives here and what is in the area. He has been to the Bank and the Longacre building. But he really hasn't been in the Five Corners neighborhood.

The Norv wrote:

You're not sure what the woman's angle is, but you notice that in addition to having roses on her doorway, she wears a small red rose-blossom-shaped pendant around her neck.

The woman smiles at you. "Well, you're a polite one. I'm well. But it sounds like you're looking for guidance...not skill. You say you're a duelist and a fighter. You seem unhappy with the Queen and the plague. But do you have something that you fight for? Do you know what is worth more than yourself?"

Korriban sighs. "Well I guess I originally wanted to be a hero like Blackjack. My mother always told me stories about him. It was part of the reason I scrounged around for anything on sword fighting and dueling that I could." He looks up at the night sky. "But then all of this happened. The king's death, the riots, the chaos, the plague, the quarantine on Old Korvosa. There is strong evidence that this plague was allowed by the queen. I feel like I need to fight for this city. For it's people and my friends. Do you get what I'm saying?" He then looks at the rose blossom pendant around the woman's neck and the roses around her door. "You really like roses, don't you? So, what's your name, anyways? And why are you asking me these questions?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

The Norv wrote:
Another week passes, and with it, the city slowly begins to recover a sense of normalcy. There are still deaths from the plague, as the cure takes time to spread, but there are few pockets remaining, and the combined clergies of Korvosa's many faiths are working as quickly as they can to snuff out the last of it. The quarantine on Old Korvosa, however, remains in effect...and now there are rumors that violence has made its way onto the streets of the northern isle. There apparently isn't anything in the way of a police presence on the island, and every once in a while plumes of smoke drift skyward, suggesting burning buildings that, fortunately, don't seem to be starting major fires...

The rumors that float around and the sight of smoke coming from Old Korvosa only worries Korriban more. As time goes on, he only seems to get even more antsy. He often looks in the direction of Old Korvosa. He can't really seem to sit still all that much, pacing about.

The Norv wrote:
Korriban takes the time to check in on Pash, but the Keleshite man spreads his hands helplessly. "I thank you for your understanding, Mr. Balros. The blood veil very nearly took my life--I have only Seme here to thank for my survival. Well, him and the cure that I hear you had a hand in procuring! I'm most certainly not going to charge you for the rest of this investigation. You have my thanks for that, eternally."

Korriban smiles at Pash as he's glad that he has survived okay. When Pash offers his services for free, Korriban shakes his head with a smile. "That's okay. I don't mind paying you for your investigations. It's only fair."

The Norv wrote:
Partway through the week, each of you is approached by a citizen of Korvosa, bearing a gift (or an offer) of great worth. Each insists that you accept it, as thanks for your part in finding a cure for the plague. It would appear that your fame is spreading...near the end of the week, too, you hear that the Queen has officially declared the plague at an end in Korvosa proper, lifting the curfew and allowing the rhythms of normal life to resume.

Korriban sighs in slight relief as the Queen lifts the curfew and declares the plague over. However, he can't help feel his temper flare a bit as the Queen manages to dodge the truth. When the citizen approaches him with an offer of a gift or a favor, Korriban is surprised. Numerous things go through his head. Free training. New equipment. Magic items. Favors done for him.

However, one thought stands out from the rest. He thinks on it for a bit before saying, "There is something you can do for me. There's a girl who wants to get into the Acadamae to be a student and to learn. But, it's still closed. Think you can do something about getting her enrolled?"


Male

Another week passes, relatively calmly, and the city continues to recover.

Derrick the Rat is deeply grateful for the delivery of the cure, and drinks it thankfully before whispering, "Come on back to me in a couple weeks...I can probably get somethin' set up in that time!" The most famous trainer of swordsmen in the city is of course Vencarlo Orsini...sadly, his academy lies in Old Korvosa, and both he and it are inaccessible until Derrick makes good on his promise. She finds another man, though, Jacqen Hirotha, through Cressida Kroft. Hirotha contracts with the Guard from time to time and, having survived the plague, he's eager to help those who helped fight it. Also unlike Orisini, he's an expert more with the longsword than the rapier, and the two of you strike up a rapid rapport.

Teodor, meanwhile, has managed to talk a local stoneworker into erecting a small shrine to Groetus in Trail's End. The workman seems unnerved, but every once in a while, if you frequent it, lone wanderers can be seen dropping offerings before the rudimentary altar, which takes the shape of a large, mostly unworked hunk of stone with a graven skull, placed not far from a poorly frequented crossroads where the moon shines brightly each night. Given the nature of the deity, the offerings are often bizarre, even slightly disturbing: what looks like children's teeth, small bits of bone, string tied into strange, tangled patterns. But still...it's getting visitors! And the stone provides some modicum of shelter in the evenings, if Teodor chooses to sleep in the vicinity. The whispers that issue from it occasionally don't bother him nearly as much as they would most people.

Korriban's secret training:
The old woman chuckles throatily. "I do indeed like roses, lad. You're right. You may call me Ilinica; best do so, I suppose, since that's my name. You say you wanted to be like Blackjack, but now times are changing...and the city needs more than just a hero. It needs the spirit to fight back against the Queen's depredations." She glances around. "Best not speak on the street, child. Come. Follow me, if you'd know more about my roses and that spirit."

For the sake of moving along, I'll assume you do!

In the small yard that Ilinica leads you to, you find a more varied garden, though still one that focuses on roses. Ilinica turns to you and says, "Now, to speak more frankly. I share many of your feelings, Korriban, but they are dangerous to share aloud on the street. There is a way of knowing, and speaking, and doing these things--a way of living in the world that fosters the spirit of rebellion. I speak of Milani, the Everbloom. A young goddess, to be sure, but one of the most important in these times. If you are willing, I would be happy to teach you about Milani's doctrine, educate you in the ways of rebellion, and take you under my wing. What say you?"

Assuming you say yes, your retraining can begin!

Korriban at the temple:

Finally, Korriban takes the silver dagger that has plagued him for weeks to the temple of Pharasma in the Gray for examination. The priests are still very busy, both burying the dead and healing the living, but a few make time to see you. An older man named Father Eugeni takes the dagger and examines it for several seconds, muttering prayers of divination under his breath.

"This...this is an evil thing, my boy," he mutters darkly. "I do not know exactly what its nature is, but I can tell that, at least. I wonder if it...just perhaps...stand back." So saying, he places the dagger on the floor, backs up, and speaks a sharp word of command.

The dagger suddenly writhes, shifting, as it transforms...into a hideous, red-eyed serpent! Father Eugeni and several of the priests nearby yell, and move away, as the serpent whirls, hissing, and eyeing all of them and you, clearly searching for prey. Suddenly, it goes rigid, lets out a shriek, and is consumed in smoke and flame! The whole thing is over in seconds, and all that remains is a scorch mark on the floor. But you feel as though you can still see the serpent's red eye, glaring at you as it was consumed...

Father Eugeni approaches you solemnly. "You've been watched, lad. Having seen its true form, I know the fiend: a creature called a raktavarna. It is the least of a type of fiend known as a rakshasa, spirits of evil that seek dominion and lordship over mortalkind. These raktavarnas can shape themselves to appear as objects, and so spy on those that their masters command." He claps you on the shoulder. "It seems to be truly gone; but whatever was watching you and your friends, it knows that it's been found out now."

Korriban spends the rest of his free time this week on dates with Lily, who's a charming young alchemist, and helping Imperia and Celia prepare for their transfer into the Academae. The young nobleman who's services you've pressed has a contact on the inside who knows a way around the wards, and when all is ready, he sends a message to the wizard. The man appears in a puff of acrid smoke in the living room of the nobleman, Amin Jalento, and whisks Celia off with barely a dozen words, saying tersely to Amin that he's taken enough risks breaking the abjurations already. Imperia is tearful to be saying goodbye to her sister, but she sighs with relief when it's done. "At last, I can relax and move on with my life. The Academae has its own dangers...but I know that they're the kind that Celia will be able to overcome. And she'll be safe from all else in there!"

Finally, on the 7th of Lamashan, all four of you receive a summons to Citadel Volshyenek, signed by Cressida Kroft. When you arrive, you find the Guard--shockingly depleted, but nonetheless--turned out into an honor parade. The occasion quickly becomes clear when a beaming Kroft invites you up onto a platform that she's erected at the north end of the courtyard.

"You all know a little bit about my...teams of special contractors," she calls out to the assembled Guards. "I know that not all of you approve of such measures, and I know as well that they're quite necessary. But I also know that you're all aware of how much these four--Teodor Niculescu, Lantressa Darksong, Callie Cobalt, and Korriban Balros--have done to combat the plague. Now that blood veil is at last removed from our streets, the time has come to thank those who did the most to combat it. Three of these were among the first to raise the alarm about blood veil, and all had a direct hand in stopping it. It's with great pleasure, therefore, that I deputize all four of them as Special Agents of the Korvosan Guard--giving them all the rights and privileges that attend the office. Now, Guards--salute!" There is a ringing crash as all of the guards present slam their spear hafts into the surface of their shields.

Later, in private, a smiling Kroft escorts you to a large vault. "Sorry for surprising you with the display--but you've earned it, and it has to be witnessed by the Guards for it to be official. Now, let me help make sure that you can do your jobs properly, Special Agents..." With a nod at the Lieutenants guarding the door, she swings open the vault and leads you inside. Spreading her arms wide, she says, "Go ahead--grab something that strikes your fancy. Most of these aren't regulation, seized as contraband or tax or the like, and it's better they get use in your hands than continue to rust in mine!"

Kroft awards all of you with 2,500 gp worth of magic items, which you can pick out for yourselves! This includes magical arms and armor, or combinations of smaller items.

Once you've all had time to respond to this and pick your items (and Lantressa's craftsmen award!), I'll move us forward. Book Three proper will start on the day after Kroft's ceremony: Oathday, 8th of Lamashan (October), 4708!


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Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

Callie is pleased to make the acquaintance of Jacqen, especially since it's always been her (possibly entirely unfounded and influenced by her childhood teacher) opinion that the Orsini fighting academy was overhyped, what with their silly wiggly poking sticks and all, so she never would have wanted to seek out an Orsini for training to begin with. At any rate she works hard on improving her form and her mobility.

She is perplexed but honored by Kroft's display--if only because she is sure she probably mocked the guard early on for being stiffnecks--but she is glad to do whatever she can to protect the people of Korvosa, and says as much in thanks.

Callie changes out her blade for a mithral one; after having dealt with creatures that were only harmed by silver, she hopes it would come in handy in the days ahead. She spends whatever time she can practicing with it with the aid of her new tutor.


female | tiefling (pitborn) | sorcerer 8 |HP: 48/50 | AC:14 [17]; T:12; FF:13 [15]| CMB +4, CMD:16 | Fort:+6; Ref:+6; Will:+8 | Init:+2; Perc:+0 Volatile Conduit 1/1 | Beguiling Voice (dc 17) 3/8 | Fascinate (dc 20) 2/2 | Spells: lvl 1 7/8; lvl 2 4/7; lvl 3 3/6; lvl 4 3/4

When Lantressa finally got back to the manor she opened the box she carried eagerly. It was roughly the size of a large shoe box and she found her anticipation heightening. When she finally removed the lid and opened it there was a card on top, one that was nicely written and said, In thank you for your service to the city, and the way you carried yourself at the party with the grace of a cat I present you with these boots. They are enchanted to let you always land on your feet with minimal harm like the Fire Cat that you are. It was signed at the bottom Your Admirer. She smiled and eagerly unwrapped the box finding a pair of boots that would reach almost to her knees and were a dark red in color to match her eyes. She slid them on with interest and found that they fit like a glove and when she stood up found that they were very comfortable despite being four inch stiletto style heals. As she walked in them she found they supported her feat perfectly and there seemed to be no weakness in the heal, each step coming down firmly and with no sign of wobbling. She suspected that the heal was magically reinforced and wouldn't break even under the most grueling conditions. Now if she could only find this Admirer to thank him or her properly for the gift.


Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

Some other stuff I thought of, for RP or no as seen fit

After Callie hears from Derrick, she reports back to Korriban and the others that the smugglers can get them into Old Korvosa in another fortnight. "I know that feels like forever, but that's as soon as it can happen. Your folks I'm sure are as tough as you, so I know they'll hang on."

After Kroft promotes them Callie pulls the others aside and says, "This is an honor, but it puts targets on our heads too--not that we didn't have them before. I know we can handle it, but pay attention to whomever you speak to, to who might be watching. I'm sure the Queen or one of her higher-ups know we know about her. And we have no idea WHY she's doing all of this. I doubt obeisance to Urgathoa is motive alone."

She looks at them. "How are you all holding up? We've seen some terrifically awful things. I haven't been sleeping well some nights. And we may have a break, but I seriously don't think this is over yet."


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Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17

Also, I don’t think I removed the 50 gp to Samarith and the 75 gp to Eries. So I will remove that coin from my alias. I had 2,261 gp in the beginning. I subtract 1,200 gp for the retraining, the 75 gp to Eries, and the 50 gp I owe Samartih. That’s 1,325 gp in total. That leaves me with 936 gp. Now I have a question, Norv. Is it time for me to give Pash another 50 gp for his investigation?

Questions for Jolistina:
When Korriban is able to see Jolistina, he says, ”Hello, Joli. How have you been? I’m here about Rolth. You see, we came across him and fought him. He teleported out of there. I’m here to ask if you know where he could possibly be.”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

“The Norv” wrote:
The old woman chuckles throatily. “I do indeed like roses, lad. You're right. You may call me Ilinica; best do so, I suppose, since that's my name. You say you wanted to be like Blackjack, but now times are changing...and the city needs more than just a hero. It needs the spirit to fight back against the Queen's depredations.” She glances around. “Best not speak on the street, child. Come. Follow me, if you'd know more about my roses and that spirit.”

Korriban looks at Ilinica oddly as she leaves. Shrugging, he follows her.

“The Norv” wrote:
In the small yard that Ilinica leads you to, you find a more varied garden, though still one that focuses on roses. Ilinica turns to you and says, "Now, to speak more frankly. I share many of your feelings, Korriban, but they are dangerous to share aloud on the street. There is a way of knowing, and speaking, and doing these things--a way of living in the world that fosters the spirit of rebellion. I speak of Milani, the Everbloom. A young goddess, to be sure, but one of the most important in these times. If you are willing, I would be happy to teach you about Milani's doctrine, educate you in the ways of rebellion, and take you under my wing. What say you?”

Korriban looks around the yard. When Ilinica asks if he is interested in learning the ways of Milani, Korriban thinks about it. He says, ”I’ll do it. But, I have a question. If I take this path, could I still worship Calistria and Shelyn? Or do I solely need to worship Milani?”

During the training process, Korriban has a multitude of questions. ”Wait, so doing it this way will let me be a better rogue?” ”So, I don’t need to read a lot. I can just be a fighter and keep my hand free and I will get a better effect?” ”So, this deific obedience thing? I need to do this every day? I don’t have any rose gardens of my own. So I need to train with people, right?” ”So, this Swordplay style will go well with my grandpa’s fighting style?” ”Wait. So I can just command people to do what I want once a day?!” ”This is going to cost me how much?!” But, despite every question, Korriban manages to persevere and finds a balance between his own style, Vencarlo’s teachings, and Ilinica’s teachings. He stand before his new teacher at the end. ”Thank you, Ilinica. I really appreciate this.”

“The Norv” wrote:
Finally, Korriban takes the silver dagger that has plagued him for weeks to the temple of Pharasma in the Gray for examination. The priests are still very busy, both burying the dead and healing the living, but a few make time to see you. An older man named Father Eugeni takes the dagger and examines it for several seconds, muttering prayers of divination under his breath.

Korriban is nervous as Father Eugeni pours over the dagger. He’s nervous as to what he will find or what he has stumbled into.

“The Norv” wrote:
"This...this is an evil thing, my boy," he mutters darkly. "I do not know exactly what its nature is, but I can tell that, at least. I wonder if it...just perhaps...stand back." So saying, he places the dagger on the floor, backs up, and speaks a sharp word of command.

Korriban sweats as he finds out that the dagger is evil. He watches intensely as Eugeni prepares to reveal the evil of the dagger.

“The Norv” wrote:
The dagger suddenly writhes, shifting, as it transforms...into a hideous, red-eyed serpent! Father Eugeni and several of the priests nearby yell, and move away, as the serpent whirls, hissing, and eyeing all of them and you, clearly searching for prey.

When the dagger turns into a snake, Korriban moves back a little, screaming his head off. ”AH! AH! AH! WHAT THE F**K?! WHAT THE F**K IS THAT?! WHAT THE F*#~ IS THAT?!”

“The Norv” wrote:
Suddenly, it goes rigid, lets out a shriek, and is consumed in smoke and flame! The whole thing is over in seconds, and all that remains is a scorch mark on the floor. But you feel as though you can still see the serpent's red eye, glaring at you as it was consumed…

Korriban is scared as the serpent glares at him. When it’s gone, he’s just left muttering, ”What the f**k… what the f**k…”

“The Norv” wrote:
Father Eugeni approaches you solemnly. "You've been watched, lad. Having seen its true form, I know the fiend: a creature called a raktavarna. It is the least of a type of fiend known as a rakshasa, spirits of evil that seek dominion and lordship over mortalkind. These raktavarnas can shape themselves to appear as objects, and so spy on those that their masters command." He claps you on the shoulder. [b]"It seems to be truly gone; but whatever was watching you and your friends, it knows that it's been found out now.”

Korriban says, ”W-What? What?! You mean, that for months, there’s been some evil spirits watching me?! Watching us?! Learning about us?! Who would do that?! Why would they do that?! Where would they be?!”

“The Norv” wrote:
Korriban spends the rest of his free time this week on dates with Lily, who's a charming young alchemist.

Korriban enjoys his time with Lily, glad to see that she’s interested in him.

“The Norv” wrote:
He also helps Imperia and Celia prepare for their transfer into the Academae. The young nobleman who's services you've pressed has a contact on the inside who knows a way around the wards, and when all is ready, he sends a message to the wizard. The man appears in a puff of acrid smoke in the living room of the nobleman, Amin Jalento, and whisks Celia off with barely a dozen words, saying tersely to Amin that he's taken enough risks breaking the abjurations already. Imperia is tearful to be saying goodbye to her sister, but she sighs with relief when it's done. "At last, I can relax and move on with my life. The Academae has its own dangers...but I know that they're the kind that Celia will be able to overcome. And she'll be safe from all else in there!”

Korriban smiles at Amin Jalento. ”Hey, Amin. It’s been a while. Haven’t seen you since those riots were going on.” When Imperia shows relief at all of this, Korriban smiles. ”It’s no problem, Imperia. It’s the least I could do for a friend.”

“The Norv” wrote:
Finally, on the 7th of Lamashan, all four of you receive a summons to Citadel Volshyenek, signed by Cressida Kroft. When you arrive, you find the Guard--shockingly depleted, but nonetheless--turned out into an honor parade. The occasion quickly becomes clear when a beaming Kroft invites you up onto a platform that she's erected at the north end of the courtyard.

As Korriban approaches the Citadel, it becomes clear that he has made a change to his appearance. He is wearing his mithral armor, magic boots, and regular clothes. He wears both his rapiers on his left hip. His daggers are in their usual places. He still wears the gold necklace with a ruby pendant, the two rings on his hands, and the wo earrings in each of his ears. When you look at his hands, he seems to have gotten two new tattoos. On the back of his hands are tattoos of a very stylized rose. However, there are two things that definitely stick out. His trademark trench coat is gone, most likely in the backpack he has. In its place, he wears the rose emblazoned black cloak he got from the party. The other baffling thing is that his hair… has been cut. And not to a shorter ponytail. The ponytail is gone, replaced with shoulder length black hair. It does look uneven in some areas. His yellow and black bandana is still tied around his head. He looks at his friends. ”Well, well. You guys got the special summon surprise too, huh?” He enters the courtyard, shocked to see the honor guard. ”So, is there some kind of party or what?” He moves onto the platform and waits for Kroft to start.

“The Norv” wrote:
“You all know a little bit about my...teams of special contractors," she calls out to the assembled Guards. "I know that not all of you approve of such measures, and I know as well that they're quite necessary. But I also know that you're all aware of how much these four--Teodor Niculescu, Lantressa Darksong, Callie Cobalt, and Korriban Balros--have done to combat the plague. Now that blood veil is at last removed from our streets, the time has come to thank those who did the most to combat it. Three of these were among the first to raise the alarm about blood veil, and all had a direct hand in stopping it. It's with great pleasure, therefore, that I deputize all four of them as Special Agents of the Korvosan Guard--giving them all the rights and privileges that attend the office. Now, Guards--salute!" There is a ringing crash as all of the guards present slam their spear hafts into the surface of their shields.

As Kroft gives her speech, Korriban smiles as he feels pride in his actions and his new position. When the guards slam their spears on their shields, his face turns slightly red.

“The Norv” wrote:
Later, in private, a smiling Kroft escorts you to a large vault. "Sorry for surprising you with the display--but you've earned it, and it has to be witnessed by the Guards for it to be official. Now, let me help make sure that you can do your jobs properly, Special Agents..." With a nod at the Lieutenants guarding the door, she swings open the vault and leads you inside. Spreading her arms wide, she says, "Go ahead--grab something that strikes your fancy. Most of these aren't regulation, seized as contraband or tax or the like, and it's better they get use in your hands than continue to rust in mine!”

When Kroft reveals the armory, Korriban’s jaw drops. He then busts into a huge grin and jumps up and down in excitement. He then runs into the room like a kid in a toy store. He looks at all of the stuff there with interest. After some time, he manages to find some things. He finds a cool looking scabbard that he finds can help improve his weapons. He also finds a feather token and some caltrop beads.

So, for my reward, I’m getting a scabbard of vigor (1,800 gp. 3 lbs), a whip feather token (500 gp, 1 lb), an iron caltrop bead (40 gp; 2 lbs), and 2 cold iron beads (160 gp, 4 lbs). That should put me at the 2,500 gp limit.

During his looking around, Korriban sees some more mundane items. He asks Kroft. ”Hey, boss! I noticed that you have some more mundane things. Can I buy some of that stuff from you?”

This will give me a chance to do some more shopping.

Callie Cobalt wrote:
fter Callie hears from Derrick, she reports back to Korriban and the others that the smugglers can get them into Old Korvosa in another fortnight. "I know that feels like forever, but that's as soon as it can happen. Your folks I'm sure are as tough as you, so I know they'll hang on."

Korriban growls in frustration. "I know, I know. It's just driving me mad, you know? All this tension."

Callie Cobalt wrote:
After Kroft promotes them Callie pulls the others aside and says, "This is an honor, but it puts targets on our heads too--not that we didn't have them before. I know we can handle it, but pay attention to whomever you speak to, to who might be watching. I'm sure the Queen or one of her higher-ups know we know about her. And we have no idea WHY she's doing all of this. I doubt obeisance to Urgathoa is motive alone."

Korriban sighs. "So much for boasting. But, you have a point. This is starting to become a war with the Queen. We need to be careful and keep our hands hidden. And I have a feeling that we may need more allies in this fight at some point."

Callie Cobalt wrote:
She looks at them. "How are you all holding up? We've seen some terrifically awful things. I haven't been sleeping well some nights. And we may have a break, but I seriously don't think this is over yet."

Korriban frowns. "I've been doing well, I guess. I've been having trouble sleeping as well. Not just because of the Urgathoans or the Queen's tightening grip. But also because I'm worried about my family. But, I have been trying to keep busy." He rubs the new rose tattoos on his hands.


Male
Korriban wrote:
"This is going to cost me how much?!"

My favorite part. XD Will try to address everything y'all brought up, but here we go...starting book three!

Wrapping up Korriban's stuff:

Jolistina just laughs at you. "Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! Rolthy-poo escaped you, did he? Clever boy, clever boy. Always much cleverer than I was. He's got haunts all over the city. In the Gray, in Dockside, even in the sewers...friends with the little blue men, he is." The elf, now stripped of her harlequin makeup and just looking deranged, grins at you. "Don't worry. If he wants to see you again, he'll find you!"

Father Eugeni clearly has no further answers for you. "Rakshasas are a kind of fiend known in Vudra, but why they would target you...I have no idea. If you know where the dagger came from, that could perhaps shed some light on it, but that's all I know."

Your training with Ilinica is comprehensive, but she's a good and warm teacher. Leaving her, you feel a new sense of peace and purpose in the worship of Milani!

You can absolutely buy stuff from Kroft, and...what did we say it was for Pash? 50 gp/month? If so, I think you do need another payment.

HERE BEGINS BOOK THREE OF CURSE OF THE CRIMSON THRONE:

ESCAPE FROM OLD KORVOSA!

Oathday, 8th of Lamashan

As the city slowly begins to recover and the fall wears on, the weather begins to turn chilly. It's not bad, yet--certainly not winter--but you all make sure to wear heavy cloaks when out and about on the city streets. The city does seem to be perking up, though; probably getting excited about the Harvest Festival coming up at the start of next week. Old Korvosa, however, remains under quarantine, and the city's good mood is tamped down by the regular patrols of heavily armed and armored Gray Maidens clanking through the streets.

Given Callie's concerns that she expressed at the ceremony, the four of you--Teodor, Callie, Lantressa, and Korriban--have agreed to meet up at Zellara's old house to discuss what to do about the ongoing threat posed by Queen Ileosa. As you make your way to the modest dwelling in West Dock, you notice that there seem to be more people on the streets than usual, but you have to hurry on to your appointment... The little girl who apparently lives in this house, Gadriel, is strange and silent when Lantressa and Callie enter, but seems relatively content to allow them into her space as long as Korriban and Teodor are with them. She spends most of her time with her pet monkey, scampering back and forth among the rafters on the second floor and the roof.

As you're sitting down around the table in the small, neat sitting room, Lantressa feels a strange pulse of warmth from the pocket where she keeps Zellara's harrow deck. There's a sudden noise in the kitchen, and a dark-haired Varisian woman in a colorful headscarf emerges from the other room. Lantressa, Korriban, and Teodor recognize her immediately as Zellara.

"Hello, all," she says warmly. Her eyes are kind, but they look tired. "I'm glad that you all chose to come together today...I can sense that something, something is about to change in Korvosa...and it's about to change forever. I can sense power rising...power of a sort that hasn't been felt in this land for centuries."

She blinks, looking as though she's coming back from a long distance. "I'm so sorry, how rude of me. Callie, my name is Zellara. I...was...a fortune teller here in Korvosa until some months ago, when Gaedren Lamm killed me. Korriban and Teodor were part of the group that avenged my death, at which point I expected to vanish. But...it seems that fate has other plans for me."

She takes her own seat at the table, and draws the harrow deck from a pocket in her sleeve. In her hands, the deck seems more vivid and real than it is even in reality, the colors rippling and shimmering as she shuffles the cards. The images on them seem almost to move. Zellara sighs as she shuffles.

"To tell the truth, I no longer feel certain that I know what Fate holds, for any of us. I thought that those who killed Lamm were going to change Korvosa forever, but many of them have left the city or left my sight...and meanwhile, many unexpected faces have entered the story. Including you, now, Callie. I think this strange new power is clouding my vision, altering fate...making it hard to see the future."

She puts the deck down, and looks seriously at all of you. "And yet I would try to see what I can. Will you allow me to perform a Harrowing for the four of you? To see what I can see, and gird you for what is still to come?"

GM Screen:

Callie: 1d9 ⇒ 2 NG = The Wanderer
Korriban: 1d8 ⇒ 4 N = The Foreign Trader
Lantressa: 1d7 ⇒ 4 CN = The Vision
Matoska: 1d6 ⇒ 6 CE = The Snakebite
Teodor: 1d5 ⇒ 5 NE = The Idiot


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

Teodor had been catching up with Gadriel, telling her about the shrine to the Lord that had been erected. "Zellara, good to see you again. I feel lucky! Let's play!"


Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

Callie had seen the ghost just once before, but her appearance is no less amazing than the first time. While she gapes in awe, the pragmatic part of the back of her mind examines the ripple effect at the card shuffle and thinks of how to recreate a similar effect with cantrips, for the next time she does her performance--should she ever get back to the life of a simple street magician and storyteller.

Most Harrow readers she's known are charlatans, experts at cold reading, but whether true fortune or a good cold-read, one usually has something to learn, so she nods her consent to Zellara.


Male

Zellara smiles at the group's willingness to participate in another Harrowing. "Very well, then...first, the Choosing. I think, right now...the suit of Books." She fans a spread of cards facedown in front of you all, and each of you draw one.

Callie draws a card depicting a centaur carrying all sorts of knick knacks and weaponry on its back. "The Wanderer," Zellara notes. "A figure that finds the truth worth in that which others might reject...whether that be objects or people."

Korriban draws a card with an image of a mysterious, purple-skinned figure swaddled in robes. "The Foreign Trader...interesting. The card of spies and information peddlers."

Lantressa draws a card showing a man being struck by a bolt from the blue. "The Vision," Zellara explains. "A card representing arcane and obscure knowledge...interesting. Perhaps you'll come into fuller command of your powers, Lantressa."

Finally, Teodor draws a card showing a bound figure in a mask tormented by goblins. "The Idiot," Zellara frowns. "The card of grave foolishness or naivete; arrogance, sometimes, or greed. Very well. We should then begin the Harrowing itse--"

Zellara gasps suddenly as another card, unbidden either by her hands or by one of yours, flips itself out of the spread and onto the table. This last card shows the dripping, poisoned dagger of a spy. Zellara pales slightly. "The Snakebite. An evil card...it represents evil and death. Not just the death of the body, but of ideas, of freedom...but what is it doing here? I haven't spread the cards yet, nor called on them...curious. Curious. I must admit, that leaves me...unsettled."

She takes a deep, steadying breath. "But I suppose that what the cards will, they will. We had best go on." She collects the cards into a pile and begins to shuffle...

More coming tomorrow!

GM Screen:

1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (4) + (6) = 10 = The Vision
1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (6) + (6) = 12 = The Courtesan
1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (2) + (9) = 11 = The Demon's Lantern
1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (6) + (9) = 15 = The Liar
1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (5) + (5) = 10 = The Owl
1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (2) + (6) = 8 = The Rabbit Prince
1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (4) + (4) = 8 = The Inquisitor
1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (3) + (3) = 6 = The Desert
1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3 = The Keep


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

"Well that's just mean."


Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17

I'm still working on my stat block. I just need to put all together and do the number crunching. I'm also working on my purchases from Kroft. I just want to get a post in to move things along.

The Norv wrote:
Jolistina just laughs at you. "Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! Rolthy-poo escaped you, did he? Clever boy, clever boy. Always much cleverer than I was. He's got haunts all over the city. In the Gray, in Dockside, even in the sewers...friends with the little blue men, he is." The elf, now stripped of her harlequin makeup and just looking deranged, grins at you. "Don't worry. If he wants to see you again, he'll find you!"

Korriban frowns. "He can try. And I'll look forward to him showing his face again." He then leaves. When he meets up with everyone else, he says, "Joli said that Rolth has a lot of hideouts in Korvosa. If he wants to meet us again, he'll find us."

The Norv wrote:
Father Eugeni clearly has no further answers for you. "Rakshasas are a kind of fiend known in Vudra, but why they would target you...I have no idea. If you know where the dagger came from, that could perhaps shed some light on it, but that's all I know."

Korriban is freaked out. He thinks for a moment. "I know who I got it from. I can ask him when I meet up with him. Thank you, Father." He leaves and informs his friends. Korriban is definitely going to tell the others about this demon dagger spying on them. So they can read the interactions.

The Norv wrote:
Your training with Ilinica is comprehensive, but she's a good and warm teacher. Leaving her, you feel a new sense of peace and purpose in the worship of Milani!

Korriban feels this new peace and purpose. He smiles as he moves froward.

The Norv wrote:
You can absolutely buy stuff from Kroft, and...what did we say it was for Pash? 50 gp/month? If so, I think you do need another payment.

Yes. It was 50 gp/month. So subtracting 50 gp from 936 gp would leave me 886 gp to spend with. Korriban manages to pay Pash for the next month. When he gets the okay from Kroft, Korriban grins and continues to move through the armory.

Oathday, 8th of Lamashan

Korriban is somewhat shivering as he enters 3 Lancet, still sporting his new look. "D**n cold. I hate the cold. I'm just glad Teodor's sisters gave me this heavy coat. The only good thing about this weather is that the Harvest Festival's next week." He shrugs off the coat and hangs it up. "Anyone else notice that there were a lot more people out today than usual?"

He shares some food that he had taken with Gadriel and some apples for Abu. When Zellara makes her appearance, Korriban smiles. "Hello, Zellara. Sorry we haven't been speaking to you much." He frowns at her predictions, knowing that this is most likely true. When she offers a reading, Korriban peps up. "Oh! Oh! Me! Me! I want a reading!" He moves to the table and takes a seat. When he draws his card, Korriban smirks. "Ooh. Sounds mysterious. Sounds really cool." When the Snakebite flies out, Korriban stares at it. "Wait. You're just as confused by this as us? I thought the cards were under your control."


Male

Zellara shakes her head. "I do not control the cards, Korriban. I just read them. And speaking of which..." With a wave of her hand, nine cards fly out from the deck and spread themselves in a three-by-three grid across the table.

"First, I will examine the past," she intones, turning over the left-hand column of cards one at a time. From top to bottom, she reveals:

The Vision
The Courtesan
The Demon's Lantern

"Ah," Zellara says, glancing up at Lantressa, "Already we have a card from the Choosing! The Vision is the card of madmen and geniuses alike, and it may represent someone you've met in your past, Lantressa--or perhaps it merely celebrates your own genius, and your addition to this team. Whoever this figure is, a creator, artist, or arcane savant, they will have prove crucial to your betterment and Korvosa's salvation. The Courtesan, below it, signifies social niceties, and perhaps may signify a powerful woman who's having an effect on current events--mayhap the Queen? But see how her mask is coming off; the card may also indicate simply that Korvosa's social rules have slipped, that civility is in ruins, and that the order the city is so accustomed to has been broken for some time now. It would not be amiss to say so...but it does not suggest that this is wholly a bad thing, nor do I think it is.

"What may be a problem, on the other hand...is the Demon's Lantern. There are long laid plans arrayed against you, sleights of hand and sleights of mind. The card represents traps and tricks, a situation where wicked forces conspire to lead you to your doom. You must be careful."

With a firm nod, she removes her hand from the Demon's Lantern and moves to the middle column of the spread. "Now let us see what the cards reveal about the present." She turns over the cards one at a time, revealing:

The Liar
The Owl
and The Rabbit Prince.

"Intriguing," Zellara says, pursing her lips. "The Owl is the central card in the spread, and strongly placed, which suggests that your fate hinges on the brutal wisdom of the natural order. You must be prepared to fight for your place in the world, for it will make no easy place for you. But should you win, your place will be more secure than it was before; the needle that the Owl carries can both bind and unbind life. The cards surrounding it suggest that you should be cautious, and not engage to recklessly in combat when you can avoid it; the Rabbit Prince reminds you that even the most capable combatant can fall in battle, and the Liar, misaligned, suggests that there may be a fortunate new relationship in your future...but not one that seems positive at first glance. You should, then, be sure not to meet every challenge with drawn blades!"

The fortune-teller nods thoughtfully, and turns to the last column. "Finally, let us examine the future..." Turning the cards over one at a time, she reveals the final three cards of the spread:

The Inquisitor
The Desert
and The Keep.

Zellara frowns. "Not a very clear reading of the future...but then, is anything certain these days? The Inquisitor represents immutable truth, and suggests that reality will be your friend, if you can simply reveal it. The Desert is a dangerous land, a frightful place to navigate...but the card suggests that you may be able to do so if you can only find allies in these dire straits. The Keep, meanwhile, suggests that you must be able to resist a greater strength than your own, if you are to survive what the future holds."

Zellara sits back from the table and purses her lips, thinking hard. "I think, my friends...I think that we may be at a turning point in the story of Korvosa. These cards are dark, but they also suggest that there is a great opportunity before you, a chance to expose truths that have long been dark if you are only strong enough." She sighs. "I can only hope that what little guidance I am able to offer is helpful to you as you go forward..." She smiles. "I will do my best to aid you in whatever trouble is to come, my friends. Let me know if you need to consult with me in the future, and I will provide what advice I may." She glances around the table, to see if any of you have any questions.


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

"What would you see happen to Korvosa, Zellaram Your dream."


Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

Callie is sorely tempted to say, "Thanks for nothing," but bites her tongue. Quite literally, her mouth is a bit askew as she does so. As far as she can see the reading is indeed like that of the cold readers she's worked with in the streets. That Lantressa is powerful, that the Queen's plans are sinister but becoming known, that they are embroiled in a long game kind of plot are not surprises. Nor that they should be ready for a brutal fight, as well as more verbal or cerebral challenges. And indeed she is not surprised at the sense that they are facing unknown dangers ahead, must be strong, and that their success hinges on the masses coming to see and accept the dark truths they are aware of. The magic of Zellara, she muses, is just her ghostly existence herself. She can track the cards, she knows the kind of dangers the party has faced up close, and has given a reasonable summary of what they all already know with a good tale behind it.

She's a bit disappointed--she honestly had hoped for someone who could do more than she could with a deck of cards.

She stares at her own card that Zellara handed her. To be reminded to look beyond the surface for something's true value was still excellent advice. She passes the card between her hands, making it "disappear" with ordinary legerdemain before making it appear again. "Do we give these back to the deck or do we hold onto them?"


Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17

Korriban frowns at Zellara's predictions. It's obvious that things with the Queen are coming to a head. The question is when will the hammer drop. He looks at Zellara. "Thank you, Zellara. You've done so much for us already. You are a great help. Other than the fortune tellings, identifying magic items, and those subtle moments where we can change our fate, I'm curious as to how else you can aid us."

When Callie asks about the cards, Korriban says, "We usually give them back. Zellara's spirit comes from her deck. The one that Lantressa is carrying."


female | tiefling (pitborn) | sorcerer 8 |HP: 48/50 | AC:14 [17]; T:12; FF:13 [15]| CMB +4, CMD:16 | Fort:+6; Ref:+6; Will:+8 | Init:+2; Perc:+0 Volatile Conduit 1/1 | Beguiling Voice (dc 17) 3/8 | Fascinate (dc 20) 2/2 | Spells: lvl 1 7/8; lvl 2 4/7; lvl 3 3/6; lvl 4 3/4

Lantressa made her way to Zelara's home after a meeting with a client. She had managed to find a few customers in the area and had been making a small amount of money of of them. She knew she had to be at the house at a particular time to meet the others and was running a bit behind schedule. When she arrived everyone else was already there and she was both breathless and a bit disheveled when she entered. "Sorry I'm late, I had paying clients and they simply could get to the point." She rolled her eyes, "It's always annoying when they can't make up their mind, UGH!"

She removed her cloak and went to great everyone and then had a seat and pulled the deck free as it began to get warm. As Zelara appeared Lantressa gave her a smile and said, "It's good to see you again, and I'm certainly willing to see what the cards hold in store." She listened intently as the cards were revealed, much of it wasn't very helpful but the possibility of someone from her past showing up was...troubling. She didn't think this could have anything to do with her own intelligence, she knew she wasn't that smart, and coming more fully into her powers was a given. When it was over Lantressa said, "Thank you Zelara, I appreciate your reading." She then looked to the others to see if they had any questions.


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Male

Zellara smiles faintly. "My dream? I never had much in the way of dreams...all I wanted was to live peacefully in this city with my son. But you know how that story ended." She begins to fade from view. "I suppose, if I had a dream for the city, it would be simply that...to be freed from tyranny and fall under the sway of a just ruler, so that ordinary people could live here and fear neither crime nor violence...but that dream may still be some way off. Best of luck, my friends..." With that, she vanishes; but you can all, now still feel a lingering trace of her presence.

Everyone except Lantressa gains 3 Harrow Points; Lantressa gets 4 because her Choosing card showed up in the spread! Will post details in Discussion.

With Zellara gone, it's up to you all how you spend the rest of the day--whether you stay here at her former house under Gadriel's eye, leave together, or leave to pursue your own business. When you leave, though, you find the streets busier even than when you entered, and people are milling about, many clumping together to discuss rumors in hushed tones. Occasionally, you can see people weeping or cursing the Queen's name, and casting dark looks toward Castle Korvosa.

The following are cumulative; i.e., if you make the highest DC, open all of them!

Diplomacy DC 10:
Although people are reluctant to talk to you at first, you overhear rumors flying around the streets--the Queen held some sort of surprise ceremony or announcement, and people are saying that she attacked Marcus Endrin, Commandant of the Sable Company, and killed him! There are crazier rumors flying around, too: that she turned into a great, horned devil before doing so; that she has declared the Gray Maidens the sole police force in the city; that Endrin was bathed in a halo of light as he fell; etc., etc., etc.

Diplomacy DC 15:
Parsing fact from some of the wilder rumors, you hear that while the Sable Company has been disbanded officially, the Korvosan Guard is still a (much depleted) police force in Korvosa; but the Queen has indeed named the Gray Maidens the protectors of Korvosa, and Sabina Merrin as the city's new general. People are nervous and fearful about what the fearsome force will do in their new role...

These stories--more trustworthy than the first you heard, by your judgment--also suggest that Endrin attacked the Queen first, though what exactly happened on that dais remains unclear.

Diplomacy DC 20:
Queen Ileosa was apparently accompanied, at this surprise announcement, by an enormously fat man named she named as Togomor, whom she deemed the new seneschal of Castle Korvosa. The former seneschal, Neolandus Kalepopolis, has been missing since the death of Eodred II, and the seneschal is formally (in law more than in practice) the commander of the Sable Company. This was one of the justifications the Queen gave for disbanding the hippogriff-riding marines.

Diplomacy DC 25:
At the corner of one dark alley, you find a well-dressed man who claims to have been in the audience for this announcement himself--and you think he may actually be telling the truth!

"I was there, all right," he says, eyes slightly wild. "And what you've heard ain't even the half of it. Queen Ileosa, she was up on that dais, right, attended by Commandant Endrin, and the Field Marshall, and General Merrin, and that new man, Togomor. Commandant Endrin looked...he looked sick, almost. Ill at ease, like. And none of 'em looked too happy, 'cept the Queen and that slimy-looking Togomor fellow. The Queen's wearing this bright red dress, but what everyone was lookin' at was the crown. She's had some new crown fashioned for herself, she has, all gold and spiky and fearsome-looking. Sent shivers down me spine--it looked like some kind of battle-wear. Anyway, she's makin' her speech, talking about how the plague's been defeated thanks to the tireless efforts of the city's priests, etc., and the malefactors behind it like that Doctor Davaulus have been executed--though I heard that she might've known about him all along!--and then she says that she's appointing Togomor the new seneschal. Well enough. But then she says that because the Guard and the Sable Company are so depleted, and because it costs so much to care and feed for them hippogriffs, she's disbanding the Sable Company and making the Gray Maidens the official protectors of Korvosa! Everyone's whispering in the crowd at this point, but the Queen, she goes on, telling Marcus Endrin to step forward and hand over his badge.

"Endrin steps forward and pulls off his badge--only he doesn't just hand it over, see. He bloody throws it at her, hits her square in the face, too! Everyone's stunned for a second, and he yells something--something about ending her rule, setting Korvosa free--and then he's got his bow in his hands, and he looses an arrow at her. He hits, too. It sinks right into her skull!

"Only Ileosa doesn't fall down.

"She grabs the arrow and rips it out, and before the blood can even reach the floor, she grabs Endrin. She's a little thing, but she picks him clean up off the floor! And then she stabs him with his own arrow, right under the jaw. As he falls, Ileosa turns and says, 'This will be the fate of all enemies of Korvosa! Mark well his punishment! It is only the first!' Then that big guy Togomor steps forward and grabs her, and they both disappear in a burst of light. She was gone. Back to the Castle, I guess.

"Things got crazy there as soon as she vanished, of course. I ran as fast as I could, but there was definitely a little riot--and I've heard that the Gray Maidens put it down, hard. What's going on in this city, I shudder to think. I'm thinking of getting out, me and my family. You should too, if you know what's good for you!"

EDIT TO ADD: My Favorite Artwork!


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

Teodor bows deeply at Zellara. "A fine dream, and one I share ...though I'm unsure if anyone is truly fit to 'rule.' Farewell, Zellara, until next time. I forgive you for giving me the Idiot card. Clearly Korriban and my cards got switched somehow."


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20


Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Oops, I forgot to add my pseudodragon's mark to that--since this involves "citizens of Korvosa" I believe the bonus should apply, and that gets me to 25!


Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

GM:
Is it clear what the "surprise announcement" was to be? Is it of the disbanding of the guard/naming the new seneschal or something else?

Hearing all of the rumors, Callie seeks out Teodor. "I heard the head of the Sable Marines was killed by the queen, and the Marines were disbanded. Are your sisters okay?"

When she hears people express their concerns about the new force, Callie advises, "Follow your gut, and if you need help, go to the Guard." Where tensions are too high, Callie tries to distract and calm tensions down with a story (one of people keeping a city whole in the face of a corrupt government, so that it draws the concerned folk in rather than makes them feel discounted).

Perform Oratory: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

More follow up, since I revealed my Diplomacy result should be 25

Callie searches her mind for anything she might have heard about such a crown as it was described that the Queen was wearing.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Knowledge History: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Callie reassures the man he should lay low and behave as calmly as he can, for his family's sake. If he suddenly runs that may raise suspicion. Take his time and prepare and do as he needs to.

She looks for the party and asks them if they've heard what she's heard. "The queen definitely has killed Marcus Endrin -- and according to one eyewitness, he attacked her and delivered an arrow straight to her eye--and she just pulled it out. She bled, but was otherwise unharmed. She killed him with his own arrow. She's proclaiming 'punishment' to all enemies of Korvosa. She's wearing some kind of odd new crown that isn't traditional to the throne too..."


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

"A new seneschal of the castle, a big fat f%%@er. Togomor. One of hers, it would seem. She's escalating. My sisters are hardy, but I would like to check on them."


Male

Yeah, sorry that wasn't clear: purpose of the announcement was installing Togomor and disbanding the Sable Co.!


Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17
The Norv wrote:
Zellara smiles faintly. "My dream? I never had much in the way of dreams...all I wanted was to live peacefully in this city with my son. But you know how that story ended." She begins to fade from view. "I suppose, if I had a dream for the city, it would be simply that...to be freed from tyranny and fall under the sway of a just ruler, so that ordinary people could live here and fear neither crime nor violence...but that dream may still be some way off. Best of luck, my friends..." With that, she vanishes; but you can all, now still feel a lingering trace of her presence.

Korriban smiles. "That's a nice dream to have. I hope for that dream as well." When Teodor makes his comments, Korriban smirks. "Oh, ha ha. I didn't know your god allowed you to be quite the comedian."

The Norv wrote:
With Zellara gone, it's up to you all how you spend the rest of the day--whether you stay here at her former house under Gadriel's eye, leave together, or leave to pursue your own business. When you leave, though, you find the streets busier even than when you entered, and people are milling about, many clumping together to discuss rumors in hushed tones. Occasionally, you can see people weeping or cursing the Queen's name, and casting dark looks toward Castle Korvosa.

Korriban walks through the streets with his friends. He notices the throngs of people and the uproar. Curious, Korriban approaches and asks for information.

Hearing Rumors...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24

Ah. So close.

Korriban smirks as the more sensationalized rumors. 'Oh man. This is interesting stuff. Would make good stories and legends.' He frowns when he manages to get the truth. 'The Sable Company's gone? That's not good. And the fact that the Gray Maidens are now running things makes it worse. Kroft is definitely not going to be happy about this. And why did Endrin attack the Queen first?' When he hears about this Togomor being the new seneschal, Korriban frowns. 'Definitely not good.' He thinks about if he heard about this Togomor before.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Seeing the people feel uneasy, Korriban talks to them, reassuring the people that they are strong. That the Queen, the Maidens, and the government are turning corrupt. That there are only a few people within the government that the people can trust. That they need to be vigilant, be there for one another, and be ready if anything happens.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23

When everyone regroups and compares notes, Korriban says, "Well... s**t. That's a new one. Usually when someone takes a bolt to the head, they die. Do you think that it might be magic somehow? Or maybe she's something else entirely? This is definitely escalating faster than we thought. We need to be ready." When Teodor asks to check on his sisters, Korriban nods. "We can do that. Cristina works for the Sable Company, right?"


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

"My god? Groetus is The God. He will sweep Calistria's dust away as easily as He will your own. And of course the Lord of Endings likes a good punchline, aheh!"


Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17

So I have decided what I wanted to buy from Kroft. Here's a list:
Night stalker’s tonic
silence dust
stalker’s oil
flash powder
fuse grenade
cold iron pellet grenade
silver pellet grenade
slime grenade
tangleburn bag
6 tindertwigs

All of my math says that it comes to 886 gp and weighs only 12 lbs in total.

Korriban chuckles. "Well, when he comes for my dust, he'll find that Calistria isn't the only one keeping an eye on me now."


M Human (multi-ethnic) Rogue Charlatan 6

"More false gods for Him to end."


Male

@Korriban: that should be fine. And also:

Korriban's knowledge checks:
Whoever Togomor is, he's not noble and almost definitely not local--you know that much. You've never heard of a wizard of that description and with that much power.

You all set out for the house that the Niculescu sisters have been sharing of late, and find Anca waiting for you, looking anxious. "I haven't seen Cristina in hours, and there are the most awful rumors filling the streets," the young teacher says, looking anxious. "I can only hope that--ah, wait! Here she is!"

Cristina has just pushed her way through the door, looking tired and haggard but otherwise none the worse for wear. "Oh, you're all here. Good," she says shortly, as she removes her crossbow and leans it in a corner. For the first time, many of you are seeing her in civilian clothing--she ordinarily wears her uniform to and from work, so the effect is slightly disconcerting. "Relax, Anca, I'm fine," she continues as her younger sister rushes to embrace her.

Sitting at the table, Cristina rubs her face and stares at the four of you. "Uncanny how you always manage to show up in the right place, Teo. Creepy, even. But in any case...I take it you've heard? Endrin may be dead, the Gray Maidens are in charge, and I'm on indefinite vacation. Hooray." She clenches her jaw, and a muscle twitches in the side of her face. "Fortunately, I'm not high enough up the pecking order of the Company to be of interest to anyone at the palace...so I'm just stranded out here with my weapon but no authority. With any luck, it won't be too long." She shakes her head.

"But on the other hand, I'm not completely useless yet...a little bird contacted me." She glances around, almost as though afraid someone might be hidden in Anca's kitchen and listening. "Field Marshall Kroft asked me to reach out to you, brother--and through him, all of you. She wants to meet with the four of you as soon as can be. Tonight, if possible!"


Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17
Digger Chandler wrote:
"More false gods for Him to end."

Korriban smirks. "And have this city end? No thanks. Too much work to do."

At his knowledge of Togomor, Korriban frowns. "Well, I know that he's no noble or a local. I haven't heard of any wizard with that kind of power or that size."

At the Niculescu house, Korriban frowns as Cristina enters the house. When she explains things and gives the message from Kroft, he says, "We can meet with our mutual bird friend. If she's sending us secret messages, then it has to be serious. What about you, Cristina? What are you going to do now that the Company's gone?"


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

"Korriban, EVERYthing dies. Korvosa will fall. But not yet."

Later, at his sisters' place:

"Creepy? Me? I'll have you know I'm in the top percentile of homeless hotness! I'm sorry about your commander. He went down trying to take this evil queen out. He will be avenged. As for now, perhaps you can enjoy some vacation time? Things will get worse here before they get better."


Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

Teodor, if you notice in the edit window, you can edit your post and change your alias

"Everything ends. By the same token, everything also has a beginning. I'm all for creating a new beginning for Korvosa."


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

"Now THAT," Teodor says, turnig to Callie, "...is interesting thinking. I'm gladder you've joined us all the time."


Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17

Korriban smiles. "I agree with Teo. That's some good insight. I'm for it. Bring an end to this bad time and forge something better."


Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

"Thank you, although I'm now concerned you're agreeing with me." Callie winks.

"Anyway, we should probably be meeting up with Kroft. Where did she say we should meet her?"


Sorry for the lack of post earlier--weekend got unexpectedly busy!

"I'm not entirely sure that the Commandant is dead," Cristina says grimly. "Rumors are swirling, but...they say the Gray Maidens took him, and why would they take his corpse? Bah, perhaps it's just wishful thinking. As for me, I'm going to lay low for a bit, and then see if I can find some work as private security...perhaps detective work...something in the private sector.
I don't want to chance running afoul of the new administration."
She sneers slightly on the last word.

"The Field Marshall's waiting for you at Citadel Volshyenek," Cristina continues, addressing Callie. "There should be guards posted, so I imagine you're expected. Abadar speed your way--whatever this city's up against, it's not good."

I'm going to assume that you head to the Citadel!

The streets seem muted, now, as you hurry to Citadel Volshyenek. Although it's still early evening, people seem to be heading in early and trying to avoid the gaze of stranger on the street, unnerved by the rumors--or are they facts?--swirling through the air. You arrive quickly at the southern end of the isle, and hurry over the causeway to the gates of the Citadel.

A familiar face--Grau Soldado's--greets you when you knock for admittance at the gate. Letting you through the wicket gate, he says, "I assumed you'd be coming quickly. Follow me--Kroft's waiting, and I know she's anxious."

As you follow Grau through the Citadel, the first thing that strikes you is how empty it is--and how unkempt. When you were here recently, it was relatively tidy, but it's clear now that that was merely Kroft and the Guard putting on a good show for you. The yard is empty of recruits training, and small piles of rubbish are scattered throughout it. You pass only the occasional other Guard hurrying about their duties, and dust seems to be gathering in many of the rooms. Grau leads you through winding hallways to what must be the very heart of the keep, and then knocks on a small, unobtrusive wooden door set alone at the end of a hallway.

Kroft herself opens the door. "Ah, my friends. Thank goodness you've come." Kroft looks tired and haggard, and the room behind her seems to be filled with a silvery fog. "Please, come in; we can speak privately in this chamber." As she steps aside, she adds to Grau, "Thank you, Sergeant; please wait here until we are done."

She follows all of you into the room and closes the door. As soon as you step into the room, the mist vanishes; instead, you find yourself in a small, unadorned conference chamber containing a long table, chairs, and a small coffer in the center of the table. Kroft says, "This room is warded--none can eavesdrop on us here, magically or otherwise. So take your seats, and speak freely--I certainly plan to." As you sit, she paces nervously at one end of the room, then turns to all of you and plants her hands on the table.

Get ready for wall-o-text.

"Korvosa is dying. No, strike that. Korvosa is being murdered. Killed by our queen. The evidence you've uncovered that links her to the plague is damning enough, but now that she's disbanded the Sable Company and reallocated our own funding to the Gray Maidens, she's more in control than ever. I dare not move against her, as my guards would be executed by her Gray Maidens to the last fighter before sundown. But she must be stopped. And I know of no one else but you to do this deed.

"Whatever foul magic the queen has wrapped herself in is clearly of the highest order. Endrin's aim was true, and his shot should have dropped her. I had feared he was going to take matters into his own hands like this, but hoped he would find it within himself to find a better route. If only he could have waited.

"You see, just this morning, new information came to me. Vencarlo Orisini’s been one of my most trusted sources of information regarding the public; it’s hard for an officer of the Korvosan Guard to get honest opinions from the citizens, and Vencarlo’s observations on these topics have been a godsend, particularly since the plague started. When the queen quarantined Old Korvosa, I’d feared his messages would end, yet he managed to find ways to smuggle updates to me every day. Recently, he wrote of discovering something of vital importance regarding the queen. He mentions something about dark magic and a pact with a devil, but until the events of this morning, I found his claims difficult to believe. But even more astounding, he hinted he’d found a lead on Seneschal
Kalepopolis, and implied the man might still be in hiding in Old Korvosa!

"That was the last I heard from him. It’s been several days, and I’ve started to worry for his safety. The rumors about riots and gangs seizing control of entire neighborhoods in Old Korvosa are disturbing. Certainly, the plumes of smoke we all see rising from fires on the island are proof that as bad as things are elsewhere, they’re probably worse in Old Korvosa.

"I can see a time in the near future when the Korvosan Guard is disbanded as well. Even now I lack the resources to mount my own investigations. Which is where you come in. Trusting you may have been my best decision over the past several months, for your group holds the possibility of Korvosa’s salvation. I ask you to seek out Vencarlo in Old Korvosa, and to learn more of what he’s discovered about the nature of our queen’s increasingly violent and destructive turns of personality. Ironically, you should actually be safer in Old Korvosa, since the queen’s quarantine has cut off the island entirely, and word on the street is that she plans on leaving it to rot. She won’t think to look for you there if you maintain a low profile and avoid confrontations with the Gray Maidens. Once you contact Vencarlo, we can only hope what he’s discovered will suggest a course of action we can take to save the city!"

She pauses to catch her breath, and hear your thoughts.


M Human (Ustalavian) Cleric of Groetus 3/Slum Shaman 1/Evangelist of Groetus 5

"Deal with a devil?! I KNEW it! Stinks of foul Chelish humors and horrors! We will find Vencarlo, Krofft. The Lord wishes not the End of Korvosa. Not yet. And, ahem, on a personal note ...if you need other help, my sister Cristina, late of Sable Intelligence, has a lot less on her plate these days than her mind tends to like."


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Human Bard - Arcane Duelist 9 [ HP: 41/57 AC:22(21) T:14(13) FF:19 | CMD 22 | Fort +7, Ref +11(10), Will +8 | Init +4 Perc: +8 | 1st/day 7/7, 2nd/day 5/5 3rd/day 2/4; Perf rds 21/25 | Disruptive I message, see invisible 90 minutes, haste 8 rounds (from 9)

"Was that a devil we fought down in that dungeon? Something they had captured... I wonder if that is connected."

"Anyway---we've been trying to look for a way into Old Korvosa anyway to get to Korriban's family. I may be able to get us in... unless you have a better suggestion, we should probably use our own means so they can't trace our movements immediately back to you."

She frowns at Kroft. "There's a time I'd berate the guard for not doing more. In fact I know I have and to their face, when I was trying to look for Gaedren Lamm. BUUUT... I really hope you can keep your neck un-stuck out enough now to keep the guard together as long as possible. The people need someone to turn to--as inevitable as the full overturning of the old order might be."

""We'll find ol' Wobblestick Orsini. Though I'll be mad if the whole place was shut down just to keep him hemmed in."


Male Human (Varisian) hp 45/56 | AC 22/T 17/FF 15 | CMD 22 | Fort +4 | Ref +7 [+8 v traps] | Will +2 | Init +6 | Perc +13 (+15 to locate traps) | SM +17

Korriban frowns as Cristina explains, taking it in. "They took his body? So he might not be dead... Or they have plans for it. Let's just hope it's the former." When she says that she will work for the private sector, Korriban says, "That is probably good. Keep your skills sharp for whatever comes at us. For whatever the Queen decides to do."

Korriban is concerned about the streets being empty and the people who are out scurrying into their homes. When they arrive at the Citadel and Grau answers, Korriban nods in greeting and follows. He notices the condition of the Citadel. "Wow. This place has really gone downhill since the Gray Maidens, huh?" When Kroft opens the door and asks them to come in, Korriban looks at the silver fog behind her. He shrugs. "Okay. Come on, everyone. Into the spooky silver mist." When Kroft explains about the wards, Korriban responds with, "Oooh. That's pretty neat. D**n it. Now I want a neat warded room." He then takes a seat and listens to Kroft's speech.

Korriban is in shock. He stands quickly. "The Queen is dabbling in dark forces?! And Master Vencarlo knows something about this?! There's no question about our next move! Or at least, my next move. I'm getting into Old Korvosa! For my family and my teacher! And nobody's going to hold me back!"

Korriban is glad that Teodor and Callie are in agreement. When Teodor mentions his sister and Callie suggests to keep the Guard together, Korriban nods. "I agree. Keep together and gather as many allies as possible in secret. It may all come to a boiling point. There will be a rebellion in the future." When Callie says "Wobblestick Orsini", Korriban is confused. Looking at her, he says, "Wobblestick? What?"

By the way, just as a reminder, there are some things that Korriban would have told the rest of the party during the downtime:

1) The Gray Maiden cordon, what it looks like, and how secure it is
2) The Key-Lock Killer is running around and what information Korriban knows about him
3) The silver dagger being a raktavarna, a servant of a rakshasa, and that it's been spying on us since we got it from Verik Vancaskerkin
4) What Jolistina said. Rolth has hideouts all over Korvosa and if he wants to see us, he'll find us.

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