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Otyugh are certainly meaty, but one wouldn't be very recommended to eat one. They spend their lives in sewage and garbage and diet on much the same. While they tend not to get ill themselves, they are pretty likely to be carrying a wide variety of disease.
Otyugh are generally ignored as far as alchemy goes because few people want to touch them, so they are rarely studied very carefully.
The guard will nod his head a bit at the two of you and send off two of his fellow guards to go and try gather some other men to try and clear away the body and hopefully find someone who can repair the hole in the street or at least to seal off the alley to keep anyone from falling in.
The guard frowns and shakes his head a bit. "There are many of these creatures in the sewers, they keep them clean of debris and take care of any blockages. This is the second one I know of that has burst to the surface. I don't know what madness has overtaken the city, even the beasts of burden are rebelling."
In response to SL fortune says "If it isn't edible to start with, I don't think my magic will make it so and while some parts might be useful, I doubt if it is worth the time and effort of harvesting them. Let's just continue on with our current mission, ok?"
SL shrugs "Well, it's certainly not edible now. But it seems a shame to waste something we worked so hard to kill". He recalls his masters command, "You kill it, you eat" and shudders. He mutters, "Not this time sir."
He lifts 1 arm and sniffs at his armor, "You have anything that will clean this off."
Fortune smiles, "Yes". He uses prestidigitation to clean up his father. During this time the dogs start shaking their heads and doing dog stuff. Sl looks at the smelly dogs, "You might want to keep that going." So as they leave Fortune will use his magic to clean the dogs as well. "Is there anything dogs won't roll in?" Sl's one word answer, "Soap."
We continue toward our destination to look for assistance in keeping the meat handout process going.
The rest of the trip to the church of Abadar's courtyard is relatively peaceful, at least as close as it can be with the rioting in the streets.
The crowd that had been gathered around the grand bank has grown immensely and filled the square. People are clustered around the entrance back a long way, calling for aid or cursing the church and accusing that they are holding back the coin.
There are groups of people further out in the square setting up blankets and what shelters they can, camping out with the hope that should the church offer something they will be the first to get it.
Fortune will write a note addressed to "Ishani of Vudrani" and have Vallis the Raven (with a message spell on) fly it in (upto a window if there is one, otherwise up to a guard). The note reads, "Ishani, we need to talk with you, urgent. Tell Vallis which window, I can use a message spell for contact. Fortune".
If he can be contacted, we will ask him if he knows people who could be trusted to hand out food, but with the ability to control crowds.
Vallis will return a few moments later and let you know that Ishani doesn't wish to show up in a window over the square because it may make the people think the church has something to say. He requests you to go to a square nearby and he will meet you there as soon as he can.
In about a half hour or so, Ishani will approach wearing a heavy cloak over his priestly robes. He will give a bit of a sad smile and a nod towards the two of you. "There are several back passages into and out of the bank for the arrival of some of our larger merchants. It allows us to bypass the crowds at least, though I wish we could find a way to help them not need to be there in first place. For now though, what can I do for you?"
After you explain what you are looking for, he considers it. "You have me in a hard place, I think. My church often doesn't approve of true charity that does not make direct business sense which makes it difficult for me to head this endeavor myself. However, I do often spend some of my free time among a number of those who do donate their time to serve as herbalists and healers with the poor. I am sure that either some of them or at least some they know would be happy to take over the operations."
"These are not men who have any martial might though, if you think they may need to control crowds, they will likely need help. We may be able to assist each other in this. I have a friend, a man named Grau. He is a good man, trained to be skilled as a swordsman and served in the guard. Unfortunately, he has fallen on hard times, much as our good city has. I knew that something had happened as the last few times I saw him he had taken to drink. I tried to get in touch with him when all this happened to try and use him as a contact within the guard and was informed that he had taken the kings death hard and his drinking increased to the point that the guard saw him as no longer able to hold his responsibility and released him. Perhaps if you could find him and remind him that he is a good man and that the people of the city need him, sober, he will be able to help us. He was among the poor in his childhood and I am sure he will be the best to lead those running the shop."
Ishani frowns a bit, looking somewhat apologetic. "I realize this is a big request in a bad time, so if you are unable to do this, I understand. I simply am unable to leave the bank for long at this time and I do not know many people that could find him among the taverns or slums of the city where he must be at this point."
Ishani nods his head to Shadowleaf in agreement. "Indeed. I have tried to convince them to grant what aid we can to the people, but thus far there has been strong argument that we could only grant assistance to so many and this would create more chaos. Chaos that would focus on the church. With the many gathered outside the bank, I cannot disagree with that fact, though I may argue that action still must be taken. I suspect that if the unrest continues to grow the bank will not be able to remain isolated for much longer."
The priest will then turn and clasp forearms with Fortune in a more traditional Vudrani style. "Of course, my friend. And you have my thanks as well. It is good to know that even among this madness there are those doing the right thing. I will help the best I can from within the walls of my bank."
The healers are reasonably easy to find as Ishani can give you a pretty good idea of where they can be found, two of the men live along the walls among some of the cities poor while the other two live just outside in a small shanty town that serves as a temporary home for some native Varisians who still live their nomadic lifestyle and are not well trusted within the walls of the city.
All four are willing to aid you as best they can as even the sick need food if they are to get better and that is certainly the biggest risk within the town at the moment. They seem to be planning to work on a rotating system so that two of them can work the shop every other day while still keeping up on their patients.
Asking around the city for Grau actually produces some surprising results. An awful lot of people within the city across districts remember him and remember him fondly. It seems that he was quite a good guard and well liked by all the people while he served, though it was only for about a couple years.
After a while of asking for him, you finally find someone who says that they saw Grau a couple days ago at the Shoreline Drinkhall. They suggest just leaving him alone though as he didn't even recognize them when they tried to greet him.
To Ishani; "I can understand their concern. I may disagree with it, but I do understand."
When we recruit the healers; Fortune will share a possible theory, "It may well be that the benefactor providing the animals may quit at a moments notice. It may be a plot with an unknown goal, they may run out of money or animals, or the messenger who delivers them could get killed. Let's just do as much as we can, be it 1 day or many days. I am trying to find a man named Grau to provide some muscle for crowd control."
Fortune and SL will head to the Shoreline Drinkhall, carefully scouting out the place before approaching.
The healers nod in understanding at the sentiment, even if it isn't much, keeping the people going for a short time will give the government more time to settle the riots and find new food sources for the people.
Looking over the Shoreline Drinkhall, the place seems to be relatively quiet. Several of those you see enter the place you can recognize as guards you saw in the citadel, though they are clearly off duty now, and of those you don't recognize, many have the swagger of military. It is likely the bar is primarily frequented by the various guard organizations in town.
While traveling around the city we will look for garbage and such to use purify food/water. We also look for rats and other vermin to feed to the dogs.
Weary with little energy for words, Fortune looks at SL and nods. Letting SL, secure the dogs Fortune enters and looks around for Grau. If he sees him he approaches, otherwise he orders some food (enough for 2) and asks around.
Garbage and rats are certainly easy to find as the confusion in the city has led to filth that normally would be emptied through the sewers and left to the otyugh to dispose of are left to pile up on the streets and the rats are moving their nests up to where humans are.
When you make your way into tavern, it is about half full and mostly quiet. There is a somber mood here, guards who are here to relieve some tension from there day but there is no joviality. Ordering food will get you little more than two bowls of thin gruel. With just a bit of asking, you will be nodded towards a man sitting at the far end of the bar just looking down into this drink. He looks like he must have once been in great shape, but he seems to have let himself go quite a bit. He's several days into unshaven and his eyes are bleary. The man who motions you towards him gives a bit of a 'good luck' type of look.
Shadowleaf;
After securing the dogs with rope, don't want to start anything around a bunch of off-duty guards, Shadowleaf will enter and order a drink. When the price is quoted, Shadowleaf fishes around like he is looking for enough cash before pulling out just enough. Don't want to appear rich. He then takes a place watching Fortunes back.
Fortune;
We will have message spells up as usual (Fortune, SL and Vallis) and Vallis will be left outside with the dogs. Seeing SL enter, Fortune takes the 2 bowls and goes over to Grau. He sits down and just starts chatting with the man, "Man, you look terrible, have some gruel. No, you don't know me, but we both have a mutual friend, Ishani. He was concerned about you and thought maybe I could help you out. Tell me, what's wrong? I'm usually a good listener."
The bartender places a mug of slightly warm ale before Shadowleaf for just a few copper. The place seems reasonable at least even if it isn't the most fancy.
Sitting next to Grau, he reeks of stale sweat and ale and its obvious that he hasn't changed his uniform in some time. He still wears the outfit of a guard sergeant, though the official insignia have been removed.
He just nods his head a bit as he hears Ishani's name, taking the gruel and slurping a bit from it. "Ishani? Yes, yes, good friend. Good man." He turns and takes a first real look at Fortune, squinting at him as if having trouble clearly making him out. He wobbles slightly on his chair as he leans in closer. "Neffi? Is that you? When did you get in from Sandpoint, man?"
Fortune thinks, This is going to be harder than I thought. In reply, "No, I'm not Neffi, I'm a friend of Ishani. Just eat and I'll be right back." Fortune goes to the bartender, "Wow, I need a bottle of what he's drinking, plus a couple of the same bottles with just water. I also need to know who's in charge in here." while the bartender gets his order, Fortune will mutter his plan to SL.
The Plan;
0- use Prestidigitation to make the water look/taste like the actual drink
1- have SL(who will be drinking water) get Grau falling asleep drunk.
2- take him to the Butcher shop
3- when he wakes up, talk with him when he is sober
4- at least we will be there with the healers the next morning
I want to find whoever is "in charge" and talk with them so they realize we aren't trying to hurt their friend. He is well liked and if we start messing with him, we are likely to be forcibly ejected from this place. While I want to fly, I don't want to learn here.
While SL is getting him drunk, Fortune will try to find out as much about Grau as possible.
Asking around about Grau nets you several bits of information as several of the other guards talk about him with some level of true respect though there is a sadness when they glance at him now as if looking at a fallen idol. It seems that up until about a year ago he was a prized student at Vencarlo's academy and served as an instructor there. From the way they talk, in his peak Grau was probably one of the best swordsmen in the city.
Unfortunately, about a year ago he left the academy under a dark cloud at the same time as one of the other instructors, a woman named Sabrinna. She apparently went on to become the queens handmaiden while he enjoyed the guard and started drinking. No one seems to quite know what caused the two to leave the academy, but he obviously took it very hard and has slowly drank more and more over the last year. The King's death seems to have been a breaking point that put him into complete despondency.
It isn't a difficult task to get Grau drinking with Shadowleaf and while he is already at the point of needing to be reminded of what the conversation has been, he seems to be a very friendly and amicable sort and its easy to see why he's so liked.
After about the second bottle he is talking while his head rests on the bar and a few minutes later he is snoring away. The bartender will nod to you after your talk with him as he sees you hoist up the passed out man, keeping a watch on you, but several of the other guards can vouch for you as someone they have seen working with Cressida.
A couple scrawny pigs and a single cow are at the butcher shop when you two get back and the two healers who are supposed to be on shift the next day show up in the morning. Grau will sleep through the entire distribution of meat the next morning, not waking up until an hour or so after noon with a groan, instinctively reaching around near the cot and trying to blindly find a bottle to help battle the ache in his head.
Before sleeping, Fortune will heal SL. After a nights sleep, Fortune feels much better. So when Grau wakes up he is ready with some bottles of water that taste and smell like the real thing, but have no alcohol. While Fortune talks, Sl is cooking a little of the meat in the next room.
While Grau is blindly reaching for a bottle, Fortune will be in a corner, unarmed, praying and using Hypnotism (suggestion; "tell me your problem").
After casting the spell Fortune will get up and get a bottle for him. "As a healer, I should tell you that more ale doesn't really cure a hangover. Do you remember me? I am Fortune, a friend of Ishani and a cleric of Desna. You have a lot of friends and we are all concerned about you. Why don't you tell me your problem and let me see if I can help you."
Grau slowly sits up with a groan, pushing a hand to his forehead as if trying to hold his brain into his skull. Still he gives a bit of a smile at your words. "It does if you never come back down to reach the hangover part. Normally I'm better at balancing that."
He will try and peer around the room, wincing a bit at the light while he takes in what you say. "So you mean I didn't find my way into a monastery again, hm? With the chanting over there I wasn't so sure."
Leaning back against the wall and closing his eyes for a couple of moments the man lets out slow breaths as he tries to center himself. If he wasn't in such a state you would almost think he was meditating.
Eventually he creaks open his eyes, and though still bleary they seem just a bit more clear. "I suppose my true problem is rather obvious."
Fortune smiles, "Monks aren't the only ones who meditate and pray, and I am not the monkly type. And as to your problem, the symptom is obvious, but what is the underling disease. Sometimes it's hard to tell as the symptoms are very similar. I can treat the symptoms if I don't know, but it is better to treat the disease.
Your symptom is obvious, you are trying to drown a pain in drink. But what is the pain?
We could have a long deep discussion and eventually get to the heart of the problem, but we don't really have the time. This city is tearing itself apart and innocent people are dying. So I am just going to lay my cards on the table." And he lays the Harrow deck on the table to see what kind of reaction it gets. Then he picks them up and trys to use them like he saw Zellara do(maybe she can start teaching me how).
"Sorry, sometimes my sense of humor gets out of hand." Taking a deep breath while shuffling the cards, "Have a seat, and a drink if you must. I started looking for you for purely selfish reason, I need your help and Ishani thought you could help. But as we searched, everybody we met spoke highly of you, but in the past tense. You have many friends. Then we found a drunken bum. I still need your help, but I would also like to help you get back to where you once were, before you crawled into a bottle." Fortune starts to deal out the cards, "1- you were a member of Vencarlo's academy. 2- you left under a cloud at the same time as Sabrinna. Coincidence? I think not. 3- You started drinking enough that the Guard let you go. 4- The King's death pushed you over the edge and you have been falling down drunk ever since. 5- You still have many friends and people who respect you."
He finishes laying out the cards. "Don't rush me, I'm new at this." While he examines the lay out he will brief him on the situation here and that they need a strong presence to control the crowds (being sure to include the, "It may not last long, but let's do what good we can while it does").
"I am a cleric of Desna and anything you tell me can stay just between us if that is your wish. If it your wish, you can drink yourself into a stupor, I will not stop you. But I would like you to consider doing a good deed instead. So tell me, why did you leave, what are you running away from and can I help?"
Grau frowns slightly, from more than just his headache for once. He glares somewhat blearily at the bottles nearby before leaning back against the wall and crossing his arms across his chest. "The cause, as you put it, is that I was a fool and betrayed those I cared for. Who cared for me. I'm lucky they only came away wounded and I certainly couldn't have their forgiveness. I certainly don't deserve my own."
He glares again at the bottles and pushes up to his feet, wobbling slightly and giving a little groan. "I hold such friends because they don't know what I am. The king is not the first man I respect who was lost due to my failings, be they the drink or simply me being a fool."
When Fortune lays out the cards, Zellara will speak to your mind, helping instruct you on how to place them. The cards speak of love, spite, revenge and loss. The future is focused on a healer shielding the poor.
Grau will consider your offer, seeming unsure, but finally will nod his head slightly. "You know much of me now. If you would still think to put such responsibility in my hands then I will do what I can, but I would not have that faith in myself and would not blame you for not sharing it."
Fortune mentally thanks Zellara, then in reply to Grau "You neatly told me what I asked, and at the same time, told me nothing at all. Pretty impressive for a man just waking up from being drunk. Keep your secrets if you want, while I am curious, I will not pry further. Your business is your own. I will say this, I don't know you well enough to have faith or not. But I see you reflected in the lives of those around you, and they appear to have hope for you, so I will to."
Looking at the cards Fortune comments "love, spite, revenge and loss" hmmm, "but with a future of shielding the poor. Perhaps helping others will help you out of this pit of self pity you have dug. So if you are willing to help, I will introduce you to the men you will be helping." But then with a curious look, as if he just thought of something, "Unless there is more to this story, I don't see how your failings had anything to do with the King's death."
Grau gives a bit of a smile at your words, raising a hand to press his palm against his forehead. "When you use your blade, you keep your guard up whatever your injuries or you may as well fall upon your foes sword. Why should those same lessons not carry over to duels of words?"
He stands quietly while you read the fortune, seeming to genuinely listen. "My brother married a Varisian woman. A good girl. They live among the clans just on the outside of the wall. Since he died, I have visited there often to try and take care of them as my own family. Among those people, I have seen many signs of the power of those cards." He stops and frowns. "I have let many people down it seems in my own despair."
He looks up quickly at your last words and shakes his head. "I had no direct participation in the King's death, if that is what you imply. There were changes among the royal guard though when I left the academy. A good swordswoman trained the King's guard, and she left the academy the same time as I. I have heard the rumors of poison. If the guards had been under her tutelage, I believe this would not have passed. She was strict and ensured attentiveness that I believe did not continue. It seems she felt the same, as the last I heard, the queen is lucky enough to have her service."
Shadowleaf enters with some food, but doesn't say anything, leaving it to Fortune to introduce him.
Fortune smiles, "This is Shadowleaf. Sabrinna, yes we've met briefly. Poison you say. The king was old and would have died soon, so I guess someone was tired of waiting. Anyway, I think a good meal will do you good. We have important business to get to or we would be helping out here. If you need anything, you can leave us a message at the Citadel or with Theandra Darklight who owns the Three Rings Tavern in the Five Corners district." Unless he has more to share we introduce him to the healers and then return to our room at the Three Rings Tavern to nap and study until evening.
Grau shrugs slightly, indicating he isn't positive about the implication he made. "I cannot give my oath that it was poison. That is simply the rumor I heard among those I would trust with such information. Such a thing would never be announced officially of course, so I am willing to buy that. Of course, those same rumors say that the prime suspect at the moment is the castle's Senshal since he seemed to have disappeared around that time and I don't put much stock in that. The man occasional visited the academy to see Vencarlo, and to me he seemed a good man."
Giving a nod of his head to Shadowleaf, Grau will greet him. He looks a bit nauseous at the idea of getting something to eat at the moment. "Perhaps I'll have something later when my stomach is settled. Its been far too used to surviving on the burn of drink recently to want anything stable."
He pauses and then puts a hand on Fortune's shoulder, giving him a more serious look behind his bleary eyes. "Thank you for pulling me out of that tavern. I'll do what I can to help them here. If anything comes up, I will be sure you are contacted."
Theandra is very grateful for any aid you can give in keeping the food she does have. Rats are quickly starting to take over many of the growing piles of refuse in the city so it is easy to find and trap some for the dogs to eat, though they don't look very fit for human consumption.
By the time you have gotten some rest, it is getting later in the afternoon and you'll need to be making your way if you are going to reach the citadel at the time expected.
The two of you cut across town just as dusk is falling and make your way to citadel, avoiding several streets that have been closed off due to recent fires or fighting.
When you arrive at the citadel, you are ushered to Cressida's room. Inside, she sits, talking to an older man with long silver hair tied back in a ponytail. He is dressed fancifully, as a noble, but the rapier on his hip is obviously well cared for and in fighting condition beyond being gem encrusted and the leather fencing gloves on his hands have creases at the joints from time spent gripping a hilt.
As you step inside, both push to their feet and Cressida will motion to the man. "Greetings, I am glad you two could make it. This is the friend I spoke of, Vencarlo Orisini."[b] She then indicates you two, glancing to him. [b]"These are the agents I spoke of."
Vencarlo will smile warmly and offer his hand to shake for each of you. "It is a pleasure to meet you both. If Korvosa had more fine folk like you, we'd already be out of this mess. Please, sit Cressida will brief you on what I have uncovered as of now and then I will be happy to answer any further questions."
“As much as I would enjoy allowing for conversation, I fear we just don’t have time. Vencarlo has often come to me with news of important changes on the streets, and this is no different—indeed, what he’s learned could degrade into sanctions, embargos, or even war against Cheliax if we don’t act now. This problem is a man named Darvayne Gios Amprei. You might have heard of him—he’s an ambassador from Cheliax whose disdain for Korvosa is well documented, and yet he’s taken great pleasure in what our city has to offer. Even before this recent unrest, this man was ready to recommend to his government a sanction on trade, or perhaps even an embargo."
"Vencarlo has learned through his own considerable sources that Ambassador Amprei’s actual goals are to undermine Korvosa’s economy to the point where he can buy up large portions of the city from desperate landholders and establish himself in a position of power here. Whatever the ambassador’s reasons, we can’t let his bias or personal plans hurt Korvosa. Yet neither can we take drastic action—not only would killing him be wrong, but it’d simply martyr him in Cheliax’s eyes."
“Fortunately, Darvayne has his foibles. Again, Vencarlo has learned that Ambassador Amprei has been making fairly regular visits to a place in Old Korvosa called Eel’s End. This den of vice is run by a dangerous man named Devargo Barvasi, better known in Korvosa’s alleys as the King of Spiders. I’d love to put Barvasi out of business, but he pays his vice taxes regularly and never causes any problems—in fact, since he keeps his business constrained entirely within the five ships moored at Eel’s End, he’s actually one of the least of my worries. Truth be told, I can’t decide whether Devargo is a stirge or a kraken. He seems like a bloodsucking pest most days, but sometimes I fear just how far his tentacles have wormed their way into our great city. In this case though, his insidious web stretching across Korvosa’s underworld might prove to our advantage."
“Devargo would never let someone he recognizes as an ally of the Guard into Eel’s End, but your group’s a different case. I’d like you to pay a visit to Eel’s End and secure an audience with Devargo. Find out what he knows about Amprei, get proof of any illicit goings-on the ambassador might be involved with, and bring that proof to me to use to undermine any forthcoming attempts by him to get Cheliax to cut us off. Devargo might not be willing to part with his information easily. I’ll supply you with some gold to bribe him, and whatever’s left over you can keep for yourself. Remember: the man is dangerous, but so are you—if things get violent, I wouldn’t mourn his passing.”
With that last thing said, Cressida will bring out a pouch of coin and offer it out. The jingle of coin can be heard within.
Fortune will shake his hand, "I've heard about you, but I only believe half of it." He smiles the turns serious, "We have been meaning to stop by and meet you, but haven't had the time. Did Amin Jalento get to your place safely? He seemed quite insistent on going.
About this Ambassador, go to Eel's End and find information and proof, check."
Before we leave I would also like to stop by and talk with Verik. Tell him that we have gotten some people to continue his work and that Grau is involved.
Vencarlo grins at your compliment. "It should probably be the bad half, I suppose. Or more likely both halves are bad. I am simply myself. Were it not for the unfortunate circumstances the city finds itself in, you would both be most welcome to join me at my school. From all I have heard from Cressida, I have little doubt that we could both teach each other several things. Once the riots have settled and the school is open again, you both have open invitations to visit or train."
Vencarlo smiles at the mention of Amin and he nods his head. "Ah, that was you, was it? He did make it back to the academy fine. He told me that he was helped out by several men, but I hadn't realized that it was your doing. You certainly have my thanks, he has the potential to be a good swordsman one day but unfortunately he hasn't yet learned that there is more to skill with the blade than just a powerful arm. You need to keep your eyes open too. Hopefully this little run-in will help him see that, if not, I suspect a bit more time out of his families mansion will do him good."
When you stop to visit Verik he appears to be rather downtrodden, though that is likely to be expected in someone likely on their way to the executioners block. Still, the news you bring seems to perk him up slightly at least from the hints that his benefactor shows no signs of having been caught. That Grau is aiding you brings a cynical smirk to his face. "Ah yes, of course. Had I only become too drunk to be useful anylonger all of this could have been averted and I could have gone about my business just fine."
To Cressida/Venarlo
"I'm glad the cub is safe." In response to the families mansion comment "It would probably hurt, but it would do him much good" As his old master would say "That which does not kill you, makes you stronger" and he mutters, "But it still hurts like hell."
To Verik
With barely a crack of a wry grin, Sl will say "To help pass the time I can help you with that" and he will pull out a hip flask.
Fortune looks thoughtful, "I think most could learn much outside their mansions", I know I did. After a pause, "So, what are Ambassador Amprei's known vices? What kind of vice businesses does Devargo run on his ships? Does Devargo have any enemies?" He will look in the bag.
To Verik;
Fortune just shrugs, "If that is your choice, but it is a sad you feel that way." And that's all Fortune has to say to him.
The two nod towards your commends about Amin, then Vencarlo gives a slight smile at the question about the ships. "What vices can you think of? Devargo runs the dock and personally directs much in the way of drug trafficking but there are a handful of ships there that cater to nearly any drug you can consider. Be it drugs, drinking, gambling, or flesh it is peddled there. I believe the ambassador to sample the various vessels, though I cannot tell you for certain. I know that he has dealt with Devargo directly, so either he has traded some information for his vices, or he has a heavy enough drug habit to deal directly with the boss himself."
"You both seem to know Cheliax better than I, what sort of illicit goings-on are we too look for, or rather, are there any that we might think would get him in trouble, but won't. Cheliax is a different culture, so they might see drug use, for example, as normal and no big deal. Do you understand what I am asking? Are we trying to get him in trouble with Cheliax or Korvosa?"
Cressida considers your question. "I think the best possibility, would be if he is offering some secrets to Devargo for whatever pleasures he is seeking. If you could find proof of this, it would certainly stain him in Chelish eyes. However, if that is not a possibility, it will be enough to show him breaking our laws. With such evidence, we can force Cheliax to withdraw him as ambassador. Even if the next ambassador has ambitions as foul as he does, the newcomer will need to start from scratch and we will be able to watch them."
Vencarlo will push up to his feet, giving a small bow to Cressida. "Now, I should be returning to my academy before it becomes too late. He looks over to the two of you. "If you wish to accompany me, I would be happy to walk you and answer any further questions on the way. You can check the docks tonight if you'd like, or if you prefer to wait until morning, you may stay at the academy tonight so you will be close to the docks by morning.
Fortune will nod to Creeida, "Ok, that makes sense. We will do our best." Then, after a brief consultation with Shadowleaf, he will also give her a bow and say to Vencarlo, "We would like to take you up on your offer."
On the trip to the Academy Fortune will bring up a few subjects;
The money from Amin Jalento, "He insisted that it was mine, so you can keep it as his tuition. Desna provides my needs."
Grau, Fortune will delicately tell Vencarlo what is going on at All the Worlds Meats and what they know about Grau. "I am all for a person's business being private, but I would like to know if his private business is going to impact the good that is being done there and I would like to help him if possible. Is there anything you can tell us about what drove him to the bottle?"
In General;
What he thinks about the situation facing Korvosa?
Does he know any wizards who might be interested in trading spells or maybe some scrolls?
As for the money, Vencarlo will simply smile and raise his hand to to indicate you should keep it. "The lad was right. It is good he is learning something. Don't worry of the tuition though, I accept such payments because it is expected of me and serves as a way to weed out those who are not ready to devote themselves to the way of the blade. I am not hurting for coin in any sense. I often wave such fees for someone who shows promise but does not have the means, I certainly can do so for Amin showing his gratitude. Take it as a reward, or if you won't have that, a donation to your cause."
When you speak of Grau, Vencarlo grows more quiet and thoughtful, rubbing one of his hands with the other unconsciously. "It is good that you have helped him sober and given him a purpose. He's a skilled man, dedicated when he has an ideal. A good heart as well, but sometimes darkness can cloud times of light. For any of us. I would prefer not to speak too directly of that time, but there was a misunderstanding between him, Sabrinna and I. He took it very hard and blamed himself, though I think we all were at fault. If he has given you his word, you can trust it."
As for the other questions, he seems very displeased with the current situation of Korvosa. He has lived here all his life and has not seen the city in such straits since he was a young man. He wasn't happy with the king, but he at least kept things balanced. Things now feel like they are building to a head and he worries what will happen if the queen doesn't step forward and cool things somehow. Overall, you get the sense that for his wealth he isn't very fond of the nobility and speaks more like a well educated commoner.
The academy is normally the best place for all things magical, but with it being closed off during the riots, Vencarlo can think of a few other options that might be open. Close to the citadel is a store called the bookmaker, they are the largest book seller in the city and primarily deal with mundane books but also have a small stock of scrolls and spellbooks.
The other options are on Eodred's walk in Midland. The walk is an area with several blocks of little shops, two of which may server your purposes. Basha's is a smaller bookseller but often is good at getting more rare tomes, while 'Hedge Wizardry' is run by a wizard who is at odds with the academy and does his best to undercut and work against their own store in whatever ways he can.
Staying at Vencarlo's academy is very comfortable, he has quite an impressive manor, though a lot of it has been converted to serve as training rooms. There are probably a half-dozen students who are still here, those who don't have places to return to during the riots and are under Vencarlo's protection.
Information below about what you can notice about Eels End by looking over the place and maybe asking some quick questions of locals.
The four smaller ships that comprise Eel’s End are the Goldenhawk (now a flophouse for drunkards and derelicts to sleep it off ), the Twin Tigers (a raucous gambling hall), the House of Clouds (a brothel), and the Dragon’s Breath (a drug den). The proprietors of these establishments pay significant rent to Devargo. The largest of the five is Eel’s End itself, a decommissioned warship that serves as Devargo’s headquarters and the base of operations for his various underground pursuits. Devargo maintains just enough legality to keep the Korvosan Guard from interfering with all of the businesses in Eel’s End, but at the same time his regulations of what goes on here are far more strict (and his punishments far more severe) than anything the Guard themselves would enforce.
Fortune and Sl will try to contact Ishani of Vudrani and get 1 of our gold bars. We want the actual bar. Then we will take it to Eels End and try to fence it. We figure the hard part is going to be getting past any flunkies to see the boss and fencing a gold bar with the royal seal just might be our ticket in.
We will change our appearance before we go to Eels End. Not really trying to disguise ourselves, just changing clothes (local stuff that says criminal). Sl is going to wear Fortunes Bladed Scarf. We want to present ourselves as criminals.
Vencarlo seems to still have some bitterness about Grau and whatever happened between them, but he does seem genuinely pleased that the man is doing well for himself now. You also will notice that as you study him he seems to be studying you through the conversation as well, gauging just what sort of people you are.
Approaching Eel's End the next day it seems that Old Korvosa has been less affected by the rioting than the rest of the city, or perhaps they simply had less distance to fall. The bulk of the island is shanty's and looks to be nearly in shambles, inhabited by the poorest of the city many of whom have pushed towards the mainland in an attempt to find some food.
Still, whenever hard times happen the vice industries flourish as those who are in the worst conditions look for escape from their own realities. The dock of Eel's End is quite full at the moment, many of the peasants moving between the anchored boats shambling in obvious inebriated states.
The sound of carousing booms from the elegantly painted ships moored to this long pier. Large signs painted in several languages hang from ropes slung between ships or are nailed to pilings. The closest ship to the east bears a sign that says, “The Twin Tigers— Take the Tiger by the Tail and Try Your Luck!” Opposite that, to the west, a barge’s sign says, “Welcome to the Goldenhawk—No Safer Stay in Old Korvosa!” Further to the southeast is “Dragon’s Breath Corridor—Dream the Dragon’s Dreams at Affordable Prices!”, while opposite that is the “House of Clouds—The Caress of Our Lovelies Will Take You Straight to Heaven!” Only the largest ship, to the south, bears no signage at all. Short rope bridges or gangplanks provide access to the decks of these ships from the pier, or from the decks of other ships. Sailors, thugs, drunkards, prostitutes, and what could even be a few well-dressed nobles carouse on the pier and the decks of all five ships, seemingly oblivious to Korvosa’s recent troubles. Here and there, large men dressed in chainmail patrol the area, grim faces in a sea of revelry.
Neither of you seem particularly noticed by the revelers or the guards, the armored men only look at you long enough to ascertain that you don't appear to be members of the guard, marines or hellknights.
Fortune looks around at the revelry in disgust. While he is willing to let people make their own choices, it saddens him to see them throw them away on addictive drugs, rigged gambling and other activities that don't solve any problems. Hopefully what him and his fa...Shadowleaf do here will make a difference.
Two hut-like structures sit atop this barge, the raucous sound of laughter and periodic roars of victory sounding from within. Inside of each of the structures on the main deck, tables are packed with gamblers—dice clatter, cards are dealt, wheels spin, and coins aplenty dance and jangle to the fickle whim of fate.
Even as you two approach, you see a man being dragged out of the interior by two enforcers, cursing and pleading all the way as he is thrown over the side into the water below.
Nearly any game imaginable is found within, overseen by four of the men in chainmail and two vudrani men wearing red sashes that appear to be the owners and are keeping a careful watch over the gamblers. About three dozen commoners are gathered in close around the various tables, trying to improve their lot in life on some game of chance.
The guard grins back at Fortune, showing missing teeth, when he asks him about the ejected man. "Tried to cheat the bosses out of their coin, now he gets to try and cheat the sharks out of a meal. Don't get any ideas, few go that way every day. The bosses catch 'em all."
Going through a handful of games, you end up having tripled your original gold coin as it turns out that Fortune has a natural skill at this, particularly at the card games that tend to require a reading of the opponents. He seems to live up to his name in regards to luck with the cards as well.
Having the small winning streak does seem to have drawn the attention of the two vudrani. They keep an eye on you as if waiting to catch you when you slip up with your assumed cheating, but they make no sign of doing anything currently.
The man you spoke to gives an odd look, and when you go back to the table he will go and speak with the other before coming and approaching where Fortune sits. His accent is thick as he speaks and you can see an obvious intelligence and cunning in his eyes, as well as deep seated suspicion. "What is this deal of which you speak?"