Another morning dawns in the city of Korvosa. Korvosa is the the largest city in Varisia, and used to be the capital of Chelish Varisia. It now serves as the seat of one of three city-states that claim independent authority over their individual holdings in the region. Though its citizens and traditions have strong ties to the nation of Cheliax, with many of its people tracing their ancestry directly to servants of the Empire, the city's location at the mouth of the Jeggare River and the presence of a highly-defensible harbor have contributed to the establishment of Korvosa as a primary hub for trade now that the city is independent.
For most today is a day like any other. There is talk that the king is ill but everyone hopes that he will make a full recovery. Rumor on the street is that the queen is responsible while others blame the curse of the crimson throne. Tragedy seems to haunt the city’s royal bloodline. Few of her rulers rule for long, and none have lived to a ripe old age, dying instead well before their time. Heirs to the throne are few and far between—in its 300-year history, no king of Korvosa has directly inherited the Crimson Throne from his father. This is the source of much gossip and tale-spinning among the city’s citizens, who speak in hushed tones of what they have come to call the Curse of the Crimson Throne.
Xavice Hawklight Male Human Fighter
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 210 lb
Eyes: Green
Hair: Black Straight; Thin Beard
Skin: Light
Even though he is still young Xavice looks like hes been in battle quite a bit, with a few scars visible over his body. however for those with a keen eye they don't quite look like they've been cause by normal attacks. A man that prefers to keep to himself, his way of talking maybe a bit crude, that maybe to the fact that he didn't have anyone that he could call "friends" or that he could trust for that matter, the sad and blank look in his eyes lets you know that something in his past wasn't normal.
His scimitar's edge was dulled.
Sitting in his apartment suite in Cliffside, Cassiel runs a gloved finger along the edge of his blade, testing its sharpness. His dark blue eyes are reflected in the scimitar's blade, and he runs a hand through his dark hair in search of an itch to scratch. Unsatisfied, he begins to dig around in a small, velvet-lined box for his whetstone.
At least it gave him something to do.
My scimitar is a tool of justice, my weapon against despair and evil. It must be kept sharp and ready to defend the innocent, the poor, the downtrodden.
A mantra to keep him focused. If nothing else, it kept him from going mad.
To the black-hearted, we demand a challenge.
One stroke of the whetstone.
To the oppressed, we offer hope.
Another stroke.
To the corrupt, we demand punishment.
One last stroke.
To the lost, we offer a way back.
Cassiel holds his scimitar up. Its edge is renewed. He lets a grim smile appear on his space. No humour, nor warmth is in the smile; only teeth and anger.
"Lamm, I *will* find you. I promised."
Ylenna is a young woman, barely over 20 years old. Her build is average, her features plain, and she wears her red hair straight midway down her back. Despite her plain features, however, she has a presence about her, a certain charisma that, when she chooses, leads others to notice her.
Having grown up for the most part on her own in Korvosa, she's tough and independent. Recently, however, she's been increasingly frantic as she speaks with people, trying to find out what's happened to her missing younger half-brother.
One name comes back as something she might want to investigate: Lamm.
As the evening street party was going in full strength, cedric got himself ready to go to work. He sight a few times while heading toward his workplace for he knew, tonight when all the cheerful people would go home his job would be dangerous. There were lots of cleaning up to do and the Otyughs were likely to get out of hand, and with passed out citizens in the streets it could get ugly real fast. He really wanted to stop somewhere and pray but the festivities meant it would take extra time for him to get to work.
Upon arrival, after saying hello to everyone ine in the courtyard he went directly to the Otyughs pens, and gave them a long hard look.
You better not give us any trouble tonight, there will be plenty of waste for you to eat in the sewers so don't get to curious if you smell lots of nice things to eat up on the streets. You have plenty down there. It was wishful thinking of course but he couldn't help it. For tonight some of his colleagues might not make it home.
Well then i better get ready now he said to no one in particular
Walking along the streets of Korvosa a bulking stone man is out looking for answers.
Gaedren Lamm I am coming for you, you will dread the day you messed with my Family.
I will find the proof I need to free my Brother if its the last thing i do
Kira woke early, just before dawn and quickly got dressed. Avoiding her normal attire of fine clothing, she instead opted for the much more durable clothing common to explorers and adventurers. Tying her dirty blonde hair back with some simple cloth, she looked in the mirror just a moment. Her hazel eyes were greener than normal, obviously a sign of her distress. Shrugging she continued getting ready.
The early morning was really the only time she had before having to spend time seeing to the affairs of her family’s business. With her father gone now, it fell on her shoulders to keep her father’s legacy strong. At 17 years of age, she had enjoyed the luxuries of her father coddling her. Though she had many lessons between her time in archery classes, her tutelage on business affairs, and her time with the clergy of Abadar it was all very easy. With her father’s passing, the trauma of that alone was a great weight to bear, being murdered in the streets, however it was not that alone, now she must also tend to all of his business.
She shook the thoughts out of her head and opened the door. Taking in the smells of the city as it washed over her. Quickly she ran through the streets, her boots thudding against the cobblestone. She knew the city so well, she could nearly feel it, feel its soul as odd as it was to think a city had a soul. She found he favorite spot to climb, using the foot and hand holds from a set of pigeon roosts to climb up to the tops of the buildings. Reaching the roof she was now in the Shingles.
Having to deal with other merchants and those with means it was nice to take in the sights and sounds of the more common people. This was where the city really lay. While the nobles, the military and the merchants all were important pieces of Korvosa, its common people really made the city whole. Here, Kira waited watching the sun as it rose, seeing the early risers start their day, the bakers firing up their stoves, the street sweepers cleaning any trash from the night before. Kira sat for a time after the sun rose, closing her eyes and enjoying what she could feel as the pulse of the city started to grow.
Your taking care of your morning business as usual when a piece of paper suddenly drops from above (even for those of you that are indoors) and lands on you and seems to stick there.
You grab it and realize it's a harrow card. The Hidden Truth.
Written on the back of the card is a message.
I know what Gaedren Lamm has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he currently dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done.
Kira opens her eyes as a piece of paper slaps into her face. She reaches up to pull it away noticing the Harrow card. Flipping it over to get a better look she notices the writing and a smile crosses her face as she reads. She pockets the card, not overly concerned about how it came into her possession and takes one last look around the city, inhaling deeply before going on her way.
Heading home she gathers some supplies. Thinking to herself "Ah finally, a chance to avenge my father. If this Gaedran didn't murder him, he at least knows who did to have sold his signet ring." She slips on her armor and grabs her bow and a quiver of arrows. Before heading out she stops by and tell the business accountant that she will be away on personal business today and that he should take care of any business matters while she is away, if anything of grave importance arises she will take care of it at a later date.
With that she heads on her way not caring about arriving early. As she makes her way there she thinks about whether there is anything important about the address on the back of the card.
After feeling something land on his hat, Cassiel takes it off and looks.
A card depicting a mage poring over an open book, named The Hidden Truth. Cassiel arches an eyebrow, then looks over his head at the ceiling of his apartment suite.
No holes in the roof. No rafters. No chandelier, that I made sure of when we moved in... Then to the window. Window's open. Could someone have thrown it in?
He looks at the back of the card, half-expecting another mocking message. His eyes narrow as he reads the card.
"Lancet Street... that's in Midland, isn't it?" He says to no one in particular. He pockets the card and gathers his gear.
Lamm knows where I live, but this doesn't sound like his style. For one thing, he never used Harrow cards for his messages. If others are looking for him... let's not get our hopes up. This could very well be a trap.
Cassiel rises from his couch and closes his apartment window before heading out the door and locking it. He sets off for Lancet Street, grim determination dogging his every step.
And if it isn't... perhaps I can fulfill my promise to Emmah after all.
Ylenna notices the harrow card falling from above. Picking it up, she looks at it, then looks up, then looks at the card again. Turning it over, her eyes widen as she sees the note.
It's probably a trap, she thinks, but for Roland's sake I can't ignore it.
She arrives at 3 Lancet street about half an hour before Sunset, hoping to scope the place out. (Anybody else who arrives early is likely to see her, and realize that she's watching the place.)
It couldn't have taken Cassiel long before he reached Lancet Street. It took him even less time to see the redheaded lady across the street from the address he was on his way to.
Others like you will be there... is she one of them?
Shrugging, he approaches her. "Not the best sort of night to be wandering about alone, unless you have business here, right?" He says, flashing her the card he found. The Hidden Truth.
You examine the location at the address mentioned and find it to be a two story building that looks like an ordinary house except for a wooden sign over the door.
Zellara's Fortune Telling, Come get a glance of your future
A small paper note is nailed to the door.
Thank you for coming. I had to step out for a bit, but shall return shortly. Please, have a seat while you wait. The basket under the table contains bread and drink for you.
Cedric is rather stunned by the card and the message it contained.
I wounder if it is trap. but then again i can't really pass up that opportunity if that is the truth.
The red-headed woman sees Cassiel's card, and shows him that she has one as well. "Name's Ylenna. I'm hoping to rescue my brother from Lamm. What's your beef with Lamm?"
Looking at the note on the door, she makes a "Hmm" noise. "This feels suspicious, but I can't afford not to follow up on a lead that might help me find my brother."
"Cassiel. Cassiel Hawke." He replies, putting his card away.
The question of what Lamm has done to him causes him to wince. Emmah...
"He murdered someone close to me. I intend to pay him back." He fingers the hilt of his scimitar as he approaches the door. After reading the note, he opens the door and steps inside.
Fortune telling. Figures.
The letter fell on Xavice's head while he was already out of the city in close to the forest training. He quickly reads the first side The hidden truth that could mean anything he then tough to himself. flipping the card to the other side, he then reads the message. As he finishes the last couple of words he starts to grin. Finally I can have my revenge he starts to think, but then remembers the words of the man who made him join the society revenge will get you nothing, but get you killed one must always act of pure intentions. Xavice quickly looks over the letter once again others like me he then though, I highly doubt it, however still worth a shot
Xavice resumes his training for a little bit, however he has a hard time keeping focus, the letter replaying over in his head he decides to cut his training short. Grabbing his gear he heads towards the city.
As early as noon he starts to do periodic walks by the address on the card, while seeing nothing or no one in particular, until, like the card said, at sunset. Noticing a man and a woman near the house Xavice pays more attention when the man flashes the same card as him the hidden truth he walks towards them "I had a hard time believing it at first, but I got the same message as you" showing his message he continues "looks like we have the same goal" then with a hit of sadness he adds "hopefully yours didn't scar you as mine did"
Reading the not on the door Xavice walks in sits down at one end of the table reaches underneath and pours a glass of wine before breaking a piece of bread. He then waits of the owner of the dwelling to return.
You open the door and enter. The cozy chamber within this small home is filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The haze comes from several sticks of incense smouldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke itself seems to soften edges and gives the room a dream-like feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling men’s hearts, another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figure shrouded in mist, a flaming sword held in a skeletal hand. Several brightly-colored rugs cover the floor, but the room’s only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throwcloth and several elegant tall-backed chairs.
A basket covered by blue cloth sits on the table. You look inside and find a bottle of wine and some bread and serve yourself.
Ylenna looks around the room with a practiced eye. Nervous that there are traps, she tries to see if there's anything suspicious.
She nods to Xavice and introduces herself. "I'm Ylenna. I am not scarred by Lamm, but if he's done anything to my younger brother Roland, I'm going to give him some scars he won't forget."
She says to Cassiel, "I'm sorry to hear that Lamm murdered somebody close to you. I will help you bring him to justice."
To both of them (and anybody else who arrives), she says, "I'm going to scan this room to see if there are any magic auras."
She speaks the words of a cantrip and looks around, focusing on different areas of the room.
Casting Detect Magic.
In case she finds a magic aura, here's a check to attempt to identify it:
Cassiel coughs slightly when the scent of the home hits his nose. He takes a seat at the table and looks around as Ylenna begins to scan the room.
He looks the new arrival over, noting the tower shield he carries around with him. Never had much use for them; too big and clunky to comfortably carry around.
He fingers his holy symbol of Sarenrae, looking around the room for anyone else who may be here.
Kira arrived to the building early. Seeing the sign and having read the note she promtply remembers an important detail of the location. As such, instead of heading inside she finds a place where she can blend in and watches from afar.
She watches as a woman arrives and observers the place and then later another man, then eventually as another man approaches. As they enter the building she waits a minute longer before following, making sure there are not others then enters herself.
When she finds the three inside she watches a moment before speaking up "Erhm, hello. It appears we are all here for the same reason?" she intones as a question.
Cassiel eyes the new arrival: a blonde, hazel-eyed half-elven lady clad in plain, if sturdy clothes and sporting a well-made longbow.
"Well, it depends on what you're here for." Cassiel quips. "Are you here to get your fortune told, or to learn how to carve Gaedren Lamm into pieces?" He shrugs. "Personally, I was told of the latter. Not entirely sure about the former."
"Xavice is my name" as he nods towards Ylenna. "If Gaedren has captured your younger brother then I pray that he doesn't live trough what I have, and if he murdered someone close to you"nodding towards Cassiel "My condolences." maybe they don't have physical scars, but mental scars can be as bad, if not worse.
"I would very much like to see him into pieces too" Xavice adds raising an eyebrow at Cassiel "that would be one way of making sure he wouldn't do the same that happened to us to other unfortunate souls"
A card fell in front of Ardan as he was eating at the inn.
Where did this come from, it does not seem like someone threw it
Ardan turned the card around, after reading the message he head out onto the streets of Korvosa with a determined look on his face
Brother, you will not be in that prison much longer
upon Arriving at the house, it would seem the others are already here.
Ardan enters the house and stands along the wall, inspecting his surroundings.
"It Would seem that we are all here for the same reason, hopefully the bearer of this message will show up soon"
Cedric waits but no-none comes. He eventually decides to go in and meets the others.
You have a few minutes to talk among yourselves but soon after a Varisian woman comes in.
"Thank you for coming, my friends, and for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you. I have my reason to remain hidden, you see—a terrible man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This is a man you know, for he has done something terrible to each of you as well. I speak, of course, of Gaedren Lamm, a man whose cruelty and capacity to destroy the lives of those he touches are matched only by his gift for avoiding reprisal. You see, a year ago, his thieves stole this, my Harrow deck, from me. It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When pickpockets stole it, my son, Eran, tracked them down. The thieves were in the employ of Gaedren Lamm, and in reward for finding them, Gaedren murdered my son. I sought help from the Guard, but they turned me away. And so I asked around. I paid bribes. I consulted my Harrow deck for advice. And recently, I was rewarded—I found out where Gaedren dwells. He can be found in an old fishery north of here at Westpier 17, where he trains his abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures. And now, I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that if I were to go to them, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance. Even if they did arrest him—what guarantee would I have he would be punished? This criminal has evaded the law for decades. But you know of these frustrations as well, for word on the street has it that Gaedren has wronged each of you, too. So there we are. It is time for him to pay."
Ylenna says to the woman, "This whole room -- it's an illusion, or a lot of it is. Why? Why should we trust you? If Lamm were to want to draw several of his enemies together into a trap, this might be one way for him to do it."
Although she's pointing out that the woman is deceiving them, she still is trying to elicit a fiar response.
Illusions? What was Ylenna talking about now?
Between the man who looked like he was carved from living rock stepping in and Cedric hot on his heels (didn't Cedric have sewer duty today? Evidently not), Cassiel feels no shortage of befuddlement. The fact that this Zellara lady was offering them a way to find Lamm was enough to give him some doubts...
He keeps quiet for now, mumbling a small prayer to Sarenrae before looking around the room again, this time with the Dawnflower's gaze helping him to spot anyone (or anything) with evil intent. If this was a trap...
"I'm a fortune teller dear and this is my shop. The illusions are for the customers. Everything I told you was true." she replies.
"Hmm," Ylenna says. "I'm inclined to believe you. If you are being straight with us, then sure you can understand why we would want to be careful and suspicious when dealing with anything related to Lamm."
Cassiel sighs in relief. "If you're still worried, Ylena, I've taken a look around. I don't sense anyone with evil intent around the house, and I sense that Miss Zellara is being truthful about where Lamm is. And I can tell she's being honest about Lamm murdering her son--that's not the sort of pain you can fake."
Believe me, I know all too well.
"As for the illusions, I have a better question: is any of that relevant right now? We know where Lamm is, and we know she's being truthful. I see no reason not to trust her." He finishes, nodding at Zellara.
After letting the spell casters check for lies and traps, Xavice believes what Zellara said he then asks, " do you have anything more you can tell us that would give us a upper hand in the battles to come?"
Kira adds "Where have you been for the last year then? As to the illusions that doesn't make any sense. This shop hasn't been in use for the last year at least."
Whether or not this is a trap, it is still the best shot we have at getting to Lamm, and if it is we know who to look for after we have taken care of him.
Zellara is a bit uneasy "The illusion are not important! They are just to make the place more appealing and I was...hiding for the last year...I had my reason...Please just go after Lamm he really is were I told you."
Cassiel stands up to leave. "Good enough for me. And as to where you've been for the last year..." He gives the druidess a look that says 'for heaven's sake, leave the poor woman alone'. "...I think I can hazard a guess."
He pauses at the door, then turns and comes back. "I suppose I should introduce myself to the rest of you, then. Cassiel Hawke. And you?" He looks at the oread, the druidess & the tower shield bearer.
Ylenna still is suspicious. "You seem to think it's very important that we go see Lamm. What will happen if we don't?"
"He will move to another location and all my efforts will have been wasted." she replies
Kira looks to Cassiel and sighs then back to Zellara "Very well, we shall see if we can find him. I assume you will be here once we have any developments?"
Without waiting for a reply she walks out with the others and looks to them "Yes, introductions. I am Kira." Without another word she looks to the sky apparently listening to something.
Cassiel nods. "A pleasure, Kira. So, mind if I ask what Lamm's done to you?" He bites his lip slightly before settling down.
After looking to the sky a moment and before answering Cassiel's question, Kira starts chirping like a bird for what seems to be an entire sentence. Once she finishes she looks to Cassiel with a stren look "Well, he either murdered my father, or at the very least knows who did. I tracked down my fathers signet ring at a pawn shop after his murder and the owner noted Lamm as the one who sold him the ring."
Cedric enters the room.
trying to hold in a look of surprise when he sees Cassiel he nods to all those assemble
The meeting is secured and no one was followed he says as he goes to stand in a corner
Noticing that the discussions were over Xavice finishes his drink of whine and piece of bread. He then gets up makes sure that hes not forgetting any of his gear he then turns towards Cassiel, but addresses the entire group of people assemble " I am Xavice Hawklight and I am ready to give my life to see that this abomination of a man named Lamm is put to rest". Xavice then proceeds towards the door stopping in front of Cassiel, he extends his hand to give a hand shake.
Cassiel shakes Xavice's hand.
"You and everyone else here, I'll wager, sir."
Ylenna nods. "Lamm must pay. But, I must say, my first priority is to rescue my younger brother Roland. I believe Lamm has him."
After the hand shake Xavice walks out of the building, but not before pausing to give a quick look of piety towards Ylenna I hope her brother is alright, but we cant let that get in the way of our true goal Xavice thinks, his look then shifts, almost betraying his thought before he walks out the door.
You go to the street mentioned and find the pier were Lamm is supposed to be hiding.
The building is an old fishery, it looks abandoned with all the windows boarded up.
lets see if this is guarded as i should probably be.
Cedric will stealthily go and have a quick look for sentry