With the group's decision being made, Malen communed with Pharasma for several moments, becoming infused with Her power before again bestowing the blessing upon himself and his companions. The divine power might not get the party there instantaneously, but at the speeds they would maintain it wouldn't be long before the familiar sight of Castle Korvosa would be in view. And then on to the Dead Warrens and the opportunity that awaited them.
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Bestowed by Malen's divine power the group becomes a mist and quickly pushed by the winds and Pharasma's call the group sees themselves abandoning the Cinderlands. Flying over the edge of the Sorval Plateau you witness the unsettling and ancient stone skulls ring of Kaer Maga predating the Empire of Thassilon itself.
Flying all over the Yondabakari River and over the Falcon River for more than 200 miles it takes you less than four hours to witness the grandiose skyline of Korvosa, with its Citadel Crest and the ancient pyramid nowadays known as Castle Korvosa. Pyramid that, thanks to your trip to the Cinderlands, you do know now it was protected by the shoanti natives for being the resting place of the blue dragon Kazavon's fangs.
Hurried by Keppira d'Bear previous communication you lose little time to infiltrate the city as a mist and fly through towards the Dead Warrens you explored a while ago.
As you approach the location you come out of the mist into your material bodies so you can have a short talk. Short after, just a few meters from the entrance to the Dead Warrens, you come along with Cressida Kroft. She meets you with relief "Praise the gods you are all well! I was starting to worry you could not attend Keppira d'Bear's call. But you should be eager to know what is the current situation in the city..."
"Things have gotten worse and worse. True power in Korvosa increasingly lies with the Gray Maidens, those ruthless and brutal warrior women patrol the streets in larger and larger patrols..." the woman seems clearly worried by her own words "At the same time, the Red Mantis supports the queen from the shadows. There is no official announcement of the Red Mantis’s alliance with the Korvosan monarch, but after several prominent nobles and even a few magistrates and arbiters meet with savage and public assassinations, no formal proclamation is necessary. As a result, Korvosa is firmly in Queen Ileosa’s control..."
She then looks at you with hope in her eyes "There is more... but you should be eager to know why Keppira d'Bear called you and what is her role in all this... I shall not hold you more. The password to come and go from the ossuary with ease is..."
Cressida smiles mischievously "Blackjack."
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Kalem took a step forward, glad to have his feet firmly on the ground once more. The tiefling smiled, a look that would have been judged as handsome by any who could get over the obvious infernal heritage behind it. He rested his scythe on his shoulder as he looked at Kroft. "Good to see you again as well." The news of the city washed over him. None of it was surprising, given what they had experienced. Nor was it truly concerning. The city was the only home he had ever known, and he was willing to fight for it. But he didn't love it. As the weeks rolled on and the connection to his bloodline grew, his motivations were shifting towards one that was more introspective. The feeling of growing power was intoxicating. Just thinking about it made his smile grow wider. "Always liked blackjack." He remarked.
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When Cressida mentions the Gray Maidens, Zamanda glances over at Bashiel, wondering if he is okay.
At the mention of Arbiters being assassinated, Zamanda pales.
Her father had been right to be paranoid about his life. She shouldn't have blown him off. ... She feels guilty about that, but an even greater fear comes over her while Cressida speaks... she had gotten her family out of the city, but she wasn't certain that they had stayed there.
On the surface she is calm, and simply asks
And what of your own position? Is your life in danger?
___
After Cressida is done speaking, she asks for a moment with her privately. If she agrees, she asks
My father... he wasn't one of those assassinated, was he? I got them to leave the city before we left, but he kept talking about how he was needed...
Her worry shows, but if the answer is that he wasn't, or that Cressida doesn't know, she thanks her and starts to turn back and return to her companions, but then thinks better of it and faces Cressida once again.
I... want to thank you. I was angry when you forced me to become a part of this group, and I resented you. ... But seeing you again, and looking back... honestly it is the best thing that has ever happened to me, no matter how it happened, and I just wanted to say that I respect your dedication to this city and I can see your goodness and bravery in staying here and helping people at great personal risk. I'm sorry that I didn't see all of that earlier.
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Ilsa has mixed feelings as they arrive in her hometown. It's the only place she's ever lived, and she looks with particular concern at Old Korvosa.
That's my street--or at least, what's left of it.
The young woman was different--much different--than she was when this all started. The former shop girl had initially taken custody of her niece, Brigget, after her sister had died. Then Brigget had been kidnapped. But this group had ended those that had harmed her.
I do hope she's okay. I will see her again when all this is over. I know my halfling friend is taking good care of her.
What had tormented her since her sister's death--some dark being that was always just behind her consciousness and a creature of fear and death. The group's cleric, Varor, had tormented her for her fear, and eventually they parted ways. What would that elf think now, to find out that this thing--had turned out to be Ilsa herself. That epiphany, shown to her by the shaman, had empowered her. She was what the enemy should fear.
It was good to see Cressida--their first ally in all of this. Ilsa smiled, no longer afraid.
"What can we do to help you, friend?" she asks.
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As the group swoops into Korvosa, Bashiel surveys the city from the sky, looking for signs that things may have gotten worse since he left. His gaze particularly lingers on Old Korvosa, where his family's bakery now likely lies looted. Having dismantled the Arkonas, he couldn't help but worry that another, perhaps even shadier, figure had stepped in to fill the power vacuum.
Outside the Dead Warrens, Bashiel gives Cressida a tight smile "Glad to see you're still alright. We learned a lot on our journey, but it cost us more time than I would have liked." He listens with concern as she describes the state of the city. "Open assassinations of people who disagree with the Queen... that's-" He shakes his head "Sad to say, but its what I expected might happen."
"Cressida, do you trust d'Bear? If so, lets go see what she has to offer. A way to strike back against the Mantis was her message."
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Malen was glad to see that Korvosa still stood more or less intact as they approached from the sky, having half expected to see it in smoking ruins. He was letting his imagination and dreams have too much leeway with reality. Mentally asking for forgiveness for blasphemy, in case those thing's were Pharasma's visions sent to him, he descended with the others outside the Dead Warrens where they were approached by Kroft.
Having remembered that Zamanda's father was an arbiter (and of the rift between her and the man from their brief interaction years before), the priest listened with sadness and despair to the current state of Korvosa. It seemed the Queen was in full control at this time, ruling by fear those who might otherwise try to escape her yoke. It might be truly up to this small band to remove that knife from the city's throat so it could breathe again.
Malen's jaw clenched as Bashiel asked Cressida if the woman could trust Keppira, but he knew it wasn't personal. With everything going on with the city and the assassins, it was best to be very careful with their plans and trust. Assuming Kroft answered in the affirmative, Malen made ready to enter the Warrens with the newfound password.
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Bashiel sees just a few columns of smoke rising from Old Korvosa, but he cannot manage to locate from afar his family's bakery.
Answering to Zamanda's worries for her own safety Cressida's says "And who is not in danger right now? Even those that side the Queen out of fear, they are all at danger. I do not have to remind you what happened to the Sable Company Commander Endrin."
The Korvosa's Guard leader nods to Ilsa "You are already helping with your deeds. What you can do now is help d'Bear strike Ilieosa's allies. Meet with her, she will explain her plan. I have to go now, but I will meet with you later so you can explain me in full detail what have you uncovered in the Cinderlands"
Cressida does not hesitate to answer Bashiel's direct question "Indeed, while the other major churches have sided with Queen Ileosa, many just for survival, and Sarenrae and Iomedae ones are too busy trying to help the people at the street, the pharasmites are the only ones with the right combination of resources and willingness to oppose Ileosa. They are our only hope to organize a true resistance movement" the woman eyes Malen and offers a sad smile "She has struck an unlikely alliance and needs a resourceful operations team able to infiltrate to make her plan true. It was me who recommended her to call you Bashiel "
As the group moves forward Zamanda takes Kroft by the arm so they can have a private conversation.
"I understand your worries. I have heard your parents reached Palin's Cove and have been helping Korvosa's refugees there" the woman seems hesitant for a second but when Zamanda inquiries she finally makes it out "Otto was here a week ago, your father sent him to prepare his return and he looked for me to know what was the situation. I told him plainly things were very dangerous. But I do not know if that will keep him far from the city for long, or if he decided to keep going with his idea and has returned. In any case, he and your mother were well just a few days ago"
She puts a hand on Zamanda's shoulder when she honestly opens up her feelings and smiles wide "No worries Zamanda, I do understand. Sometimes the best comes from where we less expect. You are fighting well, I just pushed you forward a little bit, you made the rest by yourself"
Leaving Cressida back, you soon reach the Death Warrens entrance. A couple of armored men bars the pass with spears "By order of the Guard, this place is forbidden territory"
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After coming back from talking with Cressida for a moment, Zamanda tells the group that she needs to check in on her place and her parents' place before leaving town again, but doesn't rush off immediately, waiting to see what it is they are being asked to do.
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Bashiel shakes his head in further dismay "We worked with a couple good people from the church of Abadar. I wonder if Ishani's now working for the Queen along with the rest of them? I can only hope he struck out on his own. As for the Pharasmites, and no offense to you Malen, but they've always come across as hewing closer to inaction unless there are undead on the loose." He rubs a hand across his stubble. "I wonder what changed. And I wonder what exactly this 'unlikely alliance' is about."
At the entrance , Bashiel nods and lets Cressida take the lead, in case there's a specific way that the password needs to be conveyed.
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Malen didn't take offense at Bashiel's statement, being nearly as surprised at the paladin that the Pharasmites were the only faith actively working against the Queen. The priest supposed he couldn't question it much, since he was also working against the monarch, but he had always considered himself something of an outlier from the city-going clergy.
The cleric waited patiently as Kroft had her asides with his party members who had personal business to ask about, knowing that their worry was truly genuine and for good reason in these times. If his parents still lived he'd inquire about them, as well. He'd once wondered whether he would see them again in the afterlife, but once he had dedicated himself to the Lady of Graves he had likely written off such a future rendezvous. Still, he hoped they were happy with their after life, saying a quick prayer of thanks to Pharasma for judging their souls to send them on their way.
Once everyone was ready to proceed, Malen walked along with the others to where the guards blocked their path. When silence reined for a moment, the priest spoke up. "Blackjack. Let us pass, my friends."
Cressida departs towards the city while you face the guards of the cemetery. They nod to Malen as he says his words and lift their spears opening you a free pass inside "Remember, each of you shall say the pass in order to avoid the forbiddance shell"
Forbiddance blocks planar travel and damages all the creatures that enter the area and are not within a particular alignment. In this case the safe alignment is True Neutral.
Inside Korvosa’s vast graveyard the atmosphere is mournful but quiet and calm in the face of the civil unrest, yet there is an unnatural stillness in the air, almost as if the graveyard were preparing for a vast influx of new dead. Mounds of unmarked dirt stretch far and wide, indicating sites of mass graves, while crumbling mausoleums from years ago, abandoned by their families as the cemetery expanded to the west, dot the bleak landscape, forgotten and empty.
Following your old steps to the exact entrance of the Dead Warrens you reach the mausoleum and open the poorly hidden trap door in the floor that leads down into the dark. Putting up your light sources you start your descend into the catacombs you raided some weeks ago searching for Rolth.
Descending the stairs into the Dead Warrens, just a few steps later, you come up with a dark foggy mass completely opaque to your light sources.
This is a mage's private sanctum typical effect. Light and sound cannot go through and the people inside are protected from eyesdrop and other types of divination.
It is safe for you to pass. Nevertheless, the forbiddance shell the guards referred to must be overlayed with this same effect. It should be a good idea to say the password while entering here if you want to avoid the abjuration damage.
After the warning, Zamanda murmurs the password as she passes the guards as well.
blackjack
Zamanda explains what a Forbiddance shell is to anyone that doesn't know, and explains that in this case anyone not of a completely neutral alignment would be harmed, although apparently the password bypasses that.
Zamanda shrugs at the opaque barrier, not really knowing what it is, but then things seem to click in her mind, and she guesses that this is the beginning of the actual forbiddance spell rather than back with the guards, so she speaks the password again before attempting to cross the barrier, just in case.
Blackjack.
She steps in to the foggy mass, hoping that she is right and not just babbling.
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Kalem followed Zamanda's lead. They had been through enough together that he trusted her with his life.
Zamanda goes into the blackness, seconds later she comes back and informs it is safe. One after the other you all make it through the black mist saying the password. Beyond you find yourselves with the familiar Ossuary.
The room is quite different from how it appeared the first time. It now contains several chairs arranged around a large wooden table on which a map of Korvosa has been placed. Within the ossuary, Bishop Keppira d’Bear awaits, she looks at you then towards another individual you do quickly recognize. Zade smiles at you and nods to Keppira in recognition "It's them"
Only then the bishop greets you "Welcome. You must be Cressida's group" her expression is somber and her manner grim. She looks at Malem at the back and his pharasman symbol "And you must be Jaster's pupil. I am sorry for the loss of your master" she does suddenly recognize him "Wait, you are the one who left that bag full of coin in my hands... Why did you leave in such a rush? You did not even present yourself. Had I known you were Jaster's pupil I would have liked to have some words with you first"
Next too Zade there is also a florid and heavyset man with short brown hair and beady dark eyes. He barely nods with the head as any sort of greeting.
You do identify this man as Boule, the guildmaster of Korvosa’s thieves’ guild, the Cerulean Society.
"You came faster than I thought after the response to my first calling" you really feel the words of the Bishop carry a tone of enormous responsibility "Fortunately you came just on time. We are still a few, but we are starting to organize some kind of resistance against Ileosa. At least with the leftovers of her devastation... Cressida Kroft said you are her best operations team, not that she has many guards left, but she also said you have been working to uncover the truth about the Queen for a time now..."
"You probably know by now that Archbanker Darb Tutle just announced a few days ago that Abadar's Church recognized Ileosa as the best opportunity for Korvosa's recovery in light of the obvious effects her rule is having on squelching civil unrest." she follows up with an uncommitted tone that could be taken more as tiredness rather than disaffection "Well, I do not share his convictions on this point. I would even say the current situation is very unsatisfactory and something must be done. The church of Asmodeus has fewer qualms supporting the queen. Shelyn and Sarenrae are overwhelmed by their attempts to help the city recover from plague and riots. If it is just me who has to set up things forward, I will do it without hesitation"
"Now, the Queen has locked herself and is well protected at Castle Korvosa, but an opportunity has arisen to strike true and hard on her pawns: the Grey Maidens and the Mantis Order. What you will hear here now will put you in great danger and go against many of Korvosa's rules and traditions, and as you see we are just a few of us. If you do not have the vowels for it, this is the right time to step back and run to hide in whatever hole you think is safe." Keppira stares at each of you clearly trying to measure your resolve "If you stay and listen you will be in open rebellion for now on."
An answer is clearly awaited from each of you.
Zamanda smiles when she sees Zade, but her smile disappears as she sees Boule. She was not going to be dragged back into that.
You try to shame us for cowardice where none exists. We do not fear being in open rebellion. The queen has already tried to assassinate us by partnering with the Red Mantis. The danger for us in this is no greater. We are with you in working to take down the queen, who is trying to destroy our city.
She glances at Bashiel, tries not to look at Zade, then takes a breath and adds
However, I do have some concerns about fighting the Gray Maidens outright. Aren't many of them innocent women that come from our community who have just been deluded by the queen and a misguided sense of loyalty? I would rather not fight the misguided good if we can strike at the intentional evil of the Red Mantis instead. Starting a war in the streets only furthers the queen's desire to destroy the population.
Feel free to interpret that as cowardice if you will. I'm willing to listen to your plan, and your reasoning... we have been out of town for a while, and I am sure you know more of the current situation, but the very last thing this city needs is the slaughter of more innocents.
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Having followed the rest of the group in and offered the password, Bashiel remains to the back, still not entirely comfortable among the Pharasmites. His suspicion burns slowly in the background, though it gets overtaken by more active concern for the city as d'Bear offers her case.
"We've been in open rebellion ever since we raised our hands against the handpicked physicians brought in by the Queen to sicken the people. That she decided to reward us for our success against them doesn't change the fact that she knows we've acted against her. And as Zamanda says, the Red Mantis have been after us for a while already - with no signs of stopping."
The second part Bashiel feels less comfortable answering, so he's glad when Zamanda broaches the subject first. He nods at her assertion that there are Gray Maidens who've been brainwashed into loyalty. "From what we saw before we left the city, the Maidens were not filled with some overflowing malice, but were simply executing the Queen's will. At least some among their number are victims as much as anyone else."
He considers, then adds "They and the Red Mantis do need to be stopped, however. What opportunity are you presenting here?"
Kalem just shrugged. "And here I was getting tired of a rebellion in hiding." Listening to the others talk about the maidens, he responded "If they stand in our way I'm not holding back. Can't be too innocent to do the things that they've been up to, and I'm not dying because a soldier decided to follow orders."
Zamanda laughs
Of course I am not saying to stand there and let them kill us. I'm just referring to what seems to have been implied here... an organized attack on them specifically. Fighting the pawns is sometimes necessary, but in my opinion our time would be better spent on a plan to take out the corruption at the top. I am especially annoyed with Red Mantis just now though, so that also seems like an attractive target.
Not having accompanied the others on their trip through the Dead Warrens, Malen slipped to the back of the group as they traveled the short distance to the rendezvous with Keppira and apparently a couple of others. He bowed his head in reverence when the priestess acknowledged him, though he did smirk a bit at her words about his actions. "Forgive me, priestess, but that was exactly why I did not mention it."
Hearing his fellow Pharasman speak of open rebellion against the city's Queen, Malen wondered how many turns of events had brought them to this moment. There was nothing else to be done at this point, of course. It was either accept Ileosa's rule or reject it. And to reject it was to invite violence. Perhaps with their newfound knowledge the group would have something of an advantage in that regard.
Listening to his companions speak, Malen waited until they were done before offering his opinion. "Perhaps mistress d'Bear's information will shed more light on the specifics, but this is war we speak of, my friends. No matter the opposition's motivations, they are our enemies until this is over. I also believe that these Mantis assassins are more inherently evil, but the Maidens are soldiers in this war, as well. And no matter how good a person a soldier might be, if he or she is on the opposite side there can only be one outcome when you meet on the battlefield until the war is done."
The priest purposefully avoided making eye contact with any of them, not wanting to single anyone out or seem as though he was trying to curry favor. Shifting his eyes he looked at Keppira and nodded slightly to let her know he was ready to proceed once everyone else was.
Keppira nods to Zamanda and Bashiel "I understand your concerns about the maidens. But those on the streets have decided to follow the orders while others have preferred to endure the punishment or seek the Boneyard. From the moment a creature is born, Pharasma sees what its ultimate fate will be, but reserves final judgement until that soul finally stands before her. Those souls were free to decide, their actions are theirs and from no one else. And it is only upon their actions that Pharasma will decide on which of the Outer Planes their souls will spend eternity. Meanwhile, as your friend Kalem says, we cannot let them keep executing people and administering the Queen's law for it means the doom of Korvosa."
Although d'Bear's words are uncommitted and empty of any apparent feeling, they are outright clear "The Gray Maidens are the force that protects the Queen, only by striking hard on them we can release Ileosa's grip on the city. If you still think they are victims you should reconsider if you are among the people trying to fight back the Queen or among the ones that just let things happen. Will you let the maidens seize more and more parcels of power just because they are not evil but only wrong on their ideas? Ideas that have terrible consequences on the lives of others?"
"This has not been an easy step for me either. This is not something I am comfortable doing either" she looks at Boule and Zade "In fact I despise having to do this. But things have gotten to this point. As of now, there are only two sides, those that let the Queen and the Maidens do, and those that fight back to save Korvosa from their clutch" she then goes back to each of you, noticing Malem and Kalem adhere to her cause, her stare centers on Ilsa, but specially on Zamanda and Bashiel who have raised their concern "Make your mind now. If you chose to leave, I can only hope it is not too late by when you realize there is no other way forward"
Despite her uncommitted tone, you can feel the tension of the moment and how desperate and way out of her area of comfort the Pharasmite is at the moment.
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I understand your concerns, but we have asked you for more details. Are you asking us to commit before explaining your plan?
If so, I would be inclined to say no. We already are pursuing the death of the queen, and that seems like the larger goal. I don't know how much time we can commit to any random, unknown plan. ... Or is that the whole plan? Attack them?
Keppira looks back at Boule.
The Cerulean Society guildmaster negates with the head "No, I won't disclose the guild secrets and put into risk my contacts unless they are fully committed to this"
Only then Zade speaks up "I knew always you were deliberately making your arrows fail during our missions. But this is different. We are all in the lose if we do not put an end to this. You know the Queen is unreachable while the Maidens run strong around the city. You sure remember what you promised once you finished your studies. This is the right time to come back"
Bishop d'Bear picks on "Suffice to say Mr. Boule has information that would allow us to decapitate the Maidens' leadership in the city, reduce their numbers, safe whomever they might have prisoner and totally disband their training facilities. All while removing the Red Mantis from the city as well"
Boule grumbles loudly, clearly bothered simply just by the general information revealed by Keppira.
Zade speaks up again, this time with a smile "You will prevent more girls falling on the Maidens clutches this way that you can plausibly dream to convince out of their ranks with your sweet lies Zam. Please help us, you are the only group left strong enough to take this risky mission, if you reject us, I fear the Queen will only get stronger. If not for me, do it for my daughter, Brienna, for your parents, for all of Korvosa. It is time to taint our hands, not to preserve our moral convictions while everybody around suffers and the city falls apart"
"Yeah, Queen's evil. Right. Seems to me that the best way to think about this is a war. Got to fight the enemy's soldiers, even if you'd gladly have a drink with them during peace time. I see nothing wrong with hitting the Maidens. Less swords for the queen, and if we can take out some of their leadership, then the rest won't know who to point their swords at."
Zamanda stares at Zade, not understanding why he would betray her like this. Had he become just another toady to Boule? ... I thought that he truly cared about me...
She responds to him:
Shut the hell up! I can't believe you are trying to manipulate me... in public... like this.
Zamanda looks devastated, and says nothing else for a moment, and for the first time in her life, she seriously considers just leaving Korvosa behind. Why try to save it if there was nothing to come back to?
However, she quickly masters herself, going white with anger in order to mask all the other emotions she didn't want to feel.
Fine. I'm in, but you and I... Zade, we're done. I hope this plan is worth it to you.
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Ilsa raises an eyebrow at Zamanda's reaction, not really following along with her outburst.
I'll need to ask her more about this. But later.
Ilsa agrees with what the others have said. "We will never be able to strike at the Queen with all of her pawns around her. I agree that weakening her protection will be critical if we are ever to have a chance against her. There may be innocents hurt, but many more will suffer if we do nothing. I'm in."
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Bashiel keeps his dismay at the heartlessness on display to himself. Their narrow-minded, utilitarian notions about the soul were not new to him. But this is the first time he had had a chance to hear such merciless words directly from the source.
His grandfather offers commentary inside his head. ~'Boy, ya take allies where ya can get 'em. Take advantage a what they're offerin', then do what you think is best with it. It's simple business. Say what they want to hear.'~
Bashiel squares his jaw at the advice from his ancestor. It was right, of course. He stays silent for a few more moments then simply says "Fine, I'm in to fight against them. It's clear enough that we can't let them continue the way they've been going, or Ileosa will crush the city long before we can find what we need to fight against her on even footing."
"What's the plan?"
Malen remained silent during the exchanges, as he had already pretty much made his opinion known. When Ilsa and Zamanda signed on, with more reluctance than the priest and Kalem, the cleric smiled sadly. "If we can take out the leadership, then perhaps the disorganization that follows will afford us an opportunity to strike with minimal bloodshed compared to a full-out assault."
Malen wondered about the history between the lovely aasimar woman and the two strangers in the room, but decided that was a question for another day. For now the group seemingly had enough on their plate. Since Bashiel had also signed on, the cleric turned his attention back to the other three in the room, waiting for them to proceed.
Zade is visibly confused, then hurt, by Zamanda's words but his words are a clear attempt to hold his point "Then so it is. Whatever is needed to protect my family and stop the Queen"
Keppira measures Ilsa and Bashiel's words and nods to Malen in agreement. Then the Bishop looks to Boule, her words bitter but resigned “Tell them, Boule,” she says “Tell them why I’m tolerating your presence.”
Boule smirks, then makes an exaggerated bow recognizing your acceptance and relates the following “Yes, let me get right to the point. We may operate on different sides of the law, but we can agree that Ileosa is not good for Korvosa. I want her gone as much as you. And while I feel that neither I nor my... associates... are the right ones for the task, you, brave adventurers, have proven time and time again that you are precisely what Korvosa needs."
“Without the Gray Maidens to police the streets or the Red Mantis to stalk the alleys, Ileosa’s grip on Korvosa will slip. Yet in their fortress at the Longacre Building, the Red Mantis and the Gray Maidens are bolstered against attack, and you are absolutely right, many who work within the building may yet be innocent, forced to comply with the queen against their will. But as it happens, I know of a back door into the chambers below. I know the secret to Deathhead Vault.”
You have heard the Deathhead Vault is where the most violent of Korvosa’s criminals go to be imprisoned and, in many cases, executed.
Boule goes on to explain, somewhat sheepishly that "For many years, the Cerulean Society has had an arrangement with a group of derros who operated in a secret network of caverns that adjoin the Deathhead Vault. As long as the Cerulean Society provided the derros with stock for their experiments, vagrants and lowlifes no one missed, I assure you!, the derros allowed the Cerulean Society to use the upper level of their caverns as a secret route to occasionally smuggle prisoners out of Deathhead Vault." the guildmaster looks at Zade at that point "The thieves sometimes freed fellow guild members, and sometimes were hired to rescue a friend or ally from the prison. The derros were masters of stealth and hidden architecture, and maintained this access route for decades."
"With the Cerulean Society’s support, abducted prisoners were often replaced by insane patsies who would then live out the original prisoner’s sentence without the Arbiters realizing it." Zade looks at this point at Zamanda trying to find out what is her reaction to the guildmaster's words "I have had no contact from the derros in months, since some weeks before the Longacre Building officially shifted over to Gray Maiden control."
Zade picks up at that point "I have done some investigation on my own and I am convinced that the Gray Maidens and their allies, the Red Mantis, have discovered the hidden derro caverns and are using them in some manner. I can confirm that the secret door leading to the derro warren from the abandoned sewers still operates, and while I cannot vouch for what new perils may wait within, assaulting the Longacre Building from this approach provides a direct shot into the prison’s heart."
Boule takes out a chain from around his neck which has a key hanging from it and places it on the table. Staring at you, he pushes the key making it slide all along the table until it stops just in front of you "This master key can unlock several, although not all, of the doors in Deathhead Vault."
Without commenting on the ethics of anything the man said, or what she plans to do about it, Zamanda reaches forward and picks up the key.
Looking at Keppira she says
So, is that it, or is there anything that we need to coordinate with you?
Not understanding at first what Deathhead Vault was, Malen picked it up in context as the conversation progressed. The priest listened to the master thief with likely less animosity than most of his companions. Pharasma didn't normally pick sides, when it came to life. All who lived ultimately came under her dominion, their life's choices the weights upon the final scales She weighed out to determine the soul's home for eternity.
Having thought that the conversation was leading to a secret entrance to the facility, Malen became dismayed as Zade pointed out that the two enemy parties had likely taken over the caverns. Still, they probably had not planned on a coordinated, heavy assault, as it used to be operated by thieves and derros, so it would still somewhat surprise the Maidens and Mantis with the ferocity of their attack.
When the briefing was over, Malen smiled slightly and nodded his head to Keppira. "Thank you for bringing us here for this opportunity, Mistress. You were wise to seek us out, as I assure you that if there are any our enemies should fear, it is my allies."
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Though Ilsa has no qualms about attacking the Gray Maidens, she folds her arms across her stomach as the guildmaster speaks.
"I guess--I'm not sure how this helps undermine the Gray Maidens, exactly. We gain access to the tunnels and--and see what they're using them for? That's it? Or do you have something else in mind, like freeing a valuable prisoner?"
I think that their idea is just that we go in and figure it out ourselves. It's the stronghold, so we go in and generically foil their plans, and kill, kill, kill... right?
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”Well, it’s worked for us so far.”
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"If someone like you could stage a successful raid on Deathhead Vault, the Gray Maidens and the Red Mantis could be thrown into disarray. At the very least, rescuing certain prisoners from the Vault would build support for the rebels among Korvosa’s citizenry. One prisoner in particular is of note..." it is clear Keppira loathes Boule, but still she seems determined to bring everyone together against the Queen "Your Captain... Cressida Kroft has secured reliable intelligence that the ex-commander of the Sable Company, Marcus Endrin, is still alive and held within the Deathhead Vault prison. If he could be rescued, he could become a significant supporter of the rebellion. Imagine how the moral of the Sable Company members would recover and how many people will recover hope"
"Also, the recovery of any important documents held by the Gray Maidens could also help tremendously, as would determining why Arbiter Zenobia Zenderholm has thrown in with the Queen" Keppira frowns at this point annoyed "I for that matter think she has been magically compelled to serve in order to win the loyalty of the remaining Arbitrers. Rescuing her from the Gray Maidens would also be a coup of effect"
"Finally, defeating or capturing leaders among the Red Mantis or Gray Maidens would deal the opposition a significant blow. Kroft considers this mission is precisely what you have been working toward over the past several months. The queen already knows you oppose her, and Kroft advised me that if you are spotted on the mission, that won’t undermine other plans at furthering rebellion in the city." the Bishop breathes deeply and loudly "Let me be clear, you are our greatest weapon, and if you can’t destabilize the Gray Maidens and Red Mantis, none of it will matter anyway."
Boule coughs forcing the Bishop to stop "To the matter of defeating Gray Maiden leadership, I have one final gift to offer you. I have prepared a set of fake “coded documents” and I can arrange for them to fall into the hands of the Gray Maidens. I know that the group’s second-in-command, Kordaitra Destaid, fancies herself a codebreaker, and the acquisition of what she suspects are documents containing information about a rebellion would be too much for her to resist. Setting these falsified documents loose, Kordaitra will certainly take the bait, ensconcing herself in her quarters below the Longacre Building for days and ensuring that when you strike, she’ll be present for you to capture or defeat her"
If you recovered the sensitive documents from the Arkona Palace that contain details on the Cerulean Society, this might be a good moment to extort Boule about it to obtain money or other favors or promises.
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Zamanda nods when Keppira speaks, glad that it sounds like she has thought this through more than previously revealed.
When Boule interrupts however, she speaks to him directly.
If you recovered the sensitive documents from the Arkona Palace that contain details on the Cerulean Society, this might be a good moment to extort Boule about it to obtain money or other favors or promises.
The letters of servitude are primarily debts or favors that Glorio could call in when he needed them. Most of those pertain to members of the Cerulean Society. From what you've read, it seems as though most - if not all - members of the city's thieves' guild owed some kind of debt or favor to Glorio.
That sounds like a good idea. And perhaps your organization could offer some additional assistance to us for doing the dirty work. We happen to have "inherited" all of the Arkonas' documentation of debts and servitude. ...Holding an informal auction. Care to bid?
Kalem raised an eyebrow at Zamanda, but deigned to just shake his head rather than add anything. Zamanda obviously had some history with these people, and if shaking them down made her feel better then who was he to judge?
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Malen listened intently at the back and forth, then tried to summarize. "So, try to gain access to the prison by using the derro tunnels. Attempt to free Marcus Endrin and any others that might be deemed politically valuable. Capture or kill the second in command of the Maidens, if she is in her quarters. Take out any others that seem like leadership, and recover any documents we can that could potentially be used against the Queen or her cohorts."
When it seemed that Zamanda was using the information the group had found in the Arkona estate in order to extort the guild master, the priest smiled thinly but otherwise said nothing. Pharasma didn't usually take sides, but Malen personally was always thrilled when the karma wheel worked its magic.
Bashiel scowls at the suggestion to just go in and kill everything. That's exactly what he doesn't want to happen. Keppira's further suggestions on ways the raid could throw the Maidens and Mantis into disarray are received far better. When Malen offers his summary, Bashiel nods "Exactly. It doesn't sound like it will be easy, especially given that our group are not the subtlest combatants." He smiles at Kalem.
"I'm surprised that they would keep Marcus Endrin as a prisoner all this time. After the open attempt on the queen's life, what reason could she have to keep him around? Maybe she's not above torturing him for an extended period... but did Cressida's intelligence source think that might be the case?"
"Thank you for that gambit against Destaid. Bringing down the second in command seems like as good of a blow against the Maidens as we can hope for."
"Cressida just let us know Endrin survived barely alive from the Queen's attack. For some reason she issued explicit orders to the Maidens to keep him alive and they hold him under a feeblemind effect for him not to cause problems" explains Keppira to answer Bashiel.
Zenobia Zenderholm is the leader of Korvosa's Arbitrers. She is a well-known public figure.
It is said the Gray Maidens profited she was very ill with the blood veil to storm the Longacre Building during the plague and seize it as their own headquarters. Without her leadership the arbitrers failed to defend their building.
It is less known she is a faithful of Abadar and actually one their most powerful clerics in the city.
When Zamanda makes it clear to Boule the group has retrieved the Arckona documents, he grows pale, then offers a reward for you "Let's perhaps talk this more privately... I am sure this is none of importance, hehe" when he sees proof of the documents he gets completely nervous and says "Ok, this is not important really, nevertheless I will pay you a bounty of 6000 gold pieces each of you for your good job on returning this to the Cerulian Society"
Through her diplomatic means Zamanda stresses the relevance of the documentations, Boule starts to sweat "Ok, ok, let's increase this per-person payment to 9000 gold pieces and have this done"
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(pass)
Zamanda passes on the knowledge that Zenobia Zenderholm, leader of the arbiters, had been very sick with bloodveil, and the Gray Maidens took advantage of her absence to seize the Longacre building and take it over as their own headquarters.
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After Boule offers them 9,000 gold each, Zamanda says
That's a pretty good bid. Maybe we don't need to see if anyone else will pay more... hmm. Tell you what, make it 10 each, and throw in a guarantee that the Cerulean Society will never bother me or my family again about my past association... that's something you can offer that other bidders couldn't. Do we have a deal?