"I was just considering making ourselves look a little more beleaguered in general to fit in rather than as a cover story for any particular reason. Nothing fancy. We can do without if desired.
However, I would still like to use the river route since it is an option. Yes we could walk across a bridge to get in, but if we wanted to leave for whatever reason I would like to avoid the chance that someone on this side remembers seeing us cross the bridge into Old Korvosa and start wondering how we got back.
It might also be to our benefit if the Queen and her agents didn't know we went into the Old City and start to wonder why."
I would agree, walking through the gate might be a bad idea if the Maidens or Queen are interested in us.
So let's plan on using the river and see what happens.
"Let's enter a bit away from the docks. Anybody seeing us climbing up from the bottom of the river might be suspicious, and there are people at docks at all times of day and night. Let's go for mid-city."
The group follows the plan, emerging out of the Narrows about halfway between Bridgefront and the Old Dock. Moving carefully, wary of being spotted entering or leaving the water, the heroes enter the shut-off old section of the city.
From the riverbank on the Ridgefield side they had seen smoke spiraling up into the air but here on the ground in Old Korvosa it was clear that things were worse than they had thought. Garbage was to be expected, but every building is shut up tight and many show signs of having been assaulted- broken windows and doors smashed in, bloodstains on the ground. It looks like riots have washed up and down the streets, and while most of the bodies have been cleaned up there was a body here and there. Some were even strung up with placards hung from their necks that read something to the effect of 'this is what happens to enemies of the Emperor'.
They know Orsini Academy and Vencarlo's home is in Garrison Hill, almost straight north from where they enter Old Korvosa. Unfortunately, that means a long detour around the cliffside that defended the old garrison and city center.
"He is fairly well-to-do (having 6th-level PC WBL), so I would think he lives in one of the more affluent neighborhoods. His work might take him into Old Korvosa -- such as hunting down a runaway or kidnapped child -- but for the most part the residents of Old Korvosa can't afford to hire him. And while he might sometimes take on a case pro bono, it isn't the norm.
So perhaps he lives in (and works out of) an apartment in the Northgate ward of North Point. He has cause to deal with City Hall, the Hall of Justice, and the Bank of Abadar on occasion. They may hire him to work on cases, or refer clients to him for complaints that fall outside their jurisdiction."
I might add that, prior to his time as an investigator, his service in the Guard might have also sent him there.
"The Emperor? I wonder who that might be. Outranks a Queen, I suppose, so it's an audacious title to give oneself."
"I think we should at least make an attempt to stay hidden. And if somebody notices that we are trying to avoid attracting attention? Well, I think that is the norm in places like this. Nearly everybody is trying to go about their business unseen. The act of trying to go unnoticed should not be all that unusual."
Mirela tries to sneak, but this is not something she has practiced doing since she was a child.
You would thing that an homicidal, maniacal, suicidal dwarf wearing the colors of Calistria and an assortment of weapons would stand out in the dark.
But Nargun manages to get more credit than that.
Wizard 0: Acid splash, Mage hand, prestidigitation, read magic. 1:Grease, Mage armour, Ray of Enfeeblement, Vanish, (S)Colour spray.2:False Life, Spectral hand, Spectral hand (S)Blur 3: Vampiric Touch, Vampiric Touch (S) Displacement| Subtle misdirection 6/6. Bonded item 1/1. Pearl Lv1 1/1, Lv2 1/1, Wand cure light (3). Wand daze monster (8). Wand prot.evil. (46). Wand magic missile CL1 (18). Wand of cure moderate (8)
Twilight was dressed in simple peasant's garb, but one that was cleverly constructed with many hidden pockets in which she could covertly stash her collection of wands. She did try to remain hidden, however her skills lay more in being overlooked than unseen.
"That is an interesting question Artegall. I could understand some people still being loyal to the old King and taking exception to the Queen's ascension, but Emperor? Curious."
They did be saying gangs rule ‘Ere. Most likely the local gang leader took the title.
Anyone be caring which direction we go? Old dock is longer and the main way to move. So Most likely it will be watched by whoever holds these versious areas. The old fort might be less watched, but given the blood on the streets I would strongly guess that the walls are being 'eld by some game as a defensive area.
I do be tempted to say we go through the fort but I would be open to either.
My instict tells me to go thuoght the old Fort, even if there are a few guards. We can handle them. Violently if needed, as they are the Queen's puppets. But there might be a decent bloke or two among them, soldiers just obeying orders even if they don't like them. So is it worth it, while the Old docks should be simpler to go throught?
"Nargun, remember that there are multiple forces in the city that do not answer to the Queen. If it had been the Korvosan Guard stationed in the fort, or even the Sable Company, we might find allies. If the Grey Maidens, then not.
She doesn't have total control - that is why she is trying to increase the ranks of her Grey Maidens. Any other sort of guard or soldier is a potential ally or of at least questionable loyalty to the Queen.
Still, I don't think the Guard or the Sable Company would have left their forces behind in the Fort, given that it is now cut off.
Let's go past the Fort; I don't imagine any of the real authorities have left forces there, but this Emperor might have."
I know I am not the most intelligent guy around, or the wisest. I might be a little short-tempered.
he adds with a smirk
So I defer to your opinion, until we find a foe. Then I kill it. I'm still a little unconfortable having to fight women as the Grey Maidens, but they are instrumental in the torture the Queen impose to the townfolk, people who can't fight back, who cannot avenge the many wrongs they suffer. That's why I wanted to learn about Calistria , and serve her. I probably didn't understand all the aspects of my new faith, and I will be faithful to my late and only love. If I have to die, I want to die for something important, something that can make a difference.
He pauses, then finishes
And I still hold an eternal grudge toward Lamm. My love for my late wife and the hate I have for Lamm are my dual driving forces. If only I can make this town safer for future couples, for the children to come, children I will never have myself, I don't reaaly care if my death is glorious or painful, as long as I killed whatever threatened that city. Maybe that's why Calistria accepted me in the ranks of her servants, even if I have no interest in the pleasures of the flesh, that burning desire of revenge. I guess it's more useful than to drink yourself to stupor while waiting for the next target to kill.
Wizard 0: Acid splash, Mage hand, prestidigitation, read magic. 1:Grease, Mage armour, Ray of Enfeeblement, Vanish, (S)Colour spray.2:False Life, Spectral hand, Spectral hand (S)Blur 3: Vampiric Touch, Vampiric Touch (S) Displacement| Subtle misdirection 6/6. Bonded item 1/1. Pearl Lv1 1/1, Lv2 1/1, Wand cure light (3). Wand daze monster (8). Wand prot.evil. (46). Wand magic missile CL1 (18). Wand of cure moderate (8)
"It sounds like we are in agreement then. Whoever holds the fort is likely the strongest power here right now. It would be good to find out who they are and whether they are friend or not. Lets go"
As the group proceeded on their way, Twilight placed a hand on Nargun's shoulder. "Remember that your thirst for vengeance shouldn't come at the cost of your own life. The wasp is Callistria's symbol because unlike the bee that will give its life to defeat a foe, the wasp inflicts her pain, delivers her venom and lives to continue tormenting her enemies.
Pursue your passions, and though they may take your life you should never be seeking to lose your life.
As they walk along, Mirela considers Twilight and Nargun's words.
Dwarf, your being alive allowed us to stop the people responsible for the the Blood Veil. That saved thousands of people. If you were dead, we would never 'ave made it past those plague demons and gotten the information for the cure.
We both do be knowing that there do be a greater threat in the city. So I wouldn't be quick to throw your life away. There do be far more people that we can protect by being alive then ever going out in a glorious death.
Oh, I'm not that easy to kill, don't worry.
Aswers the dwarf with a grim smile
But seeing that my life is valued by people I call friends should help me to value it myself and throw it away with disregard
Apart from the occasional scream from a few streets away- generally to the northeast, in the direction of the Old Docks- the group is alone on the trash-strewn, boarded up streets. There are several burned-out buildings but no active fires here now; again, to the east is a different story as there seem to be a handful of active fires in the direction of the Old Docks now. There's the occasional flicker of movement from a second story or higher window, but people seem to have learned that not attracting attention is the best defense.
Heading north and west, upslope the entire way to the crumbling wall surrounding Garrison Hill, it's about 15 minutes to the first location of note in Old Korvosa- the Ironworks. One of the largest buildings in the city, the huge stone building is like a manmade hill in the shadow of the city's first fortification. Inside, the factory churns out utilitarian iron and steel goods for industrial use. The enormous metal doors are closed now, though, and the group can sense wary eyes on them from inside the open windows on the upper floors.
As the group rounds the crumbling old wall that used to be Korvosa's primary defensive wall they notice a quartet of soldiers in black and white livery standing prominently on the street for all to see.
I guess you know these folks from House Arkona better than I do. Might be criminals, even if they give back to the poorest. Not sure if we can trust them, but we can at least try to respect them, as long as they behave.
Out of earshot of the guards she says: I would prefer not to fight ‘Ouse guards who might be keeping order ‘ere. So I think we either approach openly and try to get their leave to be going past, or try to see a way around them.
Mirela looks to see if there is a quiet /unobserved way around them or if she can see any more hidden guards watching.
"I've heard of House Arkona. Buying favor with the masses through philanthropy to keep the law from prying too closely into their activities. I'm definitely suspicious of them, but we are in need of allies. We would need to carefully consider the terms of any agreement.
I'd suggest we approach openly. They may know something about the situation here."
Wizard 0: Acid splash, Mage hand, prestidigitation, read magic. 1:Grease, Mage armour, Ray of Enfeeblement, Vanish, (S)Colour spray.2:False Life, Spectral hand, Spectral hand (S)Blur 3: Vampiric Touch, Vampiric Touch (S) Displacement| Subtle misdirection 6/6. Bonded item 1/1. Pearl Lv1 1/1, Lv2 1/1, Wand cure light (3). Wand daze monster (8). Wand prot.evil. (46). Wand magic missile CL1 (18). Wand of cure moderate (8)
Twilight had never seen these uniforms before. She had grown up in a well to do family and then attended the Acadamae so she never had cause to frequent the streets of Old Korvosa.
"Let's introduce ourselves. Allies that know the area and the situation would be valuable." The priestess gave a sly grin "And if they are up to something shady, it would be better if we could get an idea about what they were doing, right?"
If we approach openly, what story do we give? The Truth or some cover story?
We could do something like saying we are old students returning to make sure that the Orsini Academy remains protected in this chaos. The Viscount does know us after all as we did him a service right before the plague.
Artegall approaches the guards.
"Greetings, retainers of House Arkona. I am Artegall, formerly of the Korvosan Guard. It seems I find myself in Old Korvosa during these trying times. The fact that you are on guard here suggests that House Arkona has managed to bring a modicum of order to this place. And yet, I believe that there are others also trying to do the same, such as this Emperor.
I wish to get the lay of the land. If you will tell me a bit about what transpires here, I can tell you what I know of what is happening in the rest of the city."
The leader of the guards held up a hand in greeting. "Hello, sir. Glad you're keeping safe." He gestures over his shoulder at the area behind him to the north and east. "Pilt's mob won't show their face here. Lord Arkona keeps Fort Korvosa safe. Are you heading somewhere? Most people aren't brave enough to wander around in the open like this."
"I am a private investigator these days, and work for a client has brought me here. You understand of course that I cannot go into great detail describing my commission, but I can say that it is not about House Arkona's business.
I am headed to Orsini Academy. Do you know if there is anything I should watch out for on the way? This Pilt you speak of?"
The squad leader shakes his head. "Nah, the mob doesn't come up the hill, sir. The Emperor won't be a problem for you unless you head back up toward the Old Docks. As for the Academy, sir, it's not there anymore. There was a fire a few days back, burned the place to the ground."
Mirela steps out of the shadows with Whisper by her side.
She walks slowly up to stand a bit behind and to the left of Artegall as she says:
Oh No! What did be ‘appening to everyone in the Academy? Did anyone die?
The guardsman shakes his head. "No ma'am. I believe the Academy was closed after the bridges were shut. As far as I know no one died in the fire." He gestured to the northeast toward the Old Docks. "There've been lots of fires since we got cut off from the rest of the city. Some are set by troublemakers, some are accidents." He shrugged. "As far as I know it was an accident. I know it wasn't Pilt's mob, that's for sure."
"Well, I believe we still must go there and check out the scene. There may be information that we need for our task.
May we traverse the grounds of the Fort?"
Artegall is looking to move to the Academy, or its ruins, and if crossing the Fort is the quickest way to do that then he will do so.
The guard nods. "Go ahead." He gestures to the northeast. "Head up the main road, it'll take you right to the Academy. You'll probably see a patrol or two; they won't bother you unless you're up to mischief."
Thank you for the information. Also Thank you for what you are doing keeping the People 'ere safe. They do be needing it with all this chaos around.
Mirela follows Artegall when he heads forward, keeping Whisper at her heel.
Twilight smiled at the guards as she walked by.
"It is unfortunate news, but good to know ahead of time." she remarked when out of earshot of the guards. "Though I do wonder if Queen had one of her agents set the fire out of spite for his criticism of her rule." A small smile crept across her lips. If it was the Queen it was an admirable move, one that she could respect.
As advertised, the road heading across Garrison Hill is peaceful. The buildings are still boarded up for the most part, but it seems like there have been fewer fires here.
Just inside the old garrison walls, the group spots Arkona Palace perched atop the highest point on Endrin Isle. They can just make out the tops of the golden pillars and shining minarets of the Vudrani style manor over the tops of the exotic plants and extensive gardens. Strangely, while the grounds are surrounded by a tall black marble and wrought iron wall the gates stand wide open and unguarded. Perhaps it is a signal that anyone who enters will be welcomed.
A short while later the group arrives at the ruins of Orsini Academy. The once-proud building has indeed been burned to the ground, as the guard had told them. Everyone knows the old swordmaster lives nearby, though, and the group finds Orsini's home within a matter of minutes, a humble home just to the east of the burned down Academy.
As far as they can tell there is but the one entrance, and the door is closed.
Mirela walks up and openly knocks on the door.
No one answers, even after waiting a full minute.
Mirela steps back to the rest of the party and whispers:
Do we just go in?
Artegall will look for any recent tracks outside the door, and he will check the door itself for traps.
"I suppose we must."
If he finds no dangers, Artegall will open the door.
Artegall finds the door unlocked and un-trapped. As far as he can tell, no one has been here for several days. Inside, the house is dark, the lamps and fireplace down the wallway unlit. The contents of the house speak of a man who lives a simple life despite his success. Just inside the front door an elegant and colorful Vudrani rug covers much of the floor of the otherwise empty foyer.
I don’t be wanting to mess up ‘is ‘ouse, but we should look for clues of where ‘e went.
Without going in she looks past the others to see if she sees anything odd or dangerous.
Artegall will move into the room and look down the hall.
He will listen at the northern door as well as check it. If he hears nothing and sees no traps, he will open it.
Nargun follows, weapon ready, trusting Artegall's experience and cunning.
Any clues about someone being recently here? Or traces about an attack?
"Nothing that I have seen, Nargun."
Looking down the hallway Artegall sees two large sofas facing a brick fireplace. The fireplace is dark, like the lanterns and other interior lights. Including the door to the immediate north there are 4 closed doors the investigator can see.