That do be a really good question.
In any case, we need to be very good guests and not touch anything if we can ‘elp it. Something just do be feeling odd about this place.
Mirela examines the symbolism to see if she can get any clues from all the carvings.
I find this quietness disturbing. But then, I am a man of chaos, blood and screams.
Nargun looks around, then
It seems as if the house itself, or something dark within, was waiting with baited breath to pounce on us.
The only religious iconography she sees are the mahogany doors carved with images of the Vudrani deity Chamidu, the God of Wild Beasts. Chamidu appears as a six armed, four-faced giant who rides a tiger with human
hands for paws.
Now that I do be seeing this in the light of day, the ‘ouse looks to be Vudrani style. And that represents Chamidu, the God of wild beasts.
Mirela says pointing at the six armed creature on the tiger with human hands.
Artegall will be in the Entrance Hall (D1) looking out the windows. Those are the light blue segments in the exterior (eastern) wall, correct?
He will be about 15' from the double doors into D8, at what seems to be a large window.
Nargun stays close to Twilight, ready to kill anyone daring to attack her.
Where is everybody?Or even anybody?
Maybe we look at the grounds or go out the front door and be looking for guards like the ones that did be taking us in last night?
Maybe we look at the grounds or go out the front door and be looking for guards like the ones that did be bringing us in last night?
As the party approaches the door to go back outside, the elephant looking out over the hall suddenly animates, trumpeting as loudly as any bull elephant in the wild and looking balefully at the party with its huge ruby of an eye.
Mirela freezes and looks around her hand firmly on Whisper’s collar holding the crouching wolf from springing at the elephant.
Nargun growls and rises his axe, putting himself in front of the group, not too far, but obviously daring the statue to attack
"So they don't want us to leave.
Well, we're still waiting for them. Perhaps this alarm will remind them of us.
They know we are here and we were invited to stay the night."
In less than a minute, a squad of Arkona liveried guards trot in through the front door. None of them look familiar to the group, but the man in the lead nods. "Ah, the guests! Did you sleep well? Are you ready to meet with Lord Arkona?"
Before we do be going, what is the trigger for the elephant? It trumpeted and scared my wolf something fierce.
Artegall waits for any answer to Mirela's question, but is otherwise ready to go to meet with Lord Arkona.
The guard looks up at the elephant over the door. "You are not a resident of the house. What else would it be?" He gestures to a pair of double doors to the north. "The receiving room, if you please. We will send a runner for Lord Glorio."
The guard patrol escorts the group a short distance to the north, to a comfortable room warmed by a large fireplace, its marble sides and mantle carved into a parade of capering monkeys and tigers. A large sofa is against the north wall, while a few cozy-looking chairs sit to the south.
At the end of the grand hallway to the west is a fourteen-foot-tall marble statue of a six-armed woman with four faces on her head—one looking to each of the four cardinal directions—stands under a dome of colored glass- Chamidu. The statue wields numerous weapons in its six hands, and a small kneeler at its base gives a place to pay respects. Each of the statue’s eight eyes is a sparkling bright green orb.
This time, the guards stay in the room with the group until the runner returns. The squad leader and runner have a short exchange before the sergeant turns back to the group. "My Lord wishes to meet you upstairs. Follow me, please."
Artegall stops and looks at the statue of Chamidu. How much does he know about this deity?
He will follow the sergeant up the stairs.
Now that no one was threatening them, Nargun follows quietly Artegall, trusting his lead
Mirela glances around to make sure there is nothing to worry about when they come back, as well as to see if there is anything special about the statue of Chamidu. Then Mirela and Whisper follow the others up the stairs.
The guards take the group up a wide set of carpeted stairs to the second floor, where a wide balcony overlooks a garden on the ground floor 25 feet below. Looking down is like looking into a clearing at the heart of a vast jungle, teeming with life. Exotic bird calls and the scent of dozens of tropical flowers drift up from below, along with warm, humid air at odds with the weather outside. In fact, from everything the group knows about the size and layout of the building, this jungle is entirely enclosed in spite of the evidence of their eyes, ears, and noses.
Just within sight and hearing to the north is a huge, burbling fountain, while just below the height of the second floor is an immense, life-sized jade statue of an elephant, a howdah perched on its back, its tusks and trunk raised high in greeting to the southeast ground-floor doors.
The guards don't give the interior jungle a second glance as they lead the outsiders around the overlook to yet another ornately ornamented door and lead them inside into, surprisingly, a great bath chamber. The air in this chamber is even warmer and more humid than the jungle balcony, filled with steam rising from the bubbling oval bath set in the floor to the southeast. The walls, ceiling, and floor are polished marble tiles of alternating blues and greens, giving the entire chamber a pervasive aquatic feel. Three lacquered wooden benches sit just north of the bath.
In the bath is a good looking, dark haired, middle aged man with a broad smile on his face as he lounges in the water. It's impossible to tell whether he's entirely naked under the bubbling bath water but he is at the very least shirtless and wet. "My friends! I trust you've passed a good night resting here? Have you had anything to eat yet?"
Not waiting for a response, he looks at the leader of the squad. "Dav, get some food and wine brought in for our guests." Lord Glorio gestures at the benches by the bath. "Please! Sit, sit. I'm sure we have a lot to discuss."
Nargun waits a little, then sits, feeling a bit hungry and knowing he could probably survive some poison should the need arises
[b]Nice place you have here.It's strange to get a peaceful night, we arent used to this luxury anymore. I'll admit I kept one eye opened, no offense meant.[b]
Not waiting for a response, he looks at the leader of the squad
Artegall will likewise sit down.
"Thank you."
He waits for someone more diplomatic to present requests, but will listen carefully to Lord Glorio's responses.
Mirela sits down and keeps Whisper at heel.
Thank you sir. I don’t be needing any food but Whisper ‘ere ‘as not eaten for over a day. If she could get something, I would be really grateful.
She pauses for a moment then continues.
What you ‘ave been doing for the people ‘ere is really impressive. The ‘ole island do be falling apart but you do keeping the light of community alive. I do be guessing a number of families are safe because of you.
Mirela sits down and keeps Whisper at heel.
Thank you sir. I don’t be needing any food but Whisper ‘ere ‘as not eaten for over a day. If she could get something, I would be really grateful.She pauses for a moment then continues.
What you ‘ave been doing for the people ‘ere is really impressive. The ‘ole island do be falling apart but you do keeping the light of community alive. I do be guessing a number of families are safe because of you.
Lord Glorio beams at the praise. "Yes, well, it is a nobleman's responsibility to take care of those who can't otherwise take care of themselves. With the city leadership having gone mad, we're doing what needs to be done." He nods at Mirela, indicating her and the others.
"I've gotten reports about a group of outsiders moving all over the island. It sounds like you've been busy. And now you're here. It can't just be to thank me for taking care of people." He was still smiling, his posture relaxed as he lounged in the bath, and didn't sound angry, just curious.
No, we're not here just to have some breakfast and a little cosy chat by the fire. But I'm not really a good spokeperson. My skills aren't too social, I let the others do the talking.
Nargun adds, with sincerity
But I do thank you for all you have done for the people. Maybe these words aren't much in that world of pain, but I would be a fool to keep these unsaid.
A servant enters the room and catches Lord Glorio's eye. The man in the bath waves his hand at the servant, who then withdraws. "Speaking of taking care of those who can't otherwise take care of themselves..." A stranger enters.
"Another helpful sort like yourselves! I figured you all should meet."
A short, slender human woman strides purposefully into the room, her body language giving the impression of someone much taller. Her long blonde hair is pinned up in a somewhat messy bun with a pair of lacquered wooden sticks. The hem of her black dress brushes the floor. She gives the noble a cursory but nevertheless polite bow. "Milord. Thank you again for your support." She's about to continue, but stops and turns to face the party, smiling briefly. "You! I've felt you in the weave of the city, working to help her people. I think we have much to discuss."
A young tanned woman with red gold hair, speaks up from where she is sitting. Looking at her, She’s dressed like a high end merchant guard, in a fine breastplate, brown gambeson, dark leather leggings and well worn black boots. She carries a backpack, a very obvious bow on her back and quiver on her hip. One odd thing is she seems to have a twine necklace around her neck leading under her gambeson.
As she sits she he pets a wolf that is easily as tall as her as it sits on its haunches.
What do you be meaning you can feel us? This whole city do be in chaos. It do be ‘ard to feel anything but desperation from the people in Old Korvosa, outside this district that is. Do you be ‘elping Lord Glorio to keep order ‘ere?. She seems confused.
The woman loses her smile. "Oh, I know their desperation. Believe me, it haunts me day and night. Magnimar was never this bad, even during the worst of the Skinsaw Murders last year. But...how do I put this? It is especially in that chorus of pain that I can feel the shapes of those others who work to ease it, sense the wake they--you leave. Before seeing you I couldn't have described you, but even so you're familiar to me. And where are my manners? I'm called Cynara." She bobs her head in another quick bow.
Then the collar of her dress pushes aside, revealing the foreparts of a large arthropod that appears to be sitting on her shoulder. "And this is Chil. Don't worry, she's friendly."
Nargun seems a bit surprised by the hidden spider.
I'm Nargun.
The dwarf is wearing a gleaming chain shirt, and carries, among other weapons, a massive and sharp greataxe.
His clothes are basic, mostly brown and dark, but he strangely wears the symbol of Calistria embroided on it. A stark contrast with his ruggedness and stoic demeanor.
Magnamar do be a long way away. ‘Ow did you come to end up ‘ere trapped when the queen’s guards sealed the island.
Mirela watches very carefully for any reaction from Cynara or Lord Glorio when she mentions the queen.
"I am Artegall. Formerly of the city guard and now a private investigator."
The half-elf is on the shorter and stockier side for one of his kind. He has light complexion and blond hair; his nose shows signs of having been broken more than once. He wears plate armor, shield, and cloak, with a rapier at his waist and a bow across his back.
The woman starts to answer Mirela's question when Artegall introduces himself. "A colleague! I was also something of an investigator in Magnimar. I worked for one or another of the Council of Ushers, mostly." Her voice turns rueful. "As for why I'm here, it's a long story. It started with the Skinsaw Murders. Some of my best clients were killed, and their families set me to find the perpetrators. It was the single most challenging case of my career. They were really good at covering their tracks, but I had the city whispering in my ears. I was this close--" She holds up a hand, index finger and thumb almost touching. "--when...well. I made a mistake. I was so wrapped up in the chase that I forgot to ask a very important question: was anyone influential helping the murderers? When the warrant was issued for my arrest, I figured it out, though. None of my former employers would hide me--it was all I could do to flee before I was taken." She shakes her head, and her voice is heavy with something like grief as she continues. "Leaving was--ah, it was terribly hard. But I knew that Magnimar's law wouldn't be able to reach me in Korvosa, so I came here. I had enough funds put aside that I didn't need to find work right away, and I could take the time to build a tie with the city that matched what I had with Magnimar. To do that, I had to spend at least a little bit of time in every district. I saved Old Korvosa for last, and I finished the process only a few days ago."
She shrugs, causing a bit of disturbance under her dress. "Sorry, Chil. Anyway, that tie carries mystical power, but there's a price. I came to awareness of the city just before the old king died, and suddenly all I could feel was desperation, terror, and need. I've been doing what I can to help ever since.
"I have no idea why they blockaded the island. That was on my list to look into once I dealt with the issues at hand, but there just hasn't been time."
Lord Glorio, you do be the one who might be able to tell us what you are seeing ‘ere. ‘Ow, ‘as the district been doing? Did the cure to the plague be making it ‘ere?
Obviously the blockade is a problem, but is there other problem, like are there stores of food for everyone in your area?
Magnamar do be a long way away. ‘Ow did you come to end up ‘ere trapped when the queen’s guards sealed the island.
Mirela watches very carefully for any reaction from Cynara or Lord Glorio when she mentions the queen.
Glorio drinks deeply and grimaces at the mention of the queen. He doesn't seem to like the young new ruler.
Lord Glorio, you do be the one who might be able to tell us what you are seeing ‘ere. ‘Ow, ‘as the district been doing? Did the cure to the plague be making it ‘ere?
Obviously the blockade is a problem, but is there other problem, like are there stores of food for everyone in your area?
"Oh terribly, my dear." Glorio sighs and shakes his head. "Food supplies are dwindling, the mob is setting things on fire and killing people at their whim, and most people are huddling in their homes. I've sent my men around as far as I can and am providing food but even our stores won't hold out forever." From the way he's drinking he doesn't appear to be worried about running out of wine.
He waves his cup to the east. "The 'Emperor' of the mob is hoarding food and threatening innocent people. Eventually they're going to start to run out and will come for what we have here. If someone were to remove him his mob would disperse and I could impose order." Lord Glorio looks at Mirela over the rim of his cup to see if he has to spell it out.
What about the fires here? We saw the academy was burned on the way over. What happened to that, and the sword master Vencarlo? Did you rehome him and his students?
Lord Glorio makes a sheepish face, looking quite inebriated. "The swordmaster? Well my sister, thought it would be best to hide him in our dungeon in case whoever burnt down his academy came looking for him. There are reports of Red Mantis Assassins after the man. I would bring him up for you but don't know exactly where he is. They're quite, ah... extensive. Impossible for the assassins to find him down there but also difficult for me to retrieve him for you."
He takes another drink and shrugs, not looking guilty in the least about admitting to having a dungeon under his manor. "I'll be happy to let you go down there yourselves to look for him, once we can be sure the Emperor isn't going to send his mob to burn down our house."
We ‘ave just talked to the Emperor yesterday. I can tell you ‘e was not preparing ‘is mob to do anything but survive and entertain ‘im. You are not needing to worry about an impending attack.
If you do be wanting to keep it that way, may I suggest you let us find Vencarlo now, as my understanding is that the Red Mantis do be after him because ‘e might know of the key to breaking the siege of this district. The sooner we be doing that, the better off both your and the empire’s people do be.
"I see.
You're not going to let us take Vencarlo unless we kill this Emperor. That is your price. Well, I suppose there is a fair chance that he will in time attack you, either for supplies or just for entertainment once Blood Pig ceases to be amusing and the mob wants to watch Arkona Manor burn down.
Maybe I could offer to broker a deal or arrangement, but I don't think this Emperor seems a very trustworthy sort for a long-term agreement. He seems a bit mad."
I’m telling you there did not be any sighs of that. Why kill ‘im, if it will just make others rise up in ‘is place with ‘ate for you? If you do be letting us resolve this everybody wins.
Glorio smiles at Artegall but shakes his head. "I never said anything of the sort, my friend. But if you think the Emperor and his mob is a threat to the peace and stability of the island and you were to do something about him- something permanent- I would of course owe you a debt of gratitude for every resident of Old Korvosa."
He takes a long drink of wine before responding to Mirela. "Well, it's hard to predict what a madman will do, isn't it? No signs today, burning down a house tomorrow. Who knows, eh?" The lord of House Arkona nods in Artegall's direction. "Your friend here has a good head on his shoulders. Maybe you should talk amongst yourselves." Glorio puts his free hand on his chest over his heart. "I, for one, would never suggest an assassination of a public figure, even a mad one. But if outsiders were to put an end to a mad man and his mob? Well, the public would be ever so grateful."
Cynara listens to the exchange, showing little reaction. "Lord Glorio, if we could convince the 'Emperor' to share resources with you, would that address the short-term need? It sounds as though you--" She gestures, indicating the party. "--parted from him on reasonable terms. What do you think?"
Glorio Arkona takes another drink from his goblet. "It's hard to predict what a madman might do in the future. My only interest is in protecting my family, my people, and the residents of Old Korvosa. The so-called Emperor is a danger to all. I'm sure he will come to a violent end soon." He pointedly did not answer Cynara's question.
And the sooner will be the better, you think. What do you thik, folks? One less madman can't hurt the town.Might even help it.
"Lord Glorio Arkona has something we want and this is his price."
Artegall knows that Lord Glorio hasn't explicitly said that, but the meaning could not be more clear - as Artegall noted before.
"I don't believe we will make any progress by haggling."
Then I guess we do be done ‘ere.
Mirela stands up and with Whisper starts walking to the door back out.
As she does she watches to see if anyone tries to stop her from walking back out the door unaccompanied.