"One would feel better to know what Parns' game was," Absinthe sighs as she shakes her head at the gibbet. "Mayhap he was tortured for information before he was hung from the neck...?"
Rosa frowns a bit. "You know, do we know that Parns was doing anything other than shoring up Vancascerkin's misguided charity drive?"
"Not for sure, but it was likely since butchering up people for food isn't something you just do. We should investigate further."
Segang nods. Good way to get rid of bodies. he comments. [b]I wish we could ID some of the bodies to see if there were a connection between them.[/b[
When you get to the Field Marshal's office, you find her in her usual place. This time, however, she is not alone. A handsome middle-aged man sits in a chair by her desk. He is dressed in functional clothes, but the cut and fabric are very expensive, and he wears an exquisite rapier on his belt. His long, graying hair is tied into a pony tail. As you enter, he rises and bows.
"Ah, good. May I introduce you to an old friend of mine, Vencarlo Orisini," Cressida says, gesturing to the man. "He has oft been an outspoken critic of Korvosa's government, but I have always valued him as a friend and advisor, particularly in these dark times."
Vencarlo bows low at the complimentary introduction, and rises smiling, making a point to shake each of your hands, and gently kiss those of the ladies (Rosa included). He even offers Melianthe his chair with practiced grace. "Congratulations on your successes. If only Korvosa had more fine folk like you, we'd already be out of this mess." He gives a wink and steps towards the door. "I will leave you to your business with the Field Marshal. Cressida, until next time." Vencarlo slides out the door, closing it behind and leaving you alone with Field Marshal Kroft.
Demitri shakes the man's hand eyeing him warily.
"So I assume you need us for another assignment?" He asks while taking a seat.
Rosa gives Vencario a broad smile. "It's always a pleasure."
Once he's gone, though, she sighs, getting more serious.
Melianthe sits in the chair, bemused and amused by Vencarlo. "Marshall Kroft," she says pleasantly.
Cressida nods at Demitri's question. "Vencarlo often comes to me with news of important changes on the streets, sometimes trivial but most of the time useful. Today, he has brought me something I cannot ignore -- indeed, what he has learned could degrade into sanctions, embargoes, or even war with Cheliax if we don't act now."
She takes a deep breath before continuing. "This problem is a man named Darvayne Gios Amprei. You might have heard of him -- he's an ambassador from Cheliax whose disdain for Korvosa is well documented, and yet he's taken great pleasure in what our city has to offer. Even before this recent unrest, this man was ready to recommend to his government a sanction on trade, or perhaps even an embargo. Vencarlo has learned through his own considerable sources that Ambassador Amprei's actual goals are to undermine Korvosa's economy to the point where he can buy up large portions of the city from desperate landholders and establish himself in a position of power."
"Whatever the ambassador's reasons, we can't let his bias or personal plans hurt Korvosa. Yet neither can we take drastic action -- not only would killing him be wrong, but it'd be catastrophic for our relations with Cheliax. With the ongoing crisis, we don't need any more enemies."
Rosa looks at Cressida with a soft frown, mostly of concentration. "So...you want us to ensure the inevitable devils in his closet see the light of day?"
"We can spoil his deals, I imagine," says Melianthe, tapping her chair thoughtfully.
"I'm afraid political intrigue is not my specialty. But if you need me to do this, I'll try my best. Any advice on where to start?"
Cressida nods, a brief smile crossing her face. "Fortunately, Darvayne has his foibles. Again, Vencarlo has learned that Ambassador Amprei has been making regular visits to Eel's End, in Old Korvosa. This den of vice is run by a dangerous man named Devargo Barvasi, better known in Korvosa's alleys as the King of Spiders."
"I'd love to put Barvasi out of business, but he pays his vice taxes regularly and never causes any problems -- in fact, since he keeps his business constrained entirely within five ships moored at Eel's End, he's actually one of the least of my worries."
"Truth be told, I can't decide whether Barvasi is a stirge or a kraken. He seems like a bloodsucking pest most days, but sometimes I fear just how far his tentacles have wormed their way into our great city. In this case, though, his insidious web stretching across Korvosa's underworld might prove to our advantage."
She takes a sip of water and finishes. "Barvasi would never let someone he recognizes as a Guard into Eel's End, but your group's a different case. I'd like you to pay a visit to Eel's End and secure an audience with Barvasi. Find out what he knows about Amprei, get proof of any illicit goings-on the ambassador might be involved with, and bring it to me."
"Barvasi might not be willing to part with his information easily, so I'll supply you with some gold to bribe him, and whatever's left over you can keep for yourself."
Seren rubs his hands together, "Disguise and deceit! My specialty ... this sounds like fun."
He ponders for a moment and then turns to Cressida, "So, are you saying that whatever happens to Barvasi, you're not really concerned. He can go "out of business," remain status quo, or disappear off the face of Golarion and as long as we get some info to assist with making the Ambassador impotent, you're OK with whatever we do?"
Cressida regards Seren with a straight face. "Well, I'm not giving you carte blanche to walk in there on a killing spree. But, Barvasi is a dangerous man... so are you. If things turn ugly, and Barvasi goes "out of business", I won't shed a tear."
War with Cheliax. Hmm. This would not be a bad thing for my people... Segang smiles at some inner thought. And intimidation, Seren. Do not forget about Intimidation. the barbarian adds.
"Wasn't asking for carte blanche, just to ensure I understood the bounds of our possible options should things take an unexpected turn. Would hate to put an arrow in one of your key informants or some such similar "strain" on your complicated law enforcement activities." Seren tries really hard to not let any sarcasm seep into his voice.
"Intimidation, now that I can do. I believe I understand what I need to do."
"I as well," says Melianthe with a low laugh. "Could we not simply get the information regarding Amprei, and if we find out something truly incriminating regarding the...tentacled reach of Barvasi, bring him here? No doubt he would want to plead for a clement bargain with the Marshall," she says, her eyes hopeful as she glances at Kroft. If we kill him outright...no further information."[/b]
Absinthe leans back, frowning in thought.
Cressida shakes her head. "No, do not make contact with the ambassador. He has a small army of bodyguards, and any attempt to apprehend him will only result in a clash with Cheliax. If you find anything incriminating, we will make a discreet correspondence with him."
"If you're up for the task, here is your bribe money." She puts a leather pouch on the desk before you. "Best of luck!"
"Let's go find out more about Barvasi before we scout, yeah? Ask around a bit?"
Demitri takes the bribe money and walks out the door. "Alright, see what you can find out."
Once out of Kroft's earshot Segang interjects Best count it. We need to know what we have to work with.
"Sound idea." When they get to a relatively safe place, Demitri will count how much bribe money they were given.
"One knows some small bit of the King of Spiders. He is successful because he rules with an iron fist. He is also constantly surrounded by and covered with spiders. One has wondered before whether he might be a Wizard or Witch with a spider familiar, who uses the eight-legged people as spies and informers..."
"Very possible or just an affinity with them, like the druids and rangers of the wilds. We may want to pick up some anti-venom, though."
"You're right on picking up some anti-venom. There's 100 platinum pieces and 250 gold pieces in here. Quite a bit of money actually, perhaps too much."
Absinthe raises an eyebrow. "The King of Spiders is very successful. You may find that this is not enough, actually."
Rosa sighs in assent to Absinthe's assessment. "Men like this have all the money they desire as part of doing business. They truly value only two currencies - services and information."
Still, we should split it up into at least three pouches. One for the gold and another for say, 20% of the platinum.
"A potion of Neutralize Poison shouldn't set us back too much," says Melianthe, "...or three. Yes, witches and wizards may employ spiders as familiars. They aren't horrible creatures, you know--they serve an important purpose in the ecology of many a place," she says a little defensively.
She turns to Rosa. "You are our diplomat," she begins, easing Hloire out of his harness to crawl on her shoulder. "Perhaps between your...convincing him to put the needs of Korvosa first--after all, he can't run his operations well in a completely lifeless city--and our reasonably rough nature--thieves, barbarians, and witches with vermin, he won't feel so threatened. Well, that plus money."
Rosa smiles. "Oh, don't worry, I can be persuasive. But it might behoove us to make some discreet inquiries first. Money is the least of the currency we can offer him. If there's something he wants more, we should focus on acquiring that to exchange for our favor."
"Agreed." Melianthe smiles. "There's always a special way to a man's heart. Sometimes the shortest way is via a dagger, but that's another story."
"Rosa has a point. We should do what we can to get him to listen. Though that is where my skills end. I'm not a thief, barbarian, nor a witch, I'm afraid."
Melianthe pats Demitri on the shoulder "Don't worry, Demitri. You look frightening enough to be part of a group of ruffians."
"Thanks Mel.. That makes me feel so much better.." Sarcasm dripping from his words. "On a serious note, what should I do?"
"The usual. Rosa, Seren and Absinthe dig up information, and I go shopping with you and Segang. For potions, not dresses," she says with a laugh when noticing the effect the dreaded word shopping has.
Rosa closes her eyes and looks thoughtful. "If you know anyone who's worked near that area, this would be a great time to buy them drinks," she says. "Ask how they've been, how work's been going."
"I doubt any of them would know anything, but I can try. I suppose I can go shopping with Mel and talk to some ex-coworkers."
Been meaning to pick up an antitoxin anyway. But a potion of Neutralize Poison might be beyond our means.
Rosa takes her leave (and a new suit of armor that is much more. . . closely tailored) out on the streets near the spider's web to see what she can find out about Barvasi himself, drinking (and buying drinks) freely....