As Aloysia travels along the stench continues getting worse, and reveals the source to be an as yet unexplored room of the cavern. The majority of this room contains a nasty-looking stretch of mud—a partially collapsed sinkhole—kept damp by rivulets of water seeping from the walls. A patch of solid ground extends into the mud to form an island, on which is heaped a reeking pile of body parts. To the north, a rickety wheelbarrow sits on its side against the wall.
Sitting on the "island" out of the mud is an Otyugh, snacking on a mostly rotten corpse.
She takes in the sight of the thing, then quickly heads back to tell everyone else. Once she does she immediately heads to a position where she can try to get a couple of pounds of flesh before it even notices she's there...
Jolon follows Aloysia, but as they make their way to the otyugh, he whispers to her.
"We may not want to open with an attack. Otyughs maybe disgusting scavengers, but they're smart enough to have a conversation with. Maybe we can interrogate it, or bribe it with food."
"Interesting, I did not know that about them...I can get behind some interrogation or bribery," she says with a twinkle in her eye.
Jolon calls out to the otyugh.
"Um...Hello? Sorry to interrupt your meal, but we're looking for someone and we thought you might be able to help us!"
As Jolon catches the attention of the Otyugh it blinks its many eyes in surprise. "Warm food!" it cries as it begins to lumber its large body out of the 'mud' around it.
"Wait, wait!" Jolon says. "If you eat us now, you won't get the feast we've prepared for you!"
That gives the Otyugh enough pause that it stops mid-stride toward the half-orc. "Feast? Better than warm food?" it asks, voice unsure.
Aloysia grips her daggers a little tighter, but keeps them hidden behind her while Jolon tries to control the beast
That gives the Otyugh enough pause that it stops mid-stride toward the half-orc. "Feast? Better than warm food?" it asks, voice unsure.
"Much better. HOT food!"
"He's not suggesting what I think he's suggesting, is he?" his mother's ghost asks the others.
It begins slavering all around its enormous mouth. "Where hot food?! Bring now!"
"We are making it! But first, we have some questions."
He turns to the others.
"It's a long shot, and possibly blasphemous, but I want you to bring as many cadavers, excluding Gaeken's, as you can. Derros, zombies, whatever we've slain here. We're going to make this thing a corpse flambé."
Aloysia cocks and eyebrow at Jolon, "Whatever you say, don't die while we get the bodies," then heads off to start collecting what she can.
"I'm tough to kill," Jolon replied with a shrug. "Don't worry."
Aloysia, Cecil, and Gamon all scatter through the complex, gathering what corpses they can while leaving Jolon with a slavering Otyugh. The half orc is only slightly concerned for his health as the aberration shuffles a bit closer when the bodies are brought in. Eventually the corpses are brought in next to Jolon, which the Otyugh sniffs at. "This not hot food! Rolth already give leftovers!" It sounds particularly miffed.
"Ah, but did Rolth COOK them for you?" Jolon replies.
"JOLON!" his mother's spirit cries in shock.
"Cecil? Do you know any fire spells?"
Cecil shakes his head, "Unfortunately the only spells that would 'burn' the meat are acidic in nature."
Gamon shrugs, No matter, I have a flint. If we can find something to light, we can cook for him still.
"How about that table and chairs the derros were using? We can also destroy some of those necromantic texts by using them as kindling."
"When hot food! Feed me!"
Aloysia tries to slip into some shadows nearby and ready her daggers in case the creature goes full hostile.
"Easy, friend! Easy! We are making sure the taste is just right!"
You're gonna get it!"
Jolon's demeanor, calm in the face of spittle flying, foaming at the mouth hunger, relaxes the Otyugh just a bit, allowing the group to begin cooking the spoils for it. Any attempt at conversation with the beast leads to new demands for food, so you wisely let everything finish cooking. The smell of charred flesh and rotting corpse intermingle to create something truly foul, which, disturbingly, you get used to fairly soon.
While Jolon is keeping the Otyugh calm Aloysia, Cecil, Gamon, and Majenko have a bit of time to explore the area. The first thing they notice is a pair of broken legs attached to some hip bones in the center of the room. They are covered in Shoanti tattoos. It appears this is part of Gaekhen, though the pieces look ripped apart by saw rather than chewed apart by Otyugh.
Inspecting the various parts of the chamber reveals a lot of small treasures that the Otyugh has not managed to swallow yet. An amber necklace, a silver dagger, a wax-sealed metal flask, a wand, and a ring.
When the "food" is done the Otyugh begins tearing into it with abandon, a look of joy on its "face". "Thugmofos appreciate good food. What question you have for Thug?"
Jolon tries to smile so he doesn't grimace.
"I'm...glad you like it, Thugmofos. Thank you. We're looking for Rolth. We went through this entire complex and haven't found him. Do you know where he might be?"
"Thug not see Rolth in many meals. Leave small blue thing in charge." The Otyugh continues to snack on the bits and pieces from the charred corpses.
While Jolon works with the beast, Aloysia gently coaxes Cecil over to the pile of treasures and whispers to him rudely, "Do your finger-wiggly thing and tell me what these are!"
"I see," Jolon replies dryly.
"Did small blue thing say anything about where he might be? Or if he's coming back?"
Cecil indicates the liquid in the flask, wand, and ring are magical.
Thug slurps the fetid charred meat off a bone before slurping the bone in to crunch on while considering its answer. "Rolth go away at times. Long periods of sleeping and eating later he come back. Or not." The otyugh manages to shrug with its strange tentacle appendages.
Jolon nods.
"Thank you, Thugmofos. Just some advice, I don't think Rolth will be coming back to this place anytime soon. His 'leftovers' are going to stop coming, and if he DOES show up, he'll probably be really mad and take his anger out on you even though you didn't do anything wrong. You may want to consider moving soon, whether for more plentiful food or your own safety."
Thug waves its tentacles and 'nods', leading to a whole body dip looking bow before going back to eating the various corpse parts strewn across the room. Cecil managed to pull the Shoanti legs and hips out of the pit while Thug was distracted by his food. You gather the arm that the carrion golem was using as a club, as well as the head on the large golem's body. Finally you gather the chest and arm (which proceeds to smack Gamon repeatedly) from the area furthest in the dead warrens. All together you have Gaekhen's body, though dismembered.
You make your way back to the area where you defeated the Ogrekin and the previously freed prisoners. "Well?" asks Tiora. "Are there any more monsters in the area? Can we go?"
Aloysia says, "You should be safe to go. We've been over this place pretty thoroughly. Be sure to tell tales of our heroism to those who might seek to shower us with compensation!"
"Goodbye, Thugmofos. Good luck and may your days be long and full of delicious meals," Jolon replies, giving a small bow of his own before returning to his companions and the rescued prisoners.
"We can escort you to the Grand Cathedral," He adds to Aloysia's statement. "The Pharasmins can give you healing and shelter while you recover from your ordeal."
"And I can beg the Bishop for absolution for the horrible thing I've just done," he mutters to himself. His mother's spirit silently nods, a stern look on her ghostly face.
The gathered people start making their way out with you in the lead. Tiora asks as you lead them out of the hidden crypt and back into the Gray district, "Where are you based? I always repay my debts."
Gamon, who has remained almost completely silent through this encounter as he watched Jolon's negotiations in amazement, shakes his head as they leave Thugmofos behind. That was absolutely not what I expected, but well done Jolon. Highly questionable, I think I might need to take some time at the Cathedral myself for helping you, but well done.
In response to Tiora's question, Gamon casts a swift glance at Aloysia before answering, We have been based out of Citadel Volshyenek for now.
Jolon wastes no time cramming as many of the blasphemous books as he can fit into his handy haversack before joining the others on the way out.
"Questionable does not even BEGIN to cover it, my friend."
Eyotah's spirit continues to give her son a stern, ghostly gaze.
"You're lucky it was me who bonded with you this day and not one of our more aggressive ancestors. They would have burned you in anger."
She sighs wearily.
"At least you were trying to do what you thought was right. I can't blame you for that. Next time, though, treat the dead with as much respect as you treat the living, Jolon."
Jolon bows his head.
"Yes, mother."
Once they're on the surface, he nods at Gamon's words, though he keeps his mouth shut. He knew HE needed no reward for saving people from evil, but he knew that Aloysia was more mercenary and keeping her happy kept the group running smoothly. He could always tithe his portion or spread it around the Shoanti community in the slums later anyway.
Aloysia feigns incredulous shock at Gamon's glance, but can't resist a small curl of a smile. Knowing a payday was coming she follows along with the rest softly whistling an upbeat tune.
After making a quick stop at the Cathedral of Pharasma to drop off the rescued people, and de-animate Gaekhen's arm, which seems to have taken a 'liking' to Gamon and made him its exclusive target. From there you travel back across the city to Citadel Volshyenik to deliver Gaekhen's body to Cressida. There are plenty of hushed whispers throughout the city, but nothing really catches your attention as you move.
Shortly after arriving at the Citadel you are standing before Cressida once more. She looks much more frazzled and immediately starts your conversation by apologizing. "I'm sorry. One of my men here is incredibly loyal to the queen and found out who Trinia is. She was taken and is undergoing a "trial" right now...I'm certain the results will be done shortly." She breathes heavily through her nose then looks up again, "I take it you have Gaekhen's body? I can have it delivered to Thousand Bones."
As she finishes speaking one of her sergeants knocks on the door. "Field-Marshal? I thought you would want to know that that artist has been found guilty. She's to be executed at sundown."
Cressida sighs and rubs her forehead. "Great, time for another bloody riot." She looks up, "Would you mind being there? In case anything crazy starts to happen. Maybe she can be saved, but I'm sure there will be guards everywhere. Also, here is your pay, promised from before." She writes another note to be taken to the treasury for 1000 gold.
Aloysia frowns at the question, "Are you suggesting we abscond with her...that bit about guards everywhere after 'she can be saved' makes me think that's what you want from us on this job."
Jolon is slightly disappointed when the group is hurried from the Cathedral to the Citadel, as he'd wanted to speak with the Bishop before they left. Cressida's bad news only compounds the disappointment.
"Thousand Bones is no longer here? I had hoped to speak to him."
Cressida shakes her head, "I don't know what to expect and couldn't ask you to intervene on her behalf, but I would like you to be there in case things turn ugly."
She turns back to Jolon, "Unfortunately he had to resolve a dispute between people of the city and his clansmen and will be away for some time. When I get in contact with him I will see when he can next come to the city to speak with you."
Jolon bows his head and traces the spiral on his chest.
"Thank you, Cressida."
He looks to the others.
"We'd better get going. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get in position to act should the need arise. My blood ignites at the injustice being done..."
He pauses and takes a few deep breaths.
"But you won't have to worry about me doing something stupid."
"Well that's good to hear, and yes, I'd like to scope the area out a bit...find all the ambush places."
You travel to the public square outside of Castle Korvosa where a large crowd has already gathered. Aloysia slips through the crowds easily enough while Jolon, Gamon, and Cecil have to push their way through. The air of the square is that of a grand ball or fancy party rather than an execution. The upper echelons of the Korvosa's social ladder is out in force, all in garish gowns, fine capes, and enough jewels to blind the common citizen.
Queen Ileosa emerges amid a great flourish and pomp as heralds announce her arrival with a fanfare of music and drums. She has fully accepted the mantle of sole monarch now, and carries herself with poise, style, and grace. She wears a green and white silk dress worth thousands of gold coins and is attended by a small army of striking guards. Chief among these is a woman, clad in a striking brand-new suit of full-plate armor with a closed helm sporting a flowing crimson plume.
Ileosa takes her seat in a high throne-like chair at one end of the public courtyard, while a guillotine stands ominously at the other. The executioner is a towering, muscular man wearing an executioner’s hood and idly holding an immense axe. Whispers ripple through the assemblage—admiring comments on the queen’s attire, predictions regarding how the traitor Trinia might comport herself, speculations on the identity of the armored guardian who stands at Ileosa’s side, and news of the criminal underworld being in an uproar with news of Devargo's death spreading.
Then, as an ominous drum beating begins, the gawkers fall silent. The drum sets the pace for Trinia’s procession to the executioner’s block. As they reach the block, a guard removes Trinia’s shackles and the hood, revealing a very frightened woman who bravely holds back her tears. Trinia is led up to stand before the guillotine, her arms bound behind her back by a leather cord as Queen Ileosa addresses the crowd.
"Fellow Korvosans! You have suffered greatly these past few weeks. Homes have burned, family members have died, and fortunes have been lost. I feel your suffering, for not only have I lost a beloved husband, but with each act of anarchy that followed, my heart bled more. This has been a trying time for us, yet the torment is at an end. Before you is the source of your anguish and pain. Do not be deceived by this murderer’s timid nature—she is a black-hearted assassin. I offer you her death as a salve against the hatred and hurt you have suffered.
"And so, without further delay, let us usher in this new dawn with justice! OFF WITH HER HEAD!"
The executioner reaches out and grabs Trinia by the scruff of her neck before crying out and dropping her. Everyone notices a dagger now sticking out of his back sunk nearly to the hilt while a cry echoes through the courtyard, "By the gods, its Blackjack!"
An instant later, a man dressed in a hooded cloak and black mask springs up to Trinia's side. Using a dagger he cuts the bonds on Trinia's wrists and then throws the same dagger down to pin the executioner's left foot to the wood platform. He then turns to address the shocked crowd.
"Yes indeed, my queen! Let us usher in justice, but let that be justice for Korvosa, not this shambles you call a monarchy! Long live Korvosa! Down with the queen!"
Blackjack’s words cause the crowd to erupt into action. Some demand that he release the assassin while others call for the queen’s resignation. Queen Ileosa stands stunned for a few moments, whispers something to the armored figure, and then quickly turns to flee into Castle Korvosa, the woman in full plate and a dozen guards behind her to cover her retreat. The remaining guards in the courtyard move to apprehend Blackjack, but the gathered nobles, thirsty for blood, make it difficult to move. At the same time, the executioner recovers from his wounds and lifts his axe over Blackjack, who seems to have momentarily forgotten the man in his apparent delight at having forced the queen to flee.
Jolon cries as he sees the executioner raise his axe.
As the crowd goes into panic Aloysia's height becomes a disadvantage, and all the jostling around makes it hard for her to see what's going on. She tries to slip between people to get to the edge of the crowd to see what's going on.
The call draws Blackjack's attention allowing him to grab Trinia and roll out of the way of the executioner's axe. He commands her to hold on before draping her around his shoulders and clambering up a hanging banner to a nearby wall. He pushes aside his mask to drink from a vial before grabbing hold of Trinia once more. Backlit by the setting sun Blackjack bows to the crowd, though in your particular direction, and you feel his eyes are on you as he rises then steps off the other side of the wall.
Jolon looks at the others, shock and confusion clear on his face. He was relieved that Trinia was not unjustly executed, but he doubted the Guard or the mob would look kindly on the orc-blood whose shouted warning allowed her and her rescuer to escape.
Gamon, too slow to even draw his axe before the commotion had ceased, slowly drops his hands to his sides. He looks up at Jolon, We should get out of here, before anyone takes note of who called out to Blackjack.
Jolon nods wordlessly, and moves to join Gamon.
Aloysia reaches the edge of the crowd and turns to see what is going on and where her group is.