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Trisane lets out a sharp whistle to Silverbeak, signaling the retreat. He disengages the western thugs and rushes past Elden. He gives a quick pat on the shoulder as he goes.
Nice work, Elden. Time to get out of here!
Silverbeak launches herself off the roof and hovers momentarily 20 feet in the air, creating a cloud of debris in her wake on top of the remaining thugs on the ground.
Elden smiles as the thugs fall and the rest of the group rushes past. He waits until Trisane has moved past him and follows along behind.
Finally! Right behind you, boss!
In the streets you can see the approaching guards, following an impatient raven. The citizens seem to ignore the goings on, gathered instead in small groups, talking amongst themselves.
The guards search the alleyway, but aside form the pair of fallen foes, the others have fled back into the shadows.
A pair of guards escorts you to the temple of Shelyn to ensure nothing further occurs on your travels. The doors to the temple stand open, they are made from heavy oak and have been carved with beautiful depictions of flowering plants and the rainbow tailed songbird that is the symbol of Shelyn. Beyond the open doors, an interior hallway leads out again into an inner courtyard. Sunlight streams in, highlighting living plants, murals, and statuary. Harp music comes from somewhere within as well.
As you enter the courtyard you see a man playing the harp, his hair is grey and he is slightly overweight. His eyes are closed, and he continues to play. When he is done with the performance, he looks up at you all.
Hey there, it's a beautiful day for some music, 'eh. Helps the plants grow, you know. They dig the tunes. Something you would like me to play?
Oh, right on! he nods and smiles approvingly. It is the way of Shelyn to create and share beauty. Like, what's the point of beauty if not to be seen and enjoyed by many, right? I will take a look at the symbol, if you want?
I like this guy.
Ophelia offers a sincere smile to the man. That was lovely music. It's not often I hear such nice sounds, at least not the parts I usually frequent. Mostly I hear drunken sea shanties. My friend is right, though, perhaps another time I can enjoy your music.
Awww, that is beautiful man. Truly a work of art in service to the Eternal Rose. Totally righteous. He gazes at the carved shell symbol for a minute or two, letting the light play off the opalescent rainbow of colors as if transfixed, before snapping out of it.
I would love to help you man, but no one I know of carried that symbol, it is possible that it was given as a gift to another member elsewhere. Such a wonder should be shared. Would you consider parting with it? I am sure that I could share some measure of beauty with you to make the exchange equitable?
Their symbols seem more personal, I'd expect someone to be missing it...if they were still alive. Unfortunate. I wonder how he'll measure beauty, what value he'll assign it. I'm guessing it won't be in crowns.
Ophelia simply nods her approval.
The man gets up and moves gracefully towards an alcove, finding what seems like the single empty spot, he carefully places the symbol so that the light reflects off it. It seems to glow of its own accord, or perhaps that is just the light from above. Either way he again fixates on the piece for a moment.
Like, totally beautiful. I shall present it to someone deserving, man, someone in need of beauty. Yeaaaah.
Oh, right on, how shall I repay you? There is much beauty to share. Usually, I would offer song, or dance, but I suspect you prefer something more....
I know, come with me man, I have just the thing. He says as he moves to a small alcove.
He moves a number of staffs, glaives and odd manner of items away from a lantern and carved box resting on the floor. He picks up both of these, and sets them on the ground outside the alcove.
A light to guide you, so you may find the beauty that is within all things. It will never burn out, or require fuel. He hands you a hooded lantern, that while not warm does emit light when the shade is open.
He then opens the carved box, draws forth a set of vials, a swirly opalescent liquid swishes inside. These will protect you.
And these, he draws out four more vials, with a rosy hue, will bind your wounds and keep you strong, that you may continue to carry beauty into the world.
He nods, Yeah man, may you always find the beauty in all things.
Ophelia smiles at the man, thank you, I'm sure these will help us find beauty.
We were hoping to find some information about Tobar and the other missing children. We can head back to our gnome friend and see if he knows any more. Maybe the other shops in the area know something.
I can't believe he'd give up so easily.
Ophelia frowns at Nik, you can't believe that. Maybe whoever is behind these missing children are behind Tobar's disappearance as well. We can inform the guardsmen, but we should look into it as well.
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Poor Nik... I fear things are getting worse than ever.
Ophelia's right. The last thing we should do is give up hope. I know the city looks bad, maybe even beyond our ability to save... But I would rather die than break my promise. We will find your brother, I swear it!
He mounts up Silverbeak again with renewed vigor.
C'mon everyone. We will not abandon those in need. It's time to find Tobar.
Quixlette's shop is open and he welcomes you warmly.
You spend time asking questions, but seemingly people do not want to talk to a Sable Company Marine asking questions, Ophelia and Nik have better luck and Elden can make some connections with the dwarven merchants he knows.
Collctively, you are able to find out some basics about the underworld, the only "recognized" thieves guild is the Cerulean Society, led by Guild Master Boule, but he is far from the only group in town.
According to rumors:
The Cerulean Society has a blood feud with the Red Mantis assassins.
Old Korvosa has a lycanthrope problem.
The King of Spiders in Eels End, you already know. He is a topic of much speculation.
With supplies running short, black markets are popping up with smuggled or hoarded goods for sale, for the right price.
Old Korvosa and the Shingles are dens of iniquity with all manner of crime.
The Little Lamms, children pick pockets have been disbanded and are being sucked up into larger groups. Either he crossed a group of adventurers and met his fate on a swordsman's blade, or the old coot fell asleep with an untended fire and burned his hideout down around his ears. Either way, all the Lamm's agree, he is dead and not missed.
Several new groups of thieves have popped up, but tells you that Robbie and Douglas have been protecting the shopkeepers and searching the area for Nelson and his thugs. Nelson's group is apparently responsible for a number of robberies and petty crimes.
New among the rumor mill, it is now believed that the artist, Trinia who painted the King's portrait before he died poisoned him!
Several days pass at the citadel with growing news of unrest in the city. Rumors swirl around Trinia, a young artist who painted a picture of the king a month prior to his death. The Queen has ordered the Guard, the Sable Company and the Hellknights to capture her, but grows increasingly impatient with the inability to capture the artist.
Cressida summons you for another meeting, behind closed doors and with no other Guardsmen.
You’ve doubtless heard the stories that the king’s killer has been named. Yet there’s something more going on here, I’m afraid. Cressida has a worried look upon her face. Queen Ileosa could have quietly had this Trinia Sabor arrested at any time, yet the way in which she revealed the information to the city seems to me like she wants the riots to come back. With the city the way it is, the girl doesn’t stand a chance of a fair trial. They’ll lynch her the moment they catch her. Even if she did kill the king, mob justice isn’t the way. Worse, if she’s innocent, the real killer—if indeed the king was murdered at all in the first place—can use this distraction to throw us off the trail forever.
Before Trinia is captured and executed, I need to be absolutely sure she’s guilty. And that means we need to catch her before someone else does. I’ve managed to determine her last known address—a flat in Midland at 42 Moon Street—but soon, so will the rest of the Guard, and the mob itself, for that matter. These rumors have riled up the locals something fierce, and there’s even bands of Hellknights of the Order of the Nail patrolling the streets looking for her. On top of all this, word is that Queen Ileosa’s not satisfied with what the Korvosan Guard’s been doing to address the situation, and that she’s preparing to disband the Sable Company and reveal a newly founded order of specialized guards to help bring order to the city. For now, I’ve still got a fair number of Korvosan Guards who are loyal to me, but the problem is that I’ve got them at work keeping things from getting any worse—and if I were to send them into Midland, they’d trigger a riot.
I’m sure you can see where this is going. I need you to get into Midland, find Trinia, and bring her back to me so we can deliver her, safe and sound, to somewhere she can be interrogated—preferably with magic, so we can be absolutely sure about her role in Eodred II’s death. Get in there, catch her, and get out without letting the mob or the Hellknights or the queen’s guards get their hands on her. I’ll have loyal agents and officers nearby to take her into custody. If you can get her to one of them, we’ll be in the clear. Any questions?
Oh, this is not good, at all.
We've heard the rumors, of course, but you believe she may be innocent? Regardless, what do we know about her, beyond her being an artist? Is there anything to indicate she may be dangerous or part of a larger crime group?
If there are so many people looking for her, it may be difficult to get her back here unnoticed.
You want us to bring her back here or some other place?
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This is madness!
Nik looks up with a blank face.
Commander, I know this is important to the city but I came here for a reason and rescuing young girls who may or may not have killed a king and set off a wave of chaos in the city was no where near what I figured I would be getting into. So, yes, once again I will assist you because it is the right thing to do and my friends need me as much as I need them.
With that said, has the guard made any attempt to locate my brother, Tobar? Has their been any leads? Did the two men we brought in provide any information? I need to find my brother, or at least what has happened to him. Then I can decide if I want to stay in this city that seems to be falling down around you, or return with my brother to my people.
Nik then lowers his head as if he is defeated and turns to Trisane.
I will follow you as always, but this can't continue much longer.
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Trisane steps forward solemnly.
Commander, my heart is truly heavy with all this turmoil. Things have gotten far too out of hand in the city. Maybe even beyond the aid of the Guard. I'm afraid I have to question the motive behind using us four as undercover agents for the Guard yet again...
Not more than a few days ago, we were ambushed in the streets in broad daylight for our affiliation with the Guard. We barely escaped capture. We won't make that mistake again. We're of no further use to you outside of open duty. Now you say the Queen wants to disband the Sable Company?
This just doesn't make sense... With all this secrecy, I'm not sure we can trust the Guard or the judgement of its Commander to do what's right. Things have gotten bad but there may still be hope... if she lets us go.
These are troubling times and it's hard to know who to trust. I know you are bound by law to serve the Queen. You clearly mistrust her actions. I must admit, they are questionable. However, the Sable Company is not beholden to the monarch for this reason. The Seneschal will know what to do. Please allow me to return to their service and I will find the right behind this situation. If you say everyone is already looking for Trinia, let me join with the marines instead. We will find her and get the answers we need. No one can question the loyalty of the Sable Company to the city of Korvosa, not even the Queen! What say you?
Well, I figured Trisane wouldn't object to this at all. He brings up good points, but his faith in the Guard seems to be wavering. What will he do if his Sable Company gets disbanded?
Cressida slumps back into her chair, the strain of the past few weeks is evident upon her face.
When I introduced you to Vencarlo Orisini, you she nods to Trisane, stated that it was your duty to help keep the people of Korvosa safe in any way you could. I know the rest of you have taken that responsibility on without the oath of service that Trisane took. I know I ask great things of you all, and I must ask again for your help.
I know that your search for your brother has met with little success, she looks to Nik, and while I would love to say I have devoted the resources such a request is due to that effort, the meager inquires we have made have yielded nothing helpful.
Right now, it is all I can do to help hold the city together. The Seneschal has been unavailable, so Commandant Endrin has been following the orders of the Queen. As have I. I have loyally and dutifully followed all orders given by her majesty. Including the order to utilize your services. There are rumors the Queen seeks to disband the Sable Company, and perhaps even the Guard itself.
She lifts her head, despite who we take orders from, a monarch, a seneschal, a commanding officer, in truth we answer to the city, to the people of Korvosa. It is our duty to protect the city.
Somewhere in the mass of scared and angry people is a girl. She may be the murderer of a king -assuming he was murdered, she may be a convenient scapegoat. If she is caught and tried or more likely lynched, we may never learn the truth and I believe only the truth can save the city.
If you wish to search for your brother, I understand. You owe this city nothing. she nods to Nik If you formally request on returning to the Sable Company, I would have to formally decline your request, given you serve here upon orders of the Queen. If you wish to go and stand guard on a corner, I can assign you that duty, she looks at Trisane again, and then everyone as she continues, but I would hope that you will trust me, that you will help me, and that you will find Trinia and bring her to me... before she is strung up in a courtyard or square.
I need heroes. I need your help, all of you, for the sake of the city. Clearly she is exhausted and giving everything she can to continue her efforts... with her last words she looks to you, and awaits your response.
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Nik takes the deck out of his pouch and stares at it for a second. He quietly speaks to himself.
It seems you, great spirit, wish me to help this city as well. Why should I when all I have seen is that this city destroys the soul of almost all that come here. It is even corrupting me.
Then he returns the deck to his pouch and continues outside to await his friends.
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Trisane salutes the commander.
We will find the truth, commander, for Korvosa.
Elden. Ophelia. C'mon, we've got work to do.
She's lost control. This isn't right, everything is upside down. We're on our own now. We do need to find this girl and learn the truth... Can't bring her back here though... it's not safe. Need to find somewhere safe...
He exits briskly to meet up with Nik as thoughts and emotions run wildly through his mind.
Ophelia nods to the commander, We'll find her, hopefully before anyone else does. She exits with the others.
Once outside she says, It may be difficult moving the most wanted person in the city to a safe location. I have an idea, but I'll need to make a stop before we leave.
That is, if they are going to find her.
That was an uncomfortable meeting. Clearly, things have gotten out of hand. What do you think we should do? I don't know if she's innocent or not, but the commander believes she is. We should find her before anyone else does and see what she knows. The commander thinks we should bring her here, but if the Queen is losing faith in the guard, it'll be a matter of time before they come looking here. If the guard is found to be hiding her, that will seal its fate.
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Once the group is gathered and alone, Trisane pauses for a long period of thought. He then sighs and shakes his head.
I can't believe things have gotten this bad... the Guard can't be involved in this. Cressida... my sister... can't be involved in this.
Gather everything we have from the Citadel. The Commander is not the person she once was. She's scared and she's making a big mistake. We're not spies or undercover agents. If we get caught with the fugitive and the Queen finds out what Cressida is doing, as members of the Gaurd, her head will be on the chopping block alongside our own.
He pauses again for a moment.
Cressida was right about something though: We have to protect the city. I am and always will be a marine, I have to do what's right for Korvosa regardless of what the Queen or the Commander of the Guard says. We're going to find Trinia first... but we can't bring her back here.
Trisane pauses yet again before continuing.
Ophelia, if your magic can help us then we need to bring the missing girl to Commandant Endrin, he'll know what to do. We'll be safe there. The Queen has no authority to disband the Sable Company no matter what the rumors say. Once we know the truth, we can decide what to do next.
Trisane mounts Silverbeak.
We should leave as soon as possible.
You could have acquired scrolls and the darkwood staff prior to the meeting with Cressida.
You have an address in Midland... a flat at 42 Moon Street.
What is the plan once you assemble outside the barracks.
The trip into Midland shows city is once again on the verge of tearing itself apart. Mobs of citizens and Hellknight patrols roam the streets enforcing a bloody sense of law and vigilantism. The main streets are too dangerous to travel but the back alleys and side streets are mostly deserted. It is not long before you draw close to your destination, it seems the ramshackle additions close off the streets from the skies above.
Rom sticks close to Nik as bands of imps and other things move above. Occasionally a chamberpot splashes down near the group, or other trash lands with a splat at your feet. The city is heavy with the scent of fires, and trash. In these crowded side streets puddles and bits of broken crates and other trash clog the way.
Every one in a while Trisane is able to catch a glimpse of Silverbeak and more than once a rock, stick or piece of debris is hurled upward at the hippogriff, who has little trouble avoiding such meager assaults.
You eventually reach 42 Moon Street, a building originally two stories high, but that now includes numerous additions, the area known commonly in Korvosa as the Shingles.
Outside the Moon Street address, a group of tenants are gathered around an older Varisian woman. Locks of silver slip out beneath a silk headdress which is wearing thin with age. Older men and women fill the doorway, talking and exchanging news and stories. Around them, children laugh and play. They take notice of your approach, but do nothing to acknowledge you or move. It will not be possible to enter without walking through the group's conversation.
What is this now?
Ophelia whispers to the others, maybe there is a back entrance?
She'll try to listen in to the conversations to determine what this gathering is about.
To listen in:
To identify the woman or if this is a common thing in the area:
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Well, so much for a quiet entrance.
Nik whispers to the companion on his shoulder.
Rom, uită-te la spate pentru noi. Vezi dacă e în siguranță.
Nic lets Rom go and turns back to his friends. He looks around trying to see if he recognizes anyone.
You all stop in the narrow street, and begin to whisper amongst yourselves. Despite this, the locals are not trying to hide their conversation, they are discussing the current unrest. Much of the discussion centers on bloody encounters with Hellknight patrols, mobs and looting, violence against Shoanti, Varisinas and non-human residents, lack of supplies, the striking iron workers and longshoremen.
Neither Nik nor Ophelia recognize the woman, but you can tell she is clearly Varisian. The group though is mixed. The one thing that is clear, these are common workers who were probably struggling to get by before the chaos.
Eventually Rom flutters back and lands on Nik's shoulder.
Nu există o clădire în clădirea respectivă, clădirea se înclină unul în celălalt. Nu știu cum ajungi acolo. Rom spreads his wings for a moment before continuing,
Silverbeak încă mai înconjoară.
Silverbeak is still circling.
Nik and I can blend in, maybe Elden, too. I'm not sure about you, Trisane. We could try to join the crowd and maybe get inside or wait until they disperse...or find a way to make them disperse.
As Rom reported the buildings of the this city block all run together, with makeshift dwellings filling the gaps between "original" construction. Trisane wanders down the street some distance to find a place to climb up into the Shingles. Having usually seen them from above, they looked simpler, like a single level atop the rest of the houses. Here in the mid levels between the ground and the rooftops he finds a maze of makeshift dwellings, tarps, ladders, and narrow walkways propped precariously on window ledges and in cracks. It is an entirely different layer to the city. Trisane twists and turns and has to double back a few times.
Rats and other unseen things move and make noises nearby. Trisane passes several people, most seem to be sleeping, and some show clear signs of shiver usage. Others seem to be conducting routine tasks. in other places individuals seem to be standing guard, or keeping watch. They all keep to themselves. The usual sounds of talking, yelling, things moving and breaking accompany you as you make your way upwards. A good rain would help this area in many ways. He eventually comes to a terrace where he can once again see the sky for a brief moment as a tarp blows in the breeze. Trisane catches sight of Silverbeak soaring above, then he is distracted by a commotion nearby as an imp and house drake tumble by mid-fight.
Trisane, you realize that you are several "buildings" away from where Trinia's apartment would be located, and are able to pick out a route in that direction beginning with a precariously wedged plank acting as a crossover point to a larger ledge.
We need to get in there, perhaps I can get close enough to see inside.
Ophelia makes her way to the crowd, attempting to get close to the front.
Ophelia, Nik, and Elden move towards the the gathering. As you do, a little girl skips up to Ophelia, Hello, m'lady she says with a curtsey. Her mother steps up behind the girl, placing a protective hand on the little girls shoulder. How can we help you folks? she asks politely, but suspiciously.
Ophelia smiles at the girl and offers a curtsy back, Hello.
She looks to the mother, We don't mean to intrude, we overheard your conversation and have similar fears regarding the Hellknights, and specifically against us... she motions towards herself, Nik, and Elden.
Might I inquire what this is about?