The party follows Ayako to the House of Clouds.
A single long structure sits atop the main deck of this ship—the double doors always hang open to reveal a large room decorated with throw rugs, large pillows, and air thick with incense and lit by red paper lanterns. The scent of anise, rosewater, and cinnamon pour forth from smoking bronze braziers set on silver stands carved in the likenesses of slit-eyed serpents and proud hunting birds here and there, while several scantily-clad men and women loiter about the barge’s deck.
A half-elven woman approaches Ayako. "Greetings, lady. I am Madam Halvara. What's your fancy today? A man? A woman? Both?" she purrs. "Let me know which one strikes your interests. It's 5 gold for 15 minutes. Are your friends looking for company too? I'm sure we can accommodate."
A nearly naked young girl rubs seductively up against Sebastian's side. "Ooh, I like this one. Pick me. I'll make it worth your while."
Ayako pushes back her hood. Madam Halvara, it is me, Ayako. I did treatments for the staff instead of working the floor a while ago before left for the Pharesma temple, remember?
I am here with my friends because we seek to have an audiance with Devargo to discuss some buisness. Since you have standing here as madam, a referal by you to help us gain entrance would be most helpful and I am willing to compensate you for such a favor.
Will have to see what Sebastian knows about Vencarlo, Grau and Sabina later on... Nadya smiles demurely at Vencarlo's compliments, "Thank you Vencarlo. You are a true gentleman. It seems there has been much sadness in my past, but I feel that things are improving by the day." She can't resist teasing Sebastian when we all meet back up, "You must be a very thick-headed student Sebastian. Your master is a perfect gentleman. I would have thought he'd have made much more progress with you by now given his skill." She says farewell to Vencarlo with a playful curtsy as he heads off.
At Eel's End, Nadya is happy to let Ayako take the lead. She'd been racking her mind on the right way to approach Devargo. It seemed rather uncouth to simply show up with a big bag of bribe money. Thankfully Ayako seemed to know her way around.
"Ayako!" Halvara exclaims. "How could I ever forget you? I didn't think I'd ever see you again. Rumor had it that you were...dead. Done in by old Gaedren Lamm. Recently I've been hearing more rumors that Gaedren's gone missing too. If I was a betting gal, and I am, I'd say you had something to do with that. You always were a clever girl. So you're looking for an audience with Devargo, eh. Well don't you worry. Devargo and I are real close. He'll speak with you if I ask him nicely. Just be careful. I don't know what your business is with him, but he isn't someone you want to cross. It'd be a real shame for our reunion to be cut short already. You know what? How about once your business with Devargo is done, why don't you and your friends join me for drinks at the Goldenhawk tonight. The dream spider lanterns around here are so beautiful at night. And we can catch up on old times. Well, Devargo is right over here. Follow me, hun, I'll get you in."
The largest of the five ships tied off to the pier is a warship bearing the name Eel's End, its figurehead a coiling eel with a woman's head. Several drunkards, sailors, and revelers dance and drink on the large open main deck here, while the aft deck is relatively clear. A pair of large double doors bearing a complex painting of a spider allows entrance into the stern section of the main deck.
Four enforcers sleep in hammocks strung in the rigging above, and there are two patrolling enforcers on the lower deck itself. They stop Halvara as she approaches the doors. "The King of Spiders has no interest in visitors right now, Madam."
"Oh come on now, boys. You know Devargo can't resist me. These fine folk here have some important business with him. He won't be happy if I tell him you turned them away."
The enforcers tug at there collars uncomfortably. "Well, I dunno. If they got business, I suppose we ought to let them pass. But they better be on their best behavior. Devargo's entertaining some new recruits. He won't be pleased if your friends are lying."
"Thanks, boys. You are too kind. I vouch for them. They won't be any trouble." Halvara winks and pushes past the guards, opening the double doors that lead into the cabin.
This large room, once a captain's cabin, has been converted into a throne room of sorts. The walls are thick with spiderwebs, in which scuttle dozens of spiders—some as large as a fist but most considerably smaller. These spiders seem content to stay in their webs and do not venture into the room itself, which is furnished with two sturdy oaken tables surrounded by chairs. Aft, a wooden stage supports a large leather chair, itself covered with cobwebs and scampering spiders. A narrow door stands to port, hanging ajar and revealing a flight of stairs leading below. An iron birdcage hangs from the ceiling like a chandelier, inside of which lingers a tiny, tired-looking purple dragon.
Devargo Barvasi, the self-styled King of Spiders sits upon the throne. He is a tall man with close-cropped black hair, a warm smile, and blue eyes. He accents his black leather armor with a steel spider-shaped shoulder baldric and a thick chain criss-crossing his chest, linked together in the shape of a spider's web. His signature weapons—gauntlets fixed with blades over the knuckles—glisten with poison. Now and then, spiders clamber over his skin, but he takes no notice.
Six thugs and cutpurses are seated at the tables enjoying a sumptuous meal and loud storytelling. They quiet down as new guests enter.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Friends of yours, Halvara? You know I'm a busy man." speaks Devargo.
"Oh great King, these people are seeking your aid. Hear them out. I'm sure it is important enough to be worth your while. Do this favor for me, and I'll make it worth your while tonight."
A couple of the thugs holler some cat calls at Halvara's last comment.
"The rest is up to you, hun. Don't forget to come see me later." Halvara whispers to Ayako then heads back to the House of Clouds.
"Very well. Plead your case." Devargo throws open his arms. "Let it be known that the King is generous."
You notice that your group is standing on top of a large trap door hidden in the floor in front of the throne.
Nadya looks around this Spider's web. We're outnumbered at least ten to one here. I hope we don't repeat the scene at All the World's Meat. She waits for Ayako to begin, figuring to lend her words to the cause once the other woman signals a direction for the negotiation.
Ayako lightly pecks Halvara's cheeks. Oh I have found a place for me at the Cathedral, good solid work and a warm bed. As for rumors, well rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. As for Lamm, I believe the poor old soul decided to retire, all the cold river air wasn't good for his health.
Ayako indicates her friends. But you are right, past tales can wait for a while, thank you very much for your assistance. Ayako follows Halvara as she takes them to the larger boat and into the main hall where Devargo holds court.
Greetings, Devargo. I am Ayako and these are my friends. We come here to petition you for knowledge on a customer of Eel's End by the name Darvayne Gios Amprei, an ambassador from Cheliax who views this fair city poorly even though he is more than willing to help himself to whatever it offers. He has made moves to try to place unfavorable trade laws so he would be in a good position to buy up large amounts of property.
Ayako pauses and takes a breath. As he is known to you, perhaps you would be willing to aid us by providing information that can help in..discouraging such poor conduct from him in the future. Of course we are more than willing to give adequate compensation for your services.
Ayako shows the bag filled with gold and clinks it some.
As they stand before the throne ready to plead their case Col looks down and notices the trap door beneath thei feet. Orc nuggets, this doesn't look good, he thinks as he begins to back away of the trap door. He looks around to see if he can spot the control mechanism for the trap door.
Devargo listens to Ayako's request and yawns. "I do indeed have the information you seek in my quarters below. I have come into possession of some rather scandalous letters that would get the poor ambassador into some very hot water were they to fall into the right person's hands and I've been making a very lucrative profit selling these letters back to the ambassador, one at a time. I just love to see him squirm each time he visits. Why would I give up such a profitable opportunity just to help you who have nothing to really offer me? Gold? I have gold. Can't you see I'm the King of the Spiders!"
Devargo's minions cheer loudly eager to gain his favor. A large spider crawls out of his collar, up his face, and then back down his arm.
"I've got it!" Devargo exclaims. "This lot sitting around my throne room has been boring me all morning. Entertain me, and perhaps my decision may be swayed. I propose a game of knivesies." Devargo grins wickedly. "I'm going to need a volunteer."
The Rabbit Prince card glows in Nadya's Harrow Deck.
While Devargo is talking, Nadya receives a telepathic message, "Please help me! One of Devargo's enforcers captured me and Devargo has been tormenting me for weeks. If you can find a way to release me, I promise I'll help you and serve you faithfully for a year in gratitude." Nadya glances around and sees the pseudodragon in the birdcage beside Devargo pleading with puppy-dog-eyes.
Ayako looks at Sebastion. well, what do you think?
Col hears Devargo's offer of a game of knivesies and asks, "What's the wager? Your information up against our purse?
"Your purse has piqued my interest. I will take the gold the young lady is offering but I'm afraid its just not enough to convince me. But, I'm in a generous mood since you are friends of Halvara and I'm willing to give you a chance to earn the rest of my favor. Win a game or two of knivesies and the information is yours. Feel free to wager more of your gold among my pitiful recruits if you wish though." replies Devargo.
Sebastian grins, stepping up with encouragement from Ayako. "Knivesies, eh? Sounds like fun!" Pulling out the silver dagger, he tosses it on the table. "If it's all the same to you, let's use a knife that isn't dripping with your spider's venom."
"Now that's a knife!" Nadya moves to make sure she has a clear line of effect to both the knivesies table and Devargo.
Ayako pats Sebastion's back. Good luck!
Col is not surprised by Sebastian's bravado and tries to nod encouragingly at his companion. I think I could make some coin off this, I just can't figure out who to bet on, he jokes to himself. With a smirk on his face he fishes 25 gold coins from his purse to make a wager. Laying the coin on one of the tables he says to the sailors, "On my friend!
"You think I would stoop so low as to poison the knife." exclaims Devargo. "You're smarter than you look. We'll use your dagger."
"You!" Devargo points to one of the thugs. "Get up there and show me your worth."
The thug grins as he climbs up onto the long wooden table. Sebastian follows and another man assists with tying the two's right hands together with a leather strap. The glittering silver knife sits point down between them. 23 gold gets thrown onto the table behind the opponent.
Devargo slowly counts down from ten and then the two players spring into action. The crowd starts cheering loudly and stomping their feet.
Nadya throws in 25 gp of her own on Sebastian.
Ayako puts 10 on Sebastion
As the count finishes, Sebastian adjusts his stance, slipping a foot in to hamper his opponent while he reaches down and grabs the dagger. He doesn't trust these thugs to play a non-lethal game and has no intention of dying before he can pay a proper visit to the Cloud House.
Sebastian and the thug lunge for the dagger but Sebastian is slightly faster, forcing the thug to scoop up some coins instead.
Ayako cheers on Sebastion
Col cheers on Sebastian louder.
Sebastian grins as he successfully grabs the dagger. As the other man hastily scrabbles for the coins, Sebastian brings the blade down on his hand.
Sebastian brutally stabs the thug through the hand and tosses the dagger off the table behind him in order to scoop up a handful of coins.
The thug sees that Sebastian is no longer armed and takes the opportunity to swing his bleeding fist at his face but Sebastian easily shifts out of the way.
"Come on, you sorry excuse for a fighter. You'll never become one of my enforcers with a punch like that." shouts Devargo.
Nadya glowers at the thug, willing his reactions to slow.
The thug slows under Nadya's stare. The rest of the audience is too distracted watching the match to notice anything amiss.
One of the thugs in the crowd shouts, "Ouch! I think something bit me!" and clutches a bloody hand. The others ignore him too.
You notice that the thug who shouted was reaching down for the discarded silver dagger, but you are still unable to discern exactly what happened among all the stomping feet.
Ayako glances over briefly but is then drawn back to the action on the table.
What's going on over there Col thinks and then returns to cheering on Sebastian.
Nadya cheers on Sebastian and moves closer to Ayako and Col. Using the noise of the crowd for cover she whispers to Col.
"Pseudodragon wants out. Being held against his will. I'm thinking of charming Devargo once we get the documents from him. Unless of course you or Sebastian fancy another game of knivesies for the dragon?"
Whispering back to Nadya, "Knivesies may be the better choice. I don't think he charms easy."
Or I could seduce him with Madam Halvara..just kiddening. Another knife game might be in order.
Sebastian is starting to really enjoy himself! The crowd roaring behind him, his friends chanting his name, the smells of blood, sweat, gold, and ale mingling together. Grinning, Sebastian reaches down to grab another handful of coins from the other man's side of the table.
Plucking up a single coin, he drops it into the other man's purse. "Looks like you could use the help!"
The thug snarls at Sebastian's taunt and scoops up his own handful of coins.
Nadya laughes at Sebastian's audacious move and whispers back to Col, "He might if I soften him up with a hex first, but I can wait and see if we can pull it off with knivesies."
Rah rah.
Sebastian laughs at the thug, the man clearly not enjoying the game as much as Sebastian. He reaches down and grabs more coins.
The thug has clearly had it with Sebastian's taunting and takes another swing at him in anger; his fist connects with Sebastian's face.
The other thugs go wild when their companion successfully hits, cheering even louder.
"That's more like it!" shouts Devargo. "Hit him again!"
Knock his head off, Sebastion! Ayako's bloodlust gets in gear.
The punch to the face stops Sebastian laughing and sends him reeling. He bends low, pretending to go for more coins, but he throws his head up at the last minute, bashing his skull into the underside of his opponent's jaw.
Sebastian headbutts the thug in the jaw and he staggers backwards off the table.
Devargo claps his hands in delight. "We have a winner! I must thank you all for your generosity and entertainment. And also for showing me that this fool is unworthy of joining my organization. Men, bring him before me."
Two of the thugs lift the loser off the floor and unceremoniously toss him to the ground before Devargo.
"Please! No!" begs the man.
"I have no use for weaklings and beggars disgust me. Goodbye." Devargo declares. He pushes a hidden button on the side of his throne and a trap door opens dropping the prone man into a chamber below. Through the floor, you can hear screams of fear for a few moments but then they suddenly stop. "Well, now that the piece of business is over, true to my word, I will retrieve the information you seek. Please wait here and I'll be right back. Feel free to collect your winnings while I'm gone." Devargo turns to the remaining thugs. "The rest of you men are dismissed. Send my enforcers in on your way out."
The five thugs nervously leave the cabin. After they leave, four of Devargo's enforcers enter and stand with their arms crossed and stare at the party with stone-cold faces. Devargo then heads downstairs.
Talk about a harsh boss. Ayako tucks her winnings away.
So how will we gain that dragon's freedom?
Sebastian exults in is triumph, but his celebration is cut short by the apparent death of his former opponent. What have I done? So disturbed is he that he loses any desire to spend his winnings at the House of Clouds. But before he sink too deeply into his angst, Ayako's question jars him back to reality. "There's a dragon down there?!"
In the cage by Devargo's seat.
Col smiles, "We ask for it, nicely."
After a few minutes, Devargo returns, performs a mock bow, and hands over two letters to Ayako. A harmless spider crawls down his arm and onto Ayako's hand during the exchange. Devargo then sits back down on his throne and confides, "I have learned of a scandalous affair Ambassador Amprei was having with the wife of an important noble back in Cheliax. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Very naughty of him, wouldn't you agree?"
"Apparently, the ambassador and this woman have been corresponding while Amprei is stationed here in Korvosa. When I heard these rumors, being the honorable citizen that I am, I felt it was my civic duty to pay the man a visit to find out the validity of these rumors before false information might reach the authorities. I, at first, attempted to befriend the ambassador, giving him a gift of several vials of shiver and making a proposition to the man to open a line of trade with Cheliax. But the ambassador refused and had me escorted from his home. Can you believe the gall, that a noble such as he, would treat his guest so poorly? However, as luck would have it, by no fault of my own, the man's house key just happened to fall into my pocket as I left. I didn't notice until much later that night, but I did as any upright citizen would do in this situation, and returned as soon as I found out that night to return the key. Since the ambassador was already asleep, I took it upon myself to let myself in. Besides, I wouldn't want there to be any misunderstandings that I might have stolen the key, after all. When I returned the key, that's when I came upon several of the ambassador's letters to his paramour. I knew if these fell into the wrong hands, the good Ambassador Amprei would find himself in a lot of hot water, so I decided that they'd be safer with me."
"Who would have guessed, the ambassador would prefer holding on to them himself? But that was not a problem. Since he came to me, I've been selling the letters back to the ambassador at the rate of one every few weeks. Good protection doesn't come cheap. There are many processing fees involved. I thought that I was doing that right thing, but you have been very convincing this afternoon and have shown me the error of my ways. I offer you these letters as good will to show how repentant am I for my misjudgment. Well, now that you have what you came for, it's been a pleasure doing business with you!" He indicates with his hand that he expects you to leave.
If you read the letters, the two scandalous letters are written to Ambassador Amprei from a woman named Verania Tvastiox, the young wife of one of Amprei's superiors back home in Cheliax. The details in the letters are quite salacious and exacting, leaving little room for misinterpretation—if they were to be made public, Amprei would be disgraced.