"The arrows will make your aim true and do more damage to the enemy, I cannot quite get a grasp on the gun. We should probably hold onto it until I can figure out what it does."
Visiting the Guards during this time has been harder, because the streets are lawless and safety is not assured. Still, when you receive a visit from Cressida Kroft, Field Marshall of the Guard, you do not say no.
"I need your talents. I have been tasked with getting the City under control and my Guards are deserting. Morale's gone to hell and I haven't slept in three days. I've found a small group, sent from the Queen herself, if you can believe that, and I think they're trustworthy, but I need someone I can trust, someone whose opinion I trust, to keep an eye on them. I need to know whose creatures they are. Do they serve the Queen or do they serve Korvosa? You understand, we never had this conversation and if pressed I will deny everything? Good. Be at my office in the morning. I'll introduce you then." Kroft looks tired and worn, but her spine is straight and her wits sharp. And besides, it wasn't really a request...
The city is a mess, with rioting in the street. The law is gone and mobs rule. Still, when you were accosted by one, a man with white hair and a dashing attitude came to your defense, defying the mob with his presence and ushering you to safety. He named himself as Vencarlo Orsini, a fencing teacher of some small respect. "I believe your path and mine have crossed for a reason, my dear." He tells you over tea. "Korvosa needs direction. She needs help, in this her moment of weakness. I see in your eyes, my dear, hope and something more. Come with me in the morning; I believe I may have an opportunity for you to help my home and seek your destiny." Perhaps it was his tone or his charm or his presence, but you believed him. And so it was that you joined him the next morning after spending the night in his academy, in heading to the offices of the head of the Korvosan Guard...
The next morning you are escorted into Field Marshall Kroft's offices, where the Marshall herself waits, along with a dashing looking older man with white hair and a rakish manner, a young human woman still dusty from the road and a pretty young female gnome, her green hair in a bun. The field Marshall bids you sit and nods to the older man. He introduces himself as Vencarlo Orsini, a Korvosan 'patriot' as he says.
"I am a simple man, but I happen to have connections in the city, which brings me here." He smiles and begins to launch into a speech on the virtues of your service to Korvosa, which is both charming and funny, in a very self deprecating manner, until the Field Marshall cuts him off.
"As much as I would enjoy continuing the conversation, I fear we just don’t have time. Vencarlo has often come to me with news of important changes on the streets, and this is no different—indeed, what he’s learned could degrade into sanctions, embargos, or even war against Cheliax if we don’t act now. 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 here. 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 simply martyr him in Cheliax’s eyes.
“Fortunately, Darvayne has his foibles. Again, Vencarlo has learned that Ambassador Amprei has been making fairly regular visits to a place in Old Korvosa called Eel’s End. 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 the 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 Devargo 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.
“Devargo would never let someone he recognizes as an ally of the 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 Devargo. Find out what he knows about Amprei, get proof of any illicit goings-on the ambassador might be involved with, and bring that proof to me to use to undermine any forthcoming attempts by him to get Cheliax to cut us off.
Devargo might not be willing to part with his information easily. I’ll supply you with some gold to bribe him, and whatever’s left over you can keep for yourself. Remember: the man is dangerous, but so are you—if things get violent, I wouldn’t mourn his passing.”
Kroft hands you a pouch with 1,000 gp in it. She then introduces Pai Kromnite, the gnome and Ruperta of Hetzau, the human. "I thought you could use some aid, and these two came highly recommended." Orsini smiles at this and offers to escort you as far as his academy near Old Korvosa, and to answer any questions you might have for him.
The gnome nods at the others, smiling brightly after her introduction. "Nice to meet the rest of you. I can't wait to get to know everyone. This mission sounds interesting. I've heard all kinds of bad things happen at Eel's End,," Pai rambles, clearly a bit nervous and excited about meeting everyone and getting started.
Hello everybody! My name is Ruperta, and health is my trade and luck my blessing. I hope the night butterfly bless us all in this mission.
The young varisian cleric seems charismatic, if not really beautiful, in a classic sense.
"Welcome aboard, my names Paxs, this is my best friend Thrak. That pissed off looking guy over there is Slumper."
Slumper glares at Paxs and his comment before grudingly nodding at his new partners.
Orsini leads you through the streets, till you come to the bridges over to Old Korvosa, an island attached by several wooden bridges to the larger part of Korvosa. As you walk, Orsini spins tales of the city, reflecting his life here, telling of the men and women who built this place. It is clear that he loves Korvosa and is quite knowledgeable about her. Just before you reach the bridge to cross the Narrows, Orsini takes Paxs, Slumper and Corbyn aside.
"I understand you helped a former student of mine, Soldado Grau. Thank you. He's a good man and I appreciate your aid. It will not be forgotten." He goes on to tell you to head east; Eel's End is the first pier after the last bridge east.
"So do we try the hard way or the easy way with this Devargo character?" Anyone who has spent any time around Slumper knows by easy way he means the more physical solution.
"I'd rather try to bribe the information out of him first. I've no doubt, with all the craziness that goes in here, he's got a formidable security team. We might get overrun if we aren't careful."
Slumper nods at the wise council of the little Gnome. "I'll behave until I'm given cause not to."
"I agree." He looks at Pai and smiles, and hands her a wand. "I just met you, and this is crazy, but heres a wand that you can use maybe."
[dm groan]Ahhhh. Baaad.[/dm groan]
The pier is 70 feet long, but the last 30 feet widen out into a platform to which five ships are attached. People mill around, some in merchant's dress, some in worker's clothes and some, obviously enforcers or guards, opening wearing swords and carrying loaded crossbows. The mood is business-like, with the enforcers walking among the crowd, keeping things friendly. You count at least a dozen enforcers.
The five ships are:
C2. 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.
C3. This single-masted Chelish sailing ship has seen countless crude repairs—it’s doubtful it’s very seaworthy, but lashed as it is to the pier, it seems stable enough. The nameplate proclaims it to be the Goldenhawk.
C4. Two hut-like structures sit atop this barge, the raucous sound of laughter and periodic roars of victory sounding from within.
C5. 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.
C6. This once proud vessel, the Dragon’s Breath, has been painted in gaudy red. A sign at the aft entrance reads simply, “Pass Into the Dreams of the Dragon.” A pungent cloud of smoke wafts from belowdecks.
"I care not for smokes and other distractions. I would prefer to stay on as stable footing as possible." As Slumper looks dubiously at several of the ships.
"I agree, on to the Eel, out of this area the quicker the better."
As you make your way onto the Eel, two enforcers step forward. "Hold up, you lot. What's your business on the Eel?"
"I am here for a drink, and maybe a game of chance."
The man grunts. "Wrong boat. You want the Twin Tigers, over there." He points at the boat with the two huts and sounds of victory echoing from inside.
"Thanks Paxs," the gnome says as she examines the wand. "I can indeed, although a prefer a less...direct manner of casting. It's good to have a little bang in case things get really ugly, though."
Pai pipes up to the doorman. "But I hear the atmosphere is so much better at the Eel. We'd really like to hang out there, then after a few drinks we might move to the Tigers," the gnome says as she starts walking into the Eel.
Diplomacy
The guard steps in front of Pai and levels his crossbow at her chest, his finger on the trigger. "Uh-uh. The Boss ain't taking visitors. Get. Off. This. Ship. Last warning."
Ruperta smiles to the guard, while trying to move the crossbow away from them...
We bring something for him... So if you are so kind, announce us as a group really interested in a little bit of his time and knowledge... And willing to pay handsomely for it... We are even willing to pay to get announced, you know?
Bluff or diplomacy roll:
"That is also correct, I was just hoping to get a bit of drink first."
Pai remains silent and motionless, hoping the crossbow will end up being lowered quickly.
aid another
Slumper attempts to step in front of Pai
"No need for that"
The enforcer looks confused, then shoots a look to his comrade, who shrugs. "You're here for the Boss? Alright, I guess. Marks," he speaks to the other enforcer, "You stay here. I'll escort them in." He lowers the crossbow, though he doesn't unload it, and turns to the door, unlocking it with a key from a ring on his belt.
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.
In the room itself are 6 men seated at tables, enjoying a meal and drink. They wear street clothes, but all have the hardened look (or are desperately trying to affect the hardened look) of the enforcers outside. Seated on the throne sideways, his leg casually thrown over the armrest, is a handsome man with short blond hair and black armor decorated with spiders. Indeed, several large tarantula-looking spiders crawl over his arms.
He looks up, clearly annoyed, but curious. "Affel, what's the meaning of this intrusion?"
The enforcer bows quickly. "Sorry, my lord Barvasi, but these folk said they wanted some information from you, and were willing to pay for it." The man on the throne smiles a predatory smile and leans forward.
"So, you need information and are willing to pay? Well, let's see your offer and hear your needs, eh?"
As the man speaks, another voice, high pitched and piping, is heard in your head. "Please, please,please! Free me! Please!" It is clearly the voice of the tiny dragon in the cage, who is watching you intently.
Paxs casually looks up at the dragon, then back to the lord of spiders. "We seek information about a man named Amprei, and we would be willing to give you 500 gp for the information."
Devargo Barvasi, lord of Eel's End, leans back in his chair and claps delightedly. Addressing the men at the tables he says, "You see, my lads? These fine folk know how to treat a man! With respect, you see! If you treat a man with respect, it opens doors! And it just so happens, that I have such information as would make your ears go red, lad. Our Mister Amprei has been a naughty boy! And I might be able to part with the evidence of said naughtiness, if you were to say, engage in a game of Knivesies with one of the lads here?"
The ever-popular Knivesies (nighve-zees) is the game of choice among the steeliest pirates, brigands, thieves, and scallywags in Riddleport. It’s increasing popularity in Korvosa is in large part due to Devargo’s enjoyment of the game.
Knivesies is simple to play. Two contestants stand on opposite ends of a long wooden table. Their right hands are strapped together with a boiled leather strap, belt pouches are fitted to their waists, and a dagger is stuck in the tabletop between them. The game begins after a count of ten, during which time observers can place bets by tossing gold onto the table and standing at the end of the table where their chosen fighter stands. As the game begins, each contestant makes an initiative check.
There are two ways to win Knivesies. You can either force the other contestant to fall off the table, or you can grab for the gold and drop it into your pouch. Snatching a fistful of 1d10 coins off the table is a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity. Since each opponent has only one free hand, the first round is typically a mad lunge for the dagger, forcing the slower opponent to make grabs for gold. There aren’t any more rules beyond this; most Knivesies games devolve into tabletop brawls, with the first person to drop or touch the ground losing.
The game ends once a contestant is unconscious, dead, or knocked off the table; as soon as no coins remain on the table; or as soon as any coin is knocked off the table. When the game ends, an unconscious, dead, or de-tabled contestant is automatically the loser. Otherwise, the winner is determined by which person has the most coins in his pouch. At the end of the game, all money is emptied from the pouches back onto the table. Half the total is paid to the winner, while the remainder is split evenly among all of those who stood at the winner’s end of the table.
"Men such as us know games are one thing and hard currency is another."
"I think one as powerful as yourself would know that your men are much more prepared to engage in such a difficult game as Knivesies. How would we stand against those brutes?"
Diplomacy Aid Another
And that pseudodragon is coming with me. If you can hear me, little one, I don't plan on leaving you in that cage.
Devargo smiles and preens under the flattery. "Very well. I will retrieve your information. Wait here, and I will return presently." Devargo stands up and heads toward the small door and down stairs. He's gone for three minutes, then comes back with a leather satchel bulging with papers.
The pseudodragon in the cage looks intently at Pai. Though it speaks to her, you can all hear its plaintive mental cry. "Please! He tortures me and makes me fight the spiders! He's a terrible man! If you free me, I will serve you for a year and a day! I promise!"
Dragon, please tell the others this for me...I am not leaving that little creature in the cage. If we can't negotiate for it, I am going to try to free it by force. Pai focuses intently on the pseudodragon, willing it to hear her thoughts, and using it to silently pass her message to the group.
The pseudodragon relays the message along to the rest of the party.
Devargo pulls out the letters and shows them to the party. "Your friend Amprei had an affair with the wife of a very prominent noble in Cheliax. And he was fool enough to keep the letters. This will teach him to spurn my trade talks! Here, let's have the money and you'll be off. I have business to conduct." He holds out his hand for the gold with his left hand and holds out the leather satchel with his right hand.
"I will give you an additional 400 gp if you also release the dragon to us. This could be a very profitable day for you."
Diplomacy Aid another Aid Another
"I would think that weak little creature wouldn't provide any sort of challenge to any of your warriors or spiders. If you'd allow us to take it with us, we could save you the trouble of having to remove its carcass."
Sorry, friend. Of course I don't mean that.
"I would be a gentle gesture..." says the cleric in a sweet voice.
Barvasi's face twists into a cruel grin. "Hmmm. I might be willing to let my new toy go for, say, 2,500 gold. I mean, I've only gotten him recently; it would be unfair to make me part with such an amusing toy before I've even broken it in."
"It's looking a little sickly anyway."
Barvasi studies the thing, which shrinks from his sight. "Hmph. You could be right. I tell you what: since you're friends and so polite, I'll sell him for 2,000 gp."
"I have 300 more gold to add to the offer. That's 700 total for the pseudo dragon. You'll never get a better offer than that. That would make for a most profitable month for you, I'd think."
"How about the 700 gp, and I will put Thrak here up in a fight against one of your spiders, and you can keep all of the betting money in either outcome? If he wins we call it free and clear and if he losses you can take the 700 gp in a downpayment towards the 2,000 gp. You get entertainment value and more money. It seems like a good deal, you will get more money even if we can never scrap up the rest if your spider wins."
Paxs looks down at Thrak and pats his head. "I am sorry for any discomfort you will feel with this, but you are strong and I know you want to help."
"Your cat fights one of my spiders? I choose the spider? It's a deal. Lay your money down, mate. Bets are on, lads!" Barvasi heads back down the stairs and returns a few minutes later with a spider the size of a large dog.
Barvasi makes a gesture and the thugs clear out a large area in the center of the room, where you were previously standing. The spider moves in front of the throne where Barvasi waits. "Let the game begin!"
ROUND 1:
The spider rushes forward, mandibles dripping, and attempts to bite Thrak! It sinks its teeth into Thrak's hide, doing damage and injecting poison!
Thrak's turn!
"C'mon Thrak, you can do it! Ooof, watch out for its fangs."
Thrak cringes and attacks back.
Despite Thraks best efforts, the spider's chitin is hard and resistant to his scratching and biting. The spider circles him, then lunges again!
ROUND 2:
Thrak's turn!
"Get it Thrak! "
Ruperta wish the cat all the luck...
"Thrak, go for the eyes."
While the rest of the room focused on the battle in front of them, Pai fingers the wand given to her by Paxs. If Thrak didn't win the battle, she knew an 'alternative' solution might have to be considered.
To the dragon