Lilith:
Shrugging his shoulders, Dunzeltoff pushes open the door (or pulls it open, whichever), and hops quickly inside, closing the door behind him.
"Hello? The name's Dunzeltoff. I'm presuming I'm expected, as I received an invitation to this address from a friend of mine."
"Bugger! How did I not notice that coat of arms last night?"
The slight cottony feeling at the back of his throat answers the thought.
With an eye towards the still sleeping form in the bed, Matteo starts to pick up his discarded clothes, along with an extra couple of fresh rolls, as quickly and silently as he can.
"Alas my dear, had the circumstances only been different..."
Picking a foreign, yet beautiful flower from one of the vases, he places it on the pillow next to the sleeping woman. With a last wistful glance at the shapely alabaster coloured leg sticking out from under the covers, Matteo starts looking for a way to escape the building unnoticed.
Dunzeltoff:
As you push open the door, you get a good look at the interior of Zellara's. The cozy chamber within this small home is filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The haze comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke itself seems to soften edges and gives the room a dream-like feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling men's hearts, another showing a pair of angels dancing on atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figure shrouded in mist, a flaming sword held in a skeletal hand, and you see a shadowy stairway that must lead upstairs. Several brightly-colored rugs cover the floor, but the room's only furnishing are a wooden table covered by a bright red throwcloth and several elegant tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table. On the table is a piece of paper, held down by a carved stone paperweight.
Gevtodt:
The dwarf pushes open the door after several strident knocks, and you hear him say something as he pushes open the door.
Matteos:
From your vantage point, you're definitely not on the ground floor of this building. Taking the balcony and exiting in that fashion is certainly plausible, depending on if you can find a suitable length of material to drop you down safely. The other option is to make your exit out through the bedroom door and through the front entrance...which would be easier if you could remember where you were at.
Lilith:
It seems like some sort of reception room to Toff, and since he's here, he'll walk over by the chairs and table. I'll check out the paperweight and the paper beneath it, perhaps it will explain why I've been invited here, and what's going on.
After that, and assuming no-one else announces their presence, I'll check out the contents of the basket as well.
GM Lilith:
Jericho:
You determine that the card's stronger aura is from the Divination school, but you can't quite figure out the weaker aura.
After asking around in Midland, you make your way to Lancet Street, finding Zellara's. It is a typical townhouse common to newer and wealthier areas, the dark wooden door painted with pale blue butterflies and gold script indicating the name of the establishment. As you approach, you see a dwarf walk into the building after he knocking several times.
Dunzeltoff:
Gevtodt:
You manage to overhear the dwarf, saying "Hello? The name's Dunzeltoff. I'm presuming I'm expected, as I received an invitation to this address from a friend of mine" as he walks into Zellara's.
From the west, you see a human male, dressed in well-worn but sturdy clothing and in desperate need of a shave, walking towards your location. He does not appear to have noticed you, though he does look at Zellara's with interest.
GM Lilith:
GM Lilith
Jericho heads to the townhouse, ready for an ambush. He raps on the door, holding the card ready, even though the actual invitation is gone.
His mind still foggy from last night, Matteo tries to gauge where exactly he is on the Arkona estates.
The main building would probably be swarming with servants at this time, so subterfuge seems to be the best option.
Quietly opening one of the large windows he looks around for something to help with the descent, hanging vines, crawling vines, a drainpipe... anything to cling to.
Lilith:
(preferring to sit so as to watch both stair and door, but whatever)
Assuming there IS biscuits and whatnot like the note said,
I think I'll try a few, since my stomach is still upset at it's treatment in the Sanctuary.
I'll use my Detect Poison cantrip ability first, just in case.
Dunzeltoff:
In the basket is a loaf of crusty bread and a bottle of liquid which you presume is wine. The bread tastes a little stale, but it's still edible.
You hear a knocking at the door.
Gevtodt:
The human male raps on the door, waiting for a response. He holds a small card in his hand.
Jericho:
Matteos:
From your vantage point, you determined that you are nowhere near Palace Arkona, and not even on the island of Old Korvosa, but in the South Shore district, way on the outer edge of the city. Quietly you make your way to the large windows and stealthily open the door out onto the balcony. Fortunately, the walls and balcony edge are covered with woody vines that are a perfect handhold for making your way down from the third floor suite.
Lilith:
Well, I'll leave the table as is for now, and get up to answer the door.
You didn't say which way the door opens, I doubt it matters much,
but I'll say it opens inward, and just to be somewhat cautious, I'll step back as I open it, so I have some space between me and whoeever it is.
"Hold on one moment... Hello?"
GM Lilith
GM Lilith
Yanking a few vines to see if they'll hold, Matteos swings his legs over the balcony railing.
Jericho:
You hear movement from the inside, and you hear a male voice say, "Hold on one moment." The door opens maybe six inches, and you see a short, bearded male figure on the other side. "Hello?"
Dunzeltoff:
You see a young human, with a day's growth of beard, dressed in a heavy cloak and holding a Harrow card similar to the one you received earlier.
Gevtodt:
You see the dwarf from earlier open the door for the human.
Matteos:
Initially, the vines seemed quite sturdy, but as you make your way down the side of the white stone building, they start to give way, and you start to slide uncontrollably, grasping at any of the remaining plants to slow your descent. At the last moment, the trellis guiding the vines up the wall stops your haphazard slide, and you dangle from the woody vines a mere foot off of the ground.
As you alight to the ground, you can see a city street a few hundred feet north of you, and from there, you can make your way back to your home in Old Korvosa.
Lilith & person at door:
"Ah, I see you've gotten one of the 'invitations' as well...
Come in, then, it seems our host has stepped out for a moment, but left us a note,
saying we should wait here, hopefully not too long..."
"And, if I may enquire, What was your name? Please call me Dunzeltoff."
Lilith and Dunzeltoff
Stepping into the entryway, Jericho nods to the dwarf.
"Jericho Hill," he says simply, looking around. *Somebody with a bit of money,* he thinks to himself, *If the furniture is any indication.*
He strolls over to the bread plate, and helps himself (one for now and one in the pouch for later.)
He tucks the card back into his pouch as well.
GM Lilith
Lilith/Jericho:
"A beautiful yet cozy reception room, isn't it?
Are you familiar with Zellara? I'm not sure who all is turning up to this meeting,
but I think we all might have a common interest...?"
"Yeah," Jericho replies, "it's nice. Never met our host. Possible we have common interests, but right now, I only have one, so the rest don't matter."
You stealthily avoids any of the guards that patrols the inn, slinking away towards the relative safety of the South Shore district's streets. It is a fine and pleasant morning, but a little chilly. As you put on your doublet, which has a pleasant aroma of orchids, you notice a strange card in the interior pocket. As you examine it, your realize that it is a Harrow card, often used by many Varisian fortunetellers . The face of the card displays a giant juggler, tossing an elephant, a house, a boat, and the top of a clock tower from hand to hand. On the reverse, written in bold ink, is this message:
"I know what Gaedren has done to you, even if you do not. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done."
The name of Gaedren Lamm is known to you indeed . He's a vile man, given to abusing the women he hired for pleasure, the same women that you grew up with and treated as family. Witnessing his actions when you were younger only cemented your determination not to be like him. The money was too good to be refused, and you remember many times when a young lady would go to Lamm's house and never return, and when you brought up the disappearances, the conversations quickly changed.
The message slowly fades from view, and you quickly try to remember where Lancet Street is . Lancet Street is located near Citadel Volshyenek, the headquarters and main garrison of the Korvosan Guard. The area is known for its mercantile trade, given its proximity to High Bridge and the rest of Midland.
Bitterness swells up in you, and you remember all those times that you wanted to stand up to Gaedren and didn't, and the cowardice shames you. You make the decision to spend the rest of the day in the southern area of Korvosa, stopping at a bathhouse to clean yourself and pay an apprentice mage to freshen your clothing, and make your way towards 3 Lancet Street at the appointed time.
You approach the townhouse, an older building with a dark-stained wood door. Faded gold script spells out "Zellara's" on the door, and pale blue painted butterflies are carved deep into the wood . Taking a deep breath, you make three sharp raps on the door, holding the Harrow card in your other hand.
Gevtodt:
As sundown approaches, you start looking around, and as you look one direction, and then back, you suddenly see a handsome young human knocking on the door to Zellara's, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. You would estimate that he's a little shy of six feet tall, with a slim build - it doesn't look like he's lived a life of hard labor. You seem him idly flipping a card in his left hand.
Jericho & Dunzeltoff:
You both hear a strident knocking at the door.
For those inside:
I step over to the door again and open it.
"Hello! Oh, I see you have an invitation as well. Come in!"
"Please call me Toff. We're all waiting for our host to appear."
Gevtodt leaves his post and approaches the young man. He walks briskly to the door and gives it a few hard knocks. Then, turning only his head, he gives the newcomer an appraising look. Gevtodt then turns his attention back to the door.
The bread is slightly stale, but filling. On the table your find a note. The dwarf was telling the truth after all. You sit down in one of the well-worn chairs.
Gevtodt:
A closer examination of the young man reveals a handsome youth, dressed in clothing popular with the aristocracy. He's a little bit older than you, with sandy blond hair that's been lightened by the sun, with blue eyes. He carries a rapier at his side with self-assurance.
A figure in a darkened cloak and soot-stained clothing walks up next to you, knocking at the door immediately after you. His appearance is striking, with lemon-yellow irises with long blond hair tied back in a tight ponytail at the base of his skull. Something seems vaguely familiar about him, but you can't quite place it .
Matteos & Gevtodt:
You are greeted at the door by a dwarf dressed in clean-pressed clothing and trimmed hair and beard. "Hello! Oh, I see you have an invitation as well. Come in! Please call me Toff. We're all waiting for our host to appear."
I nod at the gentleman standing next to me on the doorstep, then introduce myself to the dwarf. "Greetings Toff, I'm Matt," I say, walking into the house.
Matteos & Gevtodt:
The interior of Zellara's is filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The haze comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke itself seems to soften edges and gives the room a dream-like feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling men's hearts, another showing a pair of angels dancing on atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figure shrouded in mist, a flaming sword held in a skeletal hand, and you see a shadowy stairway that must lead upstairs. Several brightly-colored rugs cover the floor, but the room's only furnishing are a wooden table covered by a bright red throwcloth and several elegant tall-backed chairs. A basket near the chair reveals a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread, and a piece of paper lies near a stone paperweight.
Lilith:
Umm... I actually rolled a natural 1, but somehow Invisible Castle lost it. SOOO, now I rolled a natural 12, meaning 16 for Religion/ general Knowledge, 20 for Appraise/Nobility. Or you can trust me on the natural 1 :-)
I'm taking the rest of the decor as being partial to Desna, and I'm cool with that, she's seems not that far from Shelyn. And, hey, I almost went with Desna myself :-)
Gevtodt greets those he meets with a nod. He makes a slow circle around the room checking out each tapestry in turn. He ends up back by the door. He leans against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and his head down.
GM Lilith
"Well, quite a party we've gathered here. It seems someone has taken great lengths to gather us at this very hour. I wonder if more people will be arriving and whether we're all here for the same reason...?"
Matteos appears to be in a chipper mood and casually lounges in one of the high-backed chairs (although with his front towards the front door). He also seems to be scrutinizing the dirty fellow who arrived at the same time as him a bit more than the others.
"Indeed," responds Dunzeltoff,
glad at least one of the humans can manage more than a short sentence.
"It seems we've all been called here by these mysterious Harrow cards."
"Perhaps we should wait for Zellara 'fore making a proper interpretation of our cards, but by a common Dwarf's wisdom, I feel we have come together here for the good of all the innocent and beautiful.
There's a time when bold action is called for: When a cancerous cyst has grown too large, it must be cut 'fore it's vile tentacles may spread any further. I believe you are all familliar with it's name: Lamm."
"But cheer, my friends, we cannot hold this darkness in our hearts if we are to act from the Truth and Love in our hearts that is what we fight for. If we do not, then the black cancer will survive in just another form."
"Here's to a new spring in all men's hearts"
Lilith:
Gevtodt lets the dwarf finish without a word. As the dwarf’s words fade and the silence lengthens Gevtodt suddenly raises his head and says, “Well said friend dwarf.” Without another word he steps forward and takes the offered bottle. He then checks the bouquet of the wine before taking a long swig. Setting the bottle down he moves to examine the piece of paper on the table.
Dunzeltoff
The tapestry with the shrouded figure grabs your attention, but you cannot recall anything significant about it in the religious readings that you've read. Perhaps a representation of a servant of Zon-Kuthon, the Lord of Loss? The rest of the decor is much more pleasant and is associated with Desna, the goddess of dreams, and a common theme with many fortune tellers. The other two tapestries you are not sure of.
Gevtodt
The downstairs seems fairly sparse. The back entrance is loosely barred, and the kitchen smells faintly of stale food and sour wine. The stairway leading to the upper floor has a couple of wall hangings and empty candle sconces.
The wine is fair, certainly not the best, but passable. You examine the note on the table.
Matteos
I grunt at the dwarf's pretty words, waiting for this person to show up.
After gazing at it for a while, Dunzeltoff seems slightly bothered by the Sword-man tapestry, mumbling something about knowledge and loss.
"Well, while we're waiting for our host, perhaps we should introduce ourselves better. We've all received an invitation card, but why are each of us really here?"
"Truly, I would wish a chance at vengeance against the man who took away the love of my life... But I am here now because I beleive I have the power of choice to bring goodness and love into our world. I am here now not for the past, but for all of ours future."
Lilith:
I also updated his languages.
"Well, while we're waiting for our host, perhaps we should introduce ourselves better. We've all received an invitation card, but why are each of us really here?"
"Truly, I would wish a chance at vengeance against the man who took away the love of my life... But I am here now because I beleive I have the power of choice to bring goodness and love into our world. I am here now not for the past, but for all of ours future."
"I'm truly sorry to hear about your loss, friend Dwarf. I admire the resolve you display in face of such hardships."
Gevtodt says plainly and simply, “I’m called Gev. I’m here to learn what I can about a man called Gaedran Lamm.” As he says the name he takes a quick look at his fellow invitees attempting to judge there reactions. His hand slips subconsciously to the hilt of his earthbreaker.
"Jericho Hill... Lamm has my sister."
"Jericho, your sister... Have you tried to rescue her from his grasp...?"
"But Gev, as to your question, who is this murderer and kidnapper? I cannot say what is in his heart, for I have seen no sign he has one. Beyond mere sin or bad judgement, it seems his entire purpose in being is to prey upon and corrupt the good hearted souls he takes into his confidence and then destroys however he can. Since the death, of my dear beloved, Kaltarra, I have heard only stories of murder or worse, and yet the Guard seems "too busy" to take an interest in his case. Though it wouldn't be beyond the slithering beast to have spread his corrupting tentacles into the Guard itself."
"Jericho, I feel your pain, and I know Lamm's handiwork firsthand. You may know that this dwarf will pledge every effort I'm capable of, to rescuing your sister from the clutches of this beast. If one innocent may be saved from him, it would be worth it."
"Perhaps the rest of our group gathered here will also heed this opportunity to strike against this cancer that feeds on our families and friends and stop Lamm in his slimy tracks. Trust, it shall certainly be dangerous, but that is how Lamm flourishes, by spreading fear. Know that an innocent life can be saved, and a murderous abomination brought to justice once and for all."
As Dunzeltoff Haelcannon talks Gevtodt slouches next to the door with his head down once again. When Dunzeltoff mentions corruption in the guard Gevtodt’s jaw clenches despite his effort to keep his face unreadable.
It is slowly dawning on Gevtodt that he has something in common with his fellow invitees. He is slowly coming to the realization that he may have some allies in the hunt for Lamm; help is not something Gevtodt is used to having.
"As introductions seems to be the key word, I'll offer up one of my own. I'm Matteos, but you can call me Matt if you like."
Noticing the clenched jaw of the dirty man across the room, Matteos easily deducts that this man has some kind of tie to the city guard... either by association or enmity.
Lilith:
Sense Motive on everyone here: 11, and Perception check: 22 (24 Scent)
Dunzeltoff is wondering what's going on. These fellows don't seem too forthcoming at all,
but Lusillo must have been sure about this thing, right?
"Well fellas... How long do you think we're supposed to wait here?"
I call out up the stairs: "Anyone else up there?!?!? We've been waiting a spell now!!!!"
Dunzeltoff:
Everyone seems to be holding their cards close to their chest, not quite ready to reveal their reasons for gathering here.
The air in the home, while covered with the cloying odor of incense, is stale, almost musty, as if the windows have not been opened in many days.
Everyone:
The front door opens with a slight creak, and an attractive middle-aged Varisian woman with long dark hair walks into the room. She smiles at you all, saying "Thank you for coming. I hope that the wine and bread were enough to sate you?"
She sits down at the table, producing a deck of cards from a pocket, their gilt edges flickering in the candle light as she expertly shuffles and cuts the deck. "My methods of contacting you were...imprecise and unusual, so I don't quite know your names...please, introduce yourselves. I am, as you might have gathered, Zellara." She waves a free hand towards the chairs, indicating you to take a seat if you have not already.
Zellara's introduction probably leaving me with more questions than I had before, I nonetheless sit back down on a couch/chair opposite the fortune-teller. Questions can come later.
I gently place my 'invitation' face-up on the table directly in front of me in open view.
"Indeed, I am Dunzeltoff Haelcannon... Are you familiar with my... situation, then?"
"I am aware of your anguish, young dwarf, and that was reason enough to contact you," she says in a soft and clear voice, taking your card and shuffling it neatly into the rest of the deck. With a gentle flick of her wrist, the remaining three cards sail through the air, spinning across the table top and shuffling themselves into the deck.
"My thanks for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting all of you. I have reason to remain hidden, you see - a terrible man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This is a man you know, for he has done something terrible to each of you as well. I speak, of course, of Gaedren Lamm, a man whose cruelty and capacity to destroy the lives of those he touches are matched only by his gift for avoiding reprisal. You see, a year ago, his thieves stole this, my Harrow deck, from me. It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When pickpockets stole it, my son, Eran, tracked them down. The thieves were in the employ of Gaedren Lamm, and in reward for finding them, Gaedren murdered my son." Zellara's impassive face breaks, her voice choking as she mentions her son. Blinking away tears, she continues.
"I sought help from the Guard, but they turned me away. And so I asked around. I paid bribes. I consulted my Harrow deck for advice. And recently, I was rewarded - I found out where Gaedren dwells. He can be found in an old fishery north of here at Westpier 17, where he trains his abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures," she says, giving a meaningful glance at Jericho.
"And now, I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that if I were to go to them, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance," she says. A hint of desperation creeps into her voice. "Even if they did arrest him - what guarantee would I have he would be punished? This criminal has evaded the law for decades. But you know of these frustrations as well, for word on the street has it that Gaedren has wronged each of you, too. So there we are. It is time for him to pay," she finishes, setting down the shuffled deck with a firm hand on the table.
"You all, no doubt, have questions a-plenty. I have answers to a few, but the cards might reveal more...I offer a reading, free, to aid you in this task," she says, tapping the stack of cards.
"My name is Jericho Hill," Jericho says in reply to the woman's request for introductions.
"A reading," he muses a bit later in the conversation, "I've heard odd things about the Harrow deck. Some sort of folk magic. Still, every little bit helps."
He nods, looking as agreeable as possible.
I sit quietly and fold my hands as the woman tells her story.
I wonder what she has planned here and what is the will of Fate, if those could be separated.
Nodding as she spreads her cards, I say "You say that we may ask a question of the cards?"
"I will ask then, what course of action will cleanse this poison at it's root, and what action would let it spread further?"
Lilith:
"And I'd also like to ask a question of you, if I may:
What do you know of Gaedran Lamm's operation: who else works for him, knowingly or unknowingly?
Sense Motive: 16, Perception: 16
"Madame, I did indeed find the invitation curious, but I trust that you have foreseen some events through your readings. If there is anything I can do to help bring some kind of... "justice" to Lamm, I'm in."
Matteos looks around at the others with a thoughtful expression, now that the picture is getting clearer why everyone is assembled.
Matteos smiles charmingly at the woman, "And a reading would be most interesting and informative, I have actually never had one done to myself."
Jericho:
Zellara nods at you as you make your introduction. "Jericho, a fine name...you look familiar though..."
Dunzeltoff:
"A single question, a single reading, that is how it works...As for Lamm's operations, I only know he makes his way through fear, intimidation and blackmail, but I don't know any of the thugs he has working for him. Those that serve him willingly are just as bad as he is, if not worse, but those that serve him out of fear are to be pitied."
Matteos:
Zellara smiles warmly back at you. "A charmer, aren't you Matt? Lamm is more slippery than a river eel - simply bringing him into the Guards isn't enough. You must have damning proof of his crimes for the authorities."
Gevtodt:
You notice Zellara's eyes flick towards you as she finishes speaking with Matteos.
Zellara finishes shuffling the deck, then withdraws nine of the cards, fanning them out in front of her. "Each of you, choose a card...that card will represent your role in the Harrowing, as well as a future event..."
"Ah, please excuse me, Madame, I have so many questions for you,
but as you say, just one for the cards today:
What should we beware of to make sure that we cleanse this poison at it's root so it may spread no further?
"I can see that it's a determined bunch we've gathered here... one might worry, though, whether we'd be able to do to Lamm what the city guards haven't been able to so far?"
Matteos sends a sly smile in the direction of the dirty, stonefaced man.
"err... What's going on!? Demonic forces... Argh!
Jericho?... wh-wha-a???"