Andrezi raises an eyebrow when he sees Emi hug his friend, but he says nothing aloud. Now I see why Vencarlo wanted me to help this group of young adventurers. Well, fair play. I owe him that much.
He finds the whole process around the harrow reading fascinating, keeping an open but critical mind to the experience. At Carrington's proclamations about seeing through deceit or illusion, he nods. "I can do this. I've a few tools already, but divining magic is something I can explore further."
Nebbin nods as Madame Carrington takes his card, pleased that she's pleased that he's been able to keep it safe. "I think everything we've encountered is out of my element. I'm just trying to help as much as I can, though," he replies to her pronouncement.
He wonders what old wisdom or knowledge they'll need to face the queen -- the queen! Out of his element, indeed! -- and his eyes stray to Vencarlo, who summoned them here.
Fírinne, whose skepticism is much diminished from her previous visit, gently draws the card and examines it closely before handing it back when asked. She considers its potential meaning, particularly in light of the rest of their reading regarding deceits, illusions, and other trickery.
VENCARLO ORISINI'S HOME (Endrin Isle; 16 Desnus)
Felix responds to Emi’s smile with a nod before moving behind Madame Carrington’s wheelchair. Hearing no questions from her audience, the woman gives an order to Felix and then says goodbye to her host and the young heroes. After seeing them off, Vencarlo invites the group to gather at the table again, calling for Erold to bring out some bread, butter, wine, and cheese for his guests.
”I have grim tidings,” he says in a low growl that just a bit louder than a whisper. ”The Queen made a public appearance and announcement earlier this afternoon. She announced that Dr. Reiner Davaulus, the Queen’s Head Physician in charge of containing and curing the blood veil, was in fact a traitor to the crown and was working with an Urgathoan cult to manufacture and spread the sickness throughout the city under the guise of being caregivers. She said she had the doctor executed for his crimes…though we have to take her word for that.
”Worse still, there was an attempt made on her life! When Queen Ileosa introduced her Gray Maidens as Korvosa’s new protectors, she demanded that the commandant of the Sable Company—the very well-respected Marcus Endrin—turn over his badge to her. Instead, he threw it in her face, drew his bow, and put an arrow through her skull. Yet…the queen did not fall. Either she is not human or has mighty magic that protects her. I believe it is the latter, for she wore a new crown to the address, one adorned with multiple curled fangs, like the teeth of a dragon. Anyways, the Queen pulled the arrow through her head, rushed to Endrin, seized him by the neck and lifted him off his feet, holding him above her for all those gathered to see. Then she drove the bloodied arrow through his jaw and out the side of Marcus’s face before tossing his body aside.
”The words she spoke next still send a chill down my spine. ‘This shall be the fate of all enemies of Korvosa! Mark well his punishment! It is only the first!’ Then she and a new advisor named Togomor teleported away, presumably back to her throne room…or possibly whatever pit in Hell spawned her!”
Vencarlo pauses long enough to take a swig from his glass before continuing. ”We are now stuck on an island, quarantined from the rest of Korvosa, while the plague runs out the last of its course here. Perhaps the Queen means to let us rot. The Arkona family has pulled its allies and guards back into their compound, and in the void of power gangs now rule the streets. There is talk that several gangs have fallen under the fist of one who calls himself ‘The Emperor of Old Korvosa.’ I believe some of you know him; his name is Pilts Swastel.”
Once the owner and master of a theater of shock and gore called Exemplary Execrables in the northeastern end of the island, Pilts Swastel was temporarily displaced when the place burned to the ground. (The PCs did it!) Now, working out of a block of tenements and businesses called Artists’ Overground closer to the isle’s center, Swastel has reached his fingers into other vices while rebuilding his empire of debauchery.
Nebbin looks angry as he hears about Pilts' rising from the ashes. "We put a stop to him before! We should do it again!" he declares. He's so focused that he barely registers the horrific story about the queen.
Fírinne looks to the others regarding this "Pilts," waiting for one of them to elaborate on their history with him.
Emi makes an annoyed sort of grunting sound in her throat.
"Yeah, Pilts. We've had a run in with him before. He's got quite an ego. Also seems to attract greater than average loyalty from people."
She chuckles.
"Pity about that theatre fire, the place wasn't supposed to burn down. It did kick the bastard's ass though so I can't feel too sorry about it."
Like Nebbin, Emi can't get her head around the enormity of what it would take to oppose the Queen in any significant way. The only thing he says about that subject is "I didn't realize she was personally so powerful. That's not natural."
"Pilts is a problematic sort. And I understand that he's rebuilding his little empire of debauchery. Mostly via other unsavory business endeavours," Andrezi shares what he knows. "We can probably find him in the Artist's Overground fairly easily."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
VENCARLO ORISINI'S HOME (Endrin Isle; 16 Desnus)
Vencarlo looks at Nebbin grimly before looking upon Emileva. "None of us expected this from someone as...well, dainty-looking...as Queen Ileosa, but hundreds witnessed the incident. I don't know if she's possessed, or possibly a fiend in human form. One thing's for certain--she's even more dangerous than I'd feared. Tread carefully around her and her agents!"
Mainly to Emi he adds, "With the streets as dangerous as they are with the quarantine, few students dare come to my academy for fencing lessons, so I've temporarily shuttered the place. If you need anything from me or need to get word to me, come here. I'll be doing my own investigations, and if anything comes of them I'll send word to Kayleigh's clinic." Turning to the young Milanite, Vencarlo asks, "How are you doing in terms of a cure for the blood veil?"
Kayleigh squirms and averts her eyes. "Still working toward that, but we've had no success thus far. My friend Tassira recommended a gnome friend who has some skill in alchemy, but we've yet to find an actual cure for the malady. We're still trying our best, though."
"That's all anyone can ask," Vencarlo sighs. After everyone finishes their snacks and drinks, he wishes the party well and tells them to be watchful and safe on the streets.
The trip back to the clinic is less harrowing than the trip to Vencarlo's place, but Old Korvosa seems off. It's as though it's a fevered patient who's either about to expire from their illness or explode in a rage of madness.
"I'm going to ask around about Rolth," Andrezi says as they leave Vencarlo. "Discretely, of course. I'll meet up with you all in a bit."
Nebbin and Kayleigh head out together to see if they can get any clues of their seemingly lifelong nemesis. Strangely, they're both focused by the time together and manage to make it almost a game (albeit a deadly serious one), where they spend time together talking and learn a great deal.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Kayleigh Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
After the meeting breaks up and everyone is on the way out of Vencarlo's house, Emi dallies just a little, long enough for a kiss and a request for Vencarlo to be careful as he does his investigations.
Emi does the same as Andrezi, Nebbin, and Kayleigh, except among the less savory crowds that she used to have connections with.
Miakoda stirs from the windowsill where she had been resting, slitting eyes opening to stare at Vencarlo. "That is dire news indeed--she may indeed be a fiend or other monster in shifted shape...or she may have found religion. The gods will sometimes lend us a fraction of their power, and through them many great and terrible things can be done. Have the Queen's forces altered their behavior? Does she seem to be consolidating power? I cannot imagine this Sable Company will be allowed to be independent of her control..."
While the others attempt to run down leads on the elusive Rolth, the amarrun bends her talents towards discreetly sounding out the city's political landscape--who was falling into line, who was all in on the new regime, who was leaving town, who was disappearing, and who was discontented.
ENDRIN ISLE (17 Desnus)
The 17th of Desnus is a gloomy day, rather chilly for late spring. A fog wafts throughout the island district, and the sky is covered with clouds of varying shades of gray. A fine mist hangs perpetually in the air, occasionally intensifying into short bursts of light-to-moderate rain. While the weather may put a damper on your spirits, it serves a useful purpose this day: it keeps most of the citizenry (including the roving gangs) off the streets and gathers those who venture out into the elements into taverns to keep dry or at least avoid the day's rainier stretches.
When the party reconvenes to compare notes a few hours later, they're able to come to some reasonable and disconcerting conclusions: Rolth has found his way onto Endrin Isle and is asking questions about the party. Worse yet, there are reports the vile serial killer has joined the "Emperor's Court" in some fashion, meaning that he's joined forces to some degree with some of the party's old enemy, Pilts Swastel. Among other tidbits picked up, the heroes learn that the Queen's forces (Physicians and Gray Maidens alike) have abandoned the island, leaving it to rot and fester. The Gray Maidens still dutifully patrol the mainland bank across the strait, turning back any boat that approaches.
Miakoda learns a bit about the current political scenes, both on the quarantined isle and in the mainland city. On the island, the influential Arkona family has withdrawn into their stronghold; reports vary on the reason for this, ranging from a desire to consolidate power before emerging to seize control of the island to simply waiting out the ravages of the blood veil and gang warfare in relative safety. In the vacuum, however, Pilts Swastel, the self-proclaimed "Emperor of Old Korvosa," has consolidated several gangs of criminals under his iron fist, crushing those who refuse to submit to his whims.
Across the Narrows of St. Alika, Queen Ileosa has consolidated her own power. Her right-hand woman (and reputed lover), Sabina Merrin, currently leads the Gray Maidens, and Merrin is unwaveringly loyal to her Queen. (Miakoda also hears that Sabina was once one of Vencarlo Orisini's prized pupils, but they had a bitter falling out years ago.) While most citizens are worried about the Queen's erratic behavior, no one dares raise a finger (or even a voice) against her. A significant percentage of the populace seems to believe her account of Dr. Davaulus being responsible for the spread of the blood veil, however.
A big wildcard seems to be the fate of the former seneschal, Neolandis Kalepopolis, who disappeared when the king died. As the only government official with the invested power to remove Queen Ileosa from the throne, everyone wonders if he's still alive. If he is, he would be a powerful player in the drama that continues to unfold in Korvosa. Miakoda has heard opposing rumors that Kalepopolis was secretly assassinated by the Queen and that he yet lives but is in hiding, waiting for the opportune moment to overthrow the tyrant queen.
Before meeting back with the group Andrezi makes a detour to make a not insignificant purchase: a silver mirror worth a thousand gold pieces.
When he sees the others he relates back what little he heard. "Truthfully, the situation is dire. It seems as if all of your enemies are following the 'enemy of my enemy' thought process. Which tells me that we need more friends and fewer enemies."
"Given that I've seen one of them, it might be useful to see what they are up to. And it just so happens that I have a bit of magic at my disposal."
Andrezi sets his newly purchased mirror down, then begins the lengthy spellcasting that will allow him to scry upon Pilts. "If you happen to have something that belonged to Pilts, that would be very useful for me. Otherwise, let's see what I can do."
"If Rolth and Pilts are working together, maybe we need to deal with Pilts now? It sounds like he's making the island awful, and it's probably easier to dethrone him than the queen," Nebbin says after thinking it all over.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
ENDRIN ISLE: Bridgefront Clinic; 18 Desnus)
With an old correspondence between Rolth and his deceased associate/lover(?) Jolistina in hand and a scrying spell prepared, Andrezi spends an hour casting the spell, aided by his new fantastically expensive mirror. Eventually, his spell hones in on the necromancer.
The scene is dark, subterranean. Gaedren Lamm's necromancer spawn stand by a wet stone wall, unpacking a small crate of vials and other alchemical equipment. Light is provided by two glowing knick-knacks--likely two castings of a basic light spell. The only sounds other than shuffling and unpacking are a constant dripping and the faint sound of a heavier, more forceful running liquid.
Rolth is not alone: A figure in a voluminous black cloak is helping him unpack and set up his new lair. Her shape suggests a humanoid female, but Andrezi can't get a good look at her face as she keeps the cloak's hood up against the constant drippage.
Toward the end of the spell's duration, the cloaked figure speaks. Her voice is deep and raspy, perhaps not human after all.
"Why here?" she asks Rolth.
"Many reasons, my dear," Rolth answers. "Privacy firstmost. Yet we're still close enough to get the supplies I'll need for my work...both the mundane and more unusual. Close enough to Pilts should he summon me and far enough from those troublemakers that I likely won't cross paths with them by accident."
"I ain't carryin' no bodies for you unless you get me one of those bird-man masks the Physicians had!" the gruff woman growls.
"I'll see what I can do in that regard," Rolth answers. There's a bit more unpacking and setting things up in the gloomy chamber before the spell fades out.
Andrezi exhales a deep breath. He relays what details he saw with the others and asks, "What do you think?"
Nebbin looks a little dubious. He thinks for a few moments. "I think if we stop Pilts, that should lead us to Rolth..."
Fírinne nods. "Seems reasonable to me."
Miakoda nods. "Rolth seems vile but Pilts seems a foe of all in the city--we should deal with this self-styled 'emperor' first."
Emi is resigned to waiting yet again.
"If Rolth is in hiding like Andrezi's magic shows, we have nothing to go on for finding him. We can at least find Pilts."
ENDRIN ISLE: Bridgefront Clinic; 18 Desnus)
As you formulate plans for your next moves, an update regarding the Emperor of Old Korvosa reaches your ears. A face-masked teenaged boy, dropping by to ask on the status of his sick mother, makes a claim that seems to indicate that some of your gathered intel on Swastel was either a half-truth or was simply antiquated. Word on the streets is that the Emperor no longer operates out of Artists Underground (though it's still controlled by his cronies); instead, he's moved to a newly renovated "palace" in Old Dock, not far from where his old theater (Exemplary Execrables) burned to the ground fairly recently.
With that new information available, Andrezi joins Nebbin to gather some information. He's worried that, without it, they will indeed take a 'kick the door down' approach.
Despite being a stranger to the city, the Desnan priestess understands people well enough and knows when speaking or listening better serves her needs.
While plans and discussion of getting to Swastel must remain speculative until they know more, Emi does express a favor general strategy.
"I think trying to weaken Swastel by nibbling around the edges of his organization won't get us much more than a lot of nasty street fights. It will waste our time and cost him little. More thugs aren't hard to come by. It will also turn his attention in our direction if we see any real success."
We should find a way to strike directly at him, go around the rest of it and right to the top. Without Swastel everything he's put together will either crumble, or be paralyzed as his underlings fight amongst themselves for control."
"We've done it before. It's how we killed Devargo Barvasi. Surgical. It worked out quite well all things considered."
Emi goes with Nebbin to do some snooping after Pilts Swastel.
ENDRIN ISLE: On the Streets; 18 Desnus)
Your second reconnaissance mission of the day nets some more information. It's not something that those you speak with actually tell you: You observe that most people on the island are terrified. Of the blood veil. Of the Queen. Of the lawlessness in the streets. And especially of the new "Emperor of Old Korvosa."
From those who don't refuse to talk to you or simply close their doors or walk away, you get an understanding of the Emperor's Standard Operating Prodecedure: His thugs (mainly culled from other gangs) stalk the streets, approaching anyone they encounter and then offer suitable prospects the option of joining their ranks. Those who refuse are set upon immediately, and those not killed outright are dragged away. Since moving into his new "palace," the Emperor has introduced a daily, mid-morning, "free performance" to have one or more of his foes executed with a hideous guillotine operated by a masked halfling or gnome. More folks have been dragged off than have been currently executed, however.
Similarly, the Emperor's soldiers (a.k.a. thugs) have visited seemingly every den of vice on the island and demanded a share of all profits..."or else." Legitimate businesses are being forced to pay protection money to avoid unfortunate accidents such as ruined stock or mysterious fires.
Nebbin thinks for a few minutes. He debates whether it makes sense to let them drag him and his friends away to get them into the new "palace," but that doesn't seem like it would work.
"I think we probably just need to go in and stop him," he finally says. "We don't want to let him kill anyone else, and I don't think there's a better way."
"Cutting the head from the snake is sound, but the trick of it is not getting bitten when you try. Do we have any ideas for getting to him without having to first fight through his hirelings anyway? Andrezi and I have some travel magic at our disposal, but we still need to know when and where."
Fírinne gives a dismissive wave of her hand in answer. "If he wants to put on a show, I say we oblige him."
"It sounds like we have several votes for the 'kick down the door' approach. Fair enough. Is there anything we can expect in terms of resourcefulness from them? Typical tricks up their sleeve? I'd like to prepare accordingly."
ENDRIN ISLE: On the Streets; 19 Desnus)
It's difficult to know what to expect from Emperor Swastel and his new army of ne'er-do-wells: Pilts had a flair for the dramatic (and the macabre) when he ran his theater, and what you've heard of his "army" is that they've been gathered from the isle's street gangs, so general thuggery is to be expected.
The journey east through the city is uneventful, mainly because so few folks dare go outside. As your group nears Old Dock, however, it is accosted by a band of five thugs wearing chain shirts and wielding decent wooden shields. Each has a sap in hand but also has a battleaxe slung across his back.
"Oy! What've we 'ere?" one thug calls out as the men draw closer. A couple make catcalls and lewd comments toward Emi and Firinne, one calls Andrezi "too scrawny" to join the Emperor's army, and another comments that Miakoda might have some use as a pet or mascot. Only the giant Nebbin isn't verbally targeted by the thugs, but they eyeball him with wary respect verging on fear.
"What brings you into the Emperor's domain?" one demands.
Nebbin gives the men a hard stare, making it clear -- he hopes! -- what will happen if they cause trouble.
ENDRIN ISLE: On the Streets; 19 Desnus)
The five men all seem to have a healthy amount of respect (and/or fear) for Nebbin. The men's leader strokes the stubble on his chin and tells Nebbin, "Tell ya what--we'll take ya straight to the Emperor...if yer friends turn over their weapons and gear and you swear that they'll be on their best behavior. The Emperor's court could use a giant enforcer or bodyguard like yerself, an' I'll even put in a good word fer yer chums here. Heck, the Emperor might be so pleased that he gives 'em back their stuff once he figures out how they can best serve him!"
That's a big fat lie. Anything you turn over is almost certainly destined to become 'tribute' to the 'Emperor.'
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"That seems like a very poor choice. Nebbin, I do believe these men mean us harm."
"I don't think we want to turn over our weapons. But if you want to take us there, we'll go talk to him" Nebbin says, really wishing Emi would take the lead here. She's much better than he is at this stuff.
Emi pulls a sour, bored face when she hears the man's offer.
"Yeah, if you want to take us there we'll go without turning over anything. If you don't, we'll look around until we find him. If you try to stop us, we'll kill all of you, don't doubt me on that. This whole laws-free zone thing works in both directions you see, just as good for us as it is for you."
Miakoda tilts her head at the man, and offers him an unfriendly smile to punctuate Emi's threat. Her tail's slow back-and-forth sway is the only break in her predatory stillness as she waits to see what the ruffians would choose.
Fírinne's hands clench and unclench, her talons making an audible click as they make contact.
ENDRIN ISLE: On the Streets; (19 Desnus)
The men lose much of their bravado upon hearing Emi's rather bored threat; they exchange nervous glances before the leader again speaks up. "Right then--keep yer weapons sheathed an' we'll set up an audience with the Emperor...assumin' he ain't busy."
Your armed escort leads the group northeast into Old Dock before turning southeast for a block to bring you to Pilt's 'palace.' The place is a collection of 5-6 buildings, each of which is in some state of disrepair and are covered with colorful (and often profane) graffiti and artwork. A series of rope bridges connect several of the rooftops. As you draw near, the leader of your escort hollers, "Hannan reportin'! Got five fine upstandin' citizens wantin' an audience with the Emperor!"
At his shout, there's movement in the shadows. Several figures--mostly umarmed and not wearing armor--scuttle toward the southernmost buildings. Of more interest are the four apparent guards--armed and armored similarly to the thugs who escort you--exiting the buildings and moving in your directions. Their hands are on the hilts of their weapons but they haven't drawn them yet.
Nebbin gives them a look to make them think twice about trying anything but otherwise remains calm. He hopes they'll lead them to the 'emperor' with no problems. And then maybe even go away!
He doesn't glare particularly effectively, though...
Andrezi keeps pace a few steps behind Nebbin, watchful but quiet. He's fine with them being led, though he's hopeful that this won't turn into a fight.
Emi doesn't trust the men so she stays alert and ready, waiting for some sign of an ambush or betrayal.