Ward' rolls his eyes at Reth's response, before saying "Ok then I think we have everything clear as to what we are requested to accomplish, Maestre Orisini after you." He gestures towards the door.
Cal remains silent through the briefing, looking thoughtful for a while, only shaking out of it as the others start making moves to leave. Shifting closer to Rethvian she places a hand on his arm. "Reth, you're being a jerk again. You need to open your mind a little more" She tells him in a quiet pointed tone before heading for the door, eager to get out of the guardhouse and into the fresh air.
Shifting closer to Rethvian she places a hand on his arm. "Reth, you're being a jerk again. You need to open your mind a little more" She tells him in a quiet pointed tone before heading for the door, eager to get out of the guardhouse and into the fresh air.
Reth looks to the heavens and then closes his eyes and releases a long slow breath. Responding to Calandra, "Isn't that exactly what I was tryin to do with Malik before the Shoanti jumped in? I like the boy and was askin him whether he thought the same of all Chelish people." Suddenly shaking his head, "Ah, forget it let's get down to Eel's End."
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With a sign that at once says "Thank the Gods that problem is solved", and also "Why do I deal with the people?", the Field Marshall returns to her papers. Vencarlo leads Calandra by the hand, through the door, and down the halls, and by virtue, leads the group.
"You seem to know a lot about me my lady, would I be allowed to know a little more about yourself?"
His small talk continues as you move North through the city...
"It's hard not hear about you in this city" Calandra replies with a dazzling grin "Besides, I hear a lot of stories, it's no big deal" She adds with a shrug "But as for me, there's really not a lot to tell. My life is far from exciting, or at least it was until recently"
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"It's hard not hear about you in this city" Calandra replies with a dazzling grin "Besides, I hear a lot of stories, it's no big deal" She adds with a shrug "But as for me, there's really not a lot to tell. My life is far from exciting, or at least it was until recently"
"Well then, my dear, tell me about your recent adventures! Either that or I will have to interrogate one of your bed-fellows here for interesting tails as we cross the city...
Calandra gives a small smirk of a smile and shakes her head a little "Actually, I'd like to see you try to interrogate them, sometimes getting them to interact well is like gaining blood from a stone. But if your speaking with them doesn't work which tale would you prefer to hear; the death of a powerful criminal who has touched darkly on a great many lives? Or perhaps that of the seemingly upstanding citizens offering free meat after the riots who were hiding dark motives? Or there is the brief tale of what happened to one Grau of the Guard.." She trails off watching his reaction at the mention of Grau.
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Calandra gives a small smirk of a smile and shakes her head a little "Actually, I'd like to see you try to interrogate them, sometimes getting them to interact well is like gaining blood from a stone. But if your speaking with them doesn't work which tale would you prefer to hear; the death of a powerful criminal who has touched darkly on a great many lives? Or perhaps that of the seemingly upstanding citizens offering free meat after the riots who were hiding dark motives? Or there is the brief tale of what happened to one Grau of the Guard.." She trails off watching his reaction at the mention of Grau.
There is a flicker of old anger at the mention on Grau quickly covered and well hidden. Turning to look at the others he replies, "Ohhh, now, which story shows our Mr Dram in his most fitting light?"
Atherton follows wordlessly, lost in his own thoughts and listening to the conversation with half an ear. He looks up briefly when Vencarlo mentions his name.
"Depends on what you deem his 'most fitting light'" Calandra replies swftly with a tiny shrug, growing ever more uncertain as to which part of the duality within Atherton was the man he wanted to be. Turning back to face the rogue she extends her free hand to him "Maybe you'd like to come join us an tell your own tale Atherton.. or do you trust me enough to speak about you?"
Although he quickens his pace slightly so that he walks beside Calandra, he doesn't take the offered hand. Shrugging he says "Tell him. Don't tell him. It matters not to me."
Calandra gives a light frown at Atherton's words, reclaiming her hand she shifts her attention away from him and back to Vencarlo, the slightest of pouts on her lips. "Fine" She exhales, sounding a little irritated "I'm sorry Mr. Orisini, it looks like I'll be telling you myself. So, the way I see it, Mr. Dram can be seen in two different lights. Each story shows a different one, and I grow ever more certain that our next adventure will shed a new light. So I don't think I can tell you a story that shows him 'in his most fitting light', but I can tell you the story of the ending of Lamm's life, i don't know if it's his fitting light but it was a light I prefered"
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Calandra gives a light frown at Atherton's words, reclaiming her hand she shifts her attention away from him and back to Vencarlo, the slightest of pouts on her lips. "Fine" She exhales, sounding a little irritated "I'm sorry Mr. Orisini, it looks like I'll be telling you myself. So, the way I see it, Mr. Dram can be seen in two different lights. Each story shows a different one, and I grow ever more certain that our next adventure will shed a new light. So I don't think I can tell you a story that shows him 'in his most fitting light', but I can tell you the story of the ending of Lamm's life, i don't know if it's his fitting light but it was a light I prefered"
"Interesting, a man with many facets? He always seems to come back to helping those less fortunate though. An admirable man! Ok, I will not force you to tell tales that will prove difficult.
I am afraid we have run out of time, anyway. This is where I must leave you. Follow this road east, and you will come to the first dock of old Korvosa. That is where you will find the man you seek. Take care though. I wish to see you all alive again!"
With a grin, he turns and walks away, takes a few steps and turns back...."Oh and the sable company uniform may not be the best idea, even with the badges removed." Grins again, bows, and is suddenly gone.
With a grin, he turns and walks away, takes a few steps and turns back...."Oh and the sable company uniform may not be the best idea, even with the badges removed." Grins again, bows, and is suddenly gone.
Reth stops short suddenly aware of what he is wearing and looks chagrined. "Hells! We got goin so fast I forgot." He takes off his tunic and turns it inside out, as he does this you notice a few other scars on his tanned torso and arms. "Might not look great but at least it doesn't look like a uniform anymore."
"Interesting, a man with many facets? He always seems to come back to helping those less fortunate though. An admirable man!
A small, sardonic smile crosses Atherton's face at this comment, but he says nothing as Vencarlo walks off.
"Might not look great but at least it doesn't look like a uniform anymore."
Atherton looks disdainfully at Reth "No. Go find something respectable to wear."
Calandra gives a small smile and shake of her head as Vencarlo decides Atherton is an admirable man, the rogue had the potential to be someone admirable but he needed to let go of his past and his attachment to being dark & brooding. She is soon shaken from her thoughts however as Reth takes his tunic off, her eyes travelling over the scars thoughtfully for a moment before she gives a nod of agreement at Atherton's words. "My house isn't too far from here, I have something you can wear" She offers, sizing him up and growing more certain that something amongst her father's old clothes would fit him.
Looking over at Atherton with his tunic half turned inside out, "Ha, I think that's the longest sentence I have heard you say around me let alone to me. Respectable? I don't think where we are headed is anything even resemblin respectable." Suddenly becoming aware of Calandra's eyes upon him he is obviously caught a little off guard but quickly smiles and says, "That sounds like it would work. Thanks."
Giving a slight grin Calandra takes Rethvian's arm before looking to the others "Right, I'm going to help find this one some clothes, how about you guys go scout ahead and we'll meet you there?"
Atherton shrugs. "Be that as it may. Looking respectable is important, and where we're going, an inside out company uniform is anything but."
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As Reth and Cal leave, the rest of the group makes their way down the docks. Here windows and doors are still boarded over, though, closer examination reveals that the covers are almost as old as the buildings.
Dirty children play in the streets with stinking fish heads, and look you over sullenly. One's eyes brighten when he sees you, and he wanders over to Malik, "spare a copper mister?".
I assume Reth and Cal will make a nice short side trip and catch up when they feel appropriate....
*Gasp!* Cal is entirely innocent! ..Reth will get to meet her sisters however so he may end up withthe joy of them medling whilst Cal digs out her dads old clothes
Lead on lass!
Smiling brightly Cal leads Reth away. "Oh, and sorry in advance for whatever my sisters say or do to you during your time in our house!" She spologises in advance, silently praying at least some of them will be out to make this easier. Another dark-haired man in the house, Kizzy was going to have a field day.
Malik is keeping up a cheerful guise to the new guy Talon. Telling him of his time when he was an acolyte at the Acedamia. But his face changes, lookin a bit downtrodden as those two have left the group.
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Malik is keeping up a cheerful guise to the new guy Talon. Telling him of his time when he was an acolyte at the Acedamia. But his face changes, lookin a bit downtrodden as those two have left the group.
Dirty children play in the streets with stinking fish heads, and look you over sullenly. One's eyes brighten when he sees you, and he wanders over to Malik, "spare a copper mister?".
"Sure, but I will up you one... first I will to tell you a story about dead things, sounds cool?"
"A child was once living in the home of a butcher, but its mother was dead. So the child had much time on its hand and looked forsomething to play with. But the butcher did not want the child to play outside as it was a rough neighbourhood. So the child had no friends to play with. So it went down to the rooms where its father was working and sneaked into the room where the father stored the offals and bones. And it took some bones with it upstairs and used them as dolls and imaginary friends. The first days everything was fine, but it was summer and the days were hot. and the bones began to stink, but the child hid the bones in a box in the evening and opened the windows to bring in fresh air. The next days the child became very ill. Its father was very caring and a doctor was sent for. He found out that something from the old dead things from the bones was poisoning the child and nearly killed it. And the butcher was furious with his child why it had done such a thing. and it said. 'But paps, those are my only friends...'"
"You, you have each other as friends. So you don't need to play with dead things or you may become as ill as the child of the story had become. Play with a ball or draw some shapes with stones on the cobbles and try to jump in them."
He fumbles in his pocket and pulls out a copper for each of them. "Now run, you rascals... get something to eat."
Reth follows Calandra through the streets. "You mean to say there is more than one of you?! Hang on let me get my armor back on........and where did I put that shield?" said while smiling and then laughing. Then with mock disappointment he looks down at his sword and shield, "Ahhh, what good are these against devilish smiles and honeyed words?"
Cal gives a light laugh and a shake of her head at Reth's words. "Yes, there are more Oriana" She replies with only the tiniest of sighs as she silently adds '..not as many as there used to be.' She soon smiles again however. "I have three sisters, they'll be fine individually, Taletha especially will adore you, but as a group they can be trouble." She explains.
Soon arriving on her doorstep she looks up at Reth before opening the door. "Prepare yourself" She tells him, half in jest and half seriously.
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He fumbles in his pocket and pulls out a copper for each of them. "Now run, you rascals... get something to eat."
The children each catch a copper in turn, some fumbling and crawling around in the dirt for their cash, then as one, they turn and flee down an alleyway.
A few more blocks of decrepid buildings brings you to the edge of dock number one.
The dock is unguarded at this end, and runs for around 50 feet, over the water where it widens out to a platform providing access to three of the 5 boats that make up the structure.
There appear to be bouncers at the entrances to each boat, and a few obvious prostitutes laughing with them, the rags falling off their anorexic frames. Small children too dart between both the boats, and back onto the mainland, some even swarming up the rigging of the old ships, though weather as part of a game or as lookouts is hard to tell.
The two smaller boats offer the services of gambling dens under crudely painted signs, lit even in the daytime by smocking torches.
You have not emerged to the edge of the dock yet, so you are in no way suspicious for the moment. What would you all like to do?
Soon arriving on her doorstep she looks up at Reth before opening the door. "Prepare yourself" She tells him, half in jest and half seriously.
He straightens up, minimally combing his hair by running his fingers through it, and dusting himself off. "Ready. If I don't make it, run for it and tell the others that I fought til the end." With a fairly relaxed demeanor he follows Calandra into the house.
"I'll be sure to do that" Calndra replies with a small wink as she lets them into her small home. "I'm home" She calls down the entrance hallway "But I'm just swinging by, so keep your harassment of my guest to a minimum"
At the word 'guest' doors open and curious female faces appear, from what is presumably the kitchen two girls aged about sixteen and thirteen and from further into the house peers one of about fifteen. "Sadira, Taletha, Kizzy" She introduces, pointing them all out, starting from the eldest and working to the youngest "This is Reth, I'm lending him some things, so try not to break him whilst I go grab them okay?" And with that she gives Rethvian's hand a small squeeze and hurries off down the hallway leaving the guard under the curious gaze of three teenage girls.
Reth unslings his bow, shield, and quiver and carefully places them upright leaning against the outside of the door frame. Flashing the girls a smile he says, "Nice to meet you all finally. I have been hearin a bit here and there about you ladies. Which of you is in charge here?"
Sadira and Taletha lock eyes at the question, the tension in the air quickly mounts as it becomes clear that the two middle Oriana sisters both want to say they're in charge. Politely Kizzy clears her throat "Cal's home so she's in charge" She pipes up, quickly defusing the situation with her sisters. "So, you're the one who was with the Sable Company, right?" She asks curiously.
Sadira quickly disappears off and into the kitchen whilst Taletha starts to pay even more attention to Rethvian, looking quite admirative of the man in the hallway.
Cal meanwhile tries not to cringe as she does her best to listen in on Reth and her sisters as she digs through old family posessions and tries not to get too emotional over them.
Politely Kizzy clears her throat "Cal's home so she's in charge" She pipes up, quickly defusing the situation with her sisters. "So, you're the one who was with the Sable Company, right?" She asks curiously.
"Ah, yes. Kizzy, right? Someday I hope to ride one of the majestic hippogryph's through the sky. Can you imagine what the city looks like from way up there?" He lowers his voice conspiratorially, "Your sister and I are on a secret mission for the Field Marshall herself. I can't say what it is but your sister is doin great things to help protect this city. Hmmm, I may have said to much....". He ends with a half smile.
Taletha listens to the pair talk, giving a content sigh and almost swoons as Rethvian talks about taking to the skies. Kizzy suppresses a small giggle. "You might want to watch your words around Tal! She wants so much to join the Sable.. but she's got another few months until Cal will let her.." She explains her sister's odd behaviour with a little affectionate grin.
He looks toward Taletha, "I understand very much, I wanted to join them since the very first time as a boy I saw one of them flyin above the city. Nothin could stop me and I got into all sorts of trouble but here I am today. When the city quiets down a bit and with your sister's permission I could take you, Taletha, and your sisters, if they so wish, to see the hippogryphs."
Both of the girls' eyes light up at the notion of seeing the majestic mounts. "Really?" Taletha pipes up with a huge grin, making it abundantly clear that Reth just made her year.
"Oh I'm sure Cal will give permission, she trusts you guys.. Taletha is allowed to be around the Sable and the Guard, Cal has just said she can't try to join either until she's sixteen. Something about making the most of our childhoods, she stops all three of us trying to get money to help her out.." Kizzy explains before trailing off sadly.
"Right!" Comes Sadira's voice from the kitchen "I'm off out, laters Roth!" She calls, heading past her sister and Rethvian and out of the front door, carrying a sizable backpack.
The slam of the front door brings Calandra out of her room, a small bundle of clothes in her arms. "Did someone set Sadira off again?" She asks in a long suffering tone. At seeing her two sisters nod she shakes her head a little before offering the pile in her arms to Rethvian. "Sorry about Sadira, but at least I found these. Some of them might work if you want to try them on"
He gratefully takes the bundle from Calandra, "I'm afraid I must have set her off." Thinking she must not want him further in her house as of yet and that is why she brought the clothes to him, he strips off his tunic. He takes a few moments to find something that looks relatively the right size before giving it a try.
Smiling faintly as Reth starts to strip off "You can use my room if you want" she offers tilting her head back to the room she just came from. "Oh, and did you want something to drink before catching up to the others?"
Her question bringing him back to the urgency of their mission, "Thank you but no, we should get back quickly. Who knows what trouble they are gettin themselves into now." With his tunic half-way off he seems to pause for a second considering something. He than takes his tunic off and grabs a silver whistle that is hanging from a thin chain around his neck. He pulls it over his head and holds it out to Taletha. "This is one of the signal whistles the Sable Company uses to signal one another. I want to give it to you. Hopefully, you will be able to use it within the Company soon." He grabs a sunrod from his belt, "and Kizzy, please take this. It will light up for about five or six hours should you ever need it at night. Tell your sister that I am sorry I didn't get to speak with her, maybe next time." With that he grabs a tunic, throws it on, and gathers his equipment. "Shall we?"
Taletha seems overjoyed at her gift whereas Kizzy seems a little more confused. "You didn't have to.." She starts before quieting herself to let Rethvian and her eldest sister talk about their work.
Calandra gives a nod of agreement and a smile "Sure, although I doubt they've gotten into too much trouble yet. At worst I suspect they've gotten distracted by the girls down there" She comments with a small shrug. Opening the front door she takes his hand in her own and gives him an appraising look, taking in the Varisian tunic on hi. "Suits you" She comments in a light, offhand tone.
Ward nods approvingly at Maliks treatment of the street kids,
"Nicely done, so we waiting on the others or are people going to scope out the situation first?"
whereas Kizzy seems a little more confused. "You didn't have to..
He says to Kizzy with a wink, "I know, but today seems like a good day."
As they walk out on the street Reth says to Cal in a slightly unsure tone, "To whom, other than you I mean, do I owe thanks for these clothes? You don't have to answer that if it's too personal."
"To whom, other than you I mean, do I owe thanks for these clothes? You don't have to answer that if it's too personal."
"They belonged to our father.. none of us could ever bring ourselves to be rid of them, besides when you have so little money you never get rid of spare clothes, just in case" Cal explains with the smallest of shrugs.
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Knowledge (Local) 22
Between Ath's background, and that roll.....:
Devargo Barvasi, the self-styled King of Spiders, 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. Whispers say that Devargo has the blood of fiends in him, and that he can communicate with spiders telepathically.
Once a smuggler from Riddleport, Barvasi crossed the wrong people there and ended up on the run for years before he found a partner in Stanris Sevenfingers (then called Stanris the Swifthand). The two had a murderous falling out shortly after they conceived of Eel’s End, when Stanris objected to Devargo’s decision to take charge. In the years that followed, Devargo earned his moniker well by collecting the secrets of many powerful personages throughout Korvosa and bending them to his influence. Key to his success are the regular shipments of shiver he supplies to Arkona family agents—in return, the Arkonas see to it that Eel’s End’s vice taxes are always paid on time. With an alliance with the Arkonas and no reason for the Korvosan Guard to object too loudly to his operation, Barvasi is living proof that, sometimes, crime does pay.
Today, Devargo spends most of his time at Eel’s End, entertained by lickspittles and sycophants—all of whom are petty scoundrels and thugs desperate to earn the King of Spiders’ favor.