Gadriel nods, Abu chittering excitedly (but softly) on her head. Suddenly, Abu's eyes flash green and a ripple of energy twirls around the small girl coalescing into a barely visible set of armor that quickly fades from view. "Abu says we are ready now."
With a nod to Kroft as they leave, Raina joins the others in their walk across the city, mostly silent as she listens to the murmur of conversation ebb and flow around her ears. Watery blue eyes drift like the tides across the streets of the city, gently touching upon the faces of those they past for scant moments, not so much taking in details as recognising the patterns within the people. The weary eyes of a struggling single mother, the pockmarked gauntness of a drug-addled destitute, the taught and wary stance of a passing guard, the tired indifference of a labourer on his way to his next job, the quiet sigh of an empty-stomached child. Old Korvosa was well known for its poor population, and with the recent riots it was no doubt hitting these people the hardest. The increase in food prices would result not in smaller portions but whole meals skipped entirely, and no doubt the less savoury elements that lingered like a pestilence in these areas would be taking the opportunity to peddle their poison to these desperate people with increasing frequency.
Raina’s shoulders sag as she sighs quietly to herself. She realised that the recent rewards and steady stream of unexpected income placed her rather firmly out of the realm of subsistence living, as she had been for many years; but now, from her position of privilege, what could she do to help these people...?
She starts from her pensiveness when Orsini directly addresses her, suddenly dragged back into the now rather than her morose philosophical meanderings. Struggling to piece together what was going on, Raina begins a quick and dirty recount of her life... though with a few details missing.
"Yeah, I'm a native. Grew up in Pillar Hill in a Sarenite orphanage there. Don't know a thing about my parents, but I mean, it wasn't exactly a bad life there either." Raina smiles crookedly; only a thing she could say in hindsight, after all, considering her rebellious younger years. "I work as a bouncer now, or hired muscle, or whatever needs doing. And I box. And wrestle. Dunno if you've ever heard of Old Tusk's Gym, but it's practically my second home." She shoots Orsini a sidelong glance, one eyebrow arched. "But I've never heard anyone call me a beauty, not in any of that, heh. Didn't reckon most people went for girls with more muscle than busts..." Raina laughs to herself.
After the mixed sweet-and-sour wandering, Raina bids adieu to Orsini with a friendly wave before forcing herself to return to reality and pay attention. This area was notoriously dangerous, and the one time Raina had accepted a job in this district, she'd witnessed a harrowing near-fatal stabbing incident right before her eyes, and she vowed to avoid the area as best she could henceforth. She warily keeps an eye out for any danger coming their way, and does her best to keep an eye on Gadriel as well, although the scurrying, climbing youth did her best to make that a difficult task.
When they arrive at Eel's End, Raina arches an eyebrow at the signs, not even wanting to try and imagine just what each of the 'attractions' entailed. "Yeah... I guess," she mutters in response to Korriban, idly fingering her chain shirt and hoping it would be good enough if they got into any trouble here.
Adoros checks his armor clasps and nods to Korriban, "Yes, let us be about this. The sooner we are done with this den of filth, the easier I shall breath."
As you all head for the largest and southernmost ship, you see that it is a large warship bearing the faded nameplate Eel's End, its figurehead a coiling eel with a woman's head. Several drunkards, sailors, and revelers dance and drink on the large main deck here, while the two aft decks are relatively clear. Raina, Korriban, and Adoros have to endure a certain amount of drunken catcalling, but otherwise you manage to head to stern unmolested. A pair of double doors bearing a complex image of a spider allows entrance into the stern section of the main deck.
As you approach, however, an enforcer materializes out of the crowd and puts an iron grip on Korriban's shoulder. "Drink yer fill, but less'n you're expected you ain't gonna get through those doors," the huge man grunts. "The King o' Spiders has got no interest in idle sightseers." Another enforcer lurks a few feet away, watching your group carefully.
Korriban's brow raises in confusion at the catcalling. 'Never had that reaction before. Might want to keep my wits.'
Korriban looks at the hand on his shoulder. He grips it and wrenches it off, a smirk on his face. "We're not idle sightseers, pal. We're people who need information. Word is that Barvasi can get us that information. It's of the utmost importance. We're even willing to pay. But..." He shrugs, sighs, and begins to turn back. "...if you don't want to let us in, fine. I'm sure we can get the info somewhere else. *snort* Good luck explaining to your boss why he didn't make any extra gold."
The closer guard looks like he's about ready to jump down your throat, but the other quickly steps forward and restrains him, pulling him a step away and murmuring in his ear. The two have a short, whispered debate, and then the one who initially accosted you steps forward again, smiling unpleasantly.
"All right, we'll announce you lot," he says gruffly. "But be warned--Mister Barvasi don't like unexpected guests." With that, he seizes one of the double doors, pushing it open as the other ushers you inside and keeps an eye on the strays on deck.
"Mister Barvasi, sir," the guard who steps inside with you calls over a surprising din. "We got a group here to see you. We tried to tell 'em you wasn't expecting them and didn't wanna talk, but they wouldn't take no for an answer. Says it's got summat to do with gold for you." He grins unpleasantly at you.
Inside the low, dim room, a group of six men of all heights, builds, and races are lounging, chatting, drinking, eating, and occasionally bellowing with laughter. 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.
The man who lolls on the throne can only be Devargo Barvasi. Tall, with close-cropped black hair and sharp blue eyes, he sits sprawled in the chair as easily as if he were born to it. Spiders occasionally scuttle over his arms and torso, but he appears wholly unbothered by their presence. He waves a hand, clad in a strange bladed gauntlet, to quiet the six rowdy figures at the tables as he listens, with a cold little smile, to the guard's announcement.
"Well, this is unusual," The thugs at the tables fall silently instantly when Barvasi's clear, confident baritone cuts through the din. Barvasi "Bring 'em forward, Lukka--let's see what we've got 'ere." The guards hustle you forward, landing Korriban and Adoros in the rear while Gadriel, Raina, and Teodor follow. Jeers and whistles follow as you pass the tables.
"Let's see...a soldier, a beggar, a young man, and an ugly woman...I think I know this joke!" Bravasi exclaims. "Can't say as I remember a girl or a monkey in it, but then, what would I be doing knowing any raunchy jokes?" He leers at you, then settles back into his throne. "Well, speak quickly. What can I do for you that's so important you interrupt my meal with my new friends? And/or employees? Hm? Make your case quickly."
You look over, and can't believe your eyes. It's Ted. And the other guy.
They seem to be trying to avoid your notice.
The ten-foot-by-five-foot section of floor Adoros and Korriban are standing on has a small, barely visible seam running around it...it runs against the grain of the wood, looking more like a cut or an insert than anything structural.
Korriban smiles at the guards. "Hehehe. Who doesn't like uninvited guests?"
Walking in, Korriban shivers slightly at the sight of the spiders. He looks to see the door open. 'Might be something down there. Too bad I can't go down there.' He then looks at the dragon. 'Poor little guy. I have to do something.' He shrugs off the jeers. He seems to be smirking on his way down.
Turning his gaze on Devargo, he shows an air of confidence. However, at Devargo's crack at Raina, he glares at him. Before he speaks, he hears a conversation in the corner. He turns to see... Ted and what's-his-face. He can't help but smirk viciously, a glint in his eyes. "Well, nice to see you again."
His foot shifts a bit and he feels some marking. He looks down to see a seam running across the floor. Knowing something's up, he takes another subtle look. He nudges Adoros and subtly points it out.
Turning once more to Barvasi, he says, "We're looking for some information. Word is you can provide it. Specifically on one of your regular customers. An Ambassador Darvayne Glos Amprei. If you can provide us with everything you can, we'll provide you with payment." Looking at the cage, he says, "By the way, that's a very nice dragon you have there. Where'd you get him?"
Following along with the others into this web-decorated hive of villainy, Raina struggles to hide her immense disgust at the arachnids infesting this place. She suddenly understood why Kroft had said that nobody up to any good would be in Eel's End... I can't believe that the city would be fine with some disgusting place like this, she thinks to herself with a deep frown, but that an 'unofficial charity' is worth the loss of fingers... what a messed up place Korvosa is. For a few moments she stares at the little purple dragon, feeling a little sorry for him, but not knowing that she could do anything about it either...
Raina has only a few confused moments to consider why Ted and the other guy (just what was his name again...?) were here again before Devargo Barvasi initiates conversation. His insult to her appearance is met with a flat glare, but she decides to not impede on Korriban's deal-making by complaining too much, and so her tongue is held for now.
Gadriel looks around the room, her eyes wide with awe. Oblivious to the other people, as well as Bravasi's joke, she watches the webbed walls with their spider occupants intensely. "It's... it's so pretty." She reaches out to touch the wall, but suddenly remembers she's here for 'work' and pulls back to pay more attention to what's going on.
Ted and the other guy bury their faces in their hands. They clearly think it's going to be a long night.
Barvasi blinks down at Korriban, looking more interested than anything else. "Well, well, well. This little cat has claws. Or thinks he does, at least." He smirks slightly. "It might be that I know something about your friend the Ambassador...a rather personal thing, it might be. Or then again, I might not. Hard to say. My time's a valuable resource, and you've already taken up quite a bit of it. Seems to me you ought to offer restitution...or at least provide some entertainment."
The obvious implication is a bribe, though what "entertainment" might be remains a mystery...
Devargo's Current Diplomacy Score: 23/40
"I can be very entertaining hee hee hee ..." "On the streets you have more ears and eyes and everyone knows something no one else does, Norgorber knows. Spiders spin webs but the threads can be sticky."
Korriban smirks. "Careful. This "cat" has sharper claws than you'd think. Anyway, if you wish to be compensated for your time, then how about this offer? 250 sails for the information." He again turns his gaze back to the dragon. "An extra 150 sails for the dragon."
Adoros keeps his hands at a casual position but close enough to grab his weapons if needed as he eyes the room and the spider-loving Barvasi. The Chelish man notices the two familiar faces in the corner as he gives them a brief nod. Attention deverts back to Barvasi as Korriban and him trade banter, "Mr. Barvasi, as my comrade here has stated, we're willing to pay a modest sum for being a burden upon your time and for an inconsequential bit of information in regards to our interest with the ambassador. I'm not sure what form of entertainment would strike your fancy, but I'm sure one of us could sing you a tune or do a bit of juggling if this will speed along our transaction."
Korriban looks at Adoros with a smirk. "I can sing the song. Looks like you got the juggling."
Barvasi starts laughing when Korriban says "250 sails," and his laughter only increases when Adoros proposes juggling or singing.
"Heheheheh! Oh, Calistria's t&%@ that's a good 'un." He smirks outright at you now. "Little cat had better come up with a bit more gold than that if he wants the best information to be had. 250 sails is a start...but I think I've got what you want down below, and I'm guessing you're willing to pay handsomely for it, for whatever reason. So get ready to pay the piper. As for the pseudodragon...d'you know how rare it is to catch those things? That's on top of the fact that it was a gift from my good friend and employee Mr. Bosk Jeggin. Couldn't part with him for less than 5,000 sails, no sir." He shakes his head in amusement, and above, the little dragon's head droops.
"As to entertainment...I was thinkin' more along the lines of a game of chance and skill. Ever heard of...knivesies? Think you'd be keen to play?" The crime lord grins wickedly at you.
Devargo's current Diplomacy Score: 30/40
Korriban tilts his head at the game. "Kniveses? Can't say that I've heard of it."
"Kniveses? Can't say that I've heard of it."
Gadriel leaves the chatting and discussion to those more suited to verbal sparring. Instead, she plays in the webbing letting the spiders run around her hand and back to their webs. All the while, a slight blush on her face. "Abu, could we have this on the walls back at 3...the roof?" All in all, an unsettling sight for some.
Barvasi ignores Gadriel's comment, though several of the nearby goons seem uncomfortable. The ringleader, however, continues brusquely.
"Knivesies! Wonderful game. Here's how it goes." Leaping to his feet, he snatches a dagger from his hip and stabs it deep into the table's scarred top. "Two folks what're playing stand atop a table. Two people, right hands strapped together. At their waists, each one's got an empty pouch. On the table, one dagger. We count to ten, and the rest of us make our bets by throwing coins on the table and standing at our man's end. Or woman's end," he adds, with a wink at Raina. "When we hit ten, you and your opponent go for the gold--or for the dagger. If you fall off the table, you lose. Same thing if you're knocked unconscious. Or die. Otherwise, game ends when all the coins are picked up, and whoever has more wins. Not much rules beyond that!"
He grins at you. "Whoever wins gets half of all the coins; the rest gets split between all of them what bet on that fellow. What d'ya think? Wanna honor us with a game? Hey?"
Korriban smirks. "Give us a moment." He turns and gathers everyone to a huddle. He whispers to everyone, "We may have no choice but to play the game. The question is who's playing. If we're looking for someone to deliver some hits, then it's between Adoros and Raina. If we're looking for someone who can take a hit, then it's between Adoros and Teo. If we're looking who can use speed to outmaneuver and grab the dagger first, then it would be between me, Raina, Adoros and Gadriel. Unfortunately, Gadriel can't really give and take a hit." He looks to the witch. "No offense, Gadriel. I'm just looking out for you." He turns back to the group. "I can give a decent enough hit. Not to sound like an egotist, but I seem to be the best choice. I'm the fastest guy here. I could definitely grab the dagger first. So, who's going?"
Raina has, in her past, wisely kept away from most shady and/or dangerous games. If someone wanted to challenge her, they'd organise it in a reasonably safe and even way. But the way Barvasi described it left her with a sour taste in her mouth. She takes a deep breath and steels herself. This is... surely... the last of it. And then we can leave this sodding place for good.
"Goin' for the dagger's one thing, but I have the benefit of not needing it," Raina points out in a low murmur. "And if they wanna try picking it up, it's a cinch to knock it out of their hand as well."
"But if you're confident in your fast moves..." she shrugs.
Korriban looks at Raina, a smile on his face. "I suppose that's true. After all, you're pretty strong. And you do have a way of... sweeping people off their feet." He gives a some good-natured chuckles. "All right. Either me or Raina seem like the best choices. I have a good chance of getting the dagger first. And Raina can hold her own without own and can hold them back. I wouldn't argue with either choice."
"Well?" Devargo demands, returning to his throne. "Will you play with us, or no?" He smiles.
Korriban sighs and turns. "I'll play."
Adoros looks at Korriban as he volunteers to risk his life, "You sure?"
Korriban nods. "I'm sure." He hands over the coin pouch Kroft gave them to Adoros. He then takes off his trench coat and gives it to Gadriel. "Don't want to get blood on my nice coat."
Barvasi claps his hands and grins. "Damn straight, you're sure! Man after my own heart!" He leaps up and strides forward. "Gotta take off that rapier too, and any other stickery bits you got on you," he adds. "Can't have people pulling out their personal weapons. Gotta make sure everything's fair." He casts an eye over the present louts. "Let's see....you look like the fast, lithe type. Think we'll stack you up with...Gruckalus." One of the largest, meatiest, men stands up. He's missing an eye, and he fixes Korriban with his one remaining peeper as though sizing up a disagreeable, possibly dangerous animal.
Barvasi, once Korriban has taken off his rapier, leads the two up to a table. Everyone else gathers round as Barvasi ties the contestants' right wrists together with a leather thong about three feet long and gives each a belt pouch. The louts begin tossing coins on the table--mostly copper, though with a smattering of silver. They start tossing jeers and jabs around too.
"Pound 'im, Gurckalus!" "Hope you don't mind us breakin' yer boy toy." "You better not, we'll be scrapin' bits of him off the table fer a week now!"
Most of the men go and stand at Gruckalus's end of the table, but the younger one you've encountered before skulks around the mast, away from the proceedings. Ted's eyes dart back and forth, but he finally pitches down a couple of copper and goes to stand...at Korriban's end of the table. Barvasi chuckles.
"Gonna play the long odds, eh? Well, someone's got to!" Once everyone's settled, the crime lord removes a gold sail from his purse and places it on the table with a flourish, plunging his dagger into the wood next to the coin. He takes a step back, but stays in the center of the table for the best view. "I'm on his end," he chuckles, jerking his head at Gruckalus. "Right then...both ready? On my mark then...three...two...one...GO!"
The two men lunge forward as Knivesies begins!
Coins Remaining: 27/27
Devargo's Diplomacy: 35/40
Korriban stares up to this... Gruckalus. A smirk slowly forms on his face. "Heh. I've seen ornery drunks tougher than you. But, you definitely win in the ugly portion of the contest. Hope you're not attached to your other eye."
He removes his weapons and stands on the table. When Ted joins his end of the table, the rogue smiles and nods at him.
When the game starts, Korriban immediately goes to action. He yells, "Let's go!" He immediately goes for the dagger. Now armed, Korriban waits for the opportunity to strike.
"Be careful, he's just a virgin boy!"
The thug also lunges forward, grabbing for the knife. Coming up empty-handed, he snarls in anger and takes a powerful swipe at Korriban's head with his meaty fist. He's clearly an experienced boxer, or just a brawler; he keeps his guard up and his eyes on the knife as he does so. Korriban's not quite fast enough, and the huge fist slams into his skull, causing his vision to pop.
Coins on the table: 27/27
Guards: HP 15/15 AC/T/FF 17/10/17, Fort +4, Ref +0, Will -1, CMD 14
"Seems my warning only encouraged the brute! When you play the knivsies/you could lose more than livesies/hits you threefourfivesies/Korriban's his wivesies! Heeheeheeheeheehee!"
Raina rolls her eyes upon watching the ensuing "game", leaning up against a wall with her arms folded. She has a feeling she's seen this Gurckalus fellow somewhere before... Big, burly brute obviously had some knowledge of boxing techniques, it seems; he wasn't just a muscular thug wildly swinging his fists around, though he did a good job of pretending as such.
"Aw, come on," she eggs on the fighters, particularly hoping to irritate Korriban's opponent, "I could hit the broad side of a barn better than that! Korriban, go for it!"
Korriban reels back from the punch. He glares at Gurckalus, an odd faint blue aura encompassing him. He hears the faint words of Zellara in his ear. He suddenly feels more agile, able to dodge. "You call that a punch? Felt more like a tap." He attacks with the dagger.
Unfortunately, Korriban's strike couldn't hit through the brute's armor.
The other thugs all cheer when Gruckalus makes contact, and when the dagger rakes sideways against the ruffian's chainmail. The blow is enough to wind the big man, and he glares at Raina with malice when she heckles him. Despite his distraction, he manages to land another solid fist on Korriban's ribs before drawing back, watching the dagger warily.
"Boring!" Barvasi yells from his corner--though he looks like he's enjoying himself. "Have you all forgotten about the bloody coins?"
Coins on the table: 27/27
Guards: HP 15/15 AC/T/FF 17/10/17, Fort +4, Ref +0, Will -1, CMD 14
Korriban reels back again. He begins to sweat nervously. He strikes again.
Korriban curses as the attack once again fails to damage his opponent.
Raina winces as Korriban takes a nasty whack to the ribs. The young rogue was showing his inexperience in close combat... give him a fancy sword, sure, he seemed fine, but this one-on-one stuff was way out of his depth. I shoulda' pushed to do this more, she thinks to herself with a shake of her head.
"C'mon! I thought this was a freakin' game, not a weird half-assed wrestling match! Guess someone as stupid as that big oaf can't comprehend much more than whacking things!"
Gadriel seems unsure of what to do, all the shouting and yelling has made her pretty nervous. Abu, however, hops off of her shoulder and scampers over to the coin strewn table. With the crowd distracted by the fight the tiny monkey begins grabbing coins, then scampering up Korriban's leg to place them in his pouch.
Remarkably, in the chaos, no one seems to notice the tiny monkey dash across the table, seize a fistful of coins, and deposit them in Korriban's pocket before darting under the table again and back to Gadriel. They're all too busy heckling the two contestants.
Gruckalus, seeing Korriban stagger under his last blow, turns his attention to his most persistent heckler.
"Shut yer hole, woman!!" he bellows in anger. Stooping, he seizes a pile of coins and shakes the fistful at her. "See?! You happy now?!"
He doesn't seem to be watching his staggered opponent, though...
Coins on the table: 10
Coins Korriban has: 7
Coins Gruckalus has: 10
Devargo's Diplomacy: 35/40
Gruckalus: HP 15 AC/T/FF 17/10/17, Fort +4, Ref +0, Will -1, CMD 14
Adoros leans in close to the table, right behind Korriban's opponent as he keeps the young rogue in sight while calling out advice in a loud voice, "That's it, Korriban! Jab, jab, cross-hook. Keep your guard up! Now, press your advantage!"
Korriban prays to his lucky stars as the brute tied to his wrist is distracted. Seizing the opportunity, he flips the dagger into a reverse grip and strikes with it, slashing in a diagonal downwards motion. "Calistria demands Vengeance!"
The dagger hits! Korriban smiles. In a show of finesse, he flips the dagger in his hand to a normal grip and slashes diagonally upwards. "Ancora Una Volta!"
Gadriel seems initially shocked by Abu's actions, but quickly hides it and moves closer to the contestants. Masking her fear and discomfort, or at least attempting to, she whispers to Abu. "Again, Abu. Abu is right, Korriban needs our help."
As Adoros looms behind Gruckalus and suddenly booms out, the big man startles. Korriban takes the opportunity to lash out suddenly with the dagger, scoring two blows in quick succession that result in a howl of pain and a rivulet of blood down the thug's leg. "Bastard!" the big man gasps.
"Hey, Mr. Barvasi, this'un here is bein' a distraction!" one of the thugs at Gruckalus's end of the table calls, pointing at Adoros. "Yeah, he called out just then to make Gruck look away!" another growls, giving Adoros a little shove.
Barvasi barely glances away, not taking his eyes of the fight. "Uh-huh, yeah, sure. Move away, buddy," he mutters toward Adoros. He's so intent on watching Gruckalus's reaction that he doesn't notice Abu dart forward and pilfer a few more coins into Korriban's purse...
Gruckalus, meanwhile, is up and enraged. "Little punk!" he bellows. "I'll show you pain!"
Korriban's grin of triumph has exactly enough time to turn into an "oh, s*~%" expression before the huge fist connects with his nose, snapping his head back and knocking the younger man clean unconscious.
Barvasi bellows in laughter as the men at Gruckalus's end of the table cheer and begin pounding each other on the back, celebrating their victory. Ted looks distraught. Gruckalus grins, then grimaces in pain as he unties the cord binding him to Korriban and gingerly drops down to the deck, favoring his wounded leg.
"Ahahahahaha!" Barvasi chortles, emptying both Korriban's and Gruckalus's pouches onto the table and counting out the coins within. "So, the little cat thought himself a tom, eh? Well, he's not much more than a kitten yet. Did pretty well for his first time." He passes a double handful of coins to Gruckalus, who takes them with a grin. "There ya go, my man: your winnings. Not much for the rest of us to split, but hey, rules are rules." He divides the pile of remaining coins and cheerfully strides back to his throne, whistling merrily.
"That cat may have lost, but I'll be damned if that wasn't some fine sportsmanship!" Barvasi exclaims, pounding one arm of the throne as he sits down and causing spiders to scurry frantically away from the chair. "So...about that business you had with me..."
Gadriel and Abu walk over to the unconscious Korriban. Gadriel looks to check his bones for breakage and stop his nose from bleeding. "We think it is broken. We think Korriban's face may never look the same." Abu paws the mans face, his eyes glowing a soft white as the bruises and welts subside a bit.
Korriban wakes with a disturbingly sweet taste is his mouth mingled with the taste of his own blood. Abu looks down on him from his chest as he wakes. The strange monkey seems to nod, then scamper back onto Gadriel's shoulder.
In a whispered voice, Gadriel tells Korriban, "We think the effort was enough to get the Spider's help. Maybe we should help Korriban practice for next time?" The last bit said with a slight twinkle in her eye, like the girl was trying out a bit of teasing to see how it works.