If Kroft answers yes or no and they both leave, Adoros continues, "Also, we began the questioning of the fugitive while we waited and it appears that evidence is pointing at her innocence of the charges leveled against her. We feel that if she is handed straight away to the Crown, she will not receive a fair trial as should be every free citizen's right but will be put through a quick mock trial and summarily and publicly executed post-haste. This weighs heavily on the conscience of my comrades and they would need assurances that this won't be the case or they most likely will bolt with the person of interest."
"What? Oh, yes," Kroft mutters distractedly when Adoros raises his concern about the others. "Adoros, Gadriel, this," indicating the dwarf, "is Diamon Erlatt, a paladin of Abadar kindly sent to me from the Church to aid in a...delicate matter. And this is Thousand Bones, a Way-Keeper for the Skoan-Quah Shoanti. He's the one who has brought the delicate matter to my attention. Diamon's integrity and dedication to the law is beyond question. As for Thousand Bones, I've known him for several years now, and I've never found him to be any less than trustworthy. Besides, I rather think the leader of Korvosa's Shoanti knows which side his oliphant ear is buttered on when it comes to me, eh?" she adds with a snort. The elderly Shoanti man nods slowly, his eerie white gaze moving from Kroft to Adoros and Gadriel with a strange intensity.
When Adoros is finished telling his story, Kroft's expression darkens perceptibly. Turning, she stalks back to her desk, leans on it, and frowns at them. "You questioned. She's innocent. You know what the Crown will do." The sarcasm fairly drips from her voice, and then she slams a palm onto her desk, rattling the parchment there. "Dammit, Adoros! You're special agents for me; you're not supposed to be judge and jury, too! From the others this sort of thing might be normal, but I thought you at least had more sense. I will worry about ensuring that Sabor gets a fair trial. That's my job. You?" She stabs at finger at the blond man's chest. "Your job is to go out, apprehend targets that are too specialized or sensitive for my Guards, and get them back here. You don't take the law into your own hands!" She shakes her head, nostrils flaring, clearly disgusted. "Scattered coins, Adoros, I half-expected something like this from the others, but I thought at least you would have more sense!" She pauses, then meets your eye. "I need you to bring her back here. I have another assignment for you all--and I'm damned tempted not to use you, but at the moment I have no one else to turn to--and I'll give it to you, but on your way to fulfill those duties, I need you to bring Sabor here. I will keep her safe, and she'll get a fair trial. Zenobia Zenderholm herself will preside--you can't ask for a better interpreter of the law."
You realize that she's getting close to tears.
Korriban smiles as Trinia becomes interested in the tale. However, when she gets close to tears, Korriban sits down next to her and tries to console her. "Hey, now. It's okay. Everything will be just fine. Things will have to get better soon. I'm sure you're very talented. I mean, you painted the portrait of the king. Not many artists can claim that. It's all just unfortunate circumstances that you've been dragged into. But, don't worry. We'll see you out of these bad times. Now, stop crying. A pretty woman such as yourself shouldn't be crying." He uses his bandana to wipe away any tears that may fall.
When Adoros is finished telling his story, Kroft's expression darkens perceptibly. Turning, she stalks back to her desk, leans on it, and frowns at them. "You questioned. She's innocent. You know what the Crown will do." The sarcasm fairly drips from her voice, and then she slams a palm onto her desk, rattling the parchment there. "Dammit, Adoros! You're special agents for me; you're not supposed to be judge and jury, too! From the others this sort of thing might be normal, but I thought you at least had more sense. I will worry about ensuring that Sabor gets a fair trial. That's my job. You?" She stabs at finger at the blond man's chest. "Your job is to go out, apprehend targets that are too specialized or sensitive for my Guards, and get them back here. You don't take the law into your own hands!" She shakes her head, nostrils flaring, clearly disgusted. "Scattered coins, Adoros, I half-expected something like this from the others, but I thought at least you would have more sense!" She pauses, then meets your eye. "I need you to bring her back here. I have another assignment for you all--and I'm damned tempted not to use you, but at the moment I have no one else to turn to--and I'll give it to you, but on your way to fulfill those duties, I need you to bring Sabor here. I will keep her safe, and she'll get a fair trial. Zenobia Zenderholm herself will preside--you can't ask for a better interpreter of the law."
It was in this moment, Diamon felt it was as good a time as any to, perhaps, smooth the situation and put Kroft more at ease with him now here. He approaches the Field Marshal and places a hand on her jabbing one, speaking in a husky, moderate, accent. "Ya don't need t' be frettin' so dearly now, Lady Kroft. This is what you called the church for, isn't it? If it'll put ya any more at ease, I'll go with th' two of these... folks, and offer a judgement over Ms. Sabor. I don't have as much authoraty as Zenderho'm, but my word does carry some weight t' it. I'll be able t' get a good feelin' of Ms. Sabor if I do go. If not, then maybe I could, at least, be her defense at th' trial. I wouldn't have any partialaty t' the girl, since I know nothin' about her. I'd rely solely on the info given."
Gadriel eyes the dwarf warily, her natural distrust of others flowing back into her. She edges near Adoros, waiting for him to respond. Her hair stands out at strange angles, almost like some form of invisible energy is crackling around her.
Outside the citadel, Abu's eyes narrow and glow a soft red.
The young Chelish man dips his head in a cross between bow and nod to Diamon on the introductions, "May his Judgements be fair upon you, sir." The Shoanti gets a curt nod.
Adoros sighs at Kroft's angry tirade, "I like to think I do have better sense which is why I made sure to come here and let you know while some of the others were ready to cut ties and flee the city with the fugitive. I only wanted to see justice done which is why if you say that the person in question shall have a fair trial then I shall trust your word and try to convince the others it is the right thing to do. Better to face judgement head-on then be on the run for the rest of your life. Though Korriban shall take some convincing since this is a young and pretty woman in question and I think he wants to feel the hero by saving the damsel, no matter the consequences."
Adoros nods at the dwarf's offer to mediate the matter as he pats Gadriel's arm, "Perhaps the added credibility of one of the Judge of the Gods honored taking up the defense of Ms. Sabor will ease their acceptance." He looks down at the young girl beside him, "What are your thoughts on this, Gadriel?"
"Had you lived some dull life as a dullard's wife, you'd still have dealt with strife. Who can say their woes are as interesting as yours?Into all lives suffering must come. Each of us is born alone and dies alone; and we cannot control what comes between. We can control our reactions, though. Trinia, what has happened to you is painful, but it can be used to make things better for many. And I promise this boy will eventually stop awkwardly hitting on you whenever you get sad. He's into sad girls, it seems. I've seen stranger fetishes."
"We would trust Kroft. Kroft's words have been honest, the meaning plain. We wonder though, can Kroft deliver. The crown is strong, as Teodor will counter, and capable of running over the law. We are torn. We do not know Abadar, we do not know the weight of Abadar's words." She seems to furrow her tiny brow in thought before finishing. "We think at the least the Diamon could return and talk with Teodor and Korriban. Honeyed tongues best talking to other honeyed tongues."
Korriban rolls his eyes at Teodor's ending statement. With a smirk though, he whispers to Trinia, "Watch this. Enjoy the show." He stands and turns to Teodor, ready to get into their act of debating philosophy. "I'm not 'hitting on her', as you so claim, priest. I'm providing comfort. Making our friend feel safe. And don't think that there are any hidden meanings behind my actions or my words. My mother, despite owning the brothel and a priestess to the Sting, taught me greater respect than that. You do need to get your mind out of the proverbial gutter, my friend. It's all I've heard from you since we met." He ends that with a smirk and a raised brow
"And I agree. We all must face suffering. They are what help forge who we are and help us grow. But, no one is born alone and no one dies alone. We are all surrounded by those who care about us. It's up to us to maintain those connections. Though, in some cases, such as mine, those connections may not exist or, rather, might be faint. So, in a roundabout way, your point is somewhat valid. Now, onto a change of topic, I'm rather curious as to how you came into your faith, good sir. Were you a worshipper of the Grinning Moon before you met Lamm? Or was this during your dealings with the old f****r that the god started speaking to you?"
"Please, please don't start arguing over something as silly as this. I'd hate to think that I'd started a fight between two friends, and besides..." she takes a deep breath, steeling herself. "Besides, I--think Teodor is right. There are more important things than my own issues going on right now in Korvosa, and we should be focused on fixing them. So...what have you been able to figure out about the King's death? How did he die? Who did it?"
She looks from one of you to the other, expectantly.
"But regardless...we must hold a trial for Trinia Sabor. We will have to ensure that it is a fair trial, and we will have to try to make sure that it's a public one, but we cannot do otherwise. The moment we begin to let go of our hold on due process is the moment that we slip into the worst depths of anarchy and lawlessness." She looks from one of you to the other, almost pleading. "Please help Korriban and Teodor to see this. I don't want to have to send guards to retrieve Sabor from you, but I will if I must. I hope you understand, I have no other choice. Sir Diamon, if you would go with them to help ascertain the truth of their and Sabor's claims, I would certainly appreciate it."
"However..." she adds, turning to Thousand Bones, "that is not actually the reason I summoned you, Sir Diamon. You see, during yesterday's riots, a crowd of hooligans took advantage of the chaos to do a terrible murder. They killed a young man named--Gaekhen? Am I saying that correctly?" Off Thousand Bones's nod, she continues: "Gaekhen, one of Thousand Bones's own grandsons, was killed by this offshoot of the mob yesterday. It's an act that shames Korvosa, but there's worse still. Thousand Bones, if you would care to explain?" The old Shoanti clears his throat and steps forward, gazing around the group with his queer, milky eyes. When he speaks it is with an intensity that suggest barely suppressed fury.
“My people have worked hard to understand yours, yet it seems each day we see new examples of how your people work just as hard to foster old hatreds. My grandson is dead, beaten to death by cowards in your city street. I do not blame you, yet still Gaekhen is dead, and my son and his kin are not so forgiving as I. They wish to return to the Skoan-Quah in the Cinderlands, to join with the Sklar-Quah and rally to war against Korvosa. This would be disastrous, for both our peoples. Amends must be made.
“Our ways are not as yours. If a body does not go whole to the fires of the gods, the smoke of a warrior’s spirit cannot rise to the Great Sky. If I could send Gaekhen’s body to the Great Sky with honor and dignity, his father and brothers would listen to me and stay their wrath—the talks of peace between my people and yours can continue. But he was not just murdered. His body was taken from the scene of his death, sold by a peddler of corpses to a necromancer named Rolth, a criminal to both our people. I have spoken with the spirits, and they have revealed to me that Gaekhen’s body has been taken to a place below your boneyard, a place the spirits call the Dead Warrens.
“With this knowledge, I could surely lead a group of my finest warriors into your boneyard to retrieve Gaekhen’s body, but this would be seen as an act of aggression by your people. No, it falls to you to make amends for what has been done. You must bring me Gaekhen’s body, lest we be forced to recover him ourselves. And although it pains my heart to say it—we will not be gentle if it comes to this.”
Having said this much, Thousand Bones nods curtly to Kroft and sweeps out of her office, his bearskin pelt sweeping the ground behind him. Despite his apparent blindness, he does not stumble or misstep.
After a brief moment when everyone realizes they've been holding their breath, Kroft turns back to you. "Well, sorry about that," she says gruffly. "But still, I can't blame him. He's right--someone connected with Korvosa needs to take care of this, and while the Church of Pharasma would normally be the obvious choice for this, but after your recent successes...I had hoped you might prove amenable. There's another hundred crowns in it for you, if you can defuse this situation," she adds, with a tight smile. "Any questions?"
Diamon turned to listen to the Shoanti leader, arms folding over his chest as he learned why he was called. He certainly had no objections to his task, feeling a small connection to Thousand Bones wanting to give his son a proper burial after such an egregious crime committed on him. He nodded in understanding and watched the leader show himself out, looking to Kroft again.
"No questions fr'm me, Lady Kroft. I imagine it'd be easy to find the son ofa Shoanti Chief among other bodies. I'll try t' make my way to th' Dead Warrens when I can, and search for 'im. I'll deliver the body proper to Thousand Bones when I find 'im." He clasped a gauntleted fist over his emblazoned breastplate, sealing his promise before looking to the duo belonging to the group he'd be assigned to for now.
Korriban smiles at Trinia's words. "Don't worry. This type of banter is very common between us. You didn't start a fight. As to your questions, we still haven't found anything out in regards to the King's death. No suspect. Although, we know he was poisoned. But, then again, everyone knows that. We also know that since his death, there has been rioting and chaos. A Guard left so he can provide food to the poor. People selling chopped humans to unsuspecting people. That b*****d who runs Eel's End is still doing well. And, the Arkonas seem to have their mark in every job we take. Seriously, I can't be the only who's noticed that every time we do something, we hear about the Arkona's dealings that are connected to it." He looks at Teodor, eyebrow raised.
”Groetus' razor ...who benefits the most? The Queen. Thus the bullshit you're in."
Korriban smiles. "Oh, without a doubt the Queen gets a good chunk of benefits. But still, the Arkonas having those dealings could bring up some trouble as well."
"We understand. We worry Korriban will disagree, but Adoros can convince." Still eying the dwarf with distrust, she waits for Adoros before heading back to 3 Lancet.
To Gadriel and Adoros, she adds quietly, "Do your best with the others--and let me know how it goes."
Returning to her desk, she nods curtly at you. "Go...and this time, let me know what happens before the next day, eh?" She softens the words with a smile and a quirked eyebrow before turning to the parchments that litter her desk.
Just as Teodor opens his mouth to reply to Korriban's observations, the door opens, and Adoros and Gadriel return to the domicile...with a strange dwarf in tow. Trinia stands up, looking relieved to have a change in topic, and rushes to Adoros.
"You're back! What news?" she asks. "What did you and the Field Marshal..." She comes up short when she sees Diamon, and retreats a couple of steps, warily. "Who's this?"
Korriban turns to the door. When he sees his friends, he bursts into a huge grin. "Guys! You're all right! Did Kroft give you trouble? Is she p****d off at us?" He runs up to them, giving Gadriel a big hug and Adoros a friendly punch to the shoulder. Seeing the dwarf, he stops. He stares down at the dwarf, his eyebrow slowly raising. After a few tense minutes, Korriban turns to Adoros and Gadriel. "Now, kids. What have we said about bringing home random strangers? If you want to keep him, then you'll have to feed him. Where did you even find him?"
Turning back to the dwarf, he says, "All jokes aside, who are you? And why are you here?" His left hand rests on the hilt of his rapier and he steps in between the dwarf and Trinia. "Obviously, you seem to be from the Church of the Bank. Are you going to give us any trouble?"
Nodding to Kroft and making a note of the description she gave of the entrance used by the incarcerated individual in his journal, he snapped Kroft a quick salute and headed off with Gadriel and Adoros.
Upon arriving at the dwelling he was directed to, he felt his sword arm twitch when he saw the accused, the woman the whole of the city was after; Tirina Sabor. He grimaced some at the man making snide comments about him, not much caring for his, 'charm', he would've no doubt called it. He folded his arms across his gleaming chest, affixing a gaze as immobile as the stone beneath them.
"Clearly ye've nev'r met a Paladin in person.. whoever y'are. And fell asleep durin' History too. I am Diamon Erlatt, Stonelord of Abadar. God of Justice, Law, and Trade. A special kind of Dwarven Paladin, if yer curious. I was granted th' task of bein' added to your little group, after hearin' Tirina Sabor had been found. Came at th' request of Lady Kroft herself." His gaze turned to her for a moment, before looking back to the man with the rapier. "Also, I'm here to serve as Ms. Sabor's defense in her upcomin' trial. So, y'can either drop the attitude and help build her case, or just leave me t' talk t' her so I can draw my own conclusions.
Korriban smiles at the dwarf, raising his hands in surrender. "Easy there. Can't help but be on edge with everything going on nowadays. And you're right. I've never met a Paladin. That profession is not all that common where I come from. I figured you were with the Church of Abadar." He then gives a flourishing bow to Diamon. "My name is Korriban Balros. A pleasure."
He puts his hands on his hips and looks the dwarf up and down.. "So, the Field Marshall sent you to help us and Trinia, huh? Well, we'll accept any help we can get these days." He turns around and walks towards Trinia. He stops for moment, turns his head back, and says, "By the way, I apologize for any offense. The jokes and quips are just part of who I am. So, try to loosen up."
Korriban walks up to Trinia. "So, the dwarf is here to aid in your defense at the trial. He was sent by Kroft and the Church of Abadar. So, just tell him what you told us and everything should be fine. Okay? And don't worry. If he tries something, we'll handle it." He gives a subtle wink.
Trinia swallows nervously, then nods slowly. "V-very well. If you're s-sure that this is the right thing to do..." She takes a deep breath, clearly steeling herself, then walks over to Diamon, head held high. "Sir Erlatt. Would you care to be seated? If you can, I'll do my best to explain everything that's happened to me." When Diamon sits down, she leans forward and, without preamble, launches into her story.
Done with her story, she seems to deflate slightly, exhaling in a whoosh. "That's it. That's all there is."
Teodor silences at the entrance of a ...paladin. A dwarven paladin. In theory, these paladins served the greater good. In practice, one must only ask "The greater good for whom?"
He would need ...close watch.
Gadriel returns to her perch on the windows sill, alternating between a wary eye on the street and a wary eye on the new person in the house. She waits for Adoros to let Korriban and the others in on the new mission.
Adoros returns greetings as they enter and is relatively quiet as introductions are done. Afterward, he turns to Teodor, Korriban, and Trinia, "The Field Marshal is sympathetic to Ms. Sabor's plight and doesn't wish to see an innocent used as a scapegoat for the King's death any more than we do. As he has stated, Sir Erlatt has agreed to take up her defense for the trial and Kroft is in agreement. She has also verified that Zenobia Zenderholm will be presiding over it as judge and she is known for being fair. However, Kroft is also insistent that Ms. Sabor be turned over to her care for Trinia's own safety and that of the general populace. We don't need another angry mob like yesterday hunting for her."
The young Chelish man lets that sink in for a moment, "We'll soon be too busy to look after Ms. Sabor's safety regardless, as the unrest in the city has stretched Kroft's troops thin and she desperately needs us to stop a brewing dispute between Korvosa and a Shoanti tribe. It would seem that a young Shoanti warrior was killed during the riots and his body has been sold to a necromancer operating in some caves near the city graveyard. The boy's grandfather, a shaman named Thousand Bones, wants to prevent a bloody war from breaking out between his own people and the city. To appease his people, he needs the body of his grandson back so they can preform the proper burial practices of their people."
Korriban sighs in relief. He chuckles. "So, Kroft's on our side. Guess all that worrying was for nothing!" He looks at Adoros. "So, we need to get Trinia's story together, safely escort her to Kroft, and, possibly, attend the trial. That right?"
At Adoros's mention of Zenobia, Korriban nods. "Ah. The Hanging Judge. If her reputation is anything to go by, she should be a good choice."
Korriban nods and smiles when Adoros explains the new job. "So, we need to find the body of a Shoanti boy for one of the Shoanti Elders. And it's in one of the city's creepy cemeteries. Sounds simple enough. After all, my adopted father is Shoanti. Did you figure which tribe he's from?"
The nods eventually get slower and stop as the smile slowly turns into a slightly fearful look as a realization comes to him. "Wait... w-we're going to the cemetery? W-where all the d-d-dead things are? The b-b-bodies? And you said, there was a-a-a necromancer there?"
Diamon politely refuses the seat and instead stands before Tirina, drawing his large bladed sword and holding it, pointed down at the floor in both hands, looking much like a statue in that pose. He stands before her and listens to her story, studying her face and listening to the timber and inflection of her voice as she relayed details to him. When she was finished, his gaze focused on hers as he hefted his sword, pointing it at her face.
"In th' name of Abadar, I, Diamon 'Silverhand' Erlatt, am ready to render judgement to Tirina Sabor. I declare her" For a long moment he pauses, the large bladed weapon just inches from her face. Before slowly lifting it away and sheathing it in place at his hip. "Not Guilty. I don't feel your hidin' anythin' from me, Ms. Sabor. And I have th' naggin' feelin' you were just a very small part in somethin' more. It ain't no triffle t' set up a plot t' kill a king."
His eyebrow cocked at he noticed the rather dramatic shift in attitude from the young man with the rapier. From what he had heard, this lot went up against Lamm and won. Much to his dismay, as much as he would've loved to off the bastard himself. Still, he gave Tirina a small smile and touched her arm in an assuring way, adding, "You'll be fine, Tirina. Th' judge and I will work t' make sure th' truth is made clear."
"It will take more than Kroft's word to earn my trust. People in power do what they must to remain in power. Even if she means well, this supposed Queen has resources and means to get what she wants. In the end, this is Ms. Sabor's decision, and I will stand by whatever she says. As for our other concern, I welcome it. Burial rites are all foolish, as my Lord will eventually take us all, but Korvosa must not destroy what little relationship it has with the Shoanti. They were here long before the rest of us, and I will not see them taken advantage of. Fret not, young Korriban. You have a holy priest of the one final god. You've no need to fear the dead. It is our most natural state, yes?"
Trinia lets out a sigh of relief as Diamon pronounces his judgment, but jumps slightly when she hears what Adoros has to say. "What?! Put myself in the hands of the Guard?! That's exactly what..." She bites her lip as Adoros explains the situation with Gaekhen. As the others discuss the new mission, she backs into a corner of the room, and looks withdrawn, pensive.
After Teodor makes his statement, Trinia steps forward again. "I...I'll go to the Guard," she tells you all quietly. "With Sir Erlatt as my guarantor, and Zenderholm as the judge...I should be all right. And besides...I can't take people like you away from Kroft when she's trying to look after the safety of the whole city. She needs you--all of you--to handle things like this." She swallows hard. "It's selfish for me to ask you to protect me constantly. So...I'll go to Citadel Volshyenek. It's the right thing to do."
She doesn't look happy, but she does look determined.
When Diamon brings his sword to Trinia, Korriban places his hand on his rapier, ready to draw it. However, after the dwarf passes his judgement of not guilty, the young rogue breathes out a sigh of relief. When the paladin stares at him, Korriban raises his brow and asks, "What are you looking at, sir dwarf?"
When Teodor gives his reassurance that they won't be in danger in the cemetery, Korriban turns to him. "I don't like dead bodies. They just... creep me out. Especially since a necromancer's involved. Dead things aren't supposed to get up and... and walk around!"
As Trinia makes her decision, Korriban looks to her and says, "I know you're worried about going to the Guard. But don't worry. You'll be safe. As to protecting you, I would protect you. Even if you don't ask for it."
"So we do what now? Do we take Trinia to Kroft? Do we look for the seeing blind-man's kin? We are... unsure... of what step to take now. We are unaccustomed to doing things in a time other than our own. We would not like to see Kroft angry again. We think that unwise."
He looks to the young girl that spoke up, wondering how one as young as her got mixed in with all this. Putting that thought aside, Diamon offered his opinion. "I say we take Ms. Sabor t' Kroft while also headin' t' th' Grey Quarter. Put her ina cloak t' hide her as a couple of us escort her. Whole group would draw attention. Maybe have a couple diff'rent faces than th' first trip just t' be safe. Th' rest of us can head t' where Thousand Bones' son is restin' and collect him. Hopefully without too much ofa fuss."
Korriban strokes his chin at Diamon's idea. "A sound idea, to be sure. However, is it wise to split us up? What if one group got into trouble and the others weren't around to help?"
"Yeah, I'm not hugely fond of splittin' this group up already. But, you lot seem pretty capable, and I can't imagine you'd get inta too much trouble in that short trip. But, if ya want t' keep ev'ryone t'gether, I'll simply wait near th' Grey District. Just so ya can collect me when Ms. Sabor is in custody. Most folks pay no mind t' a Paladin of Abadar 'round here, so I'll be fine on my own for a bit."
Korriban smirks. "Oh? You just joined up and you're trying to flee from us already?" He chuckles. "Jokes aside, I don't think you should wait by the Grey District by yourself. Personally, I think we should all escort Trinia to Kroft, make sure things go well there, and then head to the Grey District. After all, the body's not going to get up and walk away... unless..." He shudders at the end.
Trinia goes upstairs as Diamon and Korriban are talking, and returns with her small bundle of personal possessions under her arm. As she puts her cloak on and pulls the hood down to shield her face, you notice that her hands are trembling...but she seems determined.
"I'm ready whenever you are," she says quietly.
"We should stay together. There is chaos and turmoil abound. Recall, the strange sewer eaters that erupted from beneath? Events may happen without warning during these times. Abu advises caution, even for ones Abu doesn't know. The small monkey on her shoulder nods its head in unnaturally intelligent agreement.
Korriban nods at Gadriel. "I agree with you. Don't want to be all alone when something insane like that pops out."
With Trinia disguised as much as seems needful, the six of you head quickly to the south and deliver your erstwhile detainee to Kroft. Sergeant Soldado has been stationed at the gate to pick her up from you, and he leads her quickly and quietly into the interior of the Citadel, barely giving you a nod of acknowledgment as he closes--both watchfully and protectively--upon Trinia. The girl starts to look back toward you, but the inner gates of the Citadel slam shut with a resounding *thud* as she turns, and you see her face for only half a second.
Continuing south and bearing to the right, you find yourself at the tiny gate in the old city wall that leads into the Gray. Pushing through, you find yourself in Korvosa's massive graveyard: to your right, the huge, fortress-like Grand Cathedral of Pharasma hunches over the white and gray mausoleums like a great black beast. Once you're in the Gray itself, the noise of the city has dwindled to nearly nothing, and the air is perfectly still and quiet. After the daily hustle and bustle of Korvosa, it feels unnatural.
Picking your way through the mounded dirt that marks the mass graves of Potter's Ward, you eventually find yourself standing outside a mausoleum that must be the one that Kroft told you about: a headless gargoyle gargoyle stands outside, sword raised in its right hand and leaning perilously forward. Though Korvosa's dead have risen in the past, you hear not a peep as you begin to explore the area...
Although the roof of the mausoleum has collapsed, its walls are standing, and its door stands ajar. There are no other major structures in sight.
The odd little girl seems strangely unfazed by the dark and sinister surroundings. Abu rides upon her shoulder, his strange eyes peering around continually. "We wonder if we go in? We assume a body is not lying upon the stone floor, or Kroft would not have asked us."
As they stand in front of the mausoleum, Diamon takes a moment to kneel before it and murmur some words. "Forgive me Abadar, for what I must do. I respect th' dead. But this time, I must disturb them." Standing up and drawing his Falchion, he takes point and pushes his shoulder against the stone door, slowly pushing it open with a grunt and standing in the open doorway. Looking back, he had something of a sad, but determined, look on his face. "Well, c'mon then. Let's get this over with. Th' sooner we find Thousand Bones' son, th' sooner we can leave."
Korriban stays silent as the team moves on. When they arrive at the Citadel, he nods at Grau. When the gates shut and the rogue sees Trinia's face, he frowns slightly. He knows that she'll be able to get her trial. But deep down, he can't help but feel... something. A faint something. Like something's... wrong. Or will be wrong. Dwelling on it slightly, he turns and heads to the Gray District.
As the team moves though the cemeteries, Korriban draws his rapier. He looks around as he walks at the various mounds, mausoleums, headstones, and graves, his face showing his nervousness and making slight disapproving and disgusted sounds. When Diamon opens the door, Korriban steps forward. "Let's just get this over with. Less time spent here, the better. But, be careful and keep your eyes and ears out. I really don't want to meet my end here." He starts by surveying for traps and dangers.
Korriban's investigation of the area outside the collapsed mausoleum doesn't turn up anything unusual. Stepping into the dank, cool building itself, you find yourself in a building roughly 20' square. The southern end is where the roof has most totally collapsed, leaving an area roughly 15' deep and 15' wide accessible.
Korriban carefully steps in the mausoleum. He looks around the inside with calculated glances.
Looking around the southeastern corner of the mausoleum, the rogue finds a trapdoor. Carefully opening it, he looks down to see some stairs. Turning to the others, he whispers out, "Over here. A way down."
Diamon happened to notice a trail leading up to the door as the rest of the party walked past him, into the mausoleum. He made a mental note of it, and would investigate it further once they had Thousand Bones' son delivered safely. Slipping inside, he sees Korriban opening up a trap door, once more taking point and starting down the steps carefully, Falchion at the ready.
The shallowly cut stone steps are worn nearly smooth with age, and descend to a single landing before another flight leads you down into the Warrens proper. As you descend, the sloped ceiling of the tunnel cuts off all but the faintest hint of the daylight behind you.
At the bottom of the stairs, however, you find yourselves before a large room, supported by four wide pillars of stone. The ceiling above arches in a dome nearly twenty feet high. The walls are lined with skeletons caked into the mud—human bones mostly, but here and there smaller bones might be from halfings, or perhaps children. Fifteen-foot-square pits sit to the east and west, each filled with a large heap of hundreds of bones. To the south, a crude hole has been gouged into the wall, providing access to a tunnel. Patches of mold line walls and crawl up the pillars, giving off a gentle, eerily blue glow that fills the chamber with dim light.
Diamon's eyes adjust quickly to the darkness of the area, noticing the movement in the pits on either side of them. He scoot back some to whisper to the group, "You lot be careful. I can see movement in th' pits on either side of us. Can't tell what exactly, but it can't be friendly. Could draw attention if a torch is lit or somethin'."
Gadriel walks quietly behind the group, eyes darting left and right. As Diamon offers a warning, she nods her head while Abu suddenly stops and stands, his eyes glowing yellow as a shimmering forcefield flickers into existence around Gadriel before fading from sight.
"Abu says Abu can create a light ahead, or possibly on a pebble to be tossed into the room if it would help the others who cannot see in the dark as Diamon can," she whispers.