Adoros swings about and goes back on the offensive as he feels a guiding force help him aim a bit better. It is all for not as he instead misses the beast completely and makes a devastating critical hit to the door frame beside him.
As Adoros lunges toward the creature and Korriban hops onto the table, it staggers forward swinging wild haymakers with its meaty arms. Teodor ducks under one swinging punch, but another connects with Adoros's ribs and the knight staggers back.
Foe: HP: 19/42 | AC/T/FF: 15/9/14 | Fort: +1 Ref: +2 Will: +1 | CMD: 18 | DR 5/bludgeoning or slashing
Evil Eye (Attacks): 5/9
Misfortune: 4/4
Evil Eye (AC): 3/9
Evil Eye (Saves): 2/8
Teodor's flail finally connects with the monstrosity, sending it swaying and bellowing, while Gadriel reaches out and touches Korriban's ankle, muttering about destroying this beast. Diamon bellows and follow up Teodor's blow with one of his own, which visibly dents the creature's skull!
Foe: HP: 3/42 | AC/T/FF: 15/9/14 | Fort: +1 Ref: +2 Will: +1 | CMD: 18 | DR 5/bludgeoning or slashing
Evil Eye (Attacks): 5/9
Misfortune: 4/4
Evil Eye (AC): 3/9
Evil Eye (Saves): 2/8
Feeling Gadriel grabbing his ankle, he nods at her. He then lashes forth at the monster.
He manages to hit it! Though, to his shock, it doesn't seem to be fazed.
Adoros roars in anger as he tries to wretch his blade from the wall edge beside the creature and pulls with such force that he nearly trips himself on the backswing. He is convinced he has become plagued by his own personal pugwampi...
Korriban's rapier sinks into the creature with little evident effect, to his horror. Adoros staggers from his clumsy pull, and the beast bellows and turns to the dwarf who dented his cranium. Its fists fly and Diamon grunts in pain as one of them catches him in the back of the head!
Foe: HP: 3/42 | AC/T/FF: 15/9/14 | Fort: +1 Ref: +2 Will: +1 | CMD: 18 | DR 5/bludgeoning or slashing
Evil Eye (Attacks): 6/9
Evil Eye (AC): 4/9
Evil Eye (Saves): 3/8
Teodor swings his flail again, connecting solidly with the creature. "YOU BORE ME!"
With his bellow of rage, Teodor swings his flail into the creature's head and its skull crumples with a sickening crack. It stares at him stupidly for a moment, gore beginning to seep from its open wound...and then it falls.
COMBAT OVER (at last!)
Silence falls over the underground chambers as everyone catches their breath. When you've got your breath back, you see that the severed arm that the creature was swinging is the right skin tone--and about the right size--to be Gaekhen's. It seems that you've found the entire body.
As the thing goes down, Korriban sits down on the table, panting and smiling in relieve. "We did it. We actually did it." He then gets off the table and proceeds to work on separating the arm. "Come on! Let's get the body parts, the prisoners, and the loot and get out of here! I'd rather not stay in here any longer!"
As everyone carefully gets to their feet and starts to gather their belongings, you take a few minutes to take inventory as well. Once you're sure you have everything of worth from the caverns, you gather up your prisoners and head--some of you staggering, some limping (and some fine)--out of the caverns and back into the open air.
You emerge from the mausoleum that guards the entrance to the catacombs into late-afternoon sunshine. To keep from alarming anyone, you've cast your cloaks over your prisoners--a good thing, too, since after a few moments you smell a faint burning, and looking around you realize that a blue hand sticking out from under a cloak is beginning to blister and burn! Shielding it from the sunlight seems to prevent further injury.
You make your long, slow way back uptown to Citadel Volshyenek where you were assigned this task--can it have been just this morning? The guards are quick to admit you, and happy to stand watch over your still-unconscious prisoners as Sergeant Soldado takes you to meet Field Marhsall Kroft. He hesitates outside her office though, and you can hear someone shouting inside.
Whoever is shouting sounds large. And angry.
Korriban takes a deep breath as they return to the surface. He smiles, glad that they can put his behind them. Although, he remembers something. He turns to Diamon. "Sir, I believe that you offered a holy water bath to me. I'd rather this muck be off as soon as possible."
As the team make their way, Korriban smells something. "Hey. Is someone cooking something?" He turns his head and follows the scent... to the exposed, burning flesh of one of the blue guys. "Holy crap! Quick! Cover him up!" He takes off his trench coat and throws it over the hand. "Guess that's the reason these guys hide out underground."
As they continue to walk, Korriban turns to Gadriel. "Hey, Gad. You still have Zellara's harrowing deck? Can I borrow it?" Considering she gives it to him, Korriban then looks at the deck. "Hey... uh... Zellara. How's it, uh, going? I have some questions about some of the items I have. Can you help me out?" He pulls out 2 cards and touches one each to the emerald green potion and the honey colored potion.
When they arrive at the Citadel, Korriban looks at the guards. "Delivery! We've got a delivery here for Kroft! The young Shoanti lad! And prisoners! A lot of prisoners! Who'll sign for them?" When Soldado comes up, Korriban smirks. "Hey there, Soldado. How's it going?"
When they make their way to the Field Marshall's office, Korriban hears the loud booming voice. He makes sure he has all of the body parts and walks right in. "Hey! No need to bring the wrath of anything on anyone! We got what you're looking for right here! So let's all just calm down and talk this out!"
Teodor looks for evidence as to what is happening, but, seeing nothing, tries to talk the big man down. "The boy speaks as a boy will, both truthfully and thoughtlessly. Though evil was done to your boy, we ended it. And we've brought what's left of his earthly remains."
When your group bursts through the door, you find a momentarily stunning tableau: Kroft, behind her desk, is nearly face-to-face with a massive, heavily tattooed Shoanti man who's just now turning to look toward you. Fortunately, his weapons are sheathed...for now. Thousand Bones is in a far corner, leaning on his staff and looking weary. All noise stops as you enter, and you realize that Kroft, at least, had also been speaking--you just couldn't hear her over the noise the huge man was making. The stranger starts to turn to you with a snarl.
Thousand Bones interjects. "Ah, this is the hunting group that I met earlier, is it not, Field Marshal?" Crossing behind her, he puts a restraining hand on the huge man's shoulder.
Kroft breaks into a grin. "It is. And I've not been more glad to see a group of people in a long time." Straightening, she clears her throat slightly. "I take it you were successful, then. Thank you." Turning to the huge stranger, she says, "You see, War-chief? My team has recovered Gaekhen's body. You can put him at rest now."
Thousand Bones glances up at the still-seething man. "This, Korvosans, is Eats-What-He-Kills, one of the greatest warriors of his tribe. Although not, as your leader has said, technically the War-Chief of his clan." Kroft makes a small gesture asking for forgiveness, and Thousand Bones nods graciously. "Gaekhen, whose body you have recovered, was like a son to him. It is understandable, then, that his grief is so great, as well as his rage. But now, brother," he murmurs, "you can start to put this behind you."
Eats-What-He-Kills finds his voice at last. "I will judge for myself how to proceed when I have seen Gaekhen's body," he growls. "Where have you stowed it, tshamek? I must think you have treated it with shame." His lip curls. "And tell me this: what did you do to his killers?"
Gadriel wordlessly hands you Zellara's Harrow deck, and, touching the cards to the potions, you can almost feel Zellara stirring within. A voice seems to whisper to you, explaining what they are, though it doesn't use...words...exactly.
Korriban smiles at the deck of cards. "Thanks, Zellara."
When your group bursts through the door, you find a momentarily stunning tableau: Kroft, behind her desk, is nearly face-to-face with a massive, heavily tattooed Shoanti man who's just now turning to look toward you. Fortunately, his weapons are sheathed...for now. Thousand Bones is in a far corner, leaning on his staff and looking weary. All noise stops as you enter, and you realize that Kroft, at least, had also been speaking--you just couldn't hear her over the noise the huge man was making. The stranger starts to turn to you with a snarl.
Korriban stares at the scene before him. At the sight of the Shoanti warrior, the young rogue thinks, 'Oh, boy. Big fella.' "I'm sorry. Were we interrupting anything?"
Thousand Bones interjects. "Ah, this is the hunting group that I met earlier, is it not, Field Marshal?" Crossing behind her, he puts a restraining hand on the huge man's shoulder.
Korriban smiles at Thousand Bones. "Indeed, we are. You must be Thousand Bones. A pleasure to meet you. I'm Korriban Balros." He tries to be as diplomatic as possible.
Kroft breaks into a grin. "It is. And I've not been more glad to see a group of people in a long time." Straightening, she clears her throat slightly. "I take it you were successful, then. Thank you." Turning to the huge stranger, she says, "You see, War-chief? My team has recovered Gaekhen's body. You can put him at rest now."
Korriban smiles at Kroft. "Yep. Got the body. We did have some trouble. Apparently, this city has a serious case of necromancers. And little blue guys." He scratches his chin. "After what we've seen, this could be a problem in the future. Had to fight skeletons, little blue guys, skeleton snakes, weird guys with growths, and a giant sewn up corpse thing."
Thousand Bones glances up at the still-seething man. "This, Korvosans, is Eats-What-He-Kills, one of the greatest warriors of his tribe. Although not, as your leader has said, technically the War-Chief of his clan." Kroft makes a small gesture asking for forgiveness, and Thousand Bones nods graciously. "Gaekhen, whose body you have recovered, was like a son to him. It is understandable, then, that his grief is so great, as well as his rage. But now, brother," he murmurs, "you can start to put this behind you."
Once again, Korriban looks at the large Shoanti. "Eats-What-He-Kills? How did he get that name? Either way, it's nice to meet you. Don't worry. We've got the full body, as your traditions dictate. So Gaekhen can be at peace."
He looks at the two Shoanti men. "By the way, out of curiosity, what clan are you get from? I ask because my adoptive father is from the Sklar-Quah. His name is Falko."
Eats-What-He-Kills finds his voice at last. "I will judge for myself how to proceed when I have seen Gaekhen's body," he growls. "Where have you stowed it, tshamek? I must think you have treated it with shame." His lip curls. "And tell me this: what did you do to his killers?"
Korriban looks at the aggressive Shoanti man. "Easy there, Big Guy. We have the body right here." He then hands over the different parts to the Shoanti. "Sorry that it's in pieces. Like I said, necromancers. Some of them were trying to bring the pieces to unnatural life. We carried them with care to prevent any further damage. As the killers, we killed most of them. We have three of them. A large guy with large growths and two little blue guys. One of those can't speak Common. The other can speak Common and is some kind of magic user. He was flying around when we fought him. All of them are knocked out and in a cart. We had to cover it with our coats and cloaks because the sun was burning the blue guys."
Korriban's mention of the Sklar-Quah halts Eats-What-He-Kills's momentum, and both Shoanti look at him with a new, somewhat appraising light in their eyes. "We, too, are of the Sklar-Quah," Thousand Bones says softly, his elderly voice difficult to hear. "But our members are thousands, divided among many families, and I recall no particular one by the name of 'Falko.' It is good, however, to meet a Korvosan with ties to our clan--even if such unusual ones."
Eats-What-He-Kills is less impressed. "Bah! Probably an exile or runaway," he growls. "To be living here, in the filth of this city...I cannot imagine a worse life."
The huge man takes the bag containing Gaekhen's remains reverentially, though. "I have my doubts that you have slain this noble boy's killers. From what I see of your city, blue men and monsters do not walk your streets...except in the guise of normal men. But I thank you for returning Gaekhen's remains to me." He studies the lot of you critically. "If I ever see you again, perhaps it will be in happier times, and with less hostility. But I doubt that. I doubt it much."
Without another word, Eats-What-He-Kills shoulders his way through the door and is gone. Thousand Bones sighs slightly, and, with a simple bow to Field Marshall Kroft and a nod to you, he makes his way more slowly out the door, and is gone.
Kroft collapses in her chair, slumping back almost to the point where her head is hanging over the back. "Well. That was draining." Sitting up, she rubs her eyes, hard. "As if I didn't have enough to deal with...now I'm apparently the Queen's Minister of State, too. At least when it comes to angry Shoanti." Almost as if just realizing that you're still here, she looks up and smiles. "Thank you. You lot did extremely well--again. Almost beyond expectations. Here--I'm used to your successes enough to have already drawn your pay from the accounts." Rummaging in a drawer in her desk, she hands you a bulging purse full of platinum.
Just as she's about to say something else, there's a frantic pounding on the door. Kroft frowns. "Enter!" A guardsmen rushes in, breathless.
"Field Marshall--" Coming up short at seeing you here, he rushes over to her and whispers into her ear. Her face darkens, then turns thunderous.
On whose authority?!"
The guard spreads his hands helplessly. "The Queen's herself, Field Marshall."
Striding to her cloak stand, Kroft swirls her scarlet cloak of office off its peg and swings it across her shoulders. "You," she snaps to the guard, "Get an escort ready. And you..." she turns to you. "I want you with me. We may be looking at another riot...the Queen's soldiers just took Trinia Sabor out of my custody, and apparently they intend to execute her as a traitor at midnight. We're going to the Citadel. Any questions? Anything you need to do on the way?"
"Oppressed people hold too long on their dying faiths. But their anger ...when we think to play the role set aside for The Lord ...only pain."
...
"This Queen begs for revolt. A revolting c%#+ revolves around revolting others to the point of revolt. Hee hee I love it when the haves f~$# up."
"I'll overlook that comment for now, in light of needing you and being pretty pissed off myself," Cressida growls as you stride rapidly down the hallway toward the exit. "But in future, try to keep a civil tongue in your head. Her Majesty is still our Queen, despite her poor decisions. And a lot more than just the 'haves' are going to get hurt if a riot starts."
Korriban's mention of the Sklar-Quah halts Eats-What-He-Kills's momentum, and both Shoanti look at him with a new, somewhat appraising light in their eyes. "We, too, are of the Sklar-Quah," Thousand Bones says softly, his elderly voice difficult to hear. "But our members are thousands, divided among many families, and I recall no particular one by the name of 'Falko.' It is good, however, to meet a Korvosan with ties to our clan--even if such unusual ones."
Korriban nods at Thousand Bones as he explains the Sklar-Quah. "Very interesting. Thank you, Thousand Bones."
Eats-What-He-Kills is less impressed. "Bah! Probably an exile or runaway," he growls. "To be living here, in the filth of this city...I cannot imagine a worse life."
However, when Eats-What-He-Kills insults Falko, Korriban scowls. "Hey! Don't insult him! He's probably tougher than you because he's living here in Korvosa! This city isn't easy to live in, you know! There are groups that want to execute the Shoanti on sight!"
The huge man takes the bag containing Gaekhen's remains reverentially, though. "I have my doubts that you have slain this noble boy's killers. From what I see of your city, blue men and monsters do not walk your streets...except in the guise of normal men. But I thank you for returning Gaekhen's remains to me." He studies the lot of you critically. "If I ever see you again, perhaps it will be in happier times, and with less hostility. But I doubt that. I doubt it much."
Korriban snorts a bit and mutters, "Yeah. Same hopes here."
Without another word, Eats-What-He-Kills shoulders his way through the door and is gone. Thousand Bones sighs slightly, and, with a simple bow to Field Marshall Kroft and a nod to you, he makes his way more slowly out the door, and is gone.
Korriban looks at Eats-What-He-Kills as he leaves. Yeah, yeah. Hope to see you, too."
Kroft collapses in her chair, slumping back almost to the point where her head is hanging over the back. "Well. That was draining." Sitting up, she rubs her eyes, hard. "As if I didn't have enough to deal with...now I'm apparently the Queen's Minister of State, too. At least when it comes to angry Shoanti." Almost as if just realizing that you're still here, she looks up and smiles. "Thank you. You lot did extremely well--again. Almost beyond expectations. Here--I'm used to your successes enough to have already drawn your pay from the accounts." Rummaging in a drawer in her desk, she hands you a bulging purse full of platinum.
Korriban takes his share. "Thank you. I'm glad that we can put this behind us. I really don't like being underground."
Just as she's about to say something else, there's a frantic pounding on the door. Kroft frowns. "Enter!" A guardsmen rushes in, breathless.
"Field Marshall--" Coming up short at seeing you here, he rushes over to her and whispers into her ear. Her face darkens, then turns thunderous.
"What?! On whose authority?!"
The guard spreads his hands helplessly. "The Queen's herself, Field Marshall."
Striding to her cloak stand, Kroft swirls her scarlet cloak of office off its peg and swings it across her shoulders. "You," she snaps to the guard, "Get an escort ready. And you..." she turns to you. "I want you with me. We may be looking at another riot...the Queen's soldiers just took Trinia Sabor out of my custody, and apparently they intend to execute her as a traitor at midnight. We're going to the Citadel. Any questions? Anything you need to do on the way?"
Korriban looks on in curiosity as the guard comes in and the banter takes place. Korriban's jaw drops in shock and horror as he tries to comprehend what's going on. "What? What?! Trina's going to be executed?! Without a trial?! We... We have to stop this! We need to rescue her!"
"Believe me, Korriban, I'll do what's in my power, but right now my priority is to stop any unrest that might arise," Kroft says grimly. You jog-march through the city, picking up a squadron of guards to serve as an escort at the gates of the Citadel, and head up through the market square onto Field Marshal Avenue, the black, spiked towers of Castle Korvosa looming ahead of you, silhouetted by the setting sun.
The climb up the grand stair of the pyramid on which the castle sits seems to take forever, but Kroft breezes past the Castle guards with hardly a word, apparently knowing from experience where an event like this is going to take place. She leads you on a twisting path through a series of courtyards, murder holes, and tunnels in the castle's walls until you emerge into a large, torch-lit courtyard. What seems to be a party is underway...
Kroft grits her teeth. "Typical. I'm going to go see what I can do. You lot--stay here, keep an eye, don't do anything stupid." And with that, she is gone. Midnight isn't really all that far away...and the dazzling, bedecked nobles and wealthy here seem to be expecting an exciting execution. You can see all sorts here...
You also spot a man in uniform who looks thoroughly disgruntled--that must be Commandant Marcus Endrin, well known as the leader of the Sable Company. He's in an argument with a man in heavy, black-and-scarlet robes...you don't recognize him, but you know who he must be: Ornher Reebs, head priest of the Church of Asmodeus.
Korriban follows Kroft, making sure to grab his trench coat and covering up the part of the prisoners that the coat was covering. He moves with the rest of the group to the castle. When they arrive to the courtyard, Korriban looks around, eyeing those in the crowd.
Korriban whispers to the others. [smaller]"Quite the turn out. There's Glorio Arkona and Melyia, his cousin/right-hand business woman... and his lover. There's Guildmaster Boule, head of the Thieves' Guild, Archbanker Tuttle, Judge Zenobia Zenderholm, Bishop Keppira d'Bear, who's the highest ranking Pharasman priestess in Korvosa, Commandant Marcus Endrin, leader of the Sable Company, and that must be Ornher Reebs, the head priest to the Church of Asmodeus. All of the movers and shakers are here." Turning to the others, the rogue says, "Well, let's go mingle... and maybe get some information."
He walks up to Glorio, Melyia, and Boule. Giving a courteous nod, he says, "Lord Arkona, Lady Arkona. As an Old Korvosan, I must say, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Korriban. I am currently working with the Field Marshall. I have heard many things about your prestigious family. And Guildmaster Boule. An honor to meet you as well. You have quite the reputation from what I understand." He looks around. "Quite the turnout we have here. Though, I am curious as to why the Queen has arranged this for midnight. I would assume that the common folk would wish to see this as well."
Melyia Arkona sniffs and looks away disdainfully as Korriban approaches, but her cousin merely smiles an easy smile.
"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Korriban," Glorio Arkona says, shaking your hand with a firm--some might say vise-like--grip. "Always happy to speak with one of the securers of law and order in our great city. All the more so when you're a fellow resident of Old Korvosa!"
Guildmaster Boule peers at you closely. "I believe I heard something about a youth by your name," he murmurs. "From Devargo Bravasi, last time I was visiting him for some...business. Were you the one who bought that pseudodragon off him?" He smiles unpleasantly. "If so, he was quite annoyed by it. Something about the dagger you gave him vanishing the next day..."
"Bah!" Arkona interrupts, waving a hand in breezy dismissal. "Bravasi's probably been sampling too much of his own shiver. The man is a creep. Always hanging out with those spiders of his..." Turning back to Korriban, he adds, "I imagine that Her Majesty has arranged the execution for this time--and this rather exclusive venue--as a way of keeping the common folk of Korvosa away from the execution, in fact. While most good patriots will celebrate Sabor's death, there's always the chance that a dangerous element will rise up in another one of those riots and do more damage. This way she gets the chance to have an execution and curry favor with some of her more important nobles and officials at the same time." He winks, and takes a crystal goblet of dark wine from a passing servant's tray.
Korriban ignores Melyia's disrespectful and returns Glorio's handshake. "Thank you, sir. I do what I can." When Boule says that he's heard of the rogue and was mentioned by Bravasi, Korriban smirks. "Yeah. That might have been me." However, when the Guildmaster mentions that the dagger vanished the next day, Korriban's eyes widen. His thoughts go back to the silver dagger on his person. Looking at Boule, he says, "That's... interesting. I had nothing to do with that. I haven't seen him since that day I first met him."
When Glorio talks about Sabina's execution, Korriban nods. "I see. That does make sense. Although, I am concerned. From what I understand, the Queen took Trinia out of Kroft's custody before a trial was done. That does seem unfair to her."
Lord Arkona sniffs. "Oh, I'm sure that the Queen has made sure that every procedure has been observed...that needs to be." He chuckles. "But then, she is young, and perhaps...headstrong."
You mingle for some time further, but hear only snatches of conversation among Korvosa's elite. Finally, midnight nears...and just a few minutes before the appointed hour, a set of massive doors to the interior of the keep swing open, and the Queen appears.
Queen Ileosa Arabasti looks almost nothing like the withdrawn, black-clad widow you met just weeks ago. She is wearing a stunning dress of green and cream silk that must be worth thousands of crowns, and a filigree crown sits on her artfully done copper curls. She strides quickly and easily across the courtyard, accompanied by a small army of servants with Sabina Merrin never far from her side. Reaching the end of the courtyard closest to the raised dais with the headsman's block, she takes her seat on the high, throne-like chair positioned there and begins exchanging pleasantries with the inner circle of elites who surround her.
Minutes later, as the clock tower's face shifts the giant hand to midnight, a booming, monotone drum begins to beat and the door swings open once more. The headsman, a massive man with a dark hood, comes out carrying his ax, and behind him walks Trinia Sabor. Trinia looks much the same as when you last saw her, though a little worse for wear. Her arms are tied behind her back with leather cord and her face, grimy from whatever prison cell she was holed in, is covered in tear tracks. Right now, however, she's holding back her tears--if only just. To the slow, steady beat of the drum, Trinia is led to the block and the headsman forces her to kneel, laying her neck on the block. You can see her back moving as she breathes rapidly.
Queen Ileosa rises and, as the drum crescendoes slightly, holds out her hand. The drum cuts off and silence falls instantly. The queen speaks out in a clear and ringing voice:
"Fellow Korvosans! You have suffered greatly these last few weeks. Homes have burned, family members have died, and fortunes have been lost. I feel your suffering, for not only have I lost a beloved husband, but with each riot, each burning home, each act of anarchy, my heart bleeds a little more. This has been a trying time for us, yet the torment is at an end. Before you is the face of your anguish and pain. Do not be deceived by this murderer's timid countenance - she is a black-hearted assassin, a seductress and sinner, a viper amidst us all. I offer you all her death as a salve against the hatred and hurt you have suffered. Her death will not rebuild Korvosa, nor will it bring back the king, yet tomorrow will be a new dawn - a dawn over a city ready to rise from the edge of anarchy to become stronger than ever before!
"And so, without further delay, let us usher in this new dawn with justice! OFF WITH HER HEAD!"
The already silent crowd freezes in anticipation as the headsman strides up to Trinia. Her lips are moving quickly, and her eyes are closed as she lies on the block. The headsman lifts his ax.
Then he staggers slightly, and gives a little grunt.
Ax still raised, he reaches one hand to the small of his back, and brings his fingers before his face, clearly dripping in blood. Then he lets out a cry of pain as a dagger seems to appear in the hand that held his ax, and drops his weapon. It plunges into the edge of the block just inches from Trinia's neck, and the headsman doubles over, revealing another dagger sunk into his back!
Just at the moment, as Trinia is slowly sitting up in shock, there's a scream from the crowd: "By all the gods! It's Blackjack!"
An instant later, a man in a hooded cloak and leather armor leaps from the crowd onto the dais, and thence onto the executioner's block itself. He carries a glittering rapier in one hand and a dagger in the other, and as he whirls he drops to one knee on the block and slashes Trinia's bonds. Continuing the motion, he hurls the dagger into the headsman's foot, pinning him in place and eliciting a further howl of pain. He pulls Trinia to her feet, then turns to address the crowd, leveling his rapier at Ileosa.
"Yes, indeed, my queen! Let us usher in justice, but let that be justice for Korvosa, not this shambles that you petulantly call a monarchy! Long live Korvosa! DOWN WITH THE QUEEN!"
The crowd erupts into a buzz of conversation and a few shouts--some screaming, "Arrest that hoodlum!" while others cry, "Step down! Let the Chelaxian step down from the Crimson Throne!" The Queen seems stunned for a moment, face darkening toward wrath, then whispers something to Merrin and whirls, striding quickly back into the keep with Sabina and her guards hot on her heels.
Palace guards are attempting to apprehend Blackjack, but the assembled nobles make it difficult for them to move. The vigilante, for his part, seems to be delighted that he's caused so much mayhem--he's surveying the crowd and holding tightly to Trinia with one hand, so preoccupied that he hasn't even noticed the headsman, behind him, beginning to raise his ax again to strike!
As the doors open, Korriban tenses and stares as the Queen enters, Sabina in tow. He excuses himself and rejoins his companions. That's when he hears the bell toll, the drums begin, and sees Trinia being escorted to the block. His fists clench tightly, his thoughts swarming, wishing that he could have done something, blaming Ileosa, blaming himself, offering prayers to Shelyn and Calistria. He frowns as the Queen makes her speech. That's when the execution begins. Korribn grits his teeth, wishing there was something he could do.
That's when he sees it. The staggering of the headsman, the dagger in his back, the blood. He looks around for the source. That's when he hears the shout. He slowly turns his head to the dias and, by the gods, he sees him. Blackjack. There he is in all his glory. The black outfit. The daggers. The rapier. He is just like he described in the stories that his mother told him while growing up. His eyes widen and his jaw drops. Slowly, a huge gleeful smile takes over. His thoughts are chaotic. 'Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! It's Blackjack! It's really f*****g Blackjack! This is so cool.'
That's when the fight starts. And the crowd begins to riot. Korriban watches as the Queen escapes... and the executioner is about to kill Blackjack. Korriban looks between the two men. "Blackjack! Behind you! Watch out!"
At the sound of Korriban's shout, Blackjack starts to turn in your direction and--apparently spotting the ax out of the corner of his eye--ducks, lightning-quick, beneath the smashing blow. As the headsman recovers from his swing, the vigilante is already off, dashing toward the castle wall with Trinia in tow. Noblemen and well-groomed women scream and dodge out of his way. He urges Trinia up a hanging banner at the edge of the courtyard and swarms up the wall beside her. Reaching the parapet, he draws something in a bottle from his belt pouch and quaffs it. He turns once more to the courtyard, silhouetted by the rising moon, and bows...then, finding your group within the chaos, raises his rapier in a silent salute.
Then he scoops Trinia into his arms and leaps backward over the parapet, vanishing into the night.
There's a brief, hushed silence. And then the courtyard erupts into a frenzy of whispers, exclamations, tears, and cheers. After a few moments, a palace guard emerges onto the dais and bellows at the assembled watchers, ordering everyone out of the courtyard and, indeed, out of the palace so that the guard can investigate how this criminal gained entry. You join the mass of people streaming out of the palace gates, down the steps, and into the dark but still buzzing streets of Korvosa. As you head north into this city that, native or not, is now your home, with its familiar streets and byways, you look up and see the cold, bright stars glittering overhead. Summer is past its ripeness now--fall is just around the corner. You may not know what the new season will bring, but you're sure of this: Korvosa as it was is dead. For good or ill, a new city is on the horizon.
You hope that it is all that the stars promise it can be.
This ends book one of the Curse of the Crimson Throne: "Edge of Anarchy."
The story will continue in Book Two: "Seven Days to the Grave."
Interlude
When they are alone, Korriban explains what happened in the crypts, the Shoanti, what happened that night, everything that he’s been getting into while working for Kroft. When he gets to Blackjack, he says, ”I saw him, mom. Just like in your stories. Blackjack. He was just like you described him. Flipping, fighting, dueling. This… This has to mean something, right? Something about Korvosa and its future?”
After he answers, Korriban asks, ”Hey. I was wondering if you could teach me Shoanti?”
At the weaponsmith’s, he asks how much he could get for the adamantine arrowhead, the masterwork shuriken, and his brass knuckles.
He picks up the dagger and looks it over, checking for any similar markings that he can see to see if it’s the same dagger as the last one.
He then places it on the table and takes out one of the cards in Zellara’s deck. ’Zellara. Is there any magic connected to this dagger? I had another silver dagger that I gave to someone else and the next day, it vanished.’ He tentatively taps the edge of the card on the dagger.
Korriban heads into the Rosa in Fiore, Adoros following behind him, after bidding Diamon, Gadriel, and Teodor a comfortable goodnight. Korriban can hear young Chelish man talking with Lidda next door as he drifts off to sleep.
LIALDA
Lialda smiles at your enthusiasm. "I envy you, boy. I'd dearly love to see Blackjack walking these streets again!" Her grin fades. "I do worry, though...in times past, Blackjack's always seemed to appear when Korvosa is in trouble." She shakes her head. "I'm sure it means something, Korriban. But it may not be wholly good."
FALKO
The huge bouncer smiles down at Korriban. "I would be happy to teach you some words, young sir. We can start once I'm off-duty for the night." He frowns when you mention Thousand Bones and Eats-What-He-Kills. "I do not know them personally, but Thousand Bones is a famous shaman of the quah. His reputation for wisdom was surpassed by none when I left the Storval to come here." Falko's look is almost wistful. "Eats-What-He-Kills was a young man, then--about my age, I'd guess--but he was a renowned warrior. He earned his reputation fighting...oh, what was it? A clan of orcs, I think. Single-handed."
VENCARLO
The gray-haired gentleman strokes his light beard and smiles. "You're an able fencer, Korriban, and a sharp wit to boot. But if you really want to do Korvosa a service, you need to start actually working out your mind. Study. Read. Someone who wants to make a difference in political reality needs to be familiar not just with this city's byways and alleys, but with its rulers and their genealogy, the strictures that bind or loose the different arms of government, and the proper protocols to approach or beg a favor from different officiants. Not that I've done much of that last," he adds with a wink.
RAINA
Raina's more than happy to spar with you and offer you pointers at Old Tusk's gym. In fact, several of the regulars there take an interest in you, and the two of you quickly become a regular sight there.
THE DAGGER and LIQUIDS
It certainly does appear to be the same dagger...the exact same dagger...that you gave to Bravasi. When you touch Zellara's card to it, you sense confusion. "I do sense...magic. But it has no powers that I can identify."
The blue liquids also pose problems but of a more mundane sort. You sense disinterest. "These are not magical."
AT THE TEMPLE OF SHELYN
The nearest priest, a well-dressed and comely young man, smiles at your approach. "I do not know whose this might be, sir, but I'm more than happy to bring it to the attention of the higher priests of the temple. If they are not able to find its owner, we can at least add it to the temple's collection of beloved mementos." Seeing that your business is done, the priest offers a brief blessing, then departs.
PRISONERS
Kroft snorts. "Tallak remains obstinate, but secure. As for the others..." she shakes her head. "One of the blue fellows managed to set himself on fire--on fire!--by getting into a beam of sunlight, and both are clearly mad. The freak isn't mad, but he's stupid, and violent. One thing is clear, though: the necromancer you captured isn't the top of the food chain. He calls himself Vreeg, and he apparently studies under a man named Rolth." Kroft frowns. "I've heard of this necromancer--nasty work. You're lucky he was out when you called."
When you ask about detectives, Kroft shrugs. "Korriban, I don't know what to tell you. The Guard is honestly too busy right now to spend time on decades-old missing person cases. If you're interested in the private sector, well...there are a few people I can recommend."
VANCASKERKIN
Verik looks surprised and more than a little wary when he sees you, but he accepts his gear willingly enough. "I...thank you for the offer. I may accept yet, but I need a few days to straighten things out...see some people. Is that alright?"
A few days later, as promised, Verik shows up and begins work as a guard at the Rosa.
WINTHRUNE SISTERS
Unfortunately when you return to the Gray, you find the lair...well, empty's not quite the right word. But the library seems to be gone. Someone's been here and cleaned it out while you were away.
You get the strong feeling you shouldn't linger.
Imperia and Celia are happy to see you, of course, and point to a bookseller where you can sell Vreeg's spellbook.
HARROWING
When you ask Zellara your question, the cards shiver slightly. After a moment, you hear a voice behind you. "I can perform a reading any time you like, Korriban."
Turning, you see an image of Zellara hovering there, smiling down at you sadly. "Just say the word. I must tell you, though...I can't promise you that you'll like the results."
Garnet amulet = 100 gp
Amber necklace = 350 gp
Adamantine arrowhead = 30 gp
(normal?) brass knuckles = 5 sp
Masterwork shuriken = 3 gp 1 sp
Vreeg's spellbook = 20 gp
TOTAL: 503 gp, 6 sp
Here begins a new chapter in our story: the second book of the Curse of the Crimson Throne.
Starday, 5th of Rova, 4708
Days pass, and turn into weeks. The heat of the summer slackens as the city begins to return to something resembling normal, though tensions remain high and dislike of the Queen is undisguised. Blackjack, though a popular figure once more, makes no further appearances, and your lives are occupied by the minutiae that ordinary people live with. Aside from occasional requests for more information about what you found in the Gray, Field Marshall Kroft rarely asks to see you, and your own lives keep you more than busy enough. The celebration of one of Korvosa's most beloved saints, Saint Alika the Martyr, passes without incident, red and white flowers bedecking the whole city (real or, in many poorer quarters, paper) and platefuls of oysters sold cheaply in the taverns and restaurants. The informal celebration known as Crabfest--the first harvesting of the crabs that winter in the waters of Conqueror's Bay--happens just a few days later.
The only thing out of the ordinary takes place in the wee hours of the morning after Crabfest, when most inhabitants of the city are sleeping off the abundance of shellfish they've eaten during the day. A few hours before dawn, the evening's peace is shattered by a wooden screech and the distant boom of a trebuchet being fired, wakening citizens in North Point and Old Korvosa. The first shot is followed by several more that seem to be coming from a point on the city wall near North Bridge, but after a few moments, the weapon stops. No more sounds are heard from the river that night.
The next day, rumors abound in the city of Ulfen pirates from the north, ghost ships, or a Shoanti raid in long canoes made of human skin, but no one seems to have reliable information. The Crimson Throne is silent on the issue, even the politicians who normally delight in public appearances seeming at a loss to comment on the strange event. All that's certain seems to be that some ship sailed into the harbor, and was fired on--but whatever the danger was, the people regard it as generally passed.
"Shouldn't be talkin' about it, Bret," he growls. Seeing that you still want more information, he sighs. "Yeah, I was there. We made plenty of offers to that ship, askin' it to identify and so on, but none of us got any sort of response." He leans forward. "Y'know what? For all I could tell, it didn't look like there was anyone on that boat at all." He shakes his head. "Don't know what to make o' that..."
That was two nights ago. Now, as the shortening days of early autumn start to draw in, you receive a message...
Lialda frowns and rises. "By all means, I suppose--what could he want? It's not tax season..."
"Beggin' your pardon, ma'am, but I'm not here on official business," a voice says, and as Falko stands aside, Grau Soldado makes his way into the room. He looks anxious and preoccupied. "Not here for pleasure, neither, I'm afraid. I'm, uh...well, I've got somethin' to ask of you," he says, indicating the three of you around the table as he approaches. "Most specifically, uh...you. Mr. Teodor."
"You see, sir, my niece is sick. I don't know what she has and neither does her mother, or anyone in Trail's End. She's broken out all over in red pocks and can barely keep down food, or even the swill that good-for-nothing herbalist gave her. Her mother's talking about going to the Bank of Abadar, but her family can't afford to pay the prices those clerics would demand. Then I remembered how you and your friends handled yourselves during the riots, and how you helped me out, and I figured you all could help. A bunch of resourceful folk like you, I'd bet if you don't already have a way to fix this you must know who can. Surely you can't just sit by while a child suffers, can you?" He spreads his hands wide as though in an appeal to Teodor's decency. Or perhaps sanity.
Trail's End is a poor community that you've heard is dangerous, and walking through the streets here, it's easy to believe. There are a number of toughs and thugs lounging in alleyways, on porches, and in front of the occasional tavern. Your dress--and, you get the feeling, your features--earn you some glares. The place feel distinctly un-urban: more like a small town than a district of the city. When you spot what should be Grau's house, you're surprised to see a dark-skinned man in clerical vestments of Abadar being pulled into the house by an eager young boy.
It started routinely enough; Madam Helvara had gotten a request from someone to meet in their private quarters, and she assigned you the task of going out to the apartment in the Midland's and seeing to this person's "needs." The person in question turned out to be a man--just shy of thirty, you'd guess--who introduced himself as Ishani. He seemed nervous, but things were going pretty well, when all of a sudden there was a knock on the door.
"Father Dhatri? It's Acolyte Endyrion." And just like that, you found yourself bundled into a closet.
It took you a few moments to gather your wits, and when you were finally able to figure out which was out, you realized that the sound of voices outside had ceased. Fumbling your way out of the closet, you find that Ishani is gone. A quick survey of his personal effects reveals the holy symbol of Abadar engraved or stamped on many of them, giving you some idea what kind of priest he is. What you don't find, much to your annoyance, is any kind of payment.
Ishani's been gone for a little while it seems, but fortunately it's not hard to track him by asking about a dark-skinned man wearing clerical robes. The trail leads north, then over the bridge, and then toward a tiny area you've never heard of called Trail's End. The place seems more like a small town than a neighborhood of the city, and it's clearly dirt poor. Varisian toughs loiter in the streets, and more than a few of them--as well as old Varisian mothers wrapped in shawls--make signs to ward off evil as you pass.
Finally, you find someone willing to talk, and they direct you toward a house in the northern end of town...you don't see any sign of Ishani, but he must be in there.
Not long before closing your clinic today, you find that a note was left for you while you were treating one of your highborn patients. Tearing it open, you find it to be from one of your favorite "clients:" Tayce Soldado. Tayce, a widowed mother of three in Trail's End, was one of the first to welcome you to that community, sharing several meals with you while you were treating people in the area. Just this past winter, you treated her for a bad bout of typhoid fever, and her boys have been singing your praises to the local toughs and opinion makers ever since.
Her note reads: My dear Doctor: I hope you won't think it too forward of me to reach out to you, but I am at my wit's end. My daughter, Brienna, has come down with some sort of sickness I've never seen before, and nothing seems to help at all. She's broken out in red pocks and can't stomach any food. It's been almost a full day now and she only gets worse. I'm worried that if this goes on too much longer, it will kill her. Please, if you are coming to Trail's End tonight, won't you stop by our house?
Of course, you set out immediately. When you walk down the main street of Trail's End, an outlying community more like a separate town than a part of Korvosa, your well-known face is greeted by the occasional call or jest from the normally tough Varisians who live here. "Hey, Doc!" "Good t'see you again, boyo." "How's it goin', Doc Bartori?"
You can see Tayce's house at the end of the road, and you'd swear you could hear raised voices coming from it...
Pietro had just finished with his last patient; he was disgusted. He felt used and that all his knowledge was being wasted on arrogant fools. This last woman wanted him to use his alchemical skills to prepare a lotion to erase her wrinkles! And she was barely older than he was, certainly no more than 40 years old.
The note cheered him up and worried him at the same time. Soon after dark, he would shed his doctor's clothes and head out to Trail's End. With his magic bag in tow, he could take all he needed to treat the sick and wounded and none would know the difference. His initial concern that he would be robbed was quickly assuaged and part of that was because of the Soldado family. I hope Brienna is OK he thumbed an old musty book to see if the symptons matched anything he had studied before but decided it was best for him to take a look at the patient. He looked out the window from his clinic at the Heights, willing it to get dark...
A couple of hours later and he found himself in Trail's End. he talked to some of the 'boys', rough Varisians, who filled him in on the strange occurrence of a couple of nights ago. Pirates, up the river. That was no good
A few minutes later and he was at Mrs. Tayce' house. He pulled back the hood from his cloak and knocked on the door. Someone yelling?
Teodor draws himself up to his full height and puffs his chest out. "Sir, it is now our highest priority! I do so love a good pox!"
Adoros' face flickers with a look of distaste at the talk of poxes and sickness as he sets his glass of wine back down on the table. He glances at Teodor at his response to the plea for aid and then turns to look at Korriban and whispers under his breath, "I wonder if he means to fight it or spread it."
Lantressa was not pleased, she was having a good time showing the man a really good time, and all of a sudden she found herself tucked away in the closet. That wouldn't have been bad in and of itself, what made it bad was that he took off, even worse...he forgot to pay for her services. Why that thrice damned ass! How dare he! Lantressa always had a bit of a temper, and it was getting the better of her. She spotted what seemed to be his favorite set of clerical vestments, her claws were poised to rip them apart but she took a deep breath and calmed herself. Exiting the closet she grabbed her clothing from the floor and put it back on, she'd already wasted too much time to follow him immediately, she'd have to go looking for him.
After a bit of effort Lantressa traced him to Trail's End, a rather bad section of town, one that she was not welcomed in, not that this wasn't unusual for her. She pulled her hood up and continued asking for him, finally finding someone willing to help her. With the information in hand Lantressa said, "Thanks, if you want repayment, go to Madame Halvara's, ask for me and I'll give you a good price for your help." With that she hurried off to a house near the north end of town where he was supposed to be at. Having reached the home, and seeing no sign of the priest, Lantressa marched up to the door and knocked as politely as her currently short temper would allow saying, "Father Dhatri! I know you're in there, we need to settle up."
Selawyn was feeling a little stir crazy. The lack of any real paying jobs was starting to make her jittery and nervous, but it was the fact that Grau had been missing that had truly made the waiting unbearable. She had been drinking a bit more than usual as she worried over what could have happened to her friend, but when she got the news she was overjoyed to finally have a lead to follow. She had to finish up a small job, but it wouldn't take long. A few days and she would be ready to go.
The fact that she finally had a lead was tempered by the fact of where Grau was staying. Trail's End was supposedly a cesspool of villains and other unsavory people. She knew that she would have to be prepared and for that she made sure to put on her fullplate and keep her weapon close while leaving most of her coinage behind as she headed out to meet Grau. Along the way she asked a few townsfolk about the recent disturbance she had heard about, but the majority of people just shied away from her and were unwilling to talk she assumed that the disturbance might have something to do with the hellknights due to this, but she continued on regardless.
A few hours later walking through the poor community of Trail's End she was sure that the place had been named after its purpose. Most of the people looked like they were on their last legs and those who didn't seemed to be hostile towards her, but Selawyn was confidant that they wouldn't try anything. Even with her confidence though Selawyn made sure that her guisarme was always ready to draw in case someone tried something. She was surprised when she saw the cleric of Abadar being led into the home by the young boy and she hoped that nothing terrible had occurred. Moving forward quickly she tried to catch the two of them at the door. "Hello, there I'm Selawyn a friend of Grau's. He sent me a letter asking me to visit him a few days ago and I just got the time to come here. Is everything all right?"
ADOROS
Korriban smirks as he hears Adoros and Lidda chatting it up, happy that his sister is finding someone.
LIALDA
Korriban nods. "Right. Which means we need to be careful. I got a feeling that things are going to get worse."
FUNDING THE ROSA
When Korriban has the funds from selling everything, he gives his mother 150 gp. "Here. More money for the Rosa."
MORE SHOPPING
While out, Korriban decides to sell his thieves' tools and upgrades to a masterwork set. He also sells his masterwork studded leather armor.
He then buys a bag of vicious caltrops, 2 smoke pellets, a flask of alchemist's fire, and a tanglefoot bag.
FALKO
Korriban smiles and Falko. "Alright! Let's get to learning words!" When the Shoanti man describes Eats-What-He-Kills, Korriban just looks at Falko. "So, moral of the story is that Eats-What-He-Kills is a bad**. Got it." His brow raises. "He didn't... eat those orcs, right?"
LIDDA
Korriban is hanging out with his sister, Lidda, at the Rosa one day. He turns to her and asks, "So... you and Adoros. How's that going? You two were awfully chatty when we got back home."
VENCARLO
Korriban looks at his teacher. "Expand my mind? How? Where can I find the books? Or should I just ask around on the streets? Or... maybe both?" The young rogue sighs. "I want to do that. I want to learn more to be more effective. I'm just asking for a way to get started."
RAINA
Korriban trains with Raina, making conversation with the patrons of the Old Tusk gym. For the most part, Raina proceeds to kick the young man's a**. It does teach Korriban how to be careful and watch his enemy. He does tell Raina what the team has been up to since she left.
THE DAGGER AND LIQUIDS
Hearing Zellara saying that there was magic that she can't identify, Korriban's eyes widen. He slowly picks up the dagger and stares at it. "What the hell are you?"
Korriban looks at the liquids carefully.
AT THE TEMPLE OF SHELYN
Korriban nods at the young man. "Thank you. May Shelyn watch over you." He then heads back home.
PRISONERS
Korriban sighs. "So, one of the blue guys committed suicide and Tallak still isn't talking. D**n. At least the other two are being somewhat compliant." When Kroft brings up Rolth, Korriban gulps. "So there's another necromancer running around? Great. Just great."
Korriban thinks about the detectives before saying to Kroft, "Who would you recommend? I would like to at least talk to them."
VANCASKERKIN
Korriban nods at Verik. "Take all the time you need."
When Verik shows up at the Rosa for a job, Korriban smiles and welcomes him with open arms. "Verik! Good to see you! So glad you decided to take the job! It may not be the Guard, but it's something! Here, let me show you around!"
WINTHRUNE SISTERS
Korriban goes down to investigate the Gray and collect the books. However, he finds the place abandoned and everything gone. He walks around carefully, the tension mounting. Eventually, he decides to cut his losses and leave.
Korriban smiles at the sisters. He does have lunch with them, sharing stories about what happened over the last few weeks. He thanks them for pointing him in the direction of the bookseller and heads off, making the sale with no problems.
THE HARROWING
Korriban is shocked when he sees Zellara's ghostly form. He then regains his composure and looks down at the cards. He thinks it over very carefully. Does he want to know? Can he bear the truth? What if... He shakes his head. He stares at the cards and says, "Let's do it, Zellara. I... want to know about my birth parents."
The last few weeks have been hectic. Everything had been wearing down on Korriban's mind, causing a lack of sleep. However, after everything, Korriban is returning to his normal self. He's been getting enough sleep. He has decided to return to his clean shaven look. He's also spent time celebrating Saint's Day and Crabfest with enthusiasm. When the ship had arrived and that mess had gone down, Korriban had been just as curious as everyone else. He decided to ask around.
When he talks to his friends, mother, and sister in the common room, Korriban says, "I've been asking around. Rumor has it that a bunch of pirates from Riddleport entered the city. They refused inspection and when they reached the bridge, the captain gave the order to fire. That's just what I've heard."
When Grau enters, Korriban waves at him. However, when the guard asks for Teodor, Korriban looks back and forth between the two. A smirk appears on his face. He leans back in his seat and kicks his feet onto the table. "Oh, this ought to be good." He listens to Grau as he explains. Korriban feels for the guy. When Adoros whispers to him, Korriban smirks and replies, "You're not the only one, Smokestick." The young rouge stands and looks at Grau. "I can't speak for Teodor. But, I'm willing to help you out." Korriban smirks as the priest agrees to help. "Well, then! Looks like we've got something to do today!" He also tries to figure out what he knows about Trail's End.
When the two men are alone, Korriban looks at Adoros and smiles. "So, you and Lidda. What's going on there? You two were awfully chatty when we got back to the Rosa a few weeks ago."
Selawyn catches up with the dark-skinned man and the young boy as they're entering the door and introduces herself. The young boy stares at her. "I'm Rello. Grau's not home right now. But you c'n wait in here if ya want..." Without saying anything more, he pushes his way into the home.
"My name is Ishani Dhatri," the dark-skinned man says quietly as you enter. "I'm a priest of the Law-Giver. Apparently one of the children here is sick...I've been dispatched to look into the situation."
Inside, Rello disappears upstairs, and a few moments later, a careworn woman nearing forty descends the stairs. If she were less wan and distracted, she'd be good-looking in a homespun way. "My name is Tayce," she says. "Father Dhatri, is it? Thank you for coming. Lady Selawyn, I'm Grau's sister-in-law. I'm afraid he's not home right now--he had some idea of his own to get help for my daughter--but he should be home this evening. You're welcome to wait here if you'd like. But in the meantime, I'm afraid I have a sick child to take care of. Father, if you'd come with me?" She and Dhatri quickly disappear upstairs, leaving you to watch Rello and his brother, Charlo, playing quietly in the living room.
For a little while, all is quiet. Then there's a knock at the door, and a call of, "Father Dhatri! I know you're in there, we need to settle up." With an exaggerated sigh, Rello gets up and opens the door. Then he starts back, with a gasp. A tall, slim, tanned woman with two short horns extending from her temple stands there, wearing a...somewhat less than modest robe. Rello stares for a few moments, then manages to stammer out, "He, uh...he's with my mother right now...but would you like to...come in?"
Lantressa and Selawyn have barely had more than a few minutes alone when the door opens again and, to Selawyn's delight, Grau enters the chamber...accompanied by three men neither of you have seen before. One is a tall, fair, blond man in armor, who carries a strange, shiny pole; another, shorter, is dark and armed with a rapier. The third, older than the others, is dressed in ragged clothing and stares about him, looking slightly vacant, as he enters the building. Grau is mid-sentence. "...don't know where it came from, and neither of us have seen anything like--" He cuts off as he sees Lantressa. "Um. Who are you?"
Just then, Tayce comes down the stairs, followed by Dhatri. She's not happy. "If your god would let a child die while he stands by--" She comes up short. "Grau...who are these?"
Several things happen at the same time.
"Selawyn!" Grau exclaims, seeing his friend in the corner for the first time.
"Oh no, you must be Kroft's group he was talking about," Tayce says. "I'm so sorry he's put you to this--"
"Is that a priest?" Grau exclaims. "Tayce, we discussed this--we can't afford--"
"By the Golden One's Key!" Ishani pales. "It's you!"
Just at that moment, there's a knock on the door. There's a brief moment as everyone stares at it incredulously, then Tayce crosses to it and opens it. "And what do you want--oh, Doctor Bartori!" she exclaims, coloring slightly. "Please, come in. I...wasn't sure if you'd be able to respond to my note yet or not." The bespectacled, clean-shaven man enters, blinking and pulling the hood of his cloak down.
It's starting to feel a bit cramped in this tiny living room...
Attempting to break the ice--or, perhaps, escape--Dhatri mutters, "I'm going to make that drink I mentioned..." and disappears into the kitchen.
Tayce clears her throat. "Why don't we all...start from the beginning. My name is Tayce Soldado. This--I think you all know? Is Grau, my brother-in-law. Selawyn I have met. And the rest of you...are you all here for Brienna?"
Lantressa was caught off guard by Rello, she didn't expect a child to answer the door. She took pity on the poor kid, flustered as he is, and said with a sigh, "Yes, I'll come in and wait, thank you." With that Lantressa entered and took a seat. Well this is awkward, what's he doing here? I guess I really have no choice but to wait, I'm not making a scene here when there are children around. Adjusting her robe and cloak to appear a bit more modest Lantressa examined the room, looking at the place from her seat as she waited.
As Grau entered with his companions Lantressa realized that this could get very ugly and started looking for an exit, preferably one she could use without having to cast any spells. She was just about to respond when Tayce and Dhatri came down the stairs, the sight of the priest distracted her from escaping as that anger came back, though not as strong as before. Lantressa's smile turned rather naughty as she replied, "Yes Dhatri," her tone was full of sarcasm, "We still need to settle up. As for a drink I'll have one too and I'll come with you. You didn't leave payment for my services before you took off so I had to chase you down to get it." She looked around at those gathered as she rose and walked gracefully to Father Dhatri, and hooked one of her arms through his before he could take off again, "From the looks of things though I think I can forgive you. With a doctor called there must be someone sick in this home, I can forgive you for that."
With that said she turns to the rest of the room and throws her hood back to better reveal her features, "I'm Lantressa Darksong, and I have no idea what is going on here other that this is where Father Dhatri is. My apologies for arriving like I have, you can thank the good Father here for the inconvenience that is me today." Realizing that she'd been asked whether she was here for Brienna Lantressa replied, "I'm afraid that I don't know who that is, but if it's what brought father Dhatri here then yes, I suppose in a sense that I am."
The young man straightens himself, "I am Dr. Pietro and I am here to see Brianne." He looks away from the clearly under dressed tiefling but having been to many 'rich' parties, wonders. do I know her?
He nods to Tayce, "Mrs. Grau here can vouch for me and I'm here on her request."
He waits for others to tell him to leave or worse, "Can I go see and check on Brianne?"
"It's uh...not really that kind of...nevermind," Dhatri mutters as he flees.
"I figure this will help the child sleep," he says softly, seeming more comfortable now that he's away from the crowd. "It's the least I can do...and the most, unfortunately."
In the living room, Tayce rolls her eyes at Ishani's departure. "Worthless priest...I'm sorry, Doctor. Of course, please come upstairs. And if any of you have any skill at healing, you're welcome to come too...only please be quiet. Brienna is very weak."
Brienna is a pretty young girl of about twelve, older than her brothers by a couple years. At the moment, however, she's pale and shivering, clearly in the throes of a bad fever. Her face and neck are covered in an angry red rash that looks almost like chicken pox, but larger and more splotchy.
"Mom...? Who's this...?" she asks, lifting her head weakly. "Someone who can help you, Little Breeze," Tayce says firmly, sitting by her head. "I hope."
"Mom...? Who's this...?" she asks, lifting her head weakly. "Someone who can help you, Little Breeze," Tayce says firmly, sitting by her head. "I hope."
Pietro is quick to pull out a leather bag and starts to examine the young girl, "It's OK, Brienna. It's me, Dr. Pietro."
After taking her pulse and other medical ministration, the Dr. explains, "I'm not sure what is causing her disease but I know that she needs help in fighting back. I can concoct a beverage that will help her regain her strength."
After a minute where the man mixes liquids and herbs from different containers, he gives the child the warm beverage to drink.
Seeing the child regain some of her color, Pietro then speaks to Cayce, "Keep her well hydrated. She should sip water or warm broth all day long. I'll come back tomorrow to check on her."
"BTW, how did she become sick in the first place?"