Lantressa kicked the saps over to her companions and turned her attention back to the two surrendered thugs. She focused a moment and the grease vanished then stepped towards the one that was dazed and offered him a hand up as she said, "I believe I promised the both of you a good time, why don't we find a place where I can deliver on that?"
Korriban looks at Vendra. He tries to talk her down. "Vendra. Please, stop. This has gone on for too long. It's not too late to give up. We can still make sure you get an easy sentence."
The dazed guard staggers to his feet, wincing as he tries to clear his head. "I'm uh...not sure I'm up t'that...right now. M'lady."
The sturdier one clambers to his feet, one hand to his ribs. "Aye...pretty sure your bruiser there cracked a couple o' me ribs. Not that I'm not interested, mind." He frowns. "But also, aren't you trying to take in Loggari?"
In the alleyway, things are not going so well. Selawyn and Teodor make their way into the alley to see Vendra, reeling, listen carefully to Korriban but then burst into laughter. "Heh heh heh...a 'light sentence...' you're funny! I'm not going to jail, you whoreson little whelp! I refuse! I'm better 'n that...you hear me?!"
Her words don't carry as much weight as they might, since the charmed thug immediately sweeps her legs out from under her and, looking regretful, pins her to the ground. She looks up with a groan. "...maybe we can negotiate?"
In the alleyway, things are not going so well. Selawyn and Teodor make their way into the alley to see Vendra, reeling, listen carefully to Korriban but then burst into laughter. "Heh heh heh...a 'light sentence...' you're funny! I'm not going to jail, you whoreson little whelp! I refuse! I'm better 'n that...you hear me?!"
Korriban laughs at her insult, like she told a joke. He smirks and says, "Well, my mom owns a brothel, so I guess that would make me some form of whoreson." He notices Selawyn and Teodor approaching the entrance to the alley. He smirks and says, "Well, nice of you to join us. I was just chatting with Vendra..." He gestures to the spider. "...uh....Richie, and..." He points at the thug. "Uh... s**t, I don't know his name. Hey, buddy. What's your name? Is it Jerry? Because you look like a Jerry."
Her words don't carry as much weight as they might, since the charmed thug immediately sweeps her legs out from under her and, looking regretful, pins her to the ground.
When Vendra gets slammed onto the ground, Korriban cringes. Sucking in some air, Korriban says, "Oooo. That looked like it hurt. Like, a lot."
She looks up with a groan. "...maybe we can negotiate?"
Korriban smirks and squats down closer to her level. He pokes her nose and says, "Maybe." He gives her a wink.
Korriban stands back up and yells out to the others. "Hey, guys! We got everything all wrapped up back here!"
Selawyn shakes her head at Vendra's words of negotiate. She walks up next to her while tapping her weapon along the ground. "That's a verrrryyyy big maybe. It will probably be dependent on what you can offer us, so start talking."
Lantressa gave the man a smile and said, "Oh, I was heading home, they can handle taking her in on their own. Of course if you aren't up to it now you can always find me at Madame Halvara's."
She looked to her friends then as they bundled up the young Vendra and said, "I trust you can handle things from here? I really need to be getting back home."
Korriban smirks as Selawyn approaches. "You hear that? Our lovely Hellknight here is willing to negotiate. We're being nice here. I'd rather give you honey and roses rather than thorns. I'm just a... mostly nice guy that way. So, let's talk."
When Lantressa asks about the situation, Korriban smiles at Vendra. "Excuse me for a moment." He then stands up and turns to Lantressa. "I think we have it all... wrapped up here." He chuckles at his pun. "You can head on home if you want."
When Lantressa starts to leave, Korriban says, "Hey." Turning around, Lantressa sees Korriban peeking his head horizontally from the alley. His expression is very serious. "I know I probably don't need to say this. But, be careful. If Spiderman gives you any trouble, come find me. I'll end this feud we have." His face glows red and a sheepish smile appears on his face. "And, again, thank you for pretending to be my girlfriend for the plan. It was kind of nice." After her responses, he smiles and nods at her. He then (seemingly) slides back into the alley.
Just before Korriban darted back to the alley Tressa leaned in and kissed his lips quickly before walking off and said, "I'll keep that in mind Korriban."
Vendra laughs hollowly, and weakly, from the ground. "I don't have...much. But I can offer you gold! And...what I have with me." Her eyes widen. "I have a wand...not the one I used on you...a wand that can cure the blood veil! Truly. It doesn't have...many charges left, but it still...works."
The two thugs Lantressa is dealing with wave her off. "Uh...we'll look you up later, perhaps...when we're recovered. Thanks in any case." Unless anyone stops them, they quietly stagger off to recover from their injuries.
Selawyn nods at vendra's words. "That'll be a start. We'll also be taking all the money you earned of scamming people."
Korriban is shocked when Lantressa kisses him again and is left red faced and stuttering as he "slides" back into the alley.
Korriban frowns and his brow raises. "Really? And how can we trust you? I mean, let's face it. The last time you claimed to be able to cure the bloodveil... well, it didn't turn out well for you."
Korriban listens to Selawyn's words and smirks. "Yeah! We'll be taking your money! All of it!" He then has a thought. He leans towards Selawyn and whispers to her out of Vendra's earshot. "What about all of her perfumes and stuff? I mean, it's not like she's going to need it and we could sell them or keep it. What's your take on that? I mean, I don't want to be considered a thief. But, we have taken things off of dead guys before and took the bad guys' things."
"No, you don't..." Vendra says weakly. "It's just...a wand that cures a disease...any disease...like the healing a priest can give you...I've been using it to keep myself and my men clean." She glares up at you, though it's clear she's defeated. "Take it, and take my money. Just let me go...I want to get out of this city."
Korriban looks at Selawyn. "She's being honest. We've already got the information we need and we're getting the money from the con. We also got a lead on that dock worker. We can find him. I'm tempted to say that we let her go. She can't do any more harm." He looks back at Vendra. "But, what'll happen to your shop? I mean, you do have a life here and it doesn't seem fair to just drive you out of town because you made a poor business venture. Maybe we can try to arrange something else if you want."
"She lied to the most vulnerable of this city's people. False hope from a false prophetess. I say she ...ends."
"I don't...that's not necessary!" Vendra gasps, desperately groping at her waist and digging out her wands. "Here...take these...and these..." She pulls off a pair of gold bracelets. "They're protection...but I just want to get out of here. It won't be good...I've got nothing holding me in Korvosa...and plenty of reason to leave. There's a lot of people who are likely to be cross with me."
"The Lord detests those who offer false ends. Convince me further of your life's worth. Mind you, the wealth of this world is but a mite's fart to the Lord."
Selawyn turns to Korriban to whisper back. "If she's abandoning her property then we should be able to take it for ourselves. We aren't stealing it since it's hers and she's leaving it behind right?" Looking back over at Vendra Selawyn grimaces as she considers Teodor's wish to end her. He's not wrong, the law would say to kill her especially since she doesn't know anything about this plague. Selawyn picks up the wands and golden bracelets while looking at Vendra. "I cannot disobey the law in this matter where it calls for me to execute you for this." She then turns her back and walks towards the end of the alleyway. "But I currently need to go get something very important, so I'll be back here in about an hour or so." Selawyn then stops at the end of the alleyway and listens.
"I'm not...how can I? Wait!" Vendra gasps as Selawyn leaves. "You can't leave me here with...with him! This man is crazy! Sick! Both! Please..." Realizing Selawyn is gone, she turns back to Teodor, swallowing hard.
"I don't...I don't know what you want me to say," she say quietly. "I've never hurt anyone in my life, I just...just wanted to make a few gold pieces as quickly as I could. I thought once I had some cash in my pocket I'd finally close up that gods-awful shop and head off somewhere else...maybe Riddleport, I've heard people aren't as snooty there." Her voice hardens. "And besides...anyone who looks around can see that this town isn't going to last long. First the riots, now this plague...there's not going to be a Korvosa to live in, if this keeps up! I was just trying to...find a way out."
Korriban looks at Teodor. "I agree. However, one must also show mercy and compassion. I'm rather surprised that you're willing to show that, Teo. It's refreshing."
He then watches Selawyn leave, a bit surprised. As Vendra explains her actions, Korriban nods. "And that's understandable. However, in your quest for gold, you were trying to sell a cure to a serious epidemic. You made people think that they were immune and when they got sick, they would have continued to come to you for more of a failed cure. Your actions would have led to many deaths among the people. You would have blood on your hands from their lives and your blood money."
When she begins to say that Korvosa's going to die, Korriban frowns. "No. I refuse to believe that. I refuse to believe that Korvosa's going to end. I personally will continue to help Korvosa live. I personally will help Korvosa through her problems. And if Korvosa ends from outside forces and those who wish her and her people harm..." His eyes narrow and his voice gains an edge to it. "...then you better believe, with all of my skills and by Calistria's blessings, that I will personally avenge her."
Korriban looks down at Vendra, racking his brain for a solution to this. Korriban says, "Well, you're putting me in a difficult place. On the one hand, your crimes mean that you have to go to prison. On the other hand, you aren't going to do anymore damage and it might be best for you to be exiled. What to do?"
"I remain ...unconvinced. I will ask again, more simply. How does the world benefit from your survival?" Teodor toys with his heavy flail.
"Let me go?" Vendra says hopefully (and maybe a bit cheekily) to Korriban's last, likely rhetorical, question. When she sees Teodor toying with his flail, though, she struggles against the man holding her and cries, "No! No! I'll be...good. I just..." she trails off. "How does the world benefit from anyone's survival...?"
Perhaps realizing that this isn't the best avenue to walk down, she hurries on. "Well, for you...I've been working to beautify this city for years. My scents and unguents make the world a little more pleasant, a little less...noxious. I like to think that helps everyone, doesn't it?" A gleam enters her eyes. "And my customers include...many of the rich and powerful. If you need them--their money, their influence, their secrets--I may be able to help!"
The thug kneeling on Vendra's back is also eyeing Teodor uneasily. "Awful lot of talk about killin' goin' on here. I decided to help y'all out because...uh...what's her name...the nice, pretty lady said that it'd be better for everyone if Miss Loggari here was turned in...she didn't say nothin' about killing her in the street!" He twists around, distracted. "Where'd she get to, anyway...?"
The second part, however, is sincere.
Korriban is unaware about the sincerity of Vendra's words. When she mentions that she knows people, an idea comes to him. He begins getting excited, hopping in place a bit. "Oh. Oh! Oh oh oh oh oh! I have an idea! I have an idea! Maybe we can talk to the Field Marshal about having her work her sentence and we can have her as an agent and a informant! Think about it, Teo! Our own little bird telling us about what's going on in the city! We'll be able to get a drop on the bad guys! And this might be the start! Maybe we can get a whole flock of little birds!"
"Exactly!" Vendra cries, sounding relieved. "I have connections in high, powerful places. I'm more than happy to help you all out with that! As long as I get some protection from you in turn, I'll pass you any information I come across that you want!"
Korriban gestures to Vendra, a smile still on his face. "See! She's on board with the idea! All we would need to do is talk to Kroft and make sure she's safe! She'd be the perfect addition to our group! This is one of the best ideas I've had! Please, can we keep her?!"
"Help someone who sought profit in the fears of others? No. Do not ask me to go that far
"
Korriban stops bouncing and looks down. "Oh, yeah. She did sell fake cure. And by the new laws, that's a serious offense." He then looks back up at Teodor. "So... what do we do? We can't just kill her. She's begging for mercy and is offering information for us. But the law states she needs to be turned in. I'm really p****d off at her for selling a fake cure to those who needed a cure in order to make a profit, like you, Teo. However, Master Vencarlo did teach me a bit of honor through his training and I want to honor her pleas of mercy."
"Bring me to the guard if you must, but don't kill me!" Vendra cries, apparently seeing that Teodor is implacable.
Korriban sighs and scratches his head. "Yeah. That seems like the best option at this point."
"If that's what it takes..." Vendra moans softly, stifling what sounds like a sob. She goes limp, and the thug gets off her back and helps her to her feet--keeping a firm hand on her. She clears her throat and tosses her head back, trying to keep her lips stiff. "I surrender. Take me to Kroft if you must!"
Korriban looks at Vendra sadly. "I'll try to talk to her. I promise you that, at least."
Selwyn walks back into the tail end of the conversation a bit confused, but hearing Vendra talk about being arrested Selawyn was perfectly happy to escort her down to Kroft's office.
The three of you--Teodor, Selawyn, and Korriban--let the thug hang onto Vendra, at least for the moment, and frog-march the perfumer through the rapidly emptying streets to Citadel Volshyenek. You're granted entrance immediately, and after only a few minutes' wait you're led into Kroft's office.
The world-weary Field Marshall looks up as she hears the door open. "Oh good, you're--back...?" She stares at the group of you, and her lips quirk. "Well...I take it the cure doesn't seem to be effective?"
Once you've told her what happened at the perfumery (or enough to give her a picture, at least), she nods, frowning. "Alright. I'm glad you brought Ms. Loggari here in to me--but we're going to need some proof that this cure she's been selling is fake. If it is," her voice hardens, "then there will certainly be...heavy charges laid against her." Vendra keeps her head down, eyes lowered, not challenging or resisting anyone.
Kroft glances back to you. "Did you manage to obtain any of this so-called 'cure?'"
Korriban smiles gently at Kroft. "Hey, Kroft. We caught on quickly that it was some sort of con." When she asks if they have any of the cure, Korriban produces the vial that Lantressa managed to acquire. "Here it is. Thank Tress for that."
Korriban decides to speak up. "Hey, Kroft. Just a thought. I know that the laws state that falsifying a cure is highly illegal and deserves punishment. And I am quite p****d at her for conning townsfolk with a false cure, just to make a profit. However, she made an offer at her surrender. That she could spy for us and deliver reports. Is there any way that she could get a slightly less harsh punishment and part of her sentence be that she works for us and the Guard as some kind of informant?"
Selawyn nods to Kroft as they enter and stands there while they tell the tale. As Korriban makes his plea for Vendra's life Selawyn waits to see what Kroft's response would be.
"Excellent," Kroft says crisply, examining the clay vial briefly before putting it into a drawer in her desk, carefully nestled in felt wrappings. "We'll administer this to someone who's contracted the blood veil and see if it makes any improvement. If not..." she glances darkly at Vendra.
The Field Marshall listens with interest to Korriban's proposal, her lips quirking slightly. "Is that what she proposed? Hm." She returns to her desk, and begins to fill out some paperwork as she talks. "The idea's not without merit, Korriban, and I'll take it under advisement. But remember that you need to trust a good informant--trust them not only to give you good information, but to work on their own. You can't be holding their hand the entire time." She seals the order and hands it to an attendant, who departs with a quick bow. "And in any case, remember it's not me you have to convince! Ms. Loggari will go before a judge, same as any other perp. I've got nothing to do with the sentencing...but I'll try to put in a word with Zenobia for your proposition."
She gives you a nod, then turns to some other paperwork. Realizing after a second that you're still there, she looks up and says, "I've nothing further for you--if there's nothing else, you're dismissed!"
It's a couple of days before you hear anything further...
A few days pass now, as summer gives way definitively to a gray, intermittently drizzly autumn in Korvosa. You spend most of this time lying low, and looking after your people (whomever you consider that to be). Despite the slow-moving but definite efforts of the priests of various faiths and the curfew, the city is clearly suffering from this plague. The moans of the sick can be heard on even the shortest walks around the city, and Doctor Davaulus's physicians are everywhere. The Guard and the Gray Maidens escort them wherever they go, and the Guards spend a great deal of time (with cloths wrapped around their mouths, etc.) patrolling the city trying to make sure that the sick don't wander out of doors, and that everyone keeps curfew.
Late on Fireday afternoon, you receive a letter--which is a surprise in itself, since few messengers are running in the city these days, especially so close to curfew. When you see the seal, though, you understand: the dark red wax bearing a stylized sunburst made of nails belongs to the Order of the Nail. Unsealing it eagerly, you read:
To Selawyn Grimmauld, Daughter of the Order, greetings:
The Order of the Nail writes to thank you for your timely information and warning about the plague now fomenting unrest and disorder in the streets of Korvosa. The Order has taken swift action, and we are pleased to report that we have managed to procure the lion's share of supplies of antiplague that could be offered by Korvosa's markets. If you remain in the city, then no doubt you will note the increased price of any remaining doses.
This plague has the potential to spell deep trouble for the stability of Korvosa's state and its status as a bulwark against the savage Shoanti hordes of Varisia. Already we have heard rumors of a mob executing a man they believed to be a wererat in cold blood, blaming him and his kin for spreading the blood veil. This action, though reasonable, should be undertaken by the Guard or (more likely) the Hellknights of the Nail! We urge you to be merciless and swift in your execution of justice should you encounter savagery in the streets or the homes of Korvosa; any madmen seeking to spread this plague or to use it to discredit and destabilize the rightfully crowned monarch, Ileosa Arbasti I, must be put down with extreme prejudice. If this plague abates shortly, I would like to invite you to visit us at Citadel Vraid to discuss your future as a possible armiger of the Nail--your father Alexite was a loyal member of the Order, and I remember him fondly from my own days as an armiger. Were it not for this plague, I would extend the invitation today.
I hope that we meet in more stable times.
Treloria Regennoff,
Maralictor
Order of the Nail
On the Starday following Vendra's arrest, you all receive notes from Field Marshal Kroft, explaining that Vendra's cure has been deemed a fake, and that she's been fully incarcerated pending a trial. She tells you that Vendra's goods are forfeit to you, as a bounty for capturing her, and suggests that you all meet a courier of hers at Zellara's house to divvy up the goods. Korriban, Selawyn, and Lantressa arrive at Zellara's without incident and discover a messenger there bearing the package from Kroft: it contains a wand of charm person, which you're familiar with (37 charges remaining); a wand of remove disease with 7 charges left; a masterwork dagger; a set of bracers of armor (+2 bonus); and silver and violet jewelry worth a total of 50 gold pieces.
Teodor seems to have been momentarily delayed, but as the messenger leaves you think you can hear voices outside...
As you begin to make your way toward Zellara's house, you hear a slight noise behind you and, turning, discover a bedraggled looking, somewhat jaundiced woman standing not far from you on the street. She's around 50, and has slightly yellow-tinted eyes. She's looking at you intently. "You the one they call Teodor, then?" she demands, stepping close to you. "I've heard a rumor that you've got the interests of this city's not-so-rich at heart. Is that true? Or just somethin' else that people've made up to torment those who can't defend themselves?"
Falko
"I am Teodor. I serve the Lord, and we serve the real people of this city. The nobles and aristocrats believe in the holiness of wealth. But we see its evil. What can I do for you, my dear?"
"Allow me, my dear, aheh. I've been in the mood to f$~$ some shit up."
Teodor opens the door, showing his guest the way in.
When the letter arrived she found something to alleviate the boredom and slipped out of the ship and off the pier while deftly avoiding the folks desperate for companionship.
Lantressa looked through the various items they had been given with interest. the charming wand might be useful, but she knew she could cast it with far more effect than she would ever get from a wand. the bracers that gave added protection from harm could be worthwhile, the only issue was she could create better protection for herself. They would certainly be worth having to try and get the enchantment improved upon though. She also found the jewelry catching her eye, the stones reflecting the light prettily.
Korriban smiles and nods at Kroft. ”Okay then. Looks like we got a chance. I hope Zenobia likes our proposal.” He looks at Vendra. ”You hear that? We got a chance.”
After Kroft dismisses them, Korriban nods and begins to leave. However, he stops at the door. Turning back, he asks, ”By the way, when’s Tallak’s court date? I have to be there for that.”
Korriban heads back home. On the way, he whistles the tune from a few days ago. He decides to try and put some words to the tune in his head. When he returns to Rosa, he says hello to his mother and tells her of the day’s events.
Over the next three days, Korriban decides to be a very busy bee.
He then tries to find books on a certain figure: Blackjack. Realizing that Blackjack is slowly becoming what Korvosa needs, he decides to find any local stories on him. The rogue also tries to discern the history of Blackjack, figuring that, if he can find out the roots of the figure, then he could use that to help become a hero that Korvosa needs.
Korriban receives the note from Kroft and smiles, happy that justice will be done. He just hopes that the judge will consider their idea of her being an informant. When he arrives at 3 Lancet and sees all the gear that they've been given, he smirks. "Well, that's a lot of good..." He stops when he sees the wand of remove disease. He looks at it intensely. He says, "That. I need that. Falko's sick. I need that to help him." He looks around and doesn't see Teodor. "Hey. Where's our odd uncle?" That's when he hears the voices from outside. He sees the door open...
You pack a lot into the three days before Starday: your training with Vencarlo and Raina's friends is going well, Tayce is pleased to see you and Brienna seems to be doing just fine, and you learn some interesting things about Blackjack as you're researching. It seems that although most people believe that Blackjack's a real person, the consensus is that it's probably multiple people all using the same name throughout history. The figure's been a part of Korvosan society for way too long to be one person, and there was a brief period around 150 years ago when people described Blackjack as appearing to be a woman. Whatever the physical variations, Blackjack is always described as a champion of the poor, and an outspoken critic against any government officials (including monarchs) who rule with too stern a fist and curtail people's rights of speech, association, etc.
Pietro receives you quietly and keeps his distance, explaining that he's managed to get his symptoms under control but suspects that he's still contagious, especially because he's treating the sick now. He's burning the candle at both ends, managing his own disease and those of the people around him. Lidda blushes when you ask her about Adoros. "Yeah, I've seen him a few times...he's a bit stuck-up but he's a good guy. I met him here early on but since then we met down in Midlands, and I've, uh...even been to his place once..." She grins, though it fades quickly. "Haven't seen him as much since this plague started. It's hard when you can't move around as much after dark." Pash and Seme receive you cordially, though they don't have much to report: "I've decided to start with the political angle, Master Balros, since there isn't much else to go on," the Keleshite says as his nagaji companion serves tea, apparently unperturbed by the plague outside. "The most significant event in the time frame that you've described is of course the death of Queen Domina, which saw the ascension of our own lately deceased King Eodred II. Of course, there was a great deal of political turmoil surrounding the changing of the crown, at the time...our working theory, at the moment, is that your parents may have been somehow involved in either the palace staff, or conceivably as advisers to Queen Domina, and that their disappearance was somehow related to her death. But of course that's very much a theory, not a certainty."
The dragonskin grip is easy enough to find, though it's pricey . The building that Lamm once squatted in is empty and silent now, just one more derelict fishery. Your inquiries about Pia don't turn up much, beyond her having been spotted by a couple of other lower class prostitutes in Old Korvosa within the last week.
The party, of course, is a great success.
Everyone looks up as Teodor pushes his way into the room, followed by a wary-looking, slightly jaundiced woman in her fifties. As Teodor closes the door, she takes up a position right next to it, as though she might bolt at any time, but she nods deferentially as you all introduce yourselves (and gives Korriban something of a funny look). Once she knows who's who, she clears her throat and introduces herself.
"My name's Eries Yelloweyes...I'm not normally the sort to come to outsiders to help me solve a problem like this, but well, I've heard good things about you people and..." She hesitates. "And if the people what're planning bad things aren't stopped, there's gonna be a whole lot more harm done to my people." She swallows. "I think I gotta job for you...might be some plunder in it, and what's more...some information. 'Bout this plague that's killin' the people in this city. But to tell you all, I need a promise first: that you won't kill me, and that you'll hear me out. D'you promise?"
Selawyn doesn't do much during her days off instead just focusing on practice with her weapon in her small room focusing on overcoming the limitations of her weapons reach through dedicated training. When Korriban arrives at her home Selawyn makes sure to put away her weapons before greeting him. Seeing the invitation Selawyn happily agrees thinking that a party would be just the thing to take her mind off of all the chaos currently affecting the city.
When they hear the news Selawyn grimly grins at the justice that Vendra recieved. When Korriban brings up the fact that someone named Falko was sick Selawyn immediately nodded. "Then take it and heal them. We should do our best to help everyone we can." Hearing the voices outside Selawyn follows Korriban. When the old woman comes in Selawyn is at first skeptical until the woman asks them to promise not to kill her. "What kind of monsters do you take us for! We wouldn't just kill you out of hand regardless of what you say!" Selawyn realizing that she hadn't answered the old woman's question continues. "You have my oath that I shall take no action to harm you and I shall listen to the end of your tale."
Lantressa's attention was caught by the possibility of information that could help with the plague. Anything that could even slow it down for a bit would be well worth pursuing and she replied, "I don't know why you'd think we'd hurt you to begin with but if what you have is that valuable I can promise you that much."
"This is why you'd try," Eries says, and closes her eyes. Suddenly her flesh ripples and shifts, fur sprouts across her face and body, and her skull elongates until what stands before you is a hideous creature, half-human and half-rat. Eries looks around at you, then rolls her shoulders, as though adjusting her body, and the fur and rat-features recede.
"I am a wererat," she says simply. "I mean you no harm, and I mean no harm to anyone else in Korvosa. My people have lived in the city, in the sewers and warrens, for centuries. In that time, we've faced all manner of foulness. I remember terrible rat-purges in my youth, and now that this disease has broken out, I think we're facing more of the same.
"Some violence has already happened--a young wererat was caught by a gang of citizens two days ago and killed with a silver hatchet. Some gangs have started to explore the sewers, looking for more of us. It's a gods-damned pogrom! The problem is...not everyone is going to take it lying down."
She glances around at all of you. "There's a young firebrand, Girrigz Ripperclaws--a wererat leader of sorts--who's refusing to follow our usual plan of 'run, and hide.' He's calling my people to war on the surface-dwellers! And it's a war the fool's going to lose, and it's the rest of us who'll pay. Someone needs to go reason with Girrigz--and if he won't listen to reason, show him some of the force that Korvosa will offer if he and his followers rebel. I don't want to see any wererats killed if it's at all possible to avoid!" she adds hastily. "The whole thing's got to be done to save lives. But...someone has to stop Girrigz. Somehow."
"What's that?" Kroft looks up, frowning. "Oh...not for another week and a half or so, I believe. Don't worry, I'll let you know."
Korriban smiles and nods at Kroft. "Then it's a date then, so to say. I'll see you then."
Your training with Vencarlo and Raina's friends is going well.
Korriban is happy that he's learning. He is taught that sometimes, one needs to have a good defense to defeat his enemy.
Tayce is pleased to see you and Brienna seems to be doing just fine.
Korriban smiles, glad to see Brienna is doing well. He spends a bit of time with the family, chatting it up with Tayce, playing with the boys and Brienna, and aiding them around the house.
It seems that although most people believe that Blackjack's a real person, the consensus is that it's probably multiple people all using the same name throughout history. The figure's been a part of Korvosan society for way too long to be one person, and there was a brief period around 150 years ago when people described Blackjack as appearing to be a woman. Whatever the physical variations, Blackjack is always described as a champion of the poor, and an outspoken critic against any government officials (including monarchs) who rule with too stern a fist and curtail people's rights of speech, association, etc.
Korriban is surprised at this revelation. That there may be some sort of secret lineage of Blackjacks, possibly being passed down from person to person. And that no one was turned away. He continues on with the research, trying to find some shred of origins or a first appearance in Korvosa.
Pietro receives you quietly and keeps his distance, explaining that he's managed to get his symptoms under control but suspects that he's still contagious, especially because he's treating the sick now. He's burning the candle at both ends, managing his own disease and those of the people around him.
Korriban nods and smiles, glad to see his friend doing well.
Lidda blushes when you ask her about Adoros. "Yeah, I've seen him a few times...he's a bit stuck-up but he's a good guy. I met him here early on but since then we met down in Midlands, and I've, uh...even been to his place once..." She grins, though it fades quickly. "Haven't seen him as much since this plague started. It's hard when you can't move around as much after dark."
Korriban smirks. "Well, glad to see he's treating you right." He then thinks of something. "Hey, I'm getting all of my friends together for a party. I'm inviting Adoros. Want to come along?"
Pash and Seme receive you cordially, though they don't have much to report: "I've decided to start with the political angle, Master Balros, since there isn't much else to go on," the Keleshite says as his nagaji companion serves tea, apparently unperturbed by the plague outside. "The most significant event in the time frame that you've described is of course the death of Queen Domina, which saw the ascension of our own lately deceased King Eodred II. Of course, there was a great deal of political turmoil surrounding the changing of the crown, at the time...our working theory, at the moment, is that your parents may have been somehow involved in either the palace staff, or conceivably as advisers to Queen Domina, and that their disappearance was somehow related to her death. But of course that's very much a theory, not a certainty."
Korriban is shocked by the theory. He sips his tea, trying to take it in. "Wow... Just wow. That's some theory. I don't know how I'd take it if it were true. I thank you for this."
The dragonskin grip is easy enough to find, though it's pricey .
Korriban is interested. He digs through his pouch and frowns at the fact that there isn't nearly enough to pay for a grip. He sighs and apologizes, leaving the blacksmith's.
The building that Lamm once squatted in is empty and silent now, just one more derelict fishery.
Korriban walks around the place, reminiscing about the time he spent here as a child. He tries to figure out if he could use this as some sort of hideout or base.
Your inquiries about Pia don't turn up much, beyond her having been spotted by a couple of other lower class prostitutes in Old Korvosa within the last week.
Korriban nods and takes off, trying to search Old Korvosa for her. He has a score to settle.
The party, of course, is a great success.
Korriban has a really good time, seeing all of his friends getting along with one another.
When Korriban arrives at her home Selawyn makes sure to put away her weapons before greeting him. Seeing the invitation Selawyn happily agrees thinking that a party would be just the thing to take her mind off of all the chaos currently affecting the city.
Korriban smiles and nods. "Be at 3 Lancet. Everyone will be there, including some old teammates of mine and Teo's. I'm sure you'd get along with them."
When Korriban brings up the fact that someone named Falko was sick Selawyn immediately nodded. "Then take it and heal them. We should do our best to help everyone we can."
Korriban smiles at Selawyn. "Thanks, Sel. Falko is the closest thing I have to a dad. I can't lose him. Not like this." He looks at the other items. "So, how do we divide these things?"
Korriban watches as Teodor brings in an older woman. Korriban introduces himself. He is confused as she gives him an odd look.
When she brings up her situation, Korriban listens in interest. When she asks for them not to kill her, Korriban replies with, "Hey, I'm not like that. When I kill someone, odds are, they had it coming. You have my word that I won't raise my sword against you. Especially since you have information that could explain just what the hell is going on." That's when she begins shifting. The rogue's eyes widen in surprise. When she's done and she explains what she is, Korriban stares at her. "Huh. A wererat. Can't honestly say that I was expecting this today." When she explains the situation, Korriban nods. "So, this Girrigz is trying to kill the surface dwellers? Well, that's not very neighborly." He smirks. "Don't worry, Eries. We'll talk to him and stop him. We're really good at that. And no unnecessary deaths! You and the rest of wererats are members of Korvosa! We'll make sure no harm comes to you or the others! Swearsies!"
Korriban looks at his priestly friend and sees the blood veil. He looks at the wand of remove disease. Turning back to Teodor, he says, "Teo. That wand. It can cure your blood veil. Use it. But, I'd like to at least use it. One of my family is falling ill."
The sudden shift of the woman into a half rat half woman creature, while startling, wasn't that bad. Lantressa had never had an issue with rats, or raggedy people, and she didn't have a clue what a were-rat was, so she was more than willing to entertain the idea of helping. "I agree with Korriban," Lantressa replied, "you live here too and shouldn't be hunted. Of course a war by a misguided firebrand isn't acceptable either." She thought for a moment, "What can you tell us about his stance and supporters?"