"Speaking of the Emperor's thugs... what do you know about him? We understand he's enacting a harsh 'justice' on the locals. He's not making life any easier around here."
Callie shrugs. "It looks like we need to get to the Old Dock and find Scream. I expect if he's been seen with Orsini, time is definitely of the essence. Anything else we should know before we go?"
"He certainly isn't," Amin agrees, "But I'm afraid I don't know much more about him beyond that. They say that he's quite the terror and has some kind of execution device called the 'tall knife' that he subjects his enemies to, that he's a cannibal, that he's a devil, that he's killed more people than the blood veil did...all wild rumors, to be sure, but I've tried to steer clear of him."
He spreads his hands. "I wish I had more to offer you. But beyond Scream's address, 140 Wave Street, there's not much I can tell you. Godspeed, all..."
The address that Amin gives you isn't too far into Old Dock, but it's in a rough-and-tumble neighborhood, right on the Narrows (the channel of water that rushes between Old Korvosa and Endrin Isle). Although you spot a few more people out on the streets as you make your way into Old Dock, no one accosts you. Indeed, most of the local populace seems rather intimidated by your well-armed group. As you approach the address itself, you see that it's a leaning, decrepit building not far from one of the now-destroyed bridges over the Narrows. On the far side of the bridge, three Gray Maidens loiter with arrows nocked to their bowstrings...but they do nothing but watch you suspiciously from across the fifty feet or so of water.
The building itself looks run-down and perhaps abandoned, though it's still standing--which is more than can be said for the boardwalk beyond it, one end of which has clearly collapsed or been shattered. A massive sinkhole has opened where the boardwalk used to be, steep muddy sides leading down to the water.
A quick examination of the house reveals that there are two doors: one on the north end of the east side, closest to the street, and one around back on the boardwalk.
Lantressa listened as the Amin told them what he knew. The information about the painter was a good lead and she was glad they ran into him now. As things wrapped up and they prepared to leave she rose and said, "Thank you Amin, we'll do what we can to help Orsini if we can find him."
When they reached the docks and Lantressa saw the Grey Naudebs across the water she gave serious thought to tossing a fireball at them. Ultimately she decided that it would be best not to and continued to move along. When they found the house and the sinkhole she asked, "I wonder what caused that to happen?"
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Curious, Callie examines the sinkhole. She's not surprised to see broken docks, but the sinkhole is odd. She wonders if it was made by something crashing into it... or someone burrowing into the ground.
Teodor listens at the door.
Matoska thanks Amin and sets out, ranging out ahead of the group a few times in his impatience, but he slows down when he lays eyes on the shack. The sinkhole and broken pier catch his interest long enough to establish that nothing large and toothy lurks beneath the water, then the warrior turns his attention to the door.
Callie begins to approach the sinkhole, but Matoska puts out an arm to stop her. He's heard something moving in the water...a large creature, maybe more than one, sloshing around! As the two of them watch the sinkhole, Matoska hears the following:
Just after Matoska hears this, a strange tentacle with eyeballs affixed to it snakes out of the sinkhole and looks your way, quickly withdrawing! Standing on tiptoes (at a healthy distance) you can see three large, tentacled bodies mostly (but not entirely) submerged in the water.
Teodor, listening at the closer door, doesn't hear anything from the rooms beyond.
Callie mouths a "thanks" to Matoska and backs away.
Without speaking, the Shoanti lays a hand gently on her arm to get her attention and tilts his head to indicate the creatures in the water. "We have company," he says softly, scanning the area and avoiding staring at the water. "Three...somethings...in the water, large and long-limbed. I can't imagine what they're doing here, but it's a bit much to be a coincidence."
"He certainly isn't," Amin agrees, "But I'm afraid I don't know much more about him beyond that. They say that he's quite the terror and has some kind of execution device called the 'tall knife' that he subjects his enemies to, that he's a cannibal, that he's a devil, that he's killed more people than the blood veil did...all wild rumors, to be sure, but I've tried to steer clear of him."
He spreads his hands. "I wish I had more to offer you. But beyond Scream's address, 140 Wave Street, there's not much I can tell you. Godspeed, all..."
Lantressa listened as the Amin told them what he knew. The information about the painter was a good lead and she was glad they ran into him now. As things wrapped up and they prepared to leave she rose and said, "Thank you Amin, we'll do what we can to help Orsini if we can find him."
Korriban nods as he stands. "Yeah. Thanks a lot for the information, Amin. We'll find Master Vencarlo and get him to safety."
The address that Amin gives you isn't too far into Old Dock, but it's in a rough-and-tumble neighborhood, right on the Narrows (the channel of water that rushes between Old Korvosa and Endrin Isle). Although you spot a few more people out on the streets as you make your way into Old Dock, no one accosts you. Indeed, most of the local populace seems rather intimidated by your well-armed group. As you approach the address itself, you see that it's a leaning, decrepit building not far from one of the now-destroyed bridges over the Narrows. On the far side of the bridge, three Gray Maidens loiter with arrows nocked to their bowstrings...but they do nothing but watch you suspiciously from across the fifty feet or so of water.
Korriban moves across Old Korvosa with confidence and determination. At some point, he puts Vencarlo's bag away into his backpack. When he sees the house, Korriban says, "Wow. What a dump. And since we're in Old Korvosa, that's saying something." When he notices the Gray Maidens looking at them, Korriban sticks his nose in the air like he's better than them.
The building itself looks run-down and perhaps abandoned, though it's still standing--which is more than can be said for the boardwalk beyond it, one end of which has clearly collapsed or been shattered. A massive sinkhole has opened where the boardwalk used to be, steep muddy sides leading down to the water.
A quick examination of the house reveals that there are two doors: one on the north end of the east side, closest to the street, and one around back on the boardwalk.
When they reached the docks and Lantressa saw the Grey Naudebs across the water she gave serious thought to tossing a fireball at them. Ultimately she decided that it would be best not to and continued to move along. When they found the house and the sinkhole she asked, "I wonder what caused that to happen?"
Korriban looks at the docks and the sinkhole. "I don't know. But I'd rather not find out."
Just after Matoska hears this, a strange tentacle with eyeballs affixed to it snakes out of the sinkhole and looks your way, quickly withdrawing! Standing on tiptoes (at a healthy distance) you can see three large, tentacled bodies mostly (but not entirely) submerged in the water.
Korriban blinks as the eye tentacle pops up and looks around. "What?" It then disappears and Korriban looks down the sinkhole (from a safe distance, of course). He sees the things and says, "Guys? What are those?"
Without speaking, the Shoanti lays a hand gently on her arm to get her attention and tilts his head to indicate the creatures in the water. "We have company," he says softly, scanning the area and avoiding staring at the water. "Three...somethings...in the water, large and long-limbed. I can't imagine what they're doing here, but it's a bit much to be a coincidence."
Korriban says, "Yeah. That's... odd. I really don't want to get close to them." He looks around. "So, let's check out the house." He then looks around the house and checks out the windows (while keeping out of the range of the tentacles).
Korriban creeps carefully around the outside of the house, staying as far away from the sinkhole as he can. Several of the windows are unblocked, but he doesn't see any signs of movement within. The closest room is a simple foyer, though its floor seems to be covered in mud, as though a small army had tramped through it. Moving down around the boardwalk, Korriban discovers that the next two windows are both tightly shuttered, and passes the back door. The first window on the west side of the house looks into a shocking sight of decay: the room appears to have once been a combination kitchen/storeroom, but now brightly colored fungi cover nearly every surface, in some cases so completely that it's impossible to tell what lies beneath. The next window looks in on a more ordinary, if still decrepit room that holds a single bed, in disarray. More muddy bootprints pattern the floor here, and Korriban spots a splash of something dark brown on one of the pillows. The final window, on the north side of the house, looks onto a dark, unadorned hallway that leads to a southern doorway that's solidly closed.
Korriban can just barely see the faint flicker of candlelight below the door visible at the southern end of the hallway.
Callie follows into the house, walking quietly.
Matoska waits for the casters to proceed, throwing one final hard stare at the creatures in the water before bringing up the rear.
"Seems like a poor idea ..." Teodor walks in anyway.
Korriban creeps carefully around the outside of the house, staying as far away from the sinkhole as he can. Several of the windows are unblocked, but he doesn't see any signs of movement within. The closest room is a simple foyer, though its floor seems to be covered in mud, as though a small army had tramped through it. Moving down around the boardwalk, Korriban discovers that the next two windows are both tightly shuttered, and passes the back door. The first window on the west side of the house looks into a shocking sight of decay: the room appears to have once been a combination kitchen/storeroom, but now brightly colored fungi cover nearly every surface, in some cases so completely that it's impossible to tell what lies beneath. The next window looks in on a more ordinary, if still decrepit room that holds a single bed, in disarray. More muddy bootprints pattern the floor here, and Korriban spots a splash of something dark brown on one of the pillows. The final window, on the north side of the house, looks onto a dark, unadorned hallway that leads to a southern doorway that's solidly closed.
Korriban can just barely see the faint flicker of candlelight below the door visible at the southern end of the hallway.
Korriban is grossed out as he sees the inside of the house. "It is so gross in there. There's muddy footprints all over the place, brown stains on the pillow, and there's fungi growing all over the kitchen. However, I do see a light coming from underneath the door at the south end of the hallway." Korriban sees Teodor heading in. "Well, I suppose that's our plan then." He follows, sneaking in and keeping an eye out.
"Wait, mushrooms have had time to grow all over the kitchen, but there's a light? I don't like this."
Callie keeps following Korriban.
Everyone moves into the house, moving carefully. Matoska waits until everyone is inside, warily keeping an eye on the creatures in the sinkhole, before he follows the others in and closes the door firmly.
The rooms inside are much as Korriban saw and described them: muddy boot prints cover the front room, and cross the northern end of the hallway into the bedroom. At a closer view, the dark brown stain on the bed is clearly dried blood, and both rooms look like they’ve been barged through in a hurry. Whatever happened here exactly, it seems like it wasn’t peaceful...
Korriban and Callie creep stealthily forward to examine the door leading into the southernmost chamber. Candlelight definitely flickers from the crack below it, but you don’t hear anything from inside. The door, at a glance, doesn’t seem to be locked or trapped.
"Hmmm. About a half dozen people attacked a man in bed, and dragged him out."
"Hmm, I'll take your word for it," Matoska moves towards the door, holding his ear near it and listening carefully.
Keeping well back from the Otyugh's as they crossed the remainder of the boardwalk Lantressa looked at the things with something like revulsion. They weren't very pretty creatures and she decided avoiding the fight was the preferred option.
As they entered the building Tressa looked around her in curiosity. The fungus that was pointed out disturbed her and she found herself agreeing with Callie, "I don't like it either." She shrugged, "I guess we'll just have to be careful." She looked to where Teodor pointed and nodded but otherwise kept an eye out for trouble.
Matoska doesn’t hear anything on the other side of the door so, moving carefully, Korriban opens the door.
The room beyond is tightly shuttered, but the air smells strangely fresh and scented, no doubt due to the six large candles that light the room. Each of the candles has been affixed with a glob of melted wax to the crown of a gleaming, polished skull, and each of these impromptu and grisly candleholders has been placed on an otherwise clear desk to the west, arrayed in a gentle arc. A chair sits before the desk, and a careful arrangement of papers and scrolls is stacked neatly inside the arc of skulls. To the south stands a nearly empty cabinet, its shelves barren but for a few paintbrushes and a cracked pottery urn.
The sole inhabitant of this room is sitting so still that you’re not sure at first if she’s breathing—as the door opens to it’s full extent, though, she turns, shifting her head slightly toward the door. The bushy-haired elf is slender but looks strong; she wears spiked leather armor and a spiked chain lies coiled at her side. Her eyes flutter open as she comes out of her meditation and focus intently on you. She blinks once, then twice.
Then a grin breaks out over her face. ”Oooooohhh! New friends! Hello, everyone! I’m Laori. Who are you? If you’re here, does that mean you’re also looking for our friend Salvator?” She claps her hands excitedly.
Everyone moves into the house, moving carefully. Matoska waits until everyone is inside, warily keeping an eye on the creatures in the sinkhole, before he follows the others in and closes the door firmly.
The rooms inside are much as Korriban saw and described them: muddy boot prints cover the front room, and cross the northern end of the hallway into the bedroom. At a closer view, the dark brown stain on the bed is clearly dried blood, and both rooms look like they’ve been barged through in a hurry. Whatever happened here exactly, it seems like it wasn’t peaceful...
Korriban looks at the room. When Teodor points at what probably happened, Korriban nods. "I'll take your word for it as well. It does make sense."
Korriban and Callie creep stealthily forward to examine the door leading into the southernmost chamber. Candlelight definitely flickers from the crack below it, but you don’t hear anything from inside. The door, at a glance, doesn’t seem to be locked or trapped.
Korriban sweats as he looks at the door. He opens the door...
Matoska doesn’t hear anything on the other side of the door so, moving carefully, Korriban opens the door.
The room beyond is tightly shuttered, but the air smells strangely fresh and scented, no doubt due to the six large candles that light the room. Each of the candles has been affixed with a glob of melted wax to the crown of a gleaming, polished skull, and each of these impromptu and grisly candleholders has been placed on an otherwise clear desk to the west, arrayed in a gentle arc. A chair sits before the desk, and a careful arrangement of papers and scrolls is stacked neatly inside the arc of skulls. To the south stands a nearly empty cabinet, its shelves barren but for a few paintbrushes and a cracked pottery urn.
The sole inhabitant of this room is sitting so still that you’re not sure at first if she’s breathing—as the door opens to it’s full extent, though, she turns, shifting her head slightly toward the door. The bushy-haired elf is slender but looks strong; she wears spiked leather armor and a spiked chain lies coiled at her side. Her eyes flutter open as she comes out of her meditation and focus intently on you. She blinks once, then twice.
Then a grin breaks out over her face. ”Oooooohhh! New friends! Hello, everyone! I’m Laori. Who are you? If you’re here, does that mean you’re also looking for our friend Salvator?” She claps her hands excitedly.
Korriban blinks at the seemingly cheery elf surrounded by the morbid scenery. He decides to try and talk to her for information. Putting on his best smile, he says, "Well, Laori, my name is Korriban. It is a pleasure to meet you. Given your question, you must be looking for Salavtor as well. Can I ask you why? And what the skulls are for?" He racks his brain for any information on her.
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Callie raises an eyebrow at the lady. Okay, what is it with the weird perky BDSM elves that keep showing up?
She nonetheless smiles. "I'm Cobalt. We are looking for Salvator. But it looks like he was rudely dragged out of bed some while ago. You know anything about that?"
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"Sorry to interrupt your, er, rest. But yes, you've sussed us out. We're looking for Mr. Scream. Damn, now I want ice cream."
As he takes in the room and its occupant Matoska's eyes widen before he catches himself, schooling his expression and immediately confident that this encounter would end violently. Still, there was no harm in trying to get a little information out of the strange elf.
"I am called Matoska Tekeni, may we have the pleasure of your name?"
The elf nods to each of you as she clambers to her feet, scooping up the chain and looping it around her shoulder. "Pleased to meetcha, Korriban, Cobalt, Matoska, and...?" she glances at Teodor and Lantressa questioningly.
"Like I said, my name's Laori! Laori Vaus. I'm not from around these parts--from up near Riddleport, originally--but I've been in Korvosa a little while now, taking in the art scene. I'd be super-interested in talking to Mr. Scream, as you call him, about his inspiration. His muse, as you were. As for the skulls, those are the artists I've been looking for!"
Seeing the looks on your faces, her eyes widen and she holds up her hands. "Oh hahahahahaha no, wait, sorry, it's not like that! I swear! Lemme start again."
She clears her throat. "In addition to being an art lover, I'm a follower of Zon-Kuthon. You know, the Midnight Lord? When I got to Korvosa, I was surprised to find that a number of artists on the scene here were doing work that incorporated what looked like, to me at least, pretty clear Kuthite themes! So, naturally, I decided to track them down and ask them about where they got their ideas. Only problem is...all six of the ones I've been able to find so far are dead. All suicides, funnily enough. Or not, I guess. They mostly killed themselves after the old king's death, over the course of a couple weeks. I dug up their skulls in the hopes that they might be able to tell me something, but so far...eh." She gives a what-can-you-do shrug. "Those on the table are Jeonia, Boathar, Velaka, Maxtel, Yvos, and Imon. Say hi if you want!"
As far as any of you can tell, she's telling the truth...Teodor gets the idea that there may be more to the story than she's willing to share openly, at least right now, but she hasn't lied.
Laori is giving you all a calculating look. "I'll admit I do think I know who took Salvator Scream and where they've gone...but information isn't exactly free, you know. What say that we team up? We both want to find him, he's in a place (trust me) that you'll need some help with...it could be to both our advantage. If it helps, I found something of interest in here that I could add in to sweeten the deal a bit."
Callie stares at the woman. "Wait, you desecrated graves just to get information?" She shakes her head. "I'm not even gonna bother with the moral argument with a pain-worshipper, but you know this town is full of minions of Urgathoa, right? You're lucky those skulls didn't bite your fingers off."
She looks at the party. "What is the queen's issue with artists, anyway? I doubt Sabor's work was akin to Scream's, but her framing AND six mysterious artist deaths after the king's death? This smacks of Ileosa's machinations."
Callie turns back to Laori. "Proposals for cooperation are all well and good... but how long have you been here? Do you have any idea what's been going on?"
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Moving deliberately, Matoska steps into the room to examine the skulls, bending down for a closer look without actually touching them. If that gets him closer to this strange and somewhat unsettling elf, well, that's surely just coincidence.
"Like I said, my name's Laori! Laori Vaus. I'm not from around these parts--from up near Riddleport, originally--but I've been in Korvosa a little while now, taking in the art scene. I'd be super-interested in talking to Mr. Scream, as you call him, about his inspiration. His muse, as you were. As for the skulls, those are the artists I've been looking for!"
Korriban blinks, looking between the skulls and Laori. "What?"
Seeing the looks on your faces, her eyes widen and she holds up her hands. "Oh hahahahahaha no, wait, sorry, it's not like that! I swear! Lemme start again."
She clears her throat. "In addition to being an art lover, I'm a follower of Zon-Kuthon. You know, the Midnight Lord? When I got to Korvosa, I was surprised to find that a number of artists on the scene here were doing work that incorporated what looked like, to me at least, pretty clear Kuthite themes! So, naturally, I decided to track them down and ask them about where they got their ideas. Only problem is...all six of the ones I've been able to find so far are dead. All suicides, funnily enough. Or not, I guess. They mostly killed themselves after the old king's death, over the course of a couple weeks. I dug up their skulls in the hopes that they might be able to tell me something, but so far...eh." She gives a what-can-you-do shrug. "Those on the table are Jeonia, Boathar, Velaka, Maxtel, Yvos, and Imon. Say hi if you want!"
Although you've never heard of this elf woman, one of the names of the skulls does ring a bell: Velaka Hoon, you know, was a writer that your mother admired, although she always said her books were scandalous in ways both good and bad. They combined romance and sometimes pretty gruesome horror. Hoon was a minor celebrity, and you had (vaguely) heard that she killed herself weeks ago.
Korriban listens to her explanation When she's finished, Korriban says, "Zon-Kuthon? God of Pain? Brother to Shelyn? Well... that's interesting. Honestly, didn't expect this while on the search." He approaches the skull of Velaka Hoon. "Um... Hi, Velaka. I heard about you. My mom was a fan of your books. Sorry about... uh... what happened to you."
Callie stares at the woman. "Wait, you desecrated graves just to get information?" She shakes her head. "I'm not even gonna bother with the moral argument with a pain-worshipper, but you know this town is full of minions of Urgathoa, right? You're lucky those skulls didn't bite your fingers off."
Korriban shivers. "Yeah. That was a big risk on your part, Laori. I mean, a beautiful woman like you wouldn't do well as a zombie." He smirks and gives a wink.
She looks at the party. "What is the queen's issue with artists, anyway? I doubt Sabor's work was akin to Scream's, but her framing AND six mysterious artist deaths after the king's death? This smacks of Ileosa's machinations."
Korriban turns to Callie. "Well, with Trinia, it was convenient for her because Trinia had been commissioned to do a portrait of the king and the king was being... flirty with her. Petty jealousy provides a reason for a scapegoat. As for the other artists, I don't think she had anything to do with their deaths. As far as I know, Velaka did commit suicide. So, maybe they all did commit suicide." He shrugs.
As far as any of you can tell, she's telling the truth.
Korriban nods as he manages to figures her out.
Laori is giving you all a calculating look. "I'll admit I do think I know who took Salvator Scream and where they've gone...but information isn't exactly free, you know. What say that we team up? We both want to find him, he's in a place (trust me) that you'll need some help with...it could be to both our advantage. If it helps, I found something of interest in here that I could add in to sweeten the deal a bit."
Korriban thinks on it before. "I'm not opposed to working together. But, Blue's right. We'd like a bit more information."
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Kind of surprised at this turn of events Lantressa greeted the woman, "I am Lantressa Darksong and I greet you as a cousin in Faith. As a follower of Shelyn I will accept your offer of aid from a follower of her brother."
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Korriban shivers. "Yeah. That was a big risk on your part, Laori. I mean, a beautiful woman like you wouldn't do well as a zombie." He smirks and gives a wink.
Callie tries to keep a straight face. I hope that cheesy line works to keep her friendly, because that woman looks like she could and would flay him alive and be laughing along the way.
Korriban turns to Callie. "Well, with Trinia, it was convenient for her because Trinia had been commissioned to do a portrait of the king and the king was being... flirty with her. Petty jealousy provides a reason for a scapegoat. As for the other artists, I don't think she had anything to do with their deaths. As far as I know, Velaka did commit suicide. So, maybe they all did commit suicide." He shrugs.
At this the eyebrow does launch into her forehead. "Oh? ALL SIX just coincidentally committed suicide right after the king died. Uh-huh. You know Korriban, I've got this deed to the bridge to the East Shore, you interested in buying it?"
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"Careful, Special K. Don't think you're quite ready for a lady of Ms. Vaus's caliber. She'll have your cock off before you have your rocks off. Callie makes a good point. You know artists ...temperamental with a mental temper. And all it takes is one to start a trend, next thing you know they're all painting dead unicorns or killing themselves or whatever they think is hip. Maybe they were despondent at the rise of this ...I won't say false queen because all monarchs are false. The Lord Taketh, and the Lord Taketh Again, as the scripture says. Teodor is the name, and I serve the True Last God, humbly and with a certain amount of style. Everything dies, so of course these artists died. But six, with two more missing, if you count Vencarlo's act as art. How long've you been here, Mistress Elf? I fear we may be wasting time. Also, any chance the terrible tentacled terrors outside are friends of yours?"
At this the eyebrow does launch into her forehead. "Oh? ALL SIX just coincidentally committed suicide right after the king died. Uh-huh. You know Korriban, I've got this deed to the bridge to the East Shore, you interested in buying it?"
Korriban shrugs. "I don't know. It makes the most sense to me. I mean, why would the Queen order the executions of six minor artists and make them look like suicides?" He chuckles and points at Velaka's skull. "Maybe Velaka wrote a steamy romance novel starring the Queen and some chains."
"Careful, Special K. Don't think you're quite ready for a lady of Ms. Vaus's caliber. She'll have your cock off before you have your rocks off. Callie makes a good point. You know artists ...temperamental with a mental temper. And all it takes is one to start a trend, next thing you know they're all painting dead unicorns or killing themselves or whatever they think is hip. Maybe they were despondent at the rise of this ...I won't say false queen because all monarchs are false. The Lord Taketh, and the Lord Taketh Again, as the scripture says. Teodor is the name, and I serve the True Last God, humbly and with a certain amount of style. Everything dies, so of course these artists died. But six, with two more missing, if you count Vencarlo's act as art. How long've you been here, Mistress Elf? I fear we may be wasting time. Also, any chance the terrible tentacled terrors outside are friends of yours?"
Korriban looks at Teodor in confusion. "Special K?" He then shakes his head. "Well, I'm not too concerned. In case you haven't noticed until now, I'm covered in scars. So I have some experience. I should be fine." He thinks to himself. '...I think...'
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"Yeah. That was a big risk on your part, Laori. I mean, a beautiful woman like you wouldn't do well as a zombie." He smirks and gives a wink.
Despite himself, Matoska starts visibly at this blunt line, amusement warring with alarm on his face as he glances sharply at Korriban. Cool your blood, boy, she looks like she'd as soon peel you like a grape as bed you. Think with your head!
Moving to examine the next skull-candle in line, the Shoanti man takes another step closer to the elf, half-turned away from her but watching out of the corner of his eye.
Seeing Matoska staring at him, Korriban raises an eyebrow. "What?"
Korriban shrugs. "I don't know. It makes the most sense to me. I mean, why would the Queen order the executions of six minor artists and make them look like suicides?" He chuckles and points at Velaka's skull. "Maybe Velaka wrote a steamy romance novel starring the Queen and some chains."
"Why would the Queen kill her husband, dismantle the Marine force supposed to protect her, and let Urgathoans spread a plague through the whole city? We're not talking about a rational individual. And now you're laughing at a murdered woman whose eternal--until Groetus does his thing, Teo--rest was disturbed by a lady who thinks high fashion is dressing as a hybrid kyton-porcupine because she thought it was a good idea to use the artist's desecrated remains as a candlestick. What is wrong with you?"
She flashes a look at Laori. "Sorry."
She waits for Laori to respond to other questions before saying anything else.
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Korriban blinks and is taken aback as Callie chews him out, his smile quickly leaving. He frowns and becomes serious and apologetic. "Sorry. I was just trying to lighten the mood with a joke."
Laori blanches slightly when Lantressa introduces herself. ”Shelynites...oi. Alright then...” Shaking it off, she addresses the group. ”I’ve been holed up here for just a couple of days, since I found it empty. I’ve been in Korvosa for a little more than a month now...I came into the city pursuing a criminal on behalf of the Nidalese government, pursuing a criminal, but I understand she’s been brought to justice. I figured out the political lay of the land pretty quick, and came through the plague unscathed...though having a direct line to the Midnight Lord helped a lot, I admit. I don’t know anything about ‘tentacled terrors,’ though now you’ve piqued my interest! The offer to share information still stands, no offense taken (though I’m surprised you’re all so sensitive about using the dead for divination). Does that answer your questions?”
”Oh, and as far as Korriban goes, don’t worry! I don’t like to mix business and pleasure. And I would never cut off a sexual partner’s organs or limbs!”
”Well, not without the properly blessed scalpels, in any case.”
Callie fixes a smile, with one eye on Korriban. "We'll let you know if we find any scalpels."
She shrugs. "Anyway, like I said, the dead around here are as like to use you. We killed the Urgathoan high priestess a month ago, but her minions are probably still lurking. Consider yourself warned. The 'terrors' seem to be monsters lurking in the pit outside. And, with apologies for the lack of clarity, I meant how long had you been in this house?"
"As for what we're doing, we were initially investigating the fire at the Orsini Academy. Orsini was seen shortly before arguing with Scream so he was a hint as to what might be going on. I'm not inclined to believe Scream is responsible, but clearly both fellows are involved in something pretty big, given the artist was dragged out of his bed."
Laori blanches slightly when Lantressa introduces herself. ”Shelynites...oi. Alright then...”
Korriban frowns slightly at this. "I worship Shelyn to some extent as well. But, whatever. To each his own."
Shaking it off, she addresses the group. ”I’ve been holed up here for just a couple of days, since I found it empty. I’ve been in Korvosa for a little more than a month now...I came into the city pursuing a criminal on behalf of the Nidalese government, pursuing a criminal, but I understand she’s been brought to justice. I figured out the political lay of the land pretty quick, and came through the plague unscathed...though having a direct line to the Midnight Lord helped a lot, I admit. I don’t know anything about ‘tentacled terrors,’ though now you’ve piqued my interest! The offer to share information still stands, no offense taken (though I’m surprised you’re all so sensitive about using the dead for divination). Does that answer your questions?”
Korriban nods. "Sounds good to me so far."
”Oh, and as far as Korriban goes, don’t worry! I don’t like to mix business and pleasure. And I would never cut off a sexual partner’s organs or limbs!”
Korriban sighs in relief. "Well, that's good. I really like my organs and would prefer to keep them in their place, thank you."
”Well, not without the properly blessed scalpels, in any case.”
Korriban's eyes widen and a bead of sweat drips down from his forehead. "Okay. In the hypothetical situation that happens, can I say that I'd rather not have any blessed scalpels involved? Would I have any sort of say? I mean, I already look like a slab of meat fresh from the butcher's. I don't need that look to go any further."
Callie fixes a smile, with one eye on Korriban. "We'll let you know if we find any scalpels."
Korriban turns to Callie. "Please don't."
She shrugs. "Anyway, like I said, the dead around here are as like to use you. We killed the Urgathoan high priestess a month ago, but her minions are probably still lurking. Consider yourself warned. The 'terrors' seem to be monsters lurking in the pit outside. And, with apologies for the lack of clarity, I meant how long had you been in this house?"
Korriban just listens to Callie speak, not really having much to say.
"As for what we're doing, we were initially investigating the fire at the Orsini Academy. Orsini was seen shortly before arguing with Scream so he was a hint as to what might be going on. I'm not inclined to believe Scream is responsible, but clearly both fellows are involved in something pretty big, given the artist was dragged out of his bed."
Korriban manages figure out that Callie is lying and decides to help out. "Yeah. There's something going on and it's best to find Orsini as fast as we can. And the best way to do that is to find Salvator first."
"In this house? Just a couple of days. When I got here, Scream was already gone. Been hanging out here, chatting with my skulls and meditating, since. Trying to plan my next move when you guys showed up! I personally think it's really fortuitous, and I think we can help each other--even though I have no idea who this 'Orsini' is. But you want to ask Scream questions. I want to ask Scream questions! Neither of us has found Scream! We should team up! Because I thiiiiiiiink I know who diiiiid iiiiiiit." This last line comes out sing-song, with a mischievous smile on her face.
She sticks out a hand for Callie to shake. "Whattaya say? I think we could both use help dealing with the people who abducted Scream, and I'll throw in some more info for free..."
"If we share an enemy I see no reason not to cooperate," Matoska murmurs, turning away from the skulls at last to face the elf.
"In this house? Just a couple of days. When I got here, Scream was already gone. Been hanging out here, chatting with my skulls and meditating, since. Trying to plan my next move when you guys showed up! I personally think it's really fortuitous, and I think we can help each other--even though I have no idea who this 'Orsini' is. But you want to ask Scream questions. I want to ask Scream questions! Neither of us has found Scream! We should team up! Because I thiiiiiiiink I know who diiiiid iiiiiiit." This last line comes out sing-song, with a mischievous smile on her face.
She sticks out a hand for Callie to shake. "Whattaya say? I think we could both use help dealing with the people who abducted Scream, and I'll throw in some more info for free..."
Korriban listens to Laori's information. When she says that she knows who might have taken Scream and that she has more information, Korriban shows interest. "She know plenty of information it seems. I say we take her offer. Would be good to have another ally watching our backs."
Callie deftly, subtly shifts between Korriban and Laori so that suddenly Korriban is the closest person to Laori to be able to shake her hand. Or were they always just standing in that position to begin with?
"Why are you looking at me? You're the boss, Korri. Shake her hand if you feel the need to seal the deal." She smiles brightly.
Korriban notices Callie's bluff. Deciding to be brave, Korriban steps to Laori and holds out his hand to her. "You got yourself a deal, Miss Laori. Let's work together."
Draconas
