Laori grins and seizes Korriban's hand, shaking it eagerly. She doesn't seem to notice the switcheroo Callie pulls. "Awesome! Great! Lemme throw my stuff together and we can get underway." She scampers around the room, tossing things into her bag--including, most unceremoniously, the skulls.
"So, when I got here Salvator was already gone, like I said. I couldn't find any immediate info, but fortunately one of his neighbors showed up later that day, coming to check on the place. I think I intimidated her a bit...I can have that effect on people, for some reason! Anyway, she told me that the people who showed up here and dragged him away were almost certainly thugs in the employ of the Emperor of Old Korvosa, so-called. She said that Salvator had been worried about such an eventuality, apparently because he used to know this Emperor fellow. So, I figure the only thing to do is go seek out an audience with him...and see what we can make of it! Hopefully he's just brought Salvator along to be his pet artist or something, and we can figure out some kind of trade.
"But while I was digging around the house, I also found this. I don't know much about it, but it might be of interest to you..." She holds out a battered, bloodstained piece of cloth that bears the city's crest on it. "It seems like it was part of some politician or official's uniform...but I don't know anything more about it! Seems like your Mr. Scream was mixed up in some rough business, though, what with there being blood on this. And that scrap looked like it had been there for a while."
Once someone else takes the scrap of cloth, Laori shoulders her pack. "So, any other questions you guys have? Anything else you wanna look into here? I'm ready to go!"
"The Emperor. Of course, it always going to come to this," Matoska muses. Turning back to the others, the Shoanti smiles mirthlessly. "I'm afraid I may not know the correct etiquette for addressing royalty, but I think we should inquire with His Highness all the same."
"Odd. Seems to be a strange thing if it was old." She looks at the group. "Should we search anywhere else in the house? What was up with all the mushrooms in the kitchen?"
"And those tentacle things ...the hell is up with them? Seems a big coincidence."
Korriban watches as Laori scampers around the room. "Hey! Watch the-" The skulls are thrown into the bag. "Um... Never mind." He listens to Laori's story. When she brings up that the Emperor's goons took Scream, the rogue sighs. "Of course. Why am I not surprised?" When she brings out the bloodied scrap of cloth, Korriban takes it and examines it.
Korriban frowns. "I don't recognize this. It does seem odd, though."
"I don't know if it's old per se--but I think it's been there for longer than Scream's been gone, at least," Laori comments. "Like I said, I don't know anything about tentacle beasties! Not my style. If you need help killing them, I can swing a chain, but I say we just leave them be.
"And if by 'mushrooms' you mean that gross yellow mold that's growing all over the kitchen in there..." she jerks her thumb at the door behind her (the only one you haven't passed through). "I poked my head in there a few days ago, but that mold is on everything, and when I tried to walk over it the spores puffed out and I started to feel real unwell. I don't recommend it, honestly. But feel free to dig around if you want to!"
Korriban scrunches his nose at the mention of the mold. "Well, I'm not going in there. And I agree about leaving those things out there alone. No need to get into a fight with them."
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Korriban looks at the scrap of cloth again. After a few seconds, it finally clicks. ”Guys! I finally recognize this cloth! It’s part of the sleeve from Seneschal Neolandus Kalepopolis’s jacket! That means that he was here!”
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"Or that someone wanted to frame Kalepopolis. Or that Scream collects weird souvenirs off people, which given his artwork, isn't a far out idea. Anyone heard of what Kalepopolis is up to lately?"
"Why is this man's presence or not significant?"
"The castle seneschal, huh?" Laori raises her eyebrows. "I'm with Matoska--I dunno who that is or why he's important, though it seems like he must be. Regardless, should we head outta here?"
"He was also forced out by the Queen."
Korriban looks at his friends incrediously. "Don't you guys remember? We're supposed to find Vencarlo. Vencarlo is supposed to have a lead on the Seneschal Neolandus's location. Scream and Vencarlo are friends. If Neolandus was here, then Vencarlo might have been here. They could have been talking about hiding Neolandus. If we can find Scream, then we might be able to find Vencarlo, Neolandus, or both! Find them and we can score a major blow against the Queen since Neoloandus would have any legitimate claim to take the throne away from the Queen and gather support to do so." He points at Teodor. "At least he has his eyes on the prize."
Lantressa nodded and said, "It seems Vencarlo had more than a lead on the Seneschal, he actually had him in hand." Her eyes glowed a bit stronger as she said, "We're on the right track to take the b%&*~ down then. Let's find him."
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Callie rolls her eyes as her effort to try to make it sound like they were investigating the fire more than Vencarlo himself is dashed. She really would rather the strange elf not know their business--for all they know she is another Red Mantis assassin or something worse, or otherwise someone who might abuse the party's relationship with the guard. There is no point in arguing about it now, however.
She also had no memory of Neolandus being connected to Vencarlo, but chalks that up to not paying attention.
"If all that's left of Kalepopolis, he may be dead. Or if this has been in his house for awhile, Scream may have harmed him, not been trying to help. We know Scream was last seen arguing with Orsini, after all, not collaborating. Still, it adds to the puzzle that this again, all leads back to wrongdoing by the castle. We have good reason to confront the Emperor just for his abuse of the people here alone, all this just gives us good reason to do it quicker. As Lantressa says, let's go."
"Alrighty then! Off we go!" Laori says cheerfully, bounding forward to be the first out the door.
You head out of the building by the front door, so as to avoid the otyughs lurking in the water nearby. As you exit, you notice the Gray Maidens across the water are deep in conversation with a third figure that makes you look twice: a beautiful but scarred angelic figure, with soot-blackened wings. The angelic figure is clearly in command of the situation; she does most of the talking, while the Maidens nod obediently. As you make your way away from the river, the angelic figure, glancing at you with a brief, burning gaze, spreads her wings and alights into the air, beginning to make her way south through the air.
You make your way into Old Dock, which is obviously in worse repair than the rest of Old Korvosa. Trash lies in piles on the streets and the acrid smell of smoke fills the air. Unlike the rest of the district, you don't see any citizens peeking out of doors or boarded-up windows here, furtively or not. The few people you do spot on the streets hurry away from you quickly.
You're getting near the center of the district, and wondering how exactly you'll find this Emperor, when life provides for you. Stepping out of the shadows of an alley, a motley group of men and women--four all told, dressed in shabby leather armor and carrying axes--accosts you. "You lot! What're you doing intruding in the Emperor's domain?" the leader, a burly man with a wiry beard, demands.
Laori glances sidelong at you. "Pssst! Are these the sort of people it's all right to hurt? We never talked out ground rules."
"Good evening, gentlemen. The Emperor sent for us. Special job. We're special types."
Matoska starts to strike towards the bearded man, fully intent on laying him out cold--but he arrests the movement when Teo speaks up. Curious, he settles back to watch how this plays out. "I hope you're not just oh-so-cleverly getting us surrounded," he whispers to the street priest.
Callie stares at the stranged winged woman but has no idea what she may be, other than certain that if she is with the Gray Maidens, she is no angel.
Callie whispers back to Laori. "Usually we try talking first. But Emperor's thugs are fair game if they attack us. Let's see what Teo can do first though."
She steps away from Laori, and toward Teodor to add to his bluff, "You know he doesn't like to be kept waiting, so hop to." She makes a little "cutting" motion across her throat to remind them of the Emperor's favorite way of dealing with people.
Lantressa nodded and said, "It seems Vencarlo had more than a lead on the Seneschal, he actually had him in hand." Her eyes glowed a bit stronger as she said, "We're on the right track to take the b*$&~ down then. Let's find him."
Korriban smiles and cheers. "Yeah! Let's do it!"
"If all that's left of Kalepopolis, he may be dead. Or if this has been in his house for awhile, Scream may have harmed him, not been trying to help. We know Scream was last seen arguing with Orsini, after all, not collaborating. Still, it adds to the puzzle that this again, all leads back to wrongdoing by the castle. We have good reason to confront the Emperor just for his abuse of the people here alone, all this just gives us good reason to do it quicker. As Lantressa says, let's go."
Korriban shrugs. "Well, I like my theory better. More positive and hopeful. And we need more of that these days. I agree. Let's go see the Emperor."
"Alrighty then! Off we go!" Laori says cheerfully, bounding forward to be the first out the door.
Korriban smiles and goes bounding out the door behind Laori.
You head out of the building by the front door, so as to avoid the otyughs lurking in the water nearby. As you exit, you notice the Gray Maidens across the water are deep in conversation with a third figure that makes you look twice: a beautiful but scarred angelic figure, with soot-blackened wings. The angelic figure is clearly in command of the situation; she does most of the talking, while the Maidens nod obediently. As you make your way away from the river, the angelic figure, glancing at you with a brief, burning gaze, spreads her wings and alights into the air, beginning to make her way south through the air.
Korriban sees the woman fly off and narrows his eyes. "Well, that's new. More developments are turning out on a constant basis, it seems."
You make your way into Old Dock, which is obviously in worse repair than the rest of Old Korvosa. Trash lies in piles on the streets and the acrid smell of smoke fills the air. Unlike the rest of the district, you don't see any citizens peeking out of doors or boarded-up windows here, furtively or not. The few people you do spot on the streets hurry away from you quickly.
Korriban looks at the surroundings. "Well, this is really cheery. Old Korvosa is starting to look worse than it did before."
You're getting near the center of the district, and wondering how exactly you'll find this Emperor, when life provides for you. Stepping out of the shadows of an alley, a motley group of men and women--four all told, dressed in shabby leather armor and carrying axes--accosts you. "You lot! What're you doing intruding in the Emperor's domain?" the leader, a burly man with a wiry beard, demands.
Korriban frowns at the thugs. When Laori whispers to them, Korriban whispers back. "Just follow our lead. We can usually tell who we need to hurt."
When the others are bluffing to get in, Korriban decides to help. He crosses his arms and taps his foot in impatience. "Well? We're waiting. The Emperor is waiting for us and we don't have all day. The Emperor doesn't like to be kept waiting, you know."
The thugs are still looking at you suspiciously, but Teodor's glibness sees you through. "...Very well," the leader growls, chewing his lip worriedly. "If yer so...special, as yeh say, guess yeh'd better come with us, eh? Don't go drawin' any of those blades, now. An' follow close." Turning, they lead you deeper into the streets of Old Dock.
Things get progressively worse as you head toward the so-called Emperor's domain. Piles of garbage become more frequent, and the people are ever-more divided into two distinct groups: terrified underlings and swaggering, empowered thugs. You even spot one or two dead bodies, lying under stoops or in shadowed alleyways. But the leader of this motley crew presses on relentlessly, and as you turn onto Silk Street, he and the rest of the crew start calling out.
"Hoi! Mika! We're comin' up with some guests for 'is Majesty's pleasure!" Grinning at you unpleasantly, he bangs on the door to a tenement home. Pushing it open, he leads you into the gutted domicile, which is filled with a pile of rubble, timber, and detritus. A set of rickety wooden stairs leads wraps around the exterior, leading to a gallery--your host takes you up the stairs and along the gallery to a hole in the wall, revealing a rope bridge that sways precariously in the wind. Making his way carefully over the bridge, he leads you (with the rest of the thugs taking up the rear) into the second story of a similar building, the lower floor of which has clearly been filled in to prevent access. Four more enforcers stand guard here, leering at you as you pass onto a second bridge; this one ascends at a steep angle, bringing you to an open-air balcony that is shielded from the sun and rain by a colorful canvas awning. You catch a brief glimpse of a large chair beyond, but he pushes you down a nearby set of stairs and onto a large roof that's covered in strange markings drawn in what looks like blood. The large flat roof faces the balcony on one side, and on the other, abuts several sloping roofs where a quartet of thugs stand guard.
As you turn to face the balcony, you hear your host say, "A group who says they were sent for by you, yer Majesty," as he bows and steps away. Looking up, you see that the inside of the canvas has been decorated with scenes of gruesome debauchery; battlefields, executions, torture chambers, and human-eating monsters all vie for space. The balcony contains two major features of note. The first is a high-backed throne that looks like a poor man’s version of the Crimson Throne, a thing of blood-red cushions and silks and spikes. Directly west of the throne stands an intimidating device: a tall guillotine of carved wood and bone, its base depicting grasping demonic feet and the housing of its glittering blade a leering demonic face. A gnome wearing an executioner's hood stands next to the guillotine.
A sallow, ugly-looking man sits on the mock throne, wearing what looks like it's meant to be kingly attire (but looks more like ratty costume pieces). His face is pockmarked from childhood acne, and what looks like a more serious condition: the man is a survivor of blood veil. He lounges on the throne, eyeing you desultorily, and when he finally speaks his voice is a surprisingly honeyed and engaging drawl.
"We sent for them, yeh say, Carrew? Well now, we don't know about that. We've never seen these people before in our entire lives."
You can feel the thug next to you tense. "Respect, yer Majesty, but I said they said yeh sent for 'em. I didn' say I believed 'em."
"And yet you allowed them to come before me with weapons, boy. Tsk. Tsk tsk tsk. You've been most unthinking." He claps his hands. "Aggira, Jem. Please escort Carrew to a cell where he can be thinkin' on the many, many errors of his ways. If yeh see fit to help him with that by cuttin' off a finger or two, it'd not be remiss." The man who led the group that brought you here snarls, and starts to move, but two of his own troops grab him and wrestle him up the stairs and into the building behind the Emperor.
The Emperor leans forward on his throne. "Apologies for that unpleasantness, my friends. Guests in my realm. Now tell me...who are you all? An' why do you feel the need to be comin' into my kingdom spouting such lies and prevarications?"
"Ah, my good sir Emperor." Teodor bows and genuflects. "The deception was mine, made solely to most efficiently be blessed with an audience with thee. We know the so-called Queen is behind much of all of our suffering ...I see you survived the red veil. It was her doctors that released it upon us all. Fortunately, my brave comrades and I found the cure and dispersed it among the populace. You're welcome. But that's beside the point. We are here on the next leg of our multi-tiered attempt to fix the ailments of our fine city. To that end, we are looking for a couple of people who could help us. And who would know better than the Emperor himself?"
As the evidence of the Emperor's criminal misrule is paraded before him Matoska feels himself grow tense with anger, but he forces himself to calm. The time to right these wrongs was coming. As they stepped into the Emperor's 'court' the Shoanti warrior barely suppressed a sneer, instead eyeing the guards and waiting nervously for his new companions to make whatever ploy they have planned.
As the Emperor bickers with Carrew, Callie uses the distraction to see if she can lift any useful keys from the guards.
Korriban frowns at the sight of the "kingdom" of the Emperor. His fist tightens at the sight of the dead bodies. When the group enters the throne room, Korriban eyes everyone, keeping an eye out for danger, or traps, or an ambush.
He sees the guillotine and frowns a bit more. He listens to the Emperor chewing out Carrew while thinking about where he may have heard about the "Emperor" now that he sees him in person.
When Carrew is dragged off, Korriban smiles and waves. "Have a good time, Carrew. See you later." When Teodor talks to the Emperor, Korriban decides to add into it. "Yes, m'lord. We need your help in our endeavors. We humbly place ourselves before you."
Although everyone's on edge, Matoska and Korriban don't see anyone maneuvering to attack or anything like that. The area you're standing on seems to be some sort of marshaling area...or perhaps even a game field? There are two areas outlined in what might be blood on opposite sides of the field, and at the far ends of the roof are identical small wooden cages set up next to holes in the roof that drop into the unseen upper floor of the building below. The more you look at it, the more it looks like some kind of playing field...but for what insane game, you're not sure.
Korriban is also certain that this man isn't any "real" kind of nobility, although he does seem vaguely familiar...the costumes and backdrops are making you wonder whether he might have once been connected to the theater. But more than that, you're not sure.
Callie, unfortunately, does not see any keys on the guards standing nearby. They're all ordinary thugs...perhaps there's a turnkey somewhere nearby? She casually pockets a couple of purses, just in case. But it seems like all they have are coins.
The Emperor stands up from his throne and saunters forward, leaning against the railing overlooking the roof where you stand. "Ah, you recognize the markings of one who has suffered! Terrible, terrible. We've heard that the so-called Queen Ileosa was behind the blood veil--but then, who'd expect anything else from a Chelaxian strumpet? Oh, we've plans for her, as you may well imagine. When we've finished consolidating our forces here in Old Korvosa--the true Korvosa, of course, whose people we love like our own wee little children--we'll march south to take Castle Korvosa from her and give her to the people and their justice. The Tall Knife may have a word or two to say about that, as it does about so many things." He gestures laconically at the guillotine. How much of his claims are bluster, and how much sincere planning, none of you have any idea.
"But enough about us. We are pleased that you've come before us in humility, seeking aid. What can the Emperor do for you, o lowly ones?"
x100 cp, x10 sp, gp
Lantressa was nervous as they were escorted to see the "emperor" but as it was where they needed to eventually go anyway it seemed their best option to get there easily. When they entered the court she felt a strange allure to the darkness and savagery within. It called to the demonic side of her and was disturbing as usual, especially as it was somewhat arousing in a macabre way. She let the others due the talking for now while she tried to keep a reign on her emotions and watched for any sign of betrayal.
"We seek a man, a teacher to two of my compatriots. Vencarlo Orsini, a native of these parts. His home has burned down, but we think he survived."
Korriban adds in, ”We also seek a man named Salvator Scream. A painter. Do you have him by any chance? Also, I seek some of my family and possessions. I heard that your men had gone to the Rosa in Fiore and took some of our possessions and employees. Do you still have them?”
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Teodor shoots Korriban a look of rage. "If the Emperor decided to tax some of his citizens, that's the Emperor's business."
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Callie, quickly concealing her ill-gotten gains, listens, figuring Teodor has this in hand for the moment.
She does however nod vigorous approval when the Emperor mentions attacking Korvosa's castle. The Queen's minions would make short work of these buffoons, but the effort to put them down would still weaken the Queen's defenses--and provide a distraction if they needed to break in to do some real damage. If encouraged properly, this could be a way to destroy the Emperor and cut the Queen's knees out.
Korriban frowns at Teodor. "Well, that doesn't mean his men can take my family. I hold no ill will towards our gracious Emperor. I just ask from my family's return."
"Whatever personal business you have with his highness can wait. Stop interrupting. The adults are talking."
Korriban smirks. ”Of course the adults are talking. Why do you think I’m here? I was allowed to speak to the Emperor as well. And I don’t mean that our mission doesn’t come first. Business first; personal affairs later.”
”Oh dearie me. Do y’all need a minute? Should I go make sure this little family squabble doesn’t air too much dirty laundry in public?” the Emperor drawls. A couple of his goons let out loud (probably fake) guffaws. He smirks and continues.
”Unfortunately we can’t comment one way or the other on the work of our Imperial Revenue Service agents. If they removed movables or persons from your family’s hovel, then they surely were in their rights to do so. I mean, we told them to take anything that seemed valuable from anyone who gave them trouble, and we are in charge now. So by extension, they are in charge. That’s how government works. If you mislike it, we refer you to our head of bureaucracy, Jabbyr.” He gestures at the gnome in the executioner’s hood standing next to the guillotine, who grins maniacally and waves.
”As for your case of missing persons, we regret to inform you that we cannot help you. Vencarlo Orsini is known to us by reputation, but we have not the faintest idea where he is. As for the other man you mentioned, Salvator Scream...” the Enperor leans forward, eyeing you all. ”He is a man of great talent, in our service. What would you have with him?”
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“D’you suppose ‘in our service’ means they’re lovers?” Laori mutters, quietly enough to avoid the ears of the Emperor and his goons.
"Maestro Scream was seen talking to our main objective, so it is possible that he might know more. Is there a way we can speak to him, your imminence?" Teodor shoots Korriban a look that says Please stop complicating this.
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Korriban frowns at the Emperor’s response and his goons laughing. He sees the look Teodor gives him and nods, deciding to drop the subject... for now.
“D’you suppose ‘in our service’ means they’re lovers?” Laori mutters, quietly enough to avoid the ears of the Emperor and his goons.
Korriban smirks. He whispers (quiet enough so the enemies can’t hear), ”Not sure. Maybe the Emperor is having Scream paint for him.”
“D’you suppose ‘in our service’ means they’re lovers?” Laori mutters, quietly enough to avoid the ears of the Emperor and his goons.
Callie whispers back. "They dragged him out of bed in the middle of the night against his will, so no."
She steps forward, her accent dipping a little into Old Korvosa. Beggin' your pardon, your majesty, but the Orsini Academy was burned to the ground. Seein' as that's part of your rightful realm an' all, you've no idea who did it it? If you like it that way, I've no objections, but if someone's running around wreckin' your property without your consent, we'd be happy to have a little 'chat' with them in the course of our 'investigation.'"
To emphasize Callie's point, Matoska cracks his knuckles at the work "chat".
The Emperor frowns at Callie's question. "Yes, yes...the Orsini Academy is known to us. And yet, we regret to say, it lies in a part of Old Korvosa--true Korvosa, we should say--that is not yet...fully secured by our glorious soldiers. If you discover who did it, though, you have our permission to have a long and enthusiastic 'chat' with them...and, if you would, bring them here to remand to Master Jabbyr's pleasure!"
He then steeples his fingers and sits back on his throne, eyeing you all wickedly. "As for Salvator Scream...he is our houseguest, and will not be departing any time soon. So if you seek to take him from us, it is out of the question!" He claps his hands once, and several of the thugs stiffen--its seems that this signals the end of the audience, for the Emperor stands and begins to move away from his throne.
Just as he gets his back to you, though, he stops dramatically (in the normal and theatrical senses...you get the idea that this madman is enjoying this). "However...we will grant you the opportunity to win the audience you seek." Turning back to you, the Emperor strides over to the railing and gazes down at you in what is clearly meant to be read as magnanimity. "We are always in need of entertainment here in the palace. We will give you the audience you seek--and we will give you an easy escort out of Old Korvosa!--if you can best our favorites, the Shinglesnipes...in a game of Blood Pig." As he leers down at you, several of the thugs set up a cheer.
"Blood Pig! Blood Pig! Blood Pig!"
"Point of order, your highness, we only want to speak to him, not remove him from your grace. However, I'm always a fan of a good game! How does one play Blood Pig?"