Matoska is no silver-tongued rogue and he knows it--his skills lay more in battle than diplomacy. But a demonstration of might was crucial to buttressing honeyed words, so the muscular Shoanti crosses his arms and gazes levelly at the various gang leaders, doing his best to project an image of calm confidence and legbreaking expertise. His eyes flicker from gangster to gangster, alert for any sign of trouble.
With a predatory grin he offers his own contribution to the pitch. "If the Queen can be brought low, who's to say your gangs couldn't expand their territories into some of the wealthier parts of town? No more need to scrap for part of Old Korvosa when you could have a slice of the whole city."
There's a long silence as the gang leaders listen to your words, their eyes shifting from speaker to speaker. After you've all finished speaking, there's a brief pause, then Belliquomillifent bursts out into applause.
"Wonderful! Fantastic! Stupendous!" he cries, laughing with evident glee. "You've worked it all out - except, of course, what ultimately happens when or if the Queen ceases to be enough of a problem to distract us. Do we shank you? Do you shank us? Is it just a long, drawn-out shank-fest until there's only one person remaining?"
"Shut up, Bell," Melana says mildly. "Those are problems for another time." She fixes her steel-gray eyes on you. "You've presented us with an interesting challenge, younglings. The power structures that have held for the last few decades in Old Korvosa are the things that have brought us to power and sustained us - but you're right that, in the face of this plague and the Queen's machinations, they seem to need adapting. I'll enter into this alliance with you."
"Well, hells. If Melana's already throwing her chips in, I will too," Black Johnny exclaims. "She's the stubbornest ganger this side of the Eye of Aroden. If she thinks it's time for change, she ain't wrong."
"I'm in too. Though I don't like it," Barto comments. Brigitte simply nods.
"And I'm in, of course," Belliquomillifent says with a chortle. "An experiment in democracy? Some sort of criminal republic? A republic of thieves! To say nothing of murderers, arsonists, and whores. It should prove to be a jolly compact. What are we going to call ourselves, eh? The Black Society? The Rapscallions' Congress?"
Melana holds up her hand. "Not so fast. I agree that we need to work together to achieve certain things: a basic level of security so that our business can thrive, and the chance to get the Queen's hounds off our backs. But we don't know you lot from the Field Marshall of the Guard. If you really expect us to hand over decision-making power to a group of wandering blades and adventurers - some of whom aren't even native - you've wandered deeply astray.
"We're grateful to you for your work in killing Pilts Swastel. But having you all on this...'council,' for lack of a better word, would be too much. What would keep you all from voting as a block? You may have one seat. The rest of us shall each have a seat. And this man, here," she singles out a surprised-looking Gerrald - "can be our ombudsman. He'll be the go-between, guaranteed safe passage from all of us, and will set our meeting times and locations. Hells, there will be six of us - he can be the tie-breaking vote. What say you, now? Can you live with that?"
It hadn't occurred to Callie that their party would have more than one seat, so she just nods along at Melana's proposal.
She smiles. "It'd be a cold day in the Hells if we all agreed on something, but of course. What you propose makes total sense." She looks at the party. "Which of us should sit on the council?"
"Need it be one person? Any of us can represent at any given meeting, so long as we offer no more than one vote."
Callie shakes her head and replies quietly. "I think a consistent presence would be beneficial. One person begins to establish one line of communication, and then that gets halted as someone takes a different approach? No, we need a clear point of contact." She frowns. "Korriban runs a business in Old Korvosa, maybe he should be the one."
There's a long silence as the gang leaders listen to your words, their eyes shifting from speaker to speaker. After you've all finished speaking, there's a brief pause, then Belliquomillifent bursts out into applause.
"Wonderful! Fantastic! Stupendous!" he cries, laughing with evident glee. "You've worked it all out - except, of course, what ultimately happens when or if the Queen ceases to be enough of a problem to distract us. Do we shank you? Do you shank us? Is it just a long, drawn-out shank-fest until there's only one person remaining?"
Korriban smirks. "I don't know. That doesn't sound like a fun fest to me. I think the downfall of the Queen should have a more... jovial fest to it."
"Shut up, Bell," Melana says mildly. "Those are problems for another time." She fixes her steel-gray eyes on you. "You've presented us with an interesting challenge, younglings. The power structures that have held for the last few decades in Old Korvosa are the things that have brought us to power and sustained us - but you're right that, in the face of this plague and the Queen's machinations, they seem to need adapting. I'll enter into this alliance with you."
Korriban blinks at this, really not expecting it.
"Well, hells. If Melana's already throwing her chips in, I will too," Black Johnny exclaims. "She's the stubbornest ganger this side of the Eye of Aroden. If she thinks it's time for change, she ain't wrong."
"I'm in too. Though I don't like it," Barto comments. Brigitte simply nods.
Korriban is surprised by the fact that everyone seems to be agreeing to this.
"And I'm in, of course," Belliquomillifent says with a chortle. "An experiment in democracy? Some sort of criminal republic? A republic of thieves! To say nothing of murderers, arsonists, and whores. It should prove to be a jolly compact. What are we going to call ourselves, eh? The Black Society? The Rapscallions' Congress?"
Korriban grins. "Ooo. Those are good names! What about The Freedom Council? Or The Clean-up Crew?"
Melana holds up her hand. "Not so fast. I agree that we need to work together to achieve certain things: a basic level of security so that our business can thrive, and the chance to get the Queen's hounds off our backs. But we don't know you lot from the Field Marshall of the Guard. If you really expect us to hand over decision-making power to a group of wandering blades and adventurers - some of whom aren't even native - you've wandered deeply astray.
"We're grateful to you for your work in killing Pilts Swastel. But having you all on this...'council,' for lack of a better word, would be too much. What would keep you all from voting as a block? You may have one seat. The rest of us shall each have a seat. And this man, here," she singles out a surprised-looking Gerrald - "can be our ombudsman. He'll be the go-between, guaranteed safe passage from all of us, and will set our meeting times and locations. Hells, there will be six of us - he can be the tie-breaking vote. What say you, now? Can you live with that?"
Korriban frowns at this and thinks. After a few moments, he smiles and says, "Sounds fair."
He watches Callie and Matoska talk about it before it turns to him. He blinks in shock. "Me? Really? I'm not turning it down or making a decision yet. But, do you really think I'm the right person for the job? And not just because I help run the Rosa here in Old Korvosa?"
"Korriban! End your indecision! Will you represent these people?"
The gang leaders eye your huddle warily, awaiting a firm response.
Lantressa was relieved at the way things had all turned out in the end. They got the girls back to the Rosa in one piece and then made a return to meet with the heads of crime in Old Korvosa. She found the discussion intriguing to say the least. Forming the criminals into an organization based on mutual self-interest against the queen and her doxies was a brilliant idea really.
For the most part Tressa stayed quiet through the deliberations, she wasn't from here and it was only the few friends she had made, and the plight of the people, that had kept her from fleeing the city entirely. When the one objection was made she nodded in agreement and said, "I don't think we ever intended more than one of us to be on the council," she looked at Teo meaningfully, "not all of us are suited for such a role."
As Korriban was recommended for the role of representative Tressa considered the thought. While she would be willing to take on such a role she secretly had to admit she wasn't any more suited for it than she thought Teo was due to the unpredictability of her darker nature. Still she'd take it if Korri turned it down as she thought she could manage it.
When it seemed to be that Korriban was waffling and indecisive Tressa reached out to touch his arm and said to Korriban, "You need to make a decision quickly, there is no time to waste if this is going to work. If you aren't up for it then say as much and one of us can take the role instead," she gestured to Callie and herself, "but I think given your connections you are the best suited of us all for the part."
Korriban looks at Teodor. Then the others. Then the gang leaders. Taking a deep breath, he makes his decision. He steps forward. ”I’m our representative on the council. As you know, my name’s Korriban Balros. Been in Old Korvosa for most of my life. So I know this end of town.”
Melana smiles, serpent-like. "Very well, then. Welcome to our little band, then. I'm tempted to call us a Council of Thieves, but that seems...wrong, somehow. Also, Brigitte here is technically a racketeer." The other woman smirks.
"First order of business'll be setting up a perimeter," Barto growls, "An' defendin' it. I can provide strong arms for the task; I suggest we divide up our territory and assign duties. We'll have to take over a few places that some o' the lot who ran afoul o' Pilts used to run, but it shouldn't be too hard."
"I have maps," Black Johnny rumbles. "We won't want to bump into the Arkonas' territory. Now that would be a mess."
"Indeed," Melana says. She glances over at all of you. "Do you want to be a part of this divvying up? Or shall we just plan to meet in...say...a week's time? I think that should give us ample time to secure the district."
Korriban thinks on it. He then responds with, "I say that we should try and lock down our new turf. We need to fill in the power vacuum with Pilts and Devargo gone. Once we get our foothold, then we can talk about divvying it up."
"Speaking of the Arkonas, what do you know about their position? Their relationship with the crown and with the island would be good to know."
Melana frowns slightly, and Black Johnny snorts. "Let's not get too excited about this theoretical 'we,' my friends. That's the divvying up that she's talking about - I'm not about to hand the reins of my crew over to the rest of these highly professional clowns, and they're not liable to do the same for me. Best you let us each take on a territory and secure it; that, we can do. And, having promised it, we'll deal with you squarely." He winks. "For the moment, at least."
Barto clears his throat, and speaks. "As for the Arkonas...they have their fingers in every pie in Korvosa that's being baked by a criminal patissiere. They keep well in the back of it all, but we all know better'n to f~$~ with 'em. They've got more money and power than the rest of us put together, and those of us who run things on the streets know not to cross into their turf. Our colleagues who've tried have a nasty habit of vanishing.
Glancing around the dwarf leans closer and continues, "As far as the crown goes, they've always kept in the rulers' good graces...but if I know them, they've got schemes on schemes on schemes. I'd bet anything that they're lookin' to make a power play if they can - either take the crown from Ileosa or get some kinda hold over her that she can't shake. It's what I'd do if I were them, and they're three times ruthlesser and five times smarter'n I am. They're keeping themselves to themselves in Fort Korvosa, but I'm sure they'll move soon."
"Then we also need to be sure this Council of Upright Folk doesn't pose a threat to the Arkonas--that they don't take a new 'authority' in the area as an outright challenge to their own holdings. Make it clear you're keeping business running, not trying to interfere with theirs. Not that I care much about offending the Arkonas, but I don't want them up your noses either."
Korriban rubs his neck. "Yeah. We don't need the Arkonas poking around in our business. Best to keep things subtle and work up from there."
"Once this affair is over, then we can take down the Arkonas and any like them."
Barto nods. "We won't tread on any toes. Fort Korvosa itself isn't in too bad a shape right now, anyways, so there's not much fer us to concern ourselves with." The Council returns to their deliberations and divisions of duties and, confident that they will see this project through, you decide to clear out the nest of chokers that was lurking in the "palace" here. It's bloody work, but doesn't take you long - and you come away with a small bag of cash, a masterwork hand crossbow, and a wand of slow for your troubles.
With your work at the "palace" finally done, you head back to the Rosa in Fiore. Night has truly fallen by the time you get back there, and you're greeted at the door by Lialda. "Thank goodness you're all well. Come in, come in. Even if you're not all going to stay here, you should at least rest and plan in a safe environment." She ushers you into the sitting room and organizes you around the table there as some of the prostitutes you rescued earlier bring in food and drink. It feels good to be able to sit at last, and relax slightly in surroundings where you're not too concerned about being ambushed. Once you've had the chance to snatch a few bites of food, Lialda asks quietly. "I see you've divested yourselves of the wayward painter. What's your plan, if I may ask?"
Korriban enjoys the food and pleasant atmosphere of the Rosa. When the question comes to what happens next, Korriban pauses before sighing. "That's the thing. I think our next move should be to go after the Arkonas and get Vencarlo out of their clutches. However, there is the argument for trying to establish some territory and get our Council in a more stable place. However, there's one more thought that I had. I'm thinking that, aside from interacting with our Council, I should take a step back. And..." He pulls out the bag of holding that they found in Vencarlo's home and puts it on the table. "...I should get a friend to help us out."
Callie sits after dinner, playing with her deck of cards. "Okay, let's be careful with our words. We may have accomplished a good deal, but we can't just 'go after' the Arkonas. They are an extraordinarily large powerful family and their tentacles extend long. They have more power and influence than anyone else in this part of town combined. We DO need to get TO the Arkonas and figure out where Vencarlo is and what his status is. Salvatore handed Vencarlo to the Arkonas, thinking to give him asylum. While the Arkonas may have abused that opportunity, we have no idea if he is in a cell or simply enjoying their hospitality, or somewhere in between--or if they've actually smuggled him out of Old Korvosa to get him off their hands or sold him to the Gray Maidens. ANY of those could be possible or more. We need a lot more information. Both on Vencarlo, the Arkonas, and on Fort Korvosa itself. Barto said they're keeping to themselves within, which means they've probably got things somewhat locked down. Question there is, how much? Will they take visitors? Deliveries? Or are they locked tight? We need to get the word around town and maybe case the joint. And," she pauses, and pats the bag Korriban put on the table, "Make sure any trump cards we have we don't play until the time is right." When she lifts her hand, an Ace lies atop the bag.
"You're friends with clothes?"
Lialda glances at the bag with interest, but doesn't comment on it - she's always given Korriban his space and privacy, and assumes that he'll tell her about it if it's something she needs to know.
"I can, at least, tell you a bit about Fort Korvosa," she says. "Word on the street is that it's been a lot quieter and safer than the rest of Old Korvosa. The Arkonas' household guards are patrolling the streets, keeping a basic level of order. There's no actual services that the city would provide there - the people are still scrounging for food and so on - but the guards move in groups and keep people from being knifed in the alleys. Mostly. As for the Arkona Palace itself, it hasn't been totally shut down; the gates are supposedly open during daylight hours. But most of the family - Glorio and Meliya are the two leaders - seem to be staying inside, and I can only assume that whatever guards they have on the grounds are on even higher alert than they'd normally be. If you're hoping to case the place or sneak inside, you'll have to be subtle." Her eyes flick, with an amused smile, toward Matoska and Teodor.
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"I'm the very model of a modern subtle insurgent! Heeeheehee!"
"You're friends with clothes?"
Korriban chuckles. "Well... I'm friends with the person who wears them, anyways."
Korriban listens to Callie's statements. Taking the ace card from the top of the bag, the swordsman looks at it. Then he turns his gaze to the bag. After some thought, Korriban smirks and hands the card back to Callie. "Right. Then, I'll call in my friend later. Keep them on standby. For now, we hit the streets, gather information, and scout things out."
Korriban sees his mother's look of interest at the bag. He whispers, "I'll tell you later." He listens to his mother's information, keep a mental note of it. "That's a good start. We can uncover more information from there." He racks his brain for more information on the Arkonas and the area of Old Korvosa where they reside in.
Callie thinks back to when she was 16. She remembers her father always trying to find ways to fill the family coffers, and desperate to make bad friends in high places, including with the Arkonas. The man she had discovered herself to be betrothed to, Kezrin, was but a third cousin or something to the patriarch, but still part of the whole slippery network. But that was all 10 years ago... could she remember anything she picked up from listening at doorways or grilling the servants back then?
Returning Lialda's smile confidently, Matoska shakes his head. "No need to fear on my account, I think I can scout the site unremarked."
He turns his attention back to the group. "How many do the Arkonas number? How many guards? Do they employ wizards or golems or fiends? You seem cautious of their strength, Callie, but what gives them such might?"
“I’m sure you are, dear heart,” Lialda says, giving Teodor a little pat on the hand. She gives Matoska a more serious nod.
You also recall that you met Glorio Arkona (quite briefly) at the failed execution of Trinia Sabor
"We're not talking 'strength' like that of a warrior. Although they certainly have enough money and influence to afford a veritable army of guards, wizards, spies, and so forth. Up to and including the Red Mantis Assassins if they wanted to--which is to say, I don't know if they hired the one we encountered at Orsini's place, but it's a distinct possibility. The Arkonas became wealthy after a trip to Vudra a few centuries ago, and have maintained their fortune by investing in every profitable venture they could, legit or illicit. As the gang leaders we met with said--they've got their finger in every operation in the area. And moreover, the Crown has traditionally left them alone because their sort of organized crime provides a certain level of order in the city---and this is one area that is unlikely to change with the Queen's rise to power. The clan leaders, Glorio and Melina--brother and sister--would certainly ensure they were in the Queen's good graces so they could continue their operations undisturbed. These aren't the kind of folks who are going to swoop in and just set you on fire or stab you. These are the kind of folks who send agents--untraceable back to them--to sneak into your loved ones' homes and kidnap them, or make your business suddenly collapse, or arrest you for a crime you were nowhere near, yet somehow there's incontrovertible evidence against you. They know every dirty secret and can control half the town through blackmail and the other half through grift. Their power is controlling the shadows with an endless supply of fear and money.
"And they're not like Pilts the 'Emperor' -- kill the head and the empire crumbles. They're like a hydra--cut off a head, another grows in its place. There are cousins upon cousins waiting to swoop in and take over and keep the operations going. Some of them don't even have children because they know they'd just be targets to an ambitious relative, so the line of succession is never obvious, but there will always be someone to take over. They have built their network over two centuries, and no amount of quick-n-dirty do-gooding is going to undo it." She spreads her hands. "Some of you may have little to lose, but for example, if they were to learn, say, Korriban here tried to mess up their operations, it would be the Rosa here up in flames next, instead of the Academy. Teodor pisses them off? His sister's miraculous cure from the plague suddenly reverses, poor dear. THAT is the 'might' I fear. Not sheer brute strength. But the ability to destroy lives all around you, at the flick of a wrist and a whispered request."
She looks around, eyes flickering with uncertainty. She doesn't know how much of her past to share with the group, not so much out of shame or secrecy for secrecy's sake, but the information could be useful to her--or used against them if they knew. She decides upon part of the truth. "I grew up on the East Shore. My father tried to get into their good graces. I ran away, opting for life on the streets than see where his path was taking him--and I had a pretty cushy childhood, so I gave up a lot just to get out. For all I know they destroyed him--though I've never heard much news on my family, for good or ill. And obviously I'd rather not see them again so I'm not sure it matters. But I've been at least aware of them since I was a kid, and so I know to say the very least, this needs to be handled with finesse."
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The Shoanti is quiet for a long moment, scratching his jaw thoughtfully. "I've never hunted a hydra before," he murmurs to himself.
Shrugging, he pushes to his feet. "I know a little something about mighty strangers who destroy the lives of those in their way. The gods know my people have been on the losing end of that little game for generations. But these Arkonas have Orsini, or know where he is, so our course is clear. I don't have any intention of putting any of your loved ones at risk, and certainly don't plan to start a war, but I won't be dissuaded from my search either."
Shouldering his cloak and mask, the warrior heads towards the door. "I'll be back in a moment," he remarks over his shoulder as he steps out.
Korriban frowns at Callie's statements for what the Arkonas can do to them. He is slightly surprised as Callie explains her past. He says, "Yeah. That's pretty rough. I never knew my folks. Been on my own since I was born." He smiles at Lialda. "Up until my mom saved my life." Looking at the group, he says, "I know a few things about the Arkonas as well. According to some rumors, the Arkonas are terrifying to their agents and employees. According to friends-of-firends of people who have worked for the Arkonas, they have some dungeon under their Palace called the "Vivified Labyrinth". Apparently, the family uses it to test new recruits and to punish anyone who fails them or betrays them" He scratches his head. "Like I said, I briefly met Glorio at Trinia's failed execution. So I don't know if we could use that to our advantage. I could also call Majenko to us to aid in recon."
Korriban watches Matoska leave. "Ooookay? See you later, I guess?" When Matoska is gone, he turns to the others. "Where is he going? Should we tail him?"
Turning to Callie, he rests his feet on the table and says, "So, cushy childhood, huh? How cushy are we talking here? If you don't mind me asking, of course. Since we're talking about East Shore, then it stands to reason that you are possibly pretty high class? I don't want to assume and feel free to stop this conversation if it's going to far."
Lialda just folds her hands and listens, a thoughtful frown on her face as she hears you weigh your options.
Stepping into a nearby alley, Matoska takes a quick look around for tails or gawkers and then shifts, moments later a large grey-brown wolf with black paws steps to the alley's mouth, sniffs the air, and pads away into the darkness.
Tongue lolling out, Matoska takes in the sounds and smells of the city and he makes his way steadily towards the gates of Fort Korvosa. Where possible he cuts through alleys and side-streets, staying out the way of crowds and remaining unobtrusive. If he finds any open spaces with relatively few people about he'll opt for speed, sprinting until the next dense neighborhood to make better time.
Given that it's night now, the streets are for the most part empty. Matoska pads through the silent, empty, dark street--only lit by the light spilling from nearby buildings. He makes his way through Bridgefront, passes through what was once, many hundreds of years ago, the first city wall, and enters the streets of Garrison Hill.
This part of Old Korvosa seems, though still run down, a bit cleaner and better kept than most of the district - even with the inevitable ravages of the plague and quarantine. More of the houses have lights in them, and there's far less evidence of violence (though it's not that there's NO evidence of such). You pass a large, hulking charcoal-gray building and then find yourself outside yet another wall: the protection encircling Fort Korvosa. When you find a gate to this one, however, it's firmly shut and locked with a heavy length of chain and a padlock. You can distantly see, across the grounds, the shape of a large mansion in the moonlight: it appears to be decorated in an attempt at "exotic" Vudrani style, with minarets and domes topped with slender spires. It sits at the back of the enclosure, on the very highest point of the hill--which you suspect makes it the highest point on the island. A few small outbuildings on the grounds have lights on in their windows.
As you're peering in through the gate, your canine ears hear a soft fluttering of wings. Glancing up, you see two blood-red humanoid creatures with pointed faces, wicked yellow eyes, bat-like wings, and tails - no more than 3 feet high - alighting on the top of the wall nearby.
Seconds later, a raven swoops down towards the creatures and, in a flash of red light, turns into a third of their kind.
"Greetings, Raz'ika," the first one says, spitting into the street casually as the third one joins them. "What brings you out here in the dark of the night? Your master not keeping you on a short leash any more?"
"Not now," the new arrival says with a harsh laugh. "He's dead! I convinced him that there would be great glory in using our arts to find a cure for blood veil. The fool never takes precautions. I've been a free agent for weeks now, and he's no doubt screaming on the plains of Avernus. How are things in this district?"
"Bah. Too quiet here, too disorganized elsewhere. I think the human queen means to leave this island to rot! Her Gray Maidens guard the only ways in and out - they don't really care if you try to get in, but they've shot anyone trying to escape full of arrows. Leaving here is a difficult task...at least for humans." The creatures chortle. The new arrival jerks his head at the palace.
"These the stern masters I've heard so much about?"
"Aye." The second of the creatures, who hasn't spoken much, glowers in their direction. "I don't know what their plan is, but I warn you of this, since you're newly free: don't cross them. They stink of magic."
"Well, that's to be - hold on. What is that creature doing there?" The three creatures turn to look at you, narrowing beady eyes - though as yet they make no move toward you.
Callie starts as Matoska suddenly leaves. She stands as if to follow him, but doesn't actually move. "I don't know. He only joined us to find Orsini--fought well beside us mind, but maybe he's sick of dealing with us. Still, he did say he'd be right back..." She peers in the direction he left, as though she could see through the door (and cannot).
when Korriban asks her about her past, she arches an eyebrow. "I'd be more inclined to answer if you didn't just look at me like I was suddenly a stranger, even if one you're curious about. I also was a shiver addict for a few years. Does that change the way you look at me too?"
"What a weirdo! I hope he doesn't die soon."
When Korriban asks her about her past, she arches an eyebrow. "I'd be more inclined to answer if you didn't just look at me like I was suddenly a stranger, even if one you're curious about. I also was a shiver addict for a few years. Does that change the way you look at me too?"
Without missing a beat, Korriban smiles and says, "Nope. Doesn't change my view of you at all. You're still Blue to me. Just asking out of curiosity. Kind of a twist that I didn't see coming."
Damn. Shifters know another shifter when they see one. Flattening his ears back and whimpering, Matoska backs away from the imps and then dashes into another alleyway and out of sight of the imps.
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“Weird,” one of the imps mutters as they turn back to their conversation.
Matoska explores the walls of the complex as best he can, but there’s little else to see: just a high wall with two gates, one smaller (though still significant) one on the east side and a more majestic, ceremonial one to the south. Both are securely locked, and at one point you distantly spot a group of what must be guards making the rounds of the complex with a lantern. There doesn’t seem to be anything else to see here.
In the Rosa, Lialda says dryly to Callie, “Don’t feel you’re under any compulsion to answer his questions. Most of Korriban’s teenage years consisted of me refusing to do so.”
Satisfied that there's nothing more to learn about the fort at this time, Matoska returns to the Rosa. Ensuring again that he's out of sight he shifts back and walks up to the door, knocking lightly instead of just letting himself in.
Callie chuckles at Lialda. "He's trying to bait me. He knows I am a storyteller. I'll have to come up with something good later."
Callie looks at the group. "Do you think it's better to just try to break in, or see if we can have a meeting? The latter could be REALLY risky... but so could the former."
Matoska is let into the building once more by Falko, the Shoanti bouncer, who ushers him back into the sitting room.
In the Rosa, Lialda says dryly to Callie, “Don’t feel you’re under any compulsion to answer his questions. Most of Korriban’s teenage years consisted of me refusing to do so.”
Korriban turns to his mother. "What can I say? I'm very curious about things."
Callie chuckles at Lialda. "He's trying to bait me. He knows I am a storyteller. I'll have to come up with something good later."
Korriban turns to Callie, a smirk on his face. He says jokingly, "I'm sure you will, Blue. I'm sure you will. Just make it interesting."
Callie looks at the group. "Do you think it's better to just try to break in, or see if we can have a meeting? The latter could be REALLY risky... but so could the former."
Korriban frowns and scratches his chin in thought. "Hmm... Not sure. It may be a case where we need to gather more information and reconnaissance before making a decision. That way, we can be prepared in case we need to employ either option or some sort of backup plan for if the plan goes south."
When Matoska comes back in, Korriban turns to him. "Well, you're out past your curfew. Where have you been?"
"Let's get a look at the place first. Korriban, if you could stop prying into people's lives for a bit, do you think you could quietly get some recon? I can hardly wait to kill the whole clan but we have priorities."
Korriban looks at Teodor. "Sure, I can try to get some recon on the Arkonas. May be a tad difficult with the amount of guards they have." He scratches his chin. "I may need to use that wand of invisibility we found to help me. I'm also planning on calling Majenko to give me some aerial reconnaissance. I won't have him get too close in case it'll look odd to the Arkonas to see a pseudodragon flying around their home."
"Well, you're out past your curfew. Where have you been?"
Removing his cloak and mask and hanging them on the back of his chair, Matoska seats him and waves a hand in the vague direction of Fort Korvosa. "Taking a quick look at the fort, faster to go myself. Security seemed normal as far as guards go, but we'll need to do more stalking to be sure. The imps had loose tongues, though not about the Arkonas. They referred to 'stern masters' who posses a great deal of magic--I think they referred to the new Queen and her retainers."
The warrior leans forward in interest when Korriban brings up Majenko. "You are bonded with a drakeling? I would very much like to meet him."
Lantressa listened to the story of Callie's childhood as well as what Korriban spoke of and found herself rather shocked. To think humans would do these things to their own kind. At least she understood why she was treated as she often was, and why the inquisitor's she fled from did what they did, this was just unfathomable. When they were finished the tiefling woman said wryly, "Wow, and I thought growing up just outside of the Wound and dealing with religious zealots who wanted to use those not 'pure' as kindling made for a rough childhood. I guess I lucked out huh?"
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"Am I the only one here who grew up happy?"
Teodor glares at Matoska. "Everything dies, Tekeni."
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"I'll take that as a yes."
Removing his cloak and mask and hanging them on the back of his chair, Matoska seats him and waves a hand in the vague direction of Fort Korvosa. "Taking a quick look at the fort, faster to go myself. Security seemed normal as far as guards go, but we'll need to do more stalking to be sure. The imps had loose tongues, though not about the Arkonas. They referred to 'stern masters' who posses a great deal of magic--I think they referred to the new Queen and her retainers."
Korriban nods. "Well, that's something to start with at least. Good work." Korriban's brow raises as he looks at Matoska. "And how did you sneak to the fort? No offense, but you don't look like the sneaky type."
The warrior leans forward in interest when Korriban brings up Majenko. "You are bonded with a drakeling? I would very much like to meet him."
Korriban smiles. "Yep. Teodor and I freed him from Bavarsi's clutches. He's been our friend since."
Lantressa listened to the story of Callie's childhood as well as what Korriban spoke of and found herself rather shocked. To think humans would do these things to their own kind. At least she understood why she was treated as she often was, and why the inquisitor's she fled from did what they did, this was just unfathomable. When they were finished the tiefling woman said wryly, "Wow, and I thought growing up just outside of the Wound and dealing with religious zealots who wanted to use those not 'pure' as kindling made for a rough childhood. I guess I lucked out huh?"
Korriban sadly frowns. "That sounds rough, Tress. No offense, but that does sound worse than mine. I mean, my childhood is the reason for most of my scars. But, that persecution sounds so much worse. And so not fair. Aren't those religious folk supposed to protect people near that Wound?"
"Am I the only one here who grew up happy?"
Korriban shrugs. "Probably."