He scratches his chin. Yes, this is quite problematic. And it could be quite valuable for you to be the one to bring this to our Lord. But access to my Spire-wide network of allies does not come cheap.
He holds out his hand expectantly.
He's a good friend and he's mostly covering expenses. The price is steep, but not more than you can afford. He takes your coin and reaches out to his network for dirt on The Rot.
After a few hours, he provides some details about The Rot.
Dipatar: Supporting an illegitimate child living in Red Row
Dandath: Shows up to work regularly high on Malak.
Nalgos: Selling stealing crop and selling it on the black market
Tebthym: Rumored to be a Vigilite.
Nothing that would necessariy wreck the commune, but might give you leverage to gain access.
After a few hours, he provides some details about The Rot.
Dipatar: Supporting an illegitimate child living in Red Row
Dandath: Shows up to work regularly high on Malak.
Nalgos: Selling stealing crop and selling it on the black market
Tebthym: Rumored to be a Vigilite.Nothing that would necessariy wreck the commune, but might give you leverage to gain access.
From a stress side: Thusiax, your purse is lightly tapped, but you’ve drawn a lot of unwanted attention to yourself and your operation. It’s not unsalvageable but it is getting risky.
Clive, you’re a bit battered up, but none worse for wear.
"I need your help Jasper. A group of farmers calling themselves the Rot are trying to take over the gardens. They are Alfir sympathizers, and want to see our people that live downspire starve, hoping to secure themselves a place in Alfir society."
Clive pauses for dramatic effect, something he stole from Thusiax, and then continues "but I have a plan in place to stop them. What I need, however, is someone who's good at listening. That's where you come in." says Clive as he produces some food and hands it to Jasper. "Think you can get a job doing menial work in the Gardens and see what people are saying about the Rot? Anything might be helpful."
His plans set, Thusiax drops past his room to check his pigeon hole, freshen up, and prepare to go meet Clive later on that night.
He takes the food greedily, shoveling it into his mouth, then he considers your words.
The Rot? I'm close with Dandath. They're just trying to make an honest living, feeding downspire. They don't want to get forced out by the Pinkies. Who...who told you they were Aelfir sympathizers?
He regards you with slight suspicion, but it's nothing he's going to act on. Yet.
There is indeed a summons from Cornell. As is protocol, Gere said nothing to you about it. Ignoring the summons is not really an option, so we'll move along to his chambers.
His office is flanked by enormous windows, the bane of his Drow servants, who have to walk along a strategically shaded path during the day to avoid being burned. This makes it difficult for Drow to access the more sensitive areas of his office during the day.
In rare form, he has the blinds drawn tightly, the room lit only by a mage-light lamp on his desk.
As you approach, he speaks up. I've heard rumors that you're moonlighting for Greymanor Services. Am I not paying you enough? Do we need to...renegotiate your contract?
What do you do?
Thusiax bows his head in response to Lord Cornell's words. "Apologies my lord. I'm not working for Greymanor; that was a poor and off-the-cuff attempt at a cover story that didn't stick. I've heard rumours of an industrial drow movement that could potentially damage or disrupt your interests, and I was attempting to find out more. I didn't want to admit to my role as your agent, and so I attempted to pass myself off as a Greymanor investigator. It was... precipitous of me. I acted rashly, and these rumours are the unfortunate result. I hope my lord will not find cause to reprimand me." He keeps his eyes lowered, not so much fearing to be caught out in any way, but very much hoping to avoid the very real possibility of punishment that his story could result in.
He absolutely has reason to doubt you, otherwise he wouldn't have called you into his office. You're not sure if he's heard from Gere-Nevin and is looking for confirmation or what.
You ARE a trusted member of his inner circle however, despite recent suspicious activity. I'll give you mastery here.
So that's 4d10. But the shadow stress at risk might end you completely.
He shakes his head and rises from his desk to walk around the perimeter of the room.
No. There's no industrial Drow movement. Gere-Nevin looked into it, not even a whisper.
He throws open the curtain, blinding, scalding sunlight sears across your flesh.
WHY WERE YOU IN THE GARDEN?
Give me a resist roll or take d6 blood stress.
[spoiler=blood stress+ fallout]
The sun boils your skin, but the wound is superficial, for now. You'll need to act fast or it'll get a lot worse.
And it should go without saying...you no longer have mastery in this situation.
What does he know...? Is he aware of Michael and Duella? Is Clive in the picture? What can I get away with, and what will trap me?
Thusiax toys briefly with the notion of throwing Michael (and by extension, Duella) under the ox cart, but realises instantly that though they are corrupt and not really in it for the drow people, their importance to the mission is greater than that of Karkoush's life. All that remains is to spin a sufficiently convincing story, or die, revealing nothing. Both are unlikely.
Thusiax gasps in pain as the light scorches his flesh, but restrains himself from leaping out of the chair in an attempt to find blessed shade. "Mercy, my lord! If there is no plot, no movement, then I have been deceived! I'm sorry if I have failed you!"
He slides the curtain shut.
I believe you. I'm sorry that you've been mislead, Thusiax...there is no labor movement. I have spies all through the Foundry and the Garden. It'd be good to remember that. You're not an instigator, you're an executor. I don't want to hear about any more...self directed missions. OK? Now go see Myrcella for a salve for your burns. Don't make me do something like that again.
He shows you out.
Thusiax nods with genuine relief. "Thank you my lord. I will remember." He bows, then makes his way out of the chamber, ignoring his wound and attempting to maintain some dignity.
Thusiax goes to Myrcella for treatment as directed.
Myrcella is a nurse, an elderly drow who has worked for the manor since her durance. She's always been kind to you, even as other servants have given you a wide berth.
She applies some salve
You'll have to be careful if you return to the Garden.
Zaria is happy to help and runs a message down to Clive.
What does the message says?
Thusiax praises Zaria for her help, but convinces her by letting on that Lord Cornell is displeased with him. The verbal message for Clive runs as follows: Thusiax is unable to leave the manor for the next couple of days due to complications, but that if Clive needs him, to send word through Zaria and he'll do his best.
Thusiax also asks her to dine with him the following night, if she isn't otherwise engaged.
Thusiax, you're now laying low. All stress is cleared, but you're out of commission for this mission.
Good luck Clive!
Yeah! She does. You have a lovely meal.
It's good you did something. You were up to 7/14 Shadow Stress
"I beat the information out of someone. They had no reason to lie to me. Perhaps there are only a few people in the Rot that actually are Aelfir Sympathizers, or the ones that are keep their allegiances well hidden, even from your friend? That's what I'm trying to find out, and why I'm asking for your help. I have no desire to punish the innocent, but the guilty on the other hand, shall get their due..."
After dealing with Jasper, Clive returns to the meeting point to wait on Thusiax, and while he is waiting he is approached by Zaria and given the message. He thanks her politely, gives her a return message of 'I'll handle it.' and then waits for her to leave. After she is gone, Clive will take a circuitous route to the gardens, then make his way to Laroche's "estate", and begin his infiltration of the building.
Jasper relents and agrees to help. He spends some time working with The Rot.
He never sees Jono during this time, but does figure out a time to go with the fewest people. That’ll make your life easier.
The Rot isn’t so much a building as it is several caves full of hanging bodies, covered in mushrooms. Jono’s shack is in the far back. You make it past Dipthar, working sentry at the gate.
As you go deeper into the caves, the torches become fewer and fewer still. No sunlight penetrates this deep into Spire. How do you navigate?
.
Clive uses the light he can see by to find the wall closest to Jono's house, and then follows that wall to his home. Once there, he will circle around to the back of it, and then light his lanterns and close the hoods, preventing them from generating light.
Once all of them are lit, he will follow the wall around to Jono's door, then unlock it if needed and open it.
If you’re navigating without any light at all, I’ll need a separate stealth check for that.
Moving effortlessly through the darkness, you set your lantern trap and stealthfully enter Jono’s cottage. Darker still, you can see nothing at all in the cabin. You hear the faint sound of steady breathing. Perhaps Jono is asleep.
What do you do?
Clive will position the lit lanterns around the room with the sleeping creature in it, hanging onto one for himself. When everything is set, he will open the lantern in the direction of the sounds of sleeping then immediately sets it down on a table and slides off to the side, quiet as he can.
Yes it does. The sudden bright light wakes him and he shields his eyes in pain. Who...what...what is happening?
Velas, I presume that Thielinel is your magister. How does she get messages to you?
Thielinel gives voice lessons to her protégés, at her palazzo in a quieter, more sedate section of the Silver Quarter. When she does, they often request a short aria or lied from her at the end of the lesson, and she usually obliges.
Some of the songs are imbued with the power of "Beauty is Truth", and contain a subliminal message that only the students hear. This is the message of their Magister--unwritten, and undetectable save for the by the most astute magic user--and her palazzo is well warded. They commit it to memory, bow to their teacher, and leave.
More mundane messages are sent verbally, at parties, in the form of gossip or coded phrases about music or art.
Clive says nothing, but instead moves to the second lantern and then opens it as well. He moves as quietly as he can, trying to maximize the terror he's inflicting.
Thielinel's aria contains a hidden message, as expected. A valuable ministry operative known as Karkoush is currently off the board as his cover identity was nearly compromised. His master is keeping a close eye on him, but his talents are desperately needed for our dark mistresses' agenda.
She needs you to visit Lord Cornell-Weaves-of-Midnight and find a way to get Karkoush (known by Cornell as "Thusiax") mobile again. He's no good to the ministry as a housepet.
Jono shields his eyes in pain, plaintively calling out for help. He's quite afraid.
Thusiax, eh? Sloppy. The Ministry could simply activate someone else. I suppose he's special. Well.
With a practiced hand, Velas procures a quill and spireblank ink and drafts a quick message to be sent by courier.
Esteemed Lord Cornell,
I trust this message finds you well. My patron, Forfend-The-Moss-Of-Quiet-Brooks, recommends you highly in the field of unusual textile procurement. I regret that I had not found your expertise sooner. I am in dire need of certain difficult to obtain fabrics for an upcoming performance and understand you have an agent who can procure them. Please let me know if I may visit your manse to discuss this matter in person.
Genuflections to Your Replendence,
Velas Elf-Singer, Hon. Fellow of Amrnth., People's Artist Slvr. Qtr.
He adds his own glittering, purple wax seal to the message, passes it to the waiting runner, and resumes his reading of obscure Northern plainsong, practicing his trills absently.
Cornell responds quickly.
Drow: In deference to your patron I will tolerate your presence in my home. You may arrive today.
Velas appears forthwith, in a relatively sensible silver lamê ensemble, asymmetrical lined with owlbear ruff, with matching satchel, carnelian and bloodstones accentuating his well-delineated neck and collar hollows, and a half-mask resembling a skywhale about to take flight, as befits his station.
He speaks to the majordomo. "Yes, I am to see Lord Cornell. Here is my calling card." He hands a small ebon card embossed with a purple, glistered V.
Gere-Nevin nods curtly and takes your card. Please have a seat. He pauses for a moment before turning back to you. If you don't mind me saying, I'm a big fan. I heard you sing not long ago and the experience was...it was transformative. Thank you.
He hurries your card into Cornell's study and returns a moment later.
Lord Cornell will see you now.
Cornell's study is lavish, full of art and furniture from the Aelfir homelands. To your right, the back wall is taken up with floor to ceiling bookshelves, it's opposite wall three large windows, the shades pulled wide open, beams of direct sunlight arcing throughout the room. Cornell sits in the far end of the room at a large wooden desk.
The room is carefully constructed to allow a path for Drow, a narrow band of shadow through the room, ending at a single chair directly in front of the sundrenched desk.
Cornell looks up as you enter. Be seated. What fabrics do you need?