Kage replies, "Some of this blood is mine. Or was mine, thank you Eris."
Kage finds the corpse with the closest build to his own and efficently strips it and puts the clothes on. Using a small portable cosmetics kit he expertly adjusts his skintone and hair color to match one of the goons.
Adopting a suitable accent he bows to Eris, asking, "Where to Mr Griggs sir?"
The geisha nods and smiles to Sa'Kage and Eris, "I'll be your...how you say...'arm candy'?"
Yanmei assists with the disguise before cleaning her fan and closing it back up.
As the assassins work on their disguises they note the lengthened shadows of the early evening.
I'd always prefer to rest, given the choice since it allows me to regain my spells. I'm not low, must I'm pretty sure it's when you really need a spell slot - that's when you often don't. O.k either way though.
Jon is good to go.
Satisfied with everyone's disguises, Kage says, "Well then, shall we go?"
Eris looks critically at her form, happy about how well she mimicks it but unhappy about its imperfections. I would think I am ready to leave now. Be on guard though, I suspect the Emperor might be more aware of some subtle details about this form that I might be unaware of."
"Maybe I can distract him from those pesky details" Yanmei suggests as they head out.
"I'm sure you could at that." remarked Kage.
Following Eris, out of the building Kage went through the motions of checking for any unexpected watchers. He was distracted by the thoughts of what they might have to do today. With luck they'd carve up a suitable offering for holy Achaekek. Of course it had to be done right, and such things took time. Time they might not have.
Kage spots no dangers outside as he steps out disguised as one of Griggs' henchmen. The streets are relatively clear, with only a few cowed residents peering out of boarded-up windows.
Using the crude map inside the distillery, you easily locate "Pilts' Palace," the network of buildings walled and boarded up and lashed together with hanging catwalks so that there is only one main way in: through a heavily-guarded storefront.
"Don't forget, we're here to get something... someone from Pilts, not to kill him. We are after the artist Salvatore Scream or, failing that information on the location of our actual target, the Chancellor." He locks eyes with each other member of the team to make sure they were in sync and ready before going into character and walking up to the door.
Kage nods at Jon-Wyn, 'Focus Kage. He's right, Pilts is not a sanctioned target.'
As they approach the door, Kage quietens his mind and slips into the subservient roll of a goon.
Eris walks before the doorway, thinking about how the person she was impersonating would approach it. She didn't think he was the kind of person to wait and be subservient or wait for someone's permission to enter. No, this was a guy with an inflated sense of importance.
So Eris doesn't slow down as she approaches the gate, just with a harried look on her face, and just pretends any visible guards are not there.
Eris, in the guise of Griggs, pushes past the outer bunch of guards and stands before the reinforced door. It swings open in short order, allowing her and her retinue inside the compound.
The interior of this shop has been gutted. A huge mound of rubble -- broken timbers, a bit of wall, ruined furniture, and more -- lies heaped in the center of the room. Rickety wooden stairs wind up to a splintered hole in the wall near the roof above.
No one challenges "Griggs" or his right to be there, so Eris and company are able to continue across a short rope bridge to the next building.
What once might have been an attic has been cleared of all clutter, leaving a large open area under exposed rafters and the roof above. Another rope bridge climbs up to the next building, and a set of stairs leads down.
In the middle of the room, four guards are seated around a small card table.
"I tell ya, they don't. You see how rubbery they are!"
"That's crazy! They can still stand on their legs and move around -- I seen 'em!"
"That don't mean anything, that you saw--" The debate is cut short when Eris steps into the room. One turns his head and waves her over. "Hey, Griggs! What do you think? Do chokers have bones in 'em?"
Eris shrugs "Bones, or no bones, I'm still sure they react the same way with a crossbow bolt through the middle of them."
Eris keeps her pace casual, walking towards the table where she was waved over, while still edging towards the next door in a relaxed manner, before stopping suddenly, if she had just remembered something. "Ah, forgive my bad manners gents, this here would be Yvette, she approached me directly looking for 'employment opportunities'".
At this, Eris decides to step forward out of 'Yvette's' line of sight, and raises her eyebrows to the four guards as if to say 'can you believe how gullible some girls are?'
Smirking casually, Eris continues with her introduction. "I'm doing Yvette a favor boys, instead of Blood Pig, she's undertaking a few tests for me as part of her training. Someone will need to give her a rundown on hand to hand combat at some point and the boys and I will need to do a performance review at the end of her training to prove she's got the talent to be an accepted member of our little team, but for now, she's gotta go see Pilt and get his approval...say, why don't you guys just quickly introduce yourselves to Yvette, along with something that makes you...unique. I warn you, She's a hard one to impress, she was already wow'd by my exploits who handled Nuntia Grenlie. Single. Handed."
Each of the guards nod, bow, or give an uncouth leer. Put on the spot, the first manages to stammer out, "Well, my name's Hobs Hindersman. I, uh, killed a reefclaw a while back. Oh, and I keep the chokers fed."
The next smirks at Hobs' discomfort. "Gannt. I'm, lieutenant executive officer in charge of keeping watch. The Emperor just promoted me yesterday."
The last two, obviously brothers given their similarities to each other, follow up. "Rebbyn. Pash and me are champion Blood Piggers. I think you'd do just fine playing some Pig, if you don't want to be stuck under Griggs here." Rebbyn finishes with a wink at Yanmei, and Pash smiles, revealing a mouth full of broken teeth.
Gannt folds his arms and leans back in his chair. "Gibbs, Pilts is in a mood. If he don't take a liking to this doxy and she don't want to play Pig, he may stick her in the Tall Knife."
Eris scowls before realising that Yanmei wouldn't know what it meant. With a flicker of irritation she gestures at the champion blood pig brothers. You two, translate what that means to our new recruit here if the two of you are so keen to get her out from under me. Besides, she could probably use the incentive."
Turning away, Eris turns her body posture towards Gannt wearing an interested expression."So what's gotten him all upset this time? Roughly what scale of irritated is he at?
Gannt looks sober and shakes his head. "Big surprise. The artist's latest work is another piece of garbage. You want to take part in the beating? See if we can punch a little talent into the freak?"
Rebbyn and Pash rise from their seats and flank Yanmei, grinning. "Oh, I'm sure you'll love it," the one with teeth says. "Grab a pig, throw it in a pit with a starving, pissed-off wolverine. Easy. Just know, you gotta keep the other team from putting the pig in their pit."
"Oh, and tell her about the Tall Knife as well, just so she knows what happens if she doesn't follow through" Eris shoots back at the brothers with barely a glance, before returning her attention to Gannt.
"You mean that guy still cannot deliver? What does it take for someone to get a damn message. I'll lend a hand and beat some talent into him...you know what, I'll bring my boys alone to assist, and the girl can watch, she needs to know how we treat people that don't meet our expectations, might encourage her to be a little more obedient."
Kage keeps silent through this exchange, enjoying watching Eris work the crowd. Boy would they feel dumb if they ever found out...
At the prospect of beating some discipline into the artist, Kage grinned slightly in anticipation. This gave them the perfect excuse to make a little noise...
Jon stands behind Yanmei smiling knowingly and leering.
"Oh, one look at the Tall Knife, she'll get the idea," Rebbyn chortles.
Gannt sneers at Yanmei and then looks back to Eris. "Sure. The more's the merrier. We was going to go in a couple hours. Wake him up in the middle of a sleep, give him a fine bit of pounding."
Eris frowns in annoyance "Personally, I'd rather just hit him now, you know me, I crave instant satisfaction. Besides, who knows, maybe it might cheer up Pilts, or at least smooth the mood."
Yvette gives a crude curtsy to the 'big wigs' in the room. She watches the exchange before interjecting, "Dis pig tossing sounds crazy fun. I hope ve can lift dis Pilts out of his sadness."
Kage smirks at "Yvette's" remark, the calculated naivete was audacious. Would Hobs, Gannt and co fall for it? Kage watched their body language to try and work out what they made of this situation.
The two brothers look up at Eris, laughing out loud at Yanmei's interest in Blood Pig. "Ya see, Griggs? No sense in hiding this delicate flower away! I'll betcha she likes it rough!"
Gannt listens to Eris and shrugs. "Meh, maybe we can tag-team him. Check with Pilts, if you want to get started early."
Rebbyn and Pash stand up and move with Yanmei to head through the opening in the far wall. Another rope bridge climbs up roughly ten feet to the far building. Rebbyn takes a few practiced steps up the swaying bridge and turns around to give Yanmei a hand. "C'mon, dearie. The Emperor's waiting," he says.
Eris shrugs as if to say "whatever", before following close behind Yanmei as Rebbyn and Pash lead her onwards.
Jon follows the group.
Yanmei takes the man's hand and gives a sly smile as she steps onto the bridge. Her steps are uneasy at first but she gains her footing quickly, pending any unforeseen obstacles.
"Vat are ze rules of zis pig game?" She asked, keeping her attention away from the growing height.
Kage falls in behind Griggs, adopting a suitably servile yet alert manner as befits a bodyguard. He keeps an eye on Rebbyn, hoping to gain clues on how they where supposed to comport themselves around Pilts. Did the Emperor expect them to abase themselves, where they meant to stand to attention, or was discipline lax?
When they stepped in to the audience room, Kage would be ready.
Rebbyn seems relaxed to Kage, most likely due to his stated excellence at the emperor's favorite game. His smile to Yanmei grows even wider as he tells her, "Each team tries to get to five points. No spells, no weapons but your fists and feet. One pig at a time."
The group ascends the rope bridge to the next building. The open-air balcony is shielded from rain and sun by a brightly-colored canvas roof that extends up over the area like a dome, held in place by a wooden framework. The inside of the canvas has been decorated in scenes of gruesome debauchery: battlefields, executions, torture chambers, and man-eating monsters all vie for space. The balcony itself contains two major features. The first is a high-backed throne that looks like a poor man's version of the Crimson Throne of Korvosa itself, 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 that holds its glittering blade a leering demonic face.
Seated on the throne is a thin Chelaxian man with bad, pox-marked skin, wearing an ornate royal-looking robe, though upon closer inspection, his clothes are quite worn and threadbare. He lounges, one leg swung over the throne's arm, his foot swinging back and forth like a misshapen pendulum. A large painting is propped near the throne but its face is turned away from the emperor. The painting's subject matter features a shadowy dragon looming large over a scene of figures cavorting and fighting.
The Emperor of Old Korvosa's puffy eyes turn to the arriving group. "He vexes me, Griggs, he vexes me yet again! Oh, cursed and cruel fate, I have been granted the golden goose, yet it lays nought but base lead!" Despite the man's rather wretched appearance, his voice is deep, resonant and authoritative. It commands attention.
Then the man seems to notice Yanmei for the first time, and sits up with a little more attention. "Whom have you brought before me, Oh, valiant knight of Old Korvosa? A new subject? Someone for the Tall Knife? I'm desperately longing to use it, tempted as I am to see Salvatore's head rolling upon my floor. Speak now, Griggs of the flail and crossbow. Speak! I do command it."
Noting the guillotine Kage thinks, 'A surprisingly efficient and humane form of execution, if used properly of course. Something tells me this man uses it in creative ways, I would not want to be in his power.'
Eris inclines her head in an appropriate gesture of respect towards the Emperor, opting not to use any honorifics in case such wordplay was outside of Griggs's vocabulary and therefore might be accused of being sarcastic.
"I brought you a new recruit, this girl who had such admiration for you, and just insisted on meeting you personally. As you know well enough, we always aim to please here in Old Korvosa, so I brought her along. Bit of poor timing on my part unfortunately, I could have beaten some talent into Salvatore's head earlier and doubled up on the gift giving...actually with your permission, I'm happy to do some right now...should you command it."
"Just one recruit this time, Griggs?" he asks in his resonant voice. "Why, two noons ago you brought me the Bridgeside Boys in their entire. Why should I care...?"
The Emperor rubs his temple in thought as he studies Yanmei closely. "Let's have a look at you, shall we?" he says as he leans forward. He appears as a judge or art critic, assessing a work of art for flaws, or perhaps looking for genius disguised within the mundane.
While the 'Emperor' focuses his attention on Yan Mei, Kage takes the opportunity to study him. His eyes try to take in his attire, is he armed, does he carry anything that might be enchanted. What sort of man is he really?
Noting a certain shrewdness, Kage realizes that Yan Mei might have bitten off more then she can chew. Of course even the best judge of character can make mistakes, especially if distracted at the critical moment. Kage resolves to sneeze the the instant he notices Pilts's eyes harden, and to nod subtly when appropriate to back Yan Mei's story up.
Jon continues to play the strong silent flunky. His eyes keep wandering over to and over Yanmei, but then he looks around to see who else is looking and to get a gauge of the people and the area.
Yanmei's demeanor undergoes a slight shift, but its effects are immediate. Gone is the cheap, uncouth persona and her elegant, refined poise asserts itself under Pilts' stare. His eyes widen and he takes in a sharp breath.
"My stars, Griggs. I believe you have brought me a diamond in the rough, plucked from the very firmament. I believe we can make great art together, my dear. And lift up Old Korvosa upon the wings of the great Muse!"
He waves a hand at Eris absently. "Go, do what you will with the painter. Your reward for bringing this magnificent creature to me." Then, returning his attention fully to Yannmei, he asks, "What is your name, oh beautiful creature that has come to my court?"
Rebbyn and Pash exchange a look, eyebrows raised.
Kage didn't dare to breathe, it was almost as if Yan Mei had cast a spell over the 'emperor'... The thought that 'Griggs' had been given free reign to do what whatever with Salvatore seemed almost too good to be true. He felt like pinching himself while he waited for the other shoe to drop.
Eris is unwilling to really leave Yanmei but on the other hand, considers it a worse offence to babysit her in the middle of a mission - to do so could be considered having a lack of faith in her abilities or worse - a burden, so she shrugs openly in the direction of Pilts.
"Of course sir, I'll see to it right away", she remarks, before giving Gannt a significant look, indicating with gestures rather than words that she's free to vent retaliation on the painter.
Still not quite believing it, Kage turns as if about to leave. He glances at "Griggs" as if seeking permission.
Jon turns to Rebbyn and growls out "Lead on." he growls out hoping to get the voice right.
Rebbyn shakes his head, folding his arms and studying Yanmei closely. He's clearly more interested in this person who's got the Emperor fascinated so.
Gannt, however, claps Eris hard on the shoulder and heads to a door from the balcony that leads into the adjoining structure. That door leads into a hallway that has a door on each side and one at the far end. Gannt opens the right-hand door, revealing a large room. The air smells sickly sweet -- a combination of flowers and vinegar. The unpleasant smell likely comes from the fourteen poorly preserved heads mounted on the walls of this grisly trophy hall. Most of the heads are human, although two are elves and one is from a dwarf. The left side of the room sits a small, child-sized bed opposite a wooden table decorated with a magnificent set of silverware.
Gannt moves across the room to the door in the far wall. He mumbles a word before opening it, then he steps through into the next room.
He says, "Maribelle"
Like a cat watching birds, Kage had been watching Gannt. He felt sure he'd pick up every nuance of the man, nothing would surprise him. That was before they where brought into the trophy room. Kage was no stranger to death, but this was depraved! All he could do to keep breakfast down was focus on the back of Gannt's head!
Shivering inwardly Kage follows 'Griggs' and Gannt through.
Jon shrugs his shoulder and follows Gannt.
He can't help but shake his head at the excess in death that he sees. However, he remains aware of his surroundings, picking up on the password that Gannt offers. At the first opportunity, he makes sure that Kage knows heard it as well.
He steals himself as he readies to see the artist.
We are here for the information, not the man.
Eris isn't particularly impressed with the display of mounted heads, considering it pointless and distasteful. The Emperor was clearly insane if he enjoyed this sort of thing. She doesn't however, miss the childlike bed and half wonders who it might be for (assuming not for the emperor?) but it was a question ideally considered for a more appropriate time, as she follows Gannt further into the room.
The next room is an opulent bedroom, with a four-poster bed dominating the room and luxuriously upholstered furniture. Upon closer inspection, however, the fabrics are clearly faded and threadbare, the gold leaf worn and scraped, and the tapestries worn and tattered. The entire room has a diminished glory appropriate for a beggar king.
Standing out in stark contrast to the meager decor are three magnificent paintings hanging on the walls. Similar in their grotesque themes as the failed painting, these have the clear spark of genius in their composition and execution.
A barred door leads from this room to the left from where they entered. Gannt walks across the room and pounds heavily on the door with his fist. "Oi! Salvatore! Get ready to scream!" Then he starts to chuckle at his own bad joke.
"Please!" comes a desperate voice, muffled from the closed door. "It's not my fault! My muse! My muse! Come back to me!"
Gannt begins to lift the bar.