28 Desnus, 4716
The rain hasn't let up since early afternoon. A hard rain, now a slow drizzle as the evening wears down. It feels good after such a hot day, but the humidity is going up, and you just know that, after this, summer is around the corner. Tomorrow is Starday, a day showing your rising star, potentially, if what the note you found on your harrow card is true. Hopefully you don't end up like the paralyzed imp being attacked by pseudodragons in the alley you just passed. It's just a normal for an evening in Korvosa.
You stand at 3 Lancet Street, a modest home in the Midlands District. It's almost nondescript, except for its bright yellow paint and red door. The windows are dark, except for a little bit of candle light in the front room. As you start to knock, you see another person (or persons), walking up, staring at their own, similar harrow cards.
28 Desnus, 4716
After her addiction blossomed and she hit rock bottom and went into rehab and got clean again, when Juliet stepped out of rehab to freedom, the opera singer went home to her apartment flat and changed into her outfit for the evening. She chose a purple cloak covering black leather pants and an azure blue top - a simple outfit and one that would blend if need be into a crowd, as tonight Juliet would start hunting Gaedren Lamm and fulfilling her vengeance. Lastly, Juliet reached for her worn leather boots and found a harrow card tucked into the left boot, and raised to the light, read the following message written on the back of the card:
"I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him.
Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and Justice Must Be Done."
Goosebumps rose on Juliet’s scalp and arms, the room suddenly cold. Someone had been in her apartment. Leaving the card on her bed, the singer did a cursory search of her flat, finding everything else where she had left it, including Spite, which brought a sigh of relief. Whoever had the left the card was good, good enough to break into her place and leave no trace. He - or she - could be a valuable ally. Sundown was approaching quickly - there was just enough time to grab a meat pie and make her way to Lancet Street. Sliding her boots on, Juliet strapped Spite under her cloak and shut her apartment door firmly behind her. A new friend awaited...
28 Desnus, 4716
Juliet approached the door to the house, giving herself the mental once-over. Contini said, when she first applied to sing at his playhouse, you only get a single first impression. And yet, even though she was all nerves and off-pitch, he hired her anyways. Poor bastard.
Her hair hung loose and down her back, wavy and black like her mother's, tied at the very end with a simple purple cotton tie. Juliet's face was attractive from a distance, but flawed when really examined; a small gap in her front teeth, one ear that stuck out farther from her head than the other, a small scar that ran under her chin where one of Juliet's brothers got careless with his dueling blade...
Juliet's skin color and hair betrayed her as a moth, even if her name didn't, but she'd inherited her stature from her Brevic father - short, a fuller bottom, and thicker legs than most Varisians.
The singer raised her hand to knock when she saw another coming, carrying a card like hers. Lowering her hand, Juliet nodded, and waited for the other to draw near.
"Oi! You the card giver, or 'one of the others, like me'."
Dennvyn walks down the street carefully, looking for the address, then stops short when he sees the strange door... Can't just go walking up.., he thinks, then steps out of the streetlight and into the shadows, This isn't what I'd have expected Lamm's trap to look like... which might actually be the point, I suppose. Still, worth seeing what happens if I'm not knocking on the door right away..
The halfling settles into the shadows, carefully watching the door, but ruining any attempt at stealth when he starts to laugh as the Varisian woman calls out to another newcomer..
He steps out of the shadows, nodding at the two strangers, "So we all have cards, then?"
Dennvyn sees the young, exotic Varisian woman seem to wave at a passer-by, but the person just keeps going. Rudely pushing into Juliet, she finds herself slipping, almost unnaturally, into the door. As she does she catches herself easily, but the passer-by has already made it down the street as if they were running away.
A quick check of her possessions finds everything in order and she hears the door behind her creak open. Juliet sees it is about halfway open, and she can see a table from the street in the room.
"Oi! Rakker!" Juliet yells, before her attention is diverted by the door opening behind her. Peaking her head in the door, Juliet's hand goes reflexively to the dueling sword strapped under her cloak.
"You and me and that one, apparently?" Juliet half-asks, before giving the newcomer a nod. "I'm Juliet." Then, taking a deep breath, the opera singer steps into the room and looks around.
Juliet finds the one room house nicely furnished. The house smells strongly of flowers and incense spices. There is a long table with eight chairs and a bright red runner. There are bright carpers on the floor and the room feels like home, there are even tapestries on the walls.
DC 13 Perception:
As your eyes move across the tapestries, you feel yourself naturally wanting to avert your gaze. One tapestry shows a dark, scaled beast juggling human hearts, while another shows a pair of Angels gliding above a snow-capped mountain, and, the furthest from the door is the most ominous. It shows a tall, dark, hooded figure wielding a flaming sword in its bony hands.
Moving through the night, his head high, his shoulders back, and a roll to his gait that keeps him from walking QUITE straight, the young bravo works his way up to the younger woman and halfling. He stops. "Evening. Either of you my host, or is there a reason you're blocking the doorway?"
Collecting all of his supplies after a long day of practicing. Knowing all day this was coming. Almost too excited to find out what it was about. Leaving the temple, with a nod to the other Clerics, he leaves. Not an unusual sight by any means. His walk through the city seems to go by in a blur. The huminity almost not of any notice.
Arriving at 3 Lancet Street, hand on hilt of his blade. From the other side of the street he lowers his head, The sun may have set for the day, but your power resides in me. Light my path, and allow this opportunity to give me a chance to destroy evil
Seeing the door open, he peaks in. Seeing a few others already in, he braces himself and walks in. "I assume I am invited in this. Shall I sit?" A bit unsure of what to do, he stands and leans against the wall.
Eyes moving around the room. Seeing people, but also tapestries. Lingering the longest on the sword. Curious as to its meaning. Not a scimitar, is it? But on fire.. curious
As each of you look about the room, you note the absence of your host or hostess, but you do see a note under a paperweight on the table.
Anyone who picks it up can read it's message: "Thank you for coming. I had to step out for a bit, but shall return shortly. Please, have a seat while you wait. The basket under the table has bread and drink for you."
If you look into the basket:
Looking over at the table, "A note?" Unsure as to what others are doing, he steps forward and grabs the note.
"It says to take a seat and eat the bread and wine." Riren tosses the note to the table, and moves back to the wall.
"I did not come here for bread and wine. Do any of you know who summoned us?" Never taking hand of hilt of weapon. Defense mechanism.
Maria takes one last look around her room, checking she hasn't missed anything. She can feel the spells she has prepared crackling in her aura, straining for the final incantations that will release them.
On her desk sits the harrow card, and she picks it up thoughtfully before startling at a knock on the door. It cracks open and a familiar face pushes into the room.
"You joining us for the graduation celebrations?"
She shakes her head. It shouldn't surprise them - she has never shown them any inclination to join in with their frivolity before. Perhaps they think graduation is an exception, and maybe it would be in different circumstances. "I have business." She says, and they leave without comment.
Alone once more, she pats her spell pouch to reassure herself it is there, picks up the harrow card from the desk, dons her cloak, and sets out through the evening air.
Korvosas streets are as busy as ever, but she makes good time and soon finds the appointed dwelling. Seeing the door is ajar and a handful of people are sitting inside - waiting for her perhaps? - she takes a deep breath and walks straight in without bothering to knock. Better to take charge of the situation than to let them know she is out of her depth.
Care to explain this? she says, tossing her harrow card onto the table.
|
It had started as a normal day. Wake up, morning ablution, morning prayers, breakfast, then off to see what poor and lonely souls would need a healer for their body or their mind. Ernhild had come to dread the latter. The most difficult part of the job was when there was little to do except offer a sympathetic ear, and assure them that they could come back any time. Those were the times she had to remind herself to stay welcoming, but professional. To offer a helping hand, but never share the patient's distress.
It didn't matter if she hadn't taken a single dose of shiver in almost ten years. The temptation to do so never fully disappeared, fueled by her stress, frustration, and powerlessness.
She got the envelope after lunch, from a woman who seemed almost as worn-out as her clothes.
"Someone at the entrance told me to give it to you," she explained with a faint smile that was missing some teeth. "They said it was urgent."
After a thorough discussion about her husband's bankruptcy, she left. Ernhild opened the envelope.
"Bad news?" Ishani asked later on, looking slightly concerned by his colleague's unusually tense air.
"Nothing serious," she answered, perhaps a little bit too cheerfully. "Just something I have to take care of."
With the authorization of the Archbanker, she left early in the evening.
***
On her way to Lancet Street, Ernhild keeps twirling nervously the Harrow Card between her fingers. She can almost hear her heart pounding in her chest.
It feels so strange. She has waited years for an opportunity to see Gamlen behind bars. To do something against him. To end his reign of terror.
Yet now that she finally has to face her demons once again, she feels compelled by her most primal fear to turn round and run away.
She keeps walking, slowing down as 3rd Lancet Street comes into view. Something is telling her that if she crosses the threshold, there would be no coming back.
She sees the silhouette of a young woman going inside, and -well. She's already gone too far anyway.
Pull yourself together, girl. You're tougher than that.
She follows. Inside, there is already a halfling, two Varisians, and a man wearing the symbol of Sarenrae proudly. She wonders briefly if she hasn't already seen him somewhere.
"Care to explain this?" the newly arrived woman asks, and apparently she also has a Harrow Card.
"Seems I'm a bit late to the party," Ernhild says, her gaze slowly scanning the room and seeing nothing but puzzled-looking faces. "But that we're all here for the same reason."
She takes her own card out of her pocket.
Dennvyn opens his mouth to introduce himself to Juliet, then spins at the abrupt greeting, "I think we were each deciding who should walk into the trap first without saying so, but let me get out of your way, good sir."
He pauses a moment to ensure nothing explodes, then follows the man.
He shudders at the wall-hangings, muttering half to himself, "Can't say our host's taste in wall hangings is doing anything to put me at ease."
He looks over at yet another newcomer and the note, and then the card thrown on the table with a demand and sighs, "I think we can all save ourselves a great deal of irritation if we just assume that we all got a card inviting us here... Mine offered revenge against Gaedren Lamm -- not sure what was promised you. Not sure I care, to be honest. But, if it's a similar reason, I'll point out that someone got.. a half-dozen... potential threats against Lamm in one spot, and haven't shown themselves. Would be easy, I'm betting, to lock the door and burn the place down with us in it."
He heads to a seat and hops up, "But .. this feels different, and if Lamm could get someone close enough to deliver the card, I could be dead in a dozen ways. Plus, I've never heard of Lamm pulling this sort of trick, and old men don't usually learn new tricks. Still, I don't think I'd eat or drink anything in that basket without a crossbow at my head.."
He shrugs, "So we can keep making demands of each other, or wait -- hopefully for our host, or maybe for the trap to spring... But either way, let's try to keep our heads rather than being ready to draw steel against strangers... ones that are like as not in the exact same situation you are."
Juliet takes a seat and shrugs, pulling the basket to her, and pouring a glass of wine before ripping herself a hunk of bread. Even knocking down a meat pie on the way here... she was famished.
"Whoever set this up broke into my flat, put a card in my boot, and then let themselves out, all without rousing any suspicion, or disturbing anything else in my apartment. Someone with that skill could've just as easily poisoned me in my apartment, or slit my throat in the night. Oh, and this person figured out I have vengeance on the mind, and there's only one person in the world that knows that, besides myself."
"Well, and you all, now. So all I'm saying is, if this person wanted us dead, we'd be dead."
Taking a bite of bread, the singer chews thoughtfully. Could Tatia have arranged this? How would she have found out about the others, though?
Whatever. The bread was good, and the wine, while a little sweet for Juliet's tastes, was still wine.
Dennvyn nods, then chuckles, "Basically what I was saying, though you're clearly more confident in that conclusion than I am... Especially because, when dealing, potentially, with a drug-dealing slime, I remember that there's more than just poison that can be laced into food."
He then smiles and quickly offers in a reassuring tone, "I'm sure it's fine. I've just got three people who've spent a half-dozen years insisting that I be careful screaming in my head, and if we're all here to end Lamm, well, in my experience, good things like this generally don't come along, certainly not for free... so I guess I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."
He offers his open hand, "I'm Dennvyn. Lamm ruined my childhood by turning me into one of his little Lamms - he whipped me, starved me, and finally beat me to death in a rage because of something far beyond the control of a child of 12 winters... Unfortunately for him, he didn't quite finish the job -- a mistake I won't be making."
Listening to Dennvyn's story, "Hmm. My story is similar. I was controlled by the man, as a child. I escaped, and found the embrace of Sarenrae. I still remember the beating he gave me before I finally escaped. I have done much thinking about what I would do, I have come to the conclusion that I doubt he is redeemable. Even The Dawnflower has limits of forgiveness."
Grabbing his hilt tighter, tightening his jaw, "I am supost to champion truth. The truth is, I want the man dead. The evil, vile, repugnant man."
Softening up a bit, extending his hand to Dennvyn, "I am Riren. My last name is lost to me. It is good to meet someone on a similar path to mine." With a brief glance around the room, "To you all as well. I assume we all hate Gaedren equally?"
Almost as if on cue, a middle-aged Varisian woman enters the home as Riren finishes her sentence.
"Greetings, my friends, and yes, I believe we all hate Gaedren Lamm equally."
She says politely and beckons everyone to sit, and collects each person's harrow card, shuffling her own harrow deck as she goes.
"And thank you for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you. I have reason to remain hidden, you see—a vicious man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This man has done something terrible to each of you as well. I speak, of course, of Gaedren Lamm, a man whose cruelty and capacity to destroy the lives of those he touches are matched only by his gift for avoiding reprisal. You see, a year ago, his thieves stole this, my harrow deck, from me. It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When Lamm’s pickpockets stole it, my son Eran tracked them down and returned my deck to me. But Gaedren had him followed, and soon after he left my home, Gaedren’s thugs murdered him."
She pauses, bringing a kershief to her eyes. waving anyone who may bring comfort to her away.
“I sought help from the Korvosan Guard, but they turned me away. And so I asked around. I paid bribes. I consulted my harrow deck for advice. And recently, I was rewarded—I found out where Gaedren dwells. He can be found in an old fishery north of here, at Westpier 17, where he trains abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures."
She looks across the table gravely.
“But I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that if they were willing to help, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance. And even if they arrested him, what guarantee would I have he would be punished? This criminal has evaded the law for decades. But you know of these frustrations as well, for word on the street has it that Gaedren has wronged each of you, too. So there we are. It is time for him to pay.”
She pauses, thinking a moment. And realizes she hadn't introduced herself.
"For those that don't recognize me, my name is Zellara Intoya, a Harrow-reader of some fame. I am no warrior by any means, and the spirits of my ancestors live within these cards. It is they who sought you out, they who helped find you. I merely released the cards once Lamm was found. And the cards found you. Will you help avenge my son?"
She looks across the group, hopeful for a moment. Waiting a response to see what they say.
The sailor looks at the slowly gathering crowd. "It seems everybody who's willing to admit it found a gifted harrow card, with a promise of opportunity. Makes it likely those not willing to admit it did, too. It does sound like we are all after the same opportunity, though I doubt many of us are as willing to talk about why as Dennvyn, here." He moves to the table, pouring himself a glass and taking a piece of bread. "Our host may not be here, but he offered us hospitality to go with the opportunity. It would be rude to refuse from fear, unless you wish to display fear of the opportunity, as well?" He takes a small bite, and a sip, before continuing to talk. "I am Tawni. Just off the ship, if you will, and back in town. I wasn't planning on coming back. Ever. But this opportunity is far too important to the people of this town for me to let it slip by. I hope each of you will stay to help close the deal." He pats his rapier pommel as he finishes. "I use the blade, my wits, and my agility. What of you?" he asks the group. "If we are going to claim this opportunity together, we should know."
Tawni chuckles, and then breaks into a quick burst of laughter which subsides. "I was just trying to convince the others in the room that you were presenting too important, too good an opportunity to pass up, and asking them to join me. Yes, Mrs. Intoya, I am ready to help you end the scourge of Gaedren Lamm."
Dennvyn listens to the fortune-teller, then nods, his tone clearly excited, "Callistria herself must have guided your cards... and I will cerainly accept their guidance... and would be delighted to strike a blow for your son as I strike down the cause of so much suffering."
Glancing over at the Halfing at the mention of Callistria.
Watching Zellara's speech, unsure as to the honesty of her story about her son.
----------
"Well, you have my blade. But not to get revenge, but to remove the evil stain on the world that is Lamm"
Maria perches on a seat close to the door, alert and poised for trouble as she listens to the woman and watches the reactions of the people around her.
"You did well tracking his hideout. Not an easy man to pin is Gedrin." She looks meaningfully around the room. There is a dangerous look to her new acquaintances and although she can't ignore the possibility that one might be a spy, this is far too good an opportunity to pass up.
"It looks like we have common ground in this matter if nothing else. My name is Maria Serastus, and I for one intend to repay Gedrin tenfold for the 'hospitality' he showed me in my youth. I know your story Dennvyn because I have lived it, along with asmodeus knows how many other children. If any of you are with me then I welcome your strength, but know that we need to strike quickly while we have his laire- he is like a cockroach always scuttling to somewhere new."
|
|
A couple years ago, Ernhild would have thought that taking justice in her own hands was a foolish idea. But it's difficult to deny that the Guard has done little to stop Gaedren. The man is as slippery as an eel.
It's not a matter of vengeance or personal grudges anymore. It's about preventing hundreds of children from being tortured on a daily basis. Bringing order.
Even if she has to team up with an Asmodean-
Oh, dear, how fun this shall be-
Maybe there is a possibility to send Gaedren behind bars without killing him. It seems unlikely, but she has to give it some thought.
"You have my word that I'll help you," Ernhild slowly says.
Riren
You sense that she is telling the truth about her son.
"Thank you. Thank you all." Zellara says gratefully. She goes on.
"Gaedren, the snake, has taken over an Old Fishery on Westpier. You can find it not far from here at all. The recent rains would be an excellent cover, and not many of his child thieves, his 'Lambs' would be out in weather like this, giving you a chance to make it there unnoticed."
She looks to the group. "But, if any were to see me, you see, a great alarm would go up, but you, unknown as you are, you could make it in without me." She bows her head. Tearing up at the thought and bringing a kerchief to her face. "Besides, I couldn't even protect my son." She begins sobbing.
Dennvyn nods, his tone a little hesitant as he thinks aloud, "She's probably right about the rains meaning we can get there without alerting him -- we'd be just one more group in heavy cloaks for the weather... I like it - means he should be there when we arrive, rather than filling the place with goons and heading off... This is an excellent chance.".
He claps his hands together excitedly, but then frowns, "I do hope none of you think that means that this'll be easy. There's no way that the man is unguarded - and if this is a lair of his, there's probably some surprises set up to keep out the riff raff... which, tonight at least, includes us -- though I don't think any of us are in the stopping mood."
Walking over to Zellara, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, we will do whatever we can to bring him down. Your son's death will not be in vain. No more children should have to suffer. Thank you for everything you have done"
Standing up to the room, "Well, there is no time like the present. Do any of you need any preparations?"
Walking to the door, eager and ready. Though totally understanding that he is just one cog in the machine. Your light in the darkness
"Before you go, would you like me to read your Harrow?
Zellara says, taking comfort from Dennvyn and Riren.
Turning slightly, "If you wish. If the cards have the spirt of your ancestors, I do not wish to deny them the opportunity to give me a fortune. Please"
Riren sits back down. As excited as he is, he is curious about these cards. As far as he knows this reading does not take long. The clerics would occasionally do readings for fun. Though this seems to be more of a real thing, plus I don't think Sarenrae would mind.
Dennvyn nods, "If the cards found us.. and Lamm... then I would love to hear what they have to say now."
As the fortune-teller breaks down, Tawni also moves forward, kneeling before her and taking her hand. "Lamm has managed to do the same harm to many other families. He has become an expert in hurting others no matter how well protected they might be. What you have given us the chance to do is to stop him from doing the same to anyone else ever again. That is a powerful legacy for your son's memory. One we all are gong to work to provide. Let's look to what we are trying to do, and not why we are motivated to do it."
In response to her offer for a reading . . ..
The young man hesitates briefly, with others replying while he considers. "The halfling is right. If the cards found us and brought us together, then hearing from them now makes sense."
"You are a diviner? I suppose that explains how you found Gaedrens bolt hole. Can you divine for us what kind of manpower he has protecting him?
Maria casts detect magic and waits to see what happens when the others take their cards, watching carefully to see what magic is on the cards. Assuming they do not seem harmful she then takes one herself.
|
|
Ernhild stays mostly silent during the speech, wondering how she went from a normal day to discussing murder in a shady house with an unknown woman. Part of her is horrified, and can't help but thinking that this is when she should contact the Guard. Let them know where Gaedren dwells, and pray that justice will be served with her fingers crossed.
But deep down, she knows that Zellara is right. Part of the Guard must be corrupted -there's no other explanation as to how Gaedren manages to escape everytime. His criminal network runs deep underneath the Old Dock, and it doesn't seem like it will be uprooted anytime soon. Ernhild spent more than a year trying to track him down -to no avail. In all this time, all that she could really do was set his victims on their ways with a few comforting words and a pat on their shoulders, instead of the promise that Gaedren will be caught.
When she dedicated her life to Abadar, she promised to look after the City she had come to love - and what has she ever done to help, really? A few patrols weren't enough to conquer chaos.
So, instead of leaving, Ernhild sits with the others, ready to have her fortune told (Why not, after all-). If Lamm couldn't be brought before a court, then the Law would come to him.
Zellara smiles as she begins shuffling the cards. Answering Maria's question as well as Juliet's concern: "The cards themselves carry with them the spirits of our ancestors, which is how they can see the past, the present, and the future. It is with Pharasma's gifts that that is able to happen. And, when I asked for help, the cards themselves leapt from the harrow and found you, perhaps even sliding through doors or slipping into mail addressed to you. I was as surprised as you! Sadly, while the cards can give generalities, I only know a little bit of information about him. He is working in an old fishery. He has a large half-orc working for him and a thin elf or half elf, I'm not sure, and numerous lambs. The docks aren't all that far from here, but I would be seen very quickly."
Maria:
Riren:
Zellara smiles sweetly as she shuffles the cards and asks that Ernhild cuts the deck, to create the spiritual connection necessary.
"I see you have been through much, Riren. Your reading shows a bit of darkness on the horizon. Let us walk your journey. In your past you were dominated, and were quite strong, as shown by the Rakshasa and Paladin cards, but the misaligned Joke card shows that the terror was not something to be overcome, it was something to come down from. It is being too righteous that must be brought low. Your present brings with it the Mute Hag, something showing secrets that others will murder for, and performers are terrified of. Your future brings with it the Hidden truth, the ability to see those hidden secrets your present doesn't allow you to see just yet. It also brings with it the cricket, allowing a speedy journey and some form of treasure at the end of this journey. Finally, and terrifyingly, your future brings with it the lost card. This card is the card of th emptiness and loss of Identity. Be forewarned, this card is the card that forebodes brainwashing or other dangers to you or others you may meet."
Dennvyn
Zellara smiles sweetly as she shuffles the cards and asks that Ernhild cuts the deck, to create the spiritual connection necessary.
"Come, child, your reading will be less terrifying than you believe." She lays down the cards, and smiles across to Dennvyn. What I see in you is the Paladin in your past, showing your great strength in adversity, a wonderful thing to have. You carry in your present the Forge, which shows dangerous events that will need many sources of strength to overcome. You also have the wanderer, misaligned, meaning that you will find something valuable that others will covet. Be careful with this, as it couild be quite dangerous. The future brings the Winged Serpent of knowledge, but with that brings the lost card, a potential of the knowledge you will find, that will make you forget who you are. Do not forget, and only be better with time."
She sits back and smiles at Dennvyn as she looks at him.
Tawni
Zellara smiles sweetly as she shuffles the cards and asks that Ernhild cuts the deck, to create the spiritual connection necessary. She sets right to the harrow reading.
"You have quite the past, Tawni. The tyrant and the Cyclone. Disaster and Tyranny. Some sort of arson, or damage that others have done, and the blight, I'm certain was lamb. Perhaps both cards signify that, or perhaps, someone sailed you into danger? " She pauses and looks up, waiting for a reaction. She then continues.
"Your present shows the desert, a dangerous environment, something that feels super bleak that none can survive without the aid of friends. Your future shows the Trumpet , jumping into action without hesitation so long as the cause is that of righteousness. You also see the juggler, who messes in the fates of mortals. Something large is at play, perhaps unseen, so playing to the cosmic rhythm may perhaps be to your benefit."
As everyone else prepares to leave, Ernhild asks to have her reading done privately, to which Zellara acquiesces. Everyone steps outside except for Ernhild.
Zellara smiles sweetly as she shuffles the cards and asks that Ernhild cuts the deck, to create the spiritual connection necessary.
"I see why you wished for some privacy" She says as she begins the harrow. Your past is quite dark. I see the Snakebite, misaligned, the Owl, and the Raskhasa. You have been purified with wisdom of a sort, but not after being dominated with some form of mind control? You have the look of a former drug addict, was it shiver or pesh?"[b] She stops herself. [b]"Oh I am so sorry, I didn't ask if that was appropriate, but these readings are intense for me. Your present shows the winged serpent and the forge, showign knowledge and strength through diversity and understanding. It also represents strength that needs many sources to overcome. "
She furrows her brow as she looks at your future, continuing: "You have great incongruity in your future. You have both the locksmith and the Queen Mother misaligned. You have something in the way of unlocking your destiny as well as someone unworthy of demanding worship or fealty. The unworthy cares only for the nobility, while the underclass suffers..." She trails off as something begnis to be shouted outside.
As those of you waiting outside are witing for ernhild in the early evening air, you see town criers coming down the street, flanked by a Korvosan Guard, wearing the Grey Tabard and badge of office, "King Eodred is Dead! The King is Dead! Long Live the Queen!"
Somewhat silent during his Harrow reading. At the end he nods quietly. "Thank you for the reading. Identity is important, and I sure don't wish brainwashing for myself or anyone else. Something to keep an eye on."
He stands and listens to the other readings, dwelling on the nature of his own reading. Is this something that is true? I know very little about prophecy. Lost Omens and all. Curious
Heading out to the street, and hearing the criers in the streets. "King is dead, huh? Any of you have any stake in this? I know so little about the old king or new queen. I must say, I have been pretty isolated in my temple."
Tawni watches the readings for Riren and Dennvyn, trying to be respectfully quiet so as not to interfere. When The Lost shows up in both reading,s though, he looks concerned.
As Zellara starts Tawni's reading, the young man leans forward, eager to see how this will work. When she flips his past, and discusses both cards, his expression drops into one of disappointment. "The hidden remains hidden." he mutters.
As she calls his present "a dangerous environment" he starts chuckling, which pushes into full laughter about the need for friends, as he looks about the room.
Zellara's description of the future shows nothing that means anything to Tawni, so other than steeling down form the burst of laughter, he doesn't display any obvious reaction.
He joins the others outside, as requested.
In response to Riren's comments about the rulers, Tawni just shakes his head. "No one inherits the crown, here. She can claim it all she wants. The streets are going to become a war zone as the willing armies of different 'candidates' try to destroy the power base of the others. Good time to catch a ship."
Dennvyn nods gravely at the reading, trying to keep a calm expression, So then, the important question is do I even know who I am now? Especially if we actually succeed at this -- is there an actual Dennvyn outside this need for revenge?
He stands, following the others outside, then blinking at the unexpected announcement, then laughing, "Guess marrying the old coot was a better deal for that girl than any of us expected..."
Juliet pulls her cloakhood over her head and steps back out into the drizzle, momentarily dazzled. The overcast skies weren't bright, but it still had the effect, leaving the fortune teller's home, of stepping out of a darkened theater, belly full of wine, after a matinee.
The criers only added to her confusion. Silently, Juliet turns the news over, before offering her own opinion. "Worked out for her, and maybe for us too. No one's likely to care too much for a criminal in the dead book when there's such uncertainty in the air."
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Ernhild visibly stiffens when her past is brought up.
"How did you know-" she starts, before cutting herself short.
She brushes her hair behind her ear with a slightly trembling hand, and -oh. Right. That may be how.
"Nevermind"
She has to force herself to pay attention to the rest of the fortune telling, which is much more vague and obscure. An unknown, looming threat. A deep, hidden turmoil. A feeling of being torn.
The cards do show the truth after all, but they don't provide answers. She doesn't know why she feels disappointed.
"King Eodred is Dead", Ernhild suddenly hears, coming from outside. The King is Dead! Long Live the Queen!"
"Of all days," she says to Zellara, or perhaps to herself. "Then the city truly is on the verge of chaos. Crimelords are thriving in half of Korvosa, and now power is in the hands of an inexperienced, young girl."
But as she says these very words, Ernhild gets up, suddenly feeling more confident. Nothing is right about this, she can feel it. Everything is upside-down for a reason, and it can't be a good one. It can't follow the will of Aroden.
Chaos is spreading, and it must be dealt with.
"Thank you for the reading. I guess that the times to come will try our souls."
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As you head out and thank Zellara for the information, the Harrow, and begin the hunt for Gaedren, you realize it's hot. Very hot indeed. The rain had stopped a while ago, and what seems to have been the early evening had left puddles everywhere. The steam rising from those puddles leads you to believe there will be a great deal of fog in the late evening, odd for this time of year, but as you touch the walls and various parts of buildings, you realize the rain had come straight down, it hadn't blown in.
The city had begun mourning its King before it was announced.
As you walk along Lancet Street and turn right onto Warehouse Way, you realize how very close you are to Gaedron. You begin to understand Zellara's fears. Perhaps, just perhaps, Justice will be done this eve.
A short five minutes later, you are walking along Westpier, along the Jeggare River. You find a number of abandoned or half-used warehouses. Many of these would make excellent thieves' dens or smuggling dens, even pesh or shiver dens, although Eel's End in Old Korvosa might be better for that, or so you've heard. Eventually you come to an old, poorly kept, fishery. From what you see at the front, there is a ddouble door, and a couple of small, smoked glass windows. You're not sure if the smoked glass is from the rain or if it's from years of soot. To the south is an abandoned pier and warehouse, and the pier looks terribly unsafe. Along the south of the fishery though is a set of rickety wharf-walk, which appears to go to a ship on the far side of the fishery (you can see the mast over the fishery). To the north of the fishery is another entrance, what appears to be a loading dock of some sort, with high walls. You're not certain what sits here.
The walls of the building are wooden, as is the main door. There aren't any major reinforcements other than some rope here and there. The entire place reeks of fish.
In the distance you can hear shouting, but nothing you really need to worry about, Gaedren is in your grasp...
The heat is a bit much. Muggy weather like this, after the sun sets never feels like the heat comes from the sun. It just sits within the city. Heat should come straight from the sky, it should warm the face and water. Not this muggy oppressive heat.
Surveying the scene.
"Should we just go in the front double doors? We don't want him escaping through the side door or the bat. Though those take awhile to get going, don't they?"
Looking over the group, "I say we take this head on. Charge in, not giving them enough time to prepare or spot us." Shrinking slightly and looking around again, "Though I am only one portion of this, what do you all say?"
Dennvyn says, "Might be worth holding back, blending into the crowd and seeing about a back door. Would hate for Lamm to slip out the back while his bodyguards slow us down. But, there's certainly something to be said for the direct approach."
"I think both your ideas have merit." Maria says, eyeing the fishery. "Hammering down the door and going in with the element of surprise might throw him onto the back foot. We need some way of watching his escape routes while we do that however in case he does manage to bolt. Any chance we could pay someone to watch the exits for us? There must be other street kids with an axe to grind against Gedrin, and all they would need to do is sound an alarm if they see him emerge."
"Should we go in the front and Lamm goes out the back, where would he go? To the boat, I suppose?" Juliet the turns to the loading dock, trying to discern where it goes. Does the dock end out over the water, and is designed to be loaded from a boat there, or is it meant to be loaded from the street side?
Shrugging, the singer grasps her blade's hilt. "I favor the direct approach myself."
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"I'm certainly not fond of the idea of staining a child's hands with Gaedren's blood," Ernhild frowns. "Besides, he'd probably still have time to escape by the time the alarm is sound."
The dwarf taps her armor gently.
"Can't say that I'm fit for a stealthy approach. Now the front door is probably heavily guarded, and our surprise effect might last a bit longer if we try another entrance."
The loading dock does go off to the side, towards a small alley to the north between the old fishery and a not-so-abandoned warehouse, bearing the mark of some merchant coster from Cheliax. The building is well lit from the inside, but has high windows and no entrance between the fishery and it. If you entered through the loading dock, you would be off the main Street and you would also be out of normal vision of the public.
To be clear, there is an enclosed loading dock with a double door along the north entrance, and a walkway along the south that leads to the ship, although the walkway looks very creaky and slippery.
There isn't much of a crowd here, but what you do see around tends to be talking and/or arguing about the King's death.
"The front door is likely the quickest path to a fight. Are we here for a fight, or to stop a plague? The wet deck towards the ship, there" he points, in case anyone hadn't already noticed "is probably not a good path for those used to solid, dry land. Looks to me like the loading dock is our best chance, and even then, we'll need to move with alacrity."
Dennvyn nods at Tawni's statement, his tone tentative, "On the plus side, if that deck would make it hard for us to get in, it should serve to slow Lamm's escape. He's not a young man... nor a small one."
He nods again, more decisively, "Might just be enough.... And it's likely to be the best chance we'll ever get... So I guess the only question is who's going to go knock on the door?"
Riren steps forward, "Agreed, the loading dock seems like the best entrance. I will happily step up and open the door. And if that does not work, knock. I am not skilled at opening doors that are locked. "
"The children around here already have their hands stained." Maria responds, Giving Ernhilde a hard look, "But nevertheless. Unless anybody is especially skilled at taking the stealthy option I say we go in hard."
She casts mage armour, summoning dark plates that slide across her robes and lock into place, and then steps into position behind Riren. "Lets do this."
When the group moves to the loading dock door. A quick look around to see if anyone is looking.
Looking to everyone.. Then the door, With a swift kick to the door to try to slam it open.