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The city of Korvosa was founded in 4407 AR when the empire of Cheliax expanded north into Varisia. Here, the Chelaxians found a Shoanti tribe living around an immense pyramid on the shores of a deep bay—a perfect site for a city. Much bloodshed eventually left the Shoanti defeated, driven back to the harsh Cinderlands.
Today, Korvosa’s reigning king, Eodred Arabasti II, is feared by all the right people. To date, however, he has produced no heir to the throne, the latest in a line of rulers affected by this facet of the so-called curse of the Crimson Throne. Whispers of his taste for scandalously young companionship have dogged the king throughout his rule, and when he finally wed late in life, it was no surprise that his bride was barely a third of his age. Queen Ileosa was a woman of breathtaking beauty, and some of Korvosa’s nobles worried of the dangers of placing a “trophy wife” within reach of the Crimson Throne, but Ileosa’s interest in the city seemed secondary to her desire for the life of luxury it afforded—and with the more-than-competent seneschal Neolandus Kalepopolis currently guarding Castle Korvosa’s interests, these noble families now feel they have little to worry about.
Tensei is working in the back of a small blacksmith shop as a simple laborer. Tensei completes jobs like scraping steel, shoveling coal, and tending to the forges in the back out of the view of customers.
Faust is always out and about, going from tavern to tavern looking for odd jobs. Even at the local bounty board trying to pick out the worst of the law breakers to bring them in Dead......or alive.
Hue, a dark haired pale skinned human looking young man, is moving around through the crowded streets near the docks. Wearing dark clothing and a patchwork reversable cloak with the hood drawn up, and a scarf around his face he blends in well with the regular riff raff in the area. As he makes his way through the crowd he stops a lonely looking street urchin who was reaching for the belt pouch of a passer by. He questions the dirty child briefly and then slips the child a silver piece before moving on.
On the back, in very fine printing 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.
Plucking the card from the board, you notice printing on the back. 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.
Looking at the card, you notice the small printing on the back. 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.
Turning it over in your hand, you notice the small printing on the back. 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.
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Behset would be lounging in the slums, keeping herself from the hateful eyes of opulence. She would be watching for anyone hawking drugs, and sending Khasia to trail them in an attempt to find a link beyond the runners trying to eek out coin. While Khasia is away she tries to patronize non human merchants and keep as low a profile as a Strix can.
[I] who left this? Who is this gaedren? Whoever this guy is if he had something to do with her death. I swear to zagresh he will die by my blade [i/] tensei will then take the ingots to his boss and ask if he can have permission to leave early today
The dwarven smith Ferris Sparkhammer looks at the half-orc with a raised eyebrow.
"Leavin' early? Faw. Alright, ye ken have the rest of da day today. But, I expect ye back 'fore the sun tomorrah."
With that, the smith returns to his forge and waves Tensei away.
Faust immediately looks around trying to see if anyone is watching me grab the card.
With one hand grabbing the card and the other grasping his Unholy Symbol he has an evil smile and all you hear is, Finally
In this world, things that appear to be too good to be true are probably a trap.
Hue, instantly suspicious, does his best to check his surroundings and lose any possible tails, while he makes his way to the address well ahead of sunset. He finds a shadowy corner to blend into, and watches... and waits...
I need to make sure I go to this meeting, any information to get me closer to him. I have to find out.
Faust will make his way to the building a little before sunset, trying to make sure no one follows me to the building. As long as no one is following then I will check out the building before the meeting.
Tensei will make his way home to grab his weapons and armor. Once he grabs his weapons and armor he flips up his cloak and wraps his face in a cloth to cover his orcish features. Once covered up here makes his way to the address as if he was heading to work
valentina please dont watch what I'm about to do. I know you wont like what's coming next. This is orc work!
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Behset quirks a brow at the notion of others like her, but briefly savors the promise of vengeance. She will collect her small bundle of personal possessions and wait for Khasia to return. Finding a familiar spot she launches to the the roof tops and bounds between them taking only a step or two on each roof as her powerful wings carry her over the intervening streets below her. Traveling as the crow flies over the roofs she will find a perch overlooking lance st and settle in to watch for these "others". Khasia will be sent to circle and watch as well.
As the sun dips below the horizon, and night begins descending on the city, the house remains unlit and silent.
You easily notice that there are 3 figures lurking nearby the home and can almost sense the tension, as if they are waiting for something to happen.
Hue picks up a small pebble and tosses it at Faust to get his attention. "Psst! Faust! What are you doing here?"
Faust whips around with his hand on his blade ready for anything.
Who's there. Show yourself!
Hue partially clears the shadows so Faust can see his face.
"Stop being so loud you oaf! I know you can be subtle when you want to be. It's Hue, remember? Why are you watching this house?"
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Behest flits to the roof above Faust and the pale skin who approached him. Overheating that the catfolk is watching the house she was directed to, she will ponder the human for a moment before huffing and making her presence known. Leaning over the precipice, wings poised to launch into the night sky if things go awry, she will hiss Yes very loud in still dark. You "others"? Others wronged? Here for Lance of three?
So the winged one finally makes her appearance as well. I wondered how long you were going to perch up there. Hue says. Did you all get a card too? he asks.
Hue is that you? Why are you always sneaking around so damn much. It can be rather off putting sometimes, ya know? I'm assuming your here for the same reason I am. You know what that damn man did to us...what we went through. I lost everything because of him...we lost everything.
Looking at the Strix that's perched.
Yup I sure have and I can assume you have as well. My name is Faust, nice to meet you. So are all you guys here for the same note.
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Behest tilts her head and smiles Good sight for a groundling, care to see closer? she will spiral down about 10 feet away. On the ground she will hold out her card paper like this, talk of others and Lamm' s blood? she seems to shift uncomfortably on the ground like you would while barefoot on the hot sand of a beach. Looking to Faust wild thing tamed with politeness in the cruel place, odd, we find hunt to wake spirit. But curtsey given, so my chosen calling be Behset. Noble bird be Khasia my guide and connection to the wilds. Keeps sane inside walls of stone.
Tensei will walk past the 3 talking and straight up to the door and attempt to open it. He looks back at the 3 others Are you done talking or do you want to get this going
Faust, I like to watch. Hue says and winks at the Catfolk. By all means, after you. He says in response to everyone else's eagerness. Normally I would check for traps, but they can be my canaries in the coal mine... Hue slips to the rear of the group, placing them between him and the door.
The door is surprisingly unlocked and opens easily enough. The interior of this small, humble home consists of a single cozy chamber filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The aroma comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke gives the room a dreamy feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling human hearts, and another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall, hooded figure shrouded in mist, holding a flaming sword in a skeletal hand. Several brightly colored rugs cover the floor, but the room’s only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throw cloth and several elegant, tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table.
A dim candle burns on the table, resting atop a piece of parchment.
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All manner of checks requested about the room decor
First Behset wants to focus on the dreamy incense and ensure that it is a mundane scent and not illusory or consciousness altering
Second she would like to see if the tapestries are religious, if not she will nudge Tensei ahead of her to inquire if he knows
Lastly she wants to glance over the winged elves to make sure they are not nasty little sprites
If everything seems in order she will cast purify food and drink on the contents of the basket
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The basket contains bread and wine. Anyone that partakes in the food will find that the bread is a little stale but filling, and the
wine, while not fine, tastes good enough.
After about 10 minutes of waiting, the front door opens, and an attractive middle-aged Varisian woman with long, dark hair steps into the room.
"Ah, you are all here. Good, good. I am Zellara. It is certain you have many questions. Both of me and of each other. Please, feel free to eat and talk."
With that, she steps over to the side and pulls out a Harrow deck, idly shuffling the cards through her fingers.
Faust will sit down and pour some wine and grab some bread.
Come on guys sit down, you want some wine? Faust will offer and pour wine for whoever wants any. So now down to business, how do you know Gaedran? What has he done to you?
“Thank you for coming, my friends, and 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 a moment as tears well in her eyes, but steels herself and continues.
“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.
“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.”
Turning to Behset, "As for my decor, it adds to the mystique of my work. Customers have certain expectations when they come to see one such as myself. Before I started using those, they were much more likely to argue with me over their readings, claiming I was trying to swindle them, before they even sat down."
Westpier 17, I don't remember him working out of that area or being in that area when I was younger. Faust shakes his head a little, takes a deep breath and slams the glass of wine. Ya see, I used to be one of Lamm's Lambs, I was taken from my parents when I was young and was made to serve him Faust stands up turns around and lowers his jacket a little. You can see scars on his back some are obscured under his armor, he pulls his jacket up and sits down. That is how he made me comply, I barely escaped with my life. How sure are you that this information is correct? I do agree though we can't use the guard in this, it would only cause us more of a headache.
Tensei does not partake in the wine or food but instead stands quietly near Behest. Tensei listens closely as Zellara speaks and starts to grip his Falchion tight as she mentions the location of Lamm.
Lamm will recieve justice for what he has done to my valantis. There is but only one judgement left for him... Death
though his face is covered you can see in his eyes that rage is fuming from within Tensei
"It is high time Lamm faced Judgement. I'm obliged to arrange his meeting with Pharasma."
"Come, gather round."
Zellara motions to the high chairs to those that are still standing.
"Let us see what the fates say with you here."
She shuffles the cards a few more times and then spreads nine out on the table. One by one you select the cards and she reveals them, nodding as each is turned over.
In front of Fause, The Cricket appears. Behset, discovers The Locksmith. Tensei finds himself in the presence of The Dance, while Hue find The Juggler.
She collects the cards and shuffles them back into the deck. Her fingers moving so swiftly it almost appears as if the cards are a blur. A look of concentration washes over her face as she lays out nine new cards in a grid.
Flipping the first card, The Midwife appears.
"Ah, the cards do agree. Some of you were indeed seeking infomation, which you have now found in me."
The next card is turned, The Theater.
"Ohhhh, great things are brewing within each of you. Perhaps the telling of a grand story. One for the ages to remember you all by."
The third card, The Inquisitor.
"You will all quest for the truth, accepting nothing less than the harsh reality of the world."
Sliding her hands to the middle column, The Desert is turned over.
"Each of you needed aid in the past. Some of you would not have survived without it."
The fifth is The Keep.
"And your resolves are firm in this endeavor."
At the bottom of the second column rests The Teamster.
"Something will push you along. I cannot see what it is, but something, or perhaps someone will drive you along to a goal.
The Avalanche is revealed in the next column.
"Disaster and pain have dogged you, but you found a way to deal with it, making life bearable."
A shimmer in her eyes reveals the tears forming as she says these words, but she presses on and turns over the next card. The Survivor.
"Though you have lost something, your lives will bring an end to the suffering. You may even find that which you thought was gone forever."
As the last card is revealed, the candle flickers and dims as a chill breeze blows through the room. The Empty Throne.
"No... I see many will die. Not at your hands, but the hands of another. Ghosts will haunt your future, but you can find the way to set them as ease."
The tears in the corners of her eyes finally slide down her cheeks.
"I am sorry for such a grave ending to this reading, there will be pain, but you will also find joy and peace. For yourselves and others."
Giving a short pause after the reading, Zellara clears her throat.
"Time is of the essence here though. This man is constantly on the move, I urge you to go quickly and strike at him tonight, so he has no chance to escape."
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Grimness in roots of stone place. No more was desired. Many deaths, fine cost to slake rage. If to make pack Behset will look over to the party I seek strengths that shield Khasia. Make blood not wit peasants! I channel rage of wilds, fire spirits that burn away the dead choking brush and invite new growth. Death for life. But inside stone walls nature far, rage falters quickly. Making of haste,agreed, important.
Tensei looks at the group and let's out a animalistic growl LET US SEND LAMM TO HELL (IN ORCISH) Tensei realizing the old him coming out makes himself ease back and become calmer
I appreciate your enthusiasm. What's the plan? I assume we are doing more than just charging in head first and hoping for the best.
Tensei looks at the group and states I am not good with plans but I will follow what you suggest winged one. As long as I get to sink my blade into Lamm's skull
With a smile on her lips, Zellara ushers you all to the door, closing it with a soft 'click' of the lock as you leave.
Her directions were very clear, and it takes just a few minutes to draw close to Number 17.
Everyone except Tensei notices a few younger folks hanging out nearby. Faust and Hue recognize them as some of the kids that Lamm "employs". They do not appear to have noticed any of you currently.
I suggest that Hue and possibly myself go forward, Hue is always been good getting around in the dark and I am not too bad myself. I would suggest not to hurt the kids. Most of those kids were forced to do this at such a young age this is all they know. So please don't hurt them.
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you know, you go. I will follow far with... Ten-sh'I? Tricky sibilant! when your go goes loud we also fly in loud. If no go loud what watch for to go? Behset seems eager and you notice the corona of smoke around her grows slightly more intense. She stills herself and partially wraps her ebon wings about her to better mask in the shadows. Before fully enclosing her wings she will flare the left wing and proffer the space to Tensei if he wishes to use her natural coloring to aid his stealth.
We will send a signal, when it's all clear. Hue you go ahead I will follow.
As the group begins to approach the old fishery, another group of youngsters moves along the docks and meets up with the first. They are very animated and speaking somewhat loudly.
"Yup, you heard me right. They say the king is dead. Crazy old coot finally bit it."
One of the older looking boys turns and says, "That's what happens when you sit on that throne for too long." Then makes a gesture sliding a finger across his throat.
A third boy hops up down to the dirt, "Hey, we should go tell Devargo. He also pays for good info."
And with that, all six of the boys scatter off to the north, leaving only the sound of creaking ships docked nearby. The path to the fishery appears to be clear.