"Wow. You are really loud."
He pats his ears after Tensei's outburst.
"The way I see it, you lot coming right in like you did. It never means good things. I'm telling you, for your own safety, go grab a drink, maybe hit some of the dream shiver, just go relax. The boss has business that he's dealing with currently. When he's done, you'll get your turn."
Turning to the other guard.
"Some people are just so impatient."
"And that just cost your boss more. But we'll do this your way. We'll come back. And when we do, I'll offer up all the gold you cost your boss for the head off your shoulders. How much do you think that's worth to him?"
He shrugs.
"You do your thing. Like you said, I'm just the door man. You think it's worth your coin, go for it."
"Either you have a very high, and likely misplaced, opinion of yourself, or you dont care for your own life and killing you would be a mercy. Perhaps theres someone out there you care for more than yourself. Perhaps, for this disregard you've shown me here today, I follow you around for a while or bribe the right people to find out who it is you care for more than yourself. Perhaps I find that person and learn their behaviors, their desires. Perhaps I let it go on for some time, long enough you forget about this meeting. Perhaps I get you one night while you're asleep, and with the right application of tinctures you're powerless to move while this person you care more for than yourself is slowly peeled like an apple, still breathing, in front of you. Then once the life finally leaves their body, I cripple you with a few precise cuts and remove your tongue. Powerless to do anything about it, or speak about it, you'll spend the remainder of your days wishing you had just done WHAT I F+*!ING ASKED AND TOLD YOUR BOSS WE ARE HERE TO DO BUSINESS WITH HIM!!! You see, I'm a sick f&&@ and I dont like taking no for an answer."
A broad grin slides onto his face.
"Alright. You got me. Sure, go right on in. Have fun in there. Anyone I should send a card to in your memory?"
With that, the two guards step off to the side and motion to the group that the door is clear.
"Your mother." And Hue winks at him.
Faust will chuckle at Hue's last comment and then looks at the guys and tips his hat before entering.
Hue enters as well.
As the group steps through the door they see a large room, once a captain’s cabin, that has been converted into a throne room of sorts. The walls are thick with spider webs, in which scuttle dozens of spiders, some as large as a fist but most considerably smaller. These spiders seem content to stay in their webs and do not venture into the room itself, which is furnished with two sturdy oaken tables surrounded by chairs. Aft, a wooden stage supports a large leather chair covered with cobwebs and scampering spiders. A narrow door stands to port, hanging ajar and revealing a flight of stairs leading below. An iron birdcage hangs from the ceiling like a chandelier.
Near the throne stand two men, seeming to be observing several unconscious folks. One of the men is dressed in dark leathers and he turns as you enter, with a frown settling upon his face. The other, an older looking man in nice robes. He looks up from what appears to be notes and also scowls.
The old man in a harsh whisper.
"I thought you said there would be no interruptions? This could alter the results and spoil the data."
The leather clad man speaks.
"What in the hells are you four doing walking in here like this? Get out."
"So, answer the question, or just leave? I'm confused on what you want."
Devargo goes to step forward, but the old man holds a hand up and stops him.
"Be silent. You will close the door, I do not care which side of it you are on, but close it and do not make a sound. Understood?"
Devargo looks curiously at the old man, but stands down.
Hue nods silently and watches.
Faust will make sure the door is shut, be silent and watches the old man.
The old man turns back to the unconscious people and resumes scribbling in the parchment. Occasionally he will cast a spell, then make more notes.
Devargo stays nearby switching his gaze between you four and the old man.
After about an hour and a half, the old man lets out a sigh.
”Unfortunately, I do not think any of this has helped them much. I feel like there was some progress, but certainly not enough to call it a positive result.”
The old man turns and moves towards the group. His eyes dart quickly between each of you.
”Well. Quite unusual. Have any of you had experience with Dream Shiver? Any lasting side effects? I do not imagine that it would be greatly different based off physiology, but by the vary nature of some of your essences the effects could be drastically different. Hm.”
Tensei will stand behind faust and Hue being silent for this is not his area of expertise. Tensei will keep a imposing look on his face to ensure that the group looks to have strong muscle behind them but will say nothing.
When asked about Dream Shiver. Tensei will shake his head no.
"Dream Shiver? Never touch the stuff. What's the matter with them?"
I have known people who have taken it, but never taken the stuff myself. Is there something maybe we could help with?
”A bit of theory crafting on my part. Was curious about some potential remedies for the addictive properties of dream shiver. If that could be resolved, this could have greater applications to use in spellcasting as a component. With the current risks, it is far too impractical.”
His words trail off as he flicks through his notes.
Being able to cure the addictive properties of dream shiver would be amazing, as well as rather lucrative.
”Fah. If anything, it would cost money to those that make it. At least until there are other, proven applications.”
He tilts his head towards Hue and raises an eyebrow.
”An odd thing. Is that a pet? It’s been a while since I have seen a Raktavarna. Would you sell it perhaps?”
"Finally, someone in the city who understands a good business deal waits for noone! You have no idea how hard it is to negotiate with the luddites I've come across. Anything and everything you see on me is for sale, for the right price, except myself of course. So, make me an offer?"
I have no idea what hes talking about, but I'm not particularly attached to anything I have. If he wants to make me a good offer, I'll sell what he wants. Also might put the Spider in the mood to make a deal.
"Well, if it is yours, you will need to release it. For something like that, perhaps two hundred gold? If it is native then we can discuss higher terms."
He waits patiently.
"200 gold pieces seems like a reasonable offer. I am afraid you have me at a bit of a disadvantage. I'm not familiar with the word you're using. I am clearly not as learned as you. Can you indicate which of the items you're referring to."
The old man raises an eyebrow.
”Oh. Well. That is disappointing. Hmm, I dare say you have met it, you just don’t remember.”
He steps close to Hue and pushes back one of his eyelids.
”Stop fidgeting. Been feeling lethargic or filled with malaise?”
Pointing to the silver dagger.
”You would do well to be careful with that. But unfortunately, as it is not yours, you cannot release it. Will not do me much good if I am unable to bind it. I could rid you of it if you like.”
"I haven't quite been myself these past few days, to be honest. Ever since I took possession of this. Is there a way to find out who it does belong to? I believe we took this as spoils of war, so to speak, from whom it was previouslyin the possession. If it was not him, who might it be? If we cant determine that, then I would like to be rid of it, yes."
The dagger, sensing the imminent danger, shifts into it's true form, that of a tiny serpent with horns.
It lashes out to bite at Hue
"Ouch! You son of a-"
Hue will put some distance between himself and the serpent.
What the hell is that? You need to get rid of that thing
As the creature is dropped to the floor, the old man casts a spell.
The raktavarna lets out a small squeak, then vanishes.
"Ah, it was indeed not a native. Very disappointing."
He turns towards Devargo.
"I will continue to work on this when there is time. The chaos has made things a bit more difficult, which was why I had hoped to be undisturbed here. Good day."
With that he casts a spell, and vanishes from sight.
Devargo steps to the door and opens it.
"Rogan, tell Bezzeraty to send some boys to pick up her patrons. Nils, chow time."
Outside you hear some hustle and bustle as folks move about. In the end, six leather clad people move into the room as another approaches from below decks carrying a large food tray. A moment later another group of three come in and collect the unconscious folks.
The King of Spiders moves up to his throne and has a seat.
"So, what in the hells do you want?"
Hue tries to get a read on Devargo.
"We've come, at the behest of an employer who prefers to remain nameless. This employer, who I will just refer to as our boss, has heard interesting and impressive things about you and your operations here. They are also aware of certain 'troubles', shal we say, that the Ambassador to Cheliax is likely setting out to create here in Korvosa. Troubles that spell out certain... undesirable outcomes for our boss. Our boss also understands that the aforementioned Ambassador partakes of the wonderful vices you provide. So we have been tasked with securing an audience with you and are hoping such a wise businessman as yourself would see the potential of a mutually beneficial arrangement where we could procure information that could be used to discourage the Ambassador from his plans."
He seems a bit bored, after having sat through the note taking and examinations earlier.
Motioning for the group to step closer.
"Ah, the wayward ambassador. He sure has gotten himself into a bit of trouble here. But more than that, there's someone back home that misses him so badly. I happen to possess some letters from a lady love of his. Someone married to a fella a bit higher up on the food chain than the ambassador. He is a clever sort, these have gotten me some extra income here and there, but he'll eventually figure out a way to make them useless. So, I guess I could sell them, fifteen hundred gold."
I am sure someone like yourself has much more interesting and lucrative endeavors to entertain rather than some letters, how about 500 gold?
He lets out a barking laugh.
"Your friend there said it'd be bad for your employers business if the ambassador wasn't stopped. No lowballing. Maybe if you could liven up this place, I might be inclined to bring that price down a bit. Ever play Knivesies?"
At the mention of the game, several of the thugs laugh and start clearing one of the tables.
Never played but I've heard of the game.
The King claps his hands.
"Alright. Hop out cat man. And you.." He points to one of his guards "Get up there."
Several guards move to their ally's side, tossing coins on the table.
"Alright, ante up, then we'll get started."
The rogue hops up first and grabs the knife, then moves to try and block you from getting access to any coins.
Faust will put in 50 gold and get on the table.
As soon as the game starts Faust will reach down and grab a fistful of coins.
Then Faust will attempt to kick a coin off the table.
As Faust leans down to pick up coins, the brigand slashes at him with the dagger.
As he sees the catfolk try to boot a coin away, he steps to block it.
A smug grin settles onto his face as he then tries to stab again
Feeling the slash of the dagger Faust realizes he better focus on kicking off a coin from the table.
Worry overtakes the smugness as Faust fakes out the guard and launches a coin off the table. The crowd starts making booing noises, but the King shushes them.
"Fine fine. You won that round, but that was hardly entertaining. Why not try again? Put the big guy up there? He looks like he knows how to have a good time."
Why not that was a fun time, may I request a small breather first to heal up?
Devargo shakes his head.
”If yer not bleeding, yer not doing it right.”
Yeah that is true. Let's do it!
Faust walks back up to the table ready to start Game 2.
Tensei will step up and put his hand on faust shoulder I think I shall give this game a try, if you dont mind faust tensei will move up and nod his head at the spider I shall try your game but fair warning I tend to not hold back very well Tensei will remove his face coverings and give a strong flex to the possible opponents.
Both contestants climb up onto the table, while each side places bets.