”Dark. Damp earth. Woman. Fear. Cat. Chains. Old man. Young man. Sadness”
After that brief utterance, it swirls in on itself and vanishes
As the group approaches the grounds proper, the guards are reluctant at first, but eventually wave you in with a warning of ”Just don’t cause any problems that’ll get me sacked”
Inside, you find several small clusters of people engaged in conversation, most of which seems directed at the political climate of the city at large. A few groups however are admiring the decor, which looks to have been polished and cleaned to near perfection since your visit yesterday. Glorio is nowhere to be seen at the moment, and the stairway up is guarded. The pair at the stairway turning away anyone that approaches and encouraging them to enjoy the ground floor at this time. You do catch a glimpse of a woman dressed in exquisite garments staring down at the crowd from the overview you had seen near the baths. Her features share a similar quality to Glorio, but her eyes are much darker and gave off an air of superiority.
After the party is in full swing downstairs, the woman you had spotted earlier descends the stairs and begins to engage in the conversations. Most that she approaches look a bit apprehensive, but soften when her quiet voice catches them by surprise. She carries a bit of a Vudrani accent.
Faust made sure his clothes looked as good as they could when he entered. Faust looks over at his colleagues, I guess we should go talk with people and maybe try to learn stuff on our own since we can't talk to the big guy right now. Faust will make his way around engaging people in conversations if they wish while keeping is eye on the lady that descended the stairs.
As the group mingles with the muckity mucks of Korvosa, Glorio, Carnochan, and four cat headed humanoids, dressed in guard uniforms make their way down the stairs. A couple of the other elites of the city, trailing behind. Glorio and two of the guard break off and head towards the dining area. Meanwhile Carnochan begins instructing other servants with their orders for the evenings meal. The last two of guard head towards the woman, but hang back to not intrude on her conversations.
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Upon seeing the feline folk, Behset starts drawing some connections with what the spirit said. When she crosses paths with a party member she will outline the possible connection: Spirits whisper of a woman, fear, and cat among other things. Will tell as more draw together, or spirits prove untrustworthy
After informing the party, she will gravitate towards the woman. Behset is clearly enamored with the fine garments. She does not approach the woman, but instead moves towards the guards and speaks a little louder than usual, allowing her Cheliaxin accent to come through Apologies, but I was here on business before the soiree began and am currently armed, which is not befitting the tone of this event or my intent, so could you please watch this? She will hand over her sickle, and then resume standing just outside the current conversation, hoping that her actions, strange appearance, and heritage, will have garnered enough attention and curiosity to be brought in.
The guard seems a bit perplexed by being handed, what his eyes seem to convey, a farming tool.
The woman glances in your direction, making brief eye contact. Her smile is a harsh contrast to her eyes. You all get the distinct impression that she has noticed you, but doesn’t want to waste her time talking to lowly adventurers when there are so many other, ‘better’ conversation partners to be had.
I've no interest in hobbnobing with sycophants and condescending aristocrats. I must find out about the fate of Neolandus before I can continue to be cordial with these people.
The doctor gives an intense look to Faust before leaning in to whisper, "I'm not having any luck discovering what happened with Neolandus. I suffer no fools who are 'high' on their own self importance. I have very little patience left for this party and their snide looks. I'm not above making a scene to get what I want."
The doctor doubles down and begins, diplomatically at first, stopping other guests and asking if they know Neolandus and where he might be.
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Behset will laugh and give a good natured eyeroll. Directed towards the woman from just outside typical conversation range Rare to meet someone who says more with eyes than tongue, who isnt politician. I can hazard a guess, but rather than making even more of a fool of myself, would you care to educate me on who you are?
Diplomacy+17
Before the Doctor leaves. I agree with trying to start by asking around. Let's divide and conquer asking around first. Before causing a scene make sure I am in eye sight and I can read your lips to let me know.
Faust will move in the opposite direction and start talking around trying to keep in eyesight of the most important people and see if I can read their lips.
Events like this aren't really my expertise but Doc if things go the other way let me know. Tensei will give the Doc a slight smile.
The woman looks back in Behset's direction, her lips curling into the faintest of smiles.
"Vimanda. Vimanda Arkona. Are you enjoying the party?
Tensei will take the drink / snacks to not be rude but he is trying to keep an eye out if there are any other people that are armed like him and his friends are that ate not guards.
Faust wants to subtly see how people feel about the Queen, like if they are supporters or against her. Also would like to see if the people thought the "Little Emperor" falling was a good thing or bad.
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Behset will step up and genially respond Pretty name, I am Behset. The party is a delight, with all the woe going on throughout the city it is a pleasure to see something so full of life and vibrant she will gesture at the woman's dress for the vibrant part Ultimately though it is a distraction from those very issues which I was hoping to discuss with the Seneschal Neolandus. I seem to have been misguided that he is here, but perhaps a woman's touch might be more insightful than an old soldiers?
At the mention of the Seneschal, Vimanda’s lips curl into a wicked grin, though her eyes show no signs of mirth.
”It is a funny thing that. How rumors spread and fester. You seek Neolandus. It so happens I know where he is. I am also aware of the value he has in these troubling times. The city, she needs a strong leader, not some outsider whelp like Ileosa. With Neolandus, we could overthrow her rule and install someone more… appropriate to lead.”
She pauses for a moment, clearly trying to read your reaction.
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Behset will smile gleefully. Superb! I am an outsider like Ileosa, but I have learned and respect that the city very much has its own rules and traditions that no outsider can truly comprehend. This is why I have allied myself with a number of others who comprehend the city better. I have imposed on your hosting duties long enough, but after the evening wanes I would love for you to meet them so we can further discuss Neolandus's role in securing the city's future?
She looks Behset up and down, clearly unimpressed based on appearance. Then gestures around the room.
"As you can see, we have gathered those that will be of some use already. What is it you think you can offer that they cannot?"
She looks as if she was about to continue, when Glorio steps into the room. Spotting his sister engaged in conversation, he approaches.
"Hello to you again. I trust the accommodations were to your liking? Have you had a chance to try the plum tarts yet? Not many have access to these little fruits in the region, and even fewer these days with the city being strangled by that lost little Queen. Such a pity, truly. Some day, hopefully soon, she might realize the error of her ways."
He pats Behset on the back.
"Come, let us find those pastries and leave this one alone. She can be... tiresome."
Would Faust have heard any of the interaction between her and Behset?
After seeing Glorio drag Behset away, Faust will step up to Vimanda.
He gives a slightly exaggerated bow but trying to not be rude. Sorry, it seems by friend Behset was taken away before he could answer your question. Oh I am sorry I should introduce myself. My name is Faust Hawkins, I am friends with Behset. Faust will give a slight bow. Our group has a variety of skills that can do all sorts of things including things some people don't want to do. We also share a disdain for Ileosa.
Her nose wrinkles as Faust approaches and lays out his spiel. Then she comments to one of the nobles nearby.
”My darling brother does like to take pity on strays. Even if they’re as puffed up as this one, it’s hard not to notice how… well traveled you smell.”
She then makes a dismissive shooing gesture towards the catfolk.
Glorio meanwhile is walking with the strix down the eastern corridor to the south.
Faust will laugh at her comments, Whatever you think lady but you know there is no need to be a b~@#& about it.
Faust will then walk in the direction of Glorio hoping to catch him as he is leading zbehset away.
The Doctor realizes she either forgot a key piece of information or missed some context clues. She finds a quiet spot in a corner to watch the decadence, trying not to think how much good all this wasted wealth could do for those decimated by the manufactured plague.
Vimanda ignores the jab from Faust as the catfolk walks away.
As Glorio and Behset arrive in the sitting room to the south, with Faust joining shortly thereafter, the head of the Arkona household leans in towards the strix and begins to speak softly.
"Listen, I can't say much about it at this time, but I am aware of what the four of you are after. It's a tricky situation, that my dear sister has made, a bit more complicated. Your friends are both alive and well, but they are locked away for safe keeping.. of a sort. They're in the Vivified Labyrinth, which is under your very feet. I know, I know, you're probably not happy about it, but that is the situation at hand. I cannot retrieve them myself now that my sister has gotten involved, but I can at least tell you how you can get into the Labyrinth.
Glorio stands up quickly as some of the other guests make their way into the room.
"So, with that, I leave you for now. The party will continue for a couple more hours at least, Then Vimanda and I have some business on the other side of Old Korvosa that needs dealt with. You're free to stay here if you like."
He adjusts his fancy garb and heads back towards the entry area, collecting a skewer filled with meats and veggies, pulling off each bite and chomping them one by one as he walks.
Thank you very much for your honesty. I would definitely like to sit down and chat more after your and our affairs are done. Faust will tip his hat to Glorio as he leaves.
Faust will look at Behset. We need to get Tensei and Doc and fill them in. Then we can wait and prepare
Faust with Behset will grab Tensei and Doc and go to a more Secluded space and fill them in with what we learned.
"What game are these two playing... and with the lives of others as their pawns? Normally I avoid getting involved in the family drama of others but in this instance I think it's unavoidable."
I am just speculating of course but it seems like Glorio is hiding the others from his sister. She was terrible from the little bit I was around her, at least Glorio treats us normal. I woukd still be super cautious that's why I told Glorio that I want to have a talk alone after all this.
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I had rather amiable talk with her, but my bar for politeness is basically don't stab, burn, or eat so maybe bad judge. I tried talking to her because spirits suggested that a lady with cats was involved with Neolandus, but to your point the spirits also granted visions of pain and chains so perhaps she has some secret sadism. Though that seems a prerequisite for anyone with power in this city. Regardless, I would wager that if we find out marks they will be in a sorry state. Hu, anything we can bring to aud them if the spirits be truthful?
Otherwise, I cannot say I be thrilled to venture underground again, but it seems quickest way out of this wicket.
"I have my medical supplies and divine powers to heal what ails them. Otherwise, extra healing potions or antidotes would be good. I'm afraid its hard to determine without viewing them myself."
So we can relax a bit ans wait around until people start to leave and then head down and try to find em.
Tensei getting a bit restless, Wish we could go now, these kinds of things I have never been good at. I understand we need to be discreet tho.
Time ticks by, and the partygoers are getting heavier in their drinks. You frisk a couple more, noticing that most of the patrons here are not carrying too much on them, but you do find one trinket of note and pocket it. A smallish disk that has a pattern of five feathers on the front surface. You have not seen anything like it before
”I suppose you young uns wouldn’t know about that. Hm. Well, it’s right below yer feet if you can believe that. Crazy place it was. Years back, this was the old palace grounds, ‘fore that new monstrosity was built. Korvosa was so much small then. As such, they built a dungeon for the criminals and enemies of the kingdom to be kept. Thing is, t’weren’t no ordinary dungeon. They say they didn’t even need guards for it, ‘cause no one could figure out how to get out. Now that’s so long ago, and of course people have escaped plenty of times since then, but you know how rumors are.”
Faust will try to find Glorio and ask if he has a repair kit or station that we can use.
Slinking off to a less occupied space, Faust tried to determine what the item is.
With taking the time to look for interesting trinkets, Glorio has made himself scarce as the party winds down. As the other party goers start to slowly trickle out and head back to the respective estates, the group is left, mostly unattended. A few guards still linger as always, but most are relaxing or scrounging up leftovers from the fancy foods that had been served.
Faust will make sure that the Five Feather Wreath is attached to his weapon. Then he will look at his friends, I think it is time to make our way. Then will lead the way to the statue.
Tensei will nod and follow.
To reach the statue itself, you wade quickly through the fountain. You get a curious tickle as you move through it, not painful, but certainly seems as if there was something lurking there. As Behset follows the directions Gloria had given, there is a click as if something were unlocked or a latch had sprung. Nearly at the same time, the large, marble elephant begins to move. The carved eyes glowing with a sinister green as they focus in on the party. With a flash of insight, the Doctor mutters the words, "Chamidu is blind" and the glow subsides, and the platform begins to slowly rotate 180 degrees. As it does so, a curved opening appears, granting access to a flight of spiral stairs that descend into the ground.
Descending the stairs is easy enough, and there is a switch located on the wall, about twenty steps down that seems to be the release from this side.
Continuing downwards, eventually a large cavern is revealed. The air in this vast grotto is cool. An iron-framed flight of spiral stairs winds up through a hole in the ceiling in the northwest section of the room from the top of a semicircular ledge. The ledge winds down along the cavern’s inner wall to a series of rope bridges that descend even lower from ledge to ledge. The upper ledge is breathtaking and strangely beautiful—a tableau of all manner of odd-colored fungi, lichens, and molds. The fungi have been cultivated, shaped into symmetrical patterns normally not seen in nature, transforming the ledge into a sort of underground fungal garden. Here and there, flickering torches burn in sconces above the fungi, while from somewhere in the darkness below comes the soft splash of water against an unseen shore.
Looking with a curious eye, Behset attempts to examine the fungi, but quickly spots four menacing figures that seem to be overgrown with the stuff.
Circling around to the western side, this protrusion rises from a rocky beach overlooking the sloshing waters of a sea cave. Three rope bridges descend deeper into the cave, connecting three progressively lower ledges on the wall until finally reaching a stony protrusion at ground level.
Arriving at the first landing , there is a small door set into the wall. Inspecting it shows no signs of danger, and upon opening it, you see this simple chamber contains a bed and a number of shelves carved into the stone walls. All manner of animal figurines, some crude and carved of wood, others exquisite and sculpted from stone or even metal, decorate these shelves. A heap of raw materials for crafting more of the animals lies against the western wall.
Continuing down the bridges, the next landing, Tensei catches the scent of something, and Doctor Yu locates a well concealed mechanism in the southeastern wall. Triggering it, a hidden opening is revealed, leading off into darkness.
Opting to circle back to this secret tunnel, the last rope bridge is crossed and the group arrives at the waters edge. Looking to the northwest, it would appear this is an old smuggler route, likely well concealed on the outside, so a potential escape route should such a thing be necessary.
To the south, a large set of double doors looms . Opening the doors reveals, four lit braziers that illuminate this vast chamber, a cathedrallike space made all the more immense by its lack of benches or other concessions to comfort. The floor is polished tan marble, with the walls rising up to form a domed ceiling sixty feet above. Alcoves line these walls, six in all, inside of which stand human-sized statues of a tiger-headed man. To the south, a few steps lead up to a pulpit-like area with three more statues of the same figure—the central one being twice as tall and holding out before him two lances from which hang flags. The left is the flag of Korvosa, while the right bears the Arkona coat of arms. More notably, two very large cobras sit, in the chamber, with a man just beyond. The cobras turn towards the door, hoods flaring out as their posture turns more hostile. The being behind them gives a short yell, and as he moves more into view, you can easily recognize the tiger like features and his unusual hands.
"I was unaware of any deliveries today, but Bahor knows best I suppose."
With a click of his tongue, the pair of cobras remain in their stances, but do no make an advance towards the party.
Faust will look at him with a tip of his hat say, Greetings, we have come here looking for something. I am afraid I know not of this Bahor person. From the looks of it it seems you are allies with the Arkona Family? We are acquaintances of Glorio Arkona ourselves.
As Faust speaks, the rakshasa’s lips curl at the edges into a smile.
”Oh, you know Glorio. Well then, what sort of sport has he put you up to? You being down here unattended is obviously a game of some sort. Or you bribed him for something. No, not likely that. You don’t have the look of money.”
He holds his reversed hands out in front of him.
”Look, Kareev has just shed her latest skin, and I’d rather not have her nice scales marred. Hand over something to eat, and we can let bygones be bygones.”