When the empire of Cheliax expanded north into Varisia, 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. Yet as the new city of Korvosa flourished, few bothered to ask why the Shoanti had dwelt here. For the past 300 years, the Shoanti have spoken only in whispers of the troubles the Chelaxians will face for their outrages.
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. When he finally wed late in life, his bride was barely a third of his age. Queen Ileosa was a woman of breathtaking beauty matched only by her desire for the life of luxury the queenship afforded. But with the seneschal Neolandus Kalepopolis guarding Castle Korvosa’s interests, the citizenry believes it has little to worry about.
It is wrong, of course. Like any city, Korvosa has its share of undesirables. Cutpurses, thugs, thieves, burglars, assassins, and lowlifes of every sort can be found in waterfront slums, creeping in the sewers, or hiding in the tangled rooftops known as the Shingles. The Korvosan Guard does what it can to keep the city’s criminals from causing too much harm, but the crooks will always outnumber the lawgivers.
One such undesirable is Gaedren Lamm, a despicable wretch who missed his chance at being somebody big in Korvosa’s murky underworld. The decrepit thief abducts orphans and forces them to support his parasitic lifestyle with petty crime. Many Korvosans have had their lives complicated by this foul old man. Yet no matter what he does, he always avoids answering for his crimes. But Gaedren Lamm’s luck is about to change; he has run afoul of some hard-driven people.
Specifically, he has run afoul of you.
Each of you has been drawn here by some offense caused by Lamm. Perhaps a family member was caught in his orphanage and fed to his pet alligator. Perhaps a lover expired due to an overdose of his dream spider–derived drug called “shiver.” Perhaps his fishery goons sunk your trawler off the coast of Veldraine. Whatever it was, it motivates you like no other rage you’ve felt in your days.
Finally, you have a lead on his whereabouts. A Varisian fortune-teller named Zellara Esmeranda has summoned you to her home in Korvosa’s Midland district. She claims to know where Lamm is... and how to defeat him. She promises to read the harrow deck to set the fates on your side.
By King Eodred’s good name, you will make your bones here in Korvosa. Into the city you go, with the wind of vengeance at your back.
