Feeling very much like he is was being swept away by one thing after another, Torsten got into the boat. It was odd to be leaving the city, but he had reached the point where stopping was as hard moving forward. So he decided to see where life took him.
Blackjack is right: the boat is quite light on the water and is surprisingly fast for a rowboat. The oars are wrapped in canvas to muffle their sound, and there's a large black cloth to cover all of you - that's light enough to see through. It's not the most comfortable thing you've ridden in, but the Nightwing is practically invisible on a dark night. It takes a while before you're clear of the city, but eventually you're back on dry land, and the boat's once again sunk beneath the river surface. After that, you're on the way to the town of Harse....
Tirelessly Torsten rowed. He couldn’t remember the last time he left the city, for what reason was there? His family had been there and from there his business. It would have been a waste of time and money. But here he was, leaving all behind, like some kind of halfling. He looked up, noticing something stuck in the net above them. He reached out, feeling little surprise at being a Harrow Card. The Big Sky. Appropriate, it seemed. For he was venturing out under such, without any knowledge of when he would return. Instinctively he knew that it meant that not only would strength be needed for what was to come, but also willingness to embrace some sort of change. He pocketed it away and kept rowing. Whatever happened would happen. There was no point worrying about vague prophecy.
Yhrrilka doesn't fare well out on the water this time around. Whatever bravado she had when they went to investigate the wreck of the Dirpetion was not present this time. She tries to help with an oar, but the motion of the boat and her constant dread at the thought of going in the water makes her a bit of a mess. She tries to help with an oar, but ends up doing little more than flailing at the water.
Sitting down in the center of the boat with her head low, she notices a card from Zellara's deck poking out of her pack. We're doing this now? Okay... Despite her misery, she pulls out the card and examines it. She manages a chuckle as she sees the card's image of a burly dwarf at his anvil, while the fire dances around him. The Forge, she thinks to herself. Well, if a half-orc girl from Belkzen is going to move to Korvosa and run a business with a dwarf, I guess the Forge card is going to land in her lap before too long. That's why Mahja sent me here, isn't it? To show the people of Korvosa that the people of Belkzen aren't so different from them? A mix of emotions churn within her as she thinks of the home she left, and the home she found in its stead. I hope I'm doing you proud, Chief...
She continues sitting with her head down until the boat reaches land, and then disembarks, slightly greener than normal, as they head for Harse.
Eventually, you arrive in Harse. There, at a moderately sized horse ranch, you find a familiar face - Trinia Sabor! She looks well. More confident than when you last saw her. Country life suits her, it seems.
This is a good place. Out in the country, it's easy to pretend Korvosa and its troubles don't exist. There's good food, soft beds, and pleasant company. Life here is simple but satisfying. But that's not why you're here. You have questions that need answering and a city to save. And that evening, after you've eaten and refreshed yourselves, you find some privacy in the basement with Blackjack and Neolandus and set to work....
Yhrrilka looks around as they approach Harse. "Zohruk and I came through here on our way to Korvosa," she says to no one in particular. "We figured we wouldn't get a very warm reception in Janderhoff, so we skirted around to the west, came at Korvosa from the south. It was my first time in a human settlement. Zohruk was fine, but I was… a little twitchy. Could be one or two folks here who'll remember me as the 'weird green girl,'" she admits with a shrug. "This all seemed so odd and different, now it's just, you know, there. I guess the past year changed me more than I realized, even the last time we came here."
She turns to Torsten. "You ever do any travelling outside the city? Family in Janderhoff, or something like that? I don't recall you ever saying one way or the other."
”Aye, I’d imagine so. What’s the phrase? Culture shock? It’s me first time out of the city. Folks weren’t ones for wasteful spending, of time or coin.” He said as he looked around. ”I imagine that if I went to Janderhoff some would remember me as the weird tattooed lad.” He said with a smile. ”Anything ye’d like to see or do before we meet up with this Blackjack?”
Ril frowns slightly as she thinks on Torsten's question. "I don't think so? I can't think of anything, anyway. I don't know about you, but I'm kinda eager to hear what the hell Blackjack's up to here, and how Neolandus is involved, and why he had to get poor Vencarlo run through the wringer."
When they see Trinia, Yhrrilka's heart is relieved at the sight of her. "It's good to see you're doing well here, Miss Sabor. You had a hell of a wild ride out of Korvosa; sometimes when folks have to up and leave without a moment's notice, they don't do well with it. I prayed to the Dawnflower that you might adjust to life here, seems it paid off!"
After that exchange, Yhrrilka is ready to hear a hell of a lot of explanation from Blackjack, and Neolandus, and more from Blackjack again after that.
Trinia smiles. "It's been quite the adjustment, but I feel like I've finally found myself. I've even gotten a bit of adventurer training in case I need to protect myself in the future.
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Neolandus has a fair bit of information, as it turns out - all of it worrisome. To start with, he was present for almost all of King Eodred's painting sessions with Trinia. Nothing untoward ever happened, and there was no opportunity for the woman to have poisoned the king. Unless she's actually a powerful mage skilled with near-undetectable spellcasting, she's innocent of everything she was accused of. Naturally, Neolandus started asking questions after the king's death. Within days, a squad of assassins ambushed him. They were clad in crimson, insect-like armor. Through a combination of luck and knowledge of the castle's layout, Neolandus barely managed to escape with his life.
Over the last few years, the seneschal has developed a friendship with a tormented artist named Salvator Scream. Very few people knew about this, so the artist's home was an ideal place to hide. Eventually, they decided Arkona Manor would be safer.
During his time as seneschal, Neolandus noticed Queen Ileosa's personality has undergone a gradual change for the worse. While she's always been petulant and vain, she became more moody and volatile the longer she stayed in the castle. According to an obscure legend, the rooms below Castle Korvosa are haunted due to the presence of something called Midnight's Teeth. According to the tale, these teeth are a sacred Shoanti relic that was kept in an ancient pyramid that now serves as the castle's foundation. Based on the description of Queen Ileosa's new crown, Neolandus believe she now wears this relic on her brow.
Yhrrilka listen's to Neolandus' tale with keen attention. She starts getting excited at the description of his would-be assassins, but rapidly checks herself. "And let me guess," she says as she turns to Blackjack, "None of this bears any similarity to how things played out in Blackjack and the Crimson Claws? The thrilling fight with the Scarlet Death?" She mimics swordfighting motions with each hand, then mutters something under her breath, mostly in Orcish; the only thing anyone hears in Taldan is the word 'disappointment'.
Turning back to Neolandus, Ril asks him, "Okay, so we're all quite sure the Queen was the one who ordered her husband killed, right? Can we like, prove it? And even if we can, does that matter? I mean, I'd say we tell Marshal Kroft this, but the Queen seems to have gutted the Korvosan Guard so she can boost her Gray Maidens. Who else is left?"
Blackjack sounds regretful. "Real life is usually disappointing. That's why people use fantasies such as those as an escape. I know I'm not the hero Korvosa needs, but until recently, I've been the only one it has."
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Neolandus shakes his head. "I wish I knew. From what I heard, that crown's turned her into something ... unnatural. Is it true that she shrugged off a crossbow bolt to the skull? I don't know of anyone in the city who can defeat something like that. Do you have any contacts among the Shoanti? Assuming the crown is made of Midnight's Teeth, they might know more about it."
”Great. Old magic. Forge knows what she might transform into. Or what the city may become. I know shyt about the Shoanti. But aye, makes sense to talk to them.” Giving Ril a small smile he added ”Heard they have their own way of making tattoos. So we could reach two veins with one mine.”
When Neolandus asks about the attempt on the Queens life, Yhrrilka nods her head. "I wasn't there for it, but everything I found out later was pretty awful."
At the question about knowing any Shoanti, Ril frowns a second, then perks up. Turning to Torsten, she says, "I don't know if I'd call him a 'contact,' but what about the old shaman, Thousand Bones?" She explains to Neolandus, "In the violence after the king's death, his grandson was killed, then a necromancer got hold of the body. We retrieved it for him so he could lay it to a proper rest." Stroking her chin, the young woman wonders, "Do we know where he'd be? Did he even stay in Korvosa? It's not like he had a lot of reason to stay..."
Thousand Bones' clan resides in the Kallow Mounds in the eastern part of the Cinderlands.
Yhrrilka snaps back to consciousness, shaking her head at the sudden shift in focus. Eyes wide, she says to the collected people, "I guess when he brought his grandson's remains back, he stayed there. He's in the Cinderlands, a spot called the Kallow Mounds." Her frown returns as she ponders that. "I guess we've gotta go after him, then? I don't like the idea of leaving when things are so precarious, though."
"As always, very useful. But aye, it seems like that's the task before us. And while it may not be ideal, there isn't any point in worrying about what can't be changed." Torsten said. "About how far away is that?"
Yhrrilka tries to think through Torsten's question. "Overland, I don't really know the terrain that well... a week? More, if there's not much in the way of direct trails or paths from here to there? I'm sorry, I'm guessing," she admits sheepishly. "Might be faster if we rode, but, um, I don't really have a ton of experience with those..." Ril is embarrassed to admit this shortcoming. She's even more embarrassed thinking about the time she told Zohruk, "Anyone who wants or needs a horse is soft." Mentally wishing her past self to shut up, and for Zoh to stop smirking in the great beyond, she points out, "Horses could be a mixed blessing. Faster travel when you have to, but I don't think either of us really knows how to handle one in the middle of trouble, you know?"
”Never rode one before.” Torsten said. ”Would likely break me neck. I’d rather walk.”
"Zohruk and I used to make fun, said anyone who wanted to ride a horse was too soft for a good walk," Yhrrilka smiles at the reminiscence. "I think that was just our way of justifying not having the coin to spend on a horse." She turns to Trinia and asks, "Do you think we could find a horse that won't freak out if its rider does this?" As she asks, her hand is wreathed in flame. "If so, maybe I'll try my hand at riding," Ril says, tentatively.
"Great," Yhrrilka smiles at Trinia, but loses that smile as she turns to Blackjack. "That just leaves the matter of you, Blackjack, and what in the HELL you were doing dragging poor old Vencarlo into things, hmm? We found him down in the Arkonas' dungeon, wearing a knockoff of your costume. Why would you do that to him? Were you expecting him to run into snotty nobles' kids from the Heights? A guy like him could've really gotten hurt down there!" She shakes her head in disbelief. "He ran off after we got out of there, before we had a chance to make sure he was okay. Not cool to put him through that, Blackjack. Not at all..."
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With a quiet chuckle, Blackjack removes his mask, revealing a total stranger none other than Vencarlo! "I'm sure you'd have found me out eventually, but I figure now's as good a time as any.
"The persona of Blackjack has been passed down from one person to another for generations. As one retires, the next takes over. I'm merely the current holder of the title. Many of the exploits you've read about come from my predecessors, in fact."
”Huh.” Torsten said. In retrospect the clues were all there. It really was on them for not putting it together. ”We really aren’t the best detectives, are we?” He asked Ril.
Ril spends a long time looking lost in thought. When she finally speaks, she says, "Okay, let me see if I understand. There's no astral ship. There's no Elixir of Acavna, no Night's Edge, no trophy room with the giant pinch hanging from the ceiling, none of that. All the stories are totally made up, and what we've got instead is just one guy with a sword. Is that really it? Because hell, Torsten and I could do that!" As she says that last part, her face suddenly brightens a little, and tries to catch Torsten's eye.
Torsten shook his head. ”These.” He motioned to his tattoos. ”Are me craft. If some beardling tries to pretend he be me, I’ll come back from the dead just to kick his arse.”
Vencarlo nods. "That's correct. Instead of an astral ship, I have the Nightwing. Instead of a powerful elixir, I have a variety of alchemical tools and some useful potions. Instead of a giant pinch, I have the wealth and minor influence I've accumulated over the years. Night's Edge is real, though. It's not quite as fantastical as the stories depict, but my rapier is magically enhanced."
He lets out a tired sigh. "As much as I dislike them myself, the stories are a necessary part of the charade. While Blackjack might be an unbeatable bastion of justice, Vencarlo is just a man. I can't shoot fire from my hands or punch a hole through a stone wall." He chuckles ruefully. "I can't even see in the dark without aid. What you say is true: without the costume and the power it implies, I'm just a guy with a sword trying to help my city in any way I can. And right now, I'm way out of my depth. If I can't rescue Neolandus from the Arkonas, how am I supposed to take down a monarch with unnatural powers and an entire army at her disposal?"
After a moment, Vencarlo's fatigued mien fades. "While I can't face every battle head-on, I always do what I can. Unlike my predecessors, my strength lies in resource accumulation. You've seen my safehouse - it's shielded from most divinations. I have a variety of tools to aid with stealth, travel, and healing. I've been inside Castle Korvosa on several occasions. I may not be able to defeat the queen myself, but I can certainly aid those who might have a chance."
Yhrrilka looks down at her hands, slightly ashamed of herself. "If I was too hard on you there, sorry. When Zohruk and I came to Korvosa, I heard these tales of a man, who was unbeatable. I guess part of me needed to believe those stories were true, that people could be driven by a desire to help others, and that drive could overcome anything in its way."
After a long sigh, she manages to pull her head up again and look Vencarlo in the eye. "In that case, do you think you can keep this city from falling to pieces while Torsten and I travel to the Cinderlands, and try to get some useful information from the Shoanti?"
"I can certainly try, but try not to be gone for too long. If you truly mean to do this, I can provide a few things from the emergency cache I keep here. Hopefully they'll bring you some aid."
Wand - sending (5 charges)
Scroll - word of recall x2
Potion - lesser restoration x2
Potion - cure serious wounds x2
Potion - hide in darkness
Liquid Life x5
Light Warhorse x2
Several weeks of trail rations
"Spasibo, Vencarlo. While we're passing things around..." Yhrrilka fishes into her pack, and pulls out the lockbox of his she'd found in his attic, passing it to Blackjack. "We found this in your closet the night the Red Mantis Assassins burned your house down. And also, in case you didn't know, yes, Red Mantis Assassins burned your house down. Sorry." She turns to Torsten. "What do you think, set out first thing in the morning tomorrow?"
"Aye." He said, as he looked through the potions handed to them. "And many thanks to ye, lad. Don't let our words get to ye. Ye've done a fine job. Torag watch ye in the city."
Vencarlo takes the lockbox. "Thank you. Blackjack lives again, it seems. The loss of the house is painful, but the contents of the lockbox are more valuable to me than any building."
"Sorry about the lock," Ril blushes a little. "I, uhh, was kind of hoping it'd have some clue to where you were," she decides to leave out how eager she was to try out her new adamantine blade on the lock. "I came away thinking you were like, Blackjack's contact or assistant or something. You know, like Scoundrel Pete, from the stories," she admits, feeling a little silly now that she knows how little basis those tales had in truth.
"My predecessors would often take on a protege. The title needs to be passed on somehow, after all," Vencarlo chuckles. "I don't believe there was ever a 'Pete,' though."
The journey into the Cinderlands is long and arduous. However, both of you have made a similar journey before. As you once entered Korvosa and the surrounding area, now you leave - but hopefully not forever.
Eventually, you begin to note the presence of large rock cairns topped with animal skulls: markers indicating you're nearing the Kallow Mounds. As you get closer to your destination, these appear more and more frequently. Before long, you're intercepted by four Shoanti with skull-like face paint. You've found a Skoan-Quah patrol.
As soon as she sees the patrol, Ril stops her horse. Nodding to the Shoanti, she says, "Good day. My name is Yhrrilka, and this is my friend Torsten. We seek the man known as Thousand Bones; we need his counsel. May we pass?"
"Aye, we mean nay harm." Torsten added in, his arms crossed. He watched the men warily to see how they would react.
The Shoanti nod silently and motion for you to follow. It doesn't take long for you to reach your destination: a collection of hundreds of cairns. The clan is camped at a small dale on the mounds' westernmost edge. There appear to be approximately 75 people dwelling here. All stare curiously at you as you're directed to one of the yurts. There, you're greeted by Thousand Bones.
"Greetings friends! My grandson's cairn stands nearby thanks to you. You are welcome here." He calls for a guest yurt to be erected for you to stay in. "Please take as much time as you need to rest from your journey. I'll have food and water delivered. I'm sure that you're here on business, but that should be done at the proper location and time. We'll talk this evening during the Bone Council Fire."
Torsten walked through the camp, watching the comings and goings of the people with wonder in his eyes. He had never been out of the city before, and to see people living so differently was eye opening. He kept this to himself, though, as he did not want to cause offense.
As you approach the Bone Council Fire that evening, you're intercepted by a burly Shoanti warrior, who sizes you up with a sneer before turning to Thousand Bones. "Why do the Skoan-Quah harbor tshamek trespassers?"
The shaman inclines his head as though considering the words carefully, but then responds sharply. "Tell me, Krojun, when did the Sklar-Quah become judges of who trespasses upon the Kallow Mounds where the ashes of our fathers lie?"
"Your words change the question, Thousand Bones. These ones bring trouble to the Cinderlands, and you know it. Especially the orc! The coming days shall reveal to us all who is right about them."
"Perhaps," responds Thousand Bones. "But not today, and not here. Would you have word that Berak's burial was tainted by bloodshed get back to your Sun Shaman?"
Krojun pauses, the cords in his neck straining, but then he exhales and grins. "You misunderstand me, Thousand Bones. My grief has wounded my words. But see to it that no tshamek defiles our memories here." His smile broadens as he pulls a thin leather loop from one of his packs. "Certainly, though, guests of the Skoan-Quah must be brave to come this far. You wouldn't mind if I tested the courage and strength of your guests, would you?"
Thousand Bones looks to you with a shrug.
Torsten listened to the exchange with a raised eyebrow. At the mention of testing them he wondered if they had a say in this. ”So…like what? An arm wrestling contest…?” He had a bad feeling that they were going to be told to hunt down some beast or the like.
"It's called sredna," Thousand Bones explains. "A strength competition that tests your neck muscles and pain tolerance."
”Aye. Let’s do it then.” Torsten said. While it didn’t sound fun, this wasn’t the sort of challenge he could walk away from. The shame would haunt him if he did so.
Krojun chuckles and drops to his knees as Thousand Bones explains the rules. Fortunately, they're quite simple. The two of you kneel facing each other with your foreheads spaced just over a foot apart. The leather loop is places around your heads, like a headband, so that you're bound together. When the game begins, you'll each slowly attempt to crawl backwards. The resulting tug-of-war results in extreme pain as the leather digs into the soft part of the neck and skull until one competitor eventually relents and lowers his head, causing the strap to roll over the top.
Muscular Surge
As a move action, you gain a bonus equal to 1/2 your base attack bonus (minimum 1) on Acrobatics checks made to jump, to all Strength checks and Strength-based skill checks, as well as to your Strength for determining your carrying capacity, for a number of rounds equal to your Constitution modifier. This does not apply to combat maneuver checks nor attack and damage rolls. You are fatigued for 1d4 rounds after the duration ends, even if you would normally be immune to fatigue. If you are fatigued when you begin or end this effect, you are instead exhausted. If you are already exhausted, you cannot use this ability.
Giant
Prerequisites: Brute sphere, Muscular Surge.
You may use your Muscular Surge talent as a free action rather than a move action, and are not fatigued after its duration expires; in essence, the bonuses become permanent. Your total carrying capacity is also multiplied by 2. This does not stack with other effects that multiply carrying capacity, such as the ant haul spell.
You may still expend your martial focus as a free action to gain the more powerful bonus for a number of rounds equal to your Constitution modifier, and are only fatigued afterward rather than exhausted. For this duration, you also count as being one size larger than you are for the purpose of targeting creatures with combat maneuvers and for talents that have effects dependent on size, such as Rock Toss or Thrower’s Reflexes from the Equipment sphere, the Terrain Trasher legendary Brute talent, or Living Weapon from the Wrestling sphere.
Intimidate: 17 - 20
Intimidate: 36 - 36
Intimidate: 20 - 23
STR: 22 - 16
STR: 30 - 26
STR: 13 - 24
STR: 14 - 13
STR: 24 - 17
STR: 32 - 29
STR: 28 - 20
STR: 30 - 27
STR: 24 - 15
STR: 15 - 31
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Krojun DC 8 pass
Torsten DC 11 pass
Krojun DC 11 pass
Torsten DC 14 pass
Krojun DC 12 pass
Torsten DC 15 pass
Krojun DC 15 pass
Torsten DC 16 pass
Krojun DC 17 pass
Torsten DC 17 fail
Krojun DC 19 pass
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As the match begins, Krojun's face becomes deathly calm. It's somewhat unnerving, and as you're completely unfamiliar with this game, you're caught off-guard when the Shoanti warrior lets out a full-volume battle roar the instant the match begins. You recover quickly, though, and the two of you are quickly locked in a fierce "tug of war." You stolidly hold fast, absorbing Krojun's powerful tugs, as you try to wear him out. The pain is excruciating, but your shorter stature means the leverage is in your favor. This continues for over half a minute - but it seems much longer. Krojun's unstoppable force tiring itself against your immovable object.
Eventually, you spot your opportunity and start your own powerful tugs. Unfortunately, the Shoanti's apparent weakness was a ruse! He moves with your pull to create a bit of slack, and then uses his superior height to flip the leather off your head. As the watching tribesman cheer, Krojun claps you on the shoulder and rises to his feet. "Almost as good as an aurochs calf. Nothing to be ashamed about." With a hearty laugh, he reclaims his strap and walks off with his companions. Just before he passes out of view, you see him briefly massage the back of his head. Despite your loss, Krojun will remember this match for quite a while.
Torsten rubbed the back of his head to massage the pain out. He had never experienced anything quite like that, nor did he think that he wanted to again. Still, if it meant earning the respect of the Shoanti, then it was worth it. ”Ye know, Ril, I never thought I’d say it, but I’m going to have to work on me neck muscles.”