Also the lock seems very high quality, probably needs a master thier to pick. The dresser is pretty decent too so it'd be noisy to get through and require a lot of hacking.
"Always been pretty good in a scrap," Asta says, delight playing across her face. That was true, for the most part, but she'd never actually fought an imp - that it had gone so well, and that she was personally able to rid Korvosa of a couple of the little devils, it was heartening after the past day.
"Though that magic you made, Pytho, it made the difference. It was like my sword knew where to go."
Picking up the book, Asta leafs through it before tossing it onto the bed. "No clue what it means. Maybe it is code or something?"
Turning to the dresser, Asta runs her hand along the doors, squinting as she looks at the fine work. "I'm a guard, not a criminal." Realizing she doesn't know much about her companions, and one of them could actually be a criminal, she stammers. "No offense meant. Anyways, I could maybe use my sword to pry the cabinet doors from its hinges?"
Unless Asta has carpentry lore or something she'll have to try and do it and not really get anywhere other than making some scratches. It's probably axe work to get through...
"Hmm." Erytheis stares at the runes but can't discern their source. "Nope!" She shrugs. "Maybe the cleric would know?"
"Hey, let me see that book again!" Pytho says and grabs back the diary for another look. "Yeah, I remember now. Met some northerners some years back, the had books with writing just like this. I think it's in skald. Not that the information helps us much - we still need to find someone who knows how to read it. Either a bookworm or some burly blonde in furs."
Then the half-orc turns his attention back to the drawer, knocks and rattles it a few times. "Save your sword, friend. This is quite sturdy make. We could go shopping for a crowbar or an axe, and then try to open it."
"Oh! I've met some of those once or twice!" With a snowball...
"Might be a bit suspicious purchase an axe just before the victims cabinet gets turned to firewood! ...On the other hand, they don't seem terribly anxious to solve this?"
"Yeah, knowing Snail..." Asta tails off as she slides her sword back into her scabbard. "Well, this is probably going in the cold case file."
"So, we look for a Skald-speaker next then? Also, I uh hate to be ghoulish, but I could use a meal." Asta points to the small pouch filled with gold. "Split that up? It won't get used hiding in the floor."
And I just said I wasn't a criminal! Things sure can change in a day.
"Heh, finder's fee, eh?" Pytho grins. "I won't say no to a meal... So, let's go grab some lunch and a crowbar. Then return here to ..erm... investigate the drawer's contents. And then look for a Skald-speaker. Sound good?"
"Sounds good!" the tiny fay strongly agreed with that logic of "finders keep it!". It was, after all, a core pillar of fey law.
So it'll be a 40 minute walk to get to Old Korvosa and pretty much any low level service you'd like to access since Asta knows the place like the back of her hand.
**
This is 'Exploration Mode' and I'll assume you guys aren't doing anything fancy for now. It's even deader at night and there's nothing else going on so it's just a simple walk.[/ooc]
It seems like maybe everybody in Korvosa has vanished, like some fae curse, and the three people making their way across the city are the only ones left. While Pytho and Erytheis would have stuck to the main roads in the unfamiliar city to try and get back to Old Korvosa, where by chance all three live, Asta instead leads them down narrow back alleys and almost unnoticed side streets that allow them to get from Mid Town to the oldest part of the city in almost a directly straight line.
There is a little bit more life in the poorest part of the city than in the others, poverty makes its own demands on people after all, and Asta shows the other two where to get a bite to eat at any time in BridgeFront (3 cp) and the shadier parts of Old Dock where a Night Market is always open.
Asta's insistence on thinking of herself as a Guard even though she hasn't been one for many years gets her the derisive nickname of NotGuard in the Old Docks as she's forced to deal with those she would have probably been arresting if she actually was still with the Korvosan Guard.
So what's next?
Erytheis enjoys the nigthly tour through the city. And the free ride!
Another perk of being tiny was that when one bought questionable food from questionable places, one only needed to eat the choice bits.
"This does seem like the place for a crowbar." she notes somewhat discreetly.
"Heh, you're right, Erytheis. Not the most charming neighbourhood." Pytho grunts back. He is about to dig into his meal, when he spots something in there. He pinches the something between his thumb and index finger, and brings it up for closer inspection. Looks like a short, wiry tail of sorts.
"Well, I still haven't got used to eating meat I didn't witness being killed. I don't think I want to know where this is from," the half-orc sighs and throws the tail-like bit away.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Asta says, snatching the bit of food from the air. "That's just rat tail. Or maybe claw, tough to tell when it is crispy fried. Regardless, fried rat is the best part of an Oldtown Pocket." Asta pops the tail into her mouth, pointing helpfully to Pytho's bowl of food. "That's what you ordered. There's more in there, I'm sure. I'll take it if you don't want it. And, Erytheis, if you're not going to finish that..."
Asta holds out her bowl, looking expectantly at the others, and then proceeds to shovel more food into herself, chewing thoughtfully. "Anyways, it is late. Should we meet back here in the morning, fill up on some more Pocket and then look for a Skald speaker? Not much happening at this hour."
"Usually the tall folk makes offerings to us not the other way around!" Erytheis mock-complains and pour over her leftovers - mostovers to be honest - to Asta. It didn't taste bad, just weird. Wiggly. Maybe a bit more sauce next time?
"It *is* late. I'm staying at the Loft, that's not far actually ... So that'll suit me perfect!" She considers asking her new orky friend to bring some breakfast - but this *was* probably what one could kill here in the city.
As Erytheis turns to hand out her bowl to Asta, Pytho notices her blood-stained clothes.
"Hells, girl! That's no imp blood on you - you're wounded! Why didn't you say anything???" Without invitation, the half-orc takes a leather-wrapped set of instruments and bandages from his backpack, and leans closer to inspect the fey's wounds.
"The wounds are not deadly, but could fester and turn worse. Now, sit still, and let me handle those."
*Squirm!*
The next day is CrystalHue and while the group has other things on its mind the rest of the city is intent on celebrating. Even in Old Korvosa cherished glass globes are brought out and angled to the rays of sun that come through angled rays of light to create pretty rainbow lights while musicians play songs on worn instruments or sing in voices not quite perfect to honour the goddess of love, beauty and music. Everyone wears colours as bright as they can as they visit family and friends to exchange small gifts or other tokens of appreciation.
Some market stalls are open to catch business from those who are late in buying gifts, they don't usually trade in items like crowbars and other such things on CrystalHue, but they shopkeep shrugs, asking questions is not a survival trait in Old Korvosa.
The only place where Asta can think of finding a translator is Garrison Hill, the narrow strip of respectability next to the forts and military academies that dominate the most locked down section of Old Korvosa and who can afford and demand such services.
Unfortunately most things are closed on CrystalHue.
Asta wakes up, a tingling sense of excitement running through her, making her think for just a second that she's a kid again. It's CrystalHue!
Sitting up, she realizes with a groan that with all the hubub the last couple of days, she'd forgot gifts. Throwing on her clothes from the day before and her worn traveling cloak, Asta rushes out into the morning, running to the nearby market stalls, spending her time among the deadbeat dads and destitute. She picks up a few gifts for her family; her parents and her sister and her children, and then a box of decent chocolates for her new companions, before swinging by Garrison Hill on her (roundabout) way to the meet-up spot.
When the others arrive, Asta slides a box of chocolate across the table to each of her new friends and shrugs apologetically. "Customary to give gifts today, but I've got a mea culpa on offer as well. Pretty much everyone is closed up on Garrison Hill, only place in town I could think we can get this bible translated. It'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"Also, folks get together with family today. I'm meeting my parents and sister and her gaggle of kids this afternoon. If you've got nowhere to go, I'm sure you'd be welcome."
Asta takes a quick look at her companions, taking in their - for Korvosa - rather unusual natures. Probably welcome.
Asta is lucky enough to catch one of the scribes as they head out of their home/place of work and head out. They sigh and, looking over the slim volume, agree to work on it tomorrow, you'll get it in two days.
The shopkeep smirks as Asta hurriedly buys up whatever is left over along with a crowbar and... anything else?
Erytheis is mildly late, having to stop and marvel at the baubles and colours every so often. Gee, if only they had the city looking like this all the time. They'd get so many more visitors!
"Woah! That's so kind!" the sprite admires the box with huge eyes. Ah she'd have to find a way to pay this good deed back! Things were already backing up; had to get her stuff in order. One thing at a time though...
She fished up a small pouch of herbs from her satchel and handed it to Pytho. "For good luck! And helping me with my wound yesterday. Happy Bauble Day!"
"So..." Erytheis nestles her way into the box of chocolates and grabs one for breakfast. "If we'll have to wait for tomorrow anyway - I'm more then delighted to visit your kin!" Would probably have to grab some gifts first though? For the whole Asta branch of things!
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"Family time sounds good, pleased to meet yours." Pytho agrees.
"But the gifts? Err... we don't have such custom. Why give them? What should I get for you and Asta's family?"
The half-orc looks puzzled, scratching his head. Then another puzzled looks towards the baubles and chocolates in his hands, before realising he might be a bit rude now.
"Oh, thanks. For these. Gifts"
"Great!" Asta says, mostly meaning it. "We'll go this afternoon then. [b]"And you don't need to bring anything, everyone will understand you're visitors! But it is customary when visiting someone's home, so you know for the future."
Asta pauses, thinking that there are lots of rules around gift-giving.
"I've got one more gift," the (former) guard says, pulling the crowbar from her pack. "Shall we visit the cabinet first?"
Walking back to the Aram Paviskys former home takes a little bit longer than the day before as the group needs to move around celebrations and revellers thronging the squares. There are glass baubles and coloured streamers. A true winter solstice celebration.
It's still morning when they get to the house. Unlike last night there's a guard standing in front of the door along with the warning signs that the house was under the authority of the Guard.
He looks absolutely miserable.
Asta doesn't recognize him. The Guard is a small family in Korvosa and Asta is still very much involved but... the new recruits are *so* young that it's not all that surprising she doesn't know all of them.
For a moment at least, she feels really old.
Putting aside her thoughts of aging - she'll have time to dwell on that later, she hopes! - Asta strides up to the guard. She wasn't in uniform, obviously, but she could talk the talk and walk the walk still. Hopefully it would be enough.
"Guard! Oi! What's yer name, son? Don't know you, new recruit? Yeah, you newfish get the s&$%e jobs, like working on Hueday. But today's yer lucky day. This A5, happened in there? I had a CI drop contact me last night with a lead. So I'm gonna be here hours, through next shift change at least. So, you can go home, enjoy your day with the family. Hey, I don't mind, saw mine this morning, enjoy your day!"
She hopes it is enough, but if not, she'll throw her weight around. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Asta cocks an eyebrow and looks at the guard, her green eyes intent and piercing. "Well, scoot!"
Erytheis straightens up and tries to assume a serious guise, channeling the energy of the cleric. Serious sprite, serious business! Stern and all businesslike.
The Guard straightens up at Asta's bark and for a moment a grin forms over his face before he squints. Hey... I know you. You're Grey Asta, almost became a Maiden I heard and then felt too good to join the Guard again after that all went to the Abyss.
The Bluff did not work.
Dunno know what you want, but I'm not allowed to let you in. he says sullenly before a thoughtful look comes over his face. Look, everyone says you may be stuck up but you're straight so, whatever you want in there is probably okay. Give me 2 gold sos I can buy my mum something nice and I'll let you go in. Even act as a lookout and everything...
"Not cheap, this one." Pytho whispers. He measures up the young guard, estimating how serious he was.
"Tell you what, kiddo. I'll give you one gold, it's plenty enough. It'll get something nice for your momma and yourself, too. It's CrystalHue, and time for giving gifts, right?"
The half-orc takes one shiny coin, and presents it to the guard. "We have a deal, kiddo?"
The young guard hesitates, looking at Asta for approval before accepting the coin and nodding. Take your time, no one else's going to come here anyway. he sighs before ushering you guys in quickly.
The inside of the house is the same as you remember it, even though it looks very different in the bright light of the late morning as compared to the dead of night.
The stink of stale blood in the upstairs rooms smells bad though, especially when added to the trace smell of brimstone from the imps dispatched by Asta.
It's pretty loud outside with the CrystalHue festivities in full swing. The lock and the dresser drawer awaits.
Erythis holds up the box of chocolates and offer one as the guard leaves. "Happy Crystal Hue!" Yeah, that's the spirit!
---
"The noise is certainly on our side. Let's see if we can discreetly crowbar this drawer!"
"Aaaaand do it nicely, so it's not obvious!" the sprite hop-flutters towards the locked drawer and tries to will herself into it. Probably won't work. But it was something! Because she didn't think she'd be the one to crowbar anything ...
"Sounds like a man's job... Pytho grunts, looking at the drawer. But then he hands the crowbar Asta.
"...but it looks like you're the brawn of this group, Asta."
Asta takes the crowbar, giving Pytho a nod and smile, not trying to hide her pleased-ness. "Aye, I'm the brawn." Slipping the crowbar into the space between the door and cabinet, Asta grunts and pushes, putting every bit of force that she can into the end of the crowbar, straining, hoping to hear the sweet sound of splintering wood. Her face flushes red, her knuckles whiten under the strain... and the cabinet door doesn't budge.
Asta is brawny but proves to be not very subtle as she sticks the crowbar in the top of the locked drawer and levers it until the wood gives way with a loud *crraccck*. It's so loud that it might even have been heard above the general hubbub outside. Midland is a popular spot during festivals after all.
Inside the group finds what looks like some ledgers full of scribbled notes and numbers. Asta's guard training raises the hairs on the back of her neck. Stuff like this she knows are *leads* and some eggheads in Citadel Volshenyek (Korvosan Guard headquarters) would love to pore over and decipher it and information brokers in the city would love to get it as well. As would whatever people would be implicated by it of course.
Other than that there is a scroll bound in some leather and a pouch containing 10 platinum pieces (100 gold). That's a *lot* of money.
"Hmmmmmmmmmm look stuff!" Erytheis leans in/under Asta to look at the things. Scrolls? Money? Embarrassing notes?! The sprite naps one of them and reads it out aloud, just so they could get a feeling for what it was all about. Also because she was curious!
Erytheis can't make heads or tails of the dense and pointy script in the scroll, but as Asta glances at it she immediately recognizes the script as being in Infernal.
Whether it's her guard instincts, or that the city's Chelish heritage has seeped deep into Asta's awareness, but she also realizes that this is a contract... the kind Hell makes with mortals for their soul!
"Are those... platinums crowns??" Pythos whistles. He stares at the coins wide-eyed, completely ignoring the scroll.
"I've never seen them with my own eyes before. Even less held one. Damn, this Aram guy wasn't poor at all. Where did he get this kind of money?"
"Probably sold his soul for it," Asta says, eyeing the coin with a mix of avarice and fear. "This is an infernal contract. Do either of you speak the devil's tongue?" Asta for her part, was a middling student, and would be no help.
"Or should we find a hellspeaker on top of a skald-speaker? Anyways, we should take the contract and the ledgers somewhere we can look them over in more detail."
Giving the coin another look, avarice wins out and Asta sighs. "And the coins too."
"So maybe he *did* owe the imps something!" Erytheis notes out loud. She wasn't opposed to them taking the coins either. Possession was after all a core part of the law! Plus, they were of little use to the dead. "Mm perhaps one of those spells of language reading . Just in case there's naughty naughty secrets."
"Magic sounds more expensive than hiring speakers..." Pytho says, rubbing his chin. "But I don't know much about that..."
The half-orc looks around once more, to check if they have forgotten anything. "We're done here, right?" he says. "Time to look for a skald-speaker and a hellspeaker. Aren't the Cheliaxians always dealing with devil? One of their kind should know the devil's tongue. If we can trust them, that is.."
"Maybe there's a lawyer with a good non-confidentiality agreement ..." the sprite mused out loud. Being a fey, she was more then familiar with other creatures of twisted deals!
Looking around a bit she grew a bit self-conscious about where they were. "Let's not dally here though! I remember being promised tasty food ..."
As you three leave the place, the young guard mutters at you, "What were you doing in there? You want Kroft herself to know I let you in? Maybe raise the Mad Queen from the dead with that racket?"
There are a number of curious glances from the festive crowd as you hustle away and he tries to look like it's all perfectly normal.
Erytheis whistles quietly and offers the guard another piece of chocolate from the box. Never hurt to be generous!
"Don't you worry, kiddo. We're out, and you'll never see us again."
Pytho waves the guard goodbye, and starts walking away.
Behind the corner, he turns towards Asta. "So where we find these language-speakers? Maybe skald-speaker first. They sound less trouble than a devil-speaker."