"Any information could help us. Even such that could harm us." Pytho shrugs. He shifts uncomfortably on the chair that is slightly too small for him.
"I wonder if Aram kept any records of the meetings kept here, and what was discussed in them?"
If he did then I do not know about it. Jalnio says with a smirk, as if he would know if he did. Aram struck me as someone who cared for prestige more than secrets. But I will go out and continue my work as host. You stay here and learn what goes on at night in Korvosa and please... be discrete.
It's about half an hour later, as evening turns to night, that the group hears muffled sounds of people coming in. The peephole only shows side glimpses of some of the incoming customers as it's focused on the back table but they look like people who should not be messed with.
It's another hour or so that there's any direct movement into the eyesight. The first to arrive is an armoured warrior hooded in a dark red cloak. She removes the cloak and her helmet as she settles into the back table. Asta's eyes widen as she sees the very familiar to her armor and helmet design. This is a Grey Maiden!
Erytheis squirms in he far too large chair but does her best to be quiet until the group had a moment of peace. If they actually had that; where there one tricksy eavesdropping tube there might be two! "Ahem ... So, if someone sold their soul for a marvelous inn, it does make sense the inn would grow less marvelous once the deal is over..." She thinks for a moment then locks eyes with the spy-tubes. "And... Do you think these will be as good and discreet once the rest of whatever pact magic wears off?"
"Wait..." Asta whispers, her mind blurred as she tried to make sense of what Erytheis was hinting at. "Do you mean to say that the inn itself was the prize? Interesting."
And interesting it was. Aram could have used the marvelous inn to gain secrets. And those secrets to gain power and prestige. Though of course, knowing the secrets of others leads to enemies, and the barkeep stated Aram didn't have any. So, either the barkeep didn't know much and Aram did have enemies brought on by the secrets he hoarded, or he never used his secrets in an obvious way (blackmail, extortion, etc.). Of course, the whole line of thinking could be flawed as well, and the marvelous inn was not so marvelous after all...
"A grey maiden," Asta notes, filling in the others. "One of the mad queen's former elite guards. Pretty much dishonored today. I actually dreamed to join them when I was younger."
Peering closely, Asta tries to make out any distinguishing features. Perhaps this one was famous, and Asta knew of her?
The full lips, short dark hair and criss cross scars face lets Asta know that this is Sabina Merrin. She'd come up in the Guard and had risen to become the Mad Queen's personal bodyguard, her betrayal of the Queen had been part of the chain of events that had finally brought Illeosa down. She'd been just a few years ahead of Asta in the Guard and it might have been her path that Asta had aspired to follow
It's only a little while later than a non descript, slight, woman of Chelaxian heritage comes in and sits down next to Sabina. Jalnio can be seen quickly placing a drink for each before disappearing without a word. There's a nod between them before they focus on nursing their drinks. Finally half an hour later a large man wearing a bright blue tunic thuds up to the table and sits down.
in
My apologies, ladies for being so late. I trust the converation was scintillating. He smiles at the two.
Since we've wasted so much time let's get right to the point, thief. Sabina says curtly.
You wound me the man replies. But the Cerulean Society is above such petty insults. But very well, let's get to the matter at hand. What have each of us learned?
The information from my Sisterhood The slight woman responds Will only come if the two of you provide something new of interest.
Sabina sighs Fine, I don't have the patience for this, Darklight. My contacts in the Guard tell me that a quite good Abadaran investigator took personal interest in the matter and has filed a report stating Aram died in an unidentified monster attack. The case is closed as far as the Guard is concerned. Aram's estate is in holding for a short period waiting for some next of kin to come about and make a claim. If no next of kin or other interested party makes a claim, the inn will go to the Crown and presumably a buyer sought.
The slight woman nods at this before turning to look pointedly at the large man.
The large man harruumphs. My people have gone through both the inn and Aram's personal residence. The personal residence was found to be ransacked... quite amateurishly I might add, the inn was not, the documentation is now property of the Cerulean Society.
And... The slight woman prods.
Just records, all very above the board. From the inn.
I don't believe that. The woman responds.
In any case. It is very odd that Aram's home was ransacked, there was no note of that in the Gurad reports. Sabina says.
And the Guard is very well known for taking good records. the man responds sarcastically. And come on Darklight, spit it out.
There is very good reason to believe Aram had... planar help. the woman replies after a moment.
There is a silence as the other two digest this information.
Nevertheless the problem remains, what are we to do with the inn now? It's become important over the years. It's a hub for the undercity, it keeps us from steeping on each other's toes. Our organizations stick to the shadows no matter how much power we might otherwise have. And that old bastard Aram obviously didn't have any succession plans. the large man finally speaks up.
The conversation starts going in circles for a while as each person makes their case.
Sabin says the Scarlet Rose has the best interests of the city at heart.
The Darklight Sisterhood woman says her organization can bring in outside resources from Cheliax for the good of them all.
The Cerulean Society man says his group is obviously best suited to manage.
Soon enough, the group breaks up with a promise to meet again in a week and the bar slowly empties out.
Jalnio comes in with a wide smile.
Well.. how is your introduction to another part of the city?
"Uh, so the inn was a meeting ground for these... groups? What's so special about it?" Pytho notes once the mysterious trio has dispersed.
"I mean, it's nice profit and all. But worth selling your soul?" he goes on, also raising his voice to the normal level. All that whispering gets his throat sore.
My predecessor, who had managed the night shift before since the start told me that Aram's Crown attracting such a powerful night crowd was if anything odder than the day time popularity with the tourists Jalnio notes. But it has become instrumental in keeping order between the shadowy powers of the city, one of the reasons that Korvosa is less... exciting than it used to be. If one of the three groups gains control of it, then they'll have an edge over the other two in resolving disputes when their objectives clash.
He shrugs as he leans against the desk. It's not a high stakes matter, life will continue regardless. In the worst case the three groups will stop any attempt at coordination and there'll be a little bit more unexplained violence when they fight with blades rather than words.
"It's like ... Flies to overripe fruit. Moths to the flame. Hmm..." Erytheis closes her eyes and tries to remember if she felt more compelled to visit the in *before* Aram's demise, if such a thing could be gauged in hindsight.
"It'd probably be better if it were neutral ground. But would they still feel compelled to come and talk things out once whatever lure existed wears off?"
Sabina Merrin! Asta marvels, the name lingering on her mind as if a sweet treat on the tongue. She was a living legend. Asta watches the rest of the ongoings with intensity and wonder. It was a rare thing to be in the presence of such powerful people - even if they didn't know it.
Blinking, Asta focuses on the conversation at hand, catching the end of what Erytheis was saying. "Yes, neutral ground, and if not, the guard in my opinion. But, I know who Sabine and the Cerulean Society are... but what is this Darklight?"
"Right... Neutral ground and balance of power." Pytho mutters, trying to put the pieces together. "Was that Aram's plan from the beginning? Was that his goal when he made the deal with whatever it is?
The Darklight Sisterhood. spies and relic finders in service to Cheliax. Jalnio notes. Sort of state sponsored Pathfinders.
In anycase if matters are not resolved then anything could happen but I do not think the Crown would remain a neutral site, If Aram had bothered to take care of his affairs then maybe, but as it is, either one of the three groups takes over management or it fades away is my thought.
He quirks an eyebrow. If you have something more interesting than Aram's diary then perhaps I could pass it onto one of the three groups, give them an edge over the other two and earn yourselves some powerful allies. Aram's crown has proven itself a boon for the city overall and I quite like being a part of it.
"If we had it, we'd better think real hard about it." the pixie giggles. She wasn't sure if that was a good idea or if the loot they had would be good enough.
"Some people don't have a plan." swapping back to talking about Aram. "Maybe he just wanted the secrets to feel important and powerful? I'm sure any plan ending with the planner being stuffed into a sack is a bad plan anyhow."
"Well, I suppose people will do all sorts of bad choices when trying to grasp power..." Pytho shrugs.
Jalnio's offer makes the half-orc consider his options. "I dunno... I don't know any of those groups well enough to want to give one of the them power over the others. But it's good to know. We certainly need some allies."
"The guard, obviously," Asta tuts, "is not in the same league as thieves and Cheliaxian tomb raiders. But I agree regardless. A balance of power seems better for now. Not that we have anything to give you anyways."
Ignoring Jalnio for the moment, Asta turns to her friends. "So, we done here then? Where to next?"
The Guard? Jalnio says a bit confused. The Guard are not a part of this. No, Sabin is a leader of the Scarlet Rose, an attempt to carry on the Grey Maiden tradition of protecting Korvosa while taking care of the disgraced and traumatized remaining members of the group, but the reputation of the Maidens has been so terrible that they've only been able to do what they can from the shadows and they're withering away. From what I know they're worried the best of their traditions will die out if they don't get new recruits and find a way to leave their past behind. . He stretches and yawns. But very well if you don't have anything else for me then good night.
"A nap sounds nice! Unless we have a good story - the Scarlet Rose do seem wonderfully tragic." A warm soft bed seemed nice. Just maybe not one in this inn ...
The next day the group makes their way all the way across Korvosa from North to South to enter South Shore, the newest district of Korvosa. While the well to do of the city live in The Heights or North Point, they come to enjoy themselves in South Shore.
The destination of the group is the Pantheon of Many, a massive octagonal shaped building built of white marble. It represents 17 of the 20 most well known deities in Avistan. Right outside the massive door leading inside the group sees an orc cleric trying to calm down a large, armored woman who's shouting a challenge into the building
Will none of you take up this challenge? Are you all such lilly livered cowards? Truly Our Lord in Iron is right to not be represented in this place, where a holy rite of duel will not even be fulfilled. Come. FIGHT ME!! I'll take a whole group on if there is no one strong enough to CHALLENGE ME!
The orc cleric on her part is saying Now come, I understand your need to honor Gorum with a duel, but we can't always find a fight for you EVERY week.
The two are blocking your way in, what do you do?
Erytheis cranes her neck back so she can look up upon the loud and no doubt leadfooted tall folks. From the safety of her own posse of delightful oafs she offers a suggestion. "Does it *have* to be a fight? The other clerics might last longer if it is a duel of wits or sport. Archery is fun!"
The human's gaze shifts over to the group while the orc turns to see who made the comment.
The human points her finger. YOU... YOU THREE! I smell the blood of recent combat on you! FIGHT ME ALL TOGETHER! PROVE YOUR WORTH TO CHALLENGE GORUM! WHO DO YOU PLEDGE TOO? TELL ME SO GORUM KNOWS WHO THEY ARE SUPERIOR TOO!
The cleric raises her hands Ah, see, you don't have to do anything if you don't want to... she usually calms down after a few hours of blocking the way. Then the cleric looks at you three appraisingly as well. See, the lady is willing to pay a 'tithe' for a 'holy duel', your cut would be 20 gold. Would make all this go faster. But uh, yes it does have to be combat.
"Us?" Pytho points at himself with a questioning look on his face.
Ah, the puffed up Gorum-worshipper. There sure was a plenty of that type back in the tribe. And they definitely liked to bully the weaker ones (like Pytho).
Pytho looks at Asta and Erytheis. He sort of would like to put gorumite bullies in their place. But are they up to the task?
Erytheis takes a heroic half-step forwards - but not too close. Didn't want to get stepped on! She raises her hand in a challenge. Pytho and her would surely prevail but it'd be reaaaaally handy if Asta joined in too. In front ...
HAH! COME THEN! Fight me right here! But tell me who do you serve? I SERVE GORUM! AND I WILL DEFEAT YOU THREE TO ONE. WITNESS ME MY LORD IN IRON!
She strides to the street and retrieves a gigantic maul that is almost as large as she is from her back! It's very large and has the sheen of a well cared for high quality weapon. She faces the three of you right in front of the Pantheon of the Many and splays her hands out wide holding the huge maul easily in her right and makes a come on gesture with her left.
COME! Take your first shot and then I will BEGIN!
"I serve the Eldest and ancient spirits of the First World and ours! En garde!"
Erytheis raises her bow and fires a searing shot towards the cleric. But unfortunately her eyes is terrified by the huuuuuuuge hammer. She didn't like facing any blunt implements larger then herself!
"Yes. Yell your lungs out, like a true gorumite..."
Pytho would surely like to shut that mouth. But just like Erytheis, he is a bit worried about the maul in her hands. Fight it's going to be, and Pytho will fight in the way he best does - with fire.
The half-orc shoots flames from his hands, trying to burn the obnoxious priest. And to prepare what is to come, he protects himself with a shield spell.