Laori accepts Jarha's healing, nodding with anticipation. As the burn hits, she arches slightly, gritting her teeth in a grin of mixed pain and pleasure. She takes a deep breath, shivering slightly, as the the sensation subsides. "Oh, you were right! You could make fast friends in a Kuthite temple with that kind of 'healing'."
Jarha Madu wrote:
"Want more?"
"No, no... Tempting, but I shouldn't. Don't want to seem like I'm getting my rocks off here. All things -- including torment -- in moderation!" she giggles.
The elf smiles and nods to Melianthe, "I will, though this city is fast becoming a laborious place to live." She adds a knowing wink to Segang, and waves goodbye to Blackjack and Seren.
Yes, everyone was a bit beat up from the Blood Pig game, but since I hand-waved the combat aspects, there's no specific numbers. You can certainly role-play in the healing, if you like.
"Well, going all the way to Nidal to talk is a bit much," Laori smirks. "But I'll happily escort Mister Scream and Sir Jalento out of the city. Getting out of Old Korvosa shouldn't be too hard if they're willing to get a little wet and slippery." She adds the last with a wink to Amin.
Laori gives Melianthe a hug -- one that stings a bit from the spikes on her armor -- and a warm smile. "I'm sooo happy to have met a new friend, like a long lost sister. You have things to see to, and so do I, but don't fret. I'm certain we'll run into each other again! "
Melianthe waves to the Shinglesnipes, elbowing Laori a few times when they get approving looks from the locals.
Laori grins, waving at the oddly adoring fans. "An unrefined crowd, but it beats getting chased by a pitchforks and torches," she laughs, like it comes from actual experience.
Laori grins and nods to Melianthe's suggestion. "I'd rather not have to hack and slash our way out of here, if we can come up with a more diplomatic, or stealthy, option."
Laori looks back at Segang, giving the big man a wink and a smile. "Well... if you folks can help me get him outta here, I'll make sure he gets safely out of the city." She glances at the door, lowering her voice slightly. "I don't think the Emperor will be happy about that, though."
Laori's eyes widen and a joyful smile plays across her face. She points at the three paintings, "Those are Salvator Scream originals!" she exclaims with a little awe.
First Painting:
The first depicts a full portrait of a thin humanoid wearing shadows as he stands framed by a dolmen of great size. The figure’s brilliant blue eyes are the only true points of color in the piece, and they seem to almost glow with anger.
Make a Knowledge (religion) check for more...
Second Painting:
The second picture depicts a rugged mountain range above a desert under a harsh blue sky. In the foreground, a quartet of Vudrani tusked camels ridden by N’darr tribespeople race across dunes that, upon closer examination, consist of tiny skulls.
Make another Knowledge (religion) check for more...
Third Painting:
The third portrait is the most disturbing, for it depicts a handsome man in the process of peeling away the flesh of his arms as if he were taking off a pair of gloves. Underneath, his arms are muscular and covered with glittering blue scales. The man’s expression is one of delight, yet his eyes are empty pits of blackness. Half seen in the shadows beyond him are thousands of humans impaled on towering wooden poles erected in the shadow of an indistinct shape looming on the horizon—perhaps a castle, maybe a mountain, but likely something more.
Make a Knowledge (geography) or Knowledge (arcana) check for more...
Laori gives you a pert look. "Harvest? I don't harvest. Don't confuse Zon-Kuthon with those other deplorables, like Lamashtu or Rovagug."
"And again, I really am not trying to get Mister Scream hurt here, so I think both he and I and you would appreciate not aggravating the Emperor. You want to speak to him too, so it does us no good if we kill the Emperor but Scream bites it in the crossfire."
***
Amin shrugs, as he's not from Old Korvosa. There are normally plenty of markets in the district, but trade has all but ceased with the quarantine.
"Some elves can be a right pain in the arse, can't they?" Laori laughs. "My story is not so different from yours. I grew up on the streets of Riddleport. I never knew my parents, but I had an extended family of foster parents -- some decent, others terrible. Survival trumped all. I learned pretty early that hard knocks and pain are big parts of life, and that's how I came to Zon-Kuthon and his followers." She flashes a wistful gaze to the sky, but her smile quickly returns. "Finally, there were people that understood what I already knew. Don't run from pain... embrace it!"
In between talks with somewhat grimy locals, she nudges Laori. "Is it true that Nidal is very dark? As in, some places do not see the sun at all?"
Melinathe flinches as her nudge hits up against one of Laori's armor spikes. She looks up to find Laori smiling warmly, enjoying the small moment of pain. "Nidal is such a dreary place. I mean, shadows are fine and all, but the people there take it a bit over the top. Shadows are a mixture of dark and light, right? Can't have one without the other."
"You mentioned the dusk elves. I've met a few of your kind from the Uskwood, but they're very standoffish, and didn't seem to like me much at all, even though I'm 'Forlorn' and not from Kyonin. I thought you might have been from there."
"Well, do we just go up to the Emperor's door and knock? Maybe we should bring him an offering. A cake? Or just barge in and kill everyone, I suppose," says Mel. Diplomacy is truly not her strong suit.
Laori laughs but adds with a wry grin, "While wholsale slaughter sounds like a fun afternoon, I'm worried that Mister Scream would get caught in the fray. I really don't know anything about the Emperor, even why he's got Scream, or what kind of shenanigans he might pull if we attacked."
"Red Mantis?" Laori asks, eyes widing. "No, I haven't run into any of them, thankfully. You've made some powerful enemies," she adds, impressed. "Good to hear that Andaisin is taken care of. You take any trophies or evidence I can use?" She eyes Segang a moment, adding, "Nice scythe..."
"I wasn't able to find any obvious connection between these artists. They were all from different neighborhoods, walks of life. But they all committed suicide, and all within the past couple months. I mean, artists tend to be a bit dramatic, but that's too much of a coincidence. I hope Salvator Scream can help make the connection, whether he's aware of it or not."
When you agree to work with her, she cheers and does a small twirl, smiling grandly. "Flay my flesh! This is going to be so much fun. I cannot tell you how boring hanging out with a half-dozen skulls can be!" She blows out the candles and collects the skulls into her bag. "Like I said, I don't know much about the Emperor other than where his compound is. I suppose the locals might know better, but asking around will draw some attention. I don't mind that so much anymore, especially with you all here for mutual support." She gives Segang's bicep a playful squeeze.
But then he regards her and asks pointedly How do you know of the 7 and their inspiration?
"Kuthites are a bit of a niche crowd, if you take my meaning. Its a small community. When word of an artist creating pieces in the themes of Zon-Kuthon, it gets noticed. When seven different artists are making such, even in a large city like Korvosa, it suggests some kind of significant connection. I'm trying to find out what that is, if I can." She gestures to the six skulls, frowning for a moment, "It has not been much of a success, as yet."
"It's really complicated. You'll understand if we keep some information to ourselves until we know we can trust you better. We've been betrayed before."
"That's fair," she replies, nodding sympathetically. "I would be more suspicious if you trusted me automatically."
Melianthe Ssulissien wrote:
"Do you have a warrant or writ for this Andaisin that you can show us?" says Melianthe after another moment.
Laori arches an eye, but then nods. "An odd thing, really, but Nidal is a bit particular about things." She searches through her pack for a moment, producing a scroll wrapped in black silk string. She hands it over Melianthe.
Scroll:
To whom it may concern, This writ of bounty authorizes one Laori Vaus, elf maiden and Inquisitor Captain of Zon-Kuthon, cull, pursuit, capture and captivity of Andaisin et'Urgathoa, derogated Lady of Nidal, for crimes against the state and humanity. Any who, made aware of these presents and subsequent to, participates in obstruction of this agent's bounty, will be considered an enemy of the Umbral Court and nation of Nidal.
Laori's brow furrows after a moment, "Wait a second... You're here interrogating me like I'm some sort of shady character -- which, I'll admit, I kind of understand, given Zon-Kuthon's reputation -- but why are you after Salvatore? How do I know you're not out to harm the man?"
She watches your responses closely, looking for signs of deception. Sense Motive:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
"The followers of Zon-Kuthon," Blackjack replies. "The god of darkness. And pain. His followers excel in torture .... which to them, is transcendence."
"Just so!" Laori nods. "Life is pain. And denial is delusion, as I like to say. Followers of Zon-Kuthon, or Kuthites as some call us, tend to be a dour lot. I get it, its not for everyone, but I try to keep a more positive outlook on things. A little sadomasochism can be healthy for the soul."
She smiles warmly and waves a welcome as Jarha enters. "Well, I was being honest up front when Segang here asked, so I'm not sure what else to say. I originally came to Korvosa on the trail of a Nidalese criminal named Andaisin. That trail went cold, and since I was already here, I decided to look for these inspired souls," she gestures to the six skull candles.
Her eyes suddenly perk up, "Your being here is certainly a sign from Zon-Kuthon! Here I was, trying to figure out the best way to confront the Emperor of Old Korvosa to gain access to Salvator Scream, when a handy group of specialists shows up looking for the same thing. We have to work together, if you'll join me. What do you say?"
"And no, I will not be torturing Mister Scream or anyone else."
"I came to Korvosa from Nidal, so yes, but I'm not really from there, if you know what I mean," Laori responds to Seren with a smile. "Riddleport, actually."
To Segang, she adds, tilting her head to the side, "You've never heard of Zon-Kuthon? Well, I guess he's not very popular in some lands -- people generally being averse to pain and all that -- but he is one of the major deities. Some call him The Midnight Lord, or Prince of Pain... or my favorite: 'The Dark Prince'!" The elf cannot suppress a giggle. "Oooh! So melodramatic," she sighs, rolling her eyes.
Laori does a double-take at Absinthe, standing behind Melianthe. "Are you... Blackjack?"
"The candles, yes... the skulls, not so much," Laori winks at Melianthe. She points and names them, from left to right, "This is Jeonia Chirco, a costumer; next is Boathar Kaay, once a toymaker; this is Velaka Hoon, a fairly unknown, but very underrated author; Maxtel Erns here was a sculptor in life; fifth over is Yvos Tanguany, a tattooist; and lastly, Imon Vernell was a poet."
"Each were artists whose work touched heavily upon themes important to Zon-Kuthon. These six lived here in Korvosa, and I came to the city to speak with them, but sadly they were all dead... lives taken by their own hands. Salvator Scream is a seventh artist of similar workings, and as far as I know, he yet lives. I'd very much like to speak with him before that changes."
"Calm yourself, Segang, " she looks up at Segang, giggling at his half-threat. "I have no intention of hurting Salvator! Well, unless he asks for it, but you know... nothing non-consensual. He’s a talented artist! I would just like to ask him where his inspiration comes from."
"I don't know much about this Emperor of Old Korvosa, other than he's got a veritable army of thugs under his command, and his compound is guarded like a Hellknight citadel. I was pondering a way to approach the Emperor when you showed up."
Laori's eyes widen as Melianthe enters, and her smile widens. "A pleasure to meet you, Melianthe. I'm intrigued to know what brings a dusk elf to these lands!"
"Feel free to look around. It's not my place, so you don't need my permission," she jokes. "I saw the blood. Clearly a scuffle as Salvator was taken. Someone was hurt in the fray," her smile twitches at the mention, "but I couldn't say if it was captive or captor."
Seated in the chair facing the skulls is an elven woman. Her black hair is long and wind-tossed, and the large irises of her eyes are nearly black. She is dressed in fitted, enameled chainmail, adorned with thorn-like spikes. Coiled at her belt is a spiked chain.
As Segang enters, she looks up and greets him with a wide smile. "Welcome! I'm seeking Salvator also, but sadly he's not here. I think the Emperor's men nabbed him a week or more ago. At least that's my guess, based on the muddy tracks. I hope they haven't killed him, that would be vexing... but pretty much in line with how my research has been going so far," she sighs, eyeing the skull candles with a frown.
The smile returns immediately as she extends a hand. "Oh, and my name's Laori..."
