Vencarlo Orisini's page

The note reads as follows...

Lyla,

You wouldn't believe how expensive it was to commission a second set, in your size.

Lyla

Vencarlo wearily shakes his head. "Not yet, but I know it's only a matter of time. Old Korvosa seems to have been hit the worst by this plague--bad enough that I've overheard talk of the place being quarantined."

"I've been trying to help where I can, but it's... well, it's an uphill battle for me. I've little knowledge of how to treat illnesses, so I've focused more on getting as many of Old Korvosa's remaining healthy people out as I can." He looks down at your feet. "By the way, when did you lose your bones? I can't say I've ever heard of that sort of magic before--not even from the Acadamae."

Vencarlo gives Lyla an odd look as she squeezes her arms and legs dry. "...sure. Why not."

He turns and nods for Lyla to lead the way. "I'll meet up with the rest of you at the Citadel, yes?"

Vencarlo's expression turns sorrowful. "See, there's this young boy I met--his name's Oren. Ausio's lad. He was running through the streets in a complete panic, begging for someone to help his parents. I couldn't get a straight answer out of the poor boy--he was so frightened that I'm surprised he could even speak clearly."

"I helped him reach the Citadel, and he's waiting there for someone to come by." The swordmaster taps his rapier against his shoe. "So, I went looking for the lot of you."

The swim back to the surface of Korvosa's harbour is arduous and cold. With Ortik being unable to swim, it falls to the rest of the party to carry him upwards. Fortunately, the harbour's waters appear to be free of predators, and before long the party's heads break the surface of the Jeggare River.

As the party makes their way back onto shore, they're greeted by a familiar face.

"Hmm. Isn't it a little early to go for a swim?" Vencarlo Orisini leans on his rapier, his expression haggard and exhausted. "I've been looking for the lot of you."

>:-)

The party soon comes to an intersection by the bridge across the St. Alika Narrows. "Ah! My home is just down this way." He starts off down the street before turning back to the rest of the party.

"This is where we'll have to part ways, I suppose. Come pay me a visit at my Academy next time you're in the neighbourhood--Korvosa could do with more upstanding citizens like yourselves." With a final flourishing bow, he turns and takes his leave, disappearing into the cold night.

"Over ten years." Vencarlo sighs. He sounds genuinely disheartened. "It's been over ten years since anyone last heard from him."

He looks into the distance. "People around here often wonder where he's gone, and why he left. They grew dependent on him, certainly... enough that his absence is sorely felt." He turns back to the party. "Perhaps he believed Korvosa didn't need him any longer, and wished to rest. That the day he could retire and let the little guy fend for himself was on the horizon."

He snorts derisively. "Shows what he knew. Between the child kidnappings, the riots, and now..." He waves a hand in the direction of Eel's End. "...this, I'd say he's overdue to return."

"Why do I care?" Vencarlo shrugs. "I live here. It's about time someone stood up for the common folk of Korvosa."

"Before you ask, I literally live here." He gestures to the surrounding rough neighbourhood. "My home is just a couple of streets down."

"And besides, the only one who ever tries is that stubborn fool Blackjack." He scoffs. "He tries, bless his heart, but he's only one man."

Vencarlo walks through the streets of Old Korvosa with the party, occasionally twirling his rapier for effect.

"Miss Lyla, I have to ask--did you really plan that escapade at Eel's End by yourself?" He asks. From the look on his face, he's quite impressed by her.

Vencarlo laughs. "An excellent idea. Let's be off." He turns and begins making his way off the docks, pausing at the end.

"Shall we?"

Aaaaaaaand level up to 3! *Ding!*

"How unfortunate for me, then." Vencarlo chuckles, resting a gloved hand on his rapier. "I had a few new fencing tricks I was looking forward to trying out."

"Don't look at me, Lyla--I didn't invite him!" Kroft calls back over her shoulder.

Vencarlo just shrugs and smiles in response.

"Excuse me, folks--" Althea speaks up, stepping forward on mildly shaking legs. "--but would you be so kind as to show an old lady back to her home?" She looks around warily, still clutching her formula book. "You know how bad things can get in Korvosa at this time of night..."

The prisoners emerge into the open air of Old Korvosa, coughing from the sudden intake of fresh, salty air. Field Marshal Kroft & Judge Zenderholm moves to assist them down to the docks, but Althea remains by Lyla's side.

Vencarlo eyes the hobbit as she emerges from below decks. "Ah! The mastermind herself has seen fit to step forward!" He says with a jovial tone and arms spread wide as he approaches her. "And she brought Cressida & Zenobia the gift of freed lives, too."

Vencarlo arches an eyebrow in surprise. "Really?" He rests a hand on his chin. "Would you be so kind as to introduce me to her?"

Kroft gives him a suspicious look, but says nothing.

"Isn't it?" Vencarlo returns Demitri's handshake. "I had just finished teaching for the day when I heard the Korvosan Guard marching through Old Korvosa. And not just a single patrol--it seemed like just about every available guardsman was called in." He glances over at Judge Zenderholm, who folds her arms behind her back impassively. "And the Hanging Judge herself was coming along?" He chuckles. "Well, I had to come along and see after that."

He turns back to Demitri. "Am I correct in assuming all this was your idea, ser?"

Vencarlo shakes Jakob's hand. "Ah, the gentlemen who kept the lovely mageling safe, I presume?" He says with a quick glance over at Karri.

Majenko chirps and nods, bringing his attention back to the rest of the group. "And a pseudodragon as well?" He chuckles before letting Jakob's hand go. "Tonight's been quite full of surprises, no?"

Vencarlo laughs. "A well-mannered lady, isn't she, Cressida?" He looks back at Karri. "But an 'us' usually means more than one. And the only 'us' I see right now is myself, you, Cressida, Judge Zenderholm and the corporal here." He gestures to each of the people he names. "So, where, may I ask, are the rest?"

Kroft looks Karri over. "How have things been going in there?" She asks, an eyebrow arched.

"If all this was your doing, milady, I'd have to say I'm impressed. Not many people around here who are willing to take a stand for the little guy." He says with a bow. "Ah, I seem to have left my manners back home. Vencarlo Orisini, at your service."

Kroft rolls her eyes a bit. "He insisted that he come along. Wouldn't take 'no' from me for an answer."

Judge Zenderholm & Corporal Griggs appear to be withholding comment for the moment.

As Karri returns above decks, she can see all of the thugs in Devargo's employ being rounded up and escorted by a sizeable patrol of Korvosan Guards. Field Marshal Kroft is standing in the centre of the docks with Judge Zenderholm and Corporal Griggs... along with another, older man. They appear to be discussing something.

He is a tall man of advanced years, yet with a twinkle in his eye and a bounce to his step that hints at a vibrancy and inner fire of a man under half his age. He wears his salt-and-pepper hair pulled back tightly into a bravo’s top-knot. His eyes are a cast of deep green like the ocean after a storm. He is of Old Chelish blood, and it shows. He wears black leather gloves, presumably to ensure the oils of his skin don’t rust the pommel of the shining steel rapier at his side.

He and Kroft look up at the same time at Karri, with the man smiling and waving her over.