"Not as ...smoothly as we hoped." Staryth says hesitantly
"Not smooth, but still successful. It seems Devargo got a hold of some scandalous letters between Darvayne and a married Chelaxian noblewoman. Darvayne was probably buying them back over time, but he didn't manage to get all of them back. Perhaps this will be enough to dissuade him from seeking trade sanctions?" Silvio offers the letters for inspection.
"That wound looks pretty painful," Kressida comments. "Are you sure you'll be okay? I can call for the citadel medic, if you'd like."
"He's fine. The big guy likes to point out his battle wounds for the ladies, thinks it makes him look more macho. I keep telling him women prefer their men in one piece, not 6." kids Sera with a mischievous grin. "I'll make sure he's taken care of, the citadel medics are needed to care for those hurt in the riots." Then, taking on an air of propriety, adds, "Will anything else be required of us at this time, or can we return to our normal duties?"
"Hm..." Kressida reflects, "I don't think there's anything else you can help the city with for now. The city seems to finally be quieting down. I'll let you know if anything else turns up," Kressida nods.
As the moon shines upon the city's night, five heroes retire, their deeds once more accomplished.
Some time within the next few days, Ambassador Amprei's secret is revealed, disgracing the man and preventing his plans. No longer in high esteem, his recommendations of trade embargos with Korvosa fall on deaf ears, and with that, his plans of purchasing large amounts of the city and establishing himself in a seat of power fall short.
For now, that night, Marshall Croft sleeps far more easily, and The King of Spiders finds himself less confident, knowing that there are heroes out there who could outdo him once more if he were to try something brash.
A few days pass in relative peace, giving our heroes time to rest and mend their wounds. Emboldened by their new victory against the dreaded King of Spiders, training and studying comes easy.
A few days into this impromptu vacation, a fellow banker of Abadar requests a meeting with Sera, urging her to bring her companions along. What awaits them, however, is some very good news.
It appears that the group's protection of the city against destructive riots, sewer beasts and economical underminings has found the attention of the city's merchant unions and wealthy landowners. A letter of credit, to the lump sum of 1800 gp awaits each of them.
Staryth is troubled by the possible vengeance of the King of Spiders. Not for what it might do to him, but to his friends, new and old. Still, it is good to hear that those that plot against the people have found themselves stymied. Most of his time is spent at the temple, healing and helping, or , when out and about, trying to help others in need. Current and former shiver addicts, finding out their supply maybe a little short, find him willing to get them to the temple where they might receive help.
While he still doubts his place as a leader no matter what the cards hinted at, Staryth is more outspoken, trying to use his goddess given charisma to help prevent the riots from going out again, but urging calm, and that people help each other rather than turn on their fellow citizens. Fortunately, the worst of the riots appear over, but he does his best to make sure the harm done by them is reversed. He collects charity for the poor, tends to the ill, and gives comfort.
The spirits's response is nebulous; in such a large city, their whispers have much obstruction to travel through...
Still, one message is clear: The spirits are content with Krojun's actions, but he should remain on his guard: The troubles are only beginning.
A few weeks have passed since the death of King Eodred II, and things are slowly starting to come back to normal in Korvosa...
Rumors circulate in the city that the Queen herself was the one who poisoned the king, but you have a feeling the city is merely looking for a scapegoat to pin its anger on.
As the new day rises, a messenger comes to you: The message is from Staryth, requesting that the party meet him at the tavern where you reside, and that he would explain in time.
You do, however, note one alarming signal: The Sickness appears, aligned in Full Moon, with alarming frequency: It is a portent of disease and plague; a warning.
One morning, a messenger comes to your home: Staryth has requested that the party meet him at the tavern where Krojun is currently residing. He is concerned by news that have reached in, and says he will explain when the party is gathered.
Late morning sees the Three Rings Tavern very quiet the proprietor is in the back room, preparing for the arrival of the lunch rush, and only a few customers are currently in.
Krojun sits at a table, nursing a drink, and waiting for his companions to join him.
Staryth is the first to enter...
Silvio was definitely getting bored. After so many weeks of inactivity, Silvio's name as a "hero of Korvosa" seemed to be fading. After all, his last public act of heroism was to kill a muck-covered Otyugh - hardly a glamorous moment. So he is extremely excited when the message arrives from Staryth. He spends the morning sporting his finest attire, then skips along into the Three Rings Tavern, seeing if he can spot Krojun or Staryth.
Staryth greets his friends with a nod and waves them over to the table as he sees them one by one.
"It's good to see you as well, Krojun," Despite the grim news he bears, he can't help but smile at the use of the nickname,"And you also, Silvio. I have been promoted among the temple guard. I'm flattered to be so honored, but with new rank comes new matters entrusted to me. And it's about one of those that I called on you, my friends. I'll tell you more when the others arrive. In the meantime, How do the two of you fare?"
Silvio orders a glass of wine. "Things were swell for a while, but I was finding myself becoming quite bored. This rabbit-prince is eager to get back into some action, and test out this blade!" He takes his sword out of its sheath. "It may look the same as before, but I had Korvosa's finest magical craftsman hone the blade to an unmatched sharpness!"
"Unmatched sharpness." comes a voice from the door as it opens, "Just don't cut off anything else!" Sera had spent her time caring for her city, and seeing Abadar's will be done. She had been practicing opening herself up to Abadar and becoming a better conduit of his grace. Perhaps most importantly, she had mastered shielding a few people FROM his grace while she does so. Next time they face a foe like the Spider, she'll be ready to protect her friends, but not grant their foes the same boon. We just waiting on the spellslinger? she asks, knowing the answer as Nicolai is the only member of the group not present.
"A sharp blade will no doubt be of great use," He nods trying to see if he can tell a difference from the fine blade by looks alone.
"And yes, Sera, he appears to be fashionably late, though while the matter I speak of is important, I doubt a few more minutes will mean its ruination," The Paladin nods respectfully to the cleric. Their faiths are very different, but Sera had obviously grown in hers.
Nicolai enters the tavern's common room and looks around for his companions. Spotting everyone already present he hitches his satchel higher on his shoulder, causing Tavi to peek out the top at whatever could have disturbed his nap before burrowing back inside to go back to sleep.
Pulling a chair out from the table he says "Sorry I'm late. I was at the Acadamae transcribing some arcane formulas and...I lost track of time. My apologizes."
Sitting at the table Nicolai takes a kerchief from his pocket and attempts to remove the ink stains from his fingertips before flagging the serving girl down and ordering an ale and a bite to eat.
"Quite alright, Nicolai. In truth, I'm just glad you could all make it..." He nods also at Krojun's statement, "It is."
He checks to make sure it is just them, or at the least that they seem to be out of earshot before speaking softly, "One of the royal guard has confessed to taking part in a plot to poison the king. Apparently, the main culprit is a young artist by the name of Trinia Sabor, at least if the liaison between the city watch and temple guard has given the right information. Triana was commissioned to paint a series of portraits of the king. Have any of you heard anything about this yourselves? Rumors or the like?"
"Trinia, is that a woman's name? I'll bet you 10 gold she just got on the wrong side of the queen's wrath. But I can't say I've heard the name. What do folks at the temple of Shelyn say?"
Nicolai rubs his beard thoughtfully, leaving an ink stain on his cheek "Can't say as I've heard anything about that as I've been spending most of my days at the Acadamae and haven't had much time to do more than study and prepare scrolls for future use. Although many of the readings I've done using Zellara's deck have been disturbing of late. One card, The Sickness, keeps popping up and given it's alignment it is a portent of disease and death."
"Well, what I've heard of Trinia Sabor among the temple is that she's a painter and musician, and while young, is of a certain renown for her portraits of the king. Some suspect his interest's more in her own beauty rather than her art. I just can't see a motive for her to assassinate the king." He confesses after a moment.
Nicolai rubs his beard thoughtfully, leaving an ink stain on his cheek "Can't say as I've heard anything about that as I've been spending most of my days at the Acadamae and haven't had much time to do more than study and prepare scrolls for future use. Although many of the readings I've done using Zellara's deck have been disturbing of late. One card, The Sickness, keeps popping up and given it's alignment it is a portent of disease and death."
THIS catches the Hospitalar's attention, "Should it arise, many of the churches would surely be at the forefront in battling illness. My own order is as much dedicated to tending the sick as we are guarding the temple. Please, let me know if you receive any other signs, such things are best dealt with before they bloom."
"Well, if we don't know much more among us, maybe we should pay a discreet visit to this painter, and see what she has to say."
"Let's back up for a minute. This Trinia character, has she been arrested? Can she be found or is she in hiding? If she's not to be found, maybe we should question this Royal Guard instead. I'd also be curious to know what our old sergeant friend knows about all of this - the one we met at the inn when the city was in chaos."
The inn's front door slams open, and one of the city watch's messengers all but collapses on the party's table, gasping for breath.
"T-thank the heavens! You're all here! Marshall Kroft is on her way here; there's not a second to waste."
Certainly enough, by the time the messenger can catch his breath and the party can react, Kressida herself enters the tavern, flanked by a pair of her underlings.
"I take it you've heard the news too," she says, understanding that the party has most likely gathered for the same reason she was hoping to find them.
Once the party acknowledges what they know, she motions for them to sit back down, and joins them to explain.
"You've doubtless heard the stories that the king’s killer has been named. Yet there’s something more going on here, I’m afraid. Queen Ileosa could have quietly had this Trinia Sabor arrested at any time, yet the way in which she revealed the information to the city seems to me like she wants the riots to come back. Certainly, with the mob and the Hellknights out on the street, the girl doesn’t stand a chance at a trial—they’ll lynch her the moment they find her. And even if she did kill the king, mob justice isn’t the way. Worse, if she’s innocent, the real killer can use this distraction to throw us off the trail forever.
“Before Trinia is executed, we need to be absolutely sure she did this thing. And that means we need to catch her before the mob. Think you lot are up to it?"
"We'll do what we can, Marhsal. Do you know where the girl's home is?"
Aye, we cannot let the lawless rabble deny the woman justice. Whether she is innocent or not, she should have her day to be judged by Abadar and the courts. Any leads on her whereabouts would be appreciated.” says Sera resolutely. Her city would not be reduced to chaos and lawlessness, not while she has breathe in her lungs!
When the city watch messenger rushes in and explains things hurriedly, Staryth immediately rises.
Krojun nods and shares a glance with the party. "We will have to stay a step ahead. Staryth, heard you any rumors about where she's been hiding?"
"Nothing coming to mind, right now, but if something does I'll let you know..."
Nicolai puts away Zellara's deck which he had been idly shuffling "This must be important for her to come to see us instead of sending someone to bring us to her, or it's something she doesn't want done inside the Citadel. Telling either way" He looks up from the table expectantly, waiting for the Field Marshall to answer the others questions.
Kressida leans in, wary of being heard.
"I have it on good authority that she lives at Flat 42, Moon Street, in the midlands. I'd send the guards to get her, but the way things are going now, it'd trigger a riot. Much of the mob most likely knows she's from Midland, and the district is absolutely swarmed with people, so be careful. I'll have agents and officers nearby. If you can get Trinia to one of them, we'll be in the clear. Any more questions?"
"Is there anyone she's known to trust? A friend, family?"
"I'm afraid we don't have much information on her beyond her work on the old king's portraits; I wish I could tell you more, but I have nothing there."
"Then off to Moon Street," And the Paladin will move that way
"Let us make haste!" agrees Silvio.
Nicolai picks up his satchel, much to Tavi's annoyance, and stows the deck of cards in a side pocket before securing it over his shoulder "Lead the way." he says as he follows the others out the door of the tavern.
After some time, having taken care to avoid the now-crowded main streets, the party comes to the tenement which holds Trinia's appartment in the deep Midland, a densely built part of Korvosa. Above, jury-rigged catwalks, overhanging roofs, lines of laundry, and homemade bridges of rope and boards create a cluttered tangle, a multi-level mess of gutters, upper floors, and rooftops.
This is the slum above—a place known as the Shingles.
In many ways, the Shingles is like its own sub-ward of the city of Korvosa. Here, in shanties built atop roofs, on the upper floors of otherwise abandoned tenements, and amid jungles of chimneys, peaked roofs, and eroding gargoyles, are vagabonds, thieves, monsters, and perils to match those found in the most dangerous slums. Stirges haunt gutters here, as do nests of imps. Pseudodragons lair here too, although in their frenzy to keep the imp population under control, the little dragons often cause nearly as many problems as do the tiny outsiders. Criminals use the Shingles as a highway to move about unseen by the guard. Worst of all are the chokers, hideous aberrations with long boneless arms who have taken to the Shingles with a tenacious fecundity that has resisted all attempts to date at eradication. Stories of chokers wending arms down through chimneys or upper windows are common, and serve as the primary reason most citizens avoid climbing above the second floor in regions the Shingles overshadow.
The tenement itself is three floors high, and, you estimate, holds two dozen flats. Trinia's appartment, going by the numbers, is on the far end of the third floor...
"Let me check this place out, so we can figure out how we can approach. We don't want to draw too much attention to this Trinia lady." Silvio moves quietly through the area, searching for entrances that are less used, and signs of danger.
Staryth nods, "As you say...and Shelyn bless you."
As far as you can tell, the building is an ordinary tenement; it has only the front door, as real estate is very tight in this area. The building has no backyard, and the only other entrances are windows and balcony doors.
Silvio returns with a shrug. "That's the only sensible way in," says Silvio, pointing at the main entrance. He heads to it, beckoning the others to follow.
Staryth nods and makes haste to follow. He hopes to get a look at the woman's soul, though only the strongest evil would show anyway