Korvosa.
Known as the Jewel of Varisia, the city has long sparkled on Varisia's southern shore. Established 300 years ago by Cheliax at the height of the empire's expansion, the city now commands its own destiny. A line of Korvosan kings and queens emerged to rule the city, establishing an infamous seat of power – The Crimson Throne. Rulers have sat upon the Crimson Throne for more than a century, and the city has flourished. Yet the monarchy always seems to on the brink of disaster. The Crimson Throne is not a prize to be won, yet rather a curse. No monarch of Korvosa has died of old age, and none have produced an heir while ruling. Even though King Eodred II controls Korvosa more fully than any previous monarch, that control remains tenuous, and many secretly count the days until their latest king falls to what they call the Curse of the Crimson Throne.
Even now, the king's health seems to be slowly failing, and the populace grows ever more worried that the fate of the city may rest in the hands of the kings much-younger wife, Queen Ileosa Arabasti, who comes across as petulant and selfish. The city lies perched on the edge of anarchy, and it seems to be only a matter of time before it topples completely over the edge.
Yet with all the high-flung issues troubling the nobility, those trapped in the seedy underbelly of Korvosa have their own problems...
For Tosk:
“I'm guessing this is for you, mate,” he says, handing Tosk a small card. "'Twas tacked on the door when I got home just this minute." Tosk quickly recognizes it as a Harrow card used by some Varisian fortune-tellers and soothsayers to predict what will come to pass. On the front, the half-orc sees that the card is The Paladin, depicting an armored man with a shining light coming down on him from above, and on the back, written in a cramped hand in dark ink it reads:
“I know what Gaedran has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done.”
For Kovellus:
One morning, while putting on his boots, Kovellus finds a card in his shoe, which is instantly recognizable as Harrow card used by some Varisian fortune-tellers and soothsayers to predict what will come to pass. On the front, he sees that the card is The Bear, depicting a rampant bear in front of a thick forest, and on the back, written in a cramped hand in dark ink it reads:
“I know what Gaedran has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done.”
For Lily:
“I know what Gaedran has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done.”
For Emyralda:
“I know the path the Great Dreamer has set for you. Your boon companions will meet at my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset tomorrow. A man named Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done. This is the path set for you, and this is only the first step in your journey – the longest you will ever face.”
For Andrezi:
Obviously, the news of Andrezi's beloved's death was very upsetting, and though she could never be his he could at least take solace in knowing she was well off and taken care of.
Shortly after hearing the news, Andrezi finds a mysterious card in his pocket. It is instantly recognizable to him as being a Harrow card from a particularly well made deck. The card itself is The Courtesan, depicting a handsome man dancing with a masked woman in a beautiful ballroom. On the back, written in a cramped hand, it says:
“I know what Gaedran has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done.”
For Cardon:
“I know what Gaedran has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done.”
Memories long forgotten bubble to the surface. Gaedran Lamm has not stopped, and in fact is growing stronger with each passing day, if the rumors are to be believed. More and more children, without the aid Cardon received, fall through the cracks and die in the service of the bastard Lamm. When will enough finally be enough?
For everyone, once your own spoiler is read:
Inside, the cozy chamber within this small home is filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The haze comes from several sticks of incense smouldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke itself seems to soften edges and gives the room a dream-like feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling men's hearts, another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figure shrouded in mist, a flaming sword held in a skeletal hand. Several brightly-colored rugs cover the floor, but the room's only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throwcloth and several elegan tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table.
A note, held down by a stone paperweight, rests atop the table. It reads:
“Thank you for coming. I had to step out for a few minutes, but shall return shortly. Please, have a seat while you wait. The basket under the table contains bread and drink for you.”
Andrezi casually looks around the room, then has a seat waiting his host to return...or the others mentioned in the invitation.
Always one to arrive on the early side of punctual, Lily D'Amico is not surprised to hear a lack of noise or conversation as she quietly approaches the structure at 3 Lancet Street. She moves to peer through a window, but quickly turns away as it becomes obvious that the pane has not been cleaned in some time. Instead, she moves smoothly toward the door and opens it without knocking. As she steps into the room, her eyes well up as they are assulted by the haze of fragrent smoke that embraces the room. As she begins to get accustomed to the atmosphere, she gently closes the door behind her and turns her attention to the man seated in one of the tall chairs.
Greetings, good sir, I am called Lily D'Amico.
She strides confidently toward the table, reaches slowly into a pocket, and pulls out a Harrow card. She places it on the table, face up. The card is The Keep, depicting a tall, strong-looking tower with lightning crashing behind.
Does yon card belong to you, perchance?
A smile flashes across Andrezi's face as he holds up a card depicting a couple dancing at a masquerade ball
"That particular card? No. A quality Harrow deck is too hard to come by to deface any of its cards. Admittedly, I am familiar with the Harrow", says the handsome Varisan man, "but the card you hold is not mine."
Andrezi puts the card with the message written on the back into pocket in his vest, then proceeds to pull a Harrow deck of his own from another pocket.
"Perhaps a game of Towers while we wait on our host?" Andrezi says, as he begins shuffling the cards.
Just as puzzled as Edrick, Tosk has no clue who the sender is or what significance the card may have. However, his anger burned hot, and without changing into something more comfortable, he was off to the house. Hopefully he would remember where Lancet Street was ...
Excited at the possibility of a lead, Tosk forgets his manners as he reaches the house, opening the door without a knock. He stops rather abruptly at the sight of the well-looking couple though, assuming immediately they are his hosts - in particular, the man shuffling the harrow deck. He shuts the door behind him.
"Good evening, my lord." Tosk bows slightly before the man seated in the chair. His deep voice continues. "My name is Tosk, and I think this is your card." He holds up the harrow card, though he doesn't give it to the man. "I am willing to do whatever you need for justice to be done here."
Barely inside the room, Tosk would look imposing due to his animated motions while speaking, and sword and shield at his side. However, his speech inflections give away his eagerness, dispelling perception of hostile intentions. The tall half-Orc waits with his eyes on the Varisian man until he thinks to formally recognize the woman in the room as well. "My lady" sounds Tosk, bowing slightly before her. His eyes haven't even met the note on the table.
The door opens yet again and a small, thin rake of a man steps through, keeping his back to the wall. He scans the room and the occupants, flinching at any loud noise. He jumps a little bit as his eyes land upon the tapestry of the flaming-sword-holding skeleton, and he grips a medallion tightly in his hand, fashioned in the shape of a circle made with tied veils.
Knowledge Religion check DC 15
The young man nods a subdued greeting and nervously makes his way over to the table to have a seat. He refuses any bread or drink.
He stops rather abruptly at the sight of the well-looking couple though, assuming immediately they are his hosts - in particular, the man shuffling the harrow deck. He shuts the door behind him.
"Good evening, my lord." Tosk bows slightly before the man seated in the chair. His deep voice continues. "My name is Tosk, and I think this is your card." He holds up the harrow card, though he doesn't give it to the man. "I am willing to do whatever you need for justice to be done here."
Andrezi briefly considers playing along with the half-orc's misunderstanding, but thinks better of it, continuing to shuffle his cards.
"No, no, no..." The Varisian man says, shaking his head in disagreement with Tosk's assumption. "I am a guest here, just as you are. As I was just telling this young lady," he says, gesturing towards Lily, "I'm familiar with the Harrow, but card you have is not mine."
Andrezi sets the now well shuffled deck of cards on table.
"I asked Lily earlier, but now perhaps there are more interested parties. Any one for a round or two of Towers while we wait for our host?"
Andrezi briefly looks around the room, then shakes his head in disappointment with himself.
"Where are my manners?" He says, standing up and taking a small bow, "I am Andrezi Zeldana, a pleasure to meet you all."
"Perhaps a game of Towers while we wait on our host?" Andrezi says, as he begins shuffling the cards.
At the mention of Towers, a wistful look briefly passes over Lily's features, as though she is remembering times past. As it fades, she shakes her head briskly, as if forcing herself back to the here and now.
"Towers," she whispers almost imperceptably. "Grandmother and I used to...".
She clears her throat, clearly thrown by the topic of conversation.
"Yes," she responds, more clearly now. "That would be fair way to pass the time. You'll shuffle, though? I never could get the knack of it."
As the large Half-orc barges in, Lily's eyes widen. She has, of course, seen half-orcs before, but never has she been in close proximity to one. She recalls the many lessons taught by her father, though, about not judging a tome by it's wrapping, and resolves to afford the hulking man every courtesy.
"Greetings," she says to the swordsman. "Alas, I fear you may be under the same misconception that I myself was until only a few moments ago. We are not the owners of this dwelling, but merely those summoned to attend, as it seems you have been." She plucks a Harrow card off the table, and holds it up. "I assume you received one of these as well?" She secures the card in a pocket of the stiff leather jerkin she wears, and picks a note up from the table, holding it out to the largish man. "Our host has left us this."
As the jittery man enters, Lily responds to his nod with a nod of her own. Sensing some anxiety on his part, she leaves him to his devices for now.
"Sivanah smile on you, friend," she says quietly, in his direction.
"Towers," she whispers almost imperceptably. "Grandmother and I used to...".
She clears her throat, clearly thrown by the topic of conversation.
"Yes," she responds, more clearly now. "That would be fair way to pass the time. You'll shuffle, though? I never could get the knack of it."
"Good." Andrezi says with a smile, as he begins dealing the cards. "Perhaps you'd like to make the game more....interesting with a small wager?" He continues, trying to look innocent.
The door slams open against the wall, and a giant of a man steps into the house, pointing a huge finger at the group-
Which of you left me this? Or are you the fellows I was told would be here? Kovellus asks, holding up a Harrow card of a Bear.
"Perhaps you'd like to make the game more....interesting with a small wager?"
"I've naught against a wager on a game of chance, but I am too short of coin at the moment to lose it, much less to someone who is doing all the shuffling. No offense intended, of course," she says, a wry grin touching the corners of her mouth.
As yet another large man enters the room, Lily begins to feel skittish.
Which of you left me this? Or are you the fellows I was told would be here?
"Guests!" she responds weakly. "We are all guests. Would you like some bread?" She gestures meekly to a basket which has been recently kicked out from under the table by a nervous foot - namely, hers.
Being new to the city, Emyralda finds it necessary to ask around quite a bit to find Lancet Street. Consulting the Harrow card, she makes her way to the indicated address just as the sun drops behind the tallest buildings.
The young girl knocks on the door and enters to the sound of several people talking. Peering through the incense haze as she enters the chamber, her eyes take in the tapestries before focusing on the occupants.
As her attention shifts to the others in the room, her breath catches in an audible gasp. "So there is one of the companions that great-grandmother spoke of - the dashing rogue shuffling the Harrow deck," she thinks to herself. "I wonder which one is the man of two worlds, and which is the one seeking revenge?"
"Hello," she says softly, interrupting the conversation. The others turn to see a young Varisian girl enter, her innocent expression framed by auburn hair caught up in a scarlet scarf. "Are you the 'boon companions' that I was told to meet here?" she asks, holding up the Unicorn card for the others to see.
Being new to the city, Emyralda finds it necessary to ask around quite a bit to find Lancet Street. Consulting the Harrow card, she makes her way to the indicated address just as the sun drops behind the tallest buildings.
The young girl knocks on the door and enters to the sound of several people talking. Peering through the incense haze as she enters the chamber, her eyes take in the tapestries before focusing on the occupants.
As her attention shifts to the others in the room, her breath catches in an audible gasp. "So there is one of the companions that great-grandmother spoke of - the dashing rogue shuffling the Harrow deck," she thinks to herself. "I wonder which one is the man of two worlds, and which is one seeking revenge?"
"Hello," she says softly, interrupting the conversation. The others turn to see a young Varisian girl enter, her innocent expression framed by auburn hair caught up in a scarlet scarf. "Are you the 'boon companions' that I was told to meet here?" she asks, holding up the Unicorn card for the others to see.
It would indeed seem so. Kovellus replies abruptly. Taking the bread offered by Lily, he nods his thanks to her, takes a seat and waits patiently, seemingly having little interest in the game or in small talk
"Hello," she says softly, interrupting the conversation. The others turn to see a young Varisian girl enter, her innocent expression framed by auburn hair caught up in a scarlet scarf. "Are you the 'boon companions' that I was told to meet here?" she asks, holding up the Unicorn card for the others to see.
Seeing the young Varisian beauty enter the room, Andrezi quickly finishes dealing the cards, setting the remainder of the deck on the table.
"Boon companions? I fear that is yet to be tested, but we too have been given similar invitations." Andrezi says, producing The Courtesan card from his vest.
With a smile intending to charm the young woman, Andrezi bows
"I am Andrezi, and who might you be my dear?"
One of the young woman's eyebrows arches at Andrezi's charming introduction. "I am Emyralda," she replies with a smile. As she offers her hand in greeting, the others see intricate tattoos consisting of long strings of blue arcane characters running the entire length of her outstretched arm.
Emyralda turns to the others. "And the rest of you are...?" she asks.
My name... is Kovellus. I'm here to tear Gaedran limb from limb, and thats about all you really need to know about me. Kovellus says, bitterness evident in his voice.
"Well, that's the one seeking revenge..." Emyralda thinks to herself following Kovellus' introduction.
"Then you'll find a willing ally in Lily D'Amico, Kovellus. I seek vengeance on Gaedran for a great wrong that he has committed, or at least commissioned. Any enemy of that scum is an ally of mine. The same goes for all of you - It is a pleasure to meet you."
One of the young woman's eyebrows arches at Andrezi's charming introduction. "I am Emyralda," she replies with a smile. As she offers her hand in greeting, the others see intricate tattoos consisting of long strings of blue arcane characters running the entire length of her outstretched arm.
Emyralda turns to the others. "And the rest of you are...?" she asks.
Andrezi takes Emyralda's hand and with a gesture, offers her the seat next to him.
With revelation of the missing host, the young paladin wondered wherever their inviter might be.
Tosk is thrilled at the connection the group seems to have against Lamm. He doesn't take a seat though, instead preferring to wait for their host.
"That monster, Lamm, will pay for his crimes," chimed in the half-breed. "It is good to see people willing to bring him to justice."
He does move toward an open seat, not wanting to seem alien to the group, standing next to it. Tosk shifts his eyes to the shuffling Rogue, intrigued as to the game. He never learned how to play.
The nervous man jumps a bit at the mention of Graem's name. His hand shakes slightly as he pulls a slightly-crumpled Harrow card - the Vision - out of his pocket.
"C--Cardon Quid," he mutters to nobody in particular.
For Emyralda:
Once the newly formed party has all arrived, the door opens quietly, and an attractive middle-aged Varisian woman enters from the street. She makes her way to the table, motioning for everyone to have a seat if they have not already. She remains silent until everyone has sat at the table around her. She pulls a Harrow deck from a small pouch at her belt and idly begins shuffling them, her skill with the cards readily apparent. After a few heartbeats, she begins speaking in a soft but clear voice.
"Thank you for coming, my friends, and for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you. My name is Zellara, and I have reason to remain hidden, you see - a terrible man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This is a man you know, for he has done something terrible to each of you as well.
"I speak, of course, of Gaedren Lamm, a man whose cruelty and capacity to destroy the lives of those he touches are matched only by his gift for avoiding reprisal.
"You see, a year ago, his thieves stole this, my Harrow deck, from me. It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When pickpockets stole it, my son, Eran, tracked them down. The thieves were in the employ of Gadren Lamm, and in reward for finding them, Gaedren murdered my son.
"I sought help from the Guard, but they turned me away. And so I asked around. I paid bribes. I consulted my Harrow deck for advice. And recently, I was rewarded - I found out where Gaedren dwells. He can be found in an old fishery north of here at Westpier 17, where he trains his abducted children to be pickpockets, and counts his stolen treasures.
"And now, I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that if I were to go to them, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance. Even if they did arrest him - what guarantee would I have he would be punished? This criminal has evaded the law for decades. But you know of these frustrations as well, for word on the street has it that Gaedren has wronged each of you, too.
"So there we are. It is time for him to pay. What say you all?"
The reminder of Lamm, and what he had done to Andrezi's beloved, brings spark to Andrezi's eye and growl to his voice.
"If given the opportunity, I'll see the bastard dead." Growls the previously pleasant scoundrel, while nodding in acceptance of Zellara's request for aid.
Lily wonders, not for the first time, what harm her young nobleman from the shop ever did to Gaedran Lamm that caused him to wind up dead on the street. Or rather, what he found out about Lamm. Judging from the presence of others here in this room and the words of the soothsayer who brought all these people together, it seems to Lily that Gaedran's misdeeds extend far beyond simple murder.
"For my part, I will gladly extend whatever aid I can to those who work to thwart and malign Gaedran Lamm. If you will excuse me, I've come to a swordfight unarmed. I'll need to go to my home and retrieve my weaponry. I shall return henceforth. So that you know that I do not go forth to sell this group out, take this."
She draws forth a plain but beautiful ring on a chain beneath her jerkin.
"This ring was, I suspect, to be my wedding ring one day. The young nobleman who bought it, whom I loved..." Her voice trails off, and her eyes grow distant. When they return to the collective gaze of the gathered party, they are steely with resolve. "...was murdered by that filth."
She places the chain on the table, gets up and leaves quickly.
Andrezi picks up his Harrow cards, and quickly shuffles the deck, and draws a card. After looking at the card he returns it to the deck and puts the deck of cards away in his vest.
For Sully
Tosk watches Lily leave, then turns his eyes to Zellara.
"I am willing to find him and slay him, my lady. An eye for an eye!"
The anger coursing through his body would flow much easier were Tosk standing, so perhaps it was good his host had him take a seat.
"I don't know this 'Gaedren Lamm' that has wronged you all," Emyralda says after several of the others speak. "In fact, I know next to nothing about this city. But it is obvious from what you all say that Gaedren Lamm is a thoroughly evil man who must be stopped. The Great Dreamer has set me on a path to find five companions to stand against a darkness that threatens this land; it seems we are taking the first step along that path now. I will help you seek your vengeance."
Hrmph. I've sworn to drag that man screaming into the depths of despair I have swam around in for the last year. I'd try the deed even without aid Zellara, as i'm sure you know. My aid was assured before I ever stepped into the room.
The group is still conversing when Lily returns with her gear.
Knowledge(local) DC 10:
If the group is ready to head out immediately, read the following spoiler. If not, feel free to converse more or ask Zellara any other questions you may have.
If you travel now:
Kovellus will quietly test the door (when we arrive).
At the mention of finding and killing Lamm, Cardon's nervous look hardens significantly. He pulls a foot-long piece of carved wood out from his left sleeve, toys with it for a moment, then re-sheathes it.
"If this coalition is intended to bring that pig down, then let's be about it. He's lived far too long already."
Knowledge(Local):
"The dog is not far from here, six blocks at most. If my memory serves me correctly, Westpier 17 is an old fishery. About half of the building juts out into the Jeggare River if it's the one I'm thinking it is."
Andrezi rises from his chair, "The sooner Lamm pays for his deeds with his miserable life the better, I will gather my weapons and be back as soon as my legs will allow."
Andrezi heads to the door, to leave and gather his weapons, as he leaves he mutters something to himself.
Kovellus will quietly test the door (when we arrive).
The front door is shut and locked tight.
Noticing the locked door.
"Zellara, I would like to help you, but I do need to leave gather my things first."
As the group moves out of the Seer's home, Lily sidles up next to Andrezi.
(Under her breath) "I see that we have similar motivations for wanting to see Lamm rot. Let us win this fight for them, that they will not have died in vain."
As the group approaches the Fishery, Lily notices Kovellus's attempt on the door.
"As the front door seems to be inaccessable, perhaps there is another way in... a service entrance perhaps."
Lily moves to reconnoiter the building, as quickly and quietly as possible.
Lily moves to reconnoiter the building, as quickly and quietly as possible.
Seeing what Lily is doing, Andrezi will go in the opposite direction and attempt the same
Perception:
Stealth:
As the group approaches the building, Emyralda mutters a few mystic syllables as she passes her hand before her body. A faint aura shimmers around her body for a moment before disappearing.
Cardon pulls his wand out of his sleeve, takes a deep breath to settle himself and waves it over his head, casting mage armour as well. The wand sputters for a moment, a field of force shimmers around the young man for an instant, before fizzling out of existence.
"Dammit!" he mutters and puts the wand away. He loosens the scarf from around his neck and holds it in his hand. Light glints off of metal blades embedded in the scarf.
As the team makes their way to the fishery, Tosk is, for once, a little happy about his heritage - the darkvision will make sight easy if they hours wear on. Upon arrival after the door-testing, Tosk, not the brightest crayon in the box, states the obvious conclusion he has reached:
"The door must be locked."
As the two stealthy types make their way around the place, he reaffirms his authority in thought to himself. Though the city was not arresting the man, there was little doubt to Tosk the fatal intent of the man would be deserving of death anyway. Breaking into his place - valid to see justice done. He readies his shield but does not draw his sword just yet.
He looks oddly ... overdressed considering his partners. With his scale mail and tower shield on, he turns to the rest of those at the front.
"Hopefully they find a back entry; we'll make a racket breaking in."
I WANT HIM to know we are coming, warrior. I want him to feel FEAR at our approach. If they don't find another entrance, I would like your assistance with this door.
Kovellus hefts a huge hammer, and looks ready to smash through the doors if necessary
Lily sees on the rights side of the building that the small wooden walkway runs to the back of the building and around the corner. Past the railing on the opposite side of the old fishery, a boat is moored running parallel to the current.
Andrezi, sneaking around the left of the building, sees the land drop off sharply about twenty feet down to the water's edge. Flotsam and assorted human detritus lie trapped in swirls and eddies as the Jeggare sluggishly makes its way to the sea. No clear method to enter the building on this side presents itself.
Before the ranger and the Varisian get too far in their investigation, the sharp click of a lock being turned and the groaning creak of rusty hinges sound sharply from the front door. A greasy looking man with blond hair and a weaselly expression stands in the opening, scowling at the party. Despite his ugly face and oily hair, he is actually quite well-dressed, though the fashion itself is years out of date. He sniffs once, loudly, then addresses the party.
"Oi! Who, perchance, is you'ns s'posed to be? I don't remember expecting any deliveries and I don't have time to pontificate, chat, talk, or flap my gob. What do you want?"
Andrezi, upon hearing the door open, will rush back around to the front of the building, whip coiled, but in hand. Having never seen this Gaedren Lamm he is after, he will wait until he is indentified by someone else.
Kovellus moves forward, dropping his hammer, grabs the man by the throat, and lifts him into the air.
CMB check
Who are you, and who is your master, whelp? the huge man asks with a snarl.
Andrezi, upon hearing the door open, will rush back around to the front of the building, whip coiled, but in hand. Having never seen this Gaedren Lamm he is after, he will wait until he is indentified by someone else.
Emyralda holds still, waiting to see how this plays out, and keeping an eye out for any other suspicious characters.
Cardon knows what Lamm looks like, but it's been a few years since he's last seen him. He peers closely at the man, trying to recognize him or see through any disguise the man might be wearing. Perception:
Irregardless, he picks his holy symbol up from where it hangs against his chest, ready to present it to cast a spell if needed (scarf in other hand).