Season I
The Schemes of
Scoundrels
SESSION 1
Masaki and Brion
Pyke went to the Eel’s End ship to meet with the Devargo Barvassi
(Spider King). While waiting to meet with Barvassi we were approached by
a person with offer to recover 500,000 coins from the Vault of
Abadar.
After being summoned
before Barvassi, Barvassi pressed Pyke into a match of “knifies”which Pyke won
and was given a task to locate Gaydron Land and bring back Land dead or
alive because who owes Barvassi money. Barvassi wants double payment
from Land if brought back alive. Pyke suggested to bring back part of
Land to which Barvassi agreed.
Masaki and Pyke
traveled to and old fisherie where we fight two armed men
and kill them. Masaki and Pyke venture onto an moored boat at
the fisherie where Pyke is fanged by a large spider and is severely injured.
Masaki and Pyke return
to their shack where Pyke recovers from his injuries. The next
day, an explosion at or near Castle Korvosa.
Brion Pike
SESSION 2
After
the explosion Pyke and Masaki hear the noise of a riled up crowd outside the
house and cries of "Down with the Queen!" Masaki found a Harrow
Courtesan card under their dining table with writing on the back.
Pyke
and Masaki peek outside and saw Cold Eddie shuffling, through the crowd, toward
them. Other men dressed in uniformed attire were behind Cold Eddie and
they were pushing through crowd heading toward Cold Eddie.
An
explosion occurred in the crowd which resulted in several dead persons
including Cold Eddie and two pursuing men. Pyke and Masaki rush to Cold Eddie's
last seen location. Masaki found some orbs in a false heel of Cold Eddie's
boot. Pyke noticed a tattoo of winged black snake on one of the uniformed man's
hand. The men pursuing Cold Eddie wore clothing that matched their swords and
spears.
A
crowd emerged and a woman said she saw a third man on the roof who through
something onto the ground. Pyke and Masaki returned to their house.
Masaki and Pyke's 14 year old neighbor girl said she saw a third man remove an
item from Cold Eddie's body. The girl called the man a golem and said it was
similar to the metal golems in the parades put on by The
Acadamae. Masaki examined the orbs which were blue and hot to the
touch.
Pyke
and Mercari hear people saying the bridges over the wooden Narrows of St. Alika
are being dismantled. Pyke and Merari rushed to cross the stone bridge, but
guards prevented people from crossing onto the main island. Pyke and Mercari
sneaked across onto the main island on a wooden bridge to go back to the
fisherie to locate Gaydron Land.
Pyke
and Mercari's last location was near the Vault of Abadar.
Brion Pyke
SESSION 3
A
pair of misfit half brothers, one a handsome Thiefling beloved by all
and named after the god of a misunderstood Tian Clan and the other a
half Orc named Pyke. The brothers were a strange pair whose mother had
the propensity to spread her legs to any man that would buy her a
drink.
Pyke
and Masaki had snuck out of Old Korvosa, past the guarded
bridge towards the Vault of Abadar when the scream of a woman catches
their ears. The brothers work their way down an alley towards a
cute girl named Trinia who is running with a bloody knife directly
towards the pair. Directly behind her can be seen an ugly foul smelling
man by the name of Rolth who is yelling at Trinia that he owns
her. The brave and handsome Masaki steps in front of Trinia and
confront Rolth about speaking to such a beautiful young hotty with his vial
tongue. The brothers ask Trinia if she wants Rolth to speak to her
in such a manner and if she wishes to have anything to do with
him. After Trinia confirms that she wants nothing to do
with Rolth the brothers tell him to move on. Rolth tries to act
important and warn the brothers that they do not who he is but it was apparent
that he was not interested in taking on the brothers.
What
was apparent was the sexual attraction that Trinia felt for Masaki but he
played it cool. Trinia tells the brothers that she is a performer and that
Rolth was a patron that tips well but that he had began following her and
was making her feel extremely uncomfortable. The brothers tell Trinia
that the king had died and that the city was in turmerol since the Queen
was not from the area. Trinia was shocked at the Kings
death and confided in the brothers that she had recently met the King
and painted a portrait of the King. The brother give Trinia their home
address in case she ran into any trouble and told her that she may be
able to cross the bridge since the guards seemed to be only interested in keeping
people from Old Korvosa from leaving the city.
The
brothers now continued their quest to find Gaedren for the Spider King but
when they arrived at the fishery the building is burned out. As the
brothers are leaving they are spotted by a blood thirsty mob of about
15 men armed with sticks and makeshift weapons. The brothers decided
that the numbers were too much and take off running, jumping trash cans,
sneaking down alleys and finally climbing into a second story window of a
derelict building trying to loose the mob. However the less than nimble
Pyke was too slow climbing into the window and the mob found the
brothers hiding spot.
As the
mob circled the building Pyke tossed a flaming oil flask into the
crowed just as the talented Masake cast a frightening spell which
made the fire more intense with colors changing into eerily and vivid
colors. As the fire danced about the mob most of ran off like a bunch
of bitches but five brave souls began climbing the stairs
to the second floor.
The
brothers began moving around the room yelling in an attempt to confuse the
final five fools that there was a group of armed men waiting behind the door to
the second floor. The men barged into the room where the
last man was cut down by Masake's blade and as he taunted that he was bringing
death to the rest his nimble thrust brought death to the next man.
Now Masake's eyes burned through the souls of the final men as he asked
who would feel his cold blade next. The final men dropped their
weapons and begged for forgiveness as they wet their pants. Masake felt a
tinge of mercy and instructed them to climb out the window if they wanted
to live. The last man out of the window was moving to slow which
caused Maskae to notice a trickle of blood down his leather armor and in a
rage Masake bashed his skull with the hilt of his sword jarring him
to the ground in a loud and deadening thud.
The
brothers slowly worked their way to the north wall separating them from
their home of Old Korvosa. In a joyful moment of relief they noticed
a wall guard and after tense conversation the brothers convinced
the guard to allow them to cross over behind the wall and across the
wooden bridge to the city they called home. After finding their favorite
bar closed and the front door to their home kicked in the brothers
made their way to the Eels Inn to gather more information from the Spider
King. Upon arriving at the dock a group of heavily armed men convinced
the brothers that it was time to go home for the night.
Masaki
SESSION 4
After
returning home, Masaki and Pyke discover their home ransacked. Pyke and
Masaki decided to meet the Spider King at the Eel's Inn. The Spider King
tells them he has knowledge of a Nimblewright then hands Pyke a Nimblewright
Detector. The Spider King wants the Nimblewright brought to him alive.
With
their assigned task, Pyke and Masaki cross into New Korvosa toward the Acadamae
to activate the Nimblewright Detector which gives a faint sign. Pyke and Masaki
meander about following the detector's indications, much like a game of
"hot and cold."
Pyke
and Masaki eventually end up near The Gralhund Villa and after nightfall enter
the villa through the stable gate after Masaki picked the lock.
Upon
entering the grounds, a pair mastiffs were pacing around the house focused on
the goings on inside the villa. Pyke immediately recalled the savory
meaty deliciousness of mastiffs.
Pyke
and Masaki scurried near the front of the villa; Masaki skittered up the wall
while Pyke's heft prevented him do so which drew the attention of the two
tenderloin mastiffs. To Pyke's displeasure the mastiffs were drawn away by the
ruckus in the house. With a bit a assistance from Masaki, Pyke climbed
the wall and they entered into a ballroom.
Pyke
and Masaki saw men dressed in black fighting the villa guards. The men in black
appeared to be similar to the men who pursued Cold Eddie prior to his
demise. Pyke and Masaki dispatch five men in black along with their
commander, Urstal. Lady Gralhund tells Pyke and Masaki the men in black
are assassins.
Pyke
and Masaki explained to Lady Gralhund they were passing by and heard the sounds
of clashing swords which caused them to invite themselves inside.
Pyke
stops aside to use the detector which briefly activates then stops.
Lady
Gralhund graciously thanks Pyke and Masaki for their intervention and permits
them to see themselves out. Pyke and Masaki decide to investigate and enter a
room with a locked book setting on a pedestal. Masaki picks the lock. A
spectre appears and attacks the pair with Masaki sustaining a near death
injury. Pyke slings Masaki onto his back then dashes toward the main
gate.
To
distract the guard mastiffs, Pyke tossed some meat he picked up during their
investigation into various parts of the villa. Pyke really disliked leaving the
villa without taking a mastiff carcass as a personal delicacy.
Pyke
decided he could make better progress by only carrying only one body instead
two. So, Pyke strode on through the night until he reached their ransacked hovel.
Brion Pike
SESSION 5
The
brothers travel back to the Gralhund Compound but when they reached the main
entrance the newly hired group of guards would not allow them to see Lady Yala
Gralhund but upon leaving the compound they stumbled across Lord Gralhund
coming down the street surrounded by new mercenaries. Once Lord Gralhund
recognized that the brothers were the same men that descended on his home
and rescued him and his wife from the Black Network he motion for his
guards to give him a private word with these strange paring of men.
The Lord must have misunderstood that the brothers were part of his wife's
inner circle or at least part of her plane to acquire the galore stone as he
became loose lipped and provide the following information:
His wife
Yala had hired Ersal Flockesen of the Black Network to find the stone
and bring it to her.
Upon
return with the stone Yala had Ersal imprisoned.
Ersal
escaped and along with his Black Network brethren tried to kill Yala and the
Lord. Luckily the brothers appeared at the compound during this battle and
the Ersal and his men were killed.
The Nimble
Wright is Yala's and she sent the stone with the machine to be hidden
where no one would find it.
The
necklace of warm stones was provided to the Nimble Wright by Yala.
Yala does
not provide the Lord with much information about her plans.
The
Lord made a deal with the brothers to track down the Nimble Wright and find the
stone. This agreement was not to be discussed with anyone and
the Lord provided the brothers his ring which is to be shown to the guards
at the gate in order to gain a private audience with the Lord. The brothers now
had another reason to find the Nimble Wright so they were back on the trail.
After spending hours triangulating the Nimble Wright using the Brass
Bataan they finally found it in a heap of garbage down an alley. The
Nimble Wright was badly damage but was still a worthy adversary but luck had
long been on the brothers side and the Nimble Wright would no longer be
used by the Gralhund's to kill the brother's friends
or hide strange stones. As the brothers began searching the
Nimble Wright a group of city guards came up the alley inquiring
about the commotion. Masaki with a quick slight of hand slipped a scrape of
paper from the Nimble Wright and slipped it into is belt. With a little fast
talk the city guards were convinced that the heap of scrap had malfunction and
the brothers were forced to put it down. Later the brothers slipped
back and picked up the Nimble Wright and delivered it to the
Spider King as proof that the brothers were making progress. The
brothers sweet talked the Spider King and was able to get out of the bar
without the King figuring out that the brothers were working both sides.
Upon reading the scrape of paper the brothers found that the Nimble Wright had
left a map with an X marked in the graveyard along with the words
Cassalanter which gave the brothers there first good clue to further their
mission. The brothers worked their way to the grave yard and the Cassalanter's
Mausoleum were on entering they found two dead bodies and a badly beaten
woman named Vale Erval. The brothers slowly questioned her to find out the
following information:
Vale, Oliver
(her boyfriend), his buddy and two other guys were sent by Lord Holerver
Castelander to hold on to the stone but as some point the two guys killed
the other two men (Oliver and his buddy) and nearly killed Vale in order
to steal the stone.
The
Castelanders and Gralhunds worship Asmudayis.
Worship is
carried out at the Windmill outside the gates of the city.
Nervaerember
a Patriarch of the Asmudayis was embezzling money (~500,000) from the city
and while fleeing the country by ship he died.
The stone
is the key to finding the money.
There are
about 60 people that worship Asmudayis.
Secrete
hand shake and other details were provided to allow entrance to
the Windmill worship.
The
brothers convinced Vale to go into hiding and they delivered her to her
relative's home to hide out for a couple weeks. The brothers are now planning
how they can get into the Worship and find the stone.
SESSION 6
After
learning the Stone of Galor was taken to the brothers make haste to a windmill
on the East Shore. Masaki and Brion encounter a man and woman in closed
room on the second floor. The man was heard saying, "Get rid of," at
which point the thug brothers burst into the room to see woman passing the
stone to flying imp outside the window. The man attempted stop us, but we
quickly dispatched him then climb up to the roof through decrepit
ceiling.
The
flying imp is pursued along the rooftops as the brothers try to capture it.
Just as the brothers catch it, the imp tosses the stone to another nearby imp
before it was killed. The brothers catch and kill the second imp who dropped
the stone upon its death. Upon killing the second imp, a nearby carriage bolts
away with Masaki in pursuit. Brion remained behind to search area for the stone
with no luck.
Brion
returned to the windmill to confront the woman. Brion had to chase her
down and tie her up then he took her back to the windmill. Brion waited for
Masaki to return.
The
next morning after Masaki returned, he said eventually caught up to the
carriage and stowed underneath as it traveled to the South Shore. Masaki
attacked the coachman, which turned out to be a Bearded Devil. The bearded
devil transformed his staff into some type of bladed polearm and injured Masaki
so he jumped off the carriage. Masaki heard a voice inside the carriage
ask the bearded devil, What was it? The bearded devil replied, I think it
was a mouse. Masaki continued to follow carriage which lead him to the
Cassalanter Estate. Masaki then returned to windmill by foot which took the
entire night.
Brion
Pike
SESSION 7
Masaki
arrived back at the windmill to find Brion with Seffia at the windmill. The
brothers go full on shamer to interrogate her and we determine the following:
The Asmedas Temple is
beneath the Cassalander Estate
The imps we fought were controlled by
the Cassalander's
Cassalander family is newly rich and
is rumored to have made a deal with the Demon Prince Asmedas
The Cassalander family may be looking to
buy the Demon Prince Asmadas
The Cassalander's carriage driver is a
bearded devil
Worship occurs on Sacred nights
The guy with her was Arn
She has been worshiping Asmedas for the
last two years
We convinced Seffia to hide out
at a friend's house while the brothers started working through the city to go
to Gralhund's Villa. As they came down a narrowing corridor a group of men
tried to surround the brothers. The group then attempted to approach from all
sides with lanterns but Brion quick action knocked out one of the lanterns
out. The brothers then started knocking out the lanterns and working the
shadows to attack the group. The brothers concentrated on the group's leader
with arrows and slings bullets until the group leader became terrified and ran
away.
Masaki
The
Soldier’s Way
SESSION 1
13 Desnus 4708.
Graduation at last.
I am now officially a member of the Sable Company. Running our drills before the grand military
parade was exhausting, but we all made it through. Now comes the test. The tomb of Ekat Kassen awaits us. Trosker ep Styrk!
14 Desnus 4708.
A fortune teller read our fortunes and told of a
great event that would threaten Korvosa, and the military leaders seemed to
take her seriously. Courtesan, Betrayal,
and Uprising. Sounds ominous, but I am
skeptical. A kind but worried priest of
the great Abadar saw us off with a prayer.
We traveled east out of the city and stayed the night in a comfortable
hostel. It looks as though it will go
well.
15 Desnus 4708.
I was placed on a squad consisting of a Korvosan
Guard named Kellan and a dusky-skinned dwarf named Volgorde who is one of
Domina’s Devils. I am not sure that I
fully trust him. Our mission was to
enter the tomb of Ekat Kassen and take a piece of the Everflame at the
interior.
What happened next was beyond words. Outside the tomb, several ponies had been
slaughtered, their blood still in streams in the dirt. A crushed skeleton lay scattered nearby. When we entered the tomb there was naught but
death. Bones strewn about and two slain
Korvosan citizens at the other end, killed while making preparations for our
test. The bones gathered and became
undead— four living skeletons, armed and attacking us. I was injured, but we survived and won the
day. This was the first true battle for
each of us. Spears are not good weapons
against skeletons. I will rejoice upon
acquiring a good sword or mace, should we find more of these abominations.
We rescued a man who was hiding in a store room. His sister is missing, taken further into the
tomb, which is a maze of tunnels, occasionally opening up into large
rooms. I don’t know why a tomb would be
constructed in this fashion.
In one of those rooms we came across a foul creature,
black as night, made of shadow and smoke.
It enveloped Kellen, the Korvosan Guardsman, and drew the life out of
him. I gave it a few good pokes with my
spear, and the dwarf finished it off with a crossbow bolt. We shall rest now in the hope that it will
bring some of that life back to him.
SESSION 2
Stupid, Stupid Durriken!
I had to be paired with him and that showboat Kellen. Is that even his name?
Oh, so bravely they volunteered. I know they just wanted the glory for
themselves. But my commander selected me
to ride at the vanguard. Oh, I will bring glory to the Hellknights, soon to be
renamed Volgordians. Maybe the city,
too, just for kicks.
But
the dead horses, that I was not expecting. Bones piled up like a lamb chop,
bone-in, souped around a blood bolognaise. I wasn’t ready for the smell. Gagged
a bit. Keller didn’t say a word. Durrky boy started sniffing for clues like he
was some investigator (ha, he probably
doesn’t even have ranks in Investigation). Obviously, the danger was inside
the dungeon. I swung open the door, slew the raised skeletons, and barely
cringed at the pile of corpses, this time people. They’d come early and left
early. We’d come late but hopefully not be called late. (The late Volgorde,
died a martyr, now rests in state). I shed a tear for the dead, as any
decent soul would.
No
one told me there would be traps, puzzles fit for the mind of an illithid. (And
that’s no shot, my brother’s wife is part illithid.) Every step meant certain
doom, as we bravely explored this wicked tomb and gained our glory boon. (Got
full marks for poetry in the Hellknight’s Perspectives
in Art course, can’t you tell?) The traps led to awful pits, 6 feet down! I
could have fallen and broken my crown, but fortunately, I kept my wits and
solved the puzzle bit by bits.
Okay,
tired of the poetry. We made it through the obvious trap. I let Durriken think
he figured it out, bravo bravo. Kellet more the silent type. There might be
more than mud in that headhole of his.
Then
that door, and the voice. Haunting, surely a devil. We had to see who it was.
Turns out some simpleton. A sad sob story of a sister of his, bait for our
torching glory. We listened to the poor chap who had wet his codpiece more than
once in fear. He eventually went insane. How long did we leave him in that room
for? I can imagine the sounds at the locked—he hoped—door, clawing, scraping,
rapping, ever slapping at the two finger’s width of wood between death and
life. I get the shivers just thinking. At least, if I were a wimp like him, I’m
sure I would.
But
then the worst came. I thought the horses were bad—the horses were bad—but seeing a fire exhaust smoke
and seeing that smoke take shape and sink its claws into the whole of us. I
made straightaway for the exit. Let Durriken and Kelbar take the heat. I took
some very well-intentioned shots. It’s not that I was shaking—I was trying to
get a good angle around Durriken’s big head (not for being filled with brains,
that’s for sure). Actually, not too sure what happened next. I must have
been—what’s the word Ms. Laughlasher used to use?—oh, debilitated. Like I got the wind knocked out of me. But I drew my
second wind, was back up in no time. Kelmar and Durriken coming out of the fire
room with faces like ash. Pitiful, really, how some can’t take a scare.
Jabberwocky
Durriken then starts going on and on about how he had found a key in the flames. Oh, woop-ti-do. Let him have the
small moments; mine is the glory.
And
glory it was. As I let the others tag along, I quickly dispatched the next
challenge of these newbie obstacles: a statue with shields that comes to life.
I saw “home” and “family” on the shields and thought (for just a brief moment,
you know) of my little brother Totoms back in Korsova. He has a little pup he
plays with. I miss the little guy. But I got to thinking about him, and the
statue comes to life and starts pummeling me with towering shields. Who would
have guessed it? While Durky and Kellel start trying to fight the thing, I
lasso it like a mounted Hellknight and disable it in no time. The others would
have met a quick death without my know-how. Had to show them how to get past
the gauntlet challenge after that. I always took the lead, showing the way.
Barely got a scratch. Same with the room that shot arrows at us. I shielded the
deadly barbs and had a darned good look at that contraption (should’ve taken
the Hellknight extension course on Contraptionary, but noooooooo, all the cool
Hellknights said it was a waste of time).
Well,
that wore me out. And who wouldn’t it? Rapid-fire arrows against a wooden
shield. So in the next room, I sit down on the bench. Turns out this place has
some fine art, barbarians and such. I take a few notes, snack on a little
jerky. I was even about to get out my sketchbook. The other two, so paranoid,
certain the bench had a trap or secret. Sometimes you just have to enjoy the finer
things. Must’ve put my mind in the right
state, too, because as we blast through the next set of doors, I take my
geological pick-axe and crush some animated piles of flesh and bones. Didn’t
even cringe. Durriken takes a nasty wound. Says he wants to go home to his
mommy. I think we need him for bate, let him tag along behind me and Kevlar.
And
sure enough, we face the big guy. Eyes like live coals. Skeletal features. Big,
wolfish grin.
I
let loose my crossbow just like in the live-action morality plays. Bam bam!
He’s down. Or almost down. He comes at us wicked fast, all slashing and
freaking. Poor Durriken, I almost admire his cowardice, can’t even get through
the door behind us. He’s blabbing about bad angles while I’m taking hits left
and right. Blood everywhere. Finally thrash him down with a winning blow. Eyes
go out like a doused cinder. Durriken finally makes it through that darned
door. He starts yammering about how the tomb’s been desecrated, or dessicated,
some big word. There’s a lovely little lady beside it. Crazy guy’s cute sister.
Once I’m able to get back up (that skeleton really got a few good punches) I
start making eyes at her but then Durriken explains the whole plot. Extra
boring. Oh, but I take the torch and our proof of the glory. And what a
glorious victory it was.
(Sorry
these pages are a little wet. I kept my journal in my front trouser pocket.)
~Volgorde
the Valorous
Kellan
Zenderholm
This portion is reconstructed from memory after the
events in the tomb of Ekat Kassen.
As part of a
plan to foster better cooperation among the three branches of the Korvosan
military, one cadet of each branch was selected to participate in the
graduation initiation together. I
believe I was selected because my family’s reputation and connections and the
assumption that I would be a loyal guardsman.
My partners in
this endeavor were Sable Company Marine Cadet Durriken Urzika, a pure Virisian,
and Hellknight Cadet Volgorde, a gray dwarf.
Durriken appears to be a man of honor, despite his ethnic background. Volgorde is less trustworthy.
On the 14th
of Desnus, the three of us saw a fortune teller who warned of great threat to
the city. After dealing our cards, she
grabbed them up quickly, apparently frightened.
We left for
the tomb of Ekat Kassen and stayed the night at a hospice. Our initiation was to take a piece of the Everflame. The tomb was prepared in advance of our
arrival with several non-lethal traps.
On the day of
the 16th of Desnus, at the tomb of Ekat Kassen, we first found the
remains of a small battle, the corpse of three ponies and a skeleton, which
Durriken immediately identified as the undead.
The undead were inside the tomb, as well. We quickly dispatched several skeleton
warriors who had killed members of the advance team.
We discovered
a member of the team hiding in a store room.
We would later rescue his sister, as well, in the burial chamber.
There was a
creature of smoke in one of the rooms. I
was nearly killed, but Volgorde and Durriken defeated it. I awoke in the store room, where we took a
bit of respite.
SESSION 2
From the journal of Durriken Urzica of
Korvosa, marine of the Sable Company.
16 Desnus 4708.
After some rest, we are all feeling better. That smoke creature sucked the energy out of
us and left us feeling weak, but a few hours off our feet did some good. I think I will have a few bruises, but I will
live. Kellen is back on his feet, as
well, but the Korvosan man we found is starting to go out of his mind. It may be because of whatever was pacing
outside the room, banging on the doors over and over again through the night.
17 Desnus 4708.
We barely made it out of the tomb alive,
but we proved our mettle. The smoke
creature left behind a key, which we used to control a moving wooden
statue. The two oaken shields he carried
we used to thwart a couple of traps. As
we found ourselves back to the entrance, we were surprised to see a
representative of the Seneschal Castle who was sent to look for us. We sent the Korvosan man with him to go back
to the city for help.
The dead came to life again further into
the tomb—this time with gruesome, bloody flesh.
We fought like hell and barely beat them. Volgorde cut off the arm of one, and Kellen
cut off the other’s head. I struck one
quite well a couple of times, but I was badly wounded in the fight. I am glad to be resting here in the
hostel. The good people here bound my
wounds, and I slept through the night and well into the day.
Yet, as unbelievable as this adventure
has been so far, what happened in the burial chamber is something I barely
believe myself. At the end of the long
room, another walking skeleton—much like the others we fought but in shining
armor and wielding two swords—spoke to us, laughing and mocking our
bravado. I remained back while Kellen
and the Hellknight fought the evil creature.
They killed it, but it nearly took Volgorde’s life in the process. Apparently, Kellen showed unusual skill in
the final fight.
As we approached the crypt, we found the
Korvosan man’s sister, lying on the floor, alive but out cold. As she awoke, the spirit of Ekat Kassen
himself rose from the crypt and spoke to us, telling us the tale of his betrayal
at the hands of the Shoanti barbarian Asar Vergas, his former friend, nearly
200 years past. He thanked us for
vanquishing the risen Asar and gave us his amulet as a reward. We have agreed to let Cressida Kroft, Marcus
Endrin, and Boneclaw inspect it.
18 Desnus 4708.
Heading back to Korvosa. I am proud to have taken a piece of the
Everflame, but I shall be glad to get some much-needed bed rest when I get back
to Korvosa. We return not as mere
soldiers of Korvosa, but as heroes.
Kellan Zenderholm
Further into
the tomb we fought ghoulish undead, different from the others, having rotting
flesh still on their bones. Durriken was
badly injured in this fight. After
defeating the corpses, we advanced to the burial chamber. Inside, another undead creature with the soul
of Asar Vergas, the former Shoanti friend and ally to Ekat Kassen, who betrayed
and murdered him. Durriken stayed back,
while Volgorde and I fought. I must say,
this is where I proved my value to the group, doing most of the damage to the
enemy. We were told the 200-year-old
tale of Versas’s betrayal by the spirit of Ekat Kassen, himself.
Of the highest
importance – The spirit of Ekat Kassen gave us an amulet that we agreed should
be shown to our commanders. Volgorde the
gray dwarf has the amulet.
We returned to
Korvosa on the 18th of Desnus, where I reported for duty and was
given this assignment.
SESSION
3
From the journal of Durriken Urzica of
Korvosa, marine of the Sable Company.
20 Pharast 4708.
After some rest, we are all feeling
better. That smoke creature sucked the
energy out of us and left us feeling weak, but a few hours off our feet did
some good. I think I will have a few
bruises, but I will live. Kellen is back
on his feet, as well, but the Korvosan man we found is starting to go out of
his mind. It may be because of whatever
was pacing outside the room, banging on the doors over and over again through
the night.
21 Pharast 4708.
We barely made it out of the tomb alive,
but we proved our mettle. The smoke
creature left behind a key, which we used to control a moving wooden
statue. The two oaken shields he carried
we used to thwart a couple of traps. As
we found ourselves back to the entrance, we were surprised to see a
representative of the Seneschal Castle who was sent to look for us. We sent the Korvosan man with him to go back
to the city for help.
The dead came to life again further into
the tomb—this time with gruesome, bloody flesh.
We fought like hell and barely beat them. Volgorde cut off the arm of one, and Kellen cut
off the other’s head. I struck one quite
well a couple of times, but I was badly wounded in the fight. I am glad to be resting here in the
hostel. The good people here bound my
wounds, and I slept through the night and well into the day.
Yet, as unbelievable as this adventure
has been so far, what happened in the burial chamber is something I barely
believe myself. At the end of the long
room, another walking skeleton—much like the others we fought but in shining
armor and wielding two swords—spoke to us, laughing and mocking our bravado. I remained back while Kellen and the
Hellknight fought the evil creature.
They killed it, but it nearly took Volgorde’s life in the process. Apparently, Kellen showed unusual skill in
the final fight.
As we approached the crypt, we found the
Korvosan man’s sister, lying on the floor, alive but out cold. As she awoke, the spirit of Ekat Kassen
himself rose from the crypt and spoke to us, telling us the tale of his
betrayal at the hands of the Shoanti barbarian Asar Vergas, his former friend,
nearly 200 years past. He thanked us for
vanquishing the risen Asar and gave us his amulet as a reward. We have agreed to let Cressida Kroft, Marcus
Endrin, and Boneclaw inspect it.
22 Pharast 4708.
Heading back to Korvosa. I am proud to have taken a piece of the
Everflame, but I shall be glad to get some much-needed bed rest when I get back
to Korvosa. We return not as mere
soldiers of Korvosa, but as heroes.
24 Pharast 4708.
Mother and Father would be proud
today. The city leaders brought the
three of us to Garrison Hill in Old Korvosa.
In my old stomping grounds, Endrin Military Academy, we were celebrated
by the leaders of our orders. A full
marine contingent was there. The
hippogriffs lined the walls of the arena!
Even Queen Illeosa was there. Her
bodyguard was the largest, scariest woman I have ever seen. The military orders wanted to see practice
combat from their representatives—us! I
defeated Kellen and then Volgorde in single combat without as much as a
scratch. The Sable Company chanted my
name. Queen Illeosa came down from her
balcony to reward me with a golden rose, but she dropped it and cursed my
Varisian heritage when she saw my face.
I think I heard her call me a ‘dancer’ under her breath as she walked
away. Abadar willing, she will see our
kind differently someday. This
disappointment cannot mar my elation, for I am victorious! Trosker ep Styrk!
Kellan
Zenderholm
20th
of Desnus, 4708 – At the Endrin Military Academy the three of us were pitted
against each other in the presence of Queen Ileosa. Durriken and I were chosen to fight
first. I made a mistake with my footing,
and he struck me in the head, causing an injury that would take some time to heal. I was incapacitated, but I would later learn
that Durriken had defeated Volgorde even more quickly than he defeated me.
SESSION
4
From the journal of Durriken Urzica of
Korvosa, marine of the Sable Company.
22 Desnus 4708.
The feast was amazing. Marcus Endrin congratulated me
personally. I felt a bit embarrassed to
recount the events within the tomb of Ekat Kassen, but the commandant believed
us. Poor Kellan spent the last couple of
days in his barracks with a head injury.
I feel a bit guilty about it, I must confess.
24 Desnus 4708.
Great Abadar! King Eodred is dead!
Yesterday morning, as we awoke, the alarm
was sounded. Volgorde and I were left to
take care of Kellan and the servants, while the soldiers and marines raced to
Castle Korvosa. I was placed in command
of the Acadamy. A small mob of Varisians
assaulted a Chelish man and turned on the Academy gates. The Hellknight and I managed to ward them
off, as they would not listen to reason.
There was chaos all over the city.
Fires burned through the night.
Many of the roads are closed. The
Varisian people are scared of Illeosa. I
must confess that I am, as well. I fear
for my family. I fear for my
people. I fear that my loyalty to
Korvosa will be an impossible test.
The returning Korvosan Guard and Sable
Company marines told us stories of great violence across the city. The Chelish soldiers are worried about the
reign of Illeosa, as well. Balance and
order will be difficult for some time.
The city has settled somewhat. The smell of smoke still hangs heavy in the
air. There is an uneasy quiet. Volgorde wishes to travel to the South Shore
for something. I may need to stay here
with Kellan.
25 Desnus 4708.
Volgorde and I left for the South Shore
this afternoon. The trek through the
city was arduous. In an old temple, we
searched for an antique banner of the Hellknights. Descending into a tunnel, we had a couple of
skirmishes with a giant spider and a suit of armor directed like a puppet by
vines covering the ceiling, but we came to little harm. We found the banner and returned to the
Academy overnight.
Kellan Zenderholm
20th of Desnus -- I was starting to like that Durriken guy, but that has
changed. Queen Iliosa paired us against each other for her own personal
enjoyment. Durriken took the match more seriously than I, and nearly
killed me. I am writing from a marine barrack. My head is
ringing like nothing I have ever known. My stomach is churning, as
well. I hope that little dwarf kicks his pompous Varisian arse.
22nd
of Desnus, 4708 – My injury kept me from attending a feast in our honor.
24th
of Desnus, 4708 – We learned of the death of King Eodred. The men are discussing whether or not Queen
Ileosa can be trusted.
25th
of Desnus, 4708 – The barracks are nearly empty. The chaos of the city is the current mission
of the Korvosan Guard. Many of the Guard
are deserting to follow Lieutenant Verik Verkaskerkin in an effort to feed the
people in their time of need. He might
be offering his services to protect citizens for profit. Some of the men believe he is in league with
the Virisian Sczarni.
Returning proud
from torch-erous trek,
We came back to
rejoicing bells,
And there in city’s
upper-deck
I was lauded
greatest of all the knights of hell.
And lowly I stooped
before the glance
And bore the syrup
of Mhadraine Vox
Who proffered a
gift, a refined lance;
Alas, though
centaur, she’s certainly a fox.
And then we slept
in dreams of glory
With our new banner
spanning long and wide.
Oh, my future
gleams both clean and gory,
With my new centaur
by my side.
But waking to
shouts and arson’s scent
We rushed to see
what plague us beset:
The city, like a
cloth, was torn and rent
Like a whorehouse
that’s just been let.
As we were left
un-hippogriffed,
We clambered up the
palisade,
Where hoi polloi were in a tiff
And stormed our
homey palisade.
But my words like
honey calmed their fears
Allayed their
anger, and like a lamb
That I once
comforted without my spears,
They actually
thought I gave a damn.
So when the days
baked like earthen bricks,
I found my chance
to find the place
That might contain
significance
Of the hellknights’
early days.
Quickly solving
puzzle’s lock,
I led Durriken
below the sun
And finally having
something to block
Its fiery rays I
was fully strung.
With refined lance
I slew spider
And danced around
the trappèd floor;
And then, I saw
it—holy banner!—
At the back of room
number four.
Enwreathed in vines
a ghost of mail
Sauntered down into
our midst
I could not see
beyond his veil
But stole from him
(like from Vox) a kiss.
Durriken thought to
kill himself
But I need him yet
for a spell,
He’s almost idiot
as an elf
But will serve the
whims of the knights of hell.
Volgorde
SESSION
5
From the journal of Durriken Urzica of
Korvosa, marine of the Sable Company.
27 Desnus 4708.
Yesterday was our first serious
failure. Volgorde and I were summoned to
Castle Korvosa by the Lord Seneschal, Neolandis Kalepopolis. The palace is amazing. High, vaulted ceilings. Banners.
The Crimson Throne, itself. For
some reason, the Lord Seneschal had us memorize the details in the throne room.
We met Cressida Kroft, the Field Marshall
of the Korvosan Guard. She offered us an
assignment to capture Verik Vancaskerkin, a Korvosan guardsman, whom she thinks
is using his station for profit. Kellan
wasn’t feeling up to going with us.
Volgorde and I went to see Verik, hoping he would allow us to join his
cause. Instead, he and his men nearly
killed us. Volgorde ran off and left me,
so I had no choice but to flee. Our
first chance at reward money was an absolute failure. And it appears to anyone in the city that he
is only giving free meat to the needy.
Not exactly criminal.
Fear.
Fear fear fear. fearfearfearfearfearfear. WHY AM I SO AFRAID? Death be not
proud—I am not! I sink, stink, wink, link across Korvosa, cutting paths not
teeth. We have had such successes, then why so afraid! My mind turns inside
out. I see myself the hunchback of Korvosa’s shame. A warrior not the best. A
liar. A pest. I’ll grovel for my next meal if I can’t keep Durriken from
meeting steel. I thought to join the Queen’s Haters, double cross Durriken’s
honor. But he came along, wouldn’t be fodder. Then when betrayal didn’t work,
we found ourselves doublecrossed in butcher’s work. Verik shot at my pointblank
head. Little did he know how fast I sped, knocking the bolt into his friend as
I porkbloody bolted to the street.
Before
then—my mind’s a fuzz—we zagged through Korvosa’s lanes, some smouldering, all
ashamed. Wove into the castle like a surgical thread into a bloody, beating
heart, to a room that seemed to matter. I couldn’t keep up, Kellen’s vertigo my
own, swimming, swam, swum. I looked but didn’t see. Then I was questioned, you
see. I must remember. How do the blind remember what they cannot see? A throne,
banners in purple and crimson. Durriken has the mind for numbers and images,
but I. Something rested there, not I. A mind, a force, a transparent vein in
this heart of hearts. But I expel and run away: the worst most fearful and
perhaps soon fallen, of the knights of hell.
Kellan
Zenderholm
26th
of Desuns, 4708 – I was healed enough from my injuries to help out with
regaining control of the city. We
marched from the Midlands down to the south side of the city. Our orders were to keep the riots from
breaching the South Shore walls, but we cleared many angry citizens from the
Gray who were breaking tombstones. We tried
to be as gentle as possible, but there were deaths. Keppira d’Bear arrived with two other clerics
of Pharasma to bless the dead.
SESSION 6
As I
was about to place the last puzzle piece of the beautiful picture that was the
death of Durrekin, he escaped! My puzzle was dashed across Korvosa, never to
fit back together. How did he survive the butcher? But another butcher he’ll
meat, even if not the kind who makes sausage. At the edge of order, chaos
always enters and swings its cyclone scepter. But order shall conquer in the
end. Durrekin is a mouse, and I long for larger prey.
Oh, I
fooled him—my leg! Your leg! Let me help you, O Durrekin. (Yes, I love the
vocative case, O reader; don’t patronize me.) He fell for my
afraid-and-hurt act, though it’s true that I was bleeding no little amount. And
who should appear at the top of the barracks awaiting our return like a French
monty? Kellen! There might be more to him than meets the eye. He’s certainly
had a head injury for quite some time. But I shall not doubt, no. Doubting is
for chaos, and I have devoted my cares otherwise, as I am much wiser indeed.
And
what chance came next! We were swung underground to the waters, across the
Jegere. The gaslights swam in my exhausted eyes, and I hardly knew which part
of the city we had been rushed to. A boat, a face with silver hair and tailored
garments, many words of import but none of memory. And then, my own memory was
tested. And Durrekin! Remembered every tittle of the throne room! Described it
like an elven art critic (except that he’s a bit colorblind. Or maybe that was
the water, splashing chaos bleeding into reality as the old man scried a moment
that I certainly can’t forget). We saw a reality that I couldn’t help but
believe. A stone wall like spider webs, veined marble, everywhere in the throne
room, cracks, just like the state of this kingdom. The queen, red mantis, the
last man in the city willing to stand up to the queen, a vicious fight. But all
in water too dancing to be real. Even if—what if? Oh, I could. Oh, the evil I
could cause with a few words of it here or there. Oh, who should I tell? But
with such uncertainty! If I could watch the spark light the fuse that follows
to a horrible catastrophe, great! But to throw a spark into a forest, well
couldn’t I get burned too? I’ll be yoked to that fool a little longer. After
all, the glory of order is its patience and its glorious, incendiary payoff.
From the journal of Durriken Urzica of
Korvosa, marine of the Sable Company.
28 Desnus 4708.
I certainly dread the days to come. The king is dead, and the queen may be our
enemy. Still severely wounded, I made my
way back to the citadel to find the field marshal. I found Volgorde along the way and found
Kellan already there.
At Citadel Volshyenek, Vencarlo Orisini,
a veteran swordsman, saw us to Field Marshal Kroft. Together we all traveled beneath the citadel
to a hidden port on the Jeggare River and rowed across. A seer at a home on the East Shore magically
created a perfect image of the throne room in a pool of liquid from our
description. We saw Seneschal
Kalepopolis of the Sable Company arguing with the queen, when two Red Mantis
assassins tried to kill him. He escaped
through a stained glass window. Orisini
thinks he might have escaped to Magnimar, but I think he is still somewhere in
Korvosa. If the assassins can’t find
him, then I am sure that we won’t, either.
I pray to Abadar that he is still alive and well. We will surely need his help in the future.
Kellan
Zenderholm
27th
of Desnus, 4708 – Morning duty was mostly clean-up. The Guard was out in force to keep the peace,
breaking up an occasional scuffle. Some
of the heavier pieces of debris were loaded onto wagons.
In the evening
I was summoned to Citadel Volshyenek to submit my report to the Field
Marshal. Sword master Vencarlo Orisini
entered the room with urgent news that someone was ready and awaiting us on the
East Shore. Durriken, who was badly
beaten, and Volgorde, who smelled of swine dung, were with him. They had apparently been on an adventure of
some sort.
We were
spirited out to a secret dock beneath the Citadel, where a boat was tied
off. Orisini, Durriken, Volgorde, and I
rowed quietly across the Jegarre River to the East Shore. There, a seer asked Volgorde and Durriken
questions about the throne room in Castle Korvosa. As they described it, an image formed in a
pool of water that only they could see.
In the image, Seneschal Kalepopolis was arguing with the Queen. Two Red Mantis assassins tried to kill him,
but he escaped through a stained glass window.
SESSION
7
From the journal of Durriken Urzica of
Korvosa, marine of the Sable Company.
30 Desnus 4708.
I received my dress uniform today. It fits well, but the collar is tall and
stiff and a bit uncomfortable. I will be
going to a dinner party at a mansion in the South Shore later in the week. I’m sure I will feel out of place. But I finally have a sword. Trosker ep Styrk!
1 Sarenith 4708.
I had a horrific dream last night. The city was in flames and overrun by giant
insects who walked like men. I found
myself alone running onto the High Bridge and jumping into the water, only to
swim through the bodies of the townsfolk of Korvosa.
I went to tour a hospice that took care
of many of the Korvosans injured in the upheaval. Kellan showed up with some of the newly
promoted soldiers of the Guard. Most of
the people there now are older citizens.
There were also a couple of Varisian children who had burns on their
arms and legs. They seemed very glad to
see us.
Seneschal Neolandis Kalepopolis has been
reported missing. Several hippogriffs
were dispatched to look for him along the river and in the harbor. The Korvosan Guard was charged with searching
the streets.
2 Sarenith 4708.
I slept much better last night. I have the day off today. I played cards with some of the other
marines. I lost horribly. I spent the afternoon practicing with my
sword. Dinner with my family was
wonderful. This evening I learned a
Chelish song of sorrow.
3 Sarenith 4708.
Today was Corporal Kanter’s funeral. He was wounded in the upheaval and finally
succumbed to his injuries a couple of days ago.
There was a rumor that Verik Vancaskerkin
had been captured and seriously wounded by Field Marshal Kroft, but it turned
out to be just a rumor.
4 Sarenith 4708.
I saw Kellan today. He seemed out of sorts—very nervous. He thinks we have it too easy, like the
troubles of the last couple of weeks are being forgotten. I think he’s nervous about having to dance at
the ball.
Volgorde, Kellan, and I visited City Hall
and met some of the magistrates. I don’t
know why so many people hate Garrick Tann.
He seemed quite kind to me. Tourism
Minister Cucuteni showed us around the city with some visitors from Abken and
Janderhoff. There was a family from
Magnimar that turned their noses up at most of the destinations. I got to see Marku and Aurika Mandrihal from
Baslwief. The children fed the
hippogriffs at the Military Academy.
When I returned to duty, two of the
marines said they had seen Seneschal Kalepopolis out of uniform talking to some
men in The Gray. I told them they were
mistaken.
The dinner party is tomorrow.
Kellan Zenderholm
28th of
Desnus, 4708 – We returned to the Citadel, where Durriken and Volgorde reported
their vision to the Field Marshal.
29th
of Desnus, 4708 – I was pulled off of patrol midday and taken to the
Citadel. I was fitted for a dress
uniform and informed that I would be on a special assignment to increase the
morale of the city. I was given a
temporary field promotion to corporal.
The permanent promotions were given during a ceremony while I was away.
1st
of Sarenith, 4708 – At the Citadel, my company ran drills in the morning. Many headed out to keep the peace.
Lieutenant Fulvianus took me, along with four other newly promoted corporals,
to a hospice, where I met Durriken. He
told me that Seneschal Kalepopolis had been reported missing and that the Sable
Company were searching the city for him.
Apparently, Volgorde had also made a brief appearance a bit earlier.
2nd
of Sarenith, 4708 – I visited the Temple of Abadar, where father Falconelio
Cento blessed me personally. He told me
that several of his faithful parishioners had claimed to have seen the Ghost of
Malthus.
3rd
of Sarenith, 4708 – In the morning I attended Corporal Kanter’s funeral with
Durriken and Volgorde. He died of wounds
suffered in the riots.
In the
afternoon I went with a priest of Shelyn to visit the Home for Wayward Women, a
hospice for rescued and penitent prostitutes.
I think this visit was a mistake.
Seeing the way the women looked at me, the priest offered me as an
example of the reward a woman of good repute could receive.
Later,
Lieutenant Fulvianus escorted Volgorde and me, as well as Guard Corporals
Arvinus and Salonicus, to a food line in Old Korvosa. Unlike my afternoon visit, I received little
notice here.
4th
of Sarenith, 4708 – Durriken, Volgorde, and I were taken to City Hall to meet
the magistrates. The Minister of
Tourism, Mercer Cucuteni took us around the city with some tourists.
At this point
I must offer my sincere apology for my behavior. I understand I have been reported, or will be
reported for threatening the Magnimarian merchant in front of his family for
his constant disparagement of Korvosan sites.
I will accept whatever punishment the Field Marshal feel is fitting.
That evening I
returned to duty. There was talk that
Seneschal Kalepopolis had been seen at West Dock. Guardsman Porcinus said that the Seneschal
was seen fighting Sabina Merrin. It
should be noted that Guardsman Porcinus is not all that trustworthy and is
prone to exaggeration.
SESSION
8
5 Sarenith 4708.
I have a little time to write. Today is the dinner party. I am now as nervous as Kellan was
yesterday. I had another dream—one like
the dream I had the other night. But
this time I seemed prepared for the horror, less afraid. I awoke before the dream progressed any
further than the last time.
Kellan
Zenderholm
5th
of Sarenith, 4708 – I met Durriken and Volgorde at a dinner celebration at the
home of Victoro and Amalia Casselanter in South Shore. Early in the evening, singer Aria Kevatina
was attacked by an imp during her performance.
Durriken and Volgorde charged the stage and killed the imp. I wasn’t as close to the stage, so it took
longer to get there. I took Aria off the
stage while they were fighting. I tended
to her wounds and took her to get medical treatment.
When I
returned, Volgorde informed me that Durriken had been killed. In attempting to discover how the imp came to
be in the Casselanter home, they summoned another imp, using the children’s
toys. The imp they released poisoned
Durriken before Volgorde trapped it in a closet.
While I was at
the surgery with Aria, a Sable Company marine told me that a mounted marine had
spotted one of the Red Mantis assassins that Durriken and Volgorde described in
The Shingles.
V
Durrekin
lies dead, and his defeat was glorious.
Why
yes, that is my new golden rose, thank you for asking, proffered to me by the
Queen herself. In this new history, there was no Durrekin. Two soldiers went to
light the torch for the games. Two rescued a damsel in distress, one was given
the private ear of the Seneschal, one saw a holy vision, one saved a family
from netherwordly beings, and one secretly called on the dark arts to invoke
evil beings from the Abyss.
But
here is the counter-factual, if you will (a word I picked up from smarty uncle
Fayette). I wore my blues, an honored guest at a Korvosan ball. Names mean
nothing to me, but there was wealth, pomp, and a voice from the creature Aria
so sublime it could make an ogre croon in harmony! I smelled a trap, but the
imp appeared and, before I could stop him, began tearing out that angel’s hair.
Suppose in this history that there were another solider, very plain and dull,
who went headfirst into the fray. I poised myself and precisely skewered the
imp, turning him to ash (like a true evil being) and saving fair Aria. She
begged me attend her further, but I rushed to dominate any other lurking
devils.
And
what devils there were—the family’s little girl, a devil of another variety,
had been summoning friends from the Abyss as her new playthings. They even
wrote her stories (not to my taste in literature—think! A puppet becoming
kindling just for being curious! What are they teaching children these days…?).
And she was enamored by those stories. I didn’t buy her scared routine for one
minute. Oh, and then in her chamber there was a whole puzzle, finding the spell
components (“toys”) and corresponding them to the diagram. I bided my time, let
that other rather unsightly soldier who was with me do all the heavy labor. I
had my eyes on something more insidious, oh yes! After we learned how to
recreate the incantation, I meekly suggested that we try to recreate it. And no
one said no!
O
Asmodeus! As-my-deus, I was the machina of your victory this
day! I knew you would send a servant to aid me in my quest, and she came forth,
Lucretius, a true epicurean, terrorizing the room (but not me), and racing out
when I commanded her to yield. Oh, you chose a truculent devil to help me, my
lord, but let the fire not complain that the kettle whistles too loudly, so
long as we all have tea (and I do love a good chamomile). I scrabbled up the
spell components for my own later use, and came ‘as quickly as I could’ to
rescue that nameless fellow soldier. But when I arrived, he was already at
death’s door. It was too late for him. Ha! I had to rush off to control my new
familiar.
But she
was a difficult burden to bear, Asmodeus. She made me fear I’d soon lay next to
that grotesque soldier in the chamber above. I escaped her clutches and passed
your test. We must all be tried and found not wanting. And I want more,
more—now more than ever!
After
some other guards came and cleared everything up, I went to check the fate of
my severely-disfigured boon companion. And finally, my patience paid off! Oh,
he was dead! He was dead! How many times had I tried so subtly to off him
before, but always he won the odds, one in ten, one in a hundred! Now a green
blight distended his lips, and a grey certainty entered his eyes.
While
it wasn’t my hand that wrecked such elemental toxicity, it will be notched in
the scales of the Abyss as my first true victory. Asmodeus, read these pages,
and count on me, your loyal servant. You have brought victory to my teeth; now
let me rule your devil army! You have given me a most delicious Durrekin
sandwich. Now let me prepare for you a fillet of the finest Korvosan flesh!
But
first, I need to see about that fellow Kellan…
