Map of Korvosa

Following the directions of the card, the first of you finds yourself at the entrance of a small house at 3 Lancet Street. The door is ajar, and knocking at it does not get a response. You push the door open, and enter the single-chambered home. It is filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The aroma comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke gives the room a dreamy feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling human hearts, and 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, holding a flaming sword 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 throw cloth and several elegant, tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table.

You find a simple note on the table, held down by a stone paperweight. It reads…

Thank you for coming. I had to step out for a bit, but shall return shortly. Please, have a seat while you wait. The basket under the table contains bread and drink for you.

Inspecting the basket, you find sliced bread and cheeses, and a bottle of wine with four glasses.

Describe your character as they enter the home, please, and the adventure proper will begin.

Barilius had been sweeping the steps leading up to the Grand Vault, the enormous bank and temple to Abadar.  He had been paying especially close attention to getting the dirt and offal off of the steps, as Sister Theodra had been especially cross about it the tenday prior.  Suddently, he'd come upon a harrow card, like those read by the fortune tellers and magicians.  Curious, he'd picked it up, only to find the stately figure of a Paladin staring back at him.  And the note.  Come at sunset...3 Lancet Street...Gaedren Lamm...others like you.  He hadn't known what was meant by "others like you", but it was intriguing just the same.

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Barilius, a young man barely out of his teens, with dark brown hair and handsome, hazel eyes, cuts an imposing figure in the twilight glow of the street.  The smell of fishguts and manure permeates the district, as always, but his stately armor, key-emblazoned shield, and of course his weapons, nearly guarantee his safe travel through one of Korvosa's more questionable areas.  Many find themselves lost in the dock area to never again see the light of day, he knows. He is familiar with the area, but not the specific address.  Listening to his boots echo on the cobblestones, he makes his way to the meeting place.

"He-hello?" he asks, stepping inside.  "This is all too strange," he mutters to himself, taking a piece of bread.  He skips the wine, wanting to keep his head clear and his reflexes sharp.  He also declines to take a seat, instead leaning against the wall with his sword near, but not drawn.

A young half-elf, in his early twenties, enters the room. He is blonde, with the hair reaching his shoulders and pierce the room with his vibrant green eyes, trying to adapt to the change of the illumination. He wears a red cloack and the brooch that keeps it over one of his shoulder is no other than the one belonging to the Sable Company. Those that knows of military ranks, recognizes the single grey strap that is attached to the  balck leather that keeps the cloack on its place. Just a simple recruit. 

He wears the attire of the Sable Company, a leather armor of, perhaps, too good quality and he has two curved shortwords on his hips. Over his right shoulder appears a quiver holding a longbow. His wears leather gloves and almost inmediatly sees Barilius leaning to the wall. 

He clears his throat and enters the room, opening the door a little bit more to do it. In one hand he has a letter and card. 

"I've received your message " he says to the man there showing him the letter and the card  " Who are you?" 

He is polite, but his tone denotes that he is used to be heard and obeyed.

Blue

Blue stares at the dagger in his hand when he heard something at the door....he gripped it tightly in his right hand, while small bolts of lightning passed between his fingers.  A note slid under the door.  So, a trap, or his chance for vengeance?  He would have to find out....

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Blue approaches the house but casually walks by observing what he can as well as anyone outside that doesn't look right.  He will watch the house quietly for a few minutes until he sees the warrior approach.  Seeing the shield and the symbol as the man enters, Blue will follow him inside.  Thinking to himself  well if it is a trap, I don't think that one is in on it...

Blue appears to be a half-elf, but with Blue skin and something more...starting at his neck down it seems that he is wearing a type of scale mail, however closer inspection reveals this to be a part of his body...almost as if they are dragon scales.  He is tall and thin, and 6'-2" and lanky.  He wears a long black duster, and on top of his head is a bowler hat.  As he enters he will nod to the warrior, and tip his hat.  "Well met sir.  I was given a message to come here.  Perhaps you know something of it?"

perception 16 from watching outside

Barilius starts.  "Not my message,  no.  I received the same.  I don't suppose you two know any more than I do?"  He compares cards.  "I'm Barilius, in service to Abadar,  from the Grand Vault.  And you?"

"You can call me Blue.  I'm here for Gaedren.  Vengence.  I was told there would be others here. who wanted the same."

Gaedren.  Of course.  "I see..."  Blue, it is nice to meet you.  You should call me Baril." Baril nods, laying his own card, The Paladin, on the table around which they are gathered.  "And you?" he asks of the other half-elf.  (Assuming there's a response)

"I, too, know of this Lamm.  He's a crime lord who's lured more than one of Korvosa's most promising young people into a life of crime, drug addiction, poverty, and death.  The city would be better without him, whether by death or behind bars.  And so, it seems, we have all been drawn together for this purpose.  The question is, who is the mysterious benefactor who arranged this meeting?"

Zahira enters cautiously, her long black hair tied in a loose braid behind her.  She wears black leathers, and nearly no ornamentation past simple silver hoop earrings. A Rapier at her side, she moves with grace into the room. Seeing the group she quickly guesses what is happening.  “Hello boys, waiting for me?”, she says with a throaty laugh. “Just kidding, I’d bet I’m in the same boat as the rest of you, mysterious summons and a card.”  She sits down, puts her feet up and has some wine, cheese, and bread.

After a moment of conversation passes among this newly acquainted group, a rapping on the door draws your attention. The door pushes open, and in walks an attractive middle-aged Varisian woman with long, black hair enters the home. She nods at each of you in turn, and as if in answer to an unspoken question, she says "My name is Zellara Esmeranda. Thank you all for coming, and for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you. I have reason to remain hidden, you see--a vicious man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This man has done something terrible to each of you, or to someone you care for. I speak, of course, of Gardren 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." She holds out a deck of cards, the back of which is familiar to you from earlier. "It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When Lamm's pickpockets stole it, my son Eran tracked them down and returned my deck to me. But Gaedren had him followed, and soon after he left my home, Gaedren's thugs murdered him." As Zellara utters the last syllables, you can hear her choke up just a little bit. You can tell she is dedicating a lot of effort to remaining level as she speaks with you.

"I sought help from the Korvosan 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 abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures."

"But I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that even if they were willing to help, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance. And even if they arrested him, what guarantee would I have he would be punished? The 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."

"Any questions?" She shuffles her cards. "Or perhaps a harrowing to help you prepare?"

After listening to Zellara, Blue takes his card out of his pocket and lays it down on the table.  "Aye, a harrowing.  A future of revenge."

"What other defenses does Gaedren have around him?"

Baril introduces himself to the new arrivals.  He is highly suspicious, but he listens respectfully as Zellara shares her story.   When she's finished he bows his head respectfully.

"Miss.  I am very sorry for the loss of your boy.  It is a tragedy.  I suppose you realized that we have all known of Gaedren Lamm and would desire to see him face justice.  How is it that you knew this, and how were you able to contact us with the cards?  Are you a sort of magician?"

He pauses, considering.  "If what you say is true, and Gaedren is to be found at Westpier 17, then we would need to move quickly.  It's also likely that the abducted children are with him.  From what I know of Gaedren, I wouldn't put it past him to use them as hostages, and some of them may even join him in defending.  He is a manipulator, after all.  We must act as one, and we must trust one another." 

He turns to the others.  "I have introduced myself as Barilius.  Barilius Laroung."  He allows the significance of the noble name to sink in.  He produces his sword, beautifully crafted and pristine, laying it cross open palms and presenting it to the group.  "I am a sworn paladin of Abadar, the Master and God of the First Vault. I have sworn to always protect the innocent, by helping them protect themselves where I can and stepping in personally where I cannot.  I will always act with honor and honesty. I cannot truly represent my faith if people cannot put their faith in me.  I pray that you will accept my help and give me your trust in return."

He secures his sword once more.  Then, addressing Zellara, he adds earnestly, "As to the harrow, I am curious to see your magic in use, Miss.  But it must be swift.  We have urgent business to attend this night."

Blue seems slightly hesitant, and is suprised by Barilius rush to go tonight.  "I reckon there is no reason to do this without some scouting first.  We all want blood here right?  But another day won't matter.  Gaedran's been doing his thing for some time.  Depending on what dear Zellara says about Gaedran's defenses I think some time spent scouting will make things easier."

Blue

Zellara shuffles her cards. “A magician of sorts, yes. But unfortunately for my purposes, not a magician that can attack Lamm. I’m more accustomed to… divination.”

She lays nine cards out in a three by three grid. The cards are, in order:

THE BEAR -- THE SURVIVOR -- THE RAKSHASA
THE AVALANCHE -- THE RABBIT PRINCE -- THE WINGED SERPENT
THE SICKNESS -- THE PEACOCK -- THE KEEP

“Interesting,” she says, gesturing to the Survivor card. “This card represents a creature that has managed to survive a terrible ordeal, when everyone thought him lost. It seems you will survive your night, though it may not be easy.”

“As for defenses Lamm might have, there are three underlings to watch out for. One a human man with an affinity for acid, one a slow but brutish half-orc, and one a cruel gnome. He may also have children fight for him, though it is important that they not be harmed for their actions. As Baril says, he is a master manipulator, and the children are likely acting out of fear more than anything else.”

Zahira:

"I understand... I think..." Baril replies to Zellara, clearly disappointed they cannot rely on another set of (magical) hands.

He gives the card reading an appropriate degree of patience. He notes she doesn't mention the serpent or the rakshasa. Magic is real enough, he knows, the question is whether the woman can be trusted.

"Blue, from what I know of Lamm, he is not one to sit idly while his enemies route him out.  You are right, some measure of reconnaissance will be needed.  I realize that I am young (Baril is only 20), and perhaps this is the impatience of youth, but there is wisdom in what I propose. I urge that we move quickly to apprehend him this very night if we are able.  If what we've learned is true, and assuming this isn't some sort of carefully constructed plot--" he glances toward Zellara, "--we may not have another chance such as this.  At least it seems that we are in agreement that the location is worth seeing."

Having taken the chance not to respond to the armored man who asked him for his name, thanks to the approaching of more people first and later for the arrival of that misterious woman, Ilsur has been quiet for the moment. But he cannot hide his interest when Zellara tells them that she has located Gadrean and his current location. 

"I agree " he says trying to stay calm "That we need to do some scouting before, at least to make sure that we cover all the exits and that rat doesn't escapes while those three or even the poor children fight for him. But my experience says that it's better not to wait too much for he has his own means of obtaining information and if he discovers Madame Zellara's inquieres he could ran and hide again. We must seize this opportunity." 

OOC: It sounds like people want to scout; if everybody could put in a vote we can start the adventure in earnest.

(Yes to scouting)

ooc:  Blue will vote to scout, in fact he was ok spending a night doing it.

"We can start with scouting, and maybe can grab one of these fellas outside if not Gaedran himself.  If one of these henchmen show up coming or going we may be able to take him alone and question him.  As well, once I have seen them I can also do a little 'magicking' and disguise myself as one of them."

Ooc: up for scouting 

You all make your way out into the evening air to scout out the old fishery that Gaedren Lamm is supposedly holed up in. The rancid smell of fish guts permeates the air near the building. The building itself is a sturdy, two-level structure, with one level flush with the ground, and the lower level build out over the Jeggare River. An old boat is docked at the back of the building. Everyone make an Investigation roll to see what else you can deduce about the building and its inhabitants.