I know what you seek. Someone has wronged me and I know that you want to help. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street as soon as possible. Others like you will be there. This man must meet his fate and justice must be done.
Scarr, a lost ronin samurai, doesn't know what to make of this card. Being that he is in search of a few answers to questions he can only begin to fathom, he makes the choice to head towards the address listed. Thankfully, the cover of the night helps him navigate the maze of Korvosa's streets and alleys with ease. He makes his way towards the watery edge, looking for a residence that exists at 3 Lancet Street. With the keen smell that all Rougarous have, he doesn't smell anything out of the ordinary in the area, just a bunch of incense emitting from the closed door. Still holding his guard up, he opens the door and walks in.
Gash, craving some bloodlust and action ever since arriving into the city, decides to make her way to the address. She makes sure to keep herself well hidden amongst the dark streets, ensuring to keep the bright light out of her Kuru sight. In the past, Gash found that a lot of passerbys were generally startled by her appearance, having her entire face tattooed with religious symbols and stories from the past. Last thing she wants to do is draw attention to herself, lurking in the shadows. She starts to feel the arcane power stir within her bloodrager veins. Perhaps one of the gods she speaks of is calling for her help? Wouldn't be the first time, but this card trick was something new. Stumbling upon the street called Lancet, she makes her way towards the waters edge. Finally, the house stands before her.
As Koko Malic replaces the card back into his pocket, he decides whether it would be worth the investment or not. Not seeing much detail of this request, he sneaks a path towards Lancet Street. Being cautious as to not be noticed, he instinctively navigates the alleys towards the address. His recent yearn for spilling and drinking blood holds his hopes high that there will be some action and an even bigger reward from this curious card. Perhaps there is a vampire that needs to be killed? Would it be a worthy opponent to his recent turn to the undead path? Inquisitive as most Catfolk are, Koko is no different. Before he knows it, he finds himself staring at the house address.
As Scarr closes the door behind him, he realizes that he is alone in the dimly lit room. He can see that there are various incense sticks on the walls, with various tapestries covering the other spaces. There are mixed rugs on the floor and a large wooden table offset from the main door. He sees a small basket underneath the table, food and beverage inside. Not sure what to expect, he does a little bit of exploration of the initial room. Noticing a written letter that is seemingly addressed to any fresh newcomer, he 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.
Still not sure of the recent findings, Scarr decides to stand ready and waits. As time passes by, the door opens and Gash enters. Not expecting to see anyone in the room, Scarr takes a step back and makes a slight bow, showing he means no threat. Gash, understanding the motion, does the same in return. Soon after, Koko enters the residence, looking up at both Gash and Scarr as he quietly closes the door behind him.
Scarr decides to speak his mind to the recent additions to the room. "Uh, hello. Are...are you here to kill me?" as he reaches down for his nodachi. Koko, realizing what is going on, replies "Nope, not here to kill you. I'm here because of a stupid card. My name is Koko." Gash clears her throat and says "Yeah, I got a card too." while making eye contact with the others. Resuming the awkwardness that Scarr embodies, he mentions that there is a note stating that their host has stepped out for a bit and that there is food and drink under the table. He slides the note on the table towards the others, ensuring that they see the note for themselves. "I'm not sure I trust strange food and drink from someone we don't know yet, but help yourselves." Gash shrugs and seems indifferent to the offer while Koko begins to search the premise for money. All he finds are various trinkets.
As the awkward silence settles upon the three, the door opens once again and Zellara enters. She smiles sweetly towards her new found company and begins to break the tension. "Thank you for coming" as she takes a seat at the table. "Please, take a seat so that we may talk." Scarr speaks up "Who the hell are you?" and takes a slight step forward, hand still at the ready. "My name is Zellara and this is my home. I'm glad you all received my message and found your way here." She pulls out a harrow deck and begins to shuffle the deck, making eye contact with each member of the new found party. Scarr, still not comfortable with the latest person in the room, "Look lady, I'm not here to gamble. I want to know if you are a threat." Zellara turns towards Scarr and repeats her thanks to him. She then turns towards the rest of her audience and starts her story:
Thank you for responding to my call, even if it was through an unconventional method. I have reason to remain hidden as you will see. A terrible man has done something atrocious and if he KNEW that I was reaching out for help, he would do the same to you. This is a man you do not know, but for those who have lived here for any length of time know what he is capable of. I reached out to you specifically because he doesn't know of you let alone of your existence.
As Zellara continues to shuffle her cards, she looks at each party member as if sizing them up for the challenge ahead. Gash speaks up and says "Why should we trust you." Zellara turns and responds "There really isn't anything that can say or do to ensure to you that I am a trustworthy person. All I can say is that if you cross this man who did this unspeakable thing to me, you will wish you took heed of what I've disclosed tonight." Koko, quick to the next question "Are we getting paid?" Zellara turns towards him. "Yes, you will be rewarded nicely for this task." Gash, now interested in the reward, "How much?" "I can easily do 200 gold per person, if you survive." Koko, Gash, and Scarr are taken by surprise at how much each could earn for doing such a trivial job.
Koko, being of a sly personality, decides to try his luck at bluffing Zellara and getting paid before the job is done. Zellara turns to Koko, with an unsettling poised smile as if she was looking right through him. She pulls a card out of her deck, holding the face of the card towards Koko. The image on the card is faded and without much detail of anything. As Koko stares at the card, a word starts to bleed through the card: liar. Zellara returns the card and continues to shuffle the deck. "I can understand why you would be skeptical into helping a stranger like me. Let me give you some information. The man I'm in need of help of disposing of is named Gaedren Lamm. He is the absolute worst of enemies and if anyone crosses him poorly, they suffer the consequences. About a year ago, he took my most important harrow deck from me. This deck meant a lot to me, being passed down from generations and what my life's work was centered around." Gash and Koko both stare intently at Zellara. "You're willing to pay that much just for a harrow deck?" Koko states. Gash nods in agreement "That is an awful lot of money." Zellara sighs and places her deck of cards down on the table in front of her. "I can tell this is going to take some more convincing for you all to help me." She stands and gently puts her hands underneath her head and without effort, lifts her now detached head from her neck. "If you don't help me with this task, this too shall happen to you" Zellara's cradled head utters. All party members are stunned and stay silent. Gash whispers a "What the fuck" while Koko speaks up "So when are we getting started because that is not happening to me."
Scarr, still on the fence with this entire situation unraveling before him, clears his throat. "I'm still deciding if I should trust you." Gash sharply replies "We were all given a card with a job, so just do the fucking job." Still doubful, Scarr states "I mean, all we've seen are two party tricks." Koko chirps up "200 gold. Can you imagine what you can do with all that?" Scarr retorts that where he comes from, money doesn't mean much. Gash mentions that all she wants to do is cause mayhem so either tap her in or she's going home. Zellara continues. "My son tried to get my deck back, but Gaedren found out and filleted my son in front of me on the street. This man knows nothing of mercy and will do whatever he deems fit to make him feel powerful. I went to the guard and they did nothing to help me avenge my son, let alone help recovery my stolen property. No one in this city will help take Gaedren down due to fear. My only hope is that new visitors like yourselves would be willing to take on this horrible man. All I have is 600 gold readily available and whatever you find in Gaedren's dwelling will be yours for the taking. I know where he lives. Please help me." Scarr sighs and says "Well, I'm in. I've been dying for a good fight. My only problem is that I still don't know your name" as he turns towards Gash. "What is with you and knowing names? We have a job to do, so let's go!" Gash angrily responds. Scarr mentions that names are important where he comes from, but he will join in hopes that he can learn Gash's name in time. Gash stands up and walks towards the door. "You all coming or what." Zellara turns and says to the new found adventurer group "Thank you for doing this task that so many others refused to do" and with that, disappears into thin air. Gash exits through the door, hearing Scarr calling his companions 'friends'. She yells back and says "Nope, not friends." Scarr responds with "Fine, you can be called the Bossy One." Everyone leaves the house behind in the dark.
Koko speaks up while following Gash close behind "I'm kind of parched. Perhaps I can catch up to you in a bit? Going to head over to a tavern." Gash and Scarr look towards Koko and ponder the situation. "I'm sure we could all head over to a tavern in preparation to this murder" Scarr agrees. As they approach a nearby tavern, they look around, knowing that they could be watched by Gaedren's eyes.
Entering the tavern, Scarr starts to reminisce about his old days of tavern hopping, mentioning an old sparring buddy that kicked his ass several times over. Neolandus, the barkeep, approaches the bar our adventurers took up residence at. Upon initial inspection, Neolandus looks like he has seen better days and weeks, being covered in recovering bruises and cuts. With a chipper attitude, he asks the newcomers what they would like to order. Scarr orders a milk for Koko and a milk for himself, while Gash orders a strong bodied brew. Koko asks Neolandus "Is there anyone in the bar who is super drunk?" Confused but not surprised, Neolandus replies "Uh, no? Just the normal patrons. Still kind of early in the night though." Koko offers to start a tab, offering his pistol as collateral. Scarr whispers to Koko "Is that for all of us?" Koko shrugs and indicates he hopes so, but whatever happens happens. Scarr then pulls everyone off to the side and inquires "Should we ask this guy if he knows anything about a guy that decapitates people?" Gash interrupts and offers to ask Neolandus about decapitation "Hey barkeep, who the fuck are you?" Neolandus turns to Gash "My name is Neolandus, and you are?" Quick to respond, Gash says "Not important. Do you know of anyone who does decapitation in these parts?" Snorting a laugh, Neolandus responds "Oh, well that could be anyone really. We have a small thieves guild on the outskirts just east of the city who meddle in that type of deed." Shaking her head, Gash interrupts "No, like do you know of some guy named Gaedren Lamm? Like do you know where we could find him?" Visibly shaking off some type of PTSD, Neolandus wearily replies "You don't want to deal with Gaedren Lamm. He is awful and not someone to mess with." Gash, visibly irritated by the interrogation "Look, we're here to kill him. Just tell us what we need to know." Neolandus sighs and tries to sway the group from seeking out this murderous man. Clearly unimpressed by the information being withheld inside Neolandus's tongue, Koko and Gash walk over to an unoccupied table. Scarr attempts to get information from Neolandus one more time. "Look here buddy, my cat friend over there...you don't want to piss him off. I've seen what happens and you don't want that. My other friend, I saw her cut a man in half once. Was not pretty. So please, just tell what you know because this Gaedren Lamm guy is easy." Neolandus gives Scarr a deadass look and in a low voice tells him "Look buddy. I've never seen you guys before and I don't want to see you get involved with the bad comings of Gaedren Lamm. Seriously, you don't want to mess with him. But, if you must, meet me after closing and I'll tell you." Scarr, satisfied with this information, pulls Neolandus close and wraps his arm around his head "Look, I hope you're not wanting to screw us over because my weapon is thirsty and it would be a shame if it was your blood shed." He gently lets go of Neolandus and joins the rest of the party at the table. Koko shouts out to Neolandus, asking for a fish dish. Taking this as the table being ready for an actual order, Neolandus approaches. Koko asks for a fish and milk, Gash orders a bloody and rare steak with a beer, and Scarr skips ordering completely. Before Neolandus leaves, Koko grabs him by the shirt and inquires about the thieves guild and blood shed. Not quite sure what to say, Neolandus responds "I'm not sure about what they do with their victims postmortem, but if you're that hellbent on having blood...there is a pig in the back that was slaughtered for tonight's menu. I can give you a large bucket of that if you want." Koko nods his head in agreement and releases the shirt.
As Neolandus leaves, Scarr takes the rest of the group in his arms and asks them if they can trust Neolandus in NOT poisoning their food. Koko speaks up and mentions he can detect most poisons. Koko and Scarr start talking about how to split the tab later, while Gash straight up mentions killing the barkeep so no tab will be paid. Neolandus returns with their orders, including the bucket of blood for Koko. Koko asks for the meal to be placed on his tab and with that Neolandus returns to the bar. Before consuming, Koko does a poison check on everything, not seeing anything out of the norm. Scarr notices Koko putting the blood in the waterskin, wondering what the hell is wrong with that picture. Suddenly Zellara appears at the table, wearing that same smile she held earlier. She warns the party that Neolandus isn't someone to trust in regards to Gaedren's location. He isn't a bad person, just scared. Koko asks "How come you just blip in and out whenever you want?" Zellara responds "Because I'm dead. It takes a lot of energy to manifest this much just to speak with you." Scarr turns to Zellara "Wait, so you're DEAD dead? Not half dead?" Zellara, dumbfounded by this question, just looks to him with utter confusion. She tries to reassure to the party that Neolandus is not a threat and it would be disadvantageous to kill him. In agreement, the party dismiss the thought of murdering Neolandus. Koko asks Zellara how she plans to pay them if she is dead. She turns towards him and tells him that there is a place they can access for the reward, but until she knows the deed is done the location will remain hidden.
Neolandus re approaches the group, seeing Zellera's ghost and now knowing that they are to be trusted. He offers them a handsome reward if they succeed in killing Gaedren, giving them the promise to disclose everything he knows of in regards to future dealings. The deal is further sweetened by clearing the group's bar tab. All Neolandus asks for is the head of Gaedren Lamm. The group agrees. With that, Zellara disappears once again. The group finish their meal and stand up, leaving the tavern in search of Gaedren Lamm's life.
Going to the docks of the Old Fishery, the group find themselves in search of an easy entrance. Not seeing anything readily accessible and a locked door, Gash attempts to plow the door down, leaving a dent. The lock, unphased by the brute force, stays put. There is a loud sound coming from inside, as if papers flew and a large chair slid on the wooden floor. The loud thudding footsteps approach.
Tune in next time for what happens next!
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