Never disturb the Kraken!

Lamashan 19, 4712

Having spent the night at Zellara's house,  Daryle and Darelle are met by Dhukhean at their new residence in Korvosa. The dwarf reports that riots are still roiling in the streets, and that several combats between different factions are affecting whole neighborhoods. Over the city they can see several plumes of black smoke rising from the numerous fires that have been set. They return inside the house, and finding enough fresh food in Zellara's pantry, Darelle cooks up a delicious breakfast.

Once the house is tidied up, the three of them head out back to the sisters' previous lodging, the Upslope House, to retrieve their remaining gear. The matron informs them that a missive came for them yesterday afternoon. Still sealed in a heavy envelope, Daryle opens it swiftly and finds a message written in an elegant hand:

"Dear Coopers, I have heard of your exploits, and I have peculiar information concerning your brother Thorne and his whereabouts you may find worth your while. I hope to meet you upon supper time tomorrow, Lamashan 19. You can find my residence at 15, Route of the Shore. Sincerely yours, Vencarlo Orisini."

Asking around reveals that this residence is located in the poor sector of the lower heights a few stone throws away from Castle Korvosa and yet so removed from its riches. The Coopers have heard of the name Orisini.Vencarlo Orisini is a master sword fighter and founder of his very own fighting school. This school, Orisini Academy, has trained some of the best fighters this side of Varisia over the last twenty years or so. Orisini is both rich and admired by the local population.

Suspicious yet tempted by the offer of information on Thorne since his disappearance at the base of the Emerald Spire over six months ago, the sisters decide to attend this meeting and invite Dhurkhean with them in case trouble arises, as the paladin has proven himself on numerous occasions. They conduct reconnaissance at the house, and find it is a simple row house squeezed between two slightly better maintained residences that has fallen in disrepair and could use a new coat of paint.

They spend the rest of the afternoon avoiding riots and large gathering of people. Returning to the house at supper time, Darelle knocks on the door and it is opened by a large matron. She motions them inside, then silently leads them to the back of the house, which abuts the hill. She touches a secret button on an armoire, revealing a secret passage. She tells the Coopers that this tunnel will lead them to another house up on the hill. Traveling a quarter mile, they find themselves in a basement. A staircase leads to the ground floor of an opulent house, where they are met by a butler in full livery. Without a sound, the butler guides the three of them to the house's third floor. They enter a large room well appointed with a four post bed, a wardrobe, and a large mirror mounted on the wall. All of the drapes covering the windows have been drawn, and the only illumination is provided by six candles. Two figures stand next to the mirror. A small long black-haired girl, about twelve years old and wearing a delicate yet expansive dress, and a man wearing a dark traveling cloak. He acknowledges the Coopers, and Daryle recognizes Thorne's voice. The rogue removes his cloak and questions the dwarf. Satisfied by Dhukhean's answer, he motions to the mirror and tells the sisters that someone would very much like to talk to them.

A shimmer swirls in the mirror, and slowly clears to reveal Duke Mosley, clad in a pristine Hellknight uniform. He welcomes the Cooper sisters, and asks a few pointed questions of Dhukhean, before returning his attention to Darelle and Daryle. He informs the sisters that he has pressing needs of his services. The girl standing before them is Olivia Wilhert, the 11 year-old daughter of Helmut Wilhert, the only heir to the Wilhert noble house of Cheliax, one of the richest. She also happens to be Mosley's niece, and she is in mortal danger. Thorne reveals that she wears a silver tattoo that stretches from her neck to her left hip. This tattoo is the physical mark of someone whose's soul has been promised to a devil. Mosley tells the Coopers that Olivia's soul was promised, but she never agreed to this binding. Through a series of circumstances unclear even to the Duke she escaped her family estate and was found by his agents. Devils have been looking for her these last three weeks. Mosley wishes her to gain the safety of lands he controls, and he wants the Coopers to assist in this mission, for the sake of the girl.

Duke Mosley then reveals an elaborate ruse. The girl standing in front of them is in fact not Olivia, but rather Emma, a street urchin from Ridwan, in the land of Nidal, a vassal state of Cheliax. Mosley spotted her years ago for her uncanny resemblance to Olivia. She has been educated and trained these last few years to one day substitute for Olivia, and now the opportunity has presented itself at the most vital of times. Mosley wants this Olivia to travel with the Coopers aboard a Chelaxian galleon named the Hellhound bound from Korvosa to Magnimar, in eastern Varisia, while the real Olivia is safely moved. In essence, Mosley asks the Coopers to act as bait for the devils that hunt his niece.

Daryle is disinclined to assist the Duke, but she and her sister eventually settle for 50,000 crowns each, while Thorne requests an enchantment for his weapon and Dhukhean settles on a fund of 25,000 for his dwarven clan to establish an embassy in Korvosa. Agreeing to their demands, Duke Mosley now bids the Coopers that they plan on sailing with the afternoon tide tomorrow. They need to attract attention without appearing to deliberately do so, so that enemy agents learn of Olivia's presence and departure from Korvosa.

The Coopers spend the rest of the night examining several scenarios to transport Olivia from the house to the wharf, board the Hellhound, and depart Korvosa. Vencarlo Orisini returns following a night at the opera, and joins in the planning. In the end, they decide to hide Olivia in one of Orsini's wagon, then head through the riots and reach the wharf just at high tide.


Lamashan 20, 4712

After a hearty breakfast the Coopers set the plan in motion. Thorne leaves Orisini's house, and takes position near Orisini Academy, where he will steal the wagon with Olivia inside. Dhukhean leaves with the rogue and makes his way to the ship, ready to assist them in boarding the ship if they are pursued. A short time later, Daryle, Darelle, and Olivia board Orisini's personal wagon. A few minutes later, Vencarlo and his driver enter the carriage house, and the wagon soon departs the estate through a city still plagued by violence, taking a circuitous route through Korvosa. Reaching the Academy, Vencarlo exits the wagon, and tells his driver to remain near the wagon as he plans to leave shortly. He advises the guards to keep the gates open.

Thorne sneaks into the Academy grounds and fires a white arrow with white fletching at the driver, missing him by an inch. He jumps on the wagon, and drives it out, much to the guards' dismay. Guiding it through the city, he avoids most of the gathered crowds and reaches the Hellhound right on time. Disbarking from the wagon, a providential gust of wind blows the cap off Olivia's cloak, revealing her delicate features. Darelle spots several individuals who take immediate notice of Olivia as she walks up the plank. The Hellhound departs without any trouble, however, and soon reaches the open sea.


Lamashan 23, 4712

The first two days at sea are uneventful. On the third day, Dhukhean's keen eyes spot a sail in the distance, moving fast and against the wind. The Hellknight crew aboard the Hellhound make ready for battle over the next four hours. As the distance closes, cannons are fired. Daryle spots a devil in command on board the enemy ship. Soon the Hellhound is rammed, and the enemy crew boards. The battle rages on between the Hellknighs and the devil's soldiers, while the Coopers engage with the outsider.

The weather, which had been decent since the beginning of the trip, has suddenly deteriorated since the assault began, and now the black clouds that have been rolling in obliterate the sun, and gale-force winds batter both ships.

Through artifice, the devil retains the upper hand as he summons several lesser devils, but its strategy is soon revealed when Darelle notices a second devil breaking through the windows of the captain's quarter from the water. Thorne dispatches two devils, Dhukhean also slays a few. Daryle effectively eliminates one of the devil commanders. Darelle manages to pull Olivia out of harm's way, but the devil is right on her tail. As the devil breaks through the door and emerges on the bridge, the Coopers are severely wounded, but they prepare for one final round of battle.

 Three large tentacles emerge from swirling waters. One grabs the devil and drags it under water, while two more seize the devils' ship and sinks it. A massive kraken emerges. Darelle uses her ranger talents and is able to talk to it. The kraken identifies himself as Tourbillion, lord of Conqueror's Bay and an enemy of all outsiders. A powerful druid looking after its water flock, Tourbillion dosn't really care for humanoids but he despises unnatural creatures even more. He agrees that the Coopers and their ship are not the enemy, and he lets them proceed on their way. The Coopers have potentially made a powerful ally. Upon departing, Tourbillion dispels the weather, and soon the Hellhound is on its way to Magnimar.


Lamashan 25, 4712

The Hellhound arrives in Magnimar, and the fake Olivia disembark from the ship under heavy Hellknight escort. The Coopers breathe a sigh of relief. They successfully kept their charge alive and provided Duke Mosley with the time needed to move the real Olivia. The Coopers head back to Korvosa on Darelle's jar of cloud, hoping for a more peaceful return trip.

Of feys and hags

Lamashan 2, 4712

Having survived the Breaching Festival by escaping from the contract devil Chyvvom, the Coopers and the surviving members of their party are invited to attend a large banquet at Castle Korvosa to celebrate the signing of a new trade agreement between a dwarf clan of the Linnorm Kingdoms and Korvosa. A representative of Queen Ileosa personally delivers embossed invitations on golden sheets. The Cooper sisters are leery, but accept the invitation nonetheless. With free time on hand, the sisters decide to explore Korvosa. At Evelyn's Potions and Experiments, Daryle purchases a dozen cure light wounds and a few cure medium wounds. She also purchases two potions of invisibility, and a potion of feather fall. Darelle locates an herbalist shop called Bergman's of Korvosa and purchases three bundles of angel blue herbs, which would make about 6 to 8 doses of the poison. She also acquires a bundle of bishop's weed. A small plant with pale blue flowers and pale green leaves with blue veins, bishop's weed can be crushed and mixed in with wine to provide a certain level of protection (+5 bonus on Fortitude saves to resist a disease or a plague) against non-magical plagues. Its effectiveness lasts for about a week. Over 100 crowns a bundle, the price of bishop's weed goes up rapidly in times when diseases spread far and wide.

Continuing their tour of Korvosa, the sisters come upon a small out of the way magic shop, the Eye of the Beholder. Darelle purchases a rod of escape, while Daryle acquires the Book of Geometry. Their money from the reward spent, the sisters return to the Upslope House, a quaint two stories bed and breakfast located midway up the hill leading to the castle. This building features ten rooms that can accommodate up to twenty-two people. They spend a relaxing afternoon and make last minute preparations to attend the official dinner. Their brother Roscoe has remained in his room since their arrival in Korvosa, and refuses to leave for reasons of his own. The sisters share their invitation with him, then depart for Castle Korvosa.

Dhukhean Grimmail is a dwarf paladin who accompanies the dwarf delegation. Fourth in command, he is there to supervise the security of the delegation. With the official dinner in a few hours but with all preparations done and ready, he decides to explore Korvosa. At first, he searches a shrine to the dwarven got Torag, but even among the multiplicity of gods and goddesses worshiped in the city, this god cannot be found. He turns his attention to the various stores that peddle wares more exotic than what he is used to, and quickly locates the Eye of the Beholder. After arduous negotiations, Dhukhean purchases a  belt of incredible dexterity +2. Pleased with his new acquisition, he returns to the palace and prepares for the official dinner.

Arriving at Castle Korvosa, the sisters are met by a beautiful woman dressed in magnificent full plate armor—the queen’s handmaiden, bodyguard, and closest companion, Sabina Merrin. She examines the sisters' invitation, then allows them to proceed to the Great Hall. The sisters find their seats midway through a long table set for 150 guests. They are sitting next to the dwarven delegation, and find their dining companion to be a talkative dwarf named Dhukhean.

King Eodred II welcomes the guests, and pronounces a short speech on the value of this new commercial alliance. He then introduces his queen, Ileosa, and excuses himself from the dinner. Where the King is clearly in his mid eighties, Ileosa is beautiful and very young, barely in her twenties. It is clear to the sisters that she is the true power in Korvosa.

After the speeches by the Queen and the leader of the dwarf negotiations team, Darelle asks Dhukhean if he knows Grunt Farnsworth. Dhukhean recalls that the Farnsworth clan exiled one of its own about fifteen years ago. Darelle questions the dwarf on what happened, and Dhukhean replies that that Farnsworth individual had insisted upon shaving his beard for a time, to the horror and shame of his clan, forcing his exile. Dhukhean then relates the origins of his name and why he serves the dwarven god Torag.

During the proceedings, Dhukhean detects evil and notices that about a quarter of the guests are of the evil persuasion, especially those sitting in the Queen's entourage, but the sheer number of people makes it impossible to distinguish exactly who possesses evil tendencies. Spotting Sabina, Dhukhean shares with the sisters information that he gathered about the Queen's bodyguard. According to rumors, Sabina was once the protégé of the famed weapons master Vencarlo Orisini, whose family has been influential in Korvosa for generations. Sabina left the school under dubious circumstances after she fought bitter duel with her former master. Since her departure from Orisini’s academy, she found her way into the Korvosan Guard. Her skills has led to a swift rise through the ranks, and her ferocity in battle and her gothic beauty are said to have quickly caught Queen Ileosa’s eye. The queen requested Sabina be discharged from the Guard, then quickly reassigned her to her current role as royal bodyguard, handmaiden, and, according to gossip, lover. Whatever Sabina’s actual relationship with Ileosa, she is rarely seen far from the queen’s side.

Darelle and Dhukhean then discuss the treaty his clan and the Korvosans are signing in the morning. He tells her about the frost giants that plague his land, and she tells him about Zoarth, the cloud giant who dwells in a castle with thousands of cats. Dhukhean had never heard of Zoarth, and finds the concept of a cloud giant owning many cats a wonder.

When the dinner wraps up, Dhukhean and the rest of the delegation return to their lodging. They are  staying at The Wise Dragon Inn, a three level inn with an attached restaurant. They plan on returning in the morning, to sign the treaty. The sisters, meanwhile, also return to their bed and breakfast and spend a quiet night sleeping their worries away.


Lamashan 3, 4712

Unsure why they remain in Korvosa, the Cooper sisters leave the Upslope House and meander through Korvosa. Encountering an old woman peddling on the side of a busy street, Darelle offers her a crown. The old crone in exchange announces she will perform a reading for her. Darelle receives a Harrowing reading from the elder Shoanti woman. Using the sword pattern to answer Darelle's general inquiry abut the future, she lets Darelle pick the first card to determine the alignment of the reading. Darelle draws the Inquisitor, which represents overwhelming strength that catches the subject up in something much more powerful.

The reading indicates that Korvosa is about to endure catastrophic events, driven together by a conjecture of evil intentions and the manipulations of a force beyond their comprehension. However, as outsiders they can save Korvosa from itself. The Shoanti woman then has a vision, and in a small and distant voice relays a cry for help from the forest outside of town. Someone is in desperate need of a ranger.

As Dhukhean's services were not needed for the final signature, he was given leave to wander the town, and came upon the two sisters as the Shoanti woman was performing her reading. He remained in the background, but as the Coopers began to walk towards the North Bridge he joined them, and they agreed to walk in the woods together. The main road quickly became a small path, which forked into an even less traveled passage. They came upon a series of bloody prints that led to a thicket of trees where they found a dead Gerald. He had been badly cut, as if a thousand pieces of paper had been used on him all over his exposed skin. Strangely, there were no footprints other than Gerald's anywhere. Daryle searches the body and finds that this Gerald carried twelve hushing arrows and a small brass key. They burn and bury the body. 

Following the path in the reverse direction, they quickly come to a small pond with a majestic oak tree in the middle of a small island. Carefully, they cross the water and arrive at the island. About 20 feet up the tree they find a small house, with the delectable smell of fresh bread baking wafting down. The Coopers announce their presence, and a small fey creature flutters down to meet them. She introduces herself as Liveoak, queen fey of the oak pond, and welcomes them to her domain. She offers them water and bread. Darelle questions her about other humans that may have passed through here recently, and she can tell that Liveoak is being evasive in her answer. Dhukhean decides to not touch the food. In the conversation that follows, Liveoak reveals that her fey sisters are missing, and she has not seen them for a few days. The Coopers announce they will help her find them.

Dhukhean, who has the brass key, comes up with a clever plan. He inconspicuously casts detect evil, and the fey returns a strong sensation of chaotic evil. He shares this knowledge with Daryle and Darelle, who decide to depart. Politely excusing themselves, they tell Liveoak they will search for the fey and come back with any news.

In the woods on the other side of the pond they locate a large stone that is clearly out of place in this location. They find the likeness of the fey queen carved into the block. Darelle employs a potion of invisibility and uses her hand of glory but sees no invisible creatures nor the fey queen herself. Coming up with a plan, Darelle uses her jar of cloud and flies across the pond to the oak. As she does not see or hear Liveoak, she peeks inside the small house and notices a tidy space with a small kitchen, a bed with four posts, lots of colorful fabric draped everywhere, and a small chest with a brass lock. She takes the chess with her back to her cloud, and opens it. Inside she finds several fey dresses, as well as a glass jar containing a liquid stone-like substance.

She returns to the stone. Dhukhean, careful not to touch the substance, opens the jar and uses a stick to spread the substance on the stone. The stone salve restores the true fey queen to life as she slowly turns back to flesh. Once she has recuperated, she introduces herself as Liveoak, queen fey of the oak pond, and tells the Coopers that a hag has captured her sisters. The Coopers and Dhukhean quickly agree to find this hag. Following the small river that feeds the pond, they come upon a large burrow. Climbing down, Dhukhean is confronted by a hag. Daryle and Darelle join, but are engaged by another hag that was hiding in the roots.

Dhukhean strikes a mighty blow and kill his hag. Beyond her he sees a horrific scene. A third hag stands, holding a small fey in her crooked hand. She snaps the fey's neck, then bites her head off. Next to her is a small cage with five other fey creatures trembling. The hag's hand reaches towards the cage. As Dhukhean enters the room to save the remaining fey, a large earth elemental emerges from the mud and tackles the dwarf to the ground.

The sisters and Liveoak join the fray once again, and they are soon able to defeat the hag and her elemental servant. No other fey is harmed. Liveoak rewards the Coopers for their bravery and help with an onyx ring worth 500 crowns, a pearl necklace worth 500 crowns, and a miniature golden sundial worth 300 crowns. Dhukhean declares that he would like to honor the fallen fey by setting up the sundial at the base of the majestic oak tree to commemorate her passing, and the Cooper sisters agree. Liveoak thanks them profusely. She and her remaining sisters set up the memorial, and pronounce a short service honoring her fallen sister's memory. The queen then thanks the trio for their help in wiping out the hags, and informs them that they are most welcome to visit anytime they wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.