In out last session, the party had spent some more time looking around Bridgefront for more information about the cookie-cutter creature. They found some. The party came across another victim and some spider-like webbing that led deeper into the Shingles. Exploring more, they actually encountered the creature…briefly…and retreated out to an alley with the latest victim. Meanwhile, Darcy, who had been slinking in the shadows and watching over the party, dealt with two individuals who appeared to be associated with Sergio…the gang leader in this area. Dealt with them fatally. After all of this activity, the party headed back to Korvosan mainland to get a drink. While relaxing, Darcy was slipped a note from her mentor to go home as he had some information for her.
That’s where we will pick up after the break. Adam had to work and missed this session. There should be no spoilers below; we pretty much made this up as we played. Hooray! My comments in italics as usual.
28 Calistril
- After receiving Gero’s note, the party decided to head off to their respective homes. When Darcy got home, Gero was waiting for her inside. He shared the following:
- Luto, the proprietor of Luto’s Luxury Loupe, who was supposed to receive the Queen’s brooch to repair had hired the Hellknights to investigate. A Lictor and team had begun their investigation and the Gold Market was not pleased.
- Gero had stashed the brooch at a neighboring stall, Tinker’s Tocks, where it would likely be found in a few days. Luto is not a fan of Tinker’s Tocks or the owner, Gustus Galla, as the location is quite noisy.
- He also shared that he hoped Luto would call of the investigation once the brooch was found. If not, the Hellknights might employ divination magics to track down those involved.
- Gero would be away from Korvosa on personal business for a few weeks.
- He had no additional information on the theft of the brooch or on the Key-Lock Killer. He would dig some more on his return. There was some speculation among the players that the infamous Korvosan folk-hero Blackjack may have been involved in the theft. If so, why?
- The following afternoon, the party (sans Aimar) all meet at the Happy Halfling. They decided to head back to Bridgefront during the day in the hopes of finding out more information. Perhaps going during the day would turn up something new or different.
- Making their way back to the location where they found the latest victim and the creature, they proceeded to follow the spider web which was still there.
- The magical darkness that Aimar had summoned was still in the same location. As they pass through it, it is hot, slightly smells of brimstone, and vague, far away screams can be heard.
- Continuing into the Shingles, they pass numerous doors. Everything is cheap and haphazardly constructed. Although each door was pretty unique looking, there were no identifying marks or signs on them. (Remember folks, don’t just ask…tell me why you are asking or what you are looking for identifying marks. Otherwise, I’m just guessing at your intent. Say what you want.)
- After various turns and twists, the party does hear voices from behind one door. They elect to not investigate and continue to follow the spider silk strand. (Because there had been so much emphasis on markings on doors or signs, I assumed that at least one player wanted their to be something here. So I accommodated them. They don’t actually know what was beyond the door with voices–a tavern–but I threw out the opportunity to either enter or…).
- One surly individual exits the door and passes by the party. (…interact with someone from here.)
- The party continues following their “bread crumb.” Darcy realizes that they are being followed. At an intersection of passageways, Mac sends the sound of folks walking down one way while the party continues the other way. Darcy stops around one corner and ambushes their tail.
- He and his companion (who followed Mac’s ghost sound) were hoping to rob the group. Darcy shares that they are here to take care of the monster. The guy shares that Sergio has offered a reward (5gp) for any information about her group.
- Darcy gets the guy to agree to not say anything to Sergio for a couple of days (if he keeps to that remains to be seen).
- After a bit, the party gets to a section of the Shingles that seems empty. It is too quiet…almost as if everyone has left this area. A short distance later, they come upon a larger area, some thirty feet across and two “storeys” high (about 20-25 feet). The passage the party arrives in is about halfway up from the “floor” of the open area.
- There are multiple passages leading away from here. Rickety boards span the open space to some of the passageways at this level and a few doors and passages can be seen on the lower floor.
- A large web has been spun horizontally across the open area at this same level. The strand that the party has been following connects to the this web. At least two other such strands lead to other passages.
- Hanging from the “ceiling” on a strand of web, head down and facing the party, is the spider-eel creature. Its eyes are nearly hypnotic, but each of the characters are able to avoid being mesmerized by its gaze.
- Mac summons a servant who promptly dives onto the full web, with the intent to attract the spider-eel’s attention like a fly in a spider’s web. Instead the creature climbs up its suspending strand and to the wall above the party’s arrival passageway.
- A brief, if hesitant, battle results in the death of the creature. Stan cuts off the “head” of the creature and it gets wrapped up in some spare cloth.
- Following a different strand, the party makes there way up to the top of the Shingles…to a rooftop area that Darcy remembers from when she and Pop had chased the creature a few nights ago. They make their way down the walls and head off to the Laughing Wave Inn for a celebratory–and early–dinner. (Early in the day and, as well see soon, a premature celebration.)
- Mac sends a magical messenger to Divo and they arrange to meet at Mac’s place a bit later. Mac and Pop head there while the other two retire to their homes.
- Divo is informed that they’ve taken care of the creature and gives Divo the head.
- Divo hands over a pouch of 50gp as thanks.
29 Calistril – 3 Pharasma
- A few days of normalcy result. Everyone is primarily going about their normal daily business.
- The party makes plans to meet and patrol on the night of 4 Pharasma, Oathday, as the prior “Eye & Torso” killings have occurred on Oathday, each a week apart.
4 Pharasma
- Early this morning, Mac gets a magic message from Divo to come to his office immediately.
- Divo is not happy at all when Mac arrives. He has Mac follow him down to the morgue. There is another cookie-cutter victim there that the Guard came across during the night.
- Divo is not happy that the killings seem to be continuing. He’s getting some pressure from above to make sure it gets taken care of outside of official channels from his captain. It appears that his captain is getting some kind of pressure from higher up themselves.
That’s where we called it a night.
The players were a little concerned and maybe a bit surprised or confused by this turn of events. Previously, Divo had made it pretty clear that the Guard wasn’t “officially” concerned about the killings. He had reached out to Mac on a completely unofficial basis to help people that generally don’t get official help. Now, there is pressure for it to be handled, but still without the Guard’s actual involvement. Why? (Are you asking me? Do you think I really know?)
Aimar’s globe of darkness was also still around…or at least it was a few days ago. Is it still? If so, what is going on?
If Gero was correct, the brooch should have been found by now. We didn’t address any of that before the end of the session. The Gold Market was kind of Aimar’s thing so maybe he has heard something and can share. I let the players decide where Gero would stash the brooch and let them come up with Tinker’s Tocks. I simply added that Luto didn’t care for the stall or the owner…and that the stall is a bit of a rival with the Time Stop store. They also came up with Luto, his shop, and family. I totally plan on continuing to “delegate” authority in the fashion. I’m fostering a game with greater consensual world-building and adventure creation. Or I’m just lazy and make others do that for me. You can decide.
Oh, just a bit of fluff. I asked all of the players what would be their character’s favorite Korvosan delicacy. Darcy…Oliphant Ear; Isabella…Pullers; Mac…Reefclaw Pasty; Pop…Alikan Oysters. I’m not completely convinced that these are the character’s rather than the player’s favorites from the top ten Korvosan delicacies.
