The Corsica Docks
Bianca joins us upstairs to discuss her offer with the whole party, including Ikki & Grig, in private. She casts a cone of silence spell for privacy, so no one can eavesdrop outside the door. She is well-known in town, and makes it clear that she cannot be implicated in what’s to come in any way.
She explains that she runs the ECLIPSE THEATRE in the ARTIST QUARTER, and there is a rival performance troupe called THE CICADAS that she would like to see eliminated. She calls them tacky, untalented, and uncreative; she believes they are likely responsible for kidnapping unique examples of different races/animals to be used in their show, but their shows are extremely exclusive, so she hasn’t actually seen one. She shows the party a calling card for the group with a royal blue beetle and an elaborate letter “C”, and the following line: “When the city sleeps, we sing”.
According to Bianca, they will be performing at a party in the PEARL DISTRICT; she can’t get our group in the party, but if we agree to interrupt a deal happening on the CORSICA DOCKS within the hour, we’ll find the “key” to securing an invite. The group agrees and leaves almost immediately. Before we leave, however, because Ikki’s race is rare in this part of the world and might be noticeable/tempting, Bianca gives her an enchanted wooden coin that will allow her to cast the “Disguise Self” spell twice.
Upon arriving at the docks, we find the warehouse Bianca mentioned. It is dark and appears abandoned. Ikki flies to the roof and peers in through a skylight. Inside, she can see two figures: one with a bag over their head, sitting in a chair, and another standing next the chair with a knife held to the first’s throat. The party decides this must be the “meeting” we went sent to interrupt, so they go inside immediately via an unlocked door, pretending to be the owners of the unused warehouse. Ikki uses the first of the Disguise Self spells to appear human.
[I can’t really remember if this is where the first use was or not? Oh, well! - slod]
The man with the knife appears very nervous and confused by our arrival, claiming “Wulfra sent me, I did my part.” He quickly grew more agitated as we tried to diffuse the situation, insisting that we couldn’t “take the money away from my family,” and unexpectedly dragging the knife across his own throat. Grig steps in, casting a spell to stabilize the man, but as soon as that’s done, the man jumps up,runs out the back door onto a dock, and throws himself into the water, presumably to his death.
The party is stunned by these events. They release the figure in the chair and remove the bag on his head. He turns out to be a dark-skinned, dark-haired young human man, dressed in blood-stained clothing, who has clearly been ill-treated. He is also clearly very handsome, beneath all that, and as Kor cuts him loose, he alone seems to recognize the man. He gives his name as ALLEN, and Kor doesn’t argue.
(As if you even noticed it.)
As soon as he’s free, before the group can question him further, the door crashes open and several city guard rush in. They seem to be caught off guard by our party and Allen, but he assures them that he’s fine and we saved him, and they appear to be following his directions. Nim takes advantage of the confusion to slip unseen through the back door onto the docks.
Using his telepathy, Brin confirms that Allen is as confused as they are, but wants the party to follow his lead.
The leader of the guards wants to take everyone to the GUARD STATION for questioning, so the party (minus Nim) surrenders their weapons and climbs into a closed wagon, hoping they aren’t about to get betrayed. During the ride, Kor explains that Allen is actually PRINCE CALIBAN, son of Queen Cerule, and says he’s worried about him being alone with those guards. Meanwhile, Nim follows behind the wagon on foot.
At the guard station, the party is separated into two neighboring cells: one with Kor, Ikki, and Brin, and another with Dango, Grig, and Toulouse. The Captain of the Guard comes in to question us about our presence on the docks, and how we came to be involved in events. Kor attempts to turn the table, asking who the Captain is working for while Grig casts Zone of Truth. The Captain is offended and exasperated by us, so he leaves rather than give any information.
Once he’s gone, Kor quickly picks the cell door lock and Brin blasts the door into the one remaining guard, knocking him out and allowing Kor to take his dagger and keyring, and Brin to steal a small painting of his children (… for some reason).
While this is happening inside, Nim has finally reached the station. She is unsure of where the party is being held, but sees a number of citizens carousing outside. To create a diversion (… for some reason), she decides to start a fire in the nearby horse stable. The fire triggers a minor drunken riot on the street. In the midst of this chaos, she sees three black carriages pull up in front of the station, each marked with the royal seal. A very large armored knight emerges along with a handful of officials in royal colors. The knight sends a few of their own well-trained guards to quell the riot, which happens quite quickly as the officials enter the station.
Back inside, Kor has opened the other cell, and the party is attempting to sneak out. Peeking through a door to the bullpen/entrance-type area, they see Prince Caliban. He is dressed the same way, but his bearing is totally different, very noble and unimpressed with the guards around him. They watch as the group of officials enter the building, essentially taking over. Ikki uses the second Disguise Self spell to maintain her human appearance, and we emerge. Prince Caliban has the very large knight, REIKO, escort us to the royal carriages. On the way out, we encounter Nim on the steps, daggers drawn and looking exhausted.
Prince Caliban joins us in the carriages, and we make our return to the Midwater Tavern. During the trip, he reveals that he came to Prytania from BRASSWICK of his own volition to attend a Red Night Festival viewing party in the ORIN FAMILY ESTATE tomorrow night. He wants us to join him as his entourage, and help discreetly investigate crimes against the crown. The prince gives us 700gp to buy suitable new attire — red, black, and white only — and says he will pick us up the following evening.
The party has A LONG REST, and wakes refreshed on the first day of the Red Night Festival. The city is festooned decorations and flowers, and there are already musicians and food carts lining the streets.The group makes their way to the Pearl District, which is far from the ocean, pressed against and rising up the cliff face at the back of the city; it is a finely-crafted area, with buildings inlaid with shining mother of pearl and murals depicting mythological and ocean-inspired scenes. At a very fancy shop/salon, the group splits the cash provided by Prince Caliban, and they all get just, real dolled up. The gossip at the salon is that Queen Cerule has arrived in Prytania, and she will be at the party tonight.
Later, in the Merchant District, Ikki and Brin purchase the AQUINAS AMULET, which is a sort of fancy tracking device. It is a necklace that contains three charges, which last 24 hours each, and will guide the hand of whoever is wearing the matching ring towards the necklace from up to five miles away.
At the designated time, Prince Caliban arrives to fetch our party from the Midwater Tavern; he is in his carriage alone, dressed in vaguely-military all black with a gold cape, and seems more handsome and aloof than before. He also seems to approve of our choices in outfits.
The outfits are as follows:
- DANGO: A vaguely-military red uniform, with matching red leather boots and gloves, and a red cape and tricorn hat. Also, a glossy red full-face mask.
- TOULOUSE: A velvetier black robe with some red embroidery near the collar and hems which is what richer folks in his home land wear. And an unembellished but matching hat.
[ Let me know yours, team, and I’ll add ‘em! - slod]
The Orin Estate is surrounded by opalescent walls and is decorated with sparkling fairy lights and candles; there is music in the air and staff are bustling to see the guests are being attended. We spot a tall figure, Homes Orin, coordinating the staff in a way that tells us he’s a real dick. The prince enters separately, and once inside the main house, the party splits up to see what they can discover.
Dango lingers in a corner, paying close attention the staff working the party. She notices a particular maid with curly red hair who seems distinctly surprised to the prince at the party.
Toulouse takes advantage of his small stature to eavesdrop on various guests, and discovers that the Queen could not attend due to illness, and Prince Caliban has come in her place. Apparently, the prince was supposed to marry by 21, and honeymoon in Prytania; Sir Orin, late patriarch of the Orin clan and former mayor would have been proud to host royalty; people are abuzz about the evening’s entertainment (The Cicadas).
Brin, dressed as Hanne, attempts to corner a tipsy playboy type to get some upper crust gossip about the Orins and the current mayor. He catches the eye of wealthy merchant’s son SIR LUCIUS STEVENSON. He reveals that the Orins and the current mayor, Sir Tywin Wulfra, hate each other, and though he was invited, the mayor did not show up.
Nim hangs out near the musicians at the party, and manages to talk to one briefly during a break. This gig is apparently much stricter than normal, and despite the rich guests, nets them terrible tips. The big entertainment draw is obviously The Cicadas, who are especially impressive considered the previous year’s performer was a shoddy magician.
Grig circulates in the crowd, listening for any hint about the icarium imports the party found previously, or any other criminal behavior. He mostly hears a lot of rich jerks complaining about the poors and some insider trading.
Kor follows behind Prince Caliban, and recognizes some nobles from Brasswick in the crowd. The prince makes a point of talking to the Orin siblings, who fawned over him and asked about the Queen. There is a disruption as they spoke, and the mayor, Sir Wulfra enters the party, causing a lot tension in the Orins. Prince Caliban greets Sir Wulfra, congratulating him on his election; the mayor’s manners are not as refined as everyone at the party.
Conversation ceases when LADY SABLE gives a big toast, welcoming everyone and introducing the special entertainment. There is a shower of sparks and blue smoke, and a drow elf appears in the middle of the party. He is dressed in all blue, with gold on his hands, and a cape with a beetle on it. This is CANE of The Cicadas.
~ end of session ~
random notes
- The party levels up: 4