(Pathfinder) The Curse of the Crimson Throne IC

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan considers Rennard's proposal for a moment, then nods his head in agreement. "I agree. There is no reason to risk her safety at this time, and it is probably better that the Hellknights and the more... Flexible of the nobility do not learn of her capture. I am not sure how well we can disguise her as Kalinda without her firearms or clothing, but I will do what I can to assist you in this." He smiles. "My oaths may prevent me from lying, there is no reason not to simply ecourage others to draw an incorrect conclusion..."

[Leviathan]

A few minutes later, Trinia is wrapped in an old overcoat and hat, which fortunately are voluminous to conceal her trembling. Thus covered, proceeding back to the Citadel is a simple matter, and Trinia does not garner even a single suspicious look from passers-by.

Even in the Citadel, there are apparently enough blonde women that Trinia goes unnoticed. Until, that is, the party reaches Kroft's office. No sooner has the door been closed, leaving you alone with Kroft, than the Field Marshal stands. "Did you find her? I certainly hope so. I've had only negative reports so far. And Kalinda, you seem to have ret - wait. Who..." She looks questioningly at you all, her brow furrowed with confusion and the beginnings of comprehension. "Is this...? Is she...? What is going on here?"

[Drothmal]

She claims to be innocent and being falsely accused. We brought her here so we could hear her side of the story. We trust your discretion in the path we have chosen responds the fencer, making a motion to Trinia to speak her piece in front of the party and the Field Marshall

[DaedalusMkV]

Noting silently that Rennard's statement entirely failed to explain who they've brought into the office or why she's been disguised, Dastan quickly interjects. "This is, as you may suspect, Trinia Sabor. We captured her after she attempted to flee from her appartment. As Rennard has said, she claims to be innocent. We thought that discretion was wise in this case; as you said earlier, the last thing we need is some overzealous guard or lynch mob trying to kill her before the truth of the situation is laid bare."

[SanguinePenguin]

"We hope to investigate the matter immediately. However, since this is a matter of... well, regicide... we brought her directly to you before we began to investigate," Atavian adds.

[Leviathan]

Kroft rises from her desk, clasping her hands behind her back and shaking her head. "Very well. You haven't let me down yet, so I'll go along with this. Trinia Sabor, you have five minutes. Speak."

Trinia wipes her eyes, sniffles, and begins to talk. "I... I was just his painter. They asked me to paint a portrait of King Eodred. H-he t-told me to come to his private chambers to p-paint. W-well I did, and he'd sit and be v-very nice... Sometimes I'd b-bring him tea f-from the kitchens. But I never killed him!"

[Blisstake]

"Field Marshal Kroft," Adrin addresses, looking toward the trembling Trinia, "Before we set out to find Sabor, I investigated this incident with the self-proclaimed King of Spiders. I wrested some valuable information from the man, as I believe a crime lord would best understand how crimes are committed here. He does not believe she would even have access to poison with which people think was used to kill the King. Furthermore, it doesn't even make sense. Why would a humble painter, given a great opportunity by the King of Korvosa set out to kill him?"

[Leviathan]

The Field Marshal's lips purse, and she folds her arms across her chest. "Let's not jump to conclusions either way. It's possible she didn't do it, but it's also possible she did. She likely didn't do it alone; more likely she was paid or promised payment. Gold can be a powerful incentive, and if the reports I've got on her residence are correct, wealth might be a powerful motivator."

Trinia looks startled and protests. "I didn't! You have to believe me! You're saying I'm an... an assassin! But I'm not! I didn't do anything!"

[Drothmal]

Reve might be sympathetic to the woman's plea, but so far Rennard was unimpressed by Trinia's repetition of her innoccensce

We need you to provide more data. Did you see anything suspicious while you were in the King's service? Was there anyone out of the ordinary? says the fencer in an interrogative tone.

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan stands behind Rennard and quickly reinforces his ally's position. "I must agree. Simple declarations of innocence are utterly unhelpful both to us and you. If you could please go into as much detail as possible and tell us everything you might have seen in the last few weeks before the King's death, it may help lead us to the true killer. Finding whoever did kill him is the only way to clear all suspicion from your name; you must realize this." His tone and inflection gives away no hint of his own opinion of her innocence or guilt. He may be sympathetic to her plight, but he refuses to commit to an opinion until he has definitive proof one way or the other.

[Blisstake]

"Yes..." starts Aldrin, a bit annoyed by Trinia's simplicity. She seemed innocent, although her demeanor itself isn't sufficient to prove innocence or guilt. But she did seem convenient to anyone who did want to get away with regicide: she was present during the murder, doesn't seem to be very bright, and didn't realize she needed to escape the city after becoming a suspect. "I get the feeling Trinia is being used as a distraction for the real murderer. But we need to find out who else could have been in the castle at the time."

[SanguinePenguin]

Atavian adds, "for starters, who gave you the tea that day? Did you bring him anything else?"

[Leviathan]

Trinia speaks slowly, her voice faltering. "I... I brought him the tea... And I made it f-for him, s-since it was late at night a-and all the cooks were g-gone. T-then, after I finished p-painting he w-went to talk to Venster and, umm... I went home. I don't know who was there besides him and me."

Kroft interjects sharply. "Venster Arabasti? The King's stepbrother?" She turns to you. "It can't have been him: we talked to the servants there and neither of them touched food or drink."

She goes on: "as for who was in the Castle, we assembled the best list we could make. Most of the staff had gone home, and most of the rest were sleeping. There were guards, of course, but they were all in pairs and wouldn't have had access to the King's tea anyways."

[SanguinePenguin]

Atavian shrugs, "unlike Trinia, Venster could conceivably have a motive and could easily have access to poison. To preclude him from an investigation would be folly. Granted, to investigate him would be folly as well... for other reasons. The patient would have waited for the king to die a natural death, but someone down the line was not being patient."

[Leviathan]

Kroft replies. "Venster Arabasti doesn't have a strong motive as far as I can tell." She softens somewhat, and explains. "He's the child of Queen Domina, Eodred's mother. Like Eodred, she bore him before coming to Korvosa. Unlike Eodred, he was deformed and crippled, so Queen Domina cut him out the succession altogether. And yes, vengeance against a hated brother could be a motive, but we've pursued that route: everyone - the Queen, the Castle guards and servants, the nobles - all agree that Eodred was close to his brother. They used to drink together and gamble, apparently."

[Drothmal]

She's not very bright, I give you that whispers Reve telephatically but I don't feel she is a cold hearted assasin. Maybe someone changed the tea she was using for poison?

Any basis for that assumption

It's a hunch?

A hunch?

Do you have any better ideas?

Rennard sights quietly, only the minimum amount of his frustration being reflected in his demeanor

Trinia the fencer says to the painter was it habitual for you to make tea for the King? Did people know about this? and do you remember anything different in the tea that you gave him last night?


After hearing the woman's response, Rennard turns to the Field Marshal

Has the poison that killed the King been identified? And were there any traces of that poison found anywhere in the castle?

[RocketMan]

Jensi

"Trinia says she didn't kill the King," Jensi says. "So I think that we should let her go! Why would you want to arrest someone who hasn't done anything wrong?" Jensi asks Kroft rhetorically.

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan smiles slightly at Jensi's naivety. I should treasure moments like these. That innocence such as this can still exist in times as dark as these is proof that there is hope for us all. He shakes his head and returns his attention to the matter at hand. He looks back and forth between Trinia and Kroft for a moment, weighing the evidence presented and what he's seen of Trinia. "I believe there is little else to say unless you have something to add, Marshall? We leave Trinia to you and your men to deal with for now; I do not believe that there is sufficient evidence to declare her guilt, and all signs point to the involvement of some other party, but I leave final judgement to the courts. Thank you for listening to us, regardless. I do appreciate your indulgence in this matter, whatever the outcome."

[Leviathan]

Kroft gives Jensi a level look. "People lie. Often, in some cases. And especially when that person has done something wrong. I believe that the best course of action would be to take Trinia Sabor into custody. She will not be ill-treated, but will will get to the bottom of this. Likely, she'll be interrogated magically; we should have no difficulty acquiring the necessary spells for something so important."

She clears her throat, speaking in an official voice as she steps closer to Trinia. "Trinia Sabor, I hereby place you under arrest for the murder of the King. May Abadar preserve innocence and punish guilt."

[Leviathan]

Two guards swiftly enter Kroft's office. Trinia continues to sob sadly as her wrists are bound together and she is escorted from the room. Kroft scowls. "I don't like it at all," she says, her voice concerned and frustrated. "She's either a consummate - and probably professional - liar or a hapless victim. In the first case, it means someone hired her, and that means we aren't finished with our hunt yet. And in the latter, it means we haven't finished either.

Still, you're done for now. You've been of great service. I'll contact the Castle for instructions immediately, but I'll make absolutely sure that she receives a fair interrogation. Now, I believe a bounty is in order for your good work."

Spoiler

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750 gp each.

[Blisstake]

Aldrin looks at Kroft coldly. "Make sure to let us know what you decide to do after the trial."

[Drothmal]

It is not fair! She clearly did not do it! an angry Reve communicates telepathically

It was the only option available. But it would be inconsistent of Kroft to accuse Trinia falsely, so it is likely that she will be exonerated replies the fencer

Oh, bonded. Sometimes your logic makes you blind to the ways of the world

I do not understand what you mean. But, in the midtime, I promise you we will gather more data on the real killer to help expedite the process

The blade seems to give in to the oath. Fair enough. Thank you, bonded


Rennard pulls himself out of the internal dialogue and addresses Kroft

Thank you Field-Marshal. Let us know if any other leads on other possible suspects appear.

Unless anyone else has anything to say, the magus will head out of the office and head back to the quarters that the party had shared the last couple days

Once the party is alone

Spoiler

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We need to decide on our next course of action. We need to find out more about what happened to the king. Also, we need to prepare ourselves in case that the note we found on the necromancer proves true.

A simple risk-reward analysis indicates that our first concern should be the latter. If nothing transpires tomorrow, we can focus our efforts in the investigation.

[Leviathan]

A week goes by in relative peace. The city is still recovering from the King's death, and aftershocks of small-scale rioting and looting rock the city occasionally. But Korvosa's people are once again out on the streets, trading, talking, and otherwise going about their business. Trinia's capture is the chief subject of conversation, and wild speculation flies from mouth to mouth. First she is a witch, then a poisoner, then a demon in mortal guise. Her interrogation proceeds behind closed doors within Castle Korvosa, and yet rumours still abound. Arbiter Zenderholm, an Academae wizard, and the Queen herself interrogated Trinia. Then Kroft, the wizard again, and the Sable Company commander. And so it went for the entire week, though news of the interrogations' results were much more scarce.

Now, a few hours ago, the Arbiter announced that she had reached a verdict, to be made public this very evening during a lavish banquet at Castle Korvosa. At noon, a servant dressed in immaculate black and red livery finds you. With a bow, he delivers a flowery note, stamped with the seal of Korvosa.

It reads:

Greetings sir,

You are cordially invited to the Peace and Order Banquet, to be held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Ileosa of Korvosa. Queen Ileosa extends to you her best wishes, and her hopes for your attendance.

Sincerely,
Acting-Seneschal Togomor

[Blisstake]

Spoiler

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We need to decide on our next course of action. We need to find out more about what happened to the king. Also, we need to prepare ourselves in case that the note we found on the necromancer proves true.

A simple risk-reward analysis indicates that our first concern should be the latter. If nothing transpires tomorrow, we can focus our efforts in the investigation.

Aldrin shakes his head and sighs. "I really don't expect Kroft to want our help any further than the grunt work of capturing her. The Citadel has the interregators, and they'll likely be getting magical assistance from the Academae to determine her honesty. There's hardly any preparation we can do regarding that note we found anyway. It's infuriating, but at this point we may not be able to do much more than wait."

He tries to remain calm, but his voice becomes irregular and slightly louder as he continues. His blood boils fiercely, but he has since become accustomed to the oddity. After taking a deep breath, Aldrin utters two words in what he hopes is a calmer voice.

"Tick. Tock."

***

The sorcerer spends the next few days in a state of panic. Several half-formed ideas circle in his head about how he can try to rescue his family if Trinia is, in fact, declared the King's killer. Then he considers if he even should try to rescue them, as he becomes unfortunately aware that there may be a good reason the Hellknights imprisoned them. After that, Aldrin decides it's a moot point anyway since he cannot come with any reasonably competent ideas.

This process is facilitated by much fishjack.

When the day arrives that Aldrin receives a message from the courier, his hands tremble slightly as he reads each word of the message.

She wouldn't have this banquet unless she had something important to say. Is this it?

[Drothmal]

With things settling down, Rennard had gone back at the Academy to resume his training (but, at Reve's insistence, not before leaving word with the others of where to find him).

Last week had been a... different experience

One one hand, the duelist had never though that his fencing technique could improve so much so quickly. Guided by the telepathic link he shared with his Black Blade, the magus' prowess with the blade had increased significantly.

Not only the physical abilities of the fencer had improved. Rennard had realized during an experiment (or a hunch, according to Reve) that his arcane energies could be used for more than just fueling his blade: Using the pearl that Jensi had made for him, the magus was now able to recover spent spells. On top of all that, careful reading of some notes taken from the necromancer spellbook and from the book that had been left with Maestro many years ago had helped the Bladebound warrior to access more powerful magic spells that he had spent all week incorporating to his attack routines


But Rennard could not be called a happy man (and not because of his usually stark personality)

For years, the duelist had learned how to disregard his feelings and only listen to his mind. He had learned to bottle up anger and passion to be able to walk the path of logic. Though having a sense of right and wrong, Rennard had never seen them as more than social constructs for the promotion of a stable society

And now he felt guilty

The magus had last felt this way when his father had died at Lamn's hands all those years ago. And Rennard did not like it

The fencer's logical mind clearly identified the cause of the paradigm shift: Reve.

Ever since the group had left Trinia under Kroft's care, the blade had not let a chance slip to remind Rennard that they might have sent a perfectly innocent woman to the gallows.
But it would be unfair to blame the duelist newfound distress only to the blade's arguments. Rennard could feel the rapier's distress and a sense of shame that moved the magus beyond logic.


Hence, it was with both relief and (though it was quickly suppressed) dread that the bladebound magus received the letter

I hope she's ok

It is very likely responded her Master in a reassuring tone that would have seen impossible a month ago

Immdiately after receiving the invitation, the young fencer looks for his Mentor. If he finds the Masetro, he will ask him if he has also received such an invitation

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan takes the time to return to his uncle Stefan's house and break the news that his daughter seems to have vanished without a trace or a trail. "I promise, Uncle, I will continue the search, but with no leads... This is a large city, and I fear I will never find her unaided. I am sorry."

He spends much of his free time walking the streets of the city, offering to lend a hand in rebuilding the damage done during the riots a short time ago and heal anyone who still bears injuries. While far from a skilled carpenter, Dastan is strong and willing and does what he can to help those who lost so much through no fault of their own. He has also noticed a great increase in his Divine gifts; while before anything but the basest benefits of his father's heritage had been largely beyond him, he now finds himself capable of healing all but the gravest of wounds at a touch and that what gifts he posessed before have all but doubled in strength. More importantly still, he begins to gain a greater connection to his chosen deity, and through that connection his first taste of true spellcasting. A few hours each night are spent studying a dusty book he received shortly after completing his apprenticeship at the temple and has had little cause to study since, relearning the bounds and rules of this new source of power.

When the courier arrives he quickly reads the flowery invitation, nods in recognition and thanks the courier. I cannot imagine that they would throw a banquet to celebrate finding a commoner accused of regicide innocent... Surely there must be more to this than that, though I cannot imagine that Trinia is the killer, much less the mastermind behind the assassination. There must be more to this... I suppose I should seek out the others, see if they know more about this. He quickly places the invitation in his pack and then sets out at a brisk walk, heading for whichever of the locations the others said they could be found at is closest.

[Leviathan]

Rennard

Vencarlo, in his Academy, shakes his head. "Rennard, I am outspoken in my opposition to many of Korvosa's policies. A consequence of principles is that those without them often do not take kindly to being told so. But enjoy yourself," he adds with a warm laugh. "Festivity and frivolity might well suit you, if you give them a try."

-------------------------

There is a festive air about the Castle as you all arrive. The guards at the gate look especially clean as they check your invitations. "Sorry," one says; "Capturing a regicide should put you beyond suspicion, but we have to warn anyone with weapons to keep them sheathed. We've had one assassination, and we don't want another."

The halls of the Castle are more brightly-lit than on your past visits. Tall candles now line the halls, illuminating them with a yellowy glow. Long crimson carpets laid out along the floor guide you to the throne room past numerous bowing servants.

The throne room has been greatly altered for the banquet. Long tables run along the sides of the room, upon which sit silver platters and sumptuous food. In the centre, an elevated platform has been constructed out of dark wood. It is ten feet tall, and large enough for a sizeable number of people to stand upon it. A set of stairs leads up to the top, which is empty save for a two-foot tall block of wood.

The Queen, still in her black mourning clothes, is not on her throne, but instead speaking with a group of nobles at its base. "I am pleased to introduce to you my new acting-Seneschal, Archmage Togomor of the Academae." One of her pale, slender hands gestures towards a fat man draped in voluminous purple plush robes, with a bald, hairless head, bushy black eyebrows, and a short pointed black beard.

At the banquet tables, you notice Amin Jalento. The nobleman has a heaping mound of food on his plate, and several emptied goblets are nearby. He is chatting in a loud, boisterous voice with his neighbour. "Someone ought to do something about all the commoners. They're everyone! Sometimes even in the Castle! How can Korvosa prosper if the destitute get in the way?"

And, in one corner, Cressida Kroft stands awkwardly. She does not have her usual heavy armour, but instead wears a fine, dark grey dress with furs around its collar. She looks more uncomfortable now than you have ever seen her, and by the way she constantly fidgets with her dress, it seems she'd rather be wearing metal than this.

[Drothmal]

Rennard

Vencarlo, in his Academy, shakes his head. "Rennard, I am outspoken in my opposition to many of Korvosa's policies. A consequence of principles is that those without them often do not take kindly to being told so. But enjoy yourself," he adds with a warm laugh. "Festivity and frivolity might well suit you, if you give them a try."

Thank you, Maestro... I will do my best... clearly, the fencer is not thrilled about spending the evening in vacuous conversation. Still he might find out more of Trinia's fate

-------------------------

"Sorry," one says; "Capturing a regicide should put you beyond suspicion, but we have to warn anyone with weapons to keep them sheathed. We've had one assassination, and we don't want another."

Upon hearing this words, the telephatic link to Reve lashes with distress

But Trinia is innocent! Bonded, please tell me we did not serve a death sentence to a poor girl whose only fault was to be at the wrong place?

His comment might be pure speculation, which has gone rampant during the last days. We need more data before we can conclude anything. the duelist replies, calming the blade with his scientific approach

And, in one corner, Cressida Kroft stands awkwardly. She does not have her usual heavy armour, but instead wears a fine, dark grey dress with furs around its collar. She looks more uncomfortable now than you have ever seen her, and by the way she constantly fidgets with her dress, it seems she'd rather be wearing metal than this.

Seeing the Field Marshall alone, a calmer (though still stressed) Reve mocks her Master

Look, Bonded! She looks as uncomfortable as you! Maybe you should go and talk to her?

That would be very efficient. The Field Marshall might be more willing to give us information if there are no other pressing matter occupying her attention

Also, it would be nice so she does not need to stand there by herself

With a lighter tone (the first one in the last few days) the rapier adds Just make sure you don't flirt with her!


The fencer, who was halfway to where Kroft stood, becomes so shocked that he almost collides with a servant. Only years of training in the Academy allowed him to quickly sidestep and avoid a major embarassement

Hearing Reve's laughter echoing in his head, Rennard finally makes his way to Kroft and makes a small military-type salute

Good evening and well met, Field-Marshal. I would appreciate it if I could speak to you about the matter for which we had met last

[RocketMan]

Jensi

It's not his first time in Castle Korvosa, but Jensi is even more excited this time than before. It is a party after all, and it probably hasn't dawned on him yet that this party celebrates the capture and punishment of criminals. He is all smiles and laughs on the way to the castle, babbling happily to everyone, but especially to Aldrin, whose recent dark mood had begun to trouble Jensi.

As the group arrives in the grand hall, he follows Rennard over to where Kroft stands. "Hi!" the youth says brightly. "What a great party! With lots of food and lights and pretty clothes and - ooh, are those shiny plates silver?" Maybe it's that the Field Marshall is in a dress outside of her office, but any formality Jensi might ordinarily have had is completely forgotten.

[Leviathan]

Kroft nods at Jensi. "I believe so," she replies stiffly. Then she gratefully turns to Rennard as he offers up a substantive topic. "I won't mince words. Trinia confessed under magical interrogation by Acting-Seneschal Togomor. And she also told us why: the King's amorous sentiments towards her were not reciprocated, so for her own protection, he had to die. But I doubt that's what the official story will be; the Queen was shocked to hear it."