Execution

Rendain, Rynnil, Yabusame and Talion emerge victorious from the Dead Warrens.
Not only have they recovered the body of Thousand Bones' grandson, they rescued three prisoners, found evidence that may link Rolth to the Key-Lock Killer, killed Rolth's apprentice and destroyed many alchemical and magical equipment used to create Golems and Undead.

Cressida Kroft arranges for a priest of Abadar to present the body whole to the Shoanti leader (including de-animating the torso, don't ask)

Although this triumph is overshadowed by the news that 'Trinia's' trial is over and that her execution is scheduled at noon tomorrow.
Kroft wants the adventurers to be there. Something about the whole affair doesn't sit well with her, and the way things have been going lately in Korvosa, she worries that the execution might trigger another riot.


The execution is not an event to be missed. The toast of Korvosa is in attendance in garish gowns, fine capes, and enough jewels to blind the common citizen.
The overall feel of the affair is that of a grand ball or party, not an assassin's public execution.

Queen Ileosa emerges amid a great flourish and pomp as heralds announce her arrival with a fanfare of music and drums.
She has fully accepted the mantle of sole monarch now, and carries herself with poise, style, and grace.
She wears a green and white silk dress worth thousands of gold coins and is attended by a small army of striking guards.
Chief among these is Sabina, although she is not immediately recognizable, clad as she is in a brand-new suit of full-plate armor with a closed helm sporting a flowing crimson plume.

Ileosa takes her seat in a high throne-like chair at one end of the public courtyard, while a guillotine stands ominously at the other.
The executioner is a towering, muscular man wearing a hood and idly holding an immense axe. Whispers ripple through the assemblage, admiring comments on the queen's attire, predictions regarding how the traitor Trinia might compose herself, speculations on the identity of the armored guardian who stands at Ileosa's side, and even gossip about the adventurers near Field Marshal Cressida Kroft.

Then, as an ominous drum beating begins, the gawkers fall silent.
The drum sets the pace for 'Trinia's' procession to the executioner's block.
As they reach the block, a guard removes her shackles and hood, revealing a very frightened woman who bravely holds back her tears.
(A young woman who superficially looks similar to Trinia)
Trinia is led up to stand before the guillotine, as Queen Ileosa addresses the crowd.

"Fellow Korvosans! You have suffered greatly these past few weeks. Homes have been burned, family members have died, and fortunes have been lost. I feel your suffering, for not only have I lost a beloved husband, but with each act of Anarchy that followed, my heart bled more.
This has been a trying time for us, yet the torment is at an end. Before you is the source of your anguish and pain.
Do not be deceived by this murderer's timid nature, she is a black-hearted assassin.
I offer you her death as a salve against the hatred and hurt you have suffered."
It takes all they have for the four adventurers to stay still and not storm the stage..
Beside them Kroft grits her teeth and closes her eyes for a moment, whispering.

"And so, without further delay, let us usher in this new dawn with justice! OFF WITH HER HEAD!"



Just before the executioner forces the woman into the guillotine, the man cries out in pain as a hurled dagger embeds itself in the back of his hand.
As the executioner's grip on 'Trinia' falters, a cry echoes through the crowded courtyard;
"By the Gods! It's Blackjack!"
An instant later, a man dressed in a hooded cloak and black mask springs up the Trinia's side, throwing a dagger to pin the executioner's left foot to the wood platform.
He then turns to address the shocked crowd.
"Yes indeed, my Queen! Let us usher in justice, but let that be justice for Korvosa, not this shambles you call a monarchy!
Long live Korvosa! Down with the Queen!"

Blackjack's words cause the crowd to erupt into action.
Some demand that he release the assassin while others call for the Queen's resignation.
Queen Ileosa stands stunned for a few moments, whispers something to Sabine, and then quickly turns to flee into Castle Korvosa, Sabine and a dozen guards behind her to cover her retreat.
The remaining guards move to apprehend Blackjack, but the gathered crowd, thirsty for blood, make it difficult to move.
Blackjack ducks and dodges the executioner's swinging axe, then clambers up the wall hauling Trinia up behind him.
He bows to the crowd and they both leap down the other side.

Using the chaos to Wildshape unnoticed, Talion the Druid follows as a great eagle.
Soaring high, but with excellent vision he is able to locate their destination before reverting back to human form.


However safe the city might seem now, its troubles are far from over.
Korvosa is in the eye of the storm.
Greater wheels are turning, and somewhere not too far from shore, a black three-masted vessel flying the orange lanterns of a plague-ship drifts ever closer to shore.
Death follows it.