Echoes: Piacenza - Season 01 Episodes 04 (powered by D&D 5e)

Echoes 2.04 (September 20, 2014) - In Which A Mysterious Island is Investigated

Distretto di cultura, Piacenza: licensing office - afternoon

SIGNORA ROSALVA

I'm so sorry, but those are really the only mission choices we have this week.

VIATRIZ

Oh, but you are so connected, so informed--you're sure you don't have something special tucked away? Have I mentioned how that blouse brings out your eyes?

SIGNORA ROSALVA

All the time, and every time I believe you! You know I think the world of you personally, and your family name still has weight, especially in Cultura; alas, however dazzling my eyes may be, these are all we have available right now.

VIATRIZ

Please don't feel badly; it is not your fault we are an especially sizeable and multi-talented group, such that a 70 is really not sufficiently profitable for us.

SIGNORA ROSALVA

Shall I pencil you in for this 75,000 then?

VIATRIZ

(sighing)

It can't hurt. We'll just have to hope for a job that pays 90 or more next week.

Portinari residence - evening

CESARE

I have it!

VIATRIZ

What is it?

CESARE

It is a brazier, for a bird.

DOLCE

Is the bird a chicken? I hear those are tasty, but expensive. But so is duck, lately.

CESARE

It is not for a chicken! It's for calling a familiar--

DOLCE

Geese are familiar. But also pricey, nowadays.

CESARE

A familiar is not for cooking--!

VIATRIZ

Thank you for managing the cooking and cleaning, Dolce. Speaking of "pricey"...

(recounts her plight at the licensing office)

DOLCE

Well, speaking of job opportunities...

A back alley - earlier, that afternoon

GISELA

I am sorry I have been out of sight for so long, but as you can see--

(lowers her hood to show that, like Mara Conti, she has only flesh where her eyes would be)

As you can see, well, I cannot anymore.

DOLCE

Oh, but Gisela, how very distinctive!

GISELA

I am glad you see it that way.

DOLCE

We try and embrace our--distinctions. I myself grow a fishtail on occasion, and removing it--ugh, does not bear discussing. But how did you read my message?

GISELA

My sense of touch has grown exceptionally acute.

DOLCE

I'm sorry; should I not have embraced you?

GISELA

No, I no longer need to touch things to feel them; I sensed your sign on the wall as I passed by. A fishtail--Dolce, this may be even more fortuitous than I thought...

Portinari residence - evening

DOLCE

Five. Hundred. Thousand.

VIATRIZ

500,000?

DOLCE

500,000!

RINALDO

That would keep us more than solvent for a good while.

VIATRIZ

We're doing it.

VITTORIO

It would give us the time and grease money to help find our family members.

VIATRIZ

We're doing it, right?

CESARE

That would buy us a lot of components!

VIATRIZ

Tell me we're doing it! But I would not want anyone to feel unheard, or--

RINALDO

Of course not. But let's just be clear: what does "it" entail again?

DOLCE

We only have to--discreetly--make our way to one of these islands that they say have been appearing where Giustizia used to be, and create a map. Discreetly.

CESARE

But how can there be islands there? Unless the "islands" are just the upper topography of Giustizia, rising back to the surface. How would we possibly map anything with any degree of thoroughness in just two nights? Do they think--

VITTORIO

She did say a "rudimentary" map.

Cesare snorts.

DOLCE

I suspect this is something in the way of a preliminary survey--they will return for a more thorough investigation once we have given them a lay of the land.

VITTORIO

But why us?

DOLCE

Well, my friend rather specializes in putting talents and tasks together, and obviously it is not the sort of thing she could accomplish herself.

RINALDO

We should take into consideration it's likely to rain. But why "obviously" not?

DOLCE

Well, because she has no cartography skills. I did say "discreetly", right?

VIATRIZ

Which includes a caveat that we are never to return to said island?

CESARE

We will never what? Only two nights? What?

RINALDO

For 500,000. It's not as if we would ever have known the island was there.

VIATRIZ

So we're doing it, right? We must be doing it. You all know we should do it.

VITTORIO

We will need to engage the services of a boat. And get some rations--

DOLCE

You all discuss supplies; I will let her know we're taking the job.

the watering hole 'Haphazard' - night

Intimidating his way inside after Viatriz bribed her way inside, Vittorio sidles (as much as anyone at least eight feet tall can sidle) to the bar to keep a furtive eye on her. On a barstool, he finds what looks like a puddle of vomit, which then shimmers and transforms into a vaguely humanoid shape. Eyes migrate from around the gut area to the more-or-less head.

ANNUNZIATO

Hey there, handsome. Buy a lady a drink?

VITTORIO

(smelling something on the verge of rot, and feeling cold sliminess on his back)

Uh--sure. Bartender! Get me something stiff and strong.

ANNUNZIATO

Oh, I also want something stiff and strong.

At a table - meanwhile

TIZIANO

This is not the place for a beautiful girl like you.

VIATRIZ

But how can that be, when a handsome man like you is here already?

TIZIANO

Why are you here, Illeso? Looking to try something different?

VIATRIZ

Exactly, I want to borrow a ship-- I'm so sorry, I did not see you there. I am Via--

(after Tiziano's male compatriot once more vanishes from sight)

He has quite an interesting ability.

TIZIANO

That is Matt. What is the ship for?

VIATRIZ

To travel to the west of Cultura.

TIZIANO

There is nothing there but open sea.

VIATRIZ

Let us just say that I like open sea, so much so that I would like to travel there and stay for two nights, after which you would pick us up. There are five of us, except that one is very, very tall--eight feet or so--so consider us six.

TIZIANO

Ten thousand per head, twice for the big one. It should not be a problem for Illeso.

VIATRIZ

That is too much, and you know it, whether I am Illeso or not, which you can't be sure of. How about forty thousand? Half now, half after you bring us back.

TIZIANO

There is nothing there.

VIATRIZ

Then that would be forty thousand for only a quick trip out and back. It's very generous, since you and I know the best bounty this week is only sixty thousand.

TIZIANO

Fifty.

VIATRIZ

Forty-five, and that pays for you and your crew's absolute discretion, as well.

TIZIANO

Forty-five, and you stay here for the next hour.

VIATRIZ

Why, do you think you can flatter me enough that I will sleep with you?

TIZIANO

Yes. You are very intriguing, Illeso.

VIATRIZ

You don't know that. And I don't know if it will work, but you're welcome to try.

At the bar - a little later

ANNUNZIATO

Who's your friend, handsome?

VIATRIZ

(as Vito begins to stammer an answer)

So this is where you've been? Another woman? Again?!

Via slaps Vito. Not wanting trouble, Annunziato (almost literally) oozes away.

Canal system - Night

RINALDO

Why are you carrying that?

CESARE

(clutching a goopy lump of herbs and other components)

It's my familiar! I was in the middle of my ritual--

RINALDO

I told you, you didn't have to come; I'm just picking up some backup sumac.

CESARE

No! I am not leaving you again, or being left by you again, or whatever it is that happened, and no one is turning into some sort of amnesiac spider-person!

RINALDO

What--?

Rinaldo stops, arrested by the scent of reptile. A reptilian Cambiato--virtually unknown in Cultura--drifts by in a gondola. Spurred by his memory of the attack on Fierra and himself, Rinaldo promptly hauls Cesare into another gondola and begins trailing the Cambiato.

CESARE

What are we doing? Via said we have to be at the dock by four--and you're staring! It is not polite to stare at Cambiato-- do you know that person?

RINALDO

No. What is it doing here? It's not supposed to be here.

CESARE

Well, he's Piacenzan, isn't he? Or she? They can go where they want.

RINALDO

Gondolier, where is that boat heading?

GONDOLIER

That path would take them to the old visual arts enclave. It's wild there now.

After a while, their gondola eases up to a nearby dock, where a young woman is waiting.

RINALDO

Excuse me, didn't we pay for the whole boat?

GONDOLIER

Oh, I'm sorry, signor, I completely forgot! Scusi, signorina, it is my fault--

FIAMETTA

That's all right. I'm only heading for the arts enclave; another gondola will--

RINALDO

Well, it looks like we're heading there, too. You can come with us.

CESARE

(resigning himself, since Rinaldo is ignoring his meaningfully wide eyes)

Hello, signorina.

RINALDO

Are you going by yourself? It doesn't seem like a safe place to go alone.

FIAMETTA

(chuckling)

I am going home, after my workday. But thank you for your concern.

RINALDO

I apologize; I hope I did not cause offense.

FIAMETTA

Not at all; it can be a bit--unrestrained there, but also quite interesting, with all the creatives and such. Are you going for the exhibit? It is the great Giovanetta.

RINALDO

Is it? I have heard that--people are coming from all over, to see.

FIAMETTA

Well, that would be wonderful. She is my sister.

CesARE

Now we're going to an exhibit?!

(after Rinaldo just looks at him)

I mean, now! We're going to an exhibit! Hurray!

FIAMETTA

May I ask: what is that? Is it a sculpture?

CESARE

No, it is a bird. It's waiting to come out.

FIAMETTA

Oh, of course it is. I see it.

CESARE

You do?

FIAMETTA

Blank canvas begins empty--or full, yes? Either you chip away at it with color, to reveal what is there, waiting to be born, or you coax it out.

CESARE

Yes! Those are very important principles.

FIAMETTA

The exhibit opens at ten. May I invite you gentlemen?

RINALDO

Well, we have an early-morning appointment, so we may not be able to--

CESARE

But-- she was talking about the blank canvas, and you know, in my Manuale--

FIAMETTA

Oh, be careful!

Concerned since Cesare is gesturing as he speaks, Fiametta grabs at the familiar-summoning concoction, revealing that she has scaly hands. Noticing Cesare staring at them, she flushes.

CESARE

(embarrassed in turn)

We will go! We will be there, for your sister's gallery opening!

RINALDO

We will? But you were the one who--

(as Cesare glares at him)

I mean, we will go.

By this time, their original reptilian quarry has simply vanished.

They proceed to the exhibit space, where they meet the lavender-eyed, beautifully horse-headed Giovanetta, who mentions that the "great plant" in Cesare's native Finanza is rumored to have "different properties". She also urges Fiametta to take the pair to see the Wizard's Market, where, heedless of Rinaldo's hints that he may wish to exercise caution, Cesare buys no less than three five-sol-worth diamonds, at the bargain price of ten sol each.

Meanwhile, after the bar, Vito has proceeded to a nearby foodstuff seller, and managed to acquire victuals and waterskins at a goodly discount, notwithstanding Via's polite horror.

Dolce arrives back at home base and promptly leaves again, exasperated that nothing has been done about securing habitation, not even by Some Brothers who no doubt think they are well-equipped with bedrolls that are now at least two feet too short for them.

She makes it to the nearest affordable market literally seconds before closing, where she meets a very nice merchant named Serafin, who furnishes her with tents, bedrolls, and the like, including a wonderful tarp that folds and unfolds from a tiny, handheld square of material that miraculously holds everything purchased from Serafin's stall.

Having forgotten that this is the traders' market, she attempts to pay with her lens-less monocle that she once purchased at an estate sales, but Serafin declines, saying that it is too precious, and he trusts her to return and pay him back with something more equitable.

In the course of negotiations and the succeeding profuse thanks, Dolce also meets Serafin's friend and fellow merchant Roseldo, who looks very much like her old friend Gaetano, who looked stunningly like Dante di Sovrino. He does not give any sign of recognizing her.

Vicinity of drowned guistizia - morning

Aside from some minor squabbling over Vito's currently-increased height, and an altercation with a sea serpent thankfully cut short by Captain Tiziano's alacrity (and apparent ability to emit some form of lightning), the voyage to the mysterious island goes smoothly enough.

At Dolce's urging, Cesare takes his freshly-formed familar Occhi on its maiden flight, sending his consciousness along with the bird to determine whether this is, indeed, the island they are tasked to map. He discovers no less than eight newly-risen islands! Via and Dolce quickly confer and agree to report only three of the eight islands, creating a loophole for them to possibly investigate the others at some later date.

They make landfall. The shiny-faced Tiziano, Matt, and the rest of their crew depart, to return after two nights. Despite the allure of the buildings Cesare has already spied, the treasure-hunting crew responsibly sets up camp first--only to discover that they have pounded one of their tent pegs into the shell of an enormous crab, about half human height.

The crab proves to be one of dozens that were evidently slumbering under the sand until daylight, at which point they all begin swarming to the water, heedless of the crew standing right in their path. Cesare knocks three out with a Sleep spell, forming a bulwark that causes most of the crabs to detour around them. Vito flips stray crabs away with his Smaul.

Alas, the crabs are soon followed by a pair of gigantic turtles, which attack! With much frenzy and effort; many spells cast by wizard, druid, and bard; and multiple bites, claws, and one charging headbutt sustained by fighter and rogue, the beasts are eventually bested.

They become aware of a third turtle approaching, and quickly make themselves scarce. It lumbers on into the surf, where it begins to feast on the large crabs.

Panting, battered, and frazzled, the group presses on to investigate the ruins, hoping to find some treasure to add to their promised profits from this already-quite-hazardous endeavor. Luckily, Via notices some oddity about the two closest buildings; Cesare discerns that the apparent corals encrusting the walls are species that should not grow together; and Rinaldo identifies one of these 'coral' patterns as two mammoth snakes entwined around the edifices.

They creep away to rest, recover, and deliberate, in the course of which they hear the sound of other human voices, which before long seem to become engaged in combat. After some time, Rinaldo and Cesare gingerly step out of the tent for a look around, and they see the third turtle dragging an obviously dead human body. It settles down with it.

Dolce points out that the ruins are actually a bonus, not their actual mission, which, according to Cesare, they have already accomplished--he will be able to provide a more-than-satisfactory map as is. The crew agrees that their first priority should be to ensure their safety: first, they will eliminate the danger posed by the third turtle; second, they will reestablish a campsite in between the shells of the first two fallen turtles (in the hope that this will dissuade the crabs from approaching them); and third, they will reap the benefits of a longer, more rejuvenating rest period, after which they can decide how to proceed.

With experience (though not without another close scrape or two, regardless), they manage to dispatch the third turtle. Dolce begins to drag the poor corpse to the shore for a sea burial, which is how she spots the mangled body of a woman and the blue-skinned form of a man.

The man proves to be barely alive, and Rinaldo is able to bring him back from the brink. After a little while, the man is able to tell them that he is Elizando Amato, of Gran Lunga, and that he and his team were dispatched from a nearby boat to investigate the island.