|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
2 Sunsebb, 580 CY, Adri Wood
After the deadly battle in the slaver compound, we gathered ourselves together and catalogued our findings. Adamane took most of his time logging the freed slaves and repairing the damage done to the village. This night he brought us into the main house and told us we were owed a debt of service by the rangers inhabiting the Adri, including a loose affiliation known as Prisstyne's Rangers. Should we ever wish to call in this favor, we need only leave a message at the Druid circle we'd been to earlier. We also discussed how we'll repopulate this village and turn it over to independent rule. There were some misgivings around the table that the villages out in the woods may come under the control of Adamane or someone else, but those thoughts were quickly silenced by Adamane himself, declining any responsibilities for governing, saying he's not interested in governance.
Adamane also took Oliver aside after the general meeting and said that he believed that a meeting with Prisstyne herself was in order. He wanted Oliver to accompany him to the edge of the deep woods where they would find her. He also insisted that it should be soon, as the winter weather would take a turn for the worse before long.
The rest of the next two days were spent recuperating and healing.
4 Sunsebb, 580 CY, Adri Wood
The party split up, with the main body heading south to Munevar. Oliver and Adamane headed north to meet Prisstyne. Their journey would take the better part of a week.
The main group got back to Munevar by evening, after sunset. Galen told his father the events of the last weeks with Cedric and Isaac providing corroborating evidence where needed. Herrell brought up a letter from Marrin. It contained assurances from the prince that the claim of Darrien of Dastryth were unfounded and that Marrin's support was fully behind him. He also pledged to block any military action of Dastryth, for the time being.
DM: Marrin is able to block Darrien because Marin's lands are directly between Dastryth and Munevar. His armies are always ready just in case his dear brother get any idea's.
Cedric suggested an increase in military preparedness should it be required in the near future, perhaps an increase in the peasant levy and more intensive training for the militia. As well, '...for the time being.' sounds vaguely ominous, and Marrin may request aid in the future or leave us to defend ourselves. Herrell concurred but insisted that winter will need to pass before steps need to be taken. It also is worth noting that Darrien claims the Overking's appointed magistrate is corrupt and will not offer a fair verdict in determining the fate of Cherrin, hence his insistence on military action. DM: Whether or not this is true is moot, it has been seen that the Overking has been increasingly lax when it comes to skirmishes between princes. As long as there are no major disruptions in vital resources the Overking doesn't seem to care who controls the land. When a conflict does need to be adjudicated by the Overking it is inevitably for whoever is favored. This favor is most often for those from house Naelax, which Darrien is.
5 Sunsebb, 580 CY, Munevar
The Baalzite, Luarb, has returned from Errantkeep, bringing with him a new priest: Orest. It falls on Orest's shoulders to establish a parish of Baalzy in Herrell's princedom. Luarb stayed for a night and headed back to Errantkeep. Galen arranged a future meeting with Orest at the inn, but before he had a chance to escape, Herrell put a new duty to him. With Dedric out of the town, Rienne needs a new assistant to aid him in doing winter inventory. Lucky Galen draws the duty.
Orest began his parish that very night, offering two coppers to anyone attending his sermon, held in the common room of the inn. He drew a small crowd, but the lure of money is quite powerful. We expected to see more as word got around.
An interesting note came from Galen by that night as well. Apparently, while working close to Rienne, he was told that auguries by the priests of Zilchus drew complete blanks in reference to Baalzy. It was as though something, perhaps a higher power, was blocking their attempts. And he mentioned that the Baalzites have been less than cooperative with the church of Zilchus despite the close relation of their gods' portfolios.
6-11 Sunsebb, 580 CY, Munevar and the Edge of the Deep Woods
Oliver and Adamane
The deep forest is rumored to be alive with some malignant, vengeful force. The feeling of being watched is common. Oliver mentioned feeling watched and Adamane told a tale of a great Olven city that used to exist in the center of the Adri. There was a battle between the Olves and the Ur-Flan, an ancient race of human mages. Supposedly the battle awakened something in the deep forest. He cautioned Oliver never to enter the deep forest and if it were necessary, never to stay overnight. Not one person who has tried it was ever found again. The feeling of being watched intensified as time passed. That is, until we entered a glade that seemed brighter and airy. Adamane pointed out a treehouse thirty feet up and said that this was the home of Prisstyne, and one of the only safe places this close to the deep woods. Adamane called out and a woman came out on the balcony of the house. She waved us up and once into the house, Oliver was barraged by a number of unexpected things. First off, a huge wolf sleeping by the fire. Not unexpected, but completely shocking given the thirty foot ladder climb to get up to the house. Second and perhaps more unbelievable, one of the Olvenfolk. Having never seen one before, and thinking them almost mythical beings, Oliver was speechless at first and then began a flood of questions for Prisstyne and the elf, who's name was given as Kaylee-une (phonetically)(Kei'Ly'Oun). The elf was willowy and looked fragile but having no comparison, may have been a prime specimen of his race. The elf made tea while everyone settled in around a table.Small talk and questions for a while and then Adamane asked the big question. Did Prisstyne know who Pervost was? She told him she did not know the name, but the methods used by the slavers we had defeated were similar to another group of miscreants operating to the east. Oliver surmised that perhaps Pervost a number of these slaver bands to provide fodder for some unknown purpose.
The others
Isaac spent a most of his time training himself with Stewart the Steward. :pGalen spent a large amount of time in dusty cellars counting with Rienne, while Darcius spent a little time with his family in Kleese.
Cedric spent most of his time travelling the lands of Herrell, providing aid and succoring those in need.
Ryvvik spent some time at Voliker's tower, learning to be annoyingly aloof.
11-18 Sunsebb, 580 CY, Munevar
Galen began reading "Whispers of the Unseen", a tome dealing with the 'glories' of worshipping Vecna, a powerful warlock of ages past. He decided not to shock any priests by waving it around. (before you email me telling me Vecna=bad, we know)
Orest made great inroads with the peasantry of Munevar, paying all who came to hear his speeches a few coppers. Burdock, the bartender and owner of the inn was pleased as punch for all the business he had. The coopers mostly went to the bar itself as the people bought ale and sat and listened to the Baalzite. Galen sat in for a few sermons, and so did Darcius towards the end of the week. Isaac continued training and dispensing justice, Isaac-style.
Oliver returned home on the eighteenth, and we got settled in for some winter fun. Needfest was coming up, or 'The Feast of Telcur' as it is known in the Great Kingdom.
19 Sunsebb, 580 CY, Munevar
We decided it would be a fine game to raid the Baalzites room and see what he had. It started out as more of a joke, then became more interesting, as it seemed so easy. Almost too easy.
Oliver and Galen conspired in the common room while Ryvvik and Darcius sat watching the sermon. They got up and went to the back the inn, to where the rooms were. A quick inspection revealed that the door was unlocked. Going inside, Oliver searched quickly, finding a pouch of small coins and a dagger. Taking the dagger and leaving the coins, he returned to report. When asked why he left the coin behind and took the dagger he replied, "Frankly, we all have more coin than he had."
20-25 Sunsebb, 580 CY, Munevar
26 Sunsebb
There was a loud ruckus in the prince's household this night. Everyone was awoken by hurried voices and shouting. Chamberlain Jevanston was waiting with a messenger dressed in a heavy cloak. At this time of night the news must be important. Herrell was summoned and the message was relayed: Dedric has been poisoned by an assassin's arrow. The messenger, a man named Khalonn, told Herrell that Dedric was in a bad way and that he remembered talking to Dedric about a miracle doctor in Munevar. It became obvious that they meant Cedric , who modestly declined being a miracle worker, and that his specialization didn't take poisons into account. He suggested that Mistress Jharelle be summoned from Kleese. Pern, the footman was sent right away. Herrell grabbed Galen and told him to gather whoever he thought might be needed and leave for Cherrin this night.
We were all gathered from our beds and thrown on the backs of horses before two hours were out.
Khalonn: The haste in which this party assembled and set out is a credit to Master Dedrick's character. Though the party was larger than I had anticipated I was glad it was there, to be honest I was at my wits end as to what to do next.
27 Sunsebb, 580 CY, Road to Cherrin
We flew east through Laine and continued on the road in the full moon light. Torches held high we made the best time we could. Unfortunately, our light failed to illuminate a rope stretched between two trees. Galen was the first to be unhorsed by it followed by everyone else but Oliver who managed to brake his horse in time. Following that four men charged out of the thickets on both sides of the road and hidden archers peppered Oliver on top of his horse. The would-be ambushers had that one chance to stop us, and were short work for our seasoned band of adventurers. One bandit had been knocked senseless and three escaped into the darkness. We questioned the one opponent about why they would try and stop us. He said they had orders from their leader, a mercenary captain named Tak-Rekon, to stop anyone coming down this road, especially anyone who might be a doctor. Apparently this Tak-Rekon was expecting a reaction to the attack on Dedric. The prisoner also told us the group of ambushers were part of a disbanded mercenary army. Galen exacted a measure of revenge on the man, carving a "G" into his cheek.
Ryvvik and Darcius remained behind to further question the man while Oliver, Galen, Isaac, Cedric and Khalonn made to reach Cherrin within the hour. The idea was that Dedric may be dead before we get there if we all dawdle questioning the prisoner. While everyone was gone, Ryvvik, through force of will and an indecent amount of gold, persuaded the prisoner to lead them to the farmhouse Tak-Rekon had been using as a base of operations.
Khalonn: To my dismay the party wished to chase after these brigands and allow them to distract us from our goal. Luckily it was easy to reveal this ruse to my noble companions. As for those who stayed behind, well, I just hoped they didn't die this night.
In Cherrin, Khalonn led us to a farmhouse just outside of town where he had secreted Dedric, hoping to avoid another attack. Cedric went to Dedric right away and examined him. He was on death's door, with a high fever and a festering wound. Both of which seemed in keeping with the concept of poisoning. Khalonn told us the story as he saw it.
"Two days ago bandits rode into Cherrin saying Herrell was too weak to hold the town but were chased off by Dedric and myself. The bandits returned the next day and harassed townsfolk until we went to stop them again. When Dedric came out into the street he was struck by an arrow from an assassin. The assassin was dressed in an ash-grey cloak, with his face covered by a mask. Dedric just fell to the ground and quickly faded from consciousness. Before completely passing out, he spoke of a wonderful healer living in Munevar. I hid Dedric and rode for Munevar as quickly as I could."
Khalonn: I only mention this for posterity's sake, I actually learned of this healer in one of the many conversations Dedrick and I had before any of this nonsense started.
We talked quickly, as we worried another attack may happen on the road, to stop Mistress Jharelle and her escort. We split again, leaving Cedric with a deputy to watch Dedric. Galen and Khalonn went back to meet Mistress Jharelle with Ryvvik and Darcius at the ambush site. Isaac and Oliver set out to track the bandits that had harassed the village.
Khalonn: I didn't like the idea of leaving Dedrick but it was apparent there was nothing else I could do. He was in competent hands and it was important to ensure this herbalist arrived safely.
Meanwhile Ryvvik and Darcius went off on their own, using the prisoner as a guide to find Tak-Rekon. They reached the farmhouse, saw smoke curling up from the chimney and surmised that there were people in the house. Ryvvik decided to try and flush the people inside the house out into the daylight and climbed up on the roof. Trying to be silent, he plugged the chimney with his cloak. But as he was doing so, raised voices in the house warnedhim he'd been heard. Climbing quickly down, he got to the front of the house just in time to see Darcius hacking down the first roughly dressed bandit. The second one was short work as well. The next occupant, however, was a little tougher. A huge green-skinned orc stepped out into the light, squinting his piggy eyes. He wielded a huge, wicked-looking axe, wore few furs and looked strong enough to pick up a cow. Darcius closed with him but was quickly worn down by the superior strength of the orc. Fighting defensively now, Darcius occupied him while Ryvvik began blasting him with spells of all sorts. The orc was unprepared for a magical attack, and soon dropped under the weight of his wounds. Ryvvik brought the orc into the house and used a healing potion to stabilize the new prisoner. He gave his new accomplice a horse from the mercenary's paddock and sent him on his way with money and a letter of introduction to Adamane that promised him a new life in the forest. Darcius also saw a figure disappear over a ridge after watching the battle.
Isaac and Oliver tracked all through the countryside, following the tracks to the farmhouse where the battle had taken place. Finding Ryvvik and Darcius there already, they were surprised to find the mercenary leader already captured. Darcius mentioned the figure he saw on the ridge and Isaac and Oliver set out to track that person as well. The tracks met up with two other sets, all of which were likely the escapees from the ambush. We tracked them to another cottage where they had fled. We saw them knock on the door and force their way into the home of a family. We rushed as quick as we could to save the family, but arriveed too late to save the father, who had tried to put up a fight and was killed. After slaying the bandits, Oliver gave five ivids to the family, offering them in the name of Galen of Munevar. Oliver denied being Galen himself and only a nameless man in the service of Galen.
Ryvvik spent a little more time questioning his erstwhile new friend who had yet to ride off. The man told a tale of how he had hired on with Tak-Rekon, done some slaving in the wood and were hired by a cloaked man wearing a mask. The rest only emphasized what we already knew.
Cedric and the deputy were tending to Dedric when a loud thud echoed in the room. Something had hit the door. Covering the patient, the two of them didn't move for three quarters of an hour, seemingly paralyzed by noise. Then, shaking off the rigor that seemed to freeze them, they cautiously opened the door. Sticking out of the wood there was a bolt with a message tied to it. Cedric poked at it for a time, hoping it wasn't trapped or poisoned and was just getting it opened by the time everyone arrived with Mistress Jharelle in tow. She went in and examined Dedric. She confirmed Cedric's diagnosis and added that the poison was manufactured and not natural.
The Note
"If you want to save Dedric's life,
come to the location indicated
one person only, look for the sign of blood."
It was signed with a red symbol.We talked about what we were going to do now. We had an unconscious orc mercenary leader tied to a chair, a princely heir unconscious in a bed, an herbalist with nothing to do and a bunch of friends stepping on each others toes. Oliver just got up and left, going to the inn for a room and getting more sleep. Galen was concerned for his brother and stayed with evryoe else. At this point, Tak-Rekon regained his senses and was set upon by Ryvvik, who dogged him with questions. The orc ignored him muttering in Orcish tongue, which it so happened, Darcius knew a smattering of. Ryvvik drew a composite sketch of the ash-grey cloaked man and showed it to the orc who said, "he is a slayer" in orcish until Isaac threatened him with more bodily harm. Tak-Rekon wanted to deal. He wanted to be released in exchange for more information on the assassin. And he would only talk with Darcius, because he alone had honor.(DM:The orc wouldn't deal with Ryvvik at all because he was a coward who used magic in a fight, Darcius was the only one who spoke Orcish and stood up to him in battle.) Darcius cut a deal with him, promising him freedom. "His name is Sotirios, an assassin from the Northlands. He was hired by Darrien of Datryth, the same Prince who had hired Tak-Rekon to cause problems in the area." Part of Tak-Rekon's payment had been horses for all his men, which we were now in possession of. "You will die if you try to take Sotirios head on. If Sotirios wants you dead, you might as well kill yourself, it will be easier on you."
The people there went outside the cabin wondering if they should honor the agreement made by Darcius, or if they ought to kill the orc outright. The honorable side won, barely, and the orc was led outside to the horses. He was confronted by Galen who said, "Know this. It was my brother that was injured and there was a debate as to whether or not to agree to the deal. It was I who consented." The orc snorted and got on the old nag we gave him. "This horse will die in a day." he said. Ryvvik retorted, "Then eat it." And with that we bid goodbye to the orc who's last words were, "We will meet again."
Khalonn: I was impressed with Darcius in this little exchange and he proved to be both compasionate and honourable. I was also pleased to see that the group honour Darcius' agreement, save for a few dissenters. Once again I find Ryvvik barely clinging to the side of tolerable. I suppose he has hs uses, otherwise this party would not have him…
Ryvvik went for the group to the meeting with the assassin. The meeting place was an isolated cottage, which had been marked with blood in front of the door. After inspecting the house he went inside and waited for the meeting. A few minutes later the assassin entered the door and said, "Excellent. you've come alone." They engaged in a short conversation dominated mainly by Sotirios demanding the deed for the lands of Cherrin. We had two days to comply. In return we would receive the antidote.
Ryvvik writes a whole tract on what has developed and how he was brought to this point. He seals it and heads back to the inn where we'd been waiting. He planned to send the sealed letter to Munevar. However, we all talked and collectively put together two plans. Plan A and B.
Plan A: We send a letter to Prince Marrin, requesting aid from the more skilled priests of Errantkeep. Using a magical raven feather which conjures a messenger bird, we sent off the request. Ryvvik goes to Voliker and Herrell, getting a legalese forgery of the deed to the land and a real copy of the deed, secured by a magic spell that will explode when the letter is read. We would try and pass off the forgery first and if he took it, we'd get the antidote.
Khalonn: I have yet to decide if Ryvvik's actions here were brave or merely arrogant, his actions later cause me to lean towards the latter.
Plan B: If he spots the forgery, we give him the explosively enchanted deed and jump him when it goes off. We get the antidote and the deed is destroyed.
Ryvvik headed off to Munevar with Isaac and we waited. Oliver had a thought that he might be able to track Sotirios and spent the next two days following the trails made around the area, but it was a useless effort. Then, since we assumed he would watch to make sure Ryvvik came alone, we set up our cottage so that you could only clearly see from a certain direction. Hoping to spot him and maybe ambush him, Oliver hid in a psot to watch the watcher. Unfortunately nothing was seen and Ryvvik went on his way to the arranged meeting.
1 Needfest, Feast of Telcour, 580 CY, Cherrin and Environs
At the same meeting place as before, Ryvvik observed the same approach, checking around before entering the house. He waited a few minutes and Sotirios came into the door. He held out his hand for the deed. Ryvvik went with Plan A. Giving him the forgery, Ryvvik waited as the assassin read through the contract. Sotirios tossed aside the sheaf of papers and said, "No good. Do you really care about your princeling?" Ryvvik halted him with an outstretched hand and went with Plan B. "Here it is, the real one." Sotirios glared at Ryvvik and examined the paper. He crushed it down, ran a thumbnail across the seal and unrolled it slowly. This seemed to disenchant the scroll, as no explosion resulted. Our plan seemed to be failing miserably. Sotirios stepped to the door, pulled out a vial of clear liquid and threw it in the snow by the door. Turning quickly he began to move off. Isaac stood and fired an arrow from 450 feet away, striking the assassin solidly. We broke off into a run, Ryvvik leading and everyone else trailing at some interval. We ran the man to ground over the course of five minutes or so. Out of breath, he was far from out of tricks.
Khalonn: I volunteered to stay behind and protect Dedrick. I feared the assassin might escape the trap and return to the cottage to repay our arrogance with Dedrick's death. Thankfully he did not appear, as from the story recounted I would have been no match for him.
Ryvvik was the first one to catch up to him and used his magic to defend himself, creating a magic shield and armor for himself. The assassin muttered some words and a bank of fog rose from the snow all around us. Ryvvik alone was close enough to try and hit the man, but missed. Darcius was the next one into the fog and was surprised to find himself impaled on the assassin's weapon. This gave Ryvvik the chance he needed to cast a cantrip of light on the cloak of Sotirios. Sotirios did something else and jumped incredibly high and we lost him momentarily. The fight became surreal as the two magic lights danced around in the fog. Ryvvik's glowing staff and the glowing cloak. Oliver and Galen closed on the lights and Isaac started firing arrows at the lights, narrowly missing his friends but still finding the flesh of his foe. The fight ended quickly once everyone piled up on Sotirios and Oliver dealt the final blow, dropping the assassin in the snow. We stabilized him and trudged back to the cabin.
DM: Actually they tried to stabilise him. Galen tried to deliver the final blow as subdual damage, but he criticalled. I ruled that in a critical situation subdual damage becomes normal damage since in real life it is sometimes possible to accidentally kill someone with fists or what not (i.e. Boxing). The party found out when they checked him that the assassin was dead, dead, dead.
Merry Feast of Telcour!
