The room with the stair case. Was that the same room with the plant? If so will hug the wall around to get to the stairs. Though the boy did say the alarm would bring the dead and we have dealt with them so. Yeah which ever room had the stairs.
There seem to be no other option than to walk the long path back from which you came. This takes you through smashed coffins, the darkness of room before, the false chamber with the empty pedestal, past the scraping of the fight with the mithril snakes, over the holes with the red mist, through the dust with the tracks and finally back to the staircase.
When you try and open the heavy doors shut behind you, you're aided by a slave waiting outside. He bows and says: "I'll alert the mistress," before walking away. Shortly after Tiadora arrives in a deep red dress. She claps her hands and says: "Splendid and so fast it is barely morning. Perhaps some breakfast and sleep but first the cardinal awaits." Noticing Erodin she adds: "My, my that isn't good."With that she leads you off .
Adrastus sits in his study seeming almost as he has moved not an inch from where he gave you your orders at dusk yesterday. “You’ve returned.”
The high priest holds the trinket and pauses as if in deep contemplation. He watches the holy symbol glitter in the light. “A pretty enough thing, eh?” he muses. “This is a holy symbol of Mitra in particular the sort favored by the Knights of the Alerion. Perhaps you already knew that."
“Remember this symbol. This is the mark of those who destroyed our faith and sought to banish all trace of the worship of our Father from these shores. These, my friends, are your enemies.”
He tosses the holy symbol to whoever gave it to him.
“Keep it. It may aid you in disguising yourself.”
He smiles. “You have done well. Escaping from Branderscar, slaughtering Sir Balin … yes, you are worthy. Now, let us complete your training…”
The room darkens while the cardinal moves to Erodin, once there he places his hand on the wounded man’s forehead and the flames in the fireplace roar as he channels the infernal magic. The heat is staggering and then completely gone as Erodin regains conscience. A small nod indicates that you are done and Tiadora leads you to your chambers.
This is the first time your gilded cage tightens around you as the doors are locked, much like a cell in Branderscar.
[]
"Excellent, you are ready," the cardinal proclaims and claps his hands as you finish your last drill as a group. He really pushed you this time, the small cuts and the sweat confirms this. "As a group you are more than the sum of each individual," he continues, still smiling. "Tonight we feast, to celebrate our progress my Nessian Knot," he concludes, this is the first time he has used that name referring to your group.
Later that evening you are seated by the now familiar table but this time the slaves have outdone themselves presenting an elaborate banquet to your honour.
When the feast is concluded the cardinal rests his glass on the table. Suddently he is focussed and says in a serious voice: "And now for the important part," then waves his hand indicating your are done. The slaves understands this and clears the room of everything including table and chairs. Tiadora leads the salves into the room. All heavy dominated and stands silently by her side waiting. The cardinal steps to the centre of the room and begins chanting. The air cracks as foul magic fills the air. The ritual concludes and a barbed devil claws is way into reality. "Choose one," Thorn says gesturing towards the slaves. The unlucky chosen is gleefully ripped apart by the devil, the unholy incarnation feasting on the human blood. Once done cardinal Thorn punchtures an athame and pierce the devil's skin, drawing some of its blood. This is joined by the slave's blood and with the mixture he traces the unholy symbol of Asmodeus on your foreheads. "The Nessian Knot is forged, he proclaims.
“Just in time,” Cardinal Thorn remarks glancing out of the windows. “My ship has arrived.” On the river dock behind the manor under cover of darkness, a square-sailed longship sails into the slip. It sits heavily in the water, laden with a substantial cargo.
Drogan watches and takes in the ritual accepting the anointment and rising a member of the nessian knot.
Randu observes curiously. The symbolism, the nuances of the ritual, much of it is over his head, but his difficulty understanding the minutiae doesn't mean he's going to ignore the lessons here. The Cardinal is strong, ruthless, and definitely not to be underestimated. This pact they're all entering to will surely work to his advantage over theirs, but that does not mean it will not be to theirs at all.
"Ooh, that's gotta hurt," whispers Erodin when the devil rips apart the slave. "I kinda liked that one too." He didn't know what a Nessian Knot was, but Erodin was now damned tied it it - literally.
"Yes,"He whispers back,"Yes, I suspect as much message as anything is being made here."
"Enough of this, he says ending the gathering. "Be merry to night and sleep well for this might be the last in a long time to come," he remarks before leaving.
Walking down the staircase you see Elise the leader of the other group staying here leaving the cardinal's office. She set a brisk pace as she walks past you. Just before she leaves your hearing Tallus greats her and asks: "What news Elise? "We leave now. We're going north, hurry," she replies.
“Welcome, my children,” he says in a deep resonant voice that has an almost inhuman quality to it. “Training is at an end. You have proven yourself worthy. Now, it is time for you to use that training and take on your first mission."
“Your mission is war, my children. You will bring war to Talingarde."
“You have two objectives. First, you will see a shipment of munitions delivered to a bugbear chieftain named Sakkarot Fire-Axe. He makes his camp on the northern coast of Lake Tarik beyond the Watch Wall. With this shipment, the Fire-Axe will have resources enough to unite the barbarous humanoid tribes of the north and light the fire of war."
“Sitting on the dock as we speak is the longship Frosthamar captained by Kargeld Odenkirk. Tomorrow when the ship is resupplied it will be your transport. The captain is a ruthless mercenary and not to be trusted. He knows nothing of the specifics of our mission and you should keep it that way. He knows he is smuggling cargo to the north beyond the Watch Wall. That is all he need know."[/b]
“Once the cargo is safely delivered, he will take you just town of Aldencross. There our contract with Captain Odenkirk will be concluded."
“It is shame how greedy he has proven. I had hoped to let the captain serve me again but it seems he is too much of a liability. Kill him. Kill his crew. Burn his ship and leave no survivors. It is crucial that no one suspects our involvement and that loose ends are taken care of. Be sure to reclaim the coin I gave him. Best not to be wasteful."
“That done, you will begin your second task. We will do more still to aid our ally the Fire-axe. The bugbears are mighty warriors but poor siege engineers. You will infiltrate the tower Balentyne, keystone of the Watch Wall, kill its commander and open the gate for Sakkarot’s horde."
“Once the shaggy monstrosities pierce the Watch Wall, the bugbears will pillage and lay waste to the townships of the north and the local garrisons will have no choice but to meet the Fire-Axe in the open field. Sakkarot is the most brilliant, gifted and murderous bugbear of his generation. I expect these battles will go poorly for the knights and yeoman of fair Talingarde."
“Do all of this and then when your task is done, break this clay seal.” He hands them a delicately carved clay seal adorned with a tangled knot of thorns surrounding the holy symbol of Asmodeus. “I will have more instructions then. Succeed and I will see you rewarded handsomely. Fail or betray me and you will pray for the comfort of Hell before I am done with you."
“The mission you start upon today is a holy mission. The people of Talingarde think they have seen the last of the mighty Asmodeus. Soon enough we will remind them that there is no escaping the grasp of Hell. Let us toast our success.”
He pours one glass of deep red wine for each of the PCs and then finally pours one for himself. He raises the glass and offers a toast.
“To war.”
A splendid plan indeed. Faith has brought us together cardinal. We will watch these lands burn together. Are we to do nothing with the bugbears besides deliver goods? What I mean to ask is will we coordinate with them so they are ready to attack when we infiltrate and raise the gates? The rest is well understood.
Drogan drinks from his cup.
"To War. May it cull the weak," He toasts, "However, I cannot help but notice a great deal of faith is being placed in this Sakkarot. What if he should grow TOO ambitious? Are we to slay him as we do the captain?"
"I would also voice Randu's and Drogan's concerns. It would be a waste if all our training were to go to waste because another decided to lump us in with the cattle."
"I expect as much my dear Drogan," the cardinal says with a smile and continues: "As I said Sakkarot is promising, I am sure he'll have a plan. if not give him one."
Turning to Randu Thorn answers: "He is needed for now. For now help him ravage Talingarde. That may change later." Continuing to Lyrysa he asks: "I am not sure I understand your concern my dear. Sakkarot knows you are not rank and file, you are my emissaries, one of the knots."
Thorn's lips tightens in displeasure. "And what do you is missing Erodin? Must I cradle you like toddlers or can you provide for you selves?"
Then let us be off then, It is time Talingarde finds out that Asmodeus will never be gone from this land.
Randu rises, "Yes, let us drag Talingarde kicking and screaming into its eventual new strength. It will be a bloody rebirth, but when we are done, things will be the better for it."
"Your response has answered my concerns, sire. May we claim this land in the name of lord."
"You may," the cardinal smiles. "Now finish you dealings here and make your way to the dock, the captain will meet you there," and with those words Thorn sees you of.
It is a short but pleasant walk from the manor to the river dock. Awaiting you by the wooden dock is a single-masted knarr. It sit heavy in the water, properly due to the cargo secured in the centre of the ship. A closer look under the canvas reveals weaponry, arrows and shields. The later is painted with a flaming axe motive.
A grizzled north-man with a wiry beard, pale blond hair and countless scars walks towards you from a group of half a dozen comparable men. Once he is close by he looks to Randu and states: "You will guard our boat all the way north, yes?"
Drogan makes sure Zule stays invisible or as a rat the entire time on the ship. Don't want the captain or crew to know he is with us.
We will do our duty captain. That you can count on. Now get us underway if you will.
Drogan smirks at the man giving an obvious air of superiority.
A grizzled north-man with a wiry beard, pale blond hair and countless scars walks towards you from a group of half a dozen comparable men. Once he is close by he looks to Randu and states: "You will guard our boat all the way north, yes?"
"Trust in this, we shall do all that's necessary," Randu smiles.
"Then I will take you to the cursed north past hope and life," he grunts in response to Randu. Evaluating Drogan with a single glance he chunters: "We set sail then." He turns his back to you and walk to the men and his ship.
While the captain has been taking to Randu, Erodin has been evaluating the 6 or so men standing by the "Frosthammer." They seem fit enough to fight but carry no weapons besides a dagger each. As they stand there you have no qualified quess as to their abilitites.
Once everyone is aboard Kargeld Odenkirk quick order the men to set sail. Working as a well oiled the experienced sailors effortlessly manoeuvres the "Frosthammer" down river towards the sea. She sits stable in the river water and makes good speed.
For his part, Randu wanders the ship, claiming to be on patrol, but also looking for its lay out, and where any flammable oils or the like might be kept.
Drogan relaxes spending most of his time on the top deck looking out at the water. While he rest Zule will be doing recon. He will be in his rat form and will be sneaking into the captains quarters. He will only sneak in when the captain is top side and will also use his invisibility. He is looking for any paperwork or anything to provide us with information on the captain.
Following the river flow towards the sea the small flat ship passes a few farming communities and some fishers. A few waves to you and Odenkirk returns their greetings.
It takes approximately half a day to reach the sea and as you turn north darkness begins to fall. This is going to be the first of many nights for you on the ship. The crew acustomed to this kind of travel finds their sleeping skins and lay down to rest next to the cargo under the open sky. There is little privacy and you soon experience the crew relieving themselves over the railing.
Drogan follows suit with the rest of the crew. He helps out if asked. He keeps Zull as a rat and is often found talking to it and feeding it. He doesn't go out of his way to make friends but will not turn away if approached.
A fine idea Erodin. You and Randu split it up.
He holds up his rat
Zull here can watch as well. Lyryssa needs the rest, and while I just need to pray at the right time for my spell I like to sleep. Of course we will watch over you as you make up the sleep in the morning.
"mmmph," Randu is not blind that others seem quick to volunteer his services. However, the idea has merit regardless, and pride, while important, should never be used to embrace stupidity.
Not much help is need and the crew is relucted to ask, they keep remarkably much to themselves on such a small ship.
Days turn to a week as The Frosthammer and its cargo makes its way unhindered along the east coast of Talingarde. You pass by one of the largest cities in this coast Daveryn without any problems.
As you approach the watchwall preparing to leave Talingarde behind you for a little time, Randu notices something on the coastal side of the ship. Approaching you fast is a small patrol boat. You are to heavy loaded to outrun it. It'll be within boarding range in 10 minutes.
Randu fills the others in, "We're being approached and gained on by a small patrol boat. Might want to get ready. They'll be here in ten." He gets his own gear ready for a fight, and informs the captain
Don't rush to weapons, keep about your business. Don't give them a reason to keep following or alert for help. I will handle this.
Drogan calm the group and has them go about doing their normal routine, trying not to raise any more suspicion. He moves to the back of the boat and pulls a dagger from his pack. Placing the blade down he speaks to Zull in hushed tones.
Zull it is up to you. Go invisible and shift into your natural form. Take the blade and go to work on the rope for the sails. If you drop them they won’t be able to catch us. Now go.
Now watch captain as I use my powers to bring down their sails. I am Asmodeus incarnate. I will inherit this world.
Drogan stands staring off at the ship focusing as if willing the sails to fall.
At first nothing happens, then suddenly a rope snap, then another and another until the sail falls from the mast covering part of the deck. The ship immediately begins to loose speed and you gain distance once again. Odenkirk looks impressed at Drogan, "Good work," he mumbles.
A little later Zull return, still laughing from its work. Discretely he seeks out Drogan. "I did good,Yes?" he states.
Well done Zull, as soon as we are done here you will be forced to hide no more. Until then keep it up my friend.
Zull lays the dagger at Drogans feet before shifting back into a rat and becoming visible again. He climbs up Drogan's robes and sits upon his shoulder.
I have come from hell to serve you my master. You are the incarnate spirit of our Dark Prince. Your will be done upon this world.
Drogan walks back to the others.
Good that little show of force should through the captain off a bit. Well if he was plotting anything against us that is.
Erodin, you know the power I have. Why do you ask such things.
Drogan smiles and laughs.