DM Barcas - Kingmaker: Eye of the Cyclops

Game Master Isaac Duplechain

Newhaven stands as a nation in its own right, upsetting the balance of power in Brevoy and the River Kingdoms, placing it in peril of covetous neighbors. An ancient evil rises to threaten everything that the Founders have built, casting a single malicious eye upon their kingdom.


451 to 500 of 524 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | next > last >>

Male Human Cleric (Abadar) 7th / Fighter 1st / AC 24/10T/24F / HP 61 / F +10 R +3 W +11 / Init. +0 / Perc. +5 / Sense Motive +14

Taken aback by Evie, a veritable stranger of Erastil that lived with the Nomen centaurs and was for some strange reason a confidant of Aylene Varn. Admonished in general by Borodin of all people, whom for some reason was acting seriously like a Founder at council for the first time in memory. Interrupted first by Jabber, then by Arkady. Arkady, who had no true place at the Founder's Council, except somehow as Nikoali's informal acting lieutenant which Verik helped to come into being. Jemini, silent as usual when she could put the likes of Jhod and himself into their places with a single calming statement. All of this Verik took in and grudgingly accepted in the interests of the greater good at hand. His incongruous silence was not in keeping with how he felt at the Founder's Hall; so often these proceedings, though essential to the rule of Law and working out the many and varied issues of the Realm of Newhaven, brought out the worst in him. So he kept his tongue and continued to sit back in his familiar chair, crossing his arms before him as his eyes continued to stare back down at Jhod.

Well, almost. Prudence could only go so far in his dealings with the Erastilian.

Even as Arkady and the others talk tactics on how to spy out Pitaxian intentions, Verik's face smiles with bold scorn and he silently mouths his words so that Jhod understands him, nodding and jabbing a finger at him for emphasis. "YOU - ARE - A - DIS-GRACE - TO - YOUR - GOD. GO - HOME - FOOL!" Smiling with no humor in his eyes, he juts his chin out as if to challenge Jhod to leap across the table and try to strike him.


Evelyn is a formidable - if capricious - ally. She along with the touch of Cayden Cailean have given Sanctuary a giddy liveliness that the original founding could not convey. Both of them along with all the other public religious convocations are doing their part to keep this bubbling cauldron from overflowing. Even with Verik's tiresome rivalry with Jhod, I know I can count on Old Deadeye and his flok to keep a close eye on the land. But Jhod and Verik... Blessed Sarenrae! - just give these two boys peace! What is it about men that can make them so sensible in all regards but one!

Abruptly Jemini rises, the motion brings a startling pause to the sussuration that had accompanied the banter in the room. For a pregnant moment all eyes turn to her expectantly, then are rewarded as she speaks. "Allow me to welcome everybody. I am both pleasantly surprised and, I admit, a little ashamed. Although I am acquainted with the majority attending, I am excited to see new arrivals take a hand on the reigns of New Haven, as well as rue that opportunity has until now forbidden opportunity to become personally familiar. I trust that time will not leave us strangers for much longer." The warmth of her words radiate through the room lifting a bit of the pall that had crept in.

"Mivon and Pitax are two powers that we hope will find peace with each other and us. In dealing with them I wish to urge you to recognize that these are different cultures, different ideologies, that are spearheaded by the respective leaders. You may not consider the one or the other palatable to your personal alignments, but in truth they are no different to the many new communities that Sanctuary has made welcome since its founding. Where the leadership of Pitax and Mivon is in conflict right now, tomorrow the one may come to the aid of the other. We thrive on the cosmopolitan, on the inclusive; by coming together from different perspectives we give birth to something greater than the sum of its parts. Where many others would see antagonists; our differences have empowered us, become our vows. This is true for great nations. And it is also true for just two people. For you, and me."

Bluff (veiled message, to Verik): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (14) + 22 = 36

The words are addressed to all, spelling out the imperative of tolerance toward Mivon and Pitax. But they harbour a hidden message that strike a chord with Verik.

Verik, or Sense Motive DC 36:
Verik realizes that Jemini is also alluding to Verik's blossoming romance, how it defies constraints by scriptures, and how it may very well be Jhod who will bind their marriage vows.


Female Human Hunter 8th / AC 22/16T/18F / HP 59 / F +8 R +11 W +6 / Init. +4 / Perc. +17 / Sense Motive +7

Uuuhhhh…yeeaahhh. Nice opening speech. Get your people calmed down. Let’s bring everyone together. Tolerate and then accept all the differences. Hold hand, sing songs, drink too much, fight. Hate to say but it will work out the way it’s supposed to work out. The gods will ultimately lead men to their decisions.

Evie listens to the pleasantly speaking paladin and finds her words interesting enough, but it’s not what she’s looking to hear. But because she knows the woman’s words may have their desired effect on her comrades, she settles in for a longer meeting.

She looks to Barrister, who’s been standing patiently in the corner until given further instruction by his mistress. Evie clicks her fingers quietly under the table and speaks to him quietly. ”De rahat alabilirsiniz. Görünüşe göre bir süre burada kalabiliriz.” The strawberry leopard dutifully obeys and looks only for a gentle pat on the head before laying down silently by her chair. The uncanny thing is that if the cat weren’t so big, no one would even know he was there as he makes little to no sound when he moves. Those at the table with Evie get an uncomfortable feeling that if the cat were commanded to, he could slip silently behind a thing…or a person… and attack without warning. But for now, he is calm and content and using the time to nap. Something Evie wishes she could do.

She raises a hand slightly, to bring attention to herself, as a small child might in an uncomfortable situation. She addresses Jemini first, then the rest of the members. ”I’m sure it isn’t exactly my place to speak now, but I think this is important to mention.” Evie gives Jemini an easy smile and hopes that she will forgive the trespass. ”Since I'm here on behalf of Aylene and Varnhold, I’d like to bring up the matter of the lich that she mentioned to me. I was told that I was to lead your group into the mountains and try and find out what happened to her father and attempt to destroy the creature. I agree that Mivon and Pitax must resch some sort of accord, but I have a concern that the issue may be forced under the shadow of a lich. I don't think anyone wants to see more towns and people disappeared before we can do anything about it. He's had ample time to gain more power and resources. Which crisis takes precedence?”

Despite her truthful words, Evie takes care not to be aggressive or abrasive, since she knows that will not sit well with the council and her thoughts will fall on deaf ears, as they did before.


Male Human Cleric (Abadar) 7th / Fighter 1st / AC 24/10T/24F / HP 61 / F +10 R +3 W +11 / Init. +0 / Perc. +5 / Sense Motive +14

Verik sits with a decided frown at his seat at the Founder's Table, pushing a quill around with the tip of his finger, flushed and looking decidedly away from Jemini. A fat fool's chance of passing the Test of the Starstone before I should ever consider such a thing from the likes of Jhod Kavken! PHAH! I would just as soon be led on a processional without clothes under a canopy of those horrid Desnan butterflies and sing Shelyn-inspired operas on my lady love before the entire city before I would let that one lead a proper marriage ceremony...

He is shaken out of his distressed thoughts, however, at Evie Damyanov's inquiry. Verik stirs himself to lean forward and intently consider her words, outsider though she may be. Jemini seemed so intent on bringing these informal participants into the Founder's Council meetings - Arkady Zeitsev, Evie Damyanov and Jabber in particular, going on about the need for 'variety of perspective' and other such things, stating with the absences of Kesten Garess and Oleg Leveton that this meeting needed to have an informal and more freeform tone to it. Fine and all given the circumstances, though Verik wasn't particularly certain at this point what they were moving to decide upon as a Council, if anything. Of course they did have a suitable quorum of fully invested Founders to set a decree if that was needed, though there were no such motions on the agenda this day...or any agenda motions declared ahead of the meeting for proper review in the first place. It was all so impromptu and improper in his mind, with the likes of Jhod setting his teeth on edge all the more.

"Mistress Damyanov..." Verik decides to answer her first as the Council's silence is profound enough to wonder if someone hadn't cast a silence on the table, with the exception of the occasional cough or creak of chair. He smiles with a slightly deferential nod to her and waves a hand to Jemini while doing so. "Certainly, Mistress Damyanov, you are entitled to speak to this august Council, as the Lady Marshal Lebeda here..." he points to her for emphasis, "...First Founder by our customs of Newhaven, has declared your entry to this Hall to be most welcome." He points to himself next for effect. "And I have no quarrel with the informal inquiry either...so let us discuss what you have put forward to this Council for just a moment. Your reasoning is sound - more sound than the words of those that take the same calling of divinity I should say - yet rarely anymore are the Founders of Newhaven afforded one crisis to deal with at any given time. Not here in these so-called former 'Stolen Lands' it seems."

Verik points to himself, then to Jemini, Nikolai, Borodin and finally to Elsir and Berrin next to him. "Six here...plus our dear Founder Irrisen in a dreamscape world...spied and face this monstrosity that you mention! Defied him and fought his manifestations, and prevailed. Yet we understood the power of this thing was no mere trifle! Then this other political crisis took two of our number away, with four of us journeying on to sunder the source of Varnhold's Vanishing as it were. That effort nearly did us all in, facing a powerful lieutenant of the divine planes beyond our own and taking it down as we were able to, though just barely managed."

"So I believe only the full might of the Founders must be mustered if we are to do as you suggest - those that are trained to fight and face the horrors that surely surround this creature I mean - and we simply cannot do that with this peace summit and Brevian observers of half their great houses all hanging about for the outcome. It is not as we would like, but there it is. So I am afraid we must deal with the present, and plan for the opportunity to deal with that one as soon as this matter is settled satisfactorily."

Verik looks back to Jemini for a moment, saying his next words as much for her as for Evie. "It may very well be that one sees time so much differently than we do, and is content to wait fifty years more until we are addle-brained and decrepit in body to vanquish him. What is the meaning of time to such a one that has survived ten millenia or more? If we can draw him out, or at least seize upon his hubris for an overreach and counterstroke, that would be the wisest course to take him on."


Female Human Hunter 8th / AC 22/16T/18F / HP 59 / F +8 R +11 W +6 / Init. +4 / Perc. +17 / Sense Motive +7

Evie listens closely to Verik’s words and council and weighs them carefully before deciding to respond.

”Thank you for your response, Banker Jarrow. I appreciate your words, although I am surprised that no one else on this council offered up any themselves. It seems a rather important topic, but no matter. I understand what you are saying and don’t disagree with your notion of his time. However, it seems he drew you all out by his actions and we may have limited ability to turn the tables. My concern is for Maegar Varn and those others that were disappeared but may well be still alive. I know peace talks can take a considerable amount of time, but I would think that not all of you will be needed for that. The group may be split once again. Or am I to assume that we all either roam the city or attend to set duties until it all gets sorted out? My plans did not include being a representative of Erastil and checking on the farmers and the wardens, although I certainly can, I suppose. Resolution to these peace talks could take, at the soonest, six months, and at the longest, well over a year. Even if an accord is reached quickly, which I doubt, the armies will take a while to disperse, with this entire town holding its breath while they do. Now I say none of this in anger but simply concern for the souls lost when Varnhold fell. It would make me heartsick to find out that there were survivors but they had perished in our interim. What would I tell Aylene? I have a promise to keep.” Evie then looks to Berrin for a moment. ”You of all people should have a personal concern in this matter, I should think.”


Berrin's face clouds with anger, but the inadvertent nobleman quickly closes the door on his fury. "You're right. I do have a responsibility to my father-in-law and my wife. I would like nothing better than to trek into the mountains with my friends and allies like a sword for hire. But I have a responsibility to my nation. I want to return to my family. I had one day with my son before we learned of the Vanishing and I had to defend our borders. One day. As soon as I am able to do so without endangering the thousands of people who rely on our protection, I will lead an army to Vordekai's gates to kill him and avenge my wife's father and my friend." He hits his hand a few times against the table, letting some of his deep anger at the situation bleed out. "But if I can't do it personally, I trust all of you to carry out my vengeance for me."

Elsir clears his throat to offer his counsel. "Regarding Verik's statement, I concur with his reasoning. Many times, Willas has complained to me that my sense of timing is not well-calibrated towards human norms. A day to an elf is an hour to a human. I can only imagine how a truly immortal creature regards time. We know that Vordekai was awoken from his captivity nearly four years ago, yet there was no trace of his dark influence for a full year. It was more than two years later that he actually seized Varnhold, which was likely within his power the whole time." He stops and casts an illusion spell, creating a visual simulacrum of the lich as seen in their shared dreamscape. Vordekai's solitary eye glows a solid red. Jabber gasps in terror and leaps out of his chair, getting underneath it and out of Vordekai's 'sight'. "My research has led me to the belief that he holds an artifact of great evil thought lost; it was not lost, but rather in his possession while he slumbered, having replaced his eye in times immemorial. This artifact is known as the Eye of Abaddon, a channeling foci to the archdaemons known as the Four Horsemen. The Eye greatly enhances the power of a necromancer, and many men of great evil have spent their lifetime seeking it out. So long as he has the orb in his possession, seeking him out in his sanctum would be a clearly suicidal task. He also has the ability to scry upon us nearly at will; I have some ability to stymie his sight, but I cannot shield us entirely. If we were to seek out and assault his tower without proper preparation, we would surely fail and be absorbed into his army of the undead."


Female Human Hunter 8th / AC 22/16T/18F / HP 59 / F +8 R +11 W +6 / Init. +4 / Perc. +17 / Sense Motive +7

"Berrin, I am truly sorry that you have not been given the time with your son that you should have had. And I understand that you are doing what it is that duty requires of you. Many people will be thankful for your leadership and protection whether or not the peace accord goes as planned, including me."

Evie sighs and leans forward to rest her arms on the table in a motion that is reminiscent of a child that has grown tired of adult conversation. "I guess I'm just trying to figure out the plan for all of us while we're here, and what happens after. There are some of us that have little to nothing to do with the peace talks. And if this Vordekai is as all-powerful and all-seeing as you've shown," Evie looks to Elsir and then back to Berrin, "then it seems as if we won't be dealing with him for a while. For me, there's a difference between being a town's representative and being a willing placeholder for someone in a rescue and revenge outing. The two require very different skill sets." She pauses a brief moment, hoping that someone will offer up a plan of sorts.

"So what do we do from here?"


Elsir holds up a lone finger. "Perhaps, then, I have a solution. One moment." The wizard reaches into a small leather bag hanging from his belt. He draws out a small shard of a mirror and a metal ball, laying the former on the table in front of him. He stops to mutter something under his breath, holding two fingers to his forehead. Without warning, he smashes the metal ball against the mirror and crushes it into a thousand pieces, then tosses the ball into the middle of the room. It turns and rolls under its own volition, defying the laws of the physical world, until it reaches Borodin. "His eye falls upon you, my friend. An unsurprising choice, considering how he probed your mind in his dreamworld." He reaches into the bag again and pulls out a small vial of glimmering dust. He pops it open and blows the dust over Borodin, causing him to shimmer for a moment.

"We haven't much time," Elsir says. He speaks with alacrity quite foreign to him. "Vordekai will re-establish the connection in mere moments. I have found a way to slay him, but we can only speak of it under this veil. Not one word of this shall be spoken outside this meeting, do you understand? Not a single word. If he learns that we know of it, he will seek it out and find it before we can. There is an artifact of sorts, thought lost with the dwarves of Tar Taargadth that imprisoned Vordekai so many years ago. I believe it to be in one of the so-called Sky Citadels that the dwarf empire built after its escape from the Darklands. I believe it to be in Iobaria to the east, far past the lands of the Nomen and in the Syrzemyan Highlands. What form this artifact takes and its precise effect, I do not know - but the dwarves used it to defeat him once before. We have a very brief moment before he will be able to resume his surveillance upon us, so make any questions quick."


Female Human Hunter 8th / AC 22/16T/18F / HP 59 / F +8 R +11 W +6 / Init. +4 / Perc. +17 / Sense Motive +7

"Won't he know what we're doing when we start heading east? You said he's always watching, right?"


"It will require legerdemain and trickery on our parts," Elsir responds. "I can disrupt his sight to give us brief moments, and I imagine that there are times where his attentions are pulled elsewhere. It will not be a simple task. I have a few ideas, but they are too difficult to explain in the short time we have left."


Male Human Magus (Kensai) 5/Rogue UN (Roof Runner) 3: AC 22/18/14 / HP 70 / F +10 R +9 W +8 / Init. +5 / Perc. +12 / Sense Motive +8

"Would it help if we made someone else look like me while casting some sort of non-detection on myself? Perhaps try to give him a false perspective on reality?"


male human barbarian 5, ranger 3

Nikolai breaks his long silence, pushing back his chair slowly and standing.

"If we must embark immediately and address this threat now, I make this proclamation. The conflict between Mivon and Pitax should be put to truce. We cannot enforce or negotiate peace and fight a resurgent evil at the same time. The wise leaders of the two nations will recognize that allowing the lich to fester threatens us all. If war must continue, let it continue when we don't share a common enemy. If a claim lies at the heart of the war, let it be settled with champions or in courts. As the Queen's enforcer, we'll have no violence in New Haven, and when we return with the lich's head on a stake, we can take up this meeting again. Perhaps with compensation from the enemy's stores as a reward for peace and patience."

With that, the big man surveys the foreign leaders, looking for assent or resignation.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31


Disregard Nikolai's last sentence.

Berrin nods and raps the table. "Your lips to their ears, Nikolai, but I don't think it'll be quite that easy. We can make whatever demands of them to make peace, but simply ordering it won't work with this sort of man. Do you think it would work for you, if we were defending against one of them in our lands? Hopefully we can resolve this quickly, get them to stop fighting, but it'll take a slower approach." Berrin stops for a moment and shakes his head. "Did I just speak out in favor of being cautious and not using violence to solve a problem? Ugh."

Elsir offers a small smile at his friend's statement, then turns to Borodin's question. "Vordekai can scry upon any of us at essentially any time. It will take quite a deal of arcane legerdemain for me to arrive at a solution to that particular problem, and it may require my constant attention while the rest of you go in an expedition to recover the artifact. I will continue my research into figuring out where it may be and what form it might take. Until then, let us not speak of it for fear of the lich hearing us."

Akiros stands and adjusts his sword, looking over the assembled Founders. "I will ensure that there is no violence during this summit. I've been praying to Iomedae for guidance and judgment. I will leave it to you to convince them, as Nikolai said, that peace is in their best interest so that we can focus our attention on the true threats that loom over the region. I motion for this meeting to come to a close. Do I have a second?"


Female Human Hunter 8th / AC 22/16T/18F / HP 59 / F +8 R +11 W +6 / Init. +4 / Perc. +17 / Sense Motive +7

Evie looks around, waiting for anyone to say anything, for someone to raise their hand to second the motion, for the fight to break out again between the banker and Jhod, for Jemini of House Lebeda to make a final speech...but nothing comes. She shakes her head and then raises her hand. "I would like to second the motion for this meeting to come to a close." She starts to get up from the table and then makes a quick tap on her leg, indicating to Barrister that it's time to leave. "I'd like to say that this has been...well...fun, but it hasn't. At least when the centaurs have a clan meeting, no matter how serious, there's drinking and entertainment. But this," Evie makes a waving, sort of circling motion with her hand towards the Founder's Table, "I'm not entirely sure what this was. I suppose parts were enlightening, but may the gods bless you and hold your hands when the time comes to try and reconcile Mivon and Pitax. I have a feeling you may need it."

Evie makes her way towards the door, but her look and manner is not one of anger, despite her words, but more one of slight amusement. She stops briefly at the kobold in the fancy clothes. "Now you are interesting. I'd love to hear your story sometime. I can't even begin to imagine what brought you here and got you into your handsome attire, little one." Her smile towards the little kobold is genuine and warm as she makes her way past him and towards the large wooden doors that mark the way out.


While still under the protection from scrying effect:

"Elsir, is there a way your magic - or any accessible to us - that can be used to indicate whether we are currently spied upon? A dagger that glows red in the one case and blue in the other, that kind of thing?"


Elsir pauses to consider the question. "I likely could develop something, though I doubt it would be as foolproof. One can scry on a person, which would be more simple to ward against for a lengthy period, or one can scry on a place, which would also be simple to ward against - but to ward against both would be a difficult prospect. Verik, will you think on the problem as well? As for the question at hand, I second the motion. Remember that we should not discuss this until we know that we are not being watched."


Male Human Cleric (Abadar) 7th / Fighter 1st / AC 24/10T/24F / HP 61 / F +10 R +3 W +11 / Init. +0 / Perc. +5 / Sense Motive +14

Verik nods directly to Elsir on the prospects of discerning any divine counter to the lich's scrying power, though he says nothing else openly for fear of being the one to give away their efforts. He eyes Borodin briefly with raised eyebrows, as if trying to discern some aura or effect around the Spymaster that reveals the horrid "eye" upon him. Eventually, he snaps his gaze away and shakes his head irritably. "Thirdly given to the Prefect-Marshal's motion to end the meeting, and done."

Verik stands up then as several of the others do, clasping Berrin's shoulder briefly before he steps away from the table, and nodding briefly to Akiros before the man leaves the hall. He makes clear avoidance of Jhod Kavken, only briefly glances to spy the faces of both Nikolai and Arkady for any obvious signs of their mood, and otherwise moves to entreat with Borodin on an idea he has. He waves Zander over to join them as well.

"So it is to be the game of ferreting out the machinations of humans and their schemes then, eh Borodin? I daresay I do not fancy your role in trying to get at the true purpose of either Mivonese or Pitaxian here...I can discern truth better than most, but this is no trial or interrogation to ply such, so I am at a loss. Yet I did have a thought and can proxy if need be - Jabber's people are quite adept at moving unseen in both dark and unlikely places, and ply the ways where respectable folk seldom dare go - both in the city and outside the walls. Zander has some kobold scouts of accomplishment in his employ if I am not mistaken. I would encourage use their eyes and ears Borodin if you have not thought to do so already...I am sure with the lightest encouragement on my part that Jabber would be willing to inspire them to the task, and report unto either of you any oddities witnessed."


23 Pharast 4713 | Sanctuary, Bank of Abadar

The sound of urgent knocking echoes through the walls of the Bank of Abadar. Verik Jarrow, already too tired from his ever-growing list of duties, can easily hear it from his chambers. He rouses himself and swings his feet to the floor, ready for anything. For some time now, he has taken to sleeping in his chain shirt in case of emergency, with his Twins within ready grasp. Scarcely have the echoes of the banging stopped when he is already in the hallway. He draws to his attention the roster of guards on-duty, as well as those present; Bertram and Ellard should be walking the grounds tonight, with four more of the Keysworn in their quarters. At the same time, Verik offers a quick prayer to ensure that the blessings of Abadar's divine spells are still in his power to cast. The knocking continues unabated and insistent.

Archbanker Vinodragov opens the door of his guest quarters. The man had griped about the lack of opulence upon his arrival two days prior, claiming that Verik should have the Bank be a demonstration of Abadar's blessings to all. The hostility between the two had dissipated long ago, but Vinodragov never hesitated when given the chance to tell Verik how he believed things should be run. Vinodragov had been disappointed to learn that the Veil and Mists Inn had been rented out to the last room in order to accommodate the Pitaxians, but Verik had gladly offered him his guest quarters as lodging - for the appropriate fee, as is their custom. The man blearily clears his throat, wearing no more protection than a rather ostentatious set of robes. "What is the racket? Surely you keep Banker's hours!"

Bertram Dakkone emerges from the corridor leading to the Chamber Wing, where the vault and Verik's private office sit. He has his crossbow drawn already. "Banker, sir, I insist that you allow me to learn the source of this clamor." He waits for Verik to give his permission, even as the banging continues. When Verik finally does, Bertram quickly moves to the front door of the Bank. The front door is a heavy wood, reinforced with magic and mundane fortification alike. When he expanded the Bank, Verik intended it to be as formidable as Castle Sanctuary, to be used as a sanctuary of last resort. Bertram throws the locks and pulls back the heavy door, straining under the weight.

Akiros Ismort stands on the other side, accompanied by a half-dozen men of the city guard. Two hold spears, but the rest wield blades - and thus were likely trained by Akiros himself. "Verik, our friendship means a great deal to me," he starts, "but I will not let that stand in the way of a proper investigation. Jhod Kavken was murdered hours ago. What were your whereabouts after the meeting?" Verik can tell, even in his shock, that Akiros is testing him to see what his response it.

Akiros - Sense Motive 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27


Sanctuary, Castle Sanctuary

Arkady pads around the silent corridors of the castle, thankful for the protection of heavy walls. Since he arrived with his son - not his whole family, he thinks bitterly - a week ago, he has spent almost every night learning every point of egress, every blind corner, until he feels safe. Until he knows, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Zus is safe. He will always have the protection of Gytha and Kabula, who kept his son alive during the Vanishing, even after Solvi was taken... It pains him greatly to think of his family fighting for their lives, but he steels himself by ensuring that it will never happen again.

He finds himself back at the door to the small two-room suite reserved for him, Zus, Kabula, and Gytha. He unlocks it silently and pockets the key, closing the door behind him without a sound. The dark doesn't bother him. He can hear Kabula's heavy snore, easily giving him proper bearing in the darkened room. He silently makes his way to the other room, where his son slumbers. Moonlight streams into the room from an open window, along with cold air of early spring. He shuts the heavy wooden windows so as to ward off the cold. He stands silently for a moment, staring at the still form of his son.

He sits down next to him on the cold floor, wanting to simply be close. Zus has been withdrawn and moody, as any child who lost their mother would be, but Arkady doesn't know how to talk to him. Sitting on the floor, he can remember the hope and love of new fatherhood - but that seems a sad echo of what he feels now. He feels terror, anguish, and enduring pain, along with thankfulness that he still has his son. He puts his hand on the boy's chest, feeling him breathe in and out steadily, and simply closes his eyes to match his own breathing. His eyes snap open when he hears Zus whisper to him. "Papa, is that you?" He can barely say anything in his pain, so he whispers the barest of responses. "I saw her, papa. Mama came to me, told me that she misses me. Did you see her, too?"


Sanctuary, The Scales

Evie sits in front of the fire, enjoying the tang of whatever the kobolds are having for dinner. Camps, tents, and wagons dot every open area in Sanctuary - all except the areas surrounding the Scales, where the kobolds live. Evie doesn't mind the kobolds at all, and nor does Barrister, and thus she is happy to have some spot where a half a hundred people aren't falling on her every minute of the day. It certainly helps that she seems to have their leader, the properly-named Jabber, wrapped around her little finger. He practically begged her to come with him, pleased as he was with her kind words.

"Yes, Jabber is friend of Jee-mee-nee and Banker Jarrrrow! Jabber is most useful! Jabber shown mercy, Jabber pays back! All kobolds feel same way! Most loyal! Trolls and talk-balloons lead kobolds bad, but no more! Jabber tell kobolds, new leaders, better leaders, no chance of eating kobolds!" The rest of the kobolds, listening to them, seem to hiss at that prospect. "Now we get treasure, as much as we find, and safe place. Sank-chu-rey, New-hay-ven are good places, very good! You be happy here." Evie grins at the open nature of the funny little kobold, still dressed in his finest clothing. Enjoyable conversation doesn't stop her keen sight from noticing something odd, however - a young man sneaking towards the northern wall, trying not to be noticed. He is good at hiding, but she is better at seeing. She recognizes him as one of the Founders from earlier, the cousin of the Banker of Abadar - Taisper, his name was. She wonders what he is doing out so late and so secretly.


Sanctuary, Castle Sanctuary

Jemini is awake early, knowing that they have a difficult day of negotiations ahead of them. This will be preliminary, merely setting the terms of what to talk about, but getting this right will make the rest go more smoothly. She has a list of ideas and tactics written down - in code, of course - that she continues to refine. Berrin will be leading this stage of the talks, having had some success at finding common ground with the common soldiers, at least. He probably went drinking with soldiers from both sides afterwards, as well as his own - in hopes of forging more common ground, as he tells it. That's as likely as any to work, she reminds herself. She would prefer spending her morning with her sister in the Brevic estate, but she has too much work to do. She knows that their father has instructed Ellana to make another attempt to obtain a marriage proposal from Nikolai, which is the farthest thing from Ellana's desires. It has been weighing heavily on her sister, but Jemini cannot spend her focus on that; she knows what Nikolai's answer will be, regardless of the wishes of her father. She also knows that she, herself, will have to ward off Zander Orlovsky's attempts at romance, well-intentioned as they are. Newhaven is not a province of Brevoy, she reminds the others often in the Founder's Meetings, and it should not be entangled too heavily in Brevic affairs.

She hears a knock to the library and beckons the caller to come in. The captain of the guard and Akiros's second-in-command, Giergios Dumanov, strides in and stands at attention. He is accompanied by Gregary, the former Warden they rescued years ago from the clutch of the vile harpies - unknowingly awakening Vordekai as they did so. The young man has mostly recovered, but he petitioned to be released from the Wardens so that he could join the city guard, where routine would help aid his recovery. "Lady Marshal," begins Dumanov, "I have terrible news. I have sent men to awaken the others, but I felt that you should know. Jhod Kavken is dead. Murder."

As Nikolai and Borodin would be pretty identical to this one, assume that they are notified as well and come into Jemini's library immediately.


Female Human Hunter 8th / AC 22/16T/18F / HP 59 / F +8 R +11 W +6 / Init. +4 / Perc. +17 / Sense Motive +7

Evie enjoys one more bite of the tangy stew.

Rat, maybe? With some potatoes? Not entirely sure what the broth is, but it’s not too bad. Could do with some salt, maybe some leeks. At least it’s warm though. Definitely a different tang than squirrel.

But then she notices the man named Taisper out of the corner of her eye. Barrister notices as well, almost at the same time as his mistress. With a quick look and a nod of her head, the big cat gets up and heads off into the night in the direction of the man. ”Don’t lose him. I’ll catch up.”

Not being one to ignore her instincts and being ever curious, she hands her bowl to one of the other kobolds to finish off and gets up from her seat by the fire. She straightens her gear and looks to Jabber.

”Feel like going on an adventure? You know this city far better than I do and I may need your help. But you have to be quick and quiet, right? Like my brave cat there.” She smiles at the little kobold and motions to the direction that Barrister went. ”Let’s go see what’s up.”

Evie takes off with Jabber in tow to where she last saw Taisper. She takes care to be quick and quiet, just as she said, and shortly catches up with Barrister.


Sanctuary, Castle Sanctuary

Arkady’s hand, still resting atop his son’s chest, tightens as if to throttle his first answer to the boy’s question. Slowly, dark eyes close, and his shoulders rise and fall with a deep breath. ”A dream,” he mutters, affecting a dismissive tone. ”Nothing more. Rest.” He rises to his feet in a single motion, an uncoiling, the only sound a soft grunt for Zus’ benefit. Inwardly the widower curses her for not visiting his dreams, then curses himself for that bit of foolishness. ”Rest,” he says again, then slips back out the way he came.

In the hallway, he slouches against the wall next to his door. Fool. Leave the boy to Gytha, or to Kabula, he chides himself. You know no comfort yourself; how will you comfort your son? No sooner does his soft, bitter laughter become audible than it dies on his lips. Focus on what is in front of you. A peace accord where no peace is possible. Seeing to the safety of a man who will suffer no guards. Hunt a lich with the power of a god, a cyclops who sent the monster that… For a moment, his thoughts are no longer his own. A wordless roar fills his mind as he raises one hand to press his knuckles into his forehead, then drives the heel of that fist into the stone wall at his side. Damn him, he thinks. ”Damn you,” he whispers then, in case it is listening. Alone in the hallway, Arkady slides to the floor, back against the wall, and sits for a time in silence.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Male Human Magus (Kensai) 5/Rogue UN (Roof Runner) 3: AC 22/18/14 / HP 70 / F +10 R +9 W +8 / Init. +5 / Perc. +12 / Sense Motive +8

Borodin wasted no time leaving the Founder’s meeting. He wanted to put quill to parchment while he had the chance and before his other duties pulled him away from the castle. He scribed a couple of short notes using a block cipher to both Elsir and Verik.

Cipher:
’Since we can’t discuss tactics in the open. I had a couple of thoughts regarding the lich. If we inadvertently release him from our explorations of Candlemere and Ghorraneaux’s ruins, what is to say part of the answer to locking him up again wouldn’t lie there as well.
In addition, do either of you have ideas of what the artifact that could help destroy Vordekai would resemble or where we could start looking? We would use our network of informants to keep an eye or ear open for ‘strange’ news or items without necessarily telling them what to look for.
Borodin

Message completed, the spymaster places the missives in a pre-arranged dead drop for later disbursement and strolls over to the Scales to have an impromptu meeting with Jabber. The little fellow was very happy to lend as many of his fellows to help in ferreting out potential plots from the Mivonese or Pitaxians while they were in Newhaven. Not wanting to take too much of his time away from Evie, Borodin excused himself and made his way towards the War Academy. Uncharacteristically, he passes his Aldori Fighting School grounds and the Home Guard Bar, nodding to many of the Wardens and Key Sworn he bumps into along the way.
He finds his destination a block later at the Nymph’s Fruit. Striding into the main bar he can see many Calistiran acolytes lounging alluringly amongst the patrons.
While Borodin was not prudish by any means, he did not take easily to lying with almost strangers. His heart had been broken, and he thought about his true love daily. ’Did she really exist? Or is she now just a figment of my imagination?’ ”Katarina.” He whispers her name, even as he stares at a young woman, seductively staring back at him, while exposing enough of her cleavage to pique his interest.
The Magus was looking for one person though, and her laughter at the end of the bar alerted him to her presence. He saunters up to Evelyn Dinarda, leader of the Calistrians of Dragonswatch. ”Rumor has it that you’re looking for a real warrior to bed. I think up til now, you’ve been looking in the wrong place.” His bold and not to subtle statement draws a few giggles from the closer revelers.
Evelyn smiles impishly at him as he steps in closely. He embraces her and kisses her passionately. His bravado is mostly for show, as he can’t think of anything else to get close to her without drawing undue attention. Surprisingly, she turns him around, his back against the bar and presses herself against him all the while prolonging their kiss. He breaks free of her lips, afraid for himself if he maintains the kiss much longer. ”Keep an eye on our guests for me. Anything alarming, send a message to Barrister at the castle.” he whispers in her ear while pretending to nibble on it.
”Sir!” A soldier calls out from the open doorway. ”You’re needed in the castle. There’s been a murder!”
Borodin sighs and looks from the soldier, then back to Evelyn’s divine face. ”Duty calls my darling. You know where to find me if you want to continue our conversation.” She slaps him on the backside as he walks away evoking laughter not just from her acolytes but the Spymaster as well.

RPG Superstar 2013

The Dragonlord jogs to Jemini's library, bare chested and barefoot. He wears leather breeches secured with the ornate belt buckle that dresses his armor. The giant holds his great blade by its dragon-scaled sheath in one hand, and his armored shirt in the other.

He fills the doorway, ducking under the archway and stepping into the room. He looks immediately to Jemini, but then at his other friends.

"What news? How long ago?"


Sanctuary | Castle Sanctuary

Giergios Dumanov nods politely to Nikolai as he enters. For whatever reason, the scion of House Rogarvia has always felt that the captain of the city guard does not trust him, but he has never treated him with disrespect. "Jhod Kavken has been murdered. His body was found just north of the Sphere and Rose. His throat was torn out with a terrible injury, as if by a great beast. It happened less than an hour after the meeting of the Founders. The Prefect-Marshal is leading an investigation. It seems that the Patriarch was at the All-Faiths Cathedral when a runner came with word that Banker Jarrow wished to speak with him, urgently." He lets the implication hang into the air. "The Prefect-Marshal is following up on this lead as we speak." Borodin arrives just as he finishes, giving Dumanov the opportunity to repeat the basic framework of his initial report.


Male Human Cleric (Abadar) 7th / Fighter 1st / AC 24/10T/24F / HP 61 / F +10 R +3 W +11 / Init. +0 / Perc. +5 / Sense Motive +14

Sanctuary, Bank of Abadar

”Wha-what? How? Akiros how can this have…have…” Verik’s words trail off as he stares wide-eyed and mouth agape at his austere friend, his mind blanked with the news as if someone took a mental club to his head and hit it with him repeatedly. A roar of emotions come bubbling up from many places in his mind, but Verik quickly squelches them down again, slowly gaining conscious control of his faculties. The ominous shadows from the men’s carried lantern light mingles oddly with the white globes of illumination that cover the front of the Bank’s entrance and foyer.

Verik closes his mouth, drawing himself up and straightening his posture formally, drawing his nighttime robes more about him as he holds Akiros Ismort’s clouded but steady gaze in return. Of course…no need to answer as I am the suspect here…the Rights and Obligations of the Accused…the forms must be – BUT I DIDN’T KILL HIM! Akiros doesn’t know that though…the council…yes…the forms of law and interviewing suspect must be followed…I know that…I WROTE most of it…I am a suspect to murder…Jhod…okay then…

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Heh just for fun to show how bad he potentially is at it if he does try to lie

”I will answer all of your questions, Akiros Ismort, and know here and now that you have my full acquiescence and compliance in this matter, in accordance with Newhaven’s laws on the Rights and Obligations of the Accused. In front of your men and mine as witnesses, I shall verily submit to the questions under a Truthtelling if you deem necessary, cast by a Clerk you deem suitable.” He adjusts his robes again slightly and crosses his arms before him. ”Now then. After the Founder’s Council had been concluded – such as it was – I left the castle grounds to the Sanctuary town hall main building to attend other business for the rest of the afternoon. Specifically, I met with Councilman Leggert on fundraising plans to cobblestone the main thoroughfares of the southern district, as well as several magistrates on various cases they wanted to discuss with me regarding proposed minor changes in procedural law. I also met with tax collector Tirei on a distributions matter Oleg wanted me to clarify with him…some other informal conversations…I left the Town Hall buildings shortly before sundown.”

Verik’s face wrinkles up slightly then, for he realizes the next part is going to go ill for him, depending on when this horrid act actually occurred. ”I was going to meet with Madame Bellavieu at The Golden Wheel for dinner, but she was detained at her manor with business negotiations and sent word to me via messenger to cancel our plans tonight. So I went down from the Town Hall to the Park of Lanterns to watch the sunset upon the Tuskwater, and take a stroll through the grounds, as I often enjoy doing. I was…by myself…and though there were others present in the park I cannot say any were acquaintances that I knew or knew me. I was there until dusk’s shadow, then made my way back to the Bank here, whereupon I was attending business with Senior Clerk Eben Whitestag and Vaultmaster Lago until they retired. I retired myself from my formal study some two spans before the midnight stroke.”


Jhod? Murdered? Verik? Blessed Sarenrae, no.

"As you hear, Nikolai, Jhod's dead, murdered. It is likely just a formality, but his remains are already being investigated to verify his identity and to glean what we can at how he was killed."

"What bothers me is the why. The circumstances as they are given are likely a ploy. I don't believe Verik would be foolish enough to murder anybody - least by means which obviously implicate him. But whoever masterminded the assault went through significant effort to paint a target on Verik." Jemini's eyes close as she pictures a scene in her mind. "Is Verik the target? Or is he just convenient? Or... is Verik him-- no, that is absurd."

"Any number of causes may be at the heart of this; but if we for the moment just reduce it to the major known issues and test them - then this is what I see: the dispute between Mivon and Pitax. Of the two I'd trust Pitax to turn to such brute force, and I'd trust Mivon to have gathered the necessary intelligence to design a scenario such as this. I do not see any obvious motivation - neither Jhod nor Verik have given any indication that would favor either Mivon or Pitax. Furthermore I do not know if either can produce an agent inside Sanctuary that is able to kill a powerful cleric such as Jhod."

"Conversely... Vordekai; we cannot discount the possibility that he's picked up on all manner of knowledge and he may very well be able to project his force all the way to us and slay Jhod. But I have a hard time imagining that creature acting with such a degree of subtlety - without sending an obvious message or sowing panic and chaos."

"Nikolai... what is going on?"


male human barbarian 5, ranger 3

Nikolai chews his lip, a habit Gladcoin has taken to fining the Dragonlord for. He raises his eyes to Jemini.

"If Akiros arrests Verik, he will do so respectfully and quietly, but he will not leave without the priest in tow. And that compliment could be attacked as a way to silence Verik and divide New Haven. I'll see that nothing like that happens. Whether Pitax or Mivon or Brevoy or Vordekai, we have to be quick. Whoever planned this is ahead of us all."

The big man nods to his Queen and makes an awkward pause, suddenly aware he rushed into her library undressed. He exhales heavily and steps back out into the hallway, raising his arm to don the chain shirt.


Sanctuary, Bank of Abadar

Akiros seems to acknowledge Verik's alibi, though the stoic warrior is as inscrutable as ever. He seems to be at ease, though Verik knows from experience that Akiros has the speed and skill to have steel in hand without even a moment's notice. Before Akiros can respond, Archbanker Vinodragov makes an offer. "There's no need to call a Clerk. I can cast a spell of Truthtelling. I trust that will be sufficient, and that I am sufficiently removed as to be trusted as a neutral third party?"

Akiros nods in acceptance of the offer. "That's fine. My men will interview your men, if you have no objection, while we conduct our investigation." He pauses for a moment, seeming almost apologetic. "I hope you understand why I am here. Your mutual animosity towards Jhod is very well-known, and I witnessed with my own eyes your argument last night. I hope that you are innocent, but my hopes and feelings are not proof. Once we have something conclusive as evidence, we can move forward." His guardsmen take Bertram into the next room, leaving Akiros alone with Verik and Vinodragov.

Vinodragov stands behind Verik and touches his shoulder. Verik can feel the holy energy of Abadar's will affecting him, reaching into his mind. For a brief shining moment, the truths of perfect order are laid out in his mind - then gone, leaving him with but a bare memory of perfection. His face shines for that moment with the appearance of an axiomite of Axis before returning to his own visage. Verik willingly consents to the spell, as he has many times before while practicing the spell with his Clerks. Vinodragov nods to Akiros, letting him know that the spell is active. "He is affected by Abadar's Truthtelling, and can not knowingly tell a lie for its duration. The spell does not compel the subject to speak, however, and the subject can evade questioning."

Akiros seems to understand. "State your name, please, and repeat the statement that you gave a moment ago." Verik complies, repeating his explanation of his whereabouts. He knows that a clever killer could simply omit any details and still fall within the boundaries of truth required by the spell, but he also knows that Akiros will require specific denials from him. As he finishes, Akiros launches into his questions. "Is it true or false that you and Jhod have hated one another for years now? What is the source of your feud?"


Sanctuary, Castle Sanctuary, First Floor

It doesn't take long for Elsir and Berrin to arrive, summoned to deal with the crisis. Berrin gives Nikolai an odd look as the big man shrugs into his chain shirt. He listens to the charge with incredulousness. "Verik wouldn't kill anybody. It's not in his nature. Akiros should take a dose of common sense and figure out who actually did this. My money is on Vordekai. Let's raise him from the dead and figure it out by asking him. We have the money. I move for an emergency expenditure to raise a Founder, pain in the ass or not."

Sanctuary, Castle Sanctuary, Second Floor

Arkady sleeps as he sits in the hallway, back against the wall. His dreams, as always, are plagued with memories that he wishes that he could forget. In his most hopeless moments, he has considered seeking out a wizard of sufficient power over the mind to actually remove them. Bitterly, he dreams. Solvi stands before him, beautiful as the first time he saw her. Beautiful as the last. "I waited for you. I thought you would come home." She reaches for him to embrace him. Even as Arkady knows that it is a mere dream, he cannot resist the chance to be with her shadow once more. "It's better now. You should join me. Zus, too. We can be a family again, forever."

Outside Sanctuary

Evie follows Taisper past the edge of the city. He slips out of the walls, heading north by northwest. He is wary and canny, taking pains to ensure that no one follows him - but he has never been tracked by someone like her. She nearly blends into the environment, staying low as they pass through the cleared forests and into the swamps. Jabber tries his best to be just as sneaky, doffing his cape as he leaves the Scales. He has the benefit of small size and a natural disposition towards hiding. With Barrister following silently, they track Taisper into the swamp for a full hour, until he arrives at a cabin in the woods. It is built into the side of a small hill, and appears to be little more than a shack. Taisper methodically fiddles with something near the door - a trap, she would suspect - before going in and closing the door behind him.


Female Human Hunter 8th / AC 22/16T/18F / HP 59 / F +8 R +11 W +6 / Init. +4 / Perc. +17 / Sense Motive +7

Evie will be using the following things to determine what Taisper is doing:
Animal Focus: Falcon (+6 to perception) and Mouse (gives Evie Evasion per the rogue class feature)
She has all her gear with her and will be using her Gloves of Reconnaissance
Barrister will have Animal Focus of Bear (+4 to Con) and Bull (+4 to Strength)

Speaking to no one in particular but mostly to herself, Evie whispers in the dark, ”What in the open fields is he doing?”

What am I doing? I don’t even know this man, but everything is telling me that something is off. But what? And why in the stars does he have a cabin so far away in the swamp of all places?

Evie continues to listen to her instincts and looks to her companions.

”I want you both to stay here and stay silent.” She specifically looks to Jabber. ”You can do that, right? Barrister will make sure that nothing happens.” And then she moves off, nearly silent, into the darkness.

As she gets closer to the cabin, she takes even more caution to make no noise and to keep her eyes open. She moves around to the right side of the structure and gets to what she thinks is a good position, out of sight of the door. Taking a deep, slow breath, she starts to place her gloved hands on the side of the cabin. The smell of the soft leather is always comforting to her. But whenever she has use of their special properties, the smell of the leather starts to intermingle with the smell of fresh, wet grass…the kind that grows just on the edge of a muddy bog warmed in the sun. Most people would probably wrinkle their nose, and the thought makes her smile, but she has work to do now. Her finger tips, then her gloved palms touch the side of the wooden cabin ever so lightly. She concentrates on trying to see the interior of the place, not sure of what she’ll see.

”This is ridiculous! Why in the known world am I doing this? I’ll bet the man is just sitting down to some bread and cheese before he tucks in for what’s left of the night. People in the towns keep such strange schedules. Sleep during the day, up all hours of the night.

Evie shakes her head a little at the thought and then goes back to concentrating.


Outside Sanctuary

Evie presses her hand against the exterior wall of the cabin. The gloves were a gift from Korak Kaag, the chieftain of the Rakshala centaurs, for saving his foal from a mountain lion. He had acquired them a number of years before in a duel with a human poacher that encroached on centaur lands, but found them useless because one could just push aside the canvas flap to see what is going on inside a centaur's hut. She finds herself putting it to good use back in the human land by spying on Taisper.

She has used the gloves before, but she continues to find it a bizarre sensation. One moment, she is staring at the wooden wall with her eyes - then a moment later, she can see through the walls, but through the vantage point of her hands. Taisper is not sitting down with bread and cheese. He sits at a spartan desk, staring at something intently. He mutters to himself. "So many enemies of God. So much to do. Why not act? It is blessed, it is expected. No. What would she think? What would Verik think?" He shifts in his chair, letting her see that he is handling a box of some sort - a box with a preserved eye displayed in it.


Female Human Hunter 8th / AC 22/16T/18F / HP 59 / F +8 R +11 W +6 / Init. +4 / Perc. +17 / Sense Motive +7

What the?!?

Evie instinctively pulls her hands away from the wooden boards, as if she's touched a hot coal by accident.

Please don't tell me that man has an eye in a box. There's no way he has an eye in a box.

She rolls her head from side to side, shrugs her shoulders a few times, and shakes her hands out, all in an effort to release the bad feeling she has in the pit of her stomach. She blows her breath out slowly, making note of the cold air mixing with the warmth, and then gingerly places her hands back on the boards, hoping she was wrong.


Sanctuary, Castle Sanctuary, Second Floor

Is this a dream? Arkady thinks to himself, raising one hand to stare briefly at his palm before his eyes are drawn again to the woman before him: his late wife. If so, a strange one. No, this is my... This is her. Radiant, powerful, wild. He stretches his hand toward her, and in the hallway his words are muffled, though in the dream they are sharp as a blade's edge. "Zus? Perhaps. But I think not me, Min Askväder. Tell me truly... Do you believe that an afterlife at your side awaits me? Or will I be denied you again, beyond the veil, for eternity?" His smile is a wound beyond healing as that outstretched hand falls to his side. His chin cocks to one side so that now he watches her out of the corner of his eyes, awaiting her answer.

min åskväder:
Skald: My Thunderstorm


"If Vordekai is involved, we can expect powerful magics to also be at play. For all we know, Verik may be controlled by compulsion and may even admit to the murder." Jemini's cheeks are aflush with a warm glow as the situation has her at a loss.

"I agree with attempting to raise Jhod - though there's a chance, especially if Vordekai is involved, that Jhod's soul is captured and cannot return to us if we call."


Male Human Magus (Kensai) 5/Rogue UN (Roof Runner) 3: AC 22/18/14 / HP 70 / F +10 R +9 W +8 / Init. +5 / Perc. +12 / Sense Motive +8

Sanctuary, Castle Sanctuary – First Floor

Borodin strides into the meeting chamber as Jemini finishes her last thought. He hasn’t yet made it fully into the room as he replies.

”I would think that Verik is quite protected from compulsion. He stood his ground with ease in the Shadow world. As far as his role in Jhod’s murder, I don’t buy it. It’s too convenient to blame him. It is Verik after all. He’s so concerned with law and order that it would be the very antithesis of him.”


Outside Sanctuary

Evie places her hand back on the wall, slipping her sight back through her gloves - but Taisper is gone. She moves her hand about to see different angles, but she can't see him. She didn't hear him get up and move from outside, but he is nowhere to be seen. The silence of the swamp suddenly seems overwhelming. She is miles from the city with no one but Jabber and Barrister to help her should she be confronted by a man who apparently keeps a collection of eyes. She slowly withdraws her hand, hoping that Taisper won't be standing next to her when she resumes her normal sight. Her heart races as her vision is restored, but Taisper is just gone.

Inside a Dream

Solvi smiles at her husband. It is a bittersweet sight, knowing that he will not see it again in his waking hours. "We could be together again before the afterlife. There is a way that I could return to you so that we can be a family again. Wouldn't you want that?" Arkady's wife steps forward and grabs his hand, putting it on her face. He knows that it is but a dream, but it feels so real - and cold. "I can still be saved," she whispers, if you're brave enough to save me."

Sanctuary, Castle Sanctuary | First Floor

Berrin's face clouds when Jemini mentions the possibility that a resurrection spell would not work. "Well, that's another reason to kill Vordekai. We all know Verik. He wouldn't kill Jhod, even if they did have a lengthy history of hating one another, and nearly came to blows more than once, and had a heated argument this very day..." He trails off before he makes more of a case that it might be possible that Verik did, in fact, murder Jhod. "I say we go prove his innocence and find the real killer."

"What of the summit?" asks Elsir. "Surely they would use the murder of a Founder and the suspicion falling upon another to cast the blame upon Newhaven for the failure of the peace process. Both sides are looking for the slightest excuse. We cannot rule out that it was one of them. Assassins have surely slipped into the city looking for work, despite the best efforts of Akiros and the City Guard."

Berrin growls a bit in disgust. "Ugh. Fine. I can handle the major players and give you all some cover. Elsir, perhaps you can go with me to keep a look out for some clues that might point us in the right direction. After all, my strategy of distraction is going to involve buying lots of ale for everyone." He looks around for support from the others for this plan.


Male Human Cleric (Abadar) 7th / Fighter 1st / AC 24/10T/24F / HP 61 / F +10 R +3 W +11 / Init. +0 / Perc. +5 / Sense Motive +14

Sanctuary, Bank of Abadar

It seems a long while before Verik can speak the words to answer the questions of Akiros. His face decidedly frowned in thought, emotions of doubt and remorse play across his face even as an image of the golden holy key of Abadar now shines above his head, a faint chiming sound heard in the room. The intensity of the golden illumination as well as the steady chiming sound seems to vary in intensity slightly as Verik struggles for an answer. Finally, he speaks the truth at what is to him is a very complicated question.

”It is…true…that Jhod Kavken and I have despised one another for near three years now. Hated one another…yes…at times...I loathed and despised him comfortably and steadily since the summer of 4710, though to be precise I believe hatred is a stronger word of a different order entirely, and I cannot say I did so solidly for these years passing.” The chime of the golden key seems to resonate with his words - True – but Verik puts up his hands to Akiros as if to acknowledge evasiveness on his part. ”I am trying to give you all, Akiros, but the questions you ask are…hurtful to my mind and give me shame…and I cannot tell you truthfully how much Jhod truly hated me in turn and how long, for I truly do not know.” He takes a steadying breath and continues.

”Jhod and I were friends once, and I had saved his life at Stagfall. In the early days of the beginnings of Newhaven we had fundamental disagreements and divisions on laws and priorities of the fledgling realm, were rivals and competitors at times for the minds and hearts of the citizens of Newhaven that were arriving in those early days of 4708 and early 4709 through Jemini and Nikolai’s return to us. Yet we were still friends and spoke often together often on matters informal as well as formal. He taught me herb-lore, healing and birthing. That friendship…changed…somewhere in the summer of 4709, in the time before Nikolai Rogarvia’s second trial and the Battle of Dragonshead.” Verik looks up briefly at Vinodragov then, keeping his face devoid of emotion as best as he can. ”It was a…hard time for me then…the trial, the Brevian nobles all here in Sanctuary…other matters…” Verik’s voice trails off then with a somewhat haunted look in his eyes, remembering something he does not relate to them. Though he does not lie, Verik could be said to be evasive on not elaborating. After a moment he shakes his head and says, ”It was a hard time for me, and I was under much burden and strain. Jhod seemed to take advantage of this against me in Council, and I lost my trust in him that I could speak on matters privately and personally, and so no longer did so.” True – the key chimes in recognition of his words.

”The rift became a full feud throughout the summer of 4710, after I aggressively pushed in Council for new laws to circumscribe the authority of the First Founder, strengthen the laws on both the 'Outlaw and Oathbreaker Bounty Proclamation' and the 'Declaration, Registration and Taxation of Formally Approved Practicing Faiths in Newhaven Proclamation', enacted the Abadarian institution of the Vaultmen and began construction of the current Bank of Abadar where we are now.” Verik nods to Akiros for confirmation. ”You remember those Council meetings, Akiros, and our agreement on laws to circumscribe unlicensed and unlawful faiths after your rooting out of the second ‘Cult of the Angry Hag’ early that summer. Jhod, of course, opposed every major effort that I brought before the Founders Council. He snubbed and scorned my sincere efforts to enact an Erastilian hall and gardens in the Temple District where the Pharasman graveyards reside now, taking his worship well beyond city boundaries. He rebuffed my efforts to form what has now become the All-Faiths Conclave. He had ceased any civil communication with me. Then…the conflict with the Desnans occurred and its aftermath, whereupon he tried to oust me as High Cleric. In turn I leveled charges on his many biases and failings as Magister, and forced his fall from the position before the end of summer, shortly before our rescue efforts at the elven ruins and the final confrontations with Hargulka’s ilk at the Battle of Hydra’s Bridge.”

”Our most open display of…hatred…as you ask me, occurred just a year ago in the spring of 4712. I was attending the Lady Bellavieu on business matters throughout the realm when word came of Galtan refugees being detained in White Hart after an altercation there. Aleza journeyed there to confront Mayor Kavken on ensuring the Galtans had fair representation of trial as per Newhaven’s laws on the 'Rights and Responsibilities of the Accused', which Jhod was attempting to circumvent. Words became heated between he and I…and there was an exchange where it almost came to violence between us…which would have drawn in his people and mine, with Aleza in the middle of it. I am glad it did not come to blows, Akiros, but in that moment we were ready to do bloody violence to one another, had he not backed down.”

The golden key chimes as all of Verik’s words are spoken truthfully, and the Banker of Newhaven spreads his hands in acceptance. ”I suspect what else you would wish to ask me under the Truthtelling, Akiros, so ask it.”


Sanctuary | Bank of Abadar

Akiros appears to be fairly satisfied by Verik's recollection of the way that the relationship between the priests became sour and poisoned - but he is not finished with his underlying line of questioning before he moves to the events of this night. "You speak of Aleza Bellavieu. What is your precise relationship with her, and hers with Jhod from your point of view?" He doesn't ask the question in an accusatory tone - he, of all people, cannot be critical of one in love - but he knows what he is asking. Their romance is not a secret to Akiros or anyone, especially after the winter spent in Varnhold, but they attempt to have at least some discretion in the city. He is the head of the most important economic institution in Newhaven and she is one of the most successful entrepreneurs of their fledgling nation. They have taken great pains to separate their personal and professional entanglements, but they both know that it could appear to be a conflict of interest. His ears burn as he considers the prospect of saying it all aloud, especially in front of Vinodragov.


Male Human Cleric (Abadar) 7th / Fighter 1st / AC 24/10T/24F / HP 61 / F +10 R +3 W +11 / Init. +0 / Perc. +5 / Sense Motive +14

Sanctuary, Bank of Abadar

It was not the line of questioning he was expecting. He stops short with goggled eyes and mouth agape at Akiros, his face starting to flush. ”I...I am…that is to say we are…ummm…” His incoherent words trail off as his mind tries to furiously catch up to the question at hand. The truth of his feelings towards Aleza Bellavieu now under the question, the oath already given that he would answer all questions of possible relevance. That Akiros would ask of him Aleza’s connection to both he and Jhod was something he hadn’t considered, but in the light of it he does understand the point of the inquiry. Sitting there, facing Akiros before him and the Archbanker Vinodragov just off to his side, the heat of his face could not be more in display. The golden key above his head chimes louder as it grows in intensity, as if it too demands the answer to the question in expectant fashion. There was nothing for it now. The answers had to be given.

”I...I am in love with Aleza Bellavieu,” answers Verik at last, stammering out the words as if afraid to wonder if he could admit the truth. Yet the words are allowed to pass his lips and the golden key chimes almost pleasantly in agreement. Addle-brained fool! Well now that keel is laid and in the water isn’t it? Go on now… Verik clears his throat and continues to address Akiros with a steady gaze, even though his ears burn. ”I love her, and have been courting her since the start of winter last Kuthona since she came to find me in Varnhold. This was well after her debts of loan and contract to the Bank were paid wholly and in full at the end of Lamashan, of course! After her obligations to the Bank were paid in full she…umm…well she asked me first you understand…to change the status of our dealings which up to then were based on friendship and admiration of her keen intellect and business acumen…but bound to that of business and commercial interests…such…such as an established relationship of business associates bound by contractual affairs of business…ahh…Cogs!”

Verik gives up in frustration as the Truthtelling prevents him from couching his words in a more favorable light or context that is not strictly that of truth, the golden key uncaring about his desire to not appear a complete idiot in front of the two men. Though the words he uttered were the truth, Verik knows that secretly he hoped to impress Aleza as they spent time as friendly acquaintances and business associates over the past two years; that he hoped for more at some point, but his oaths and responsibilities mercifully prevented an erosion of that propriety. Their dealings on behalf of the Bank were all proper and with extra steps taken to witness all actions undertaken – steps taken to ensure both their reputations against accusations of idle gossip and slander. Still, he cannot profess truly that his business relationship was merely akin to any others he entertained – either as Banker or in his own privately funded enterprises.

”I felt the attraction growing in my dealings with Aleza over the prior year, it is true. Yet you will find the terms of loan and repayment for her enterprises were all proper and supported, with the terms and contracts drawn up by Masters Kobach and Marquett, seconded by Senior Clerk Eben Whitestag. I was not going to allow any impropriety to mar the dealings…nor would Aleza as she was utterly determined to make her mark on her own merits and efforts! Which she has and by a wide margin…greater than most expected…even greater than I thought likely, I must admit.” He takes a steadying breath. ”Now we are in a courtship…romantically involved. In business I privately have a ten percent investment stake in her breeding of Galtan horses, but not her land holdings. She, in turn, has a five percent stake in Mercadi’s Wagons – of which I am the principal owner of – as well as a five percent stake in The Golden Wheel establishment, of which I privately have a minority third ownership. She and I have recently proposed equal minority stakes in Master Ableford’s lumber mill operation on the southern end of the Tuskwater, though he has not yet given assent. Her only active contract with the Bank currently is a preferred rate with the Vaultmen for added protection on caravans and herds to market – discounted for exclusivity so as to not deal with the disreputable Freewatch Guild that some of her Galtan compatriots prop up from time to time.”

”As for her relations with Jhod Kavken…I can only say they were cordial but limited, for she knew it pained me to entreat with him upon any occasion. She secured representation for those Galtans that had rioted to violence and vandalism a year ago – after the incident I had with Kavken in White Hart – but once the Galtan accused had been seen to and their trials decided, I believe she had no other dealings with him directly. Most Galtan refugees are now in the towns of Promise or Candlewatch you see, and her interests followed to those fledgling towns and away from White Hart. She does procure lumber, barrels, rope and other goods from craftsmen in the Narlmarches – whereas I do not – and so I believe she has…had…some indirect dealings with Jhod on that score. Or at least those Erastilians that ply their trade to her and yet were close to their Patriarch. I can only tell you that I believe her interactions were cordial and devoted to facilitating supply to her enterprises.”


Female Human Hunter 8th / AC 22/16T/18F / HP 59 / F +8 R +11 W +6 / Init. +4 / Perc. +17 / Sense Motive +7

The night air suddenly seems colder and the hackles stand up on the back of Evie's neck. *Shit* She knows in an instant that it's time to go. If Taisper is close, she knows she will be better off relying on natural ability, but she slowly draws the cold iron dagger from her right thigh sheath just in case.

Taking a moment to concentrate, she feels the aspect of the falcon that she was using before shift to an owl while the mouse stays. Her eyesight is no longer razor sharp but her ability to move silently and evade are now better than her normal self.

As quickly as she can, and hopefully without being detected, she makes her way back to her companions. Upon finding them, her instructions are brief and clear. "Without question, we need to go now and with as much stealth and haste as we can. Yes?"

She doesn't really wait for Jabber to answer her before she turns him and gives him a gentle push in the direction that they need to go back to town. Barrister needs no instruction from his mistress. He immediately takes up rear guard, closer to the side of Jabber than to Evie. He knows that his mistress comes first but that Jabber is the weakest of the three and will need more protection.

*DM note: Mouse animal focus will give Evie evasion. Owl animal focus will give her a +6 to her stealth check.
Barrister will have Bull (+4 to strength check) and Owl (+6 to stealth check) animal focus on him.


Inside a Dream

"Has your memory flown?" Arkady's chin dips, his eyes cast downward as he goes on. "You've found me lacking caution often enough. Never courage." He turns, feet scuffing the ground, for the moment unable to look at the dream-shadow of his late wife. "But why? Why would you return to me now? I thought that..."

Arkady's words wind down into silence, and he is left for a moment chewing at his lips in thought. A deep breath, and his eyes rise skyward, still avoiding the vision at his side. Something between a whisper and a chuckle parts his lips before he speaks.

"Tell me, then, how you may yet return. Tell me why you would return now, and perhaps we will not yet sing songs of your glorious death." It has never been something he believed in - the idea of a worthy death - and Arkady can't hide his wry grin as he speaks the phrase that they so often argued over, sometimes playfully and other times with more vigor.


"With Berrin taking on the role of immediate mediator for the peace talks; along with Elsir. Both of you can keep a quiet lookout for hints of wrongdoing by either of the two parties. I think that leaves Nikolai and myself to act on the possibility of Vordekai's involvement." Jemini draws her cloak closer to herself, steeling against the cold that would follow momentarily. "Come then, Nikolai. We'll take another look at the site of the murder. Perhaps some lingering aura of evil or other clues can help our efforts."


Sanctuary | The Sphere and Rose

Jemini, Nikolai, and Borodin head to the scene of the murder of Jhod Kavken, outside the Sphere and Rose theater. The theater is in the posh and fashionable part of the city. It may not be as cultured as New Stetven, but the Brevic area in the eastern shadow of the castle is considered the place to live. The more modest houses that are far more common tend to be closer to the water, which was settled first, and to the outskirts of the city, which was settled last. The wealth from the trade came to the city and changed parts of it away from a mere frontier town. The Crystal Sphere and Silver Rose Theatre is one of the symbols of wealth, founded by Shelynites with richer tastes than the rest of the city. Now, however, it has been tainted with the spilled blood of a Founder.

Dumanov leads them to the scene of the murder. The architecture of the theater creates a few narrow alcoves that act almost as alleyways. Several city guards have cordoned off one of the alcoves, standing guard over the scene. They nod to Dumanov, letting him pass along with the trio of Founders. Standing down at the end of the alleyway are two of the city guards - Grayson and Bennick. With another mere nod from Dumanov, they step aside to let them see the gruesome sight. It is too dark for light from the torches from the street to reach to the body, taking a moment for their eyes to adjust.

Jhod Kavken's body lays facing upward, staring blankly into the night sky. Blood has pooled behind his head, matting what little hair he had left, and has spread into the stones all around. There are no bloody footprints or other such clues that would easily point them in the right direction - other than the wound itself. The Patriarch's neck has been ripped open, gaping with ragged edges. The savage attack ripped through the muscle entirely, leaving his head at an unnatural angle barely tethered by only the spine. Dumanov speaks and breaks the silence as they stare at their friend. "It appears to be an animal of some type, but our canvass has revealed no sightings in the city of any wild animal of the size that could do this. At the smallest, only a mastiff or similar animal could cause such a terrible wound."


Inside a Dream

"My death, glorious? I was torn apart, Arkady. A river of flesh swallowed me. There was no great battle, no great villain struck down in my final moments. Just death." The warrior woman seems disgusted at herself. "The afterlife is torment for me. There is no Valhalla, not for one who shrieked in terror in her last moments. I might yet return, though, to properly live and die in battle. I know of a way. The Underworld will not release me, not without a sacrifice. You must make the sacrifice, so that we can be a family. I must hold my son and my husband again."


Sanctuary | Bank of Abadar

Akiros listens to Verik's story, outwardly impassive. Verik knows him well enough, though, that he can see a faint smile on the man's face when he confesses his love for Aleza - under Truthtelling, no less! Akiros has always been a romantic underneath the façade of a warrior, but it is his love of duty that remains his first concern. "Verik, a witness came forward and said that a woman was seen fleeing the area of the theater. She walked with a queer limp and a crutch. Do you know the whereabouts of Miss Bellavieu tonight? Do you believe her capable of harming anyone, Jhod Kavken included? Did you or Miss Bellavieu, to the best of your knowledge, have anything to do with Jhod's murder?" He has asked the most pertinent of questions, having made his way through the preliminary questions to set the context of his answer.


Sanctuary | The Scales

Evie manages to return from Taisper's cabin without him seeing her or the others. She was worried that Jabber or Barrister might give them away, but she is confident that they were not followed and that she did not leave a trail or any sign that they had followed him. The return to Sanctuary is swift and quiet, even though Jabber seems anxious to speak. Every time he makes a noise as if to begin a conversation and ask her what happened, she looks over and gives him a look that returns him to begrudging silence. They slip back through the walls, a little disappointed by how easily she manages to evade the guards. Her mind runs with questions of her own, trying to determine what it was that she just saw.

As they return to the Scales, the kobold camp seems abuzz with rumor. The little dragonlings circle Jabber as they walk into the camp. She picks up a few words of their odd mixture of Draconic and Common, but not enough to tell why they are so agitated. Jabber turns to her with a look of shock. "Jhod dead! He is High Priest of Air-a-still, now he dead! What this mean? Why someone kill Jhod?" The perplexed kobold leader seems very upset by the murder. "You go Spear and Rose, talk to hoomans, find why."


Male Human Cleric (Abadar) 7th / Fighter 1st / AC 24/10T/24F / HP 61 / F +10 R +3 W +11 / Init. +0 / Perc. +5 / Sense Motive +14

Sanctuary, Bank of Abadar

"I do...not...know with certainty where Aleza Bellavieu is tonight," answers Verik with clear struggle to his words that the golden key seems to echo in its shining intensity above him. "I assumed and believed she is at her manor house in the eastern quarter from her message to me, Akiros, but I cannot say for truth that I know that to be so. Now I fear very much if that is not the case, and request that you ascertain her whereabouts as soon as you can."

It cannot be...NO! It...I know her to be true...it is not like Berrin and Esmerelda Ludovan...a plot against her then? Or me? I must collect my mind in this madness and anchor myself to this storm... Verik takes another deep breath again, steeling his mind against his own emotions as he orders his mind to the last questions of Akiros in the presence of Archbanker Vinodragov. "Aleza Bellavieu is capable of harming someone, Jhod included, though I do not believe she would ever have any reason or motivation to do murder, acting only in defense of her person. Despite her affliction she can fight passably well with straight blade or dagger in piercing style - both of which I have enchanted blades for her over the past year. She paid fully for the reagents and labor to that dweomercrafting, of course." He frowns his brow in thought and adds, "Though she walks with a limp and has a crutch in her possession, she often does not need to use such on anything but uneven ground and prefers a walking stick to lessen appearances of weakness or feebleness."

"And now to the heart of it. To the best of my knowledge, neither myself nor Aleza Bellavieu had any involvement in the murder of Jhod Kavken. I did not murder Jhod Kavken. I did not know of any direct plans or plots to murder Jhod Kavken. Nor would I ever condone such a vile act, the very antithesis of law, justice and civilized society that I value so dearly."

Verik finishes his last words clearly and with conviction, as they are clearly and utterly true to him. From somewhere deep in his ordered mind, however, a nagging doubt threatens to bubble up into the forefront: a person whom he loves aside from Aleza that gave him only the briefest of expressions but in that expression gave him a shudder of dread, one that he quickly suppressed earlier as imagined nonsense. Verik's expression is clouded and troubled then in that moment.


Sanctuary | Bank of Abadar

Akiros seems relieved by Verik's explanations, especially as Vinodragov confirms the truth of his words. The warrior lets out a deep breath - one that neither he nor Verik seemed to know that he was holding. "Good. This is good. I knew that it was impossible, but my own feelings do not give me the right to ignore my duty and follow the evidence wherever it leads. Jhod was summoned by a messenger who claimed that you needed to speak with him immediately. I do not know if this was merely a ruse to get him to come, or if it was designed to cast suspicion over you. Either way, it was my duty to prove or disprove the possibility of your involvement. My men are looking for this messenger." He seems apologetic even in his strict adherence to his duty. "Now that you have been eliminated as a suspect, your services are needed. We must head to the scene of Jhod's murder. Archbanker, I trust that you will keep this incident within your discretion. Please return to your room and speak to no one of this murder. Verik, I shall escort you as soon as you dress fully. I suggest dressing for battle - just in case. I have been the target of villainous subterfuge myself, and preparation for a deadly confrontation was certainly important."

451 to 500 of 524 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / DM Barcas - Kingmaker: Eye of the Cyclops All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.