Toilday, 2nd of Neth, 4717 AR
Located near the head of the Seven Tears River, the smelting town of Torch is normally a busy, and perhaps even vibrant, place to live. Home to smiths, traders, hard-working nobles and smallfolk alike, this industrious town’s claim to fame is the grand column of violet fire that periodically shoots far into the skies from the hill the town is built around. The locals call it the Black Hill—named for both the blackened soil and grass surrounding the great, gaping pit the violet flames come from, and the black sludge that congeals around the pit’s edge. Within the Black Hill, metalworkers use the intensely-burning fire to smelt even the hardest skymetals into shape for commercial use.
Alas, such a discovery would not be without its drawbacks. Torch is a town subject to heavy taxation from the Technic League: a shady organization of technology-obsessed wizards who are said to be the true governors of the country of Numeria. A great deal of the gold that the town makes from creating and selling exceptionally-crafted skymetal tools goes straight into the League’s pockets—and in exchange, Torch remains independent… at least for now.
The town’s wealth and very existence is dependent on the grand fire that gave the town its name.
Unfortunately, eight days ago, the torch was snuffed out.
———————————
The market square of Torch is surprisingly busy today. Vendors are busy selling their wares, mundane & technological alike, to shoppers who are trying their best to carry on with their days. Activity can be seen in the windows of the town’s sturdy stone homes—some of it frantic, some of it subdued. Smiths can be seen hammering out lengths of iron with a singular focus, and even the town’s street sweepers keep their eyes on the road and no one else.
A pall of desperation and uncertainty has settled on the once proud town.
Near the back of the square, on a wooden podium, stands an aged dwarven lady dressed in fine grey silks. An odd device consisting of a black ball on the end of a bent piece of steel is before her mouth. She clears her throat, and the sound echoes through a curious-looking set of horns on a wooden pole high above the square.
”Folks, could I have your attention, please?” The dwarf says in an aged but commanding voice, her expression one of utmost seriousness. The people in the market square stop to listen as her voice is amplified by the horns on the pole.
”Thank you. Now, I know you all have been waiting for some good news, especially after the last expedition came back with some results.” The lady wrinkles her nose as a breeze blows by. ”Unfortunately, all I’ve got is worse news.”
”Councillor Baine has gone missing.”
That bit of clearly unwelcome news sends a panicked murmur through the crowd. ”Yep, it's just as bad as it sounds. Councilor Baine was—excuse me, IS—one of the only folks in town to have come back from venturing under the Black Hill to see what's wrong. He didn't get very far in the first time around, but it was enough to give us a desperately needed spark of hope.”
”Unfortunately, the second expedition he led underneath the town has failed to report in. And what little time we have to fix our Torch is running out.” The dwarf sighs. ”If we don’t fix our Torch in two weeks’ time, we won’t have enough taxes to send to the League. And if we don’t have enough taxes to send…” She pauses for effect before clearing her throat again. ”…I have no idea what they’ll have planned for us if we don’t pay our dues, but I sure as the Hells don’t want to find out, and I’ll wager neither will any of you.”
”This town needs to mount another expedition under the Black Hill, this time with two objectives: finding Khonnir Baine, and fixing whatever the Hells has gone wrong with our Torch. Without either of them, this town might as well not be on the map anymore.” The lady folds her hands behind her back.
Some of the crowd starts jeering as they disperse.
“To hell with this town! I should've known it wouldn't last ten years!”
“Maybe Hajoth Hakados will be a better place to live…”
“What are we going to do now?”
The dwarven lady says nothing as the crowd disperses.
Sialea had been waiting for something to finally be done about Khonnir's disappearance, she just wished they'd gotten this far sooner. Heaven forbid they take her seriously when she said something was wrong two days ago. It was aggravating how they could all believe in the power of technology and magic, but display psychic powers and they all thought it was a sham. Still, she'd gotten used to the issue by now, even if she didn't like it. She approached the dwarf after the crowd dispersed and said, "Well, that was an encouraging response." She let out a sigh, "I guess the lot of them are just cowards."
As she stood speaking with the dwarf the height disparity was obvious. Sialea toward over the dwarven woman, standing almost twice her height. The exotic looking beauty stood roughly six and a half feet tall with a pleasantly curved figure. She wore her blue-black hair in a wavy fall to her waist and her clothing was quite sparse, made up of green and blue fabric, showing a great deal of flesh but covering the necessary bits to barely fit within the bounds of what was acceptable. If all of that didn't make her stand out, her most startling feature of all was readily apparent for all to see, a pair of small wriggling antennae that came out of the temples of her head. She turned her gave out to the crowd to see if anyone was going to step forward, but she didn't hold out much hope of it.
He had paused when he heard the voice over the voice projector (its what he liked to call it at least. Technology was intruiging and fun) and turned to watch the proceeding. He had been out shopping for foodstuffs for home, his wife using the excuse of her barely showing belly as the reason she didnt want to be on her feet but Celen knew better. Eight days ago the torch went out, and the resulting panic had made the town... snappish and on edge.
It seemed what acceptance she had garnered in their time here had slowly disapated with the lack of forgefire smoke.
"Interesting"
He said to no one in particular, and he stood there watching as the crowds dissapated. He had heard rumours that master Baine had been overdue from his investigations under the town but he had not realized he was 'this' overdue. This wasnt good, both the townsfolk dejected air and the implications provided He and Hepzibah would have to dis...
He stopped midstep and tilted his head for a moment a small frown on his beautiful features. 'Hope,' He thought for a moment. 'She had mentioned hope.'
He turned around and made his way carefully to the podium. He paused for a moment, waiting until they others became aware of his presence then moved to approach the dwarf fully pulling the hood off from his cloak and offering a little half bow. Like the exotic beauty he was tall, his bronze skin and pale white hair seemed to accentuate one another perfectly, his eyes a molten sky blue.
"Master Baine has been good to my family and I, I would be remiss not to be included in the party to search for him. The fact that it will help the town also appeals to me, since this is where my family has made its home. I'm Celen Hopesheart."
He began unconciously reaching up to steady the holy medallion on his chest. He didnt bring up his business or his faith just yet, It was clear by his posture and his way of confident posture that he almost felt like he should be known already.
Sialea smiled when she saw Celen, they'd met a time or two before when Baine was helping the aasimar with one thing or another. His words were a relief and she said, "I'm glad someone else is willing to stand up and help find papa." It wasn't unusual to hear Sialea call Baine papa, while he certainly wasn't her father he did take her into his house after her strange appearance four years ago and she saw Val as a sister.
"I have to wait another two weeks?" grumbled a squat figure just shy of four feety wrapped in dark robes and furs. The hide of a wolf adorned his shoulders with what was left of it's face covering one shoulder, the tail down the other. The skull of the creature sat obscuring the person's head like a helmet.
Kicking the dirt he turns around, almost hitting someone with the end of the greatsword sized for a much larger person he had laying across the wolf's face, the weapon didn't seem to trouble him in the slightest as he began to walk.
As two other's speak up he stops and looks at the man talking with the dwarf. At first the instincts and various ways of dispatching such a creature started to run through his mind as his blood heated, but then they started to simply fade away as he watched more. Hmm, they look human... but something's... not quite right. The woman even has anglers.
Tilting his head, or at least, the wolf skull, from side to side he'll then step over to them, moving fast and rather silently, moreso as a second nature than intent to be secretive.
Standing at the back of the crowd as the dwarven lady spoke, Edynn stayed until practically all those around her had dispersed. Looking around to notice that she was no just standing in the middle of the square, the tall athletically built woman seemed to realize that she should move forward, striding over to where an exotic looking man and woman spoke with the dwarf.
She'd been in Torch for 6 months now, the town's oddities and independence feeling welcome, and notably safer than other places she'd been, and she would hate to see it fall to the League because they couldn't pay the unfair...taxes....that was the word, when someone took some of what you owned just because they could.
"I will help!" she said without introduction or preamble. "I like Torch, I don't want to see bad things happen here. Count me in."
Though undeniably pretty, and appearing to be in excellent physical condition, there was something about the dark haired woman that was...odd...perhaps even a little unsettling. Maybe it was the wide stare of her silvery grey eyes, or the interestingly patterned tattoos that faintly decorated her face and neck, probably extending down the rest of her body, obscured by her light leather armor and heavy long coat, since the patterns appeared on the backs of her hands and fingers as well. Or perhaps it was the way she spoke, a measured tone without as much emotion as one would expect from someone volunteering for something that might be dangerous.
Another human who is not human... I don't think. They're nicer than humans it seems at least. Inlé thought to himself as he watched the beautiful trio volunteer to help.
"Hmm, the Technics could have caused it in order to tighten their grip on this place, taxes alone might not be enough... that and I have two weeks to kill." he thinks aloud before speaking up. "I will offer my assistance as well.
"Well, that was an encouraging response." She let out a sigh, "I guess the lot of them are just cowards."
The dwarven lady purses her lips. "Yeah, it'd seem that way to lots o' folks. Though part of me can't really blame them for bein' scared to come forward."
"Master Baine has been good to my family and I, I would be remiss not to be included in the party to search for him. The fact that it will help the town also appeals to me, since this is where my family has made its home. I'm Celen Hopesheart."
The dwarven woman nods in understanding. "Yep, I know ya. Khonnir spoke quite highly of both you and his little girl here." She nods at Sialea before extending her hand for a handshake. "Though, I don't reckon we've been properly introduced before. Councillor Dolga Freddert, of Torch."
"I will help!" she said without introduction or preamble. "I like Torch, I don't want to see bad things happen here. Count me in."
A relieved smile breaks out on Councillor Freddert's face. "Glad to hear it, young missy. Right now, we need all the help we can get."
"I will offer my assistance as well."
The councillor gives Inlé a quizzical look. "Well, I don't reckon I've seen you around this town before. But I ain't gonna turn down help when it's offered."
"Well, this is a relief. I wasn't certain I'd have any more volunteers for this job..." The lady sighs. "...now, how about the lot of you come with me to the Town Hall? I'll fill you in on the finer details of what we need there."
Nodding in assent, Edynn falls in behind the Councillor.
Inlé Bows to the dwarf before scurrying along with the others.
The streets of Torch are rather crowded as Councillor Freddert leads the assembled group to the town hall. The smell of freshly-brewed tonics mixes with an ever-pervading scent of strange chemicals coming from the nearby Crowfeather Lake. Most people are busily running errands, having animated conversations, and are otherwise doing their best to keep themselves occupied. With the threat of the loss of their homes (or worse) hanging over their heads, doing anything seems preferable to thinking of the future.
”Oi, Jakob, did you hear about those two idiot dwarves?”
”Er… which ones, Ian?”
”Y’know, Tarquin & Jarrod? Those two jokers who got piss-eyed drunk at the Foundry a few nights back?”
”Oh—them. Aye, I remember them. Why? What’d they do now?”
”They dared each other to drink some of the sludge up on Black Hill.”
”…you’re kidding me. Please tell me you’re kidding—even THEY wouldn’t be that damned stupid enough to drink it, drunk or sober.”
”I wish. I was there. Jarrod chugged his sludge down without even blinking, but Tarquin… dear sweet Brigh, poor Tarquin…”
”What happened?”
”Damn fluids almost burnt a hole in his gut. Poor man… at least he survived.”
”Lucky b#$&!…”
”Oh, Edmure, what are you going on about now?”
”Jhestine from Tempting Tonics, that’s what. Planning on selling all her stock so she can pick up stakes and get the Hells outta here before the League stomps in and—“
”Hang on—what’s this about her selling her stock?”
”Yeah, she’s got herself a rich lover up in Chesed. She’ll be heading north soon—I guarantee it!”
”…where’d you hear THIS from?”
”My wife. Why?”
”…and you believe everything she tells you?”
”It’s kept me off the couch so far.”
”I don’t like this… our torch has been out for too long. Why haven’t the League gotten themselves involved yet?”
”I know what you mean… I thought they’d be more concerned with one of their sources of taxes being—well… what’s the word I’m looking for—?”
”Threatened?”
”Yeah, that sounds about right.”
”Who’s to say they don’t know already? This town’s been in the League’s pocket long enough—there’s bound to be at least one of their spies around here…”
”Hey. Is the Marrymaid open?”
”Sure as the day is sunny. What, you still wondering if Wrennie’ll let you back in after last time?”
”No, just wondering why the watch hasn’t arrested her yet.”
”What, for throwing your drunken arse out?”
”No, for the murder there!”
”…”
”I heard someone was sliced open from throat to belly there. Nobody’s talking about it because Wrennie’s keeping everything hushed up!”
”…Seriously?”
"I won't be blowin' smoke up your arses about this, folks--this proposal that I've got for you carries a hell of a lot of risk with it." Councillor Freddert says as the group approaches the white two-story building that serves as the Town Hall. The image of a lit torch is painted in red above the double doors into the building. "We've had five expeditions underneath the Hill to see what's been going wrong--and of those five, only one of them came back."
Nodding in agreement Sialea followed Counsillor Freddert to the town hall, listening to the conversation around them as they went. She made a mental note to ask about that later. It was unlikely to be connected but one never knew. the sights and sounds and smells were as she always remembered them, and the people the same, but something seemed different. Maybe it was the hope that she would find her and Val's father. As they approached the town hall she asked in reply, "It was papa's group that returned wasn't it?"
"It was papa's group that returned wasn't it?"
"Yep, it was." Councillor Freddert walks up the stone steps to the town hall and pushes the double doors open.
The central meeting room of the hall is mostly empty, save for several chairs arranged in neat rows and a raised platform connected to the floor by a couple of steps. Ringing the platform is a grand maple desk with several chairs behind it--presumably, that's where the councillors sit.
"First expedition was a bunch of halflings that more or less ran off under the Hill without even asking for permission or assistance. They charged in about a week ago." The dwarven woman walks up to the large desk and pulls up a chair for her to sit down in. "Second expedition that went down there was headed up by a local tough girl named Parda. She got herself a bunch of rough-and-tumble sorts together to tackle the problem head-on. They went in about six days ago."
"Third expedition was Khonnir's first foray under the town. Got further than the two previous teams put together--and from what he told me, his team had to fight every step of the way in. Ran into some sorta human tribe living down there--they could turn their skin the same colour as the walls down there. His team fought their way through 'em, and came across a strange, skymetal wall. They also found a damaged robot of some sort, and Khonnir brought it back topside for study."
The stocky warrior cocks his head to the side as they walk, taking in a passing conversation with the participants speaking louder than they should. "Good to know..."
Inlé involuntarily chuckles despite himself when he hears of the Halflings going missing from the Dwarven Councilwoman. "Hmm, did you have any flower or chalk or oil to give to the next groups in order to deal with the camouflage? Speaking of, you haven't mentioned the fourth expedition yet."
"Hmm, did you have any flower or chalk or oil to give to the next groups in order to deal with the camouflage? Speaking of, you haven't mentioned the fourth expedition yet."
"I don't have any chalk or oil, myself--but I imagine the general store here in town would be able to help you." The dwarven councillor nods. "And the fourth expedition... after Khonnir's first venture, these ones were my best hope for finding out what went wrong."
"The fourth team to go under was a bunch of Brigh worshippers--and from how they were kitted out, they were prepared for trouble. Had quite a few techno-gadgets and magical knick-knacks on 'em. They set out four days ago, and we haven't heard from them since. For all I know, they got distracted by some tech down there and are busily taking it apart to see how it works, but from the looks of things those four were planning on stayin' for the long haul anyway."
"Which leads us to the fifth expedition. Khonnir assembled himself a bigger crew than last time to explore under the Hill. His old team, and a few new locals. They entered the Black Hill two days ago... and, well, I haven't heard from them since. Khonnir's a skilled enough mage that I felt we didn't have much to worry about..." Dolga scratches her head.
"So, that's the long and short of what happened to the last few expeditions. Now, onto the proposition." She bends down and fetches something within the desk, pulling it out and setting it before the party--a coffer carved of fine stone. "I'd like to hire the lot of you to delve underneath the Black Hill. You'll have two objectives--find out what happened to Khonnir Baine, and determine what's caused our Torch to go out. Find a way to turn the Torch back on, if you can."
She digs out a second coffer and sets it before the party before opening them both. The first coffer contains a wealth of gold coins. "4,000 gold pieces for fixing the Torch..." She closes the coffer and opens the second one. This coffer contains a great deal of gold pieces, as well as a neatly-tied scroll. "4,000 gold pieces for finding Khonnir. The scroll there is for if the worst has happened--if he's dead, bring his body to the Temple of Brigh. That scroll there will bring him back."
"What say the lot of you?"
Spending most of the conversation simply seeing everyone's knees as the taller folk talked around around the table that mostly observed Inlé speaks up again. "Which way to Black Hill?"
"I am ready to go whenever everyone else is." Edynn says with a nod, "The sooner the better I assume?"
Inlé gives a nod to the tall woman.
"Which way to Black Hill?"
"The entrance to the Black Hill lies in the Weeping Pond, on the northwestern edge of town."
"I am ready to go whenever everyone else is." Edynn says with a nod, "The sooner the better I assume?"
"Indeed. The sooner you can get started on this, the better." Dolga nods.
"Now, to help you get kitted up for this expedition, I'm prepared to offer the lot of you these writs." The councilwoman digs into her desk again and produces four slips of paper, neatly tied off with red string. "Just show these to any shopkeeper in town, and they'll give you a discount on supplies."
By decree of Councilor Dolga Freddert of Torch, Numeria, the bearer of this writ is to be granted a 20% discount on all purchases of equipment & supplies for an expedition under the town of Torch. This discount is effective as long as the bearer of this writ keeps said writ in his/her possession until such a time as the expedition has achieved success in fulfilling objectives set by the Town Council of Torch.
"Such lovely sounding places." Inlé muses aloud about their destination.
Once Dolga produces the writs the Trius quickly saunters over to her side to get them before returning to his original position.
"I remember Parda,"Sialea said, "she was quite proud of how I handled that kidnapper a while back." deepening her voice into the best imitation of Parda she could, "Even if ya did cheat with yer magic." Back to her normal tone, "Parda could be a lot of fun. I hope we can find her alive down there."
As the discussion moved on to how Khonnir found the automaton Sia nodded in understanding and said, "So that's where he got it at. I wondered." Her expression went a bit distant as she continued, "I've taken a look at it and had wondered why it was in such good condition, now I know. As for volunteering, well, I would have ben going with or without payment, so going down there and getting paid is a nice bonus. I just hope we don't need the scroll to raise Papa."
When the writs were handed out Sia accepted hers and said, "Thank you. These will be helpful." Turning back to the others she continued, "As for being ready, I believe we are, though it would be wise to get a water proof bag and pack extra provisions or gear we might need."
Parda is missing as well? My wife Hepzibah will not be pleased. They are friendly enough.
He said with a frown as he swallowed at the sum of money being offered. That was almost a princely sum... which made him worry just a bit. His share of the amount would more than pay their tazes to those bastards the technic league, and then some upgrades to the shop, He could buy Hepzibah something nice he could...
He shook his head and focused back on the task at hand.
You said the entrance to the hills lies 'IN' the weeping pond? How deep is the pond?
You said the entrance to the hills lies 'IN' the weeping pond? How deep is the pond?"
"The pond itself is only about ten feet deep, but from what I understand, there's some sort of underwater passage in there that leads under the Hill." Dolga stands up from her chair.
"Once you've finished making preparations, make sure you check in with Father Kyte at the Temple of Brigh. He'll have something for you that'll make getting under the Hill easier." She pauses, her brow furrowing as if she's just remembered something.
"Oh, I almost forgot--have any of you been getting headaches as of late?"
Swimming... great...
"I haven't, but then I'm not from around here." Inlé answers about headaches.
Sialea considered the issues ahead, swimming an unknown amount underwater, and what they would need to get before they went. She was so intent that the question of headaches caught her off guard. She looked at Dolga and asked curiously, "I'm not sure, I almost always suffer from headaches if I am out in public too much. Is there some reason you ask?"
"I don't think I've ever had a headache. Not without taking a blow to the head." Edynn replies.
"Heh, same."
"I'm not sure, I almost always suffer from headaches if I am out in public too much. Is there some reason you ask?"
Dolga nods. "Yeah, there is--some folks around here have been getting these weird headaches ever since the torch went out. Councillor Murgrave's had to deal with three in the past three days alone."
"Alrighty then." The dwarven councillor walks around to the front of the grand desk. "I've given you your objectives, and something that'll make purchasing any leftover supplies you need easier. Good luck, folks. We're counting on you."
Inlé turns to the others. "Don't suppose they sell waterproof flour here?"
As Dolga explained about the headaches Sialea shook her head gently and said, "Ah, then no, I know what causes my headaches already." She considered a moment about asking after the murders she heard mentioned but decided that, for now, she didn't need to be sidetracked by them. She looked at the others and said, "I think we should go get any supplies we need before we go. At the least we should look for a water proof bag or two before we go for our upcoming swim." Rising she offered her hand to Councilor Dolga and said, "I think we have a good start in finding Papa, thank you Councilor."
The councillor shakes Sialea's offered hand. "I hope so."
Inlé gave a slight bow to the councilwoman and then made for the door to await the others.
With a nod, Edynn joins the others. "Should we also get rope and perhaps a way to generate light that will not be ruined by getting wet?"
As they all left and headed out to do the shopping Siallea spoke up as light was mentioned and said, "We shouldn't need much in the way of light, I can call up light whenever we need it so long as I'm conscious. A few torches might be wise to have just in case." She considered things a bit more as rope was mentioned and said, "I think that rope, ptions, and maybe a pry bar would be worth taking as well."
Inlé saw fine in the dark, so he hadn't even thought about lights for those who couldn't.
"Then your light should be fine, I can see in the dark. If you are unconsious, seeing won't matter for you much would it? Does anyone else need light?"
"I don't."
"I need to stop by my home and let my wife know where I am going and why. Also I need to get a few things.
He paused and smiled slightly at the question about light. He pointed up to his slightly glowing sky blue eyes and merely tilted his head.
I can see just fine in the darkness have no worries.
The newly assembled team departs from the town hall with writs in hand and a pair of goals in mind. The townspeople of Torch are still going about their errands as single-mindedly as ever. A few of them glance up at the party as they walk to the general store--most of them have doubtful looks in their eyes, but there are a few who look like they're daring to have hope.
Unfortunately, their trip to the general store is interrupted as they turn onto the market street. As they start walking down that street, the sound of a high-pitched scream cuts through the air--it sounds like a young girl's scream, coming from a collection of nearby buildings.
Inlé straightens up at once when he hears the bloodcurdling scream.
"This way!" he shouts before bounding off to the source of the scream, his small body moving much faster than something that size should.
Sialea heard the cry and saw the direction that Inle took off in and felt her face drain as fear overtook her, "VaL!" She bolted in the same direction as the speedy man and said to the rest, "Come on, that's my sister screaming!"
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Eyes widening as Sialea identifies the scream as her.....sister....standard humaniod family unit relation, Edynn breaks into a run after Inlé impressed by the short....she wasn't quite sure what he was but he was fast.
He was jerked from his thoughts by the scream, and having been a bit lost in throught he was caught by surprise as the others ran forth. He hurried after of course.
"Sister?"
He half asked half coughed out as he ran after...
Following the sounds of the screaming voice, the party reaches a low, carefully-constructed tavern building with several windows, its facade decorated with images of blacksmiths hard at work. Next to it is a larger, two-story building that smells like coal. Behind these two buildings is a small stone house with a slate-grey tiled roof.
As they get closer, the party can see that one of the house's windows has been shattered, and some sort of machine is facing away from the window. It wobbles on three spidery legs, and its metal torso has exposed, sparking wires sticking out of several rusted holes. The sound of splintering wood is coming from the room beyond--the machine inside appears to be tearing at the house's walls with its four-fingered metallic hands. A blazing blue eye is in the centre of its 'head'.
A young girl's whimpers can be heard from inside the room.
"It's just a drone but it's malfunctioning, careful! There's no telling what it will do!" Inlé calls out to the others before moving up to attack with the sword almost twice as long as himself.
"Go for the joints or the blue f&%%-me light! Or just zap the damn thing if you can!"
Though he's hampered by the fact that the window is in the way, Inlé manages to land a solid blow on the drone's upper chassis. His sword doesn't go as deep as he'd hope, though--while its armoured body is weakened, it's still solid enough to absorb some of the punishment.
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Assessing the scenario as Inlé attacks the....drone with an illogically large sword, Edynn focuses, determining that the metal construct would require a much harder blow than say a human. Taking a step forward she shifts her weight, her entire body committing to the devastating punch that is delivered with as much force as she can muster, through the shower of broken glass.