Eurdan motions you all inside, listening to your comments and standing somewhat aghast as Tika leads Manuk and her team of horses inside the city hall. Folding his arms behind his back and nodding towards your group, "The whole city has been abuzz awaiting your arrival. I presume you are these 'Pathfinders'." He motions to some attendants waiting off to the side, "These men'll watch over your horses, I know you've had a long journey. Rest for the night, I have quarters here in the City council building for guests, you should be safe here. In the morning we can discuss more about why your lives and the lives of your companions are in danger."
He'll lead you to a set of rooms on one of the upper floors, six rooms with a bed in each, unfortunately, Manuk will have to nest in your room with you Tika.
In the morning, some Oread attendants bring you breakfast, hard oats and water, they offer some apologies for the food but otherwise make no other small talk.
Having all been assembled after you've done whatever daily devotions are needed, we'll call it 11 am. Eurdan leads you into a large state room with an finely carved stone granite table dominating the room with comfortable set chairs around.
"I'm glad you've come, you asked who Tygora was, she no doubt has been alerted to your presense in the city, however she is our city’s efreeti ruler, oversees all actions for the city." taking a sip of water before continuing, "Your friends arrived some 3 weeks ago and were promptly captured by Tygora's minions. Let me give you some history about her. . ."
"A year after we rebuilt our city from the devastion caused by the volcanic eruption, Tygora appeared, In the centuries since, we oreads have grown to accept Tygora’s harsh but stable rule, though only a few generations separate us from our ancestors who survived the volcanoes’ wrath, we still wistfully remember a time when we ruled themselves. Any substantial show of rebellion leads to brief but harsh crackdowns, only year ago one of the members of the three-person council—a symbolic but ultimately powerless group of leaders—simply disappeared after trying to win concessions for the other oreads. Its second member Glaheri disappeared soon after the first group of Pathfinders arrived and stirred up trouble. Despite Tyogra’s forcible adoption and indoctrination of the young ifrits, most of the oreads still regard the fire-blooded soldiers as their children, despite the ifrits rarely returning the fondness. As a result, the oreads are compelled to obey the efreeti queen because of an unwillingness to harm their own families as much as by armed coercion. Looking to your group as a last resort of heroes, "Please help us, the first group was going to try and save us and free us from Tygora's rule, especially as she is gearing up an army to capture the other settlements within these mountains. Now we must look to you to save us, we don't want a war but we can't fight her without your help. Do you have any questions? Otherwise I have a number of ways that you can help weaken Tygora before attacking her directly, if you choose to save us."
|
Looking at Ranar "I am so glad your with us I have no idea what everyone is saying glad someone understands. I don't trust that Tygora person. I don't know about you but I am sleeping with one eye open tonight with my long sword under my pillow.
I am glad there is an inn I agree with Xiakai its time to have some ale and a good nights rest in a bed.
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Hlifkom looks around at the gathered Oreads. Sensing a true plight amongst them, she nods to the others.
"Tyrannical genies oppressing a good, down-to-earth people? I can't imagine I'd be welcomed back to either the Silver Crusade or the Church of Abadar if I declined to help. I can't really imagine wanting to either. This seems like a noble cause."
Please let the fact that I called earth outsiders them down-to-earth be overlooked.
Looking to Eurdan, "What can you tell us about Tygora? Her weaknesses? Anything that might aid us in ousting or defeating her?"
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
" This is a plight indeed! We of the Silver Crusade are truly your ally." Putting an arm around Hlifkom, she continues, "Please, have a drink comrade. We are in this together. Whatever information you can give us to help is appreciated."
She quickly pulls out a glass and her holy flask - flashing the holy symbol of Kofusachi while pouring Eurdan a drink.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Slumped into his chair, Ranar holds his hand to his face while listening intently. Taking a silent moment to digest, his eyes narrowing, Ranar finally speaks. Quietly almost to himself, "The Pathfinders did make it worse."
There must be an opportunity for gain here. Savior of an entire community of genie-kin would be a resume enhancer. Plus, the likely access to some store of previously hidden knowledge or overflowing treasury would be quite a boon.
Ranar sits forward with his elbows on his knees, "I am also willing to take the fight to Tygora. The oppression of your people is intolerable and the scales must be brought to balance. I will not rest until you and your people are free." Ranar slams his open hand on the granite table with surprising force.
And I of course will not rest until I've been properly compensated, but surely that will come with time.
Ranar sits back into his chair and a slight smile forms on his lips.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Tika is all taken in by the beauty and sparkling splendor of the city hall, she leans forward in her chair listening to the city councilman and her companions. "I know the feeling of not being welcome in your own home, it's why I became a pathfinder and I will also help you and your people regain control of your beautiful city! Where does Tygora live and keep her prisoners?" At this point Tika is standing on her chair so that the council man can see her and her excitement of the possibility to use her lance.
|
|
I am with Tika lets get out of here and find Tygora I need some excitement after such a long trek.
Pathfinders are called Murder Hobos for a reason. I am ready to put my great sword to some good use. Point me in the right direction I am ready to go. She joins Tika by standing on her own chair and raising her sword into the air.
Eurdan listens to each of you carefully, his stoney demeanor lacks any sort of response to the varied personalities before him. "Tygora lives in Fury’s Hold, the large palace that you probably saw while you were making your way to Crystalcrag.” He'll unfurl a small map of the city and using his pinky smudge out some circles having much the same effect as if he'd used a stick of charcoal.
"Tygora is building an army, there are a couple of smiths in town but none as large or as great as Valsog's Forge. There is like to be a large stockpile of weapons, if you can convince him to stop production or sneak by and destroy the armament that'd help the effort greatly."
Taking a sip of his herbal tea he'll continue, "Our largest tavern, the Fifth Facet has seen a rise in Oread activity, especially disgruntled citizens. Its becoming a hot bed, if you needed help in finding citizens to fight with you, I'd start there. Lastly the Everlasting Flame alchemy shop, the owner Morak has been increasingly defiant of Tygora's lastest crackdown of tax increases used to pay for her army. Its only a matter of time until she sends her Ifrit enforcers to make an example of him. I'd check in and see if he needs any help."
He'll also point out Fury's Hold on the map, "I strongly urge you build a base of support before assaulting Fury's Hold, she won't wait long once you've begun stirring things up and acting fast is the quickest way to save your friends, she has them in the dungeons in Fury's Hold, no doubt,"
|
|
Ranar chuckles softly while considering his companions' over exuberance.
Leaning forward Ranar speaks,"Clearly, our priority should be to meet with Morak. Denying Tygora access to both the taxes assessed from and the concoctions created within 'The Everlasting Flame' would be a great blow to her army," Ranar states with an air of ultimate authority while stabbing at the location on the map with his index finger.
"Additionally, enlisting the aid of a lesser Alchemist might help turn the tide of battle. I'm sure I can teach Morak a few tricks of the trade. Besides if we are to wage a proper war, I'll have need of a temporary apprentice. Hopefully, this Morak can be sculpted into a proper Alchemist." Ranar finishes chuckling at his own attempt at a joke.
|
|
Xiakai abruptly sputters out a birdlike laughter, ""
%&*#$! no filter!
"Good one", she says while raising an eyebrow at Ranar. "I'm sure Morak would appreciate our humble assistance."
his lack of tact is going to be the death of us!
"We can stop over at the Fifth Facet en route for a friendly libation and meet a local to introduce us to the venerable Morak!"
I'm sure my bartending and card games are sure to recruit many Oreads to our honorable cause!
|
|
"Yes, Yes! I agree Xiakai lets go to the Fifth Facet first and see what we can learn from the locals, and see what help we can get from them!"
Tika will sit back down in her chair and take a drink from her cup. Yawning she says, "Maybe we should set out in the morning? it has been a long day and I would like to be well rested when we go to meet with the locals! Thank you Eurdan you have been very helpful!" Tika will bow to the councilman and wait to see what her companions think about resting for the night.
|
|
Man it felt good to sleep in a bed again and not having to listen to Ranar's snoring all night was an added bonus.
Hey everyone, Lets see who we can recruit to help us and see what we are really up against. Tygro seems like she could be a bit feisty when she finds out we are here to spoil her grand plans. Glad to hear Morak will be joining us to be an appreciate for Ranar hopefully Morak doesn't find him to annoying and have an "accident" with one of his bombs...
|
|
"I think we should approach this Valsog, the crafter of Tygora's arms. While her Ifrit soldiers might be formidable with only their inherent firepower, cutting off their access to armaments would surely deal a great blow to Tygora's plans."
Hlifkom paces back and forth for a few moments, deep in thought.
"It's likely, as Eurdan has said, that the more we kick this hornets nest, the angrier the queen will be. We should plan our course of action carefully, to avoid bringing too much attention to ourselves before we are in a position to act."
Hopefully we can all come up with a plan without too much disagreement.
As a group, deciding its best to start at the Fifth Facet tavern, right across the way from the City Council building, you guys head out, it's around 11 am when you leave the City Council building. Manuk is there waiting for you guys.
Its a short walk, all of 10 or so feet to the Fifth Facet however even at this hour there are people crammed into the inn. The Fifth Facet is a square, two-story, stone tavern that sits on the main roadway of Crystalcrag. The smell of charred timber and cooked food waft gently out of multiple windows hewn into the building’s facade.
Pushing open the doors you are greeted by a variety of lights, sounds and smells. The soft whisper of hushed voices, the gulps of people deep in their cups already, the smell of roasted charred meat, wafting out mixed with spices. Whatever it is, it definitely beats the hard oats and water you were given by the Councilman Eurdan.
As you enter, many of the oreads watch you surreptitiously while others do so with open curiosity. The barkeep hollers over to you, the crowd has been hushed as you opened the door.
"Aiy, you, come on ovah fer a drink, aiy? On da house. Can ai get ya somethin' ta eat?" He stands there polishing a dirty glass with a dirty rag. Barkin' an order in Terran to a serving girl, "Saņemt mūsu viesi kārta dzērienu, plate vai divas pārtikas."
"So, what'sa news of the world taday? Any adventya's ya been on recently?"
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'm not entirely sure that showing our hands too much would be wise. While I know my companions are quite capable of resolving any armed conflict if it were to arise, I don't see it wise to draw unnecessary attention from every Barkeep and Harlot in the city.
Ranar strides up to the bar placing his elbows firmly on the bartop and clasps his hands under his chin. He tries to muster an approximation of a friendly smile and engages the Barkeep. "I am Ranar, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You mention adventure my good man. You could say its been quite an adventure to find this lovely city. As to news of the world, there are always a great many occurrences, any particular realm of interest?
To a keen observer it may be obvious that Ranar is merely parroting a behavior that has been previously rehearsed. The words likely spill from Ranar's mouth without the pauses that occur in the ebb and flow of a natural conversation.
|
|
Tika walks up to the bar and jumps up onto the bar stool so the barkeep can see her over the counter. " Yes! I'd love a drink! and I've recently adventured in Korvosa, and I think that you have a beautiful city here!"
This barkeep sure is friendly and i think being honest with us. Hopefully we will be able to find some help here.
He'll flip a couple of glasses onto the table and start filling them with some clearish liquid, likely an alcohol of some sort and passes it to the three that have walked up to the bar. "So, wat brings ya inta our little tawn, it's pretty hidden from outsaiders," looking around at the rest of the crowd, most of them are making small conversations but its clear they are watching the party. "Dun git much news o' tha outsaide world, nope."
A shortly there-after a couple of plates show up with some braised meat and some potatoes.
Tika, you feel like the Barkeep is more curious about why you are and what your business is, perhaps if he butters you guys up he'll be able to find out. He does seem genuine though.
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Ranar will test the beverage utilizing the same techniques as before and act accordingly.
He will begins casually, "I'll tell you what, is this place off the beaten path. I hate to admit that I'm really not that familiar with the lay of the land... having stumbled into town last night."
Ranar leans forward slightly, "So what should a wayward adventurer know about this city? Its industry, shops, sites, centers of learning..."Ranar leans even closer, propping his upper body on his left elbow. He is suddenly whispering conspiratorially "...rulers?" Adjusting back in his chair and sitting more upright, he continues. You know, anything that would help us to see the full potential of a visit to the town."
|
|
I don't trust this bar keep he seems to be asking lots of questions of Ranar.
Anastasia leans in to hear over the din of the crowd surrounding the bar to hear the exchange of information between the bar keep and Ranar. She drinks a few sips of ale setting her glass back down on the bar then starts to doodle a few notes to her self as she listens.
The bartender leans in as well, "Ah yes rulers, interesting things, aren't they?" He looks around at some of the other Oread's in the establishment "Our bountiful ruler, well she has some interesting views on justice. . ." His eyes shift and dart from side to side, beads of sweat visible on his forehead, "Are you uh, here to fix our little predicament?"
|
|
Seeing a moment to capture the audience's attention, Xiakai springs into action.
"! We have so many things to share and learn with all of you - but first, let us celebrate!
Making a big show of it, Xiakai dramatically mixes and pours a drink for the Barkeep and also herself. Taking a satisfying drink, "Tasty, isn't it?!"
She then begins loudly shuffling and dealing cards out to nearby bar patrons.
they love me! thanks to Kofusachi!
Xiakai then begins a complicated shuffle and card trick before pulling a card from her deck. " You my friend will have the drink of your life! Flourishing a drink out for the lucky patron, she bows and begins to shuffle her cards again.
|
|
Cosmo packs his pipe and lights it.
"We're here to rescue our captured colleagues, and maybe take a look around a bit, not to upset the status quo." He takes a long draw of his pipe before continuing. "That said, it seems like your glorious ruler has seen fit to incarcerate our fellows. Perhaps our purpose here will be to your inexorable advantage." The halfling sucks on his pipe and blows three perfect smoke rings and looks around the room.
An oread, visibly drunk even at this early hour of the day, "Yash, thash wat tha lass group said, 'cept 'bout the insarseration part but the advantage yeah,"
Another small group speaks up as well, "What makes you guys any better than your colleagues? have you seen Tygora, she's a fricken Efreeti!? She's ruled us for 800 years, ya think we haven't rebelled before? She crushes us. She takes our hope and destroys it, publicly."
A large, burly looking fellow, clearly with some combat training under his belt, "Look if Tygora has your friends, and she does, good luck getting them back. I'm sure they're her play things already."
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Anastasia leans in a bit more to hear the conversation more clearly. Sensing an uproar on the horizon she starts taking stock of the room looking for a quick exit if necessary. We are better than our colleagues and we will prove it that's why we were sent by the society they have faith in us.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Cosmo casts guidance on himself.
The professor taps the ashes out of his pipe onto the bar, then raps the surface of the bar thrice, sharply, with his pipe. Having the attention of the room, he climbs up his barstool and onto the bar itself.
"Ladies, Gentlemen, Friends, we stand here today on the cusp of an historic undertaking. You have been living under the thumb of this efreeti Tygora for too long—far too long. Four score decades ago, she rose to power here. And for four score decades has she brutalized her people—your people."
The halfling doffs his fedora and holds it up, "Well, now I say, stand!" he is nearly shouting. "Stand and we shall fight. We shall fight together. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother."
With that he dons his hat, collects his pipe, and lights it, still standing on the bar in his tweed jacket with leather patches on the elbows.
The uproar of the crowd is a multitude of voices yelling, shouting, conspiring and agreements. Beer, food is everywhere as they pound on the table chanting in Terran.
As the men file out of the bar in a drove, a level-headed one stops at the door, the same burly Oread with some fighter training, "We'll tell our families an then we'll gear up with what weapons we have, we'll await your signal to assault Fury's Hold, you're just what this town has been waiting for"
After this mass exodus of customers, the bartender looks at your group, "Dat ther were a lot o' payin' folk. . ."
|
|
Ranar seems amused by the entire situation. "Do not worry about a nights lost income. Soon ale will flow and the coin purses empty once Tygora had been ousted."
Ranar rises to his feet, he gathers his things and begins to walk out of the bar. "Our next stop should be to wrestle free the Alchemist from Tygora's grasp."
|
|
"The Laughing God be thanked! Nothing like the oratory skills of my esteemed colleague greased by the revelry and liquid courage of my patron to enlist a solid group of allies! A drink in your honor!"
She holds a glass up to Cosmo and then one to Kofusachi before exuberantly finishing her drink. Steadying herself with the nearby table, she stands up and joins her friends walking out of the bar in complete control.
The bartender picks up a dirty rag and starts wiping down his counter, is this an automatic gesture or is he simply trying to make the counter more dirty its not exactly clear. "Nao ya got tha troops, ya need tha supplies, Ai herd Morak down ther at his Alchemy shop is havin' some trouble with tha Ifrit enforce-a's." He'll draw a dagger from his belt, stamped in the metal at the base is large a V, "No betta smith than Valsog, he gone an' made armor that fits elementals he's so good. Best damn weapon and armor smith in town, also a slave like tha rest o' us. Tygora got 'im some 50 yars ago an' put him ta work, naught sure what leads ya got, but those are two good places to start from here,"
|
|
Anastasia jumps down from her bar stool and settles her sword on her back. Looking at the crowd figures its time to get moving before things get a bit crazy. I like a good bar fight but I think my skills are needed elsewhere and plus I want keep my skills sharp for what I assume with be an important battle. "Come on guys lets head out and see if we can't find the smith and see what we can learn." Anastasia strides off in the direction of the front door with a look of determination and a small smile on her lips as she presses her way thru the rowdy crowd.
Ah yah ain't gonna find no pipeweed in this here town, nah wan ta trade fah it and Tygora dun won't lettuce grow non eatin' crops."
Acknowledging Hlifkom Ya can't miss 'em, he's a big fella, easy goin' juss dun interrupt his work. Heard he likes special swords and armor!"
You merry group of revolutionists sets out to the smithy, right around the corner. Its easy to find, just by following the sound of the bellows, massive furnace and the ring ting of metal hitting metal. Smoke rises from a massive chimney in this open-sided smithy, whose ceiling rises at least twenty feet above the ground at its lowest point. A fenced yard hosts a multitude of swords, shields, breastplates, and helms—some are propped up on stands and others lying incomplete in piles. The cadence of steel on steel rings out from the shop.
Most of the shop is simply a sturdy pavilion containing a central forge, half a dozen anvils of varying sizes, and a pair of immense ceiling-mounted bellows. Racks mounted on pillars hold hammers of many sizes, and several large barrels filled with either water, oil, or bars of iron.
Standing some 14 feet tall, soot, ash, and coal dust streak this giant's rust-colored skin. His eyes hold a look of both determination and detachment. As you approach, he continue's hammering away at what looks like a size Large greatsword.
"Wut can I do fer ya?" Never slowing from his work, he continues the process of forging this greatsword, "Nothin's fer sale, I got weapons but none fer sale. I got armor but none fer sale. All I got are piss-poor rushed weapons and armor for Tygora. So wut can I do fer ya"
|
|
Cosmo steps to the front.
"Are you Valsog? I am Professor Cosmo Berrythwaite, adjunct lecturer of history. These are my friends. That's Ranar. And over there are Hlifkom, Xiakai, Anastasia, and Tika. We have traveled a great distance—all the way from the City at the Center of the World—and we could use your help, and in so doing, we might be able to help you as well."
The halfling removes his felt hat and takes a half-step forward. "You see, gentle sir, we have come to rescue colleagues of ours. Colleagues who we now believe to be held against their will at this very moment by the efreeti despot Tygora."
"I can see that you are a busy man, so I don't wa—"
Suddenly, a muffled mumbling can be heard from the scabbard at Cosmo's hip. "Wha—?" He grips the hilt and draws Gamin the Misforged...
Valsog continues hammering away at his greatsword, "Aye, I'm Valsog, Master Smith,"
However as Cosmo draws out Gamin, Valsog stops his hammering, reaches out and takes Gamin, "Bah, look at this shoddy Dwarven work. Did a blind dwarf baker forge you?" Shaking his head and handing the sword back to Cosmo, "I'm sorry you own such a sword, its possible it could be reforged but I am not sure I could do it and I especially don't have time to attempt it right now either,"
Resuming his crafting of this greatsword, "Sorry, Sword, these arms and armor are anything but my usual high quality work. Tygora has me working day and night to craft her more weapons and more armor, I long for the days when I could make a sword that'd rival 100 of these shoddy replicas,"
|
|
"Perhaps we can help one another then!" Cosmo smiles cheerfully.
"Someone has riled the local populace into a tizzy against Tygora, and a sizable rabble is quite ready to march against your tyrannical patroness. But they need weapons. Your weapons! Would you be willing to lend your support to the cause?" Cosmo thrusts Gamin overhead, into the air, for emphasis...