Richard spends a good deal of the next couple weeks in one of Khonnir's back rooms at The Foundry. Going through his notes on the expedition to rescue Khonnir and restore the forge fires of Torch, he is determined to compose a story of their adventure while the details are still fresh in his mind.
The encounter with Meyanda in Black Hill disturbed him, and in the process of writing he is also conducting research. He visits the Temple of Brigh to speak with Joram Kyte, asks discrete questions around town, and pours over bought and borrowed texts on religion, looking for any mention of her patron, Hellion.
When his research hits walls, or writer's block stalls his pen, he seeks out Alpha. Though he comes to him on the pretense of training with his rapier, and takes to the weapon with surprising talent, his true purpose for the visits is to talk with another of his kind, and perhaps find some insight or logic that Richard's unusual android mind might overlook. And when he finds that Alpha has been looking into some of the same things, he collaborates and shares his findings eagerly.
As for the Cobbler, Richard makes a point to stop by Maruf's Shoes and order a pair of fine boots for Kharax to enchant, and a few potions for the road. Though the tiefling has the personality of a angry heat rash a part of Richard is sad that the Cobbler won't be there with Kharax and Alpha when they go to investigate Scrapwall.
A few weeks later...
On an evening when the common room of the Foundry is flush with patrons, Richard performs his finished song.
"Duellio Machina"
On Black Hill perched the town of Torch.
A town of ancient buried lore.
Burning flames had birthed its name,
Heating forges for sky-found ore.
But when the flames went out one day,
A group of Four went down,
To delve the mysteries below the Hill,
And save the dying town.
Alpha armed Aegis Steel,
Kharax of the Lightning-Hand,
The Cobbler bearing hellish rage,
And Luck at The Mithril Bard's command.
To seek an expedition lost,
bravely did the Four men go
Into a ancient labyrinth
of metal caves, and fearsome foes.
Beyond a desert of the dead,
Beyond the door of stars,
They found the elder Khonnir
Imprisoned by robotic guards.
But little did they know,
That while they ventured deep below,
A traitor lurked in town, waiting
With technic power, generating.
Yet other eyes were watching,
And when the Four came back,
A secret ally showed the way
To hidden artifact.
One mystery unveiled,
Others still unfound,
The Four descended once again,
Deeper yet into the ground.
Past chambers sealed by lightning,
Past guards of flesh and stone and steel,
They came at last into the core,
And met the Fire Thief, at last revealed.
With robot guard at her command
With Hellion's unholy might,
The Fire Thief attacked the Four,
Inciting them to fight.
With lightning, steel, rage, and luck,
They fought a great and terrible war.
The Fire Thief fell, the Four prevailed,
And the Flame they did restore.
After parting ways with Maruf, the party spends some time researching item as yet unidentified. Khonnir, whose affliction disappeared with the relighting of Torch's flame, helps immensely, filling in any facts that escape you.
Some days after becoming heroes of the town, you are approached by a man, Lewdon by name, who having heard you lost a member, inquires about joining the Technologists of Torch, as you've come to be called.
Meanwhile, the android woman, who proclaimed her faith and fealty in the mysterious Hellion, is recovered, jailed, and ministered back to health, thus making her available for questioning.
Between research, questioning, and Khonnir's guidance, you learn a little about your upcoming task.
- The orc and ratfolk you encountered are/were members of a gang operating out of Scrapwall, the Lords of Rust.
- Khonnir's study of the power relay confirms that it relaying tremnedous amounts of power from some sort of reactor underneath Torch, and transmitting that power to a some specific point in Numeria, 105 miles to the northeast. The only significant location in that area is Scrapwall.
- Khonnir and the other town councilors are fearful that the android, Meyanda's lord, Hellion hasn't lost interest in Torch, and ask the Technologist's of Torch to seek out where she came from and investigate why she was beaming energy out to somewhere around Scrapwall. If the party finds that Torch is still in danger, making sure the threat is neutralized is of the utmost importance to the council. They offer a reward of 8000 gp to ensure no further threat faces Torch.
Despite his role in relighting the flames of Torch, and the song he composed to recount the tale, Richard is uncomfortable with being labeled a hero. Although Alpha seems fine wearing his android heritage openly, Richard is not. Sanvil's presence is a reminder that the Technic League has interests in Torch, and Richard would prefer to avoid their notice.
In looking for a place more suited to laying low, he considers the Silverdisk Hall.
One evening, just as twilight is settling over Torch, Richard comes to Kharax at the Foundry. By coincidence Alpha is also there, and overhears the conversation.
"Excellent work with this. A real confidence booster." Richard taps the magical headband Kharax recently imbued. "I was thinking, now that Garmen's out of the picture, that the Silverdisk Hall could use some new leadership. How would you feel about paying a visit to the place with me? We could bring Lewdon along. See what sort of man he is before dragging him into a place like Scrapwall."
"Obtaining a legitimate source of income is a logical thing to do."
"Income would be logical..." Richard replies to Alpha. And would serve well as a cover for other things. He leaves unsaid. "Would you come with us Alpha? I'm sure any resistance from those running the place now would be swiftly overcome if faced by all three of us."
"We will make sure that they see it as logical as well."
Richard and Alpha discuss the possibilities of garnering extra income by taking over Silverdisk Hall.
Eventually they decide to pay the establishment a visit. Entering, you find the Hall the same as when you were last here, if not a little more shabby. From asking around town, you find out the hall is now being run by two lackabouts by the name of Max and Kazimo. You see the two men sitting in a back booth, along with a couple serving girls, watching the sparse crowd gamble away their money.
Alpha scans the men before looking to Richard to do the talking. The proud android was only here in case the talking required a shield.
Richard glances at Alpha, not quite sure what to expect from him but happy for the backup. He then looks to Lewdon. "The old proprietor of this establishment was a traitor to Torch. We took care of him, which has left this place without someone capable to run it. We could use a place of our own and I think we should step in."
Nodding to the two men in the corner booth, he adds, "We will need to convince these two. Jump in however you think is appropriate."
Approaching the men, Richard smiles. "I hear you two are now in charge here. Seems the place has come on hard times after Garmen's secret dealings were exposed. I have a proposition that might improve things."
As the group approaches the two men, Max notes your coming and smacks Kazimo on the arm and points toward you. The two sit up and warily watch you. At Richard's statement, Kazimo snorts. "We're listening. What ya offerin'?"
"Mighty kind of you!", Kharax taking the compliment in stride. After hearing Richard's proposal, Kharax nods. "Well, I'd prefer working at the smith, but more income for materials would be useful."
He then waits as Richard talks to the potential new hires.
"We've come with a business proposition." Richard begins. "Garmen was in league with some bad folk. I would like to think you knew nothing of your old boss's business dealings, but by association that puts you and the Silverdisk in a tight spot."
"If you had new patrons, ones with some influence such as Technologists, this place could once again become a thriving business. We don't want much. A couple secure rooms, and perhaps a little of the profits. Negotiable upon review of the books in a month."
Richard smiles again and lets the two consider his words.
Max leans over and whispers something into Kazimo's ear. Exchanging nods, Max says. "We aren't against the idea. But, right now your just offering up intangibles. If you manage to drum up business, and, show that it's your doing and not just some...quirk, then we can talk about terms."
"We could put some banners up; spread some word of mouth about us. Plus there's a fella by the name of the Cobbler that's running a shop here in town. He can be our representative while we're out keepin' up da Technologists' name. Mebbe come up with some named drinks for us, too."
Richard considers the counter-proposal. "That's reasonable. I already have a few ideas."
"First thing, I'll get someone in here to clean the place up. It's starting to look shabby."
"Second, we need to give folk a new reason to come here. I propose, in honor of relighting the Flame of Torch, that the Silverdisk host a first-annual Forgefire Day celebration."
He nods at Kharax's suggestion. "We will spread the word, and since I'm due 100 credit from the place, I'll donate that towards a lottery for those that attend."
The men turn to each other, exchange a look, then turn back to the party. "Fair enough. You've got a deal." Kazimo states.
After spending some time investing in repairs at the Silverdisk, ans spreading the word around town the Technologist's have decided to back the hall, the party readies themselves to journey to Scrapwall.
---------------------
Before you leave, Torch’s elderly high priest of Brigh, Joram
Kyte, contacts the party with a personal request. "I heard you were heading to Scrapwall, and I wanted to ask a personal faivr. I believe
that an old associate of mine, a woman named Dinvaya, has taken up residence in Scrapwall after she was forced to flee from the Technic League’s persecution many years ago. My research has indicated she’s not dead, but I havn’t been able to contact her."
He holds up his personal symbol of Brigh. "You can take this and show Dinvaya in order to help earn her trust. I merely want you to let her know that the Technic League’s interest in her has passed and there’s a place for her in Torch if she wishes to rejoin society. At the very least, I would like confirmation that she’s dead or not living in Scrapwall." He pauses, thinking, then says. "I promise to give you my lesser rod of extend metamagic as a reward."
---------------------
As your making your preparations to leave, Khonnir comes to visit you. "I wanted to stop by to thank you again and say goodbye." He says, extending his hand to shake everyone's. "A bit of advice now that you've decided to head to Scrapwall. I suggest you head first for a small fort called Aldronard’s Grave. It's located on the west bank of the Sellen River directly across from Scrapwall. The fortress is often unoccupied, but if any crusaders or worshipers of Sarenrae are there, they could well have some information about the current situation in Scrapwall to share."
"That sounds like a logical agreement. We will accomplish this."
"More information is beneficial to our mission. Many thanks are in order."
Turning a Silverdisk between his nimble fingers, Richard regards the two men for a moment before nodding.
Richard makes the rounds in Torch, talking with elders about the celebration.
He also spreads the word after performances at the Foundry.
In the evenings he will don a disguise and snoop around the Silverdisk to make sure there isn't any shenanigans occurring.
***
Later, with Joram Kyte...
"We will find Dinvaya and deliver the holy symbol. It is the least we could do for all the help you have offered us in the past."
***
With Khonnir...
"Thanks Khonnir. I was preparing for the possibility of needing to sneak into Scrapwall to learn about it, but any allies nearby could be a valuable resource. Is there anything more you could tell us about Scrapwall or Aldronard's Grave?"
***
The last night before leaving Torch...
Bearing good food and wine brought from the celebration, Richard pays a visit to Meyanda in her cell.
"There are many that would see our kind shackled in Numeria." Richard says to her, pulling back his hair to reveal his own android markings. "I know it is probably hard for you to understand, but it disturbs me to see one of my our imprisoned."
Offering her the plate and cup, he asks her with honesty, "I saw the shrine with your gargoyle under Black Hill. Was that fabricated in dedication to your God? I know nothing of Hellion... but I am curious. I understand you and the orcs and ratfolk may have come from Scrapwall. I am going there, and I would hope you could tell me about the place, and Hellion's role there."
Richard's efforts seem to have an effect as buzz is created about the Hall and its new management. Just before leaving, the party gets a share of the profits, a tidy some of 500 gp.
----------------------
After asking around and a little research, Richard learns a few tidbits of information about Scrapwall and Aldronard's Grave.
Aldronard was a devout paladin of Sarenrae in Andoran before traveling north to Mendev to aid in the Second Crusade. He wound up serving the war for several years, and when the crusade came to an end, Aldronard was eager to return home to marry his beloved, a woman named Justinia. But while stopping over at the fort on his journey south, he received a letter from Justinia's father, Eredian, informing him that his love had died during an attack on the farm by raiders. Eredian's bitter tersely worded missive made it clear he blamed Aldronard-both because Justinia had been pining away for him and refused to leave her family home to start a new life, and because Aldronard hadn't been at the farm to protect her.
Unfair as the blame was, it cut Aldronard to the soul, robbed of the only glimmer of hope he had left in what had become an unrelenting dark time during the crusades, the paladin lost faith and committed suicide by leaping from the tallest tower of the riverside chapel where he had received the letter.
Since then, bad luck has always seemed to plague those who visited the fort, and as the years wore on, many began to report glimpses of a strange and harrowing ghost seen on certain long nights. The fort became known as Aldronard's Grave, and when an unfortunate fire caused the collapse on the wooden interior of the fort's keep, the church of Sarenrae decided to reduce their presence at the fort to a mere handful of priests and knights who have remained out of a sense of tradition.
The current gangs of note within Scrapwall, in ascending order of power, are the Steel Hawks, Redtooth's Raiders, the Smilers, and the Lords of Rust. Another group, the Thralls of Hellion, seems to have recently disbanded. Loners of significant power are believed to dwell within Scrapwall as well, including a mysterious worshiper of Brigh, a powerful mutated manticore, and an unknown number of undead spirits that haunt the region's easternmost reaches, but most of those living in Scrapwall are riffraff and lowlifes known collectively as Scrappers-exiles and vagabonds who pay tribute to one of the region's gangs for protection, but have no affiliation of their own.
The Lords of Rust now rule Scrapwall, and they are in turn ruled by an unknown force called Hellion that claims to be a god. The Lord's of Rust headquarters is located at the center of the junkyard, at a large structure known as the Scrapmaster's Arena, but there are rumors that the bulk of this gang's hideout is underground.
Before leaving, Richard tries speaking with the android, Meyanda. She appears grateful for the food, but when asked about Hellion, her eyes take fervent shine as she says. "He is Hellion, the true leader of the Lords of Rust, a god who has granted me miracles, as I am one of his favored! His sign is his claw, and his voice is his law! He will soon rise from the dust of Scrapwall to march upon Numeria, to make this land his own!"
Once ready, the party sets out for Scrapwall. The hundred or so miles is fairly uneventful, besides occasionally spotting an animal mutated by the region, or avoiding the notice of some robotic automaton.
On the evening of the fifth day, just as the sun is starting to drop below the horizon, Aldronard's Grave comes into view, about a mile and half away.
On the road Richard tells his companions all the stories he knows of Scrapwall and of Aldronard's Grave.
"I think I've heard a song about Aldronard's Grave before." Richard comments, plucking lightly at strings on his mandolin as he walks. "The ruins of the fort might be a good place to base ourselves, assuming the priests of Sarenrae are friendly and the rumors of ghosts are exaggerated."
"These gangs of Scrapwall - I'm not sure, but they could provide opportunities for us if we consider joining up with one. Before we left Torch I talked with Meyanda. She told me that her 'God' Hellion commands the Lords of Rust, and I think that clawlike shrine guarded by that gargoyle we fought under the hill is his symbol. It is also important to note that until recently there was another gang in Scrapall called the Thralls of Hellion. I think we should probably try to find out what happened to them, and what, if any, role their disappearance has in the current politics of the gangs."
"I've also heard that a powerful worshiper of Brigh is known to reside in Scrapwall. This could be Joram's friend Dinvaya, or at least a potential ally. I suggest we start by tracking them down."
"Tracking down a potential ally is logical. However, gangs are known to be untrustworthy so attempting to join one is illogical."
"Let's camp here." Richard agrees with Alpha. Taking off his haversack and looking for a good spot off the road. As he settles down and grabs some trail rations he addresses the subject of the gangs.
"Sometimes trust isn't logical. We may not need to join a gang to accomplish our goal, but let's not rule it out just yet."
"No, trust is for the logical. As in it is not logical to trust lawless gangs."
"Ugh, thought I'd get outta that kinda work learning trade. Not strong enough to be muscle as most people expect my kind for.", Kharax accepting Richard's proposal. "So, Lewdon, why'd you decide to join us? Hopefully for a better reason than to start a shoe shop.", chuckles the half-orc as to the Cobbler's reason for joining the initial expedition.
|
"Seems like you gents are doin some good around here and if I kin lend a hand in helpin ya out I'd like ta. Even if it's just bashin skulls of those dat try en get in ya way." Lewden shrugs "Now dat I got dis little upgrade I gotta put it ta some use and all I ever known was fightin for others. Least I gets ta choose dis time."
"The arm does look very advanced. Where did you acquire it?"
After camping for the night, the party rises and hikes the last mile and a half to the fort. As you approach the front gate you see two men in helms standing guard atop the roof of a building in the fort. One the men raises his hand in greeting, then cups boths hands to his mouth and yells out in a voice that sounds strange, as if the man is having trouble pronouncing the words. "The fort has been struck with the plague! You should head upriver to avoid exposure!"
Looking at Lewdon's body, Kharax sighs. "As much metal as in you guys, it's a miracle at all that Torracha can let me heal ya."
At the fort, Kharax raises some concern. "What kinda illness? I have some skill with medicinal stuff.", he asks.
The man shakes his head and replies. "Plague. Our healers are doing all they can. Should risk yourselves!"
"There is little risk. The only true organic of us here is Kharax and he is a healer."
Well at least he didn't say "android".
To his companions, he says, "Perhaps Alpha and I should go in first to see the nature of this plague before taking chances with Kharax and Lewdon."
"We were told that pilgrims of Sarenrae sometimes stop here." Richard calls up to the guard. "Are you among those?"
He then gestures to Alpha. "He and I are immune to normal sickness. Let us in and perhaps we can help."
The man nods to Richard's first question, then shrugs at the second and begins climbing down the roof followed by his companion.
As the guards disappear from view, moments later they reappear at the entrance and one man opens the gate allowing you in. As Alpha and Richard move into the courtyard, they see a handful of other men, including one man who has a handaxe attached to the stump of his right arm, loitering in the courtyard as if waiting for something. At that same moment, Richard notices one of the men trying to work the control to drop the portcullis!
I don't like the look of this.
"Hold on there." Richard says, stepping to the man preparing to drop the portcullis.
"Th' hell? First they're trying to shoo us away and now they wanna trap us?!", Kharax confused by the whole situation.
"I'm not sure Lewdon. Somethin feels off here!"
Richard begins making a move toward the man trying to lower the gate!
Lewdon moves closer, sensing trouble.
The man tring to lower the portcullis takes a stab at Richard, but the man dodgess it, then grabs a hold of him, yanknig his arm away from the lowering mechanism!
The grappled man takes another stab at Richard, but misses!
The men in the yard rush forward, focusing their fire on ALpha, and dropping him to unconsciousness!
The stump-handed man moves forward, pushes a button on a small spherical device he is holding, then tosses it near the gate!
"The decisions you have made today will prove illogical."
Alpha steps forward and attempts to slam his shield into orange, his shield crackling with electricity.
"Damn, what th' hell is going on?", Kharax running up to heal the savagely assaulted Alpha.
"I believe it is known as the sudden but inevitable betrayal."