Palace of the Vampire Queen (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

stupid phone spell correct. I didn't mean for that comment to imply I wanted to rush this, I just wanted to try and get people involved, in character, and that sounded pretty no nonsense when I was writing it.
"...And in answer to your question Rownig, I serve with my Lord's guards, what about you?"

No worries, I did not think you were rushing things at all. I'm all for getting everyone involved.

As we amble out onto the beach, looking around for the old dwarf. Rownig pauses quickly before answering Mazrim,"Well, I 'er fix things and get into to things, when a certain amount of delicacy is required. MeLady's personal assistant." Hands gesturing with palms upward.

"So, you see much front line fightin' in yer time?" sounding geniunely interested. There may be a dire need fer that skill set if these rumors are true.

No problem dude I also serve in the Lady's service, but as a priest. Although I am fairly new, I dedicate my skills to the Lady

"Far as I know the old legends say that a long long time ago a ship sank off the coast here, and we being the greedy bastards what we are murdered the survivors. Dwarves took their things after burying them in a cave up in the mountains. Folks say they come back to haunt the island. But, I'm sure we've all heard those tales, never thought there was much to 'em. As for that old geezer, he is a skilled magician. Being able to invoke a spell with a simple gesture is beyond most people's skills. We need to find him quickly." He turns to the first person the three of them see on the beach and says, "Did you see an old gentleman being helped off this way a moment ago?"
Diplomacy (Gather info): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
A sudden release of shrimp and tomato fueled gas from his rear, and Helgen's off-putting appearance combine to make the inquiry a less than appealing one. His right eye twitches slightly in embarrassment.

Terquem, do we see the old man?

The sudden and dramatic arrival of the Old Dwarven Oracle sets the restaurant into a flurry of activity.

Hallister is unsure what to make of the comments, but before he can say anything else, Sir Henri waves him off saying, “And off to do as I asked, now, Hallister. It won’t do us any good to worry about the ramblings of a street prophet. We need to be watchful for when the King’s men arrive.” The Knight rises from his chair, and taps Hallister on the arm with an assured familiarity, and a signal that he should get to the things he has been asked to do.

Meanwhile, two of the retainers, Alovin and Hooslin, of Lady Inarossa's retinue, get up from their table and move swiftly to help the Old Dwarf make his way down the stairs to the beach below. It is a high wall, nearly twenty feet, but the stairs are wide and easy to manage.

The other Knights, Sir Henri and Sir Guisse, are slow to rise from their tables, and it is unclear if this is a sign that the morning meal is finished. Sir Guisse whispers something to an older, balding dwarf, and the fellow nods and moves off to the east at a quick pace.

Azram approaches Hallister while Helgen, Rownig, and Mazram follow the twins down the stairs. Behind them come a few more of the retainers, mostly the curious. Lady Inarossa gives an approving nod to Rownig, as he passes by, but she frowns at Helgen.

At the bottom of the wall there is a stone bench, built into the wall itself, and the twins, being polite, ask the Old Dwarf to sit and enjoy a free meal on their Lady. He smiles, and says, “Your Lady is kind, and generous.” Hooslin, letting the Old Oracle rest his arm on hers, sits beside him, while her brother, Alovin, remains standing. He sees the three of you approaching, tilts his head to the side when he recognizes Rownig, and takes a small step to the right, allowing you to approach if you want to.

To clarify: Avaram and Hallister are still in the area of the tables at the top of the wall, the restaurant. Helgen, Rowning, and Mazrim are on the beach, near the Old Dwarven Oracle.

The beach here is flat and slopes gently down, northward toward the ocean. It is wide here, but to the east and west the beach narrows, making this area, just below the restaurant and by the stairs in the wall, very popular with families, and fishermen. It is about one hundred fifty feet to the water. The waves are small here, and break with a gentle noise. To the east, about a hundred yards, is a low pier, it is attached to the wall, and about ten feet below the top of the wall and ten feet above the sand. You can see that young Dwarves, lovers mostly, like to sit in the shade below the pier. The pier extends out into the water for more than a hundred yards, and there are several small boats tied to it. The boats currently are about eight to ten feet below the pier, but the tide is out, and in a few hours they will rise up to be about five feet below the pier. There are ladders on the sides of the pier that allow access to the boats. When the tide comes in, the water will be only fifty feet from the wall.

Ah Helgen is right. Ill go talk to the "surly" fellow

Terquem...For clarification, Azram went onto the beach.

I could almost swear that the Surly Fellow is Hallister, who went off to interact with the Knights, and Azram went off to talk to him? So I would see this as an exchange of statements at the top of the stairs, and then a seperation.

I could almost swear that the Surly Fellow is Hallister, who went off to interact with the Knights, and Azram went off to talk to him?

I guess Azram needs to clarify.

Rownig gives a brief nod to Lady Inarossa as he passes, then his eyes begin to water as Helgen broke wind. Aye that's 'nough to make anyone frown. Coughing loudly.

Once Rownig observes Alovin he smiles, then states to his walking companions, "Yes, this is a good idea that the two of you had.'Understanding the implied message that we can safely approach the oracle.

yeah, i went to the beach

Hallister nods, holding in his trepidation. In short order he makes his rounds, notifying those that his lord had named that Sir Henri would like to speak with them.

Countryside is crawlin' wit' undead, th' king calls a moot t' talk 'bout the friggin' Vampire Queen 'erself, Sir Henri drags me along 'cause 'e wants an expert, an' when that old man shows up rantin' 'bout things tha' are the godsdamned root o' the whole mess 'e wants t' jus' dismiss th' whole thing an' ignore me? Fine. Tha's jus' fine.

Spotting the elderly dwarf with his escort a short distance away, Mazrim turns to the other dwarves that came with him. "Did either of you have any specific questions in mind? I'm not familiar with this legend so I was just gonna ask him to tell it in full, unless you have a better idea."

"Well, seems like the same legen' is told throughout the Inarossa halls, 'cause I've 'eard the same thing Helgen mentioned.' Slipping up to the front of Helgen. "Could be we just ask him, what he knows about that Vampire and unnatural walkin' dead." Need to get upwind from Helgen.

Rownig looks left and right at his companions, "Seems to me we have a riddle to ask about."

I was indeed referring to Hallister as 'that surly fellow' however, I think Azram thought I meant the old man and intended to come along to the beach.

"Mornin'" Helgen says to the two retainers with a friendly grin. "Mind if we join you?" He asks after the polite fashion before walking the rest of the distance over and sitting down in the sand at the old man's feet. "I heard you talking up in the restaurant grandfather, (again being polite) and I was wondering if you could explain a little more about the whole thing." he pauses for a moment before continuing, "Who is the Helmsman? The bride? What about the Palace?" Helgen adjusts himself into sitting 'indian style' on the sand and waits for the old oracle's response.

Following step, Rownig clears his throat and eyes Helgen, with a slight frown regarding the lack of decorum, "If I may be so kind to 'nounce ourselves, sittin' before you is Sir Helgen Inarossa of House Inarossa," a short pause, then continuing, "and Mazrim Deacon, loyal and humble emmissary of House Guise," taking a deep breath and following up with, "Azram Diamond-Hammer, a representative of... Blasted, what was that church he mentioned?...the Church," another short pause "and, I am, Rownig Fleetfoot servant of House Inarossa." Letting the formalities sink in.

Giving everyone a moment to gather their wits, and permit the Learned Oracle time to adjust to the new voices in front of him. "If we could be so bold, as to request an audience, and some quesitions?

Hearing Rownig give introductions, Azram follows suit.
Hello, i serve the church of Dennari from within the house of Lady Innarossa

The Old Dwarf smiles and his gaze is fixed straight ahead. When he hears the chatter around him, he seems to rise up a bit, straightening his back and lifting his head and then he says, ”Voices of the eyes that seek, yes? Are these the hearts that will know the fear? What is it you seek? The Legend of the Vampire Queen, yes she will show you fear, and the void beyond. She is the one who would raise the one whom the Helmsman loved, but of that I am forbidden to tell you. Know that she, the Queen of the Dead, is not the Bride. She is the bridesmaid, and her curse is great. Her curse can be undone, but the secret lies within the Palace. You must find the place where the water rises before it falls. It is a place south of Witches Valley, where the Great Goblin Warlords of the ancient times are buried. You will find them there, the dead who walk the sands of Karrita Morianna. They are not like any you may have heard about. They are the Forever Dead, and they have been the doom of many eyes before yours. Each of you servers a different master, but you must learn to serve something greater. The three will send you on your way, if the right questions are asked. Their victories are bound up within your eyes, but beware the one who would betray the other two. Ambition will be the undoing if that one does not know where the heart truly lies. There is another who will oppose you, but she cannot be seen at this time. When all seems against you, it will be the ones who you understand the least who will come to your aid. I can say no more. Seek the path that is set by the king for the three and you will know the fear of those who oppose Karuk. Ask your questions. I will answer what I know, but of the Palace and the Vampire Queen I can say no more.”

Rownig sits down next to Helgen. Since he is only a retainer in the service of the House Inarossa, he waits for Helgren Inarossa to aks his questions agian, now that the wise Oracle has spoken.

He turn to both Mazrim and Azram and motions to the sand. Permitting Mazrim, the representative of House Guise to speak before him.

As Rownig sits there listening he ponders what was revealed, There is another who will oppose you, but she cannot be seen at this time. When all seems against you, it will be the ones who you understand the least who will come to your aid. Thinking out the riddle, So there is there is a silent female enemy out there that has not been revealed but we will have unexpected allies.

Straight INT: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

"Can you tell of more about this curse? What is it and what caused it?"

Mazrim ponders for a moment. "More importantly is it a curse that can be spread?"

Ah the joys of prophetic riddles. So the Vampire Queen remains a bit vague. However we clearly need to go south of Witches Valley and find the tide covered burial ground where the undead are. Also the entrance to the palace. Hmmm...follow the King's orders, but learn to serve something greater than our lieges. Could he be speaking of serving Karuk itself? Which knight will betray the others?

Do we know where witches valley is? What about ancient goblin burial grounds?

"Where does the heart truly lie grandfather? Which knight harbors thoughts of betrayal?" Helgen asks him after a few moments of thinking.

Listening to the questions that are asked, Rownig pauses, Ye' ask'd guud questions. " Well Sir, I have a few questions." Taking a long deep breath, "If the Vampire Queen is not the bride, but rather the Bridesmaid, who be the Bride and whatda 'bout the Groom?

After watching the old dwarf's reaction, he follows up with "
What is the difference between walking dead and forever dead?

”Tell you about the curse of the Vampire Queen?” the Oracle whispers. "But no one knows what words were spoken. It is only known that the call went out to the walker of the Human Dead, she who is known to the Human folk as Elmopona Shadow Seer. She is a maiden of Karuk, this is true, but she is a stranger and a strange god that is beyond my sight. The curse? Yes I, and many I have known, have tried to see into the nature of the curse but that way is hidden even from the eyes of Bescort, the wild one who sees into the deep places. What I will tell you is this. Beware the touch of the handmaidens of the Vampire Queen, for their touch is the cold hand that brings never ending darkness and pain. The dead that walk under the curse of the Vampire Queen cannot be destroyed, and this is what is meant by the name ‘Forever Dead’. They can be stopped, but only for a while. They will always return, until the curse is lifted.”

Another retainer approaches with a plate of fried fish and potato wedges, hands the plate to Hooslin, and then Hooslin says, “Here grandfather, a few pieces of hot fish and wedges for you.” She holds the plate with one hand while with the other she guides the old Dwarfs hands to the fish and potatoes.

”Blessed is your Lady,”the Oracle says. With a trembling hand, he lifts a piece of fish to his lips and takes a small bite. He chews a few times and swallows hard, and you can see that the old Dwarf is hungry, but he pauses, holding the morsel just inches away from his mouth and laughs a strange laugh. “Which of the three seeks to be greater than the other two? Ha!” he shouts. ”How such questions as these turn our minds to matters that matter not! You do not need the eyes that cannot see in this world to show you what is right before your faces. Where he looks for love, he may find sorrow, but that may or may not be in the mystery that lies before the eyes that seek and the hearts that would know fear. Would any of you tell a man that he loves in vain? No, you would not.”

Taking the plate from Hooslin, the old Dwarf rises to his feet and says,

"I will go and leave your questions for other eyes. Eyes that see in this world can better point you to the answers you seek. But there is one last thing. The bridesmaid cannot be the bride, until the bride is wed. Find one of the human kind, and you can learn more of their ways. The groom lived, and married another. The bride rests and waits, but for her bridesmaid to take back all that was lost. But she has found other things to distract her from her purpose. She has learned of the one whom the Helmsman loved, and if she succeeds in returning that one to this world all of us and our children’s children will be crushed beneath the black pain of his error for the gods will not let him face her again. Even those who work to return his honor cannot stand against her. She is undeath beyond all others."

"Well, that doesn't sound good. Thank you grandfather." Helgen says before standing up. He turns to the others and says quietly, "I don't think we're gonna learn anything here, riddles too difficult to make sense of. Lets go find Sir Henri's surly retainer and ask him what he knows." He gathers his things and heads back up the stairs to the restaurant to look for Hallister, assuming that the others will follow him.

Nodding, standing up, "Ye' right there brudder."[b] Heading back up towards the stairs. [b]"Wonder what the Lords can tell us about the riddle."

"Thank you for your time elder." Mazrim bows and heads of in the direction of the restaurant with Rownig and Helgen. "So what do you two make of all this?"

Azram thinks for a moment , Well, it sounds like we should talk to the Lords to see what they know This makes no sense at all, the riddle helps me none right now

"Aye, we should go gather that other ornery fella and talk this matter over a few pitchers of mead and ale," Rownig responds to Mazrim and Azram. "Then perhaps the Lords will be concluded with their business and we can have meetin' with them too."

As the group shuffles its way back up the stairs, Helgen stops at the top to look for Hallister. Seeing him walking around talking to people, Helgen approaches him. "Well met, Ser....? I'm afraid we got off on the wrong foot. Clearly you only had our liege's best interests at heart earlier. When that old man spoke, I saw your reaction. We've just had a chat with him, but can't seem to make any sense of what he's sayin'. Do you know what's going on?" He inquires, a polite friendly smile on his face.

Rownig would follow Helgen, permitting Helgren to make his introductions without interuptions. Provides a cordial smile towards Hallister.

Rownig would look around for Lady Inarossa. He will be looking for an opportunity to go and speak to her about the events on the beach.

Hallister raises an eyebrow at the group of younger dwarves. "Which part? The part where th' dead 're roamin' th' countryside in numbers 'nough t' git th' king's attention, or th' part where ah git dragged outta mah sickbed t' testify 'bout why, an' then git ignored an' left on'na beach?"

Helgen looks surprised for a second, then clearing his throat regains his smile. "What's your name, respected elder? I am Helgen out of Duralhelgen of House Inarossa, and I will not ignore you." He says earnestly.

Speaking up, "We should sit down and discuss what we can make of this'ituation. Lots of eerie 'appens goin' on. Maybe we can sort things through tog'ther. Shruggin his shoulders.

Hallister scoffs. "Mah name's Hallister. Ye c'n stop tryin' t' butter me up. Ah ain't no one r'spectable."

The surly pale-eyed dwarf looks like he's about to leave, but then thinks better of it. "Tell ye what, lets git somethin' t' drink an' ye c'n tell me 'bout what th' oldster was sayin'.

A huge grin appearing on Rownig's face when the idea of drinking was brought up. "Gorolandi, 2 pitch'rs of mead and 2 stout for us." Motioning to the table for use all to sit down.

"Me name's Rownig of House Inarossa. An' we had an int'estin conversation with the ol' oracle. 'nough to make ye skin draw wit' hebejebees. Licking his parched lips.

Helgen sits down at the table, when Gorolandi comes with the drinks he says, "I'd like a coffee please." Turning to address Hallister he explains, "The old man is some kind of oracle. He was speaking in riddles. Some things about a Bride, Bride's maid who would never be a bride, a helmsman. There is a woman who would be our enemy first but later our ally. A hidden palace or something in a place near witches valley where the old goblin lords are buried and the water comes and goes. Honestly it was pretty confusing, and I can't really remember anything else. He seemed reluctant to say too much, or speak too plainly. Oh yeah, one of the knights will betray the others. We should follow the path the king sets for us, but our allegiance need go beyond that." His brow screws up for a moment, making him look like some kind of exotic fish in a bowl of magical armor. "Hmm...yeah, that's really all I remember now." he finishes with a shrug and waits to see what Hallister will say.

"Ah heard th' beginnin' of it. You sayin' ye don't know who th' Helmsman is?"

Helgen blinks abashedly, "Fraid not, no sir. I've most of my time learning about arcane magic and how to run the books for a shipping concern. Not much for mythology. Would you mind explaining please?" he asks.

"he's... uh... well.." Hallister stumbled over his words, clearly at a loss of how to describe the Helmsman.

"He's kinda like th' god o' death. Not really though. 'E's more like th' undertaker o' th gods. 'E ferries th' souls o' th' dead t' th' nethermountains. When ye die, it's his job t' git ye wherever it is ye belong."

"Oooh. That guy. I thought he was referring to the helmsman from the old story about the ship that crashed on Karrita Morianna and was plundered by greedy dwarves. But forget the stories for a minnit, what about the rumors of attacks happening right now?" Helgen replies.

"Rumors? We're bein' frackin' attacked!" Hallister says with an incredulous look. "Dead bodies're gettin' up outta their graves an' walkin' 'round. They hate ye and want ye t' die. It started small, but it's gettin' worse. Ain't no rumor. It's bloody happenin'."

Helgen looks gravely concerned. "Well why haven't we been called to arms? I won't stand idly by while the dead destroy the living. Where are the knights going to meet the King's men? I want to be present for that." Helgen asks him.

"Tha's a good part o' why our lords 've been called in. Half th' people don' believe it, an' the rest 're tryin' t' keep a lid on th' truth t' avoid a panic. Ah jus' hope it ain't too late t' curb it. It's spreadin' fast."

"Well you clearly more'n I do about the sitchiation. Lead on sir, I will follow you for now," Helgen says as he sips his coffee. Maybe if I follow Hallister around, I won't have to go home and face pappy. Auntie didn't look too happy when she saw me. Oh boy...what have I gotten into?

"Ah don' know where th' he'll ye e'spect me t' lead ye. Ah'm waitin' on answers just as much as ye are."

So if I'm reading this right, two of the knights have left the restaurant at this point Sirs Henri and Guisse. Where is Lady Inarossa? Was I not part o her retinue at all, or was I just forbidden from going to the restaurant this morning?

Well, it looks like Hallister is the knowledgeable one among our numbers.
Hmm, Hallister could be useful to keep around, though I'll be watching him

" The ol' man did say this Vampire Queen is the one who would raise the one whom the Helmsman loved. So who is it that the Helmsman loved. ye know? asks the inquisitive dwarf to Hallister. "'cause as the story goes all 'ell breaks ou' if that one comes back."

Pausing a long time, taking a gulp of stout before continuing, 'Ye say the dead are gettin up 'ut of their graves and walkin' 'round. How do we kill the dead again?' Shaking his head, not really sure if it is even possible.

"By the way, the Vampire Queen is also known as, Elmopona Shadow Seer, and she was a maiden of Karuk, if that 'elps you at all. Beware her touch, and her handmaidens, it is as cold as death." Rownig adds to the conversation as he tries to recall the bits and pieces of the conversation with the old oracle.

Rownig looks over to Helgren and states, "I'm not so sure the unknown female enemy is the ally that the riddle spoke of. Hmmmm, me thinks there is another group that we don't really know or understand that may that ally." He reaches inside his tunic and pulls out a finely carved wooden pipe, I know it wasn't part of the starting gear but I took the liberty, and a satchel of tobacco, stuffing the pipe with the weed, then striking a spark. The scent of cherry and spice fills the air.