"We have many options, it seems. We should decide on the best course of action, or perhaps two or three so we have backups should something go wrong. If Tatya is going to need that farmhouse, I could take care of the widow for her easily enough."
"It would be wise to have a second base of operations anyway," Tatya opines. "Should any of us become compromised, we will have somewhere to go other than the inn." She glances appraisingly at Aedorn. "We two should be able to handle a crazy old woman, unless there is more to her than the village knows. The rumors about eccentric old hermits are sometimes more than rumors."
The Dwarf's map landed on the desk in front of Bostarg as Alazandaru set it down.
I was able to acquire it. Alazandaru said simply in explanation. But I would prefer us to make a copy so I can return the original. Its quite detailed; I had hoped you would make the copy with your quillmanship.
Bostarg takes to the map, quickly transcribing it, not a minor task given it's level of detail he must pour through to find the meat of each entry. Quickly working, he completes a copy for your purposes.
This key for the map will represent what information is useful and can be inferred from the dwarven map. This should not be considered a complete listing of each room in detail. I'll sort it based on the maps key.
1) Old dwarven built storeroom. Lots of supplies to survive a siege. Well made and little work needed.
2) Armory/forge
3-6) Captains' quarters, in order: Barhold, Varning, Mott, Eddarly
7)Garderobe. Dumps into river.
8) Main thoroughfare with servant's entrance (a)
9) Barracks. 120 beds.
10) Kitchens
11) Pantry
12) Mess Hall
13) Storeroom. Notes about amount of flammable materials present and various methods to implement to reduce risk of spreading. To be completed 4715.
14) Vestiary.
15) Acolyte Cells.
16) Clergy's shrine. Notes indicate holy water is kept here.
17) Father Donnagin's cell.
18) Bridge. Markings indicate ways to modify the bridge in case of attack. Drawbridge has been completed as of this time. Utilization of the Bridge of Death (24) also noted, though no modifications completed.
19) Gatehouse entry. Arrow slits on both sides, murder hole in ceiling. Portcullis is present, winch located elsewhere (25).
20) Gatehouse northern storage. Cistern is located here, only large enough for a small sized creature to fit through (this is inferred, not noted).
21) Gatehouse Southern storage.
22) Aldencross gate.
23) Walls. A winch is marked on the map but it's function is missing.
24) Bridge of Death.
25) Gatehouse level 2. Markings indicate two cauldrons of heated sand are kept here constantly heated in case of attackers. Winches for drawbridge and portcullis are both here.
26) Choir hall.
27) Fountain and courtyard. (a) is a discipline platform, noted that it needs to be rebuilt though still functional.
28) Statue of the victor.
29) Storage shed.
30) Stables
31) Great Hall.
32) Flag Room
33) Gatehouse Battlements. Two ballistae present. Two stonedroppers present. Crenellations currently being repaired.
34) Guardroom, hall of honor. Notes present of a cap to be placed to block from rest of keep. Notes improvements to be implemented within the next decade.
35) Prisoner cells.
36) Stairwell.
37) Torture chamber. Lists possible uses for dismantling to be performed within the next two decades.
38) Arrow room. Lists various methods to prevent possible fires to be implemented.
39) Upper guardroom.
40) Magister's laboratory. Lists methods for improvements in case of arcane mishaps.
41) Tacitus's quarters
42) Rookery guard room
43) Rookery. Lists various ways to improve the chamber. Side note states "Damn creepy birds".
44) Upper landing.
45) Guest room.
46) Lord's council chambers.
47) Havelyn's chambers.
48) Keeps roof. Trebuchet present. Another cap to roof. Lists methods to be implemented to improve defense.
Looking at the map as it's copied down, Aedorn points excitedly when he recognizes the area he saw at the end of the tunnel. "See? I told you there was a tunnel leading all the way to the fort!"
"This trapdoor in the ceiling, where does it come out?" Tatya frowns, laying her finger on the notation in Aedorn's vault and looking for a correlation elsewhere on the map.
Alazandaru rolls the map back up and replaces it in the dwarf's room, taking care to make it seem nothing has been disturbed.
Tatya looks a little askance at the halfling. "Let us hope this old woman is no more than she seems. Six miles of tramping through the countryside," she grimaces at the prospect. "What I wouldn't give for a civilized carriage."
Over the next two days, our villains perform their deeds in preparation for the mission against Balentyne.
Bostarg, under different guise pays visit to the Iomedaen temple, a Desnan worshipper in name. Arriving at evening service, you are able to make your way in despite the guardsman at the gate holding you back for a moment. Making your way in, most of the populace seem indifferent to your presence, though as you approach the Desnan altar there are a few glances sent your away, a couple hushed whispers. You're able to recognize a couple of those from about town.
Mother Ryanne is a rather plain woman, a little stocky, but her sermon is quite powerful to those in attendance. Only a handful of eyes and tongues wander when she starts to speak. She is brief, only speaking for about half an hour, though the ordered way in which she relates the church's doctrine is impressive, saying more than most would in the time she allotted. Afterwards an evening practice is prepared outside, teaching basic defense to many of the young men and women of town.
As the hall empties, a group of Desnans appear to offer prayers of their own. Mother Ryanne speaks briefly with the one in charge, a cordial conversation. Managing to get close enough to overhear but introducing yourself to one of the worshippers, you manage to overhear enough to tell that Mother Ryanne is asking them to make sure to come late enough to allow services to end, apparently a common conversation. You detect animosity from the Desnan leader in her choice of words, which Mother Ryanne either doesn't notice or shrugs off. You do see Brother Addis occasionally send a glare their way.
As the group gathers, about 30 youths gather to practice basic defensive techniques. A far cry from soldier training, but still impressive nonetheless.
Your conversation with the other Desnans is fairly simple, them feeling somewhat oppressed by the Iomedaen church. The agreement with other religions dates back to shortly after the Asmodean purges, where other faiths are brought in to the temple but are not permitted to build a structure of their own outside of a family altar. While no law prohibits it, a church does need to be approved by the village council, which thus far has declined every attempt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tatya and Aedorn quickly find Widow Dressler's home. Well off the main road, signs of being poorly maintained are quite obvious. The walls need painting, the fence has begun to break down and the only thing appearing to work is the garden out front, a stark difference. Little effort is required to gain entrance and find the woman, proving to be more difficult than expected to handle. With Aedorn and Tatya she is quickly subdued .
The house itself appears to be ideal for the circumstances. While a large house, only the lower floor has seen much use the past few years. The pantry is well stocked to last a month, it's far enough away to attract little attention. A search of the home even reveals that at one point she was skilled in treating wounds and disease. While a far cry from an alchemist's lab proper, it never the less has a variety of tools and implements useful in the craft, including some of the plant's growing in the garden .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aedorn pays a visit to The Rusty Blade late at night. The visit at least confirms that it is indeed what is expected, a brothel. Entering it appears much the same as expected as well. Off in the corner a bard sings a raunchy tune while several sitting nearby occasionally join in. A few gambling games go on about the room. A man and woman serve the various patrons, dressed to accent their figures. A big man by the door with a large cloth wrapped club keeps watch on the patrons. Behind the bar, a dwarf serves drinks to the customers while keeping an eye on the room. Coming up you see a symbol to Abadar about his neck.
Taking the time to roam about, do some gambling, and speak with the dwarf tells you quite a few thing about the place. The dwarf, Donnur, is a legitimate business man in town. His establishment is quite legal, he merely keeps it hidden as an agreement with the mayor and Lord Havelyn. He keeps it orderly and out of sight, they leave him to his own devices.
Speaking with him, you are able to bring out of him that he is a cleric of Abadar, but as of the past couple decades have felt his connection with him to be waning. Spells have become more difficult to call upon. It started shortly after the Asmodean purges, which he himself was alive for. He saw much of what happened as they were routed out of the town. Since then he and his apprentice have studied much about Talirean law, wondering what would prevent such a thing to happening to his own Abadaran way of life. More than once he's thought about leaving, but he feels as though with his own connection to his god fading, he is uncertain where to go.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Morthos is easily able to acquire a copy of Lucan's signature. Varning's route is a bit more difficult. Varning doesn't always take the same route, but there are certain places he prefers to stop at.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grabbing his bow, Aedorn smiles genuinely at Tatya. "Ah, it's not so bad. At least we're not cramped in that boat." As they exit the inn, he looks down the road and continues in a low voice. "Do we just saunter down the road or would you prefer to approach by steath? I think it would be better if less people knew where we were going, so we may want to stay off the road. Mind you might dirty your dress a bit though."
Sticking to the woods, they arrive at the farmhouse and Aedorn wastes no time in putting an arrow through the old woman. While Tatya is checking out the house, he will look for a ditch or pit he can dump the body in so she doesn't stink up the place.
Grabbing his bow, Aedorn smiles genuinely at Tatya. "Ah, it's not so bad. At least we're not cramped in that boat." As they exit the inn, he looks down the road and continues in a low voice. "Do we just saunter down the road or would you prefer to approach by steath? I think it would be better if less people knew where we were going, so we may want to stay off the road. Mind you might dirty your dress a bit though."
"I suppose the gnome can clean it for me," she says grudgingly. "If I'm off admiring the beauty of nature," (she rolls her eyes), "I dare say I ought to come back with the nastiest bits of it clinging to my skirts. Once we find the house, I'll continue by road while you follow under concealment. I have no gift of stealthiness, and it were best I knock on her door frankly and draw her out in the open for you. I have a dagger here in my skirts if needed to finish the job."
While Tatya is checking out the house, he will look for a ditch or pit he can dump the body in so she doesn't stink up the place.
Before Aedorn disposes of the old woman, Tatya studies her face closely. If needed to avoid suspicion, she wishes to be able to take on the crone's appearance with her iron circlet. "A pity we haven't the Cardinal's capacities," she sighs. "Animated, her corpse could provide a bit of assistance and security."
Tatya has time to do little more than make a positive judgment on the suitability of the place for her purposes. They have still to report back to Bostarg, and Aedorn has a date with a house of ill repute....
"I have managed the fool's signature. When you and Alazandaru are ready, Bostarg, let us proceed to acquire a weapon that has remained silent for far too long." A malicious grin forms as he ponders the possibilities.
Having kept tabs on the innkeeper since acquiring and copying the map, Alazandaru nodded his assent and accompanied Morthos.
Morthos nods, reverting to his alter self. "Very well. I shall leave the stealth to Alazandaru. It is not something I excel at. There is a cloth on the wall where a painting would go, Alazandaru. Behind it, lies the sword. Let us be off."
Lucan's shop, the front
Jonas makes his way to Lucan's shop, entering through the front door. Master Lucan himself is sitting at the counter, chatting idly with a Talirean soldier, one you recognize from that first night in the inn. Alcott you recall his name was. The two seemed to have been discussing a few spearheads lying on the counter top, recent work from the look of them. Lucan greets Jonas as he enters, "Good day to you sir. And how may Master Lucan be of service?" Alcott gathers the spearheads and brings them down the counter, beginning to polish them.
Master Lucan becomes deeply engrossed in conversation with Jonas, discussing multiple facets of weapons for smaller folk, as well as ways for them to take advantage of the height difference. He proves to be quite knowledgable on the subject, having dealt with many dwarven villagers. Alcott, suddenly becoming eager in the discussion, moves closer to listen in, offering what points he has been trained by the Talirean military.
A W
L W
While Jonas talks shop with Master Lucan and Alcott, Skorm makes his way deeper into the shop. It takes little time for him to find the blade in it's case. A bit of quick work and the lock is off, blade well in hand. Stowing it underneath his cloak like it always belonged, he comes back through the shop, Terrick following behind as the two leave the smithy, the owner none the wiser of the missing weapon.
A
L
"We ought to relocate this to Widow Dressler's until it is needed, ought we not?" Tatya asks of the sword. "If its loss is discovered, we hardly want it found in our possession. I wonder... can we blame the theft of the sword on the Iomedaeans? The one of us who will bear Sir Eldon's holy symbol: Perhaps their superior from the home office is appalled at the laxity of the local temple in allowing such an evil artifact to remain in civilian hands? If the loss is not immediately discovered, we might prepare a false writ to pin to the kicked-in door informing the smith his sword has been confiscated for safe-keeping? That ought to sow discord."
Tatya examines the sword, searching for it's secrets both magical and historical.
The blade itself is a +1 Bastard sword. Once per day, when wielded by a worshipper of Asmodeus, the blade will let you roll damage twice, taking the higher amount. This must be decided before the damage roll is made, but can be chosen after the attack roll.
The history of the blade is long, farther back than the stories you have heard. What is known is the at one point, this sword rested in the hands of a holy warrior, a knight dedicated to the destruction of the evils that walked upon this world. From where he received the blade is unknown, but what is known is the curse the befell this knight whose name has been lost.
Before the rise of House Darius , the knight had lived in Talingarde, near what is now Ghastenhall . The knight returned home one evening to find that his keep had been ransacked, it's people killed. Of his family, he could find no trace. The holy warrior searched the nearby farms and villages, but could find no one that knew what had become of his lands.
As he searched, the knight came upon a man bearing the symbol of Asmodeus. Planning to quickly do away with him to be off on his search, instead the priest called out to him. He would help him find what he seeked, but in return, he would of course need payment. The knight refused his soul, as he knew that was what this man was after. But no, instead he would make another deal, a simple one. His blade, a sword that had grown into a minor legend among the devils he had slain.
The knight pondered the deal, but in the end his concern for his family won out. The Asmodean drew up the contract for them both to sign in blood. The knight's sword for the Asmodean using his magic to find the knight's family.
What happened to the knight after this is unknown at this time, but the story of the blade has been passed down as a legend of it's own in the Asmodean church. No Asmodean could wield the blade on it's own, but a new hilt was constructed. A hilt bearing three symbols to Asmodeus. As the hilt was attached to the blade, the metal itself shimmered and three jagged blades formed near the hilt. And finally three gems, soaked in the blood of three Asmodean priests, were embedded into the blade itself. And thus the blade's holy power was sealed within it, Asmodeus's corruption taking hold.
Since then the blade has warred within itself, the strength of each wielder driving it further and further away from it's original purpose. Several times it has appeared in a story or tale, but always in the end it's lost to history. Only to be found, once again...
Tatya smiles as she finishes her examination of the blade. "We haven't stolen this blade at all: We have taken rightful possession of it. Years ago, before the rise of the dynasty of the present king, this sword was wielded by a holy knight whose goal was the destruction of the servants of the Lord of Hell. He lived near what is now Ghastenhall, but when he returned to his home one eve, he found his keep ransacked and his people missing. Going out to search for them, he met a priest of the Archfiend and intended to kill him, but the cleric offered him a deal: his divinations to discover the knight's missing family in exchange for the holy man's sword."
"The contract was drawn in blood and the bargain sealed. The knight went his way without the blade that had slain devils. At first, no one in the Dark Prince's service could even wield the blade, but a new hilt was constructed, dark rituals performed to inhibit the holy power and corrupt the blade to the service of Asmodeus: these jagged blades erupted, these gems soaked in the sacrificial blood of the God-Fiend's loyal servants set."
"The enhancement in itself is minor, but once a day, a follower of the Ruler of Hell may tear grievous wounds with the corrupted sword. Each man who has borne it since it was purchased by our church has done his part to wrestle it further away from its initial purpose." She holds the sword out to Morthos, a smirk on her lips. "Wield it well ... if you think you are worthy."
Morthos looks at the witch with a malicious grin. "If I think? Ah dear Tatya, you are quite the spark aren't you." He takes the sword and examines it. "I am more than worthy, dear Tatya, I was born to wield such a weapon." One would swear tiny flames dance within his eyes as he speaks, thoughts of glory dancing withing his mind.
Returning to the conversation at hand, "I am not so sure framing this 'Captain Varning' person is wise. If he is quite popular it may be difficult for the townsfolk to believe. Of course, if you feel you can suceed at such a task, Bostarg, far be it from me to stop you. Me personally, I prefer the option to where we are the part of the group that goes out to meet him and kill him. Although I must confess, I'm a bit intrigued with the idea of Tatya and myself going in as Iomedites and causing quite the stir."
"Do we know what this Varning looks like? It should be simple for one of you to appear in a similar guise near dusk and be seen entering the smithy when it is otherwise empty. Would it not be better if it looked as if Varning killed the smith in the process of stealing the blade? What do we gain from making the death look self-chosen?"
She shrugs. "Then prepare your note or journal quickly; once the sword's absence is discovered, the smithy will be crawling with soldiers and on high alert, making it difficult to plant your evidence. Just be sure the web you weave is not so convoluted you trap all of us in it; there is much to be said for simplicity. Have we time to spirit the sword away tonight, or ought we to wait until dawn? A morning constitutional might seem less unusual than one from which Sister Margoleine returns after dark."
"Remember, the weapon is regarded with disdain in this town. Plus, it remains beneath the cloth within a case so as not to be looked upon. It may be several days before it's ever noticed missing, if at all. It entirely depends how often they check to see if it's still there. Of course, I do not gamble on such wishful thinking and would agree dawn the best course to have it moved. I shall accompany you for safety, 'Sister Margoleine'."
Alazandaru looked tired of all the musing. He looked directly at Bostarg and addressed him-
Bostarg; know this. I will be Moloch's harbinger to our enemies and in acts of battle and war, I will expect to be contributing to discussions such as there, if not directing. But this intrigue and cunning; this is your forte. In this; command and I shall obey.
He returned to sharpening his knives, sat nearby the discussions having made his feelings clear.
Aedorn nods, grinning slightly. "It's a tough job, but I'll do my best to endure."
Tatya gives Aedorn's enthusiasm a distasteful sideways glance.
"Tatya - good work setting up your workshop... can you brew poison that might be slipped into rations if it is needed, and also is there an ichor that could be put to a blade and easily identified?"
"Something blatantly obvious to frame someone with, you mean? Bloodroot should be sufficiently amateurish if you mean solely to incriminate someone with it; it's not strong enough for my liking to use in earnest. As for ingested poisons, what is your aim: to kill, to debilitate, or merely to put some portion of the soldiery out of commission for an opportune time?"
Of the poisons readily available, arsenic has a low chance of detection in itself, and it's symptoms appear similiar to Cholera so even afterwards it would be hard to detect without magical aid of some form. While it won't kill any of the soldiers it's effects will take a couple of weeks to recover from.
"Morthos - you are known to the soldiers... I know that it is an imposition, but might you seek to discover the means which messages are sent from the tower to the rest of the world? - the means which the soldiers use when they do not wish for the townsfolk to know of the content."
Morthos stares at the gnome impassively before replying. "Yes... quite. Dealing with these fools is tedious. But if it aids in bringing this town to its knees, so be it. I will attempt to find out what I can." Morthos then ponders his "good guy" approach before heading out.