"We need to talk to the Watch anyway about the dead barghest and all that. I'm sure they'll have more info for us."
"For now, we should inform the law around these parts that we've taken care of their barghest problem. We can plot our next move as well. Should we make for the orphanage?"
We'll head over to the sheriff of this burg, and tell them that we've taken care of the barghest, sound copacetic to everbuddy?
We'll head over to the sheriff of this burg, and tell them that we've taken care of the barghest, sound copacetic to everbuddy?
"I know that we are far from in time to 'save the day'," says Lightbringer heavily, "but is anyone aware of a quicker way from here to Wroat than by road?"
The sheriff needs a little bit of reminding as to who the party are, but the barghest's head and the drop off in attacks on the road sonn convinces him that they are genuine in having fought off the wolf problem. He hands over the 1,000gp bounty.
I'm for heading to Wroat.
100 g.p. each; that includes Gnarly and the three brothers.
Ezreal posts a message back to Karrnath from the first town with a Sivis enclave. Also as we stop at towns along the way he encourages Norn and the others to work on some small quick items that will be easy to turn around so that they will have money to return to civilization with. Rather than risk them wandering around town he or others can act as middlemen to acquire raw materials and sell completed items.
The trip from Ardev to Galethspyre takes about ten days. The weather warms appreciably further south and into valley of the Dagger River, though it is still stormy. Nevertheless, civilisation is much more in evidence, with sleepy hamlets set amidst farmland and more travellers on the road.
On reaching Galethspyre, Gnarly immediately sets off to find Hawl, his old buddy from the War. Also, Varssh is keen to get to Wroat and discharge her duty to visit the king.
Rodergo wants to go slumming with Gnarly.
"Do they have changeling prostitutes?"
Lightbringer proposes to bypass Wroat initially and head straight for the monastery with some or all of the group; it may take a while to get through the beaurocracy of the Wroat City Watch – he figures if he heads straight to the scene of the crime they can begin investigating and also ask the monks who is the watch officer in charge of the investigation.
He also suggests that all Arek as well as Ceshto go with the kobold ambassador, as bodyguards and runners in case she needs to get a message back to the group. Bool can stick with us.
You follow Gnarly to find Hawl, the half-orc Tharashk factor. When thet meet up, there are delighted whoops and they hug and laugh in greeting. Gnarly immediately suggests retiring to a local hostelry, and Hawl readily accepts, inviting Gnarly companions along too.
Wha'...? Wha'...? What time is it? Where am I? Wha...? What happened to my trousers?
You wake up on, flat on your back on a hard floor. Your head pounds, you stink, there is a terrible taste in your mouth and you have a raging thirst. You look around and see Gnarly and Hawl, both asleep and snoring . A few barrels, boxes and shelves, the hard floorboards you are lying on and the softly-glowing lamp on a hook point to you being in some sort of storeroom.
"Ah, so the sleepers awake." You painfully turn your head to see an ample woman of attractive middle years gazing down at you from a doorway. She is dressed in a low-cut gown, revealing her cleavage, and expensive-looking jewellery. A few younger, very attractive women, similarly-dressed, peer round her shoulders. "Now you are receovered, perhaps you can think about settling up your bill? The dwarf said that you had the cash for your little celebration."
Varssh complains bitterly, "How can I present myself to the king of Breland with a bodyguard of uncouth half-orc guards? I am sure they are brave fighters, but this is a diplomatic mission, not an invasion!"
failed wil save:
Janosz has two beers with Gnarly before calling it a night. "I'll go with you to the court, ma'am", he tells the irate kobold envoy. "I doubt there'll be any tracks at the abbey one month after the incident."
Varssh complains bitterly, "How can I present myself to the king of Breland with a bodyguard of uncouth half-orc guards? I am sure they are brave fighters, but this is a diplomatic mission, not an invasion!"
"I'll go too. I am rauther charming."
Noticing the buzz over the posted sign, Runzyl is quick to ask "What does the sign say?"
Noticing the buzz over the posted sign, Runzyl is quick to ask "What does the sign say?"
"Murder and Kidnap Attack on the House of the Two Ladies
The House of the Two Ladies, the temple, monastery and orphanage outside Wroat dedicated to Boldrei and Arawai, was attacked last night by raiders. Two of the temple faithful were killed in the assault, carried out in military style by several masked intruders. In addition, four children from the orphanage and one of their carers, a warforged initiate of Boldrei, were kidnapped, their current whereabouts unknown. The Wroat Watch are investigating the scene, but the motives of the attackers are not known."
It says our friend Darkheart has been busy.
Lightbringer says quietly to Janosz, “It is good if some of us stay with the kobold ambassador; we do not want anything to befall her whilst she is under our protection. But I do not think she will gain her audience with the King of Breland quickly; chances are good that she will still be waiting until after I have returned from the monastery.”
Not willing to wait for anyone who wishes to take part in Gnarly’s debauch, or even for those accompanying Varssh. He gathers up those who wish to accompany him and sets out at first light for the monastery.
I willingly join the carousal, and aid in settling the debt... after racking up a bit more.
I suggest to our kobold companion that a noble gaurd from a dragonmarked house would make a very good impression.
I will draw from the House armory, and get armor and regalia for the surviving cohorts. (Tell me if this House Favor needs a roll)
I suggest they all stay with the kobold until a a more permanent gaurd can be found. Furthermore if the local enclave has any available, I suggest a "fashionable" monster gaurd as well. Ogre mage, minotaur, whatever may be available...
How much we owe them?
I suggest to our kobold companion that a noble gaurd from a dragonmarked house would make a very good impression.
I will draw from the House armory, and get armor and regalia for the surviving cohorts. (Tell me if this House Favor needs a roll)
I suggest they all stay with the kobold until a a more permanent gaurd can be found. Furthermore if the local enclave has any available, I suggest a "fashionable" monster gaurd as well. Ogre mage, minotaur, whatever may be available...
"Hey, that is a very good idea. Why the hell didn't I think of that..."
How much we owe them?
A couple of the girls giggle and wink at Rodergo.
The louche little party stagger out into the early morning sun, getting back to the inn where the others were staying just as Lightbringer and the rest are getting ready to head for Wroat.
Having little need for debauchery and only minimal need for sleep, Runzyl is geared and ready to set out for the monastery well before dawn, attending Lightbringer with the preparations.
Aub:
Rod'll show up in the morning. He'll do the telecasting ritual on Runzyl, Janosz, Ezreal, and Trose. Sets him back 3 turn undead's for the day.
"Let's ride. Where we going? I'm a little....out of sorts...this has been such a strenuous business of late. That and the wine."
I'll go to the monastery first off.
Lightbringer wants to make for the monastery with all haste. If he needs to pass through Wroat to get there, so be it, but his first destination is the monastery.
From his double high-horse of paladin-hood and not having any biological needs he is rather disappointed in those who stayed out all night revelling, and sets a cracking pace without consideration for sore heads (or sore anything else).
If the group should get split (deliberately or otherwise) he’ll suggest a rendezvous point within Wroat (probably where they stayed last time – was it an inn, or a House Tharask enclave?).
"Does a cure minor wounds spell get rid of a hangover?"
the pickled cleric wonders as the jostling of the mule magnifies the pounding in his head, and the jostling in his innards.
The group heads across the river on the ferry, the elemental winch chugging as it crosses the muddy river. On the other side, a delegation are waiting, showing the insignia of House Tharashk.
The leader of the Group, a tall swarthy man of middle years, introduces himself as Baret d'Tharashk. He asks if he might have a private word with the group, concerning their guest, Varssh.
"Certainly. Is something wrong?"
"Good morrow, sir. What can we do for our friends from House Tharashk?"
Lightbringer is eager to get going, but diplomatic enough not to disregard a scion of House Tharashk. He nods, indicating that the man should speak.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
“Perhaps we might withdraw to this inn, where we can talk in greater privacy,” says Baret suavely.
Once ensconced in a private room, Baret continues, “I received an interesting missive from our factor Hawl yesterday, explaining what transpired in your adventuring in the Byeshk Mountains. The House is very impressed and pleased with your activities, and sent me to meet you.
“I am also here to greet the ambassador from King Choom on behalf of the House and to look after her while she is in Breland. While we are very pleased with the treaty you,” – he nods to Trose – “have negotiated with the Redscale kobolds, and with the suppression of Anashga, it is important to understand that we still have interests in broader Droaam.
“The Redscales offer both an opportunity and a threat to the House. Besides the obvious commercial possibilities, the Redscales are effectively unaligned with the leadership of the Sisters. This provides us with some additional political traction and also potential control of an additional route into Droaam and Greywall. But we also need to be careful that the political affiliation of the Redscales does not draw the attention of the Hags, as this could cause friction for both the House and the Redscales themselves. As such, we walk a tightrope between placating the leaders of Droaam and dealing with the individual factions there.”
He clears his throat delicately. “You have frustrated the interests of the Hags with the despatch of their allies, the Triune, and the disruption of their interests, as mediated by Daask, in Sharn. If you remain personally associated with the Redscales, it may tip the balance against both the House and the Redscales with the Sisters, and we could easily lose the business opportunities you have opened up with your derring-do. It might even hinder Ambassador Varssh’s mission here in Breland, as there is little appetite to encourage the Droaamite hordes to the borders of the kingdom any more than usual.
“As such, the House wishes to assume direct responsibility for Ambassador Varssh’s well-being and mission. I will introduce her to the Court, arrange for her education and manage the ongoing relationship with the Redscales. In the meantime, please accept these tokens of our appreciation.” He hands a credit note for 1,000 gold pieces, sealed with the Tharashk emblem, to each party member.
"That sounds very reasonable to me. Also, it would probably help her mission to arrive at the court with you guys rather than with a couple of scruffy adventurers."
Varssh nods. "I agree. I have been shown no reason to doubt the hospitality of House Tharashk, and understand the situation he has pointed out. I thank you all for releasing the Redscales from the tyranny of the Triune, but for the next phase of my mission, I believe that different skills will be necessary."
"This sounds amicable. We're probably not the best candidates for this statecraft anyway. We serve best in the field. Madame Ambassador, if there's anything you or your people need, do not hesitate to communicate with us. May the Fla----may you....and good fortune walk hand-in-hand."
Lightbringer nods in agreement. “This sounds a wise proposal to me. I wish you success in your mission Ambassador Varssh. May the Flame guide you.”
He then turns to Baret. “Thankyou for your assistance in this matter. If you may assist us further, have you heard anything of the attack on the House of the Two Ladies several weeks ago? We are on our way there, to offer what belated assistance we may to the Wroat Watch and the monastery. Does House Tharashk perhaps have any contacts in the Watch? We would value your advice, if any.”
"The House of the Two Ladies? I haven't really had anything to do with that at all. You are involved with that business too? No offence, but I think maybe it is best if I take custody of Amabassador Varssh now. I'm afraid I have little contect with the Watch in Wroat, but I can say that they have made little headway that I am aware of."
The party do not tarry long in Wroat, heading out of town for the House of the Two Ladies.
The place looks much the same as before – a fairly tranquil scene of temples and agricultural buildings in a valley surrounded by fields. However, as they draw close they are greeted, instead of by a cheery lay brother, but by grim-looking armed guards carrying crossbows and spears.
“Declare your business,” barks the sergeant.
diplomacy 18+9=27.
"Sargent, we are acquainted of the missing warforged lady, and have come to seek her out. As such, we thought that coming here would be the logical first step in this endeavor."
“Indeed, we wish to offer the authorities what assistance we can in tracking down those missing and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” adds Lightbringer.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |