The next morning Dogtongue is near the alley waiting for the group to arrive. You all find the way into the ruined district a more pleasant experience than other times. Almost as if you've earned respect for the trash you've cleaned out.
The fey with the oversized sickle grins, "Prompt to...must be the goody two-shoes doin'. Come on it's still a trip to make."
He looks at the horses and begins to laugh uncontrollably..."Most excellent a snack for the crocs....they swim well?"
After leaving Grumm's, Andrea will take the other bodies to the morgue and put them into the cold room.
We will just be keeping them here for a couple of days. Andrea tells Nathanial. We will speak with their spirits for information and then they can be burned.
Andrea will then escort Fiosa to the Tilneros estate when her shift is done and get her settled in, casting a protective ward over her room.
I will be back in a few days, love. Andrea kisses the lovely halfing and runs her fingers through soft locks..
Andrea gets up bright and early to pray for her spells.
0- Guidance,Detect Magic, Stablize,Light
1.Divine Favor(x2),Bless,Remove Fear,Ray of Sickening,Charm Person(D)
2.Lesser Restoration,Remove Paralysis,Delay Poison,Hold Person,Summon Monster 2, Invisibility(D)
3.Magic Circle against Evil,Resist Energy-Communal,Summon MOnster 3,Wind Wall,Suggestion(D)
4.Summon Monster 4,Blessing of Fervor,Protection from Energy-Communal,Confusion(D)
5.Summon Monster 5,Charm Monster(D)
During the course of your travels towards the Adivian River the nasty spittle-prone fey hints at the purpose for your summoning to the Mother of of Flies.
His long long-like tongue manner licking his teeth every few moments as she speaks, "Over 20 years ago, the Drovenge family patriarch, th't pissy old Vassindio Drovenge, declared a war against the hags of the Maggot Tree." he kicks the ground and stomps it with his steel spiked boots when he speaks the name. The old coot mustered an army of thieves to slay the coven. This force marched into Hagwood and caught two of the hags — the Sister and the Daughter — by surprise and slew them both. " With this blood appears to fog the whites of his eyes.
"Me and Mother and were gone but when gots home we finds all her kin folk slain and home destroyed. Mother swore a mighty blasphemous vengeance upon the whole Drovenges clan." His hat turns deep crimson, "Slowly my hat has earned its colors as I helped to tear the flesh of the carcass and boil some stew."
"Mother has slowly marshaled her forces over the years to exact her revenge upon them." Now, he explains, "Wit all the turmoil within the Council of Thieves and the Drovenge family itself, she has chosen you."
Gerard listens carefully, offering the odd creature respect. Chosen is always good... most of the time better than not chosen, at any rate.
Chosen for what, Dogtongue?
To get revenge on the Council of Thives and the Drovanges, Gerard. Some red hot payback on them is an excellent thing. The Mother wants revenge for the deaths of her coven and we want reveng for the deaths that have happened, the curse of the shadowbeasts and a bunch of other stuff.
Blood lust revenge for all, Mother has answers and help you require.
Enemy of my enemy.
Vengeance must be tempered by justice. But we will bring the council to heel. The mother's aid is appreciated...mr..do you have another name or is Dog tongue your true title?
Temper, temper...
I am more inclined to do tempering by beating the heads of the Drovanges with my mace.
Have any of the Shadowbeasts of Westcrown attacked The Mother?
Daniel's picks up at that.
Yes. Do they have a presence outside the city?
Anyone bothering to notice would see Daniel can ride, but is far from the expert horseman than the stereotypical knight.
Stay loose, people... When hatred becomes palpable, it is like a string... allowing you to be led to and fro. Raising a sword here, a holy symbol there. Like some... puppet.
Master yourself, before any enemy. Gerard speaks as if reciting some long ago lesson.
Oh to be young and full of hope.
Dogtongue's long tongue flicks out in disgust, "justicccccce is by the blade." his spittle flies out of his mouth.
"Shadowbeast rarely travel out to the Hagwoods....even they know now what's good for them."
After a some time of travel you arrive at the Adivian river, "yes yes...we cross here." He pulls out a potion and drinks it, he waits for moment then begins to walk across the wide and deep river. "come on fools...come on, cross here...cross now."
You all notice there are copse of trees on the western bank but not as much as on the eastern shoreline. You don't see any shallow shoals nearby. The ground here does not look overly trampled, it's more like a small trail, comfortable for one and sometimes two horses wide.
A young woman stands on the east side of the riverbank, staring at Dogtongue with strained pleasantry.
"Travellers out here...?" she asks, finding a bit of gold to bribe the redcap with as a small hedgehog peeks out of a green bellywarmer.
The vermin forgets that they cannot follow, mistress... Mayhaps they need your hand?
Dogtongue long lopping tongue flicks out, possibly getting the scent off the air, "Ah...yes my d'light, da ya gots a kiss fer me sweetums." He is visibly drooling as he walks on water a bit closer to the Eastern shore. "Pickin' berries again...my delicious."
Dogtongue, you never cease to surprise... Mercenaries now? Perhaps I could keep my prizes in exchange for a service? Your entourage cannot join you sans aid."
Mistress, d-don't let him near me!
Daniel finds his hand drifting near his shield. No common girl would be comfortable in these surrounds without confidence of her safety. She must be more than she seemed. Though if she had a solution to crossing, the horses (and he) would appreciate it.
He's going to kiss you again and he's going to squish my snout and it hurts!
"They brought croc food with 'em" as he motions to the horses, "A boat would've been better...but they are City folk. Look that ones gonna sink like an achor," he chuckles as he points towards Daniel.
"Your blackguard especially, hmm?"
The witch produces a small object, which she whispers to and tosses to the ground to produce a tacky, pink boat with oars.
She pushes off and jumps in, the frightened hedgehog clambering above her head, shivering.
His drooling tongue flicks as he walks on water toward the boat, "Toll or information, you know the costs." His slobbering tongue staining his leather armor. He flicks his over-sized scythe over his left shoulder.
"So, I didn't dodge it then. Blast it all, Dogtongue, can't I just pay it in gold this time? Lump sum...? My lips are very chapped, and I'm certain they'll just feellikesandpaperonyourface-,"
You were right, Frank... Brace for impact...
Euphemia's breathing patterns definitely alter from the confidence she'd shown moments before as the foul little beastie gets closer.
Whores, whores, everywhere... Gerard mutters under his breath.
Forgive me, mistress, but I cannot watch this degradation again!
The hedgehog on the witch's head makes a loud squealing sound that echoes across the current is he dashes from his mistress's mane into the back of her dress.
The woman's eyes go wide.
Frank, don't ditch me on this, I need the moral support!
Excuse me, Gerard?
Andrea does look somewhat warily at the woman. Who might you be? Please understand that we have a healthy dose of wariness since we have dealt with several violent encounters in the recent day.
The redcap splashes the hedgehog a bit with kicking some water as he stomps on over. ""I'm gonna enjoy this sooooooooo much more than you." His course tongue licks the side of your face, Grrrrumphhhhh He moans.
he pants a bit calming himself down then he walks around the boat. "You may pass. 'ave you been out long, any news from the shore or swamp? Been in the foul City meself fer three days.' He looks across the river, "Mother be expecting us soon."
Merely an observation, Andrea.. Gerard shrugs.
Andrea writes several letters. They are addressed to John,Faelyn and even Truk, with some small changes depending on who receives it.
Friend,
I hope you are well, I have urgent news to tell you and hope you take these words to heart. You might have heard of the attack on Orsin afte rhis final performance, what you no doubt do not know is that we were ambushed recently while visiting a location Gerard needed to go, we defeated the ambushers but they made it clear that they were very much aware of who we are and that powerful enemies have their eyes on us. I am writing to urge all of you to protect yourselves and your dwellings. I will lend my abilities to ward your homes and I am sure that Talbard and Faelyn can also help. Please come to where you can find us if you need assistance.
Goddess watch over you,
Andrea
Uggh, a steep cost. I foolishly assumed there would be a trail of some sort to get to the Mother. Shall we leave the horses then?
Euphemia shudders, but knows better than to react much more than that. The time she screamed was worse.
"Yeeeessss.... There's a bit of... of an army, you see, hounding your dark mother's tree.. Darkfolk, giants, humans, ogres, and dogs... The mother has managed to hold them off, but she can't rally her forces or-or destroy them... It looks a little like a siege."
"Um... there's two obvious leaders, and more hill giants than I'd like,but I thought you might want to know."
She paddles now, quickly, letting her eyes dart to the mercenaries she has little doubt are as criminal as Dogtongue, but the witch likes breathing, so she doesn't protest.
"Forgive me, I am Euphemia Di Nereis.... A witch and herbalist! And my cowardly friend is Frank! Um... I don't think I can bring your horses in one go...!" She calls out.
"And any funny business on the boat is the only reason I'd altercate you!"
You know Dogtongue will want more than that, Mistress! Not to mention that I don't think you can use the verb 'altercate' in that manner.
I'll wait with a couple of horses.
You don't give something for nothing where he's concerned or he'll... eugh! Also, I refuse to receive grammar instruction right now! I'll use the term 'altercate' however I want to!
The witch eventually makes it to the western shore, where she looks to the adventurers expectantly. Her nostrils flare like some sort of rodents, but some aspects of her face seem familiar to Andrea and Orsin for some reason; especially her eyes.
I think you can all go at one time:
"A token that forms a swan-like boat capable of moving on water at a speed of 60 feet. It can carry eight horses and gear, 32 Medium characters, or any equivalent combination. The boat lasts for 1 day."
He looks upset and he starts to walk quickly across the river, "Must go , must go...make haste." His pace picks up to steady paced trot.
Thank you very much for your assistannce, who are these leaders? Plus darkfolk? What exactly are those.