Avendryl grins, noticing Circe's distaste for the Reprego's behavior. "It would be my pleasure, Circe."
Saiga goes to see Jedd with the others.
"Best to find out more of this Nexus as well, wonder what it likes?"
Elie nods and stands. "I'll drop you nice folk off at Jedd's house, then take the good doctor over to the temple. See what he needs doing to get it up and running." She finished her wine with a and headed for the door. Five minutes away she knocked on Jedd's door, opened by his daughter who after a moment of murmured conversation allowed the party inside before Elie set off for the temple.
Inside the building is more pleasant than you may have guessed from the white exterior. Dark earth colours and a number of potted flowers are scattered around the well lit interior. Sitting in one corner, a blanket over his waist despite the warmth, is an Elderly Elf napping. He cracks one eye lid at the sound of approaching people.
"Hah! I can smell the Tower's magic on you. Come to ask an old man for some answers, have you?"
~~~
At the Temple Elie shows Drake around. The building is fairly large, with only a single entrance and a courtyard surrounded by the building itself, out buildings or walls. All told it's a solid, rugged building and although all traces of the last religion to occupy it have long since been stripped it still retains an aura of sanctuary.
Unfortunately, it's been neglected for some time - although the structure itself is sound, with no moisture to rot the place, even the doors have been taken, too valuable to leave behind, and simply walking around has raised clouds of dust that thickens the spider webs. It's obvious several rooms are being used as nests by small animals or lizards too.
"Whatcha think, Doc? Work for you?" Elie smiles as she nods to the building.
Circe gives a little curtsey to the elderly elf, wondering how old an elf must be before he actually looks that old.
"Forgive me sir, but I do not speak the Elven language. We were informed that you had knowledge of the Symbols of Authority and were hopeful that you could tell us what you know of them. Perhaps some descriptions of what some looked like and if you know where any might currently be or where some were last scene?"
Saiga gives a bow. Speaking in the elf's native tongue in turn with a smile.
"Very perceptive of you good sir. Any aid you can offer would be most welcome. As I am sure you have reasoned, we are here to ask your knowledge of the symbols of authority in order to quickly improve your home and life as one of the residents."
Saiga translates what the elf has said if anyone ask him.
"It is alright, young lady," the old elf announced as he sat up in his chair. "I can speak the common Tongue,", he said, twisting his mouth in disdain, "I just prefer not to. You want to know more about the Symbols? I can tell you of that. Marie! My chest from under the bed, please, daughter."
Rubbing his face the old elf continued, "No one knows exactly how it works, of course - all the people who did are dead. But the basic seems to be that the creator of the Tower wanted something to help him run it. So he made Nexus. But the creation wasn't enough. So he bonded it to himself and several of his fellows, and it became a useful tool. Over the years it grew as the various Councils added to it. Did you know it was essentially a spellcaster at it's end? It could cast within the city, anyway - things like the Wall of Stone spell to grow back damaged areas, reinforce or create walls, things like that. But it only works when there are at least three people linked to it..."
Marie brought the old man a brass bound chest and laid it at his feet. "The Symbols of Authority are the third part of the link - the bond between those with the mark and the Nexus itself. I always believed if three people with marks and symbols entered the tower Nexus would return to life. I am an old man - my years are few. I probably have less than a human left to me. But I wish to see if I am right. In the box is one of the Symbols, one I studied. It will bond to the first Marked person to touch it - they can not bond to another while they remain so bound. And I will help you locate another. More, you shall have to find yourself."
He nodded to the box, his face breaking into a grin. "Who shall be the first?"
~~~
Elie nodded. "I'll see what I can scrounge up." She chuckled. "Even as rare and valuable as wood is around here, plenty of folks left furniture behind, and it doesn't rot in this heat. I'll ask around. See if I can't call in a couple of favours, see if I can't get you some help cleaning. Maybe even find someone to help with those nests..."
Within the hour, people started arriving at the temple. Elie's work motivated people, it seemed, and if not the idea of better medical care certainly did. Furniture and cleaning aid arrived quickly, people dropping off a spare bed or pallet and cleaning out a room or two before leaving again.
However, Quera from one of the general stores calls a halt in the Courtyard - a nest there is that of Giant Wasp that recently came to the area, and disturbing it would disturb the creature.
Saiga does not need to think.
"Depends on the item in my case." He says with a smile.
|
Drake nods with a smile on his face as he sees everyone coming to pitch in help. He inspects some of the furniture and bedding as it comes in. "Excellent! This will certainly do." He begins directing people around to place things in certain areas, making sure to leave the altar and podium free for later, as he may decide to set that up later for services. He didn't feel like he could run any sermons, but maybe someone in town had a silver tongue.
Upon the discovery of the Giant Wasp, he shoos everyone back inside. "I will need to find some of my compatriots to assist me with this before we continue on. Elle, can you let me know when they get back from seeing Jedd and that I need them here at the temple for some exterminations?"
He will then continue to clean the main temple until his friends arrive to assist with the bug problem.
"If the symbol in question is sword or other martial weapon, then I would pass on in favor of someone who could actually use the item. Otherwise I would accept it myself."
Jedd chucked. "No one want to open it? Fine. Rare wisdom in such young ones - never open a box you aren't sure isn't trapped. My cousin found that out the hard way. Hard to spot more traps with a crossbow bolt sticking out your eye!" The old Elf leaned over in his chair and opened the chest.
Inside the box, nestled in velvet padding, is a sset of five silver rings linked by fine chains to a central panel designed to cover the back of the hand, a sapphire stone set within it.
"The Trickster Rings," Jedd whisphers softly. "It is said they will bring the wearer great power, but if they cannot control there own pride, will lead them to destruction."
~~~
Elie nodded. "I'll go see how things are going with them."
Shrugging as she sees that they aren't a weapon, Circe will move and pick up the rings.
"It appears to be jewelry fine enough for a woman to wear. Plus, sapphires are one of my favorite stones."
Avendryl turns his attention to Circe as she reaches for the rings, "With warning about controlling one's pride, certainly better you than Saiga. I doubt he'd survive the day"
Turning his attention to the old elf, "Jedd, you say that they will bring Circe great power, what do they do?"
Saiga quickly steps in front of the woman keeping her from the object.
"Sorry but as misplaced as observations are. Pride is your chosen sin, its nearly a fact concerning your people as well. I would rather Arcturus take it as he would be the best suited. I for one do not like to take chances. Then again if everyone is prepared to kill the bearer should they lose control. Then by all means."
He steps aside, his smile gone and a very serious look in his eyes. Magical items could do things to people, hells pesh alone a simple plant could twist people. He would give it to the least prideful among them, then again he was always prepared to survive as needed. Kobolds understood that, most big folk didn't.
"I've spent my whole life as a second class citizen in my own country, kept hidden from the rest of 'polite society' by my family and considered an embarrassment. I can certainly see how you think that pride would be an issue for me."
Circe will take up the item.
Saiga shrugs.
"That is my point. If you understand then so be it."
He takes a moment.
"Your not the only one with a story. Just the only one telling it."
He turn's to Jedd.
"My apologies for intruding, hopefully we have not been your worst guest. If you need anything feel free to come to me anytime. Even if it's just to talk with a merchant in your native tongue."
He bows to the old elf.
As Circe slips the Rings on the Sapphire takes on a faint glow. At the same moment her Tower Mark glows briefly. Jedd stares for a moment. "I was never sure it would truly work..." He smiles and sits back."But before you go, you should talk to the Barmaid at the Dustdevil's Den. She may be able to help you find another..."
He glances over at Saiga.
"And you will want to examine the Gatehouse. The Captain there was on the Council before he died. Maybe he left a trace of where his Symbol of Authority was. A gift, for speaking to an old man in a civilized tongue."
Jedd glances over at Avendryl. "I am afraid I don't know. They say the abilities were suited to creating such pride and hubris that it led people to making foolish mistakes, to demand when to ask would be better, to steal when to request would be wise. But if you can master the temptation to use it correctly, it is a most potent tool."
Returning in to the main area of the temple, Tolias slows down as he enters into the room, pleasantly surprised to see the change that the relatively small amount of cleaning everyone had contributed had already made to the room. Noticing Arcturus still working away further in he moves in closer waving a hand in greeting "Well Doc it looks like you'll be able to get a proper hospice up and running sooner than I thought, you chose your location well."
Leaning up against one of the nearby walls he continues on "I ran into Elie before she went after the others, said that we have some bug problems?" Reaching a hand up to scruff through his hair he gives a thoughtful expression for a few seconds before giving a small shrug with a slightly defeated expression "Not rightly sure I remember anything about giant wasps 'm afraid, you heard anything about 'em?"
Saiga bows again to the elf.
"I am in your debt."
At the information revealed about the item he says nothing. He thought it was a bad match for Circe, but she had accepted the consequences. So there was nothing more to it.
"Thank you for your time. We shall heed your advice." Avendryl says, taking his leave.
"Saiga, I suspect that you will be heading to the Gatehouse, correct? I think I shall head over to the Dustdevil's Den to see what exactly this barmaid knows about the whereabouts of another one of these objects."
Turning his attention to Circe, "I do not know if you are interested, but you are certainly welcome to join me, if you would like."
|
|
Drake looks around with a smile at Tolias' comment "Yes, I am quite surprised at the work we have done so far. Will only be a day or so before we are up and running."
He points out to the courtyard, "One of the islanders discovered a giant wasp nest out in the courtyard, so I was waiting for everyone to be back from talking with Jedd before we attempt to clear them out."
"In my experience, giant wasp poison can be dangerous, so I will need to make sure we have some anti-venom before we attempt it."
"I may as well, if I find anything I will bring it back."
He looks him over for a moment.
"I will meet you back at the temple. That is if something has not eaten or killed me. Or both."
He makes his way to find the gatehouse.
"I will go with you then Avendryl. It will be a good chance to meet more of the locals."
The Gatehouse is only partially intact. The gates themselves are long gone - the valuable wood salvaged long ago. There are handful of rooms - a guard station, small kitchen and barracks for ten guards on the ground floor, the captain's office and guard positions, including a gallery full of murder holes. The building is fairly bare, again having been stripped long ago...
There's a secret compartment in the Captain's office. Inside is a small journal.
The common room is noticibly emptier than earlier. Only the owner and a tall woman with dark brown skin are in, the woman cleaning pewter mugs behind the bar. She glances up and nods at you as you enter.
A buzzing sound causes several people to look up. The giant wasp buzzes through the sky, and hovers uncertainly over the temple courtyard, noticing the higher than normal number of people. But no one has gone near it's nest, and so it buzzes down and climbs back inside.
Saiga looks around the place, keeping alert and ready for danger. Coming across a secret compartment with a small journal inside he opens it to see what it says.
The Journal details the last few days of the siege that destroyed Khalharum, after the Towers had been broken. The Captain is baffled as to what happened, but knows the city can't hold much longer. He decides to hide his Symbol within a hidden vault on the basement level of the main tower and the journal here. Stuck in the back of the book is a large bronze key to open the vault and deactivate the trap guarding it.
Saiga takes the key and pockets it. Then makes his way to the temple. Still keeping alert for any danger.
The common room is noticibly emptier than earlier. Only the owner and a tall woman with dark brown skin are in, the woman cleaning pewter mugs behind the bar. She glances up and nods at you as you enter.
Glancing around the room, Avendryl assumes that the dark skinned woman must be whom Jedd was referring to and approaches, "Good day. I was wondering if I may have a bit of your time. Old Jedd had directed us to speak with someone here in the Dustdevil's Den about a lead on the location of one of the Symbols of Authority, if I am not mistaken, you are the individual Jedd spoke of."
As you approach you realize her skin isn't simply brown, but a dark polished wood. You realize she's obviously a Dryad - odd for a region with virtually no trees.
The woman looks Avendryl up and down, then nods to a table away from the bar. She sits down and states, simply, "Yes to both - Jedd's right to suggest you ask and I'm the person to ask. My name is Azerna. I know where one of the symbols is because I own it. If you want it, then I have a little job for you. A simply and equal exchange. Interested?"
Nodding in agreeance with Arcturus, Tolias watches as everyone that came to help with the temple starts to move off and get back to their own business on his word. "No use going and getting Mr Big'an'Bumbly all riled up, though don't we still need to get some of that..." he trails off as he spots someone particularly familiar through the small crowd. Quickly moving through a few people he holds a hand out hailing to her and calls out "Hey there! Ahh, Quera wasn't it? You run one of the stores here right, cos' Doc over here was saying we'll need a couple vials of anti-venom on hand to handle that wasp. I was hoping that you might be able to oblige us."
Avendryl follows the woman to the table and has a seat. "A pleasure to meet you, Azerna. I am certainly not opposed to an equitable trade, though I do have a couple of questions before agreeing to such. First, what is the symbol in question and secondly, what is it you would have done?"
Azerna nodded, obviously fine with answering questions. "The Symbol is Drakkenhael. Rumour has it that it was one of the first suits of dragon-skin armour ever made. It is said that when it bonds with it's wearer the scales grow thicker and harder, as they would with a true dragon."
She leaned back. "As to the job...across the bridge, on the central island, there is an inn. It's right next to the bridge - you can see it from here. I don't know how it happened, but it's haunted. I want the ghost gone. I don't know - or care how you do it. I simply want my inn back."
The woman froze, staring for a moment and mouthing, 'who, me?' Then she seemed to shake it off. "y-yes, I'm Q-Quera. When the w-wasp moved in, I had G-Gron make up some anti-d-dote. I'll go f-fetch it." She paused, looking down, and added, "But I n-need to ch-charge for it."
Rock had been lurking outside the temple in order to keep an eye out for any other issues, but she eventually gets bored, and stumps in after Arcturus with a scowl.
"What's the hangup?" The surly half-orc wonders of the oracle, clapping him on the shoulder with a calloused hand.
"I suspect we can reach an accord here, but I will have to speak with the others first. I will return either later today or tomorrow with an answer. Is this acceptable to you?"
Trying, but failing, to hide a small grin at the nervousness apparent in Quera's tone and manner Tolias replies to her "Well we appreciate your foresight Quera, should help us get rid of it without too much trouble. And of course you'll need to charge for it, you wouldn't really be any sort of successful store owner if you went around giving things away for free all the time after all."
Azerna nods. "I've waited a while - I can wait longer if needs must." She stands and nods, then heads back to the bar to continue her work.
Having finished his quick conversation with Azerna, Avendryl asks Circe, "Shall we go see what the others at the Temple have found out?"
Quera returns with the anti-venom just in time. A harsh buzzing sound comes from the court yard and the huge wasp can be seen, hovering above the wall, moving around in an agitated way. It darts towards a knot of townsfolk before flying back again, obviously undecided and unnerved by the number of people around.
Circe will accompany Avendryl back to the temple.
As the harsh drone from the oversized bug drones through the temple complex, a second drone answers. Another wasp - smaller, perhaps younger, and possibly wounded slowly moves out into the courtyard. It vibrates it's wings and starts to fly, the pair obviously getting ready to attack.
The first of the wasps dive directly at the obvious threats of Arcturus and Tolias, the noise of it's wings increasing to a vicious drone. The second seems somewhat confused, and hangs in the air, currently not doing anything.
Wasp 1 targets Arcturus, flying in fasty and attempting to ram that hideous stinger deep into the Aasimar's gullet.
The sting fails to penetrate the good Doctor's armour, the venom spraying harmlessly as it can't punc through. The wasp hovers, caught off guard by such lack of easy prey.
Saiga closes the gap from the door to get a better look. Then sends a translucent serpentine dragon flying thru the air, into the giant bug attacking the doctor.
"Really I am gone for a while and the bugs get this big. What did you give them doc?"
Avendryl moves in closer, drawing his blade and charging it with magical energy.
Drawing his blade from over his back, somewhat surprised at the speed of the creature, Tolias carefully starts moving his way further into the courtyard along the side of the creature "Guess this thing really don't appreciate our company Doc." Seeing a potential gap in the creatures defenses Tolias steps in closer and sends his blade whistling upwards in an attack without any further ado.