"Well, well look who has arrived," says loud enough for Rabe and the hobgoblin to hear: "Lets hope the cub is done barking." Ostog puts his beer down and walks over the newly arrived. He beacons for one of them to take a few steps away from Joffery. "What is he doing here? Is it wise to keep the two of them in the same room? I don't want any trouble with Ol' Mam, I like the stew and the beer is clean."
Jerry immediately runs to the noble a smile on his face: "Best manners at an inn or tavern. All are equal under the watchful eye of the bouncer here. All drink and make merry."
Jaidoh looks at the big ranger: Perhaps we can get them to shake hands. One is of a type generally not accepted in big cities, the other is a scared and unworldly youth. I bet they could make a great pair. Perhaps the hobgoblin could be employed to help protect the youth . . . from his own ignorance.
"What you say could be part payment for looking into his cousin's disappearance? Or at least a precondition." Utrath considers. "Let's see if they can make peace, eh Jaidoh."
"Good idea." Ostog rumbles; As long as they don't trade blows here." he adds with a smile. He turns to Utrath and asks: Disappearance?
"Yes, it seems the man is troubled ....."
"Though luck for the cub." Ostog summarise as Utrath finishes his recount. Scratching his head he asks: "Where are the winds taking us now?"
The noble grumbles a bit, he clearly didn't think he's be forced to touch hands with the Hobgoblin, but seeing no choice he offers his hand, which the Hobgoblin takes in a shake.
One of Ithir's men motions for the group if they're ready to go speak with him and inform him of the events that have transpired.
Jaidoh takes out a gold and tosses it to the barkeep.
Bring these two gentlemen a few drinks. We will be back to chat with them in a few.
She then turns to the noble scion and hobgoblin.
If I find either of you fighting with the other, I am going to be very displeased. The shadows of this land are already being torn asunder. We do not need to help whoever, or whatever, is doing this by shedding blood over pure foolishness.
She then turns with the others to meet with Ithir.
Jerry smiles as the two former adversaries shake.
"Well met. There are enough evil foes out there, we don't need to fight among themselves. I would encourage you to consider everyone here friends."
Both take heed of the words and the noble seems to sit himself a distance from the Hobgoblin and everyone else. Inside Irthir smiles as you enter.
"The box? It should have what might help us in our time of need." he states looking pleased with everyone. "I bet getting those thugs out of the cenoteph was easy. Tell me all about it."
"If by 'thugs' you mean undead creatures of various types followed by some kind of devil-summoning cleric - which together between them nearly killed me - you may be correct. I suspect, however, the notion of just what you were asking these others to accomplish for you was in error," Black replies coldly.
"They died as easily as any other, my blade drank heavily this day of the exotic."
Jaidoh listens to her companions:
All that was beneath the temple were the shadows of the former living. Creatures of body, but without the souls of the living. Now those bodies have been once more stopped. While we stopped this shadow of evil from spreading this day, there is a more powerful menace behind it. An alien and evil intelligence. The priest of which Blackhands speaks was not of this world. Or, if she was, she was unlike any creature I have seen or read of before.
"Indeed we left the priests to cleanse the catacombs of the evil aura with their prayers." says Utrath, nodding at the story told so far. "But, Ithir what do you know of the House Vanderale? Their pup has need of some help, if you and my companions agree, we might provide the aid he needs?" the rock-like man continued, pausing expectantly for an answer.
Ostog heads past Jaidoh on his way to the gnome. "Good thinking, they wont be fighting when they're drinking."
"Wolves or skinwalkers I can handle, but this was not good." the Ulfen mumbles. Focussing on the gnome he asks: "Have we unfinished business?"
Jerry drinks to the health of their employer:
"I am ready to do some more good. Helping our new friend here would be a good turn."
Jerry gestures casually to the hobgoblin with his mug.
"I did learn I need two or three more whips. As badly as I am with them, I will be dropping them many times to keep from being tripped myself."
Ithir listens to Blackhand's, his face changing from curiosity to concern. He leans forward now listening to everyone and their own opinons of what happened.
"That makes no sense...why would they try to raise the undead unless...they were doing it for a distraction..." he thinks for a moment before turning to his side and a young woman dressed in black leather armour appears. "Check on the catacombs. I want to see this creature's body. Perhaps we can find out what's going on." without uttering a word she nods and jumps into the nearest shadow.
Ithir turns back to the group and leans forward.
"This is very disturbing, did they do anything else whilst down there?" he asks raising a eyebrow.
At the mention of House Vanderale he nods.
"Yes, I have offered my services to him in the past, but I have never recieved a reply from him. He probably thinks he's above me due to my own certain dealings." he states waving it off with his hand. "None of you are bound by contract. You've done much for me and this city, but I will always provide jobs if you need them, though I would like the payment the head cleric must've handed over to you. A box which I hope you didn't open."
Jaidoh listens to Ithir:
I cannot say that I am an expert when it comes to the undead or religion. However, it was strange, while these undead were animated, it was like they were being controlled. There was an orb with purplish gas in it. From this orb, tendrils of purple strung out and connected to each of the undead that had been raised.
When we arrived, they had cracked open the tomb of the city hero and appeared to be preparing to raise him as well.
Jaidoh looks to her companions.
There was a big orb with the evil priest. We brought a piece of the orb which shattered when we destroyed it. Within the orb had been a face that spoke to me. I do not know what it was.
"We were also given an artifact that was hidden with the hero, as well as your reward which was not opened." I say gathering the items from those that have them and giving them to him.
"What is our next move?"
"If Ithir gives his leave, then I say we help the young Vanderale." answers Utrath.
Ostog looks directly at Utrath and says: "My burden is here not with the young one, why should his problems be mine?"
Ithir seems intrigued at the idea of this orb and nods his head, looking at the item, his wizard friend dropping out of invisibility to look at it too.
"This is proof that the Black Fire Adepts are ivolved. I've seen a item like this, it is only constructable by those who have aquired secrets from the plane of shadow." he lets the information sink in before continueing. "The strands you saw were strands of dark energy. These orbs contained a peice of the souls of creatures from the shadow plane. They're intangible and unstable so once the glass was broken, that portion of their soul was destroyed. If the final one was as big as you say, the creature must've been incredibly powerful and unlike the owners of the other orb, still alive somewhere in the shadow plane."
The artifact he gives a fearful look and fetches from his back of holding a small lead box that he puts it in immediately.
"The fact you found this is comforting, yet troubling. This artifact, or atleast this peice is one of the main causes of Earthfall." after this he stares at the box, biting his lip and unsure what to make of it. "It is a peice of a much larger crystal that a Azlanti wizard was using to bring in creatures from another world completely different from the ones we know of that were going to help the Azlanti free themselves from the Aboleths, but the star stone fell and crushed the crystal. It's still able to function even in peices, but to bring those creatures through all the peices need to be brought together. I heard that the Paladin, whose tomb you were in had somehow regained his abilities despite Eroden being dead. If they are trying to bring the peices together it is going to be very difficult , but if it is possible then the one with that crystal could potentially destroy or enslave our world. It may even force the Aboleth to take action again, it is best to be kept hidden." He then says reluctantly "I can take hold of it, if you wish me to, unless you wish to hold it yourself. Despite what some of you may feel about me, I don't wish to ever dare mess with such an artifact. Chasing such things leads only to one thing, death. However, this has brought to my attention the strange noises being reported in the sewers. Perhaps someone is digging into monuments and even the Irespan to search for more peices. Archeologists are currently searching for more on ancient Thassilon too."
At Ostog's mention of the child he gives a nod.
"Indeed, as I say you are not in my employ anymore, but reclaiming this child and possibly the others that have gone missing will make you all more well known. That will lead to more jobs and possibly more answers to the woman you search for, Ostog." he points out the the Ulfen. "I have heard of a few recent lycanthrope attacks, but I have not yet tracked them down, but I will inform you and the others on any updates involving your own business."
Ostog nods as the gnome speaks about the artefact. "I have no wish to posses such a thing, I say accept the offer." His interest is keenly turned to every word the gnome speaks, his eyes widen as the woman and lychantrope attacks is mentioned. "If it might bring me answers I will help him." he states.
Jerry nods, but disagrees with the barbarian.
"As a seeker of knowledge, I too would not use the shard. But carrying it may allow me to learn more about it, or possibly detect the presence of others. It may support a charade that allows us to get into an evil cabal unchallenged. I will volunteer to hold it, solemnly vowing to use it only for good."
He pauses, "As for helping those lost. I would do it only to right the wrong of their disappearance. The renown and fame mean little to me, but later it may allow us opportunities and the abilities to do even more good."
"I care not whether we keep the artifact or leave it here, I have no interest in it. If we do, however, I will ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands."
"Do what you find best,"Ostog responds to Jerry and Rabe's conversation. "I wish to find that girl if it might bring me closer to my goal."
Jaidoh listens to the others: These orbs touch the shadow realms. Not all there is evil, but from what I have seen, those using these orbs are pure evil. I think that we should keep the shard. It may help us to find those responsible while also reminding us of what we seek.
As far as the child goes. Many are abducted in Nidal. I abhor those who would steal the freedom on another. We must help find this child. Perhaps we will not have the ability to help every kidnapped child, but if we have the time now, then I believe it is the right thing to do.
"It seems we are decided, Irthir, on the matter of the girl. As for the shard, perhaps we could allow the priestess to keep most of the shards, and we can keep one or two in case they prove necessary for some unforeseen purpose."
He gives a small smile as it appears most of you wish to find this child.
"Finding this girl will certainly help you all be well known. Soon enough you'll be trying to fend off people who are after your skills. You might even get people inviting you to clear out giant spiders from their basement, but experience has taught me that those jobs pay very little for the risk involved." he sighs at the mention of Nidal. "Yes, unfortunatly kids go missing in all big cities for one reason or another. It's sad, but true as it becomes quite often in larger communities, but not as many that have been dissappearing recently."
He pauses for a moment looking at the strange and magical shard.
"The lead casing should be able to hide it from all but the Gods, let us hope none of them wish to have this shard found. I will check with some of my sources and see what else I can learn about this artifact and it's creator. If we can find clues and a trail we might be able to beat them before they try to assemble the thing."
Utrath nods approvingly at the groups decision. "Let us see if that noble has the stomach to help us find his cousin, or find what help he can provide. It will let him make good use of his new friend as a bodyguard."
"Then let us off to find this lass."
Jerry nods and solemnly packs up to go.
"Irthir, how soon can you provide knowledge on the location of the lycanthrope attacks you mentioned as possibly being related?"
"I have to trade with a shield smith before we leave." Ostog says and continues: "But I would like head out soon?"
"Irthir, how soon can you provide knowledge on the location of the lycanthrope attacks you mentioned as possibly being related?"
He scratches his chin, seemingly lost in thought and worry at the appearence of that crystal shard until the question knocks him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, err it'll take sometime. So far there have been a few attacks, but most who are attacked are not killed, but afflicted and they soon go missing. I have a few agents who have leads, but some seem too farfetched. One claimed there was word of the slavers wanting lycanthropes to cause chaos or sacrifices. Others claim a new type of lycanthrope has emerged whilst even others have been suggesting a new group that moved into the city recently has been creating them. They're a group of people who consider themselves outsiders, but grant helping hands to anyone who could call themselves outsiders no matter their race. A Valient cause, but I believe when something appears too good to be true, it generally is." he states off-handedly. "There are others still who claim they are trying to infiltraite the city to take over or those who say the visions of the city in flames is a suggestion that we are living in a age of decadance and like Thassilon, where we are built on now, we'll fall."
Clearly discouraged by the gnome's words Ostog drops heavily into a chair sighing. He seems to be contemplating something, he then shakes his head and looks up. "Sad news like those calls for something to clear the mind. Do you have another opportunity for us?" he asks almost begging.
Jaidoh looks to the others and then steps back into the shadows in the corner of the room listening.
It is like Nidal. In Nidal, the powers seek to make all fear all. One is always looking into the shadow for fear of what might be lurking there. Dark evil from the world of shadows, the world of half light.
Clearly discouraged by the gnome's words Ostog drops heavily into a chair sighing. He seems to be contemplating something, he then shakes his head and looks up. "Sad news like those calls for something to clear the mind. Do you have another opportunity for us?" he asks almost begging.
"This is still the matter of that possibly drug den in Beacon's Point. There are a few dens there, but this one seems to be using a highly addictive and dangerous drug known as Shiver." he pauses for a moment as he looks ot the group. "This should be no problem for you, but if I remember the drug shiver requires spiders so any you see, you better take care of."
Shiver is a drug that when you drink it, you see all kinds of shining stars all over the walls, but in reality you are on the floor dribbling and your mental state takes a negative effect from this drug.
Shiver is highly addictive and it was sold in Korvosa extensively by a man who claimed to be the king of spiders, but no one has heard of him for sometime. It is said to be produced off the webs of spiders known as Dream Spider. They are smaller than most giant spiders, however they are known to be around books as they like to lay their brood in said books.
"Druglords and slavers, let's go!!!"
"Druglords and slavers, let's go!!!"
"Indeed, let us deal with Beacon's Point. While doing so, Irthir can better find out where to go next so we can take care of the lycanthropes."
Jaidoh nods: Yes, it sounds as though this drug diminishes the light of those who use it. And when light is taken, shadows follow, and not the natural type of shadows.
"You move like you have wolves on your heels." Ostog smiles tired. "A good night's sleep first? he asks.
"Everything looks better at the dawn of a new day. Let us return refreshed in the morning."
Resting is always good