Indio looks down at the corpse of the Lemure as he idly and almost subconsciously repairs his clothes using prestidigitation.
"I am no expert on the subject, but extraplanar creatures are meant to return to their point of origin when defeated, no?
What then does it mean when the bodies remain?"
The defeated devil then dematerializes as if Indio's words had reminded it to go.
"Well now...I hearby withdraw my question."
Indio rubs the back of his neck and smiles wryly.
"Ironically, this rather proves my point about not being an expert on the subject, would you not agree?"
Flicking blood and ichor off her scarf, she wrapped it around her shoulders again and straightened her hair and clothing.
Lifting her hand, she waived her Dancing Lights up to the writings and tried to read through them.
After a minute of fruitless reading she shook her head and gave up.
"Sorry, I can't make heads or tails of these chicken scratches."
"Hmmm, I am not convinced it is in fact something as simple as a language, as opposed perhaps to some form of magical incantation.
Sadly I lack the knowledge to identify it for what it is.
Does anyone else have training in the arcane arts sufficient for the task?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Asha interjects hesitantly, still carefully examining the signs. "Ah, I'm not good with magic, but I have seen these things before. One of my former masters, he..." She swallows and doesn't continue. "It looks like someone was trying to open a portal to Hell here. Now... this part, and this part here... the runes have lost their shape so it doesn't work anymore."
She shudders as the devils dematerialize. "Ah, good, they're gone now. Please gather close to me." As they do so, those who can see her face can notice a fleeting glow in her eyes, a pulsing light that disappears as quickly as it appeared, while at the same time a wave of benevolent energy courses through them.
"Is that so? I personally consider it a rather good thing that we will not encounter more of these creatures then.
It does beg the question of who it was that attempted such a thing."
Slowly smoothing his moustache, Indio looks around for a moment.
"You say it does not work anymore? But at one point it perhaps did? So there is no telling if more of these creatures made it through during a previous occasion and might be awaiting us further along our path?"
After the wave of healing energy, Indio reaches into his coat and feels his chest.
"Mhm, no sign of scaring whatsoever, I am much obliged."
Rexus looks over the writings as Asha brings light to their meaning.
He bows his head in gratitude for the healing.
"Excellent... thank you." He takes a look around at the hellish and foul surroundings... shivers and wrinkles his nose...
"Well! I believe I am ready to move on.. shall we?"
"More than ready." Replied Idril.
"Verily, we follow the curved corridor then?"
These rooms have fallen mostly into disrepair. Chunks of plaster hang from the walls, exposing rough stonework beyond. Scattered furnishings that once outfitted bunkrooms, a kitchen, and even an armory lie scattered about in states of complete disrepair... and doors hang from hinges in the crumbling archways that lie between the chambers.
In the northeast corner you see a pile of ratty and molding cloth worked into a small nest... similar to those you'd found in the vomit-possum's chamber.
In the same corner you find a few crates in better than fair condition.
You see no threats, and no other exits.
"Hrrm..."
Rather than look at any of the Items, Indio walks over to the wall and begins to tap and prod with his cane.
It seems rather...abrupt, and the walls have not caved in, so perhaps there may be some hidden secret chamber here?
The first crate Erodel opens contains a suit of leather armor, Composite shortbow, hand crossbow, silver morningstar, and cloak... all finely crafted. There is also a pouch containing a dozen pearls.
A locked iron coffer is the only thing inside the second crate.
Indio turns around and notices the haul that Erodel is beginning to uncover, and just to leave no doubt as to the value, he begins to scan everything with an eye towards magic.
The third crate is full of dried-up ancient straw. After fishing around, you find six silver raven statuettes.
Rexus raises his fists.. shaking with excitement "Yes!"
The cloak Rexus picked up from vomit possum room,
the cloak here,
leather armor,
the six silver raven statuettes.
"Hrrm, most interesting. This place cannot have been too ransacked if these items were left behind."
Raising his cane, Indio indicates the Cloak found, the Cloak Rexus picked up earlier, the leather armour and the statuettes.
"Each item indicated radiates an aura of magic."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Rexus can barely contain himself.. "You bet your sweet.. cane they do! Ha!" he halts his happy dance... "And there they stood.. the six adventurers.. behold... artifacts of the covert organization... the Silver Ravens, and their number the same? Fate! Fate is on our side! Ha!"
"Oh, they're lovely!" Said Idril, admiring the clothing and pearls.
She looked over at Rexus as he exulted.
"Those statuettes? Why, what do they mean?" She asked, curious.
"Hrrm..."
Deciding to spend his time being more productive, Indio begins to push aside the cloth that makes up the nest, still scanning the area with his spell.
Ideally, he might be able to spot the key to the little strongbox.
"Well.. they suggest this truly was a hideout of the Silver Ravens. Mean? I think that is abundantly clear... we are meant to breathe life back into the Silver Ravens and stoke the rebellion!"
"We should go see Laria ... Longroads Coffeehouse... she was an ally of my mother. I'll foot the bill for breakfast!"
If you are reading this, what I have feared has
come to pass and I am dead. For many years, I
have belonged to the Sacred Order of Archivists
and have worked to free Kintargo from Chelish
rule. I have learned much about Kintargo’s
secret history, and fear the time will soon come
when the city needs the return of its Silver
Ravens.
You have likely not heard of the Silver
Ravens—few have. Mentions of them have
been redacted by the agents of House Thrune,
but during the civil war, the Ravens worked to
ensure Kintargo’s safety. They were heroes in
their day, and I fear that Kintargo needs their
kind again. Do not believe the government’s
claims that Lord-Mayor Bainilus abandoned
us! Darker things are afoot, and I fear that all
who work against Thrune may find themselves
in danger in the days ahead.
The Silver Ravens maintained numerous
hideouts within Kintargo’s walls during the
civil war. I have located one such site—the
chambers below a building known today as the
Fair Fortune Livery. If you are reading this, I
was unable to seek further answers there myself.
Gather heroes to your side, my son, and search
below the livery. There, if my research is correct,
you will find something to teach you more of the
Silver Ravens and their legacy.
Do not let my death be in vain. Stand up for
Kintargo. Bring the Silver Ravens back to life!
Idril caressed the statuettes and smiled.
"I know it's dangerous; I know it's impractical; I know I shouldn't do it; but... I like the thought of doing it. Resurrecting the Silver Ravens." She said softly.
She turned to the others.
"What do you think?"
Asha spends a few long moments deep in thought, absently caressing one of the statuettes. At length, she raises her head to answer Idril's question. "I'll do it. I'll fight against the tyranny that stole my life." She gives a little smile to belie the dramatism of her words, then turns to Erodel and Bastargrae. "Do you think there's more treasure in there? How exciting! I hope we can get it open. Here, let me help."
Having been mostly silent and hanging at the rear of the party,clutching his pincher lest anything else attempted to murder his face.When the group started uncovering items of value hiding among the detris and judging by their patron's jubilant reaction,they'd succeeded in their task.
Oh-ho,now.So that means we successfully recovered the heirlooms sought? Happy day!said the gnome happily.
He ambled over to the locked box that Erodel had been attempting to pry open.He withdrew his Lockpicks and tried his hand.
With a jiggle of his wrist and a deft twist of his hand,the box promptly popped open.The gnome stood back with a proud grin.
Got it!
|
A crooked grin crosses Erodel's face. "Resurrect the Silver Ravens? Sure, why not? Of course that assumes that they are really gone and not just in hiding, waiting for the proper time to show themselves again."
Hearing the pop of the lock, Erodel turns to Bastargrae. "You're pretty good at that. What is that, two out of three now?"
Unconcerned at the moment with lofty ideals and future plans, Indio instead stays practical, slowly examining the items with his sight, trying to get a sense of what capabilities they might have.
"Hrrm..."
He sought out this cloak without hesitation, might there be more to him than meets the eye?
Perhaps, perhaps not...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
As you are inspecting the first cloak, Rexus leans over and runs his finger along the inside of the collar where the stitching is "needlessly" complex. "Protective qualities.. likely enhance the wearer's natural resistances.", and winks.
+1 Leather armor
failed roll (+1 cloak of resistance)
cloak of elvenkind
Figurines of wondrous power (raven)
The coffer contains a stack of documents (hundreds of pages), and a few scrolls.
The documents are incomprehensible... in several different languages. Asha and Idril recognize a few elven words, but it's not enough to gain any meaning.
Rexus hmmpfs "This.. will take some time to decipher... I even see some Strix in there. Luckily, I am quite certain that I am up for the task."
He points to Erodel "Good point.. there may be some still around."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Hrrm...the armour is lightly fortified to offer more protection, it would be about equal to a suit of studded leather, but less restrictive.
This cloak is of elven make and would allow a wearer to blend into the background better.
The other cloak, Indio nods at Rexus, would serve to increase resistance to attacks of a less direct kind.
Finally, this is interesting, I believe these statuettes are capable of transforming into literal silver ravens for a short period of time.
They are designed to carry messages."
Yes, there is more to him, the question is, a fop with hidden competence, or a competent person masquerading as a fop?
Perchance like shall recognise like?
Keenly feeling his wounds beneath his poncho from the lemurs claws that easily penetrated his run of the mill leather armor,Bastargrae eagerly went for the magical leathers.More protection,same weight,one size fit all.
...I'm you all don't mind,I'll be taking that.
A good cleansing and it's be ready to wear. He wasn't about to strip into them now knowing they'd been moldering in some box for untold years in this nest of vomit-possums and fat demons.
At the mention of deciphering,the gnome merchant started shuffling through the assortment of parchment and scrolls. Curiouser and curiouser...Why,a mystery to be unfurled! Oh,and about the metallic forbids subject,I'm all for it. Most interesting bit of activities I've had in the last few seasons,I'll admit.
Several of the silver buttons he attached to his tophat,which already was festooned with a peacock plume and slender teaspoons.
Idril frowned abruptly, then moved her Dancing Lights over to the writings on the walls again.
"Ah, does anyone know if the Silver Ravens were given to devil summoning?"
She turned to the others and gestured at the writings.
"Just how old is this writing? Will the ones who did this be coming back?"
Rexus clucks his tongue.. showing sympathy for Bastargrae as the armor does not shrink to fit him as the gnome had expected.
"I for one think the leathers you were wearing looked rather dashing with your ensemble. Have faith, we'll find something for you yet."
He frowns, and responds to Idril "I wouldn't thinks so... let alone opening a portal to hell.", and shrugs at her follow-up questions.
"Unlikely, to both questions I would say.
This was shoddily done, sloppy and unskilled.
Odds are long that whoever did this is no longer counted amongst the living, a failed summoning might have overwhelmed the foolish caster and left only an echo if the power to resonate as we arrived."
"If this place was known to someone who saw fit to use it, doubtlessly they would have not left it in such a state of disrepair, nor left such treasure free for anyone to claim if they could but overcome the opposition we faced.
Hardly a task that would daunt a few battle hardened mercenaries."
|
|
Erodel scowls at Idril as the woman's comment about the Silver Ravens possibly being devil summoners, obviously struck a raw nerve. "No chance. The Silver Ravens fought against the Thrunies during the Cival War."
Turning his attention back to the pile of goods he says, "Alright, let's split this stuff up. One of the ravens for each of us seems like a no brainer. What about rest of it?"
Disappointed,Bastargrae shoved the armor into the pile before claiming one of the statuettes rather sullenly.
"Alright, let's split this stuff up."
Asha takes a step back, putting her hands up in a gesture that renounces any claim on the findings, although her eyes linger on the pretty silver buttons. A few coins were well and good, but what business did a slave have owning magic items? Besides, she felt the armour and weapons would be of better use in the hands of the others. She caresses the silver statuette with a shy smile as she agrees with Erodel. "The summoning was the work of someone else, not the Silver Ravens. Perhaps their enemies."
She wanders to Rexus to investigate the contents of the iron coffer. "Are these scrolls magic? And this writing... what are these documents?"
"What confounds me is that there was treasure here to claim still, if this place was abandoned abruptly it would of course make sense that the original owners may have been forced to leave some items behind.
The most likely scenario is that these items WERE claimed and packed for transport by whomever claimed this lair afterwards, only to then bungle whatever they came here to do and ended up killed.
It would certainly explain the lack of any humanoid bodies..."
Indio smiles wryly and slowly strokes his moustache.
"I believe I will amend my previous statement, as I am no longer confounded."
"Yes... these are.. " He whispers a few words and flicks two fingers across his thumb before picking up the first couple scrolls.
"This will foil attempts to divine whether the spell's target is good or evil. This one will .. well do essentially the same thing for an entire day." He picks up another.. "Uhh druid thing.. meh..., and a.. huh. This will send an audible message to a specific location."
He tsks and shrugs. "Nothing flashy."
"Hrrm...there appears to be no further place to search, so what then is our next goal?
So far, it is a rather abstract thing we are talking about, and I am, like most gamblers, a practical man.
so what is our next step to be?"
"Perhaps to find ourselves a base, a locale from which we can plan and co-ordinate our efforts?
This place, I fear it may require too many resources considering the current state of disrepair.
Furthermore, we would need some place to meet as we gather allies to our cause.
Which we will need to do if we want to achieve anything."
"Very firstly.. Laria Longroad's Coffeehouse... my mouth is pining for a torte. Being peckish amidst putrescence is making me queasy."
"I know Laria was at least an ally of my mother if not directly connected with the Silver Ravens... she may be more forthcoming now that we're on to something. I believe these documents may be insightful as well... though they will take time.. and vast amounts of coffee to decipher."
He listens.. nodding to Indio...
"It could still be used somehow.. even if not a base."
Once Rexus needles everyone into accepting, you make your way across town to the Villegre District. It is a couple hours before dawn.
Once you leave the semi-seedy portion of Redroof, the streets are empty.
You notice Rexus relying on his cane more and more as you travel.
"Asha.. I've given thought to an idea. You know him better than I. Would your master be amenable to my err.. hiring you to assist me with translations..." He taps his satchel where the coffer of documents is stowed.. ".. and perhaps run the occasional errand? Would be truth to the word...for our exploits as they are... so to speak."
Idril just sashays along, clueless. Probably thinking about getting something to eat. And washing the incredible smell out of her clothing.
"Hrrm...it is my experience that speaking plainly about uncomfortable topics tends to offend people less in the long run."
Asha looks thoughtful for a moment at Rexus's question. She senses his discomfort, but the idea of asking him to speak plainly is mortifying. He has been very kind to her so far, so it would be terribly rude of her to embarrass him. He reminds her a little of her master, truth be told, with his enthusiasm for reform, and they would probably get along well. "I... think so? As long as I spend a few hours a week seeing to his needs, I should think he will agree. He is not like other nobles and before I came he was doing most of his housekeeping himself." She looks slightly proud at that. "Although not very well, but... he is a scholar and a man, and they are... err, messy." She blushes at her temerity of criticizing her master and his peers, then forges ahead. "But he has done well by me, taught me my letters and other things besides. And he has so many books! I am so happy that we are going back to the place with all the books!" This was an unusual long speech for the girl and she subsides into silence, looking abashed.
Rexus responds to Erodel..."Err yes... one leg does not do its share of the work. At times calls it quits completely. Old injury.. didn't heal right. Heh... you should see me run.. or at the least, witness my attempt."
He nods in acknowledgement of Indio's advice.
He listens to Asha and smiles at her assessment of the man doubly prone to messiness, and responds with a nod and "Very good."
You pass Villegre Park.. though you can't make out the colors of the foliage.. flowering bushes and trees, you can see the variety of silhouettes and nearer ornamental botanicals under blue-tinged filter of night.
"And here we are!"
You see the storefront.. the only one on the block with light in the windows. "Longroad's Coffeehouse... any moment now...." He inhales... after a few steps you smell the warm soothing scent of roasting coffee and bakery in the ovens.