At the designated time and place, Lady Chammady Drovenge steps off the riverboat, taking Appario's hand as she disembarks. The cut of the young woman's elegant dress is slightly less revealing than usual, but the odd winged boa remains around her neck.
"I've been looking forward to this, Appario Lind. It will be interesting to see the inside of a church founded on the management of coin."
She pulls him closer and lowers her voice slightly.
"Someone told me the head bankers of the Church of Abadar have skin of pure gold! That can't possibly be true?"
***
Ailyn listens intently as Appario gives his report, frowning slightly at the mention of treasures taken from the lodge, although knowing there would be no chance of salvaging the lodge without the group's help, she mentions nothing of it. She takes extensive notes regarding the ceremony for the dead pathfinders' souls, as well as of the traps, wards, and dolls remaining within the lodge.
"The Grand Lodge will surely listen to my proposition for reopening Westcrown's Lodge now that I'm armed with this information. I will depart for Absalom within the week. Thank you for your aid in this matter."
Before leaving, the Pathfinder hands Appario a purse containing 4,000 gp.
"You never need ask my forgiveness", Maddok affirms her. "Even if I couldn't help you then, I will be there for you now - in all things. Next time we will face him together and he will pay for what he did to you."
"Is there anything you can tell me about him? If he was after the Morrowfall he must be more connected to the Shadowbeasts than we originally thought - he might be the very source of them even."
Semenya spends her days initially at the temple of Shelyn, meditating on the magical nature of the ring of protection +2 and on her own ring of feather falling, and on the ring of swimming recovered from delve-haven, seeing out an understanding of the patterns of energy imbued within them.
She is then seen consulting with Khazrae, in Infernal for long stretches. She is discussing melting temperatures, and how one weaves magic into molten metal, not as a passive thing as is done to an armor or sword, but as an agency imbued in it to make it biddable for the wearer. This conversation shifts between Infernal and Draconic, and involves further examinations of the rings collected.
After a while, she comes to Maddok.
"I would like to set up three crucibles in your shop, with your permission."
To Appario, "I would like a recommendation for a goldsmith, and a procurer of platinum - I have need of several ounces of these metals in highly refined form, melted near to boiling and any impurities skimmed from the top."
To both, "The sizes of your ring fingers, as well. And get Derek's as well. Yahirma's, I know."
Maddok is initially taken aback by the sorceress' forwardness but when he realizes she is serious he readily agrees.
"I will make room for the equipment you need."
When she is not consulting with the severed head of a devil, Semenya is in the yard back of the safehouse, practicing refinements of her magical abilities.
The first is a permutation of her armor spell, inspired by Yahirma's attempts to make Khazrae a new body - she envisions a suit of invisible armor that is able to move and carry objects, sort of a "force golem" conjured to do things. It tends to be a little bit more amorphous than that, and she is sorely disappointed in its strength, but it seems to last for as long as her mage armor spell does. At one point, she has it put Khazrae in the helm area and carry her about...and she tries hard to put it under Khazrae's direct command, but it's not...biddable enough.
The second, she takes a moment visualizing wings of force coming around her, and flying like a bird. This comes as naturally as being fireproof does to her, though there are a few tense moments where she's glad she has the ring of Feather Falling as she finds out it only lasts for a handful of minutes.
For the third, she asks Maddok to cast Haste a few times, so she can study - she is able to replicate the effect handily....and is able to extend it with the use of her knowledge in winding the forces of spells more tightly.
For her last, she travels well outside the town, and casts....creating bolts of acid that go well past the range she can hit with a crossbow, and which linger, hissing and boiling, for a considerable period. With experimentation, she is able to make those bolts burn with lambent fire, or to last longer. Her attempts at getting both effects...it's a good thing she's largely fireproof when she casts Resist Energy. Khazrae is somewhat entertained by this, as these are spells that have no real chance of affecting her kind.
Derek chuckles at Livia.
"A duel eh? I am not sure I dare face such a well armed and cute swordswoman.
But the Keegan pride cannot be so easily discarded!
Have at you!"
Mindful of not hurting Livia, Derek will snatch up a training sword instead of using Punch line.
"En' guard!"
Derek will indulge (quite happily) in a mock duel with Livia.
Appario greets the Lady with a smile, his armor and sword looking as good as he can get them with 4 cans of armor polish.
"Lovely to see you as well, m'Lady," Appario says offering her an arm.
"The bankers are lovely people, though their skin is not pure gold. It just seems that way because they sleep on a piles of money at night," Appario jests.
Appario will guide the Lady (protectively) through the markets of Westcrown to the Head Bank. Upon reaching the Head Bankers, he will request a private audience with several of the headiest head bankers for private negotiations and make proper introductions therein.
"This will be a lot of fun, m'Lady. Do not fear that I will be on their side in any negotiations, one of the tenants of our faith is a good deal for all...for when one succeeds, it does not mean another must fail. In trade, it is possible for everyone to grow fat and rich and successful. In this, I shall be supporting the good of civilization."
Appario tries to think of an analogy.
"Open and free trade is alike a rising tide...it lifts all boats. Such is what the Abadarans believe. When a society is protected and safe is when the society flourishes."
Gratitude shines through in Vahnwynne's eyes at Maddok's words, although it vanishes when she continues speaking of her former master.
"He sought the Morrowfall's destruction, yet he sent his thralls to perform the task instead of going himself. I don't know why - he didn't confide in me. Perhaps he believed the artifact would have a more profound effect on him than on the rest of us, or perhaps he feared it would destroy him as it did several vampires and spawn when we tried to approach it. Or perhaps he simply had other things to do. In any case, he knew much of the old building. I got the sense that he had lived there once. He told us where to find the underground vault, and cautioned us to travel through the place in our smoke forms so as not to trigger any traps or wards."
"I met with him only briefly after my transformation, when he ordered me and the others to Delvehaven. But during our time there, I spoke at length with Father Jair. He told me his name is Ilnerik, and that he is knowledgeable on many subjects. Jair said he could summon other creatures of the night than the rest of us, although he didn't say what kind."
"He also said Ilnerik could see through the eyes of any of his thralls when he wishes to do so - I felt his presence within me for a time after the tattooed one was defeated, until you and Yahirma freed me. If he also watched through the eyes of the other vampires, he will know how you fight, your strengths and weaknesses. It would not do to underestimate him as I did."
***
Unwrapping the package, Appario finds a painting within. Turning the painting over to its front, he sees the smiling, larger-than-life face of Derek Keegan staring back at him from within the gilt frame.
The artist's name is unknown to Appario, but the art is flawless. The portrait is uncannily lifelike, to the point where Appario can almost feel its eyes following him around.
***
The young Lady gladly accepts Appario's arm. She appears to enjoy his guidance through the markets, purchasing things here and there at Appario's suggestions. She even compliments him on his impeccable appearance and spotless armor.
"If I didn't know better, I would have assumed it was brand new!"
At the bottom of the broad steps leading up to the massive front doors of the Abadaran Bank, Chammady lingers and holds Appario back as he's about to take the first step.
"This makes me nervous. I haven't had much experience with formal negotiations. My grandfather handled such things while he was alive."
"You have more experience in these matters, I'm sure, and you know how the members of your clergy think. Would it be inappropriate of me to ask you to handle the negotiations on my behalf?"
***
"Ilnerik... I know the name. He was one of the lodge's true Pathfinders before Thrune filled Delvehaven with its puppets. Bisby, one of his peers, said that Ilnerik went mad with jealousy and stole the dark half of the Aohl. How he became a vampire and what his plans are for Westcrown remain a mystery."
Maddok stops when he recognizes how much talking about this Lord pains Vahnwynne.
"But we will worry about that after we take care of you", Maddok says as he takes the huntress' hand. "We will leave within the week for the Hagwood and convince the witch there to help undo your curse - for good."
Appario unwraps the portrait...
"Oh, wow, Derek...you shouldn't have." Appario examines the portrait with a critical eye.
"It's...it's..." Appario pauses over the right words to say.
Appraise
"If I didn't know better, I would have assumed it was brand new!"
Appario looks down at his spotless, shining armor.
"Thank you for noticing, m'Lady, you are most perceptive. I have noticed that this armor has been most useful against...well, vampires, if you would believe that. They have tried to break this armor's protection and failed repeatedly."
I wonder if it's good against anything else?
* * *
"You have more experience in these matters, I'm sure, and you know how the members of your clergy think. Would it be inappropriate of me to ask you to handle the negotiations on my behalf?"
Appario smiles, delighted.
She wants a partnership. Wonderful.
"I would be happy to represent you, m'Lady. However, the tenets of my Church do not allow such thing for free...I will offer good service for fair compensation. Nor do I yet know what you need, so that is still subject to discussion." Appario smiles and keeps walking, his mind at work with possibilities.
"Usually, there is a 10% charge for the brokering of deals, but for you, I can drop that to 5%...as I'm sure that you'll be so happy with our services that you'll want more of our business." Appario looks in her eyes.
"There is a way around that as well. I could enjoin you as a business partner. While I doubt that I can match your finances, if I were to own or contribution to our common interests, then I could negotiate freely and in good faith. In addition, adding my name to your business team..." Appario smiles. "...might be useful in other ways. I have become known in Westcrown as I slowly build my trading empire. With my support, your interests might do very well. I would not be shy about sharing my celebrity with you. Or anything else for that matter." Appario walks up the steps to the bankers offices.
"I leave it up to you to decide how to use me, as negotiator or partner. I know that you and I share a common trait: the desire to build our empires and put stamp on this world in our own likeness. In that, we share much....there is much more than profit to be had."
Appario politely awaits her reply.
Hmmm, more money than I know what to do with.
Maybe...maybe I should follow Apparios example and make an investment?
The Keegan Company would be logical, but maybe I should try something else.
Interrupting whatever he is doing at the moment, Derek snaps his fingers and exclaims "Of course!"
A brewery, a place for me to honour my god in the best way possible next to drinking spirits and ale.
By making them!
***
***
"Vampires? Truly? I've heard vampires are very dangerous creatures. If your armor holds them at bay, it must provide a fine defense indeed."
Chammady looks at Appario, considering his words.
"Partnership is an intriguing proposition. I must consider it further - it's not a decision I'm willing to take on such short notice. For now, I have need of you as negotiator."
She walks with him up the steps.
"You asked what I need. I come here today with hope of brokering a deal for a loan of 90,000 gold pieces, to be made available within the week. Do you think that will be possible?"
Her eyes search his, awaiting the reaction that will surely be there.
Derek will try and get a cost estimate on a locale, equipment and a few workers for starting a brewery.
"Just is a loan is all you seek?" Appario smiles. "I was expecting something far more extravagant. I do not think this will be a problem, in fact, I almost think my fee should come from them rather than you. Consider it waived and I will be happy to negotiate on your behalf."
Appario leads the way to the Head Bankers, nodding to any priests in the courtyard. Pausing for a moment, Appario counts the number of moneychangers and bird sellers that he sees in the Church proper. Satisfied that there are enough, Appario moves forward.
I fear for the day when there are not enough of them here. That would mean that business and trade have died.
"This way, m'Lady, up these gilded steps here." Appario takes her up the steps.
Moving to the back office, Appario introduces the Lady to the Head Bankers, with whom he had previously arranged a meeting.
Appario will first present the Head Banker with his tithe (947.2 gp along with his ledger) in a nice fat loud jingly pouch.
"Sometimes it's best to get their complete attention, m'Lady, and to get things started on the right foot," Appario whispers to Lady Drovenge.
When the accounting is complete, Appario will begin negotiating on the Lady's behalf for her loan, asking questions as appropriate and striking the most fair deal at fair rates as he can.
Before meeting Maddok to travel to the Hagwood, Yahirma makes certain to pick up a few things that might make the trip less difficult and the witch more amenable.
In parting with Khazrae, Yahirma remarks "There are those who lock the spirits of their enemies into shrunken heads so as to better torment them past the point of death, and perhaps that was the intention of the one who did this to you. I am not that person, and I believe that no servitude or imprisonment should last an eternity. It is in part this philosophy that takes me to the Hagwood this evening to negotiate the reversal of a friend's undeath. Our contact is likely to be the Mother of Flies, a hag of some power. If you wish to accompany us, you are welcome."
Semenya is aware of the Hagwood preparations, and on a day where she's frustrated at learning how to handle molten gold in a ring crucible, she will ask the following...
Semenya tilts the ewer containing gold, melted in a crucible, into the waiting wax mold, which she's spent two hours enchanting prior to this step. If the temperature is right, the gold will fill the ring-form, and take on aspects of the spell she carefully wound into it.
The temperature isn't right. And Maddok, dealing with a customer, hears the Half-Orc sorceress's voice rise in a steady, gutteral spew of invective. In Infernal. A quick double check, and, no, she didn't singe the hair off of his arms with words alone...but...it sounds like she could have.
When he ducks his head back into the area she's working on, there's droplets of rapidly cooling gold all over the place, a broken wax mold that looks like a candle had been too near one of her fire spells, and she has scorch marks all the way down the front of her apron, and the end of her braid is smoking. It smells *terrible*.
Khazrae's head is sitting on a shelf, and both of its eyebrows are raised, as if impressed. "Speaking as a native of Hell, that's a rather heartfelt and...impressive...curse. If my old body had possessed testicles, I think they'd've risen into my body on hearing that."
A beat - it's hard to tell if the severed head is having fun at Semenya's expense, but...
"A truly beautiful form of expression. The god you follow might not have been proud of that, but I think it's an art form. You've a natural gift for colorful language when pouring hot metal upon yourself."
Semenya is picking bits of congealed metal off of her garment where the mold had cracked and melted and sprayed as Maddok arrives.
"I need a break from this, Maddok. Can you tell me more about your plans for the Hagwood expedition?"
Maddok notices that Semenya is wearing one of his forge aprons, but isn't wearing protective gloves or a mask - there are a few other ring-molds carved in wax on the table behind her. She's glowering at them like she expects them to fail at the worst possible time.
Seeing Semenya's frustration Maddok stifles a laugh until he sees the shocked expression of a woman with her children across the street from his smithy. Taking the exotic beauty around the shoulders he leads her away from her mess (still a bit unnerved at how calmly she handles the bits of nearly molten metal congealing on her apron).
"Enchantment is as new to me as it is to you, but metal I know. The heat must be applied slowly and carefully like...", Maddok hesitates looking for an analogy Semenya would connect with. "Well like a lover. Metal must be heated heated and folded gently and coaxed into being workable, especially a soft material like gold..."
***
"The expedition?", Maddok grunts in frustration. "Several weeks ago Yahirma helped me learn of a ritual that could break the curse of vampirism on a redeemed vampire - such as Vahnwynne. Unfortunately, not anyone can craft such a spell. It requires a powerful ritualist. We learned of such a witch within the Hagwood named 'The Mother of Flies'. Yahirma, Vahnwynne and I will be leaving within the next few days to meet her and learn her price to cure the Moon-of-my-Life."
"Would you like me to come along? Appario and Derek as well? I think I can ask on your behalf if you're...afraid of imposing on them."
She listens to his explanations. "I know that sometimes, when I melt the gold, impurities rise to the top - I've been skimming them out. My problem seems to be a mixture of impurities, and something going on with the alembic coating on the wax..."
"When you make steel, you hammer coke and iron together over a high heat - hotter than I use to melt gold - and try to coax the two elements to merge and become something other than they were. I am wondering if I need to add steps to this process and make ingots of prepared metal before pouring...
Inspired by Semenya's tenacity, Maddok points the sorceress in the right direction...
"As for the Hagwood, I had not thought to invite them. This journey is a burden Vahnwynne and I must carry together, but not yours. If you and the others would like to come we would welcome your company but I would not seek to put the rest of you in any more danger."
"And how much more danger are we in if you don't return safely? And Westcrown? Things are quiet now...but they won't be for long. I'll broach it with Appario and Derek."
Appario estimates the exquisite painting's value at 900 gp, although that may well rise if the artist gains prominence in the future.
***
The Lady's demeanor grows serious once the two enter within the gilded halls of the Abadaran Bank. She formally greets the head bankers before the negotiations begin, then turns the proceedings over to Appario.
The Head Banker lifts an eyebrow at the sum, which, although the amount is not unheard of in these circles, is still an unusually high amount for such a quick withdrawal. As such, the best deal Appario is able to negotiate is for monthly repayments of no less than 10% of the original sum, with a 5% monthly interest running until the full amount has been repaid.
After the contract has been signed and stamped with the Bank's seal, and a date has been agreed upon for the availability of the funds, Chammady lets Appario lead her back outside.
"I knew you would handle this to perfection. Thank you!"
The young Lady follows up her thanks by planting a quick kiss on Appario's cheek.
***
Khazrae listens to Yahirma's words, although her interest seems lessened once the subject turns away from her own predicament.
"I think I shall stay here. The exercises of the children are amusing. Perhaps they would value my teachings.. In any case, I must have a break from the half-orc's wild experimentation. One of these days she may choose to experiment with something that could hurt me. And what better way to test such things than on a helpless disembodied devil?"
She gives a short laugh, although what has amused her is uncertain.
"I will await your return, and hope that the method you described for my rebuilding can be quickly begun afterwards."
***
As for Maddok, Appario's reading of the book causes an intense assault on his personality as the distant memories flow into him and merge with his own, causing Charisma damage in the process.
Appario remembers his time as a half-elf ranger named Scorin Kastel, who managed to make his way into Moenspire Citadel during the War of Broken Truces, with the town surrounded by hobgoblin regiments. For 17 months Scorin coordinated the front lines, organized the remaining defenders, and endured countless assaults by the hobgoblin army. After the food supply was exhausted, only creativity and prayers kept the remaining soldiers on their feet. With allied reinforcements amassing for a counterattack and the breaking of the siege near at hand, Scorin finally succumbed to his wounds.
***
Derek takes Charisma damage as he reads the book, the flow of alien memories pressing aside some of his own.
Derek recalls how he, or rather she, was once captured by a black dragon in the Mushfens. Amelia Firka spent a year in slavery, polishing treasures and scales in a half-flooded cavern, waiting for a chance to escape while living every day in fear that the dragon would eat her alive. Yet when a clutch of the dragon's eggs hatched, Amelia found herself in the unexpected role of nanny for the hatchlings, and she grew to love the precocious baby dragons. Once the wyrmlings grew large enough to pose a life-threatening risk, two of them conspired to arrange for their nursemaiden to escape to civilization. Yet as Amelia herself reached safety, the other hatchlings caught up to their traitorous siblings and slew them as she watched.
***
As for the others, Semenya takes Charisma damage as the memories rising from the book are implanted into her mind.
Semenya remembers a tragic time for the youth that she was, a young male named Evran Townsend. After being bitten by a werewolf in Darkmoon Vale, Evran spent 3 years in the woods, growing increasingly powerful and losing more and more of his humanity. His former adventuring companions finally tracked him down and returned him to civilization, believing they had succeeded at curing him of his affliction. Yet during the next full moon, Evran transformed again and slew dozens of innocents. His companions were forced to once again hunt him down, and this time they didn't stop at half measures, but killed him with a strike from a silver rapier.
***
The memories from the book, weaving themselves into Yahirma's own memories, cause her Charisma damage as her mind comes to terms with the intrusion.
Yahirma recalls her time as a nobleman named Marcos Trom, who was wrongfully accused of murdering an administrator and hurled into the bowels of a massive prison. There, he languished for 8 long years, surviving frequent lashings with no chance to see the sun. Only careful planning followed by ingenious tunneling made his escape possible, yet as he emerged into the hills south of the prison after a grueling crawl through ghoul-infested warrens, he discovered that during his stay in prison he had in truth died. Now transformed into an undead mockery of his former self he enjoyed only a few moments of sunlight and freedom before that sun burned him to ashes.
"It's...it's..." Appario holds the portrait aloft as he examines the details of the artwork as he finishes his sentence.
5000gp = Atonement (Murder, Embezzlement, Breaking a Contract)
2500gp = Atonement (Robbery, Theft)
1000gp = Atonement (Inappropriate Bribery, Hoarding of Monies)
500gp = Atonement (Under tithing, Erroneous Ledgers)
250gp = Atonement (Giving away stuff for free)
100gp = Atonement (Allowing a friend to get jacked in the ribcage by a devil)
"...it's *way* too much, Derek! I love it. It has great value to me!"
Appario looks around for a place in the safehouse for the portrait. He eventually mounts Derek (the portrait) on the wall above the fire.
"You are *so* forgiven, Derek." Appario says, raising a glass to the thespian and claps him on the back.
Wow. He was really sorry. And I thought he'd forgotten.
* * *
Appario is taken aback by the sign of affection given by the Lady Drovenge.
Partnerships. I wonder...
After seeing the Lady to her carriage and feeling inspired by the Lady's sign, Appario will forcefully see to his other matters: beginning to buy his empire.
Appario is looking to sink 5,000gp into an import/export business (preferably Gardener related) that needs help in expanding their Westcrown presence and expanding their outbound network.
Opportunity plus instinct equals profit.
Derek shakes his head as his new memories slowly conform to his own, blending and fitting in.
"Nursemaid to dragons? That is certainly an adventure...say, which is not a half bad idea for a play.
If I write it, then maybe master Nonon can produce it? I think I would like to work with him again."
I wonder if I can work in a part for an imp as well. I think i should tailor the role of the heroine for Amaya.
"You know what the best part is Appario? The more our fame rise, the more the paintings value will increase. Especially once the artist reputation grows as well. In fact..."
"Oh, and you would be the guy to talk to about a business venture right Appario my friend, I had an idea for a small business I'd like to start..."
Appario looks intrigued.
"What kind of business, Derek? How can I help?" Appario's hands move for his ledger so that he might take notes and begin to count costs.
"Well, my interest in brews goes beyond just drinking them you know. I do not know if I have mentioned it before, but I am a bit of a brewer myself.
I was thinking that maybe it was time I tried my hand at distributing a few brews of my own.
Of course, for that I'd need a local, some equipment, supplies and workers.
Plus any licences and permissions required."
Appario nod along with Derek's plans and listening intently.
Brews? Signature brews? Yes...there is always demand for alcohol whether it is time of plenty or strive.
"This is a good idea, Derek. Markets could be opened if we could present the brews appropriately."
Appario appears to ponder for a few moments more.
"In fact, a brew based-on and endorsed by a local celebrity might do wonders for making the brand more attractive to clients." Appario pauses and continues.
"You know, Derek, you might be of great help in this." Appario leans closer to Derek. "What we'd need is a grand thespian or entertainer to align his name to the brew! We need a charismatic and forceful presence...possibly someone well known in Westcrown."
Appario smiles at Derek. "Do you know what I'm getting at?" Appario asks, looking Derek directly in the eyes. "In order for this to work, we need someone willing to be the figurehead and spokeperson for the brewery."
Appario opens up his ledger to make a few notes.
"Yeah...so Derek, do you think you could find and convince Thesing Umbero Ulvauno to get him on board?"
Appario steps back, smiling, and waits Derek's reaction.
Derek just stares at Appario for a few moments, then he simply folds up as he holds on to his sides for dear life, laughing so hard his face turns beet red from lack of oxygen.
When he finally collects himself enough to rise and wipe the tears from his eyes he manages to croak.
"i said...I said...brewery...to produce drinkable BREWS. I did NOT...say a sewage dump"
Taking a deep breath and collecting himself a little further he smirks.
"With remarks like that you make me think I should have got you a dartboard with my face on it instead."
"I have learned so much about farce and jest from you, dear Derek," Appario smiles and gives Derek his best theatrical deep bow. "I thank you for the opportunity to practice it."
"Now, let us talk details...how much money do we have to start with? And when did you want to open shop..."
Appario leads Derek in a discussion about businessy stuff.
Various Legal conundrums:
"Really? I didn't know THEY had unions?"
Economic discussions:
"...but "squeezing every copper" is not meant to be taken literally surely?"
10 minutes intermission:
"Aaaaah, by Caydens golden ale, I needed that one..."
Round two:
"So what you are saying is, he would actually trade his gold for gems, and then he would hide them in his codpiece? And it became a tradition for members of that branch of your church?
...did fertility rates drop a lot after that? (Talk about the family jewels!)"
Vaaaaast clarifications of details:
"No no noooo NO! I do not care how much it is sanctioned; I am NOT doing that ritual...sober..."
***
The horse-driven carriage and driver comes to a halt outside Maddok's smithy at the chosen time, just after sundown. While the driver initially had reservations about breaking the curfew, the gold jingling in Maddok's pouch (and the heavy hammer slung at his back) quickly set him to better thoughts.
Vahnwynne waits until she's absolutely sure the sun won't peek back out of the clouds before making her way to the carriage on Maddok's arm, darting inside as quickly as she can.
Setting off, the carriage stops to pick up the other party members participating in the journey as it makes its way towards the city gates. Outside Derek's apartment, Amaya wonders why her young lover must once again leave her to partake in a potentially dangerous quest, although she still kisses him on the lips for good luck before he leaves.
As the carriage begins moving again, a disheveled figure appears at the end of the street, attempting to halt its momentum. As the carriage draws closer and catches the figure in the light from the driver's lantern, it turns out to be the woman Jalki, former leader of thugs, although she looks much different from the last time Derek met her; her hair is unkempt, and her clothes are in tatters. While the carriage brakes and swerves to avoid her, she jumps onto its side, attempting to hand a note to Derek through the door while trying not to fall off.
"I have to speak with you! Come to this address when you return!"
Dropping the note either in Derek's hand or on the floor of the cab, she can't hold on any longer and half-falls, half-jumps off the moving carriage.
***
The journey otherwise occurs nearly without incident, although there's one harrowing experience the following day when the Hellknights manning the river crossing demand to see the inside of the carriage while the sun is still up. Quick thinking and fast words from both the driver and the most eloquent of the passengers allow passage without disaster striking.
Finally, two days after setting out, the carriage arrives at a clearing, with only about a mile of grasslands and rolling hills separating the road from the ominous Hagwood itself. The forest is dense, the majority of it consisting of towering oaks, firs, pines, and redwoods frequently soaring to heights of 350 ft or more.
***
***
Both Yahirma and Vahnwynne notice that several others have recently passed by here, their tracks leading towards the forest.
Derek smiles a sad little smile at Amaya, gently stroking her cheek as they say their goodbyes.
"The world has become a lot more complicated of late, it is hard work trying to make it a better place.
But you know, before, I was fighting only for the faceless masses of the city, now I have someone to fight for in a much more personal sense.
Knowing that you exist gives me strength."
With a little chuckle, Derek draws Punchline and twirls it expertly.
"So even should all the legions of hell attempt to bar my way back to you, I shall simply laugh and inform them that if they could not hold me when I played Larazod, what chance do they have against the real thing?"
***
Derek is quite taken aback by the appearance of Jalki.
First Appario mentions Thesing, now Jalki shows up; this must be a night of remembering people from long ago. Who is next? Arodio coming around the corner?
Derek will quietly unfurl the note Jalki was just able to slip to him before falling off.
***
The note contains only a single line, giving the address to a pesh merchant's shop situated near an abandoned customs house.
Maddok frowns at the information reported by Vahnwynne and Yahirma.
"Other visitors? Let us be wary. Yahirma and I were unable to learn much about the Mother of Flies other than she calls this place her home. There is no way of telling what the intentions of these others might be."
* * *
Appario leaves his safehouse, his armor, Indemnity, looking like nothing more than normal merchant's garb. His sword, Extortion, still upon his back, but the hilt is covered with a hood of simple black cloth. His holy symbol stashed under his 'garments'.
Appario enters the carriage to see the strange menagerie of friends that he has grown to know over the last few months.
Strange. Never expected to be riding in a carriage at the dead of night to go visit a hag...riding with a vampire, a fire orc, and a strange lady from the south.
"Good to see you all again. When we are all together, weird things seem to happen, aye? But I'm sure this time will be different as nothing can go wrong," Appario says optimistically.
* * *
Now out of the City, Appario removes the hood from Extortion and follows Maddok.
Going over the last hill before the proper woods begin, a lone creature can be seen sitting at a treestump at the edge of the forest. As the party approaches closer, the creature springs to its feet, although its bent and gnarled body stands no more than 3 ft tall. The bearded, long-eared creature wears heavy spiked iron boots and a crimson cap crusted with days-old blood, while a scythe that looks to be about as tall as the creature itself rests against the stump it was sitting on.
The creature lets out a tittering giggle as it tips its cap in greeting towards the approaching party.
***
This creature is a Redcap, a violent fey creature thriving on murder and violence, and favoring weapons that should be too large for their small frames.
Redcaps always wear a cap they paint over and over with the blood of their victims, giving them their name. While wearing the cap, the redcap is more vicious in combat and its wounds heal quickly. The spiked boots they always wear allow them to kick opponents with force.
Fey traits are also revealed.
As above, plus: A redcap is bitter and blasphemous, and can't stand strongly presented holy symbols of good-aligned deities. If a foe spends a standard action presenting such a symbol, the redcap must make a Will save or flee in fright.
Redcaps are very fast, and are most easily harmed by cold iron weapons.
Appario greets the creature back, hands open and unarmed.
"Ho there!" Appario greets back in Common, nodding his head in curt reply.
Maddok watches the deformed man carefully and moves to directly interpose himself between it and Vahnwynne.
"Apologies if we have trespassed. We seek an audience with the Mother. Could you point us in the right direction."
Yahirma restocks her holy water and picks up an additional two vials to supplement an otherwise sparse supply.
Nodding a somewhat surprised greeting to Appario, Semenya, and Derek as they join the carriage, Yahirma considers the traits of true hags in light of Maddok's admission that they know little of the Mother of Flies.
"That is not quite true, Master Lind. The sorceress is said to be a true hag, though I know not which bloodline. All hags are said share a spark of cruelty in their hearts, and it is unlikely that this one will be any different. Hags are also ferociously strong with personal magnetism that transcends any superficial foulness - traits that bolster their less-known habits of tricking mortals down the intertwined paths of debauchery and shame. It is said that the skin a hag wears at first sight is rarely her own."
With a shudder, she adds, "Who knows what the Mother of Flies might demand in return for her services? I acquired a few trinkets that might interest her, but hags are known for their love of luxury. By the week's end, we may have bargained away a night of Derek's charms."
"A redcap - a bitter, vindictive fey creature with a hat soaked in the blood of its victims. The only thing sharper than its tongue is cold iron, which bites deeply past its fey resistances. Like our most recent foes, they cannot abide the sight of a firmly held holy symbol," she whispers before emerging from the carriage.
Stepping out to join some of the others, Yahirma piggybacks on Maddok's statement. "May the falling sun bring you a night of revelry, master Redcap. So say my companions, we seek passage through these woods to speak with its mistress. I trust our lines of ley run with parallel purposes and do not tickle the First World with fickle quarrels."
***
The creature adjusts the cap on its head as it speaks, now and then licking its oversized mouth with a darting tongue.
"Hello! Dog's Tongue is my name. I was sent here by the Mother to await your arrival. Come with!"
The creature picks up its scythe, beckoning the group to follow.
"We were expected?", the big man asks in confusion. "I suppose it makes sense for someone as powerful as her to have some form of foresight."
Regardless of the strange circumstances, Maddok doesn't waste any time and follows closely behind the Redcap.
In the wagon
Derek splutters as a little of his ale goes down the wrong pipe at Yahrimas comment?
"You what? I am willing to do a lot to help, but I'm not sure I would be able to go THAT far...according to the stories I've heard, Hag's get peckish after making "love"...And it is often the partner they nibble on.
And NOT in a good way.
Besides...they are UUUUUUGLEEE."
***
Derek shivers a little as he observes dog's tongue.
And me with only silver weapons at hand. I do not really like where this is going.
Better do my best to stay focused for once, no drinks until we are safe out of these woods.