Donning the cloak is a strange experience, you feel yourself bulking up and your skin turns olive green. A pair of slender tusks poke out of your mouth which is somewhat uncomfortable.
Talia give you a sly smile, "Now we sneak around in plane sight. Let's visit their market, there are some interesting rumours doing the rounds, ones you need to hear for yourself. One word of caution, the males can be quite tiresome, wandering hands need to be slapped and hard for them to get the message."
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As Zane and Ser Armithia met up with Kardas and Ishta, Zane recounted the pair's meeting with both Bishop Braccio and Delenn Moonbeam. After the briefing, the priest asked, "What do you two think? Should we help Delenn with her brother? Perhaps she'd be a valuable asset to the city without her kin being used against her for blackmail. And what do you think about Cardona and his newfound interest in governance?"
Kardas groans and mumbles some expletives before truly giving Zane the reply the priest asked for. "If we don't, they'll still be coming for the book, so we should strike now, while we can stand together. That, and if we can eradicate the Fiendlord's lackeys from these lands, it might give Zhentil Keep a reason to not send another blasted band of Banites this way."
He doesn't say so explicitly, but Kardas relishes the thought of inflicting horrific hurt and pain on the Zhentil scum. Some people, after all, just have it coming. Auryl, be my witness, and you will get to harvest their dying breaths as your right reward.
"Interesting." Ishta thinks carefully before answering. "Zhentil Keep is powerful, but Delenn is our friend and we should help her. And a powerful asset as well."
Azarra responds to Talia:
This cloak is amazing. Thank you. Let's do this, but I don't want you dying on me. I can suppress the effects of the poison for longer if needed, but we MUST get you to a healer who has an antidote, so let's be quick.
Ser Armithia joins the group in the discussion. The Paladin considers the offered opinions, before nodding in agreement.
I agree. I think that we can strike two goblins with one stone by helping her.
Gently she takes your hand and leads you downstairs through the dilapidated flop house. Nobody tried to stop you although a few bored male orcs made some very crude suggestions as you walked through the entrance hall.
The streets outside where abuzz with orcs and goblins and even the odd troll, it seemed the market that had once been in Podol plaza had simply moved inside the Castles outer walls (Podol plaza has been reclaimed by civilized Phlan).
"There's going to be an auction perhaps as soon as tomorrow or the day after" whispered Talia, "Slaves, Favors, and apparently an item of power."
She lead you towards the market area which was a cross between a Sembian bazaar, an open sewer, a riotous dance party and a particularly makeshift favela. Rickety wooden shacks had popped up among the stout stone buildings where degenerates openly hawked moody produce. Things ranging from silverware and groceries recently stolen from civilized Phlan to mystery meat and archaeological finds from the city catacombs along with an alarming quantity of weaponry, including many enchanted blades and arrows.
As you browsed you overheard a hubbub of speculation about the upcoming auction which apparently was to conducted in front of a gigantic gallows, large for dealing with hill giants.
"Do you think he’ll really show up—the Boss, I mean?"
"Ah, I’m not surprised he’s wearing a disguise. I seen him once, and I’d wear a mask, too, if I was as ugly as him."
"He won’t come, He’ll just send somebody, maybe a powerful wizard changed into a goblin or something."
"I heard that one of the merchant’s helpers melted into a puddle of lard when he touched the thing."
"Disguise or no disguise, you gotta know who the Boss is: he’ll be the guy bidding the price up."
"The Boss has to buy it. He can’t let something like this get into the wrong hands."
"Muldoog saw it, and he says it has to be at least a thousand years old. Claimed it called dragons, which could be bound to the wielders will."
"Muldoog?! That gin soaked redcap? He's madder than you! Nobody can bind a dragon to their will. Besides you know how much pesh hes been smoking of late..."
Talia discretely pointed out a couple of individuals stalking around the market, whispering into your ear, "See that ancient looking orc? That's Garwin the mage, a lackey of the ruling bossman. The ogre with the two handed battleaxe examining the compound bows over there is Buldwar his ogre bodyguard. See the bill of sale posted on that notice board that Garwin is reading? I want to take a look at that..."
Garwin took his sweet time reading the auction listing but after half an hour he shambled off and the pair of you casually made your way over.
For the glory of Bane on his titular day we offer for auction:
Five female and two male half eleven body slaves, comely and bed trained. A must see! Good for cooking or pleasure.
One fearsome minotaur bodyguard. Loyalty guaranteed!
Four dwarven laborers, hard working, hardy. Good for smashing rocks or for archery practice!
A day of service by Arumon the Bold, a Deathscream tribe Orc of surpassing strength and courage.
A two handed adamantium edged sword of surpassing keenness, engraved with elder runes. Used in the battle of Myth Drannor and claimed by Grommush Mindscream by right of combat and handed down from elder son to elder ever since until the present owner fell on hard times.
One jade colored crystal orb, ten inches in diameter, engraved in draconic. Dredged from the ruins of Northkeep by Yarash the merciful and given as collateral for a lone to the sum of 100,000 gold from the mercantile house of Valint and Balk. Yarash recently defaulted on his repayment and this unique artifact is to be auctioned to recover the loss.
Once you where away from the auction listing Talia whispered, "If that's really what I think it is, we cannot let it fall into the wrong hands."
"And perhaps this same band of Zhents is the group that Cardona wants to pay off so that they leave us alone. We could recover Delenn's brother and send them reeling without their 'protection' money, at that." It seemed that the group had come up with their next task, though he did mention, "Braccio mentioned about retaking the castle gates, and I tentatively accepted for us. Should we let him know we'll be a few days before we can start on that commission? That way he can offer it to someone else if it's time sensitive."
Azarra was casually interested in what Talia was showing her, but was more worried about getting her to safety... that is, until she read the slave notice.
Half-elves?! Could my parents be in the slave pits?
The magic items, including the one that Talia was after, were a compelling reason to come back, but her parents were suddenly at the very top of her priority list. She copies the text of the notice into her journal.
--If everyone is speaking common, Azarra asks around about where they can see the slaves and/or the items to see if they are worth bidding on.
--If everyone is speaking orcish, she asks Talia to do so.
Either way, once they get what information they can, she says
Now we are going back to find a healer and to get some help. I'm hoping my friends, or at least some of them, are going to be back soon... they might be here in time to help with the auction, if we can disguise them well enough. In any case you and I can't do this alone, and I am not letting you die.
Azarra was already planning to so. Talia as it happened spoke the orkish tongue and after browsing for a while found a leather merchant haggling with an ogre in the common trade tongue. Azarra feigned interest in his leather of exceptionally dubious origin (it looked like human skins) and found that the auction was to start at sundown two days hence.
When Azarra mentioned going Talia reluctantly nodded points out, "We need a plan for getting out. I was thinking the simplest thing to do would be to slip a rope around a crenelation and climb down the wall. It's much easier to get out that in."
By this time it was already starting to get dark and without a better plan this is what you decided to try. You had to sneak up to the wall and time the regular guard patrols, there was a two minute window between patrols. This wasn't enough time to get up and over in one go so you nervously had to crouch in the shadow of a huge siege ballista. Fortunately all eyes where on Civilised Phlan. When the 5 orc patrol rounded the corner you and Talia leaped into action, throwing a rope the pair of you had 'borrowed' earlier round a crenation and then with both halves in hand you shimmied down. Talia first and then Azarra.
At the bottom Talia just tugged the rope and it came swishing down and with not a moment to spare for the patrol was coming past. The pair of you pressed tightly to the bottom of the wall and time seemed to slow as they went past. They could have seen you but they would have had to look down over the edge and their eyes where focused on the river.
The next phase of the escape involved swimming through the freezing cold water of the Stojanow, something that would have been impossible a few week prior. On the far bank you had to wait immersed in the water until the next patrol went away before crawling out of the water. Even for someone hardy like Azarra this was physically demanding and for Talia in her weakened state it was almost more than she could bear. Disaster almost struck moments later for only at the last minute did you remember to remove the magical cloaks, and a heavily armed contingent of Phlan's city guard was converging on your location.
One of the guardsmen recognised Azarra and towels and steaming hot hippocras was called for. Twenty minutes later you found yourself in Bishop Braccio's study where he was attempting to diagnose what the heck Talia had been poisoned with."[/b]
Von Urslingen had just asked Braccio what was wrong with Talia and he replied, "I think she took an arrow meant for one of us. Only a small amount of the poison it seems entered her system but even so it's done tremendous damage. It's of a magical nature as much a curse as a toxin, I believe I can break its hold but thats going to involve spells I wouldn't normally pray for. Right now her life is in The Lady's Hands, if she survives till the morning then we stand a good chance..."
Shaking his head, von Urlingen sighed, "And this report of an auction - slaves, enchanted weapons and possibly an orb that is a siren call for evil dragon kind. It just gets better and better doesn't it? Worst thing is it could be real, when the city was lost last century a flight of chromatic dragons was involved. They don't just come from nowhere..."
Looking old he and tired (by now it was late) he turned to you and said, "I think you can guess where this is going... It seems we desperately need your help once again, to infiltrate the lower castle ward, prevent the sale of this orb and if possible free the slaves. In addition we would like you to try and open the door from the inside, to let our forces in. This will be incredibly dangerous, and if you do manage to open the doors I fully expect there will be a terrible slaughter, they rely on the stout walls overmuch."
Shaking his head at the thought, Braccio added, "I wish there was a peaceful way out of this, we tried sending messengers to discuss terms but they sent their flayed bodies back. More than once I might add to our and their eternal shame. Like cornered rats I fear they'll fight to the bitter end."
Zane nodded his head in understanding as the two men explained the situation. He wasn't sure who Talia was, but he understood all too well poisoned arrows and the intent behind them. Still, though, it seemed that Delenn's (and Cardona's) tasks would have to wait, as the possibility of a second wave of evil dragons was too important to ignore. Zane remembered the tale of Phlan's fall and the infrequent visits from his broken father all too well, and vowed that such a thing would not be repeated. "It was likely going to come to this, anyway. For Phlan to truly regain it's former glory it can not share the city with the same creatures that sacked it."
"Delenn wqn't be pleased, but truly there's no way we can help her if the city ends up flat by cause of a dragonflight" Ishta thinks aloud. "We should tell her, and maybe she can help us with this siege we have to lay - her assistance could really speed it up."
She turns to the councelors. "I should need all of the info about the lower castle ward you can give, and maybe a night's rest to adjust my magic. Is that possible?" She's also thinking about possible spells to add to her book, but that might be a bit too stretched.
We need to help Delenn as well, of course. I just hope that a small delay won't ruin that opportunity.
On this one, we need good disguises, so if anyone has that sort of magic, then that would be ideal.
Also, my translator helps me understand orcish, but it would be obvious if I tried to speak to someone that I don't know it... it is a telepathic effect that translates my meaning. Still obvious that I am speaking in another language, so I might not be able to talk us out of much, depending on how I approach it. A lot of them think that their master might be in disguise, and it is an orb that controls dragons, so I could try draconic which might confuse people as to who I am, coming to bid on it.
I also really need to find the slaves. There are at least 6 half-elves up for auction, and my parents are missing... this could be where they are.
Councillors, is there any way that we could borrow a very large amount of money to bid at this auction? That is better than starting the fight there, and might get us what we need before the larger battle begins. I'm assuming all the money could be recovered as soon as the battle commences... and obviously the orb would be worth the cost to the city, even if the money wasn't fully recoverable. I mean, I can't promise anything, but a bunch of money would certainly help.
Azarra stays with Talia, making sure she rests and that she gets the best treatment possible.
Councillor von Urslingen had a sharp intake of breath when Azarra suggested borrowing a lot of money. Still his voice was even as he replied, "We would have to discuss the prospect of bidding for the orb with the others. I very much doubt you'd get any money back from Valint and Balk, they've been known to employ teleportation devices... The orb will likely be on display so in theory it could be snatched but we'd need to weight this up against picking a fight with a ruthless and well resourced mercantile house. As far as Cardona's diplomatic mission goes and Delenn's request, this would need to come first. Even Cardona would agree with that I'm sure."
Braccio nodded, "No sense delaying, I think we should summon the others and thrash this out now. Better brace yourselves for a long night, I know Earhard won't be pleased nor Eberhard..."
Braccio went next door briefly and spoke to one of his aids and mused, "Well I've thrown the dice, let's see where it lands."
Once Azarra has a chance to catch up on what the group has been doing she says
Okay, I know this is going to sound like a conspiracy theory, but here it is:
This behavior change in Cardona... could Jandark, who was researching necromancy and liches, somehow have taken over the newer Cardona? I'm worried that whatever was in that vault could have done this. If so, we need to be even MORE careful of that guy. Jandark was the one that betrayed Phlan in the first place.
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These are the situations Ishta really hates. She would prefer to be able to save the day with a fiery ball or a countermagic, but what she's having is lies, deception...
"Okay, so when is it happening?" Given the counselors have skipped handing out info about the place to be assaulted, Ishta hopes to have at least some time to get ready.
One did not think that the gold elf Paladin's demeaner could get worse....
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As the group waited, Zane discussed with the others, "Azarra, the Morninglord can grant me a spell that can give you true mastery of the languages of these savages, at least for a time. So you can sound authentic in that regard. And I have another blessing that can make you more...alluring...to those you interact with, which will help our cause as well."
Turning to Ishta, he nodded, "That's a great idea about Delenn...she might know tricks of the arcane to help obscure our true nature to these creatures."
To Ser Armithia and Kardas, he smiled and said, "My friends, I know that subterfuge is not your forte, nor is it mine, so perhaps we can be the hired bodyguards, seeing much and saying little until the time is right."
The auction is at sundown in two days, and yes, I would be happy to speak for the group if you have a spell that will help me with that.
She looks around at the group
I realize this isn't the straightforward mission that we usually do, but I thank you for your help. I really need to see if my parents are being held, and also we need to get that artifact or Phlan is in big danger.
The Raumathar has troubles wrapping his senses and moral fiber around the whole idea of going in, pretending to be someone he isn't, and then forking over an amount of gold that is beyond ludicrous. What is wrong with the heroic approach? By laying to waste all those who dare oppose them, and take what is ours to take? Sometimes, Kardas just fails to understand city folk no matter how hard he tries.
"I see. This is a kind of horse I've never ridden before, and I'm not sure if the saddle suits me, but I will do what I can, Azarra."
"This behavior change in Cardona... could Jandark, who was researching necromancy and liches, somehow have taken over the newer Cardona? I'm worried that whatever was in that vault could have done this. If so, we need to be even MORE careful of that guy. Jandark was the one that betrayed Phlan in the first place."
Von Urslingen gave Braccio a nervous look and paled noticeably, "Erm... Oh goodness now that is a truly scary though! Listen without proof we're going to have to pretend you didn't say that, you see effectively you've just called for his immediate dismissal and imprisonment. Without proof that'll end poorly for all involved."
Quarter of an hour later you find yourself in a back room of the council building inside Councillor Eberhard's study. The old man limped in and looked like he'd been trampled by a horse but was moving under his own power at least.
He nodded to you and the other councillors filed in behind him and took seats around Eberhard's large desk. Giving Braccio a steady gaze he barked, "Well? What does your goddess have to say? If real that orb is going to be ruinously expensive."
Braccio shifted nervously in his seat, "Erm well Quentin you know what divinations are like, they're not always as precise as you or I would like. Is it real? I don't know. Will there be a good outcome if they go? Uncertain. Is there a bad outcome if they don't try? Yes the vision was adamant about that in no uncertain terms, it's the same fiery death from above followed by invasion from human troops we've been worried about for months. Again the vision was inclusive about whose army but like I've said before I suspect the Zhents."
Sounding entirely reasonable a soberly dressed Cardona interjected "Yes perhaps but it could equally be Mulmaster or Melvaunt, we all know how expansionistic they have been these last few years. If you've paid attention to your history books you'll know Zhentarium have always been most interested in coin and in the long term war is always bad for trade. As I've said before if we normalise trading relations an independent Phlan will be in their best interests..."
Earhart nodded along with Cardona but Eberhard seemed irritated by this, snapping, "Yes yes, your foreign policy position is well known councillor. We need to consider the question at hand, should we really send half our treasury into enemy territory to purchase a bauble? Money that we may never see again..."
Cardona accepted the criticism with a small hand motion and replied, "This auction is underwritten by Valint and Balk is it not?" He glanced at Azarra hoping she'd confirm.
Leaning forwards he stated with total confidence, "They have a reputation to uphold, if they say it's an Orb of Dragonkind it's an Orb of Dragonkind. Trying to take it from Valint and Balk would be futile, but snatching it from the highest bidder on the other hand... The Watchers have proved resourceful, I say we send them over there with enough money to buy a seat at the table. As long as the Valint and Balk representatives are unharmed the Watchers will have carte blanche to do whatever's necessary to secure it."
Earhart seemed quite surprised, "What are you sure?! Wait a seat at the table, you don't intend us to put up the full price do you? Hmmm."
Cardona just smiled.
Earhard considered this before saying, "Well now that is interesting, I assume we'd get the money back?"
Smoothy nodded and replied smoothly, "Most of it I assume, less the Watcher's fee."
Azarra couldn't tell what the two councillors were thinking, but she hoped she had at least alerted them to the danger of the Cardonas in general, even though they needed proof.
At the meeting later, Azarra listened and then said
Wait, so you want us to bid, but not win... and then steal it from whoever *does* win? Do you have anything that will help with disguises, because we can't do all that stealthily. We're going to have to look the part.
Ishta listens carefully, not interrupting or adding anything unless there's something really important that has been skipped. As there's nothing she can contribute with, she stays silent...
...even during Cadorna's intervention. "Are his real intentions to help the city, or... Is this a plan to grab the orb from us once we've managed to get it?"
She doesn't tell anyone about this feeling for now, but will share it after the meeting.
"And what about the assault? Is it going to happen?"
Eberhard nodded at Azarra's question, "Yes as it happens we do..."
He clicked his fingers and an aid brought forth a velvet lined wooden box within which where five normal looking top hats.
Sounding old and tried he told you, "We'd appreciate if you where to return these afterward, they where rather difficult to obtain."
Like a hat of disguise, this garment allows its wearer to alter her appearance. It functions as an alter self spell (as opposed to disguise self). The hat becomes a part of the disguise and can be a hat, a helmet, a headscarf, and so forth.
"And what about the assault? Is it going to happen?"
Councillor von Urslingen replied, "If you can open the gate for us after dark, yes. We have a way of instantly bridging the river and the entire strength of the Red Ravens along with as many of the city guard as we can spare will be waiting to cross."
"Oh, nice ones, and certainly useful. With these we won't need spells to disguise. Now we only need to agree on a good story and hope it all goes well."
She explains how the hats work.
"How are we going to do it? Ser Armithia, are you going to come with us?"
If we can, we should go early and see if we can scout out where the slaves are. Then, we can either bid for any slaves we can as well as the dragon control orb, or we can bid only on the orb and then try to free all the slaves during the distraction of the later battle... guess it depends on how they are held, etc. Some of it we are going to have to play by ear.
[be]"Alright. I should go search for some extra spells to help us, if there's nothing else we ought to discuss. I accept suggestions, by the way."[/b] Before anyone can answer, she quickly adds "Have you tried scrying the place? What can you tell us of it?"
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"Ser Armithia, are you going to come with us?"
Ugh, civilized folk and their proclivity for hiding in bastions of stone and wood! "Of course he is. The alternative is letting thousands of people die for the sake of pride and personal honor, either by failing to secure this artifact, or by turning this into a mindless slaughter. Now is not the time to get finicky. Now is the time for action and deeds."
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Ser Armithia smiles warmly at KArdas. The gold elf claps the man on his shoulder.
I have prayed on it; and Helm deems it prudent to eradicate this nest of vermin; along with saving these poor victims. I may not be able to directly lie; I may still participate and protect my friends!
The knight nods to Azarra in full support.
"Have you tried scrying the place? What can you tell us of it?"
Braccio took a sip of water before replying, "Well scrying doesn't work near the castle, there's all sorts of warding spells bound into the stonework. But I was granted a brief vision of the auction. There is to be a large marquee tent within which Valint and Balk's security will be handling everything. Only the wealthy are permitted within and Valint and Balk aren't exactly picky about who or where the gold came from.
All of you where in it, most of you where looking at the central table where there was an orb like object under a red velvet cover. Azarra however had eyes only for the slave pen. That's all I saw but I said the outcome is uncertain if you go but terrible if you don't."
Do you guys have a detailed map of that area, so we know where the door controls are, etc. so we can let you in when needed?
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