Ah, thank you for the recommendation. Sounds like a wise move.
If the night fae are so bad, how do the farmers survive? Or is it only dangerous near the forest?
The Three Hairs? Kardas couldn't help but wonder what was behind the name. Perhaps it's the Three Hares. That would make much more sense. "I'd say that perhaps the guards are being overly dramatic, but the cost of sturdy expensive walls tends to be inspired by necessity."
Ser Armithia looks longingly at the gates that lead back outside.
We need procure those items....but if we happen to have need to enter that cursed forest, than....
The gold elf grins.
The sargent replies, "Many have tried farming and paid with their lives for it. Only the biggest farms survive, ones that can afford to ward their houses with cold iron bars and reinforced doors. Even then it's risky, helps if they're on the good side of local spirit and elementals..."
Thank you Sergeant, we appreciate your help and advice.
She starts off north, keeping an eye open for the Three Hairs.
Jerogal turns out to be fairly compact, laid out on a wide cobbled main street that circled Castle Hill. It takes fifteen minutes to walk the full circle during which time you located half a dozen inns (mostly ostentatious ones like The Golden Dragon) along with various shops (including an armourer's) and a wide plaza called Market Square. You also found The Three Hairs on the opposite side of town where the sergeant said it would be.
All the buildings had charming light blue tiles, with red brick walls and white stone pointing. All the doors seemed to be made of stout oak painted gloss-black inlaid with dark metal studs. All the windowsills where painted white and every window had heavy shutters, seemingly made of metal. You'd hate to be an attacking army in this place, everything looks so defensible.
There were relatively few people out and those few you did spot where hurrying to be somewhere and in no mood to talk to strangers. Music was spilling out of The Three Hairs along with the sound of laughter and the smell of beer and a mouthwatering roast. A flyer on the wall stated:
'For one night only, The Three Hairs is proud to present: Lorenzo of Dura'
None of you have heard of Lorenzo before but even Azarra grudgingly agreed he had a good voice.
Lorenzo sounds pretty good, although the men at gate were talking about someone named "Reiksaj" that they were planning on seeing. Wonder if that is another entertainer. Ah well, the roast smells good at least. Shall we?
Ser Armithia walks the boulevard, along with the rest of the Watchers. The Paladin seems to be surveying the place.
Retirement here indeed!
The knight then listen for a moment before trusting to the bard's expertise.
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"There doesn't seem to be much night time activity elsewhere, anyway, so..." Ishta approves.
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Kardas is happy they have found a place to spend the night. "We were lucky to get inside the walls, so now isn't the time to push our luck further. Let's go in, spend the night, and make sense of what's what come tomorrow."
They enter and see if they can arrange for rooms and get a table together.
There was a fair crowd inside, a space had been made in the tap room for Lorenzo who was belting out a popular song that the crowd were singing along to. The lyrics where catchy and you found yourselves humming the tune. Diagonally across from the stage was a long polished hardwood bar behind which was a jolly rotund man of advancing years wearing a leather apron.
Clearly this was the innkeeper and you made your to inquire about a room. The man greeted you with a smile and asked in thickly accented common, "What'll it be folks? Ale? Mead? Wine? Ah rooms! Yes you're in luck, in normal circumstances we'd be full but these aren't normal times." He waved this away as if you knew what he meant, before carrying on, "We have two double rooms, they're a silver a night. Breakfast is included but dinner is extra at 5 copper, as is a bath - same price. Tonight we have roast capon with veg and sweet-lemon tarts for desert."
A serving lass, a slip of a thing called Jane showed you upstairs to rooms 10 and 12. The rooms where opposite each other while they were plain, they where of a decent size and scrupulously clean. The beds were doubles with firm mattresses. Each room had a window covered by metal bars.
A little while later your baths were drawn and you where lead into a room where there were two great barrel like tubs full of scaldingly hot soapy water. The tubs where made of slatted wooden staves and there was a wooden staircase leading up into them. You eased yourselves in and luxuriated as the dirt from the road and many ached and pains faded away.
After you had all gone wrinkly from the bathes you dried off, changed and went downstairs in search of food and ale and perhaps a few rumours. Lorenzo was still playing, belting out a popular song which he accompanied with a fiddle. A tricky instrument that, one that if not learned as a child was devilishly hard to pick up later. Lorenzo was very good although Azarra fancied she'd heard better.
(pass)
She realizes that the king may hold the key to the protection of all the people.
(fail)
(fail)
Sensing this information was important, Azarra poured a little bit of her mythic energy into her voice as she talked to a patron.
(mythic surge-->pass)
She is happy to hear that Coalinthaz, who they were supposed to talk to anyway, had the ear of the king, and that talking to him might get them an audience.
Ser Armithia definitely takes full advantage of the offer amenities. The gold elf is seen wearing a robe and slippers, sipping some wine.
These are the best of times.
He makes conversation with each staff member as they attend to their needs.
You found a merchant nursing a mug of ale and he had this to say, "It's a crying shame what happened to Princess Tiamartha, but how long is Curathz going to mourn? He needs to stop sending delegations away from the Chrysanthemum Palace or what is to become of us? Who will buy our goods? What will our children do?"
I am thinking that is our in.
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The nights were dark and long, much longer than you were used to. After staying up late you slept for eight to ten hours and awoke to darkness. It seemed that in the middle of the night folk became restless and congregated in the common room below for subdued conversations and coffee.
The only illumination was that of a well banked fire and candles, both of which burned faster and brighter than back home, perhaps a quality of the first world air. At some point a distant bell tolled and all the conversation ceased. Folk started looking out of the windows and a young girl pointed and gasped at something and everyone crowded round to see. Alarmingly the inn keep and his assistants manhandled several very large wooden beams into upper and lower holders in the door to stoutly bar it closed. A low nervous chatter started with folk pointedly talking about anything other than what was happening.
This went on for a tense hour or so before another different sounding bell sounded and there was a general sigh of relief. The bars were removed and folks wandered off back to their rooms. It later transpired that the watch had spied a night fae warband complete with flying chariots pulled by winged horses arching through the sky. At first it looked like they'd bypass Jerogal but they suddenly wheeled down and dived towards the town, but King Curathz's ward was indomitable and they scattered. The fae prowled around the walls before suddenly veering off to the west, perhaps towards the town of Eleandor.
"The ward is quite remarkable, I see... King Curathz must be a powerful sorcerer indeed."
This adventure is certainly going to be interesting.
Azarra gets talking with a Spice Merchant and learns of a world called Krynn, and a place in the west of this world called Eleandor where they have an Eventide Festival that sounds amazing. She wonders exactly how long that would take in the real world, but halfway through her calculations she sighs... better not to tempt herself with a real life. They needed to get back and kill that Lich.
She does come up with an interesting idea though... this seemed like the sort of place where you could recruit a lot of people to help you. That was a possibility to keep in the back of her mind.
The long night drags on until you're well and truly sick of it, and you find yourselves drifting back off to sleep. An indeterminate length of time later wan light started to filter its way in through the windows to your rooms and by increments the predawn grew brighter and color burst into the world. At first there was the faintest salmon pink in the sky which strengthened to oranges and robust reds, clearly the dawn the first world was a thing full of majesty.
Ser Armithia took up residence at the front door during the tense hour. The gold elf then stayed there after the next bell.
He didn't move a single hair until morning.....
Ser Armithia will spend the morning developing a retirement plan for Jerogal, while they wait to talk to Coalinthaz, deliver the fruit list and also ask for a way to see the king .
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Ishta studies her book for some time, deciding what might be needed today. After closing it, she comments on the wonderful dawn they've just witnessed.
"In any case, maybe it's too early and I guess folks have better spirit of cooperation with their bellies fed. Wherever we want to go, we should go after breakfast." With an enthusiastic smile, she starts wondering what kind of breakfast do they offer here...
All right lets say you've availed yourself of the ample breakfast (a choice of sausages (of various sizes and flavours), bacon, egg, button mushrooms, fried tomatoes, black pudding, pancakes, syrup, chopped strawberries, melon, sour yogurt (more delicious than it sounds) alpine grains, raisons, and chopped nuts, hunks of bread still warm from the oven and of course small beer and watered wine) and now you feel like a walk would be a good idea, a proper constitutional to burn some of that off!
Okay, are we ready to hit Market Square? We have a delivery for Coalinthaz, and it'll be fun to look around anyway.
Smiling at the sight of breakfast, Ser Armithia claps his hands.
Yes! This will definitely be the place to retire after the whole fae in the forest, beholder, lich business, of course.
The Paladin grins while eating his fill of the beautiful bounty!
The Market sounds fabulous!
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Ishta rolls her way upstairs to pick her things. "Yeah, let's talk to that guy. It's the obvious way to start. Plus, we can have a look at the market here." Her smile goes wider. "Who knows what we can find!"
As you walk the short distance to Market Square you marvel at how fresh the morning light makes everything in Jerogal look. Everything, even pot plants has this inner glow to it that you just don't get in Faerune, which lends a strange otherworldly quality.
Before you get to the square you can hear the stalls setting up, there are dozens of stalls selling all manner of goods. Many are selling food and knitted goods but there's a couple selling blades and curios (mostly fancy rather than practical) and there are four wine merchants. Various locals mingle about, examine this thing or that and while you watch a few small purchases are made.
Coalinthaz's stall isn't hard to find, for one thing it's the largest one and it also has his name emblazoned on a banner made from what appears to be cloth of gold. Coalinthaz himself seems to be a thin looking man with expensive but not ostentatious clothing, a well manicured beard and of indeterminate years. He's currently laying out innumerable bottles of wine on his stall, there seems to be quite a variety.
Noting your interest he hails you in mellifluous common with a surprisingly deep and powerful baritone, "Good Morning travellers! Could I interest you in a bottle of wine? We have delectable almost etherial whites, earthy robust reds, sprightly rosé and of course something with a bit of fiz! Word to the wise, the early birds catch the worm, as the best always goes quickly..."
(fail)
(pass)
Azarra suspects that this is a different creature in disguise... perhaps even a dragon? Could it be?
She makes sure to be excessively polite, not sure what kind of creature Coalinthaz really is.
Greetings, respected Sir. We visited Whitegate Farm yesterday and the good people there said that you had requested a list of the types of fruit that they offer. Here is the list they asked us to deliver for you. We also sampled the wares, and they were all excessively delicious, so we can vouch for all of that.
Also, we have a request to make of you as well. We are in need of an audience with the King, and understand that you are a friend to him and might be able to bring that to pass. It seems strange I know, but it is concerning a prophecy in which we need to kill a Lich. We'd be happy to discuss further details with you after your wine stall has been closed, if you are willing to hear us out. We don't want to disturb your business.
Coalinthaz takes the list and scans it before thanking you, "Ah! I was hoping to get this list, I'm most grateful. Let's see mmm, mmm yes they have permissions good. Oh they don't seem to have nectarines, can't seem to get any right now for love nor money, ah well at least they have Greengages.
His expression becomes guarded when you mention an audience and even more so when you talk about a prophecy, "A Lich you say? Hmmm." He looks at you curiously as if seeing you for the first time, "A weighty matter. I'm planning to be here all day, sundown is over ninety hours away, I'm pretty sure I can afford a few minutes break. Come let's talk."
All the bigger stalls have tents for the convenience of the stall holders and customers, for the mid day sun tends to be strong in these parts. Coalinthaz indicates his own tent which is made from a rather attractive dark blue fabric that you're unfamiliar with. Stepping inside is like entering another world, the bustle of the market fades away and there is a divan around which are numerous large cushions to sit on. Next to the divan are several coffee tables laden with bowls of fruit and decanters of iced water.
Once you are seated Coalinthaz offers you a refreshment if you like before saying carefully "I'm not saying I have his majesty's ear, but let's suppose I knew somebody who did. If you where to talk to them, they might point out that his majesty is in mourning and that he hasn't officially received any guests in quite some time. Numerous important trade delegations have come and gone away frustrated. What would you say to that?"
Ser Armithia approaches Coalinthaz's stall with a grin on his lips.
I like your sign. Most colorful and inviting.
The Paladin does indeed take an offer red. The gold elf swirls, swishes, sniffs and gulps with a satisfied sigh.
We have heard the same, and we're sorry that the king has recently lost someone dear to him. We know that he has turned people away. That is why we have come to you, since we heard that you perhaps have an unofficial way to the King.
We aren't a trade delegation, and are new to this world as of yesterday when we crossed over here in some magical way triggered by the moon falling on a storybook. The whole thing is still rather mind-boggling to us. The crux of it though is that this prophecy tells us that in order to triumph against the Lich, we need certain weapons.
She shows the letter to Coalinthaz, pointing out this part
"...in the small hours of the night with his bonds weakened I cast one last augury offering my soul in bargain.
I witnessed the most terrifying vision of a battle. I saw Ser Armithia, wielding a sword blessed by Helm himself that glowed like the dawn and cut swathes thorough the Lich's skeletal army. I saw Kardas wielding a blade of forged lightning and behind him was Ishta wielding Eberhard's staff, belaying spell after spell after spell. Standing next to her was Azarra shooting the Lich with the returning Arrow of purest Law.
These are items from fairy tales it is true. The same fairy tales Cardona Junior read, little did he know his book was enchanted. On the night of the full moon if opened at midnight a portal will be summoned to the first world and there, if you dare, those items may be found in the treasury of an old and heartbroken king."
... so, you see, the king's sadness is part of the reason we know we're in the right place. We don't wish to make things worse for him, certainly, but we intend to face the Lich either way... having the weapons mentioned here may give us a chance at actually prevailing.
Ishta realises Coalinthaz is right - they have to offer the King something no one has offered before. Maybe there's a way to relieve him off his sadness?
She waits until all expose their ideas.
"Could there be something we can do about it? Is there a way to make the King smile again?" She looks around with innocent face, but this place is so fairytale-like that maybe that's in fact the answer. "We are... not beginners, let's say. Maybe we can help."
Coalinthaz listened to you patiently and read the journal entry, he seemed about to reply when a jovial whistling was heard and a spry older man with an impressive beard sauntered in like he owned the place.
Coallinthez said "Ah! Allow me to introduce my sometime business partner, Retsn Imle. Dont let his harmless looks deceive you, Retsn is a full time rogue and inverterate gossip, part time gentleman and occasional scholar in that order."
Retsn waggled his eyebrows apparently relishing this description.
"So Retsn to what do we owe this unexpected pleasure? Its been at least a couple of months since you deigned to come by and so early in the morning by your standards..."
"Ha! You know I rise before the dawn Coalinthaz..."
"Thats because you don't sleep properly."
"How could anyone?! Your days and nights are too long and out of balance. Anyway to answer your question a little bird told me a most curious tale, one that I thought you'd appreciate."
"Do go on..."
"I would but it looks like I'm interrupting something, don't mind me!" He selected a peach from the bowl and started eating it.
Coalinthaz sighed, "Well we were discussing the question was, what could possibly cheer the king up?"
From Coalinthez's tone and expression you could see he had little hope of this prospect.
From the back Retsn piped up, "I'd imagine rescuing his daughter would do the trick!"
Coalinthaz looked at him like he was mad, "What?! But she's d..."
Retsn interject, clearly enjoying himself, "Oh you didn't know! Oops. No I have it on very good authority that she is very much not dead, although she could be forgiven for wishing that she was..."
With an odd look Coalinthez demanded hotly, "How do you know that? No. Wrong question, you know stuff you've proved it time and again. The right question is where the blazes is she and what happened to her?"
Retsn nodded amiably, "Yes thats a much better question. There's quite the tale there but alas its not mine to tell, you'll have to get it from the source." The last was said emphatically and to punctate this he swallowed the peach stone.
Coalinthaz eyes him curiously, clearly wondering if Retsn was going to choke. When that didn't seem to be happening he asked, "And the source is?"
Mouth still full, Retsn managed to say, "His nibs of course. Wonderful peach there Coalinthaz, do you have more?"
"No. But but I'm ordering more."
"Splendid I'll be back later!" And with that Retsn winked at Azarra and simply vanished.
"I hate it when he does that." grumbled Coalinthaz, "It seems you perhaps do have something to talk to the king about..."
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Isha smiles. In the end, she was right - this seems a classical, all-time fairytale.
"So, how do we rescue the Princess?" she asks, and she immediately goes serious.
In the fairytales she remembers, the knight has to rescue the Princess... by killing a dragon.
Oh, hope changes everything. Yes, that is something we might be able to give him in exchange... and admittedly I was a little bit worried about the kingdom itself. It seems when the king languishes, his whole realm does as well. ... I wish I had more hope for our own realm.
She shakes her head... can't slide into despair again. They could do something to help here, so they must.
Knowing she is alive is not enough, unfortunately. Can you call your friend to come back? We need more information if we are to rescue her.
So, let's go speak to a king about a rescue!
Ser Armithia then places a down payment for a bushel of peaches.
Coalinthaz shrugs, "He comes and goes as he pleases, I've no idea how long it will be till he's back. I think your best bet is to go to Guinevere & Hawkes up on the hill, ask for Mr Hawke and tell him I sent you. If anyone can get you an audience he can."
(pass)
Azarra remembers hearing someone mention the shop in passing, and she knows it is a prestigious tailor, able to outfit diplomats.
Okay, but it seems cruel to raise the King's hopes about a rescue without knowing whether we can actually save the girl. Please keep us appraised if you hear from him again.
She waits for her companions to ask any other questions that they have, and then heads out with them to visit Guinevere and Hawkes, to see if they can arrange a meeting with the King.
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Kardas does not feel at ease with the fact they're getting caught up in the local web of intrigue. Every young Raumviran eventually attempts to ride a horse while being blindfolded, but plenty of bones have been broken in the process - and for what? Well, we're looking for mythical items that might help us defeat a great evil ...
He scowls at the world and sighs. "You're right, Azarra. We might have the tools to fix this problem, but clearly lack the knowledge to know how to do 'that'."
The blue eyes staring out of his golden helmet go cross-eyed! The stumbling paladin follows along, hearing birds chirping ceaselessly around his thumbing head.
Anyone get the plate on that truck?
Coalinthaz nods to Azarra, promising to send a runner if and when Retsn returns. He wishes you luck as you head out of the tent back into the morning sunshine.
The market is considerably busier now and you have to pick your way through a crowd of browsing locals before you escape into the lane. From there you make your way to castle lane which as you expected winds its way up the hill. Even at the base of castle lane the shops and residences are grand and get even more so the higher you climb. It's quite a long way up the hill and you work up a sweat, however the supernatural vitalness of the first world's air means you're not even slightly winded. You think you could run the whole way up if you had need, even Ser Armithia in his resplendent suit of armor!
You pass by the close ornamental gates of the Chrysanthemum Palace and stop to gawp at the sight. In front of you is a rather lovely formal garden with dozens of varieties of chrysanthemum in refined bursts of color. The castle itself is immensely tall, built to a scale that makes you feel like ants. Yet this is no squat brooding edifice, it feels delicate even beautiful with gleaming minarets that seemingly kiss the sky. Ser Armithia was convinced elven architects had a hand in it's design.
Deciding to press on you pass several impossibly posh looking restaurants and a hat shop before making your way to Guinevere and Hawkes which is round the side of the castle. Oozing luxury and class, this shop has a magnification display of dinner suits and other formal garments in its glass front. You enter and ring a bell on the counter. At once a well manicured man of indeterminate years in a top hat and tails comes out of a back room and takes a look at you. A little cautiously he says, "Good day to you, how may I be of assistance? Perhaps sir is in need of a new suit?" He gives Kardas a pointed look.
This whole world is just invigorating. Amazing.
_____
When they arrive and are greeted, Azarra smiles and says
We are here to speak with Mr. Hawke. Is he available?
On their way to Mr Hawke's, Ishta has a quick look at herself and her friends.
"Do you guys think we need a hand from the tailor? We're going to meet a King."
The man replied to Azarra at once, "Ah I'm afraid Mr Hawke is a busy man, I can however advise you on all tailoring matters. For example the gentleman here. He indicated Kardas, "I'm thinking a classic doublet, navy blue or black embroidered silk but nothing too ostentatious, perhaps a rearing horse pattern or even a pegasus. A properly starched cotton short naturally, with traditional onyx cufflinks and a matching black cravat. Now a waist coat or cummerbund? Mmm, I think Sir's figure would be complemented best with a waistcoat, charcoal grey would provide a flattering contrast."
He then advanced towards Kardas with a tape measure.
The man is greeted with a snarl and eyes that scream that Kardas feels cornered and is about to lash out if pressed further. "What is he talking about? A doublayt!? And what's wrong with what I'm wearing? It's functional, honors my Raumviran roots, and most importantly of all, it is comfortable."
Ser Armithia begins to chuckle, giggle and laugh at Kardas' reactions to the tailor.
Yes, our fine tailor. Perhaps, while we await the convivence of Mr Hawke. I shall also need appropriate attire for our potential meeting with the king.
Still smiling, but obviously not pleased with the brush off after having been extraordinarily polite, Azarra steps between the tailor and Kardas, triggering her sleeves of many garments to exactly match one of the nicer, more refined outfits, but in a slightly darker color that she preferred.
If we find that necessary, we will get it done later, and we will honor Kardas' background in doing so. Our immediate need however is to see Mr. Hawke. We were sent by the honorable Coalinthaz, and the matter is quite urgent. I insist that he at least be informed that we were sent. Then, if he proves to be too busy by his own voice, after being informed of the situation, we will be happy to work out a more convenient time.
The man blinks at Kardas before asking, "Is the gentleman perhaps lost? Did he not see the sign outside?"
He harrumph when Kardas mentions meeting the king, "His majesty is in mourning. That said we would be pleased to provide the elven Gentleman suitable attire. Hmm for your figure a more modern cut I think, perhaps a velvet singlet, black of course. We have one here you could see."
He draws Ser Armithia's attention to a manakin with a very smart looking velvet suit, although keeping it clean would likely be nightmare.
When Azarra mentioned Coalinthaz the man allowed that "Perhaps Mr. Hawke might be able to make time in his busy schedule..." before he bustled off into a back room. A few minutes later a very distinguished older man with a handlebar moustache and an immaculate suit came down with a glass of sherry in hand.
He frowned slightly at Kardas's attire before saying, "Manuel tells me Coalinthaz sent you and that you want to see the king... Not to put too finer point on it, why do you think he'd want to see you over all the others who claim to have urgent business?"