"Settling down is for when you are too old to keep pulling up the sails for a pre-dawn getaway. Then I'll settle down and become a fat merchant with no cares or worries"
"Hehe! I should have guessed that settling down would not be on the horizon for Harry Handsome. But I certainly did not picture you as the fat merchant at the end of the journey. Yes, perhaps the wealth, but I cannot picture you as one who is going to sit still at the journey's end. Even if you were an old man with an eye patch and a wooden leg, I can still see you chasing the young ladies around the town." Celestra sighs, and adds, "You are certainly a heartbreaker, my friend. I cannot help but feel for the ladies that ooh and ahh and fall head over heels for you, for they do not know what they are getting into! But either way, I wish you luck in that worry free merchant thing you're dreaming up!"
"All the wharf rats sitting there without a pot to pee in and a bellyfull of empty all used to look at the fat merechants walking about with their full bellies and fuller pockets and wish we were amongst 'em, suppose the dream never fades"
"Right you are Sir Karlan, just like not every man on a pirate ship was a volunteer sign on, but how do you tell which man sailing under the crossbones is a presser?"
"All the wharf rats sitting there without a pot to pee in and a bellyfull of empty all used to look at the fat merechants walking about with their full bellies and fuller pockets and wish we were amongst 'em, suppose the dream never fades"
"Oh dreams are such wonderful things to keep hope alive! My trouble is that I have far too many of them. Besides my wonderful pub, some day I would love to open an orphanage for the wee ones of the world. You know, a place that they can call home and be a family again. However, I would need somebody to stay and take care of the place, because I would also love to sail all over the world and visit some of the many thousands of ports in distant coves. You could taste the different foods from different nations, listen to their music and experience their cultures. Then you could sip their bold wines looking over a sunset, or drink hearty ales looking up at the mountains. Don't get me going, because then there is the feel of the wind in the sails and the freedom to explore! There is nothing quite like that! Wouldn't you agree, Harry? How about you, Alana? Would you want to go on that magnificent journey with me?"
"I do love to travel, my dear. Though at the moment I am far more interested in coming to a concrete conclusion on how we are to handle this whole affair. Although I will gladly follow along on any adventure you lot choose, I would so like to know in advance what path lays before me."
[b]"Well it's turtleback for now, then maybe a bit of game hunting..."[/b[
Besides my wonderful pub, some day I would love to open an orphanage for the wee ones of the world. You know, a place that they can call home and be a family again.
I echo that thought, miss Zomesco. Master Gandethus and the Yodanbakari academy were an integral part in making me the man I am today, the better part. If you can not yourself manage such an organization, might I suggest offering a little help to one or two of them? I know I will. But ahem.
Noticing he had engaged in the side discussion, Marek tries steering the conversation back to the plan ahead.
Then we better return to Turtleback Ferry. We can rest, contact the mayor, and await for the return of the rangers there, and, better yet, continue this pleasant conversation in front of a fireplace with warm beverages in our hands.
It's fairly obvious the outsider added the last bit to try and convince her to follow the plan stipulated.
Vale keeps quiet for the rest of the journey back to Turtleback ferry. He stays close to Karlan, who is the only one who sided with the rangers.
Just before you reach the frontier town, a drizzling rain sets in...the houses look grey in the afternoon twilight and no one is out in the streets.
[b]"Well, Vale, here you are safe and sound back in Turtleback Ferry. It's too bad that the rain has started up, but at least we can find a roof for our heads and take some shelter. There is only one tavern and one Inn, I would offer to share a drink with you at the 'Bottoms Up', but last time I was here, the front windows were broken and there was so much raucous laughter that I don't think anyone noticed. However, the Inn is a bit better. I suggest we go there first.
"The Inn it is, dry clothes and a dry bed"
As the group settles in the inn, Marek tries to approach Ailetha in a discreet manner.
Lady Aurcalam, might I impose on you to give me a few minutes of your time? I am somewhat of a scholar myself and I know some bits and pieces about Old Thassilon, but most of what you are saying sounds new to me. Perhaps we might exchange some notes on the matter so I can try to piece together the big picture on this whole issue? I feel there are a lot of unforeseen influences on the recent events at Fort Rannick, and if we are to pursue our course, I'd rather be prepared.
Ailetha looks at Marek and smiles:
I am glad that someone is interested in the reason behind what we are attempting to do.
What do you wish to know? I cannot say that I am an expert on matters of ancient Thassilon, but I have studied it somewhat. The short story is that there was a nation called Thassilon which existed where Varisia does today. There were seven rules of this land that divided it into seven lands. These were the Runelords. Originally, I think that they were good, or at least not outright evil. However, the began to take on resemblances of the seven deadly sins. Sloth, Greed, etc. Where we are right now was the realm of the Runelord of Greed. His name was Karzoug.
One way these Runelords gained their powers was by sacrificing people who personified the sin. We have found merchants, corrupt officials, thieves, and others who were greedy killed. Many had the seven pointed Si-hedron tattooed on them. Once again, this is what had been done several thousand years earlier when the Runelords ruled.
From everything we have seen, someone appears to be attempting to raise one of these Runelords, Karzoug I believe, from several thousand years of death.
Ailetha pauses and takes a drink from her ale.
I can tell you more about Runewells and demons and other interesting things about them, but pretty well sums it up.
Once, Celestra arrives at the Inn, she gives Alana the look and whispers to her, "Alana, my luv, let us retire soon that we may touch each other and hold one another close. I have missed you so!"
"Yes my dear, sweet woman. We shall go whenever you have had your fill of ale."
"Oh my Luv! You know I love the ale, but even that can wait for you! Let's not delay a moment longer!" Celestra takes Alana's hand and sweeps her off to their room.
Celestra closes the door and a warm smile spreads across her face. "There is an excitement to adventuring, but nothing compares to the excitement of getting to know you intimately."
Celestra quickly lights a few candles to give the room a warm glow and then she trembles with anticipation as you pulls the half elf closer in a gentle embrace. "Do you know that you mean the world to me?" She then leans over and presses her lips to Alana's as the warmth of their kiss fills her insides. Gentle at first, the kiss grows in passion and intensity. She then begins untying Alana's garments and letting the clothes drop to the floor revealing the graceful curves of her beautiful elven body. "You are the most beautiful person I have ever known, Alana." She then pulls her gently to the bed where things become very interesting.
Meanwhile, Harry looks at Thumper, who in turn looks at Harry.
The look is clearly one of 'What did we do wrong to end up in this dump'.
Harry spends his time sipping his ale quietly by the fire, occasionally throwing bits of food to Thumper who is happily catching them out of the air.
The tavern is mostly empty which surprises you a bit since the streets bhad also been so empty.
The barkeep recognizes you and shouts
Back, eh? How was your trip into the mountains, no Grauls found, eh?
Vale remains mostly behind Karlan, somehow you have the feeling as if he was trying to hide from the barkeep's eyes.
"And not a copper to be made from poking about those Hills either, a sad and sorry tale indeed, maybe you can suggest other places where game can be found, otherwise I think we are on the next boat back to Magnimar... which I hope is soon"
Ailetha looks up at Harry's comment.
If those damn ogres are around here, they are might skilled at hiding.
Bluff:
With an apologetic shrug to the others, Alana allows herself to be led away by Celestra. Speaking over her shoulder, "Should you need us please do not hesitate to seek us out."[b]
What do you wish to know?
If you do not believe it a waste of your efforts, all of it, in due time. I do know your group had worrisome experiences with informants in the past, so you keep your information close to your chests, but I hope in the future we can reach a point where you are able to trust me with it.
The outsider hears Ailetha's explanation with a affirming nod at some points, her experiences confirming some of his theories.
As I said before, I happen to know some bits and pieces of information about the realm of Thassilon, but my studies and professor Gandethus' focused on one of these runelords. Mainly the one associated with "sloth" magic, more commonly known as conjuration. He managed to ascertain that they used conjured, called and summoned creatures for a multitude of roles, including as jailors and torturers.
He frowns as he seems to hit a point of contention in his line of thought.
Huh.
From this point on, Marek just stares the bottom of his cup.
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Vale shifts uneasily on his chair and like Marek stares at the bottom of his tankard
Erm...what did you say? When can you contact Lordmayor Grobaras in Magnimar?
The barkeep grins at Ailetha's comment
Yeah, you would think ogres are too big to hide but these ones are tricky, heh. Uh...did you already speak with Maelin Shreed? I bet he is pretty interested in what you found out...or did not find out, hah.
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Several hours later, Celestra returns to the common room with Alana with a wide smile on her face. "Are you folks still up? What are you doing staring at empty tankards? Let's set matters right, my friends." Celestra goes up to the barkeep and buys a round for her friends and any other patrons present. "Let's get this party started!"
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Alana stifles a yawn and slides into a chair at the table. "So what is the plan, my friends?"
Harry awakes from where he has simply slept in the chair by the fire, Thumper maintains a deep and leisurely snoring, paws occasionally shaking as he chases Goblins in his dreams.
"We haven't seen Shalelu the Ranger to give her news about her 'missing friend', and I suppose we have a few enquiries to make around the town, perhaps buy some hunting supplies... maybe even find out why Mr Vale and the Barkeep might have a need to be kept apart?"
"I will go for a walk now and make sure there's plenty of signs to suggest we are leaving town back to Magnimar sooner rather than later and maybe make some enquiries about game hunting and the like to cover the fact we might be shopping for things other than light refreshments for the pending journey"
"Suppose we are here for a short while until that pair of Rangers return..."
"So we need to find out whether we can trust this Mr Vale, what he might know that can help us, why he's dodging the barkeep, whether there is anything left to investigate with this burnt gambling den. I'm also curious about what might be at the Fort that drove the Ogres to seize it, was it just that they are all crazy? Ogres live in the woods and in caves, sometimes even in farmsteads as we have just noted, but taking a keep under force of arms and then occupying it? Surely they'd know that a keep will be missed and forces will come take it back, so why stay? What keeps them there in a place ill suited to their needs and a place that keeps them in a fixed known location? There's not another one of those Hell Well's underneath it or something? Was it built on old Ruins? Is this another nightmare lair we are talking about?"
Ailetha looks over at Harry: Like you were reading my mind. I wonder if there is a town historian around or someone with knowledge of the history of the keep?
Diplomacy: <-- to find out if someone in town knows the history of the area, and particularly the keep.
"If they return." Karlan says with a frown. "Things are going to get uglier before they get better. We just declared open war on a band of ogres with the backing to tear down a military outpost. Gods only know what they're going to do once they find out just how many of their family we just destroyed."
"How many more of them do you think there really are?"
Karlan looks up at the ceiling as if the answers were in the log rafters or perhaps piercing down on him from on high. "Over a dozen maybe more. They had a mage, and who's to say that one of her sons didn't follow in her foot steps? They had undead, and likely beasts as well. And given what we've found so far whose to say Xanesha or some other agent of this cult was not aiding them as well? I think the ogres are just the tip of an ugly force building here."
"If we are able to put a stop to this, or even to stand in their way and slow them down, then we must." She glances at Harry for a moment before continuing, "Pay or no."
"I can live with that, we just need to be far more guarded about who we talk to, and what we tell them. We let the cat out of the bag to those Rangers and now we know at least one of them is dirty. We have this other Shalelu or whatever her name is also running around sticking her beak into our business, then she goes off and gets herself in over her head. Now we need to explain to her where the nice fellow went, and in such a way that she doesn't get a head full of ideas and go become another damsel in deistres that the good Sir Karlan needs to go rescue... see how these things keep adding up? These townfolk are not our friends, and neither was the boss in Magnimar. We are surrounded by traitors, cowards, sell outs, and shapeshifting murderers, it's like Riddleport all over without the charm"
"So yeah, we are going to go and put all of them to the axe, every last stinking one of them, and if I find out that Ranger was a traitor I'll kill him myself"
"I can make the trip down to the town offices and see if I can find some information on the keep. Would anybody care to join me?"
Celestra departs and goes looking for information on the old Ranger's Fort and what may have been found on the land below the fort.
You find Vale waiting in front of the inn. At first you think he is day-dreaming, staring at the lead-grey sky, but as you draw nearer he says
Call me crazy, but I think there was an invisible serpent at the sky just a moment ago?!
--------
The right person to talk to when you want to find something out about the history of Turtleback Ferry is most probably Maelin Shreed.
Celestra makes her way to the home of Maelin Shreed. "Good day. Please forgive my interruption, but I am Celestra Zomesco and I have heard of your great interest in history and would love to talk to you! I am a traveller and I recently arrived in this marvelous town and I am wondering if you would be interested in a visit where we may enjoy a glass of wine and talk all about Thassilonian ruins, ancient artifacts and this remarkable area we've come to find ourselves in? I don't mean to be pushy, but I am just so excited to meet you at last!"
Alana most likely would have tagged along with Celestra. As is usual for her, she stands aside quietly watching and listening as if it is all just the most fascinating thing she has ever seen or heard.
The priest of Erastus and mayor of the frontier town is a bit surprised to find you again in front of his door. But soon surprise is replaced by relief and he smiles
Good that you are back from the mountains...actually many people here thought you wouldn't return...runes? artifacts? Sorry, but I think I don't understand what you are speaking about.
When Alana and Celestra walked past Vale, the ranger decided to tag along...
When Vale departs with Celestra and Alana, the Aasimar says, "Stay here just a minute. I think I forgot something." She then rushes back inside to talk to Harry for a moment in private, "I do not have much time. Vale and Alana are waiting outside for me, and I do not want to keep them waiting in case he grows suspicious, but how far do you think I can trust Vale? Whatever I learn from Maelin Shreed is going to be overheard by Vale. What should I do? Do I need to keep him from hearing our conversation?"
Overhearing Celestra, Ailetha looks over at Harry: I suppose we should have a nice discussion with Vale.
She gets up and waits for Harry to join her.
"The good Sir Karlan must be busy, I'll come talk to Vale"
Harry gets up, and as he does so he pulls on his gloves.
"What should I do? I don't want to offend the Ranger by not permitting him to come along, but I just don't want to give the enemy any information that would help their cause."
"No need to concern yourself Miss Zomesco, we'll take it from here"
Harry nods to Ailetha, "You want to do the talking?"
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"No need to concern yourself Miss Zomesco, we'll take it from here"
"Thanks, Handsome. My natural instinct is to trust practically everybody, but when you started showing concerns about the Rangers, I thought I better check with you before I did something that you would not approve of. If you think we are all set, then Alana and I will head off and meet with Maelin Shreed. We'll be back later."
Once Harry and Ailetha begin their discussion with Vale, Celestra draws Alana's attention and calls her forth. She then takes her by the hand and with a radiant smiles says, "I think it is going to be just the two of us for a while. Harry and Ailetha wanted to have a word with Vale and made it sound as if he would not be joining us. I'm not so sure about all of this cloak and dagger stuff, but Harry assured me not to worry. I just want to be able to help the company as best I can. Come along, Luv, let's go find the mayor."
Across town, Celestra reaches the mayor's house with Alana at her side.
"Good day, Mayor Shreed. It's me, Celestra Zomesco and my dear friend, Alana Wayworth. Please forgive our interruption, but if you have some time, we would love to share a glass of wine, and talk to you about history and the Thassilonian ruins in this land. May we please come in?"
"Good that you are back from the mountains...actually many people here thought you wouldn't return...runes? artifacts? Sorry, but I think I don't understand what you are speaking about."
"Oh!" Celestra blushes slightly. "We may look like gentle sorts, but you cannot underestimate what a few smart young women can with a few strong men to boss around. Those awful Grauls should not be causing much trouble now. But may we kindly come in, Mayor Shreed? We just want to pick your brain and inquire about any Thassilonian ruins in the area and if you knew where some may be located. We were wondering if the old Ranger's keep would have had any such history?"
"Perhaps Sir Karlan can speak to the barkeep about the Rangers, see why there might be an issue... we can speak to Mr Vale and see if the stories marry up"
Harry steps outside
"Ahhh Mr Vale, right this way, there's a good fellow... a few questions if we may...yes we insist...what's this about flying things? tell us about your relationship with the barman..."
Ailetha follows Harry out and joins him with Vale as the other ladies wander off to meet with the mayor.
Yes, tell us about your relationship with the barkeep. What do you know of him?
Vale is a bit surprised by the sudden change of events, but then he shrugs and looks at the sky again
Yeah, flying things...I think I just saw the silhouette of a large flying serpent...or something similar, I guess that sounds quite crazy?...the barkeep? Well, the only relationship I have to that man is that I know that Kaven called him his "gambling-friend". I just decided that it might be better for us if he does not see us together.
-------
Maelin opens the door a bit more and bids you inside
Oh sorry, please, come in.
The interior of his small home reminds you of a hunting lodge. Furs and pelts decorate the room aswell as all sorts of hunting equipment. A crackling fire burns in the fireplace and you feel somewhat at home at once.
So, you want to know more about the history of the fort? Mhm...I f I remember correctly, it was built about two hundred years ago. A Magnimarian stronghold build to support the troops operating in this region. I guess it was errected to serve as a bulwark against the forces of Cheliax.
Oh sorry, please, come in."
"You are most kind, Mayor Shreed. We promise not to take too much of your time, but I understand that you are the most knowledgable person in this area to talk to about this topic. But before we get started, can I offer you a glass of wine? I am a Starstone Brewer and I have been blessed by Cayden Cailean."
As glasses are brought out, Celestra casts Create Wine and fills them with a bold white wine.
"May I propose a toast to your health, to Cayden Cailean for providing the wine, and for peace and prosperity to flow throughout this land once again!"
"So, you want to know more about the history of the fort? Mhm...I f I remember correctly, it was built about two hundred years ago. A Magnimarian stronghold build to support the troops operating in this region. I guess it was errected to serve as a bulwark against the forces of Cheliax."
"Indeed the force of Cheliax and the spread of Cheliaxian colonialism would cause any of the inhabitants to build up their defenses against such a binding rule. However, I am wondering if you would consider thinking back to over ten thousand years ago, when this land was ruled by the Thassilonian Empire. I know that many great monuments were built, likely using stone giant slaves. I just think about the Cyphergate of Riddleport or the Irespan of Magnimar and I easily begin to develop a great appreciation for this old culture."
"However, I also know that Thassilon quickly crumbled during the destruction and chaos brought on by Earthfall. It was during this time that I believe the runelords began to rise to power. I understand that they foresaw the collapse of this empire and hid in numerous protected sanctuaries to escape death, where they entered a deep sleep in which they have lain still for many thousands of years. About a month ago, my companions and I found one such hidden lair in Riddleport. The circumstances around the violence of that time and place is very similar to the recent destruction brought on by the Grauls. I am led to believe there is a strong connection between these ancient runelords and the violence we are experiencing now."
"Alana and I have come to you, wondering about this connection and hoping you might be able to provide some information regarding Thassilonian monuments and if they are tied in any way to the location of the Ranger fort. Was there anything special about that location that goes back before the fort was built? I guess I am curious to hear what you know about the Runelords and their hidden sanctuaries as they pertain to this region!"
"Tell us more about this flying thing, when and where. We will also need as much detail as you can give us on the fort, as well as the likely number of Ogres and any other detail, we need to send this information back to Magnimar so troops can be readied to come re-take the fort"