Thank you Nathalin.
Drake will pull Cole to the side and speak with him privately.
Do you wish to make amends for the transgressions you took part in?
If he answers yes then I will follow with, I know of a way in which you may be put your talents to beneficial purposes instead of the nefarious ones you indirectly aided. And I will then take Cole to Old Omars Oddities to speak with the woman there on how he may aid, and possibly join, The Legion of Steel, an organization that will be potentially far more up his alley than the Knights of Solamnia.
If he says no to my question, we will turn him over to the mayor with the others, although I will attest to his cooperation and compliance.
When the elves return I say we make haste to the mayor and turn in the bandits. Also return and speak with The Herald. Then we will decide what to do with the treasure we acquired from the bandits.
If the gate guards give us trouble on the way in Drake will say we have official business with the mayor which all this pertains to.
Cole says, "I'll do whatever you want alright. I just want to get out of this without ending up at the end of a headsman's axe. Honestly I was just hired for a job by Pegrin, I didn't take party in any of the thefts or raids."
To speed things along, we'll say that one of you could go into the town and approach the Mayor's estate and get a message to the mayor about the breaking up of a bandit operation. They send some of their guards to pick up the prisoners and take them off your hands and a herald of the mayor approaches the party and says.
"The mayor of Pashin thanks your group for bringing an end to the bandit raids by Pegrin and his fellows. He requests that your group reveal the location of their camp so any remaining stolen goods can be recovered. A purse of 100 steel has been authorized to be paid out for your service."
Paid out for your service. A reward. Like a real adventurer! Clara still hasn't shaken some of the gorey images from yesterday's battle - many caused by her own fire bombs - but the recognition puffs her back up a bit.
"Good sir, please thank the mayor on our behalf and let him know that we are brave, bold, adventuresome, heroic doers of deeds that are good and heroic, if e'er again he needs our service."
Turning to her new compatriots, "Come, let's bring these relics to the Herald and see what he has to say!"
Back in the town the group along with Cole (Who you probably didn't turn over) go to the Five Dragon Inn. They find the Herald is not there. They do however find Kaithanelas there nursing a drink. He looks to the group and says, "So you all have returned. Thank the gods you made it back. So tell me, is that fiend Pegrin and his fellows thoroughly trounced? Did you recover the elven relics from their encampment?"
Yes we did Brother, I have them with me, as only a son of Silvanesti would carry them. However, I do not think that we should discuss or show them in such a public place. Spoken in Silvanesti.
Kathalanos nods and says in Silvanesti, "A prudent choice brother. Let us retire to my suite where I can view the recovered items and see to the proper rewards for your service."
Shall we off as a group or is this the business of the Silvanesti?
Clara smiles at Terevalis and says in Common, "I'd say rescuing these was all of our business. No need to split up now."
And then to Kathalanos, "If you're done with that drink, let's head to your suite. I'm curious what you know about these!"
Kathalanos says in common, "All of you may come to my room. After all, you worked as a group to deal with those foul criminals. Please follow me."
He leads the group upstairs to one of the suites. Inside the room There is a chair, bed, dresser, chest and wash basin. After locking the door and taking a seat, he says, "Show me what relics you have recovered if you please."
Terevalis will place them on the bed. These are what we were able to recover from the pilferers of our ancient homeland. The little box radiates magic.
Kathalanos eyes brighten and he says, "Ah yes, the Music Box of the Quinari. I have seen it before in the palace and heard its melody. Can I have it for a moment?"
When it is given to him, he handles it gently like a precious item and turns a key on the side of the box and opens it. Inside a lifelike figure of an attractive raven haired elven woman in a white robe pops up and does a dance while a beautiful melody plays from the box. Terevalis closes his eyes and listens intently to the notes relishing in its tune until the song is finished.
He then looks at the box with a sad look and says, "This box is a priceless treasure of House Quinari. Crafted by the very hands of Silvanos himself. There is a legend that the Key of Qunari will reveal itself in a time of great need. While I would be honored to keep this box in my safe care the Hearld spoke to me and told me that the box is the key you shall require in your quest."
He hands the box back to Terevalis and says in Silvanesti "I place the key into your care brother. See that it does not come to harm or fall into the hands of evil."
He then checks out the other items presented to him, examining their craft carefully. He then says, "You have my thanks for returning these items to the elves. I will inquire with those I know among the elven populace and see if their owners can be found. If not, I will see that they are donated to the needy among my people. As a reward I offer a purse of 200 Steel for stopping these bandits and returning the elven relics."
I will protect the Key of Quinari with my life
Perhaps Mistress Sheylin would be interested in knowing about this discovery? Kathalos, can you arrange for a meeting?
Kathalanos says in Silvenesti, "I can get the word out to the elven underground although you likely will not get a response today as there will be some deliberation about allowing outsiders into the safe haven. For now your colleagues should wait patiently until the elven underground decides they are worthy to bring to the haven."
Clara nods seriously and says, "Please tell Mistress Shaylin that Clarabibulus Flingflopsparkfizz, great great great great great granddaughter of Umbilicus the Unforeseen, would be honored to share one of her very own uplifting fizzy sodas with her."
"Now about these relics, thank you for your offer of compensation. As we are about to embark on a perilous quest we should be provisioned as well as adventurers can be. In particular, alchemical agents can be quote costly, but can greatly aid our cause. Is there any way you can find more steel to help us strengthen ourselves in light of the tasks ahead of us?"
Kathalanos says in response to Clarabibulus, "I am sure two hundred steel should be enough to purchase a sturdy number of supplies young Gnome. Along with whatever funds you gathered from the bandit camp you should be quite well off compared to many of the people here in Pashin. There are many of my people who do not have a copper to their names after those dammed Minotaurs and Dark Knights plundered everything they owned."
Drake will chuckle and pat Clara on the head, Good try little one.
So a quest eh? Do you know where this quest will take us? Because I am duty bound to make my way to Ak-Khurman, and shortly at that.
Kathalanos says to Drake, "If it is where you must travel then I shall not prevent you. It is rather late in the day to be leaving the town however and I would advise resting the night at the inn. I also would not advise travelling the desert alone. Perhaps with some searching you can find a merchant caravan heading in that direction. There is safety in numbers."
I would prefer to spend some time with my people and give a report to Mistress Sheylin. As my Shalafi she should be appraised of the situation in Silvanesti.
Kathalanos says to Terevalis in Silvenesti, "It would be foolish to travel to the haven alone. The sewer route is quite treacherous unless you are skilled in stealth or have an armed party to support you. In the meantime it may be prudent to visit the Wounded Crow and see if the Herald can give any extra insight into the Key of Quinari."
Thank you Brother for this advice, I will go and seek the guidance of the Herald
The group heads down various streets toward the Wounded Crow tavern. Along the way you glance a beggar woman in the alleyway dressed in a tattered black robe her hands and what little you see of her face withered with and long gray hair hangs out over her face. Most passing people give her a wide birth or throw a few coppers her way. As your group passes though she looks up, her eyes a pure milky white. She stands up and moves toward the party unleashing a loud Shrek and points her bony hand toward the party. She speaks out in a raspy tone.
"The stars are set in motion, a plan both cunning and divine. Beware the specters in the night, beware the unseen designs. The key you hold others desire. Protect it from...."
She starts to crackle and yells out "OBSESSIONS FIRE!" and then bursts into blue white flames that crackle and explode outward burning her body to ash and almost catching you in the explosion.
There are screams of fear at this as some people panic, while a braver ones yell, "They killed that woman!" Another man yells "Witchcraft! It must have been them. Call the watch!"
Voices echo through those gathered and then you hear not to off the measured tramp of a Dark Knight patrol heading in your direction.
: Rounds before the Dark Knight Patrol arrives.
Datura shrinks back from the strange woman, and even more so from the flames she bursts into. Seeing the accusations pointed their way, he looks at the others, says "We will not receive fair treatment at their hands. Run, we will meet again at the destination!". He turns and, leading Awd, runs off down the nearest alleyway as fast as the two can travel.
Terevalis will follow suite.
The group runs away from the scene and get an early head start on the pursuing Dark Knights. You at first think you've lost them but then you hear the sound of a warning horn echo through the area. As you turn down one of the side streets you see another patrol of Dark Knights coming the other way. Seeing your party moving away from the horn signal the Patrol leader looks to group and yells "SUBMIT OR DIE!" What do you do?
Datura worries about their avenues of escape being blocked, but the prey has more than one way of avoiding predators. He looks to the walls and floors of the side street they are on, if they could fly or burrow, or in this case use the rooftops or understreets to escape it would be best.
Make me a perception check Datura to analyze any escape routes from your current location.
How many are in the patrol?
Datura sees Terevalis sizing up their pursuers, "Cousin, I hope you don't intend on acting against them? That would make our capture a higher priority in their eyes."
"Ulp!"
The group appears to be a typical patrol of the Dark Knights. It consists of of 4 foot soldiers and one leader type. It is hard to judge their combat skill but they are well armed and equipped. The troops are in full chain armor with a heavy shield and very large swords you identify as Bastard Swords. They all also appear to be armed with crossbows. The patrol leader is similarly armed although his gear looks better quality than the soldiers and he has a fine looking longbow on his back.
As for escape routes there appears to be an alleyway off to the left between two buildings. Other than that there is forcing your way forward or doubling back toward where the original patrol came from.
"Semus, you don't know where that alley goes, do you?"
Is the kender even with us anymore?
Unfortunately the group landed right smack into the patrol when they turned the corner. If the group makes a run for the alleyway they'll be right on your heels. Then again all of them are in medium armor so they might not be able to keep up with the swifter members of the party.
Whispering to Drake, "Hey big guy, I think it's time to stop and talk our way out of this."
Datura snarls at the idea that they should stop running just as the guard gets close, "No little one, we run. They are just as slow as the rest of you, we just need to find a place to lose them in the twisting streets."
The Dark Knight soldiers have their weapons at the ready. The leader of the Dark Knight soliders points his sword at the group and says, "Don't even think about running. There has been a crime committed and you group of freaks look suspicious. Lay down your arms and surrender yourselves for judgement."
You could make a Knowledge Local or Knowledge History to figure out what it would mean if you do surrender to the Dark Knights.
Which party members are following me and the Kagonesti? I think that gnome is but I don't know about anyone else.
To speed things along, I will assume all of you end up heading toward the Wounded Crow tavern. Outside the building is a makeshift stage set up and a large crowd of people consisting of mainly local Khurites but also a mix of Nerakan Civilians. A number of lanterns have been set up illuminating the area as night has fallen upon the town. There is a number of chatterings among the people there, with the Khurites exuberant to see the famous Herald and hear his stories. The Nerakans look less enthused and almost indifferent but curious enough to show up and see what the herald has to say.
When the time comes, the Hearld comes onto the stage. A man probably approaching 70 walks onto the stage. He is balding on the top of his head, but white hair still hangs out the back of his head. He has a trim well kept beard and he is dressed in a fairly modest white robe. There is a weathered looking eyes as though he has seen very much in his life. There are cheers from the crowd as he goes onto the stage. He raises his hand and speaks with an Abasasinian accented common. "Thank you, everyone. May you please hush your words so I may weave a tale for thee."
With that the crowd quiets down to listen. The Herald begins to speak.
"I am known as the Herald. The Memories of Krynn are mine to know and share. In my dreams I have lived many other lives. I have lead men into battle on the side of good and evil. I have fought on dragonback and wielded the mighty dragonlance. I have lived, loved, and died a thousand times. This eve, I shall share some of my tales with you."
With this the crowd begins to speak up, "Tell of Huma! Tell of Raistlin and the Dark Queen! Tell of Lord Ariakan's betrayal and fall among the minions of Chaos!". A steely gaze from the Herald silences the crowd once more.
"I have another story for you this evening," the Herald intones. "I shall tell you this day of a young girl named Mina and of a great war, one fought not over control of Krynn but for the souls of its people." Murmurs go through the crowd mostly positive sounding but a few grumbles are heard also.
"My story begins about a year ago, the night of the Great Storm. Everyone remembers the Great Storm right?" replies of yes come from the crowd. He begins to tell of how the child Mina appeared to a platoon of Knights of Neraka that night and how Mina healed the minotaur Galdar who quickly dedicated himself to the child. He tells of how they journeyed to Sanction and helped prevent the Knights of Solamnia from breaking the siege. He speaks of how the Lord of the Night Targonne scoffed at her claim that she would do what no other has been able to do, capture Silvanesti. This brings a moan of sadness from a couple of elves sitting at another table. He continues with her doing exactly what she said, she captures the ancient elven homeland. It is said that when she first arrived there that a portion of the normally xenophobic elves fell instantly in love with her. He goes on and tells of her betrayal at the hands of Targonne and his eventual downfall and then of Mina's leaving to the north. You notice that the Nerakans start to get a little edgy now. He starts to tell of how the Qualinesti elves fleeing their own homeland arrive in Silvanesti and help their cousins run their occupiers out of the country. As he starts to tell how the dark knights allies the minotaurs had to come in and "rescue" the Nereakans make themselves known. A voice cries out from the crowd.
"Lies! Lies! Enough of your lies! We had an agreement with the minotaurs is all. They rescued no one, it was all planned that way.", you notice that several of the Nereakans start pushing themselves towards the stage.
The Herald with the same look on his face that he has kept all evening replies to the angry Nerakan, "I do not lie about the truth of history. If you are angry with someone why don't you take it up with the minotaurs? You do know where they are don't you?"
This little jab at the Nerakan sets him and companions off and a rock flies out from the group and slams the Herald in the head causing him to stagger as a trickle of blood comes from his forehead. A crowd of angry Nereakans then forms to make their way towards the Herald with fists and clubs ready to beat down the Herald. Someone jumps into the way of the Nerakans and is quickly thrown out of the way. This sets off a riot as the Nerekans and the Khurites engage in an all out brawl with one another. However a group of seven Nerekans push their way through the crowd and are close to reaching the Herald. What do you do?