Belym scoffs quietly at the notion that they "didn't recognize" the group, but otherwise remains quiet, allowing Ron to deal with these men as he sees fit.
Ron awakens from sleep in a cold sweat. What have I done?
The demon lord seems vaguely familiar...
[Dice=Spout Lore about identity of Demon Lord]2d6+3
Ron walks shakily to where Conwall is meditating. Conwall, we have a problem.
He relays every detail of the dream that he remembers to Conwall. The shapeshifter is loose, and they will kill Natria and Kenan if I don't bring this flower extract. What do we do?
I scratch my chin. The shapeshifter is loose? How did this happen?
The who now? the conscriptory says, catching the pin.
Yeah, who's the Emerald Lady? his fellow says, standing after retrieving his own pin
A friend who we all witnessed ascend to godhood. Take heart friends, Larune was a warrior poet in life, and I promise she will watch over you now.
Ron prods Roach to continue on the path winding off towards their goal.
Spread the good word friends.
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On the road.
If ye say say one the conscripories says, but he puts on the pin nonetheless. you encounter other groups like this along the road, but they either recognize you, or are not corrupt, and so you pass by without issue.
In the Duchy
Once you reach the border of the Duchy and Tanard, you encounter a blockade... it would seem that lady Eloen is denying passage through her lands at this time.
when you identify yourselves to the guards, you find that they have descriptions of all of you (no doubt obtained via scrying), and orders to escort you to the palace as soon as you arrived.
the Duchy is unusual in a number of ways. the first is their foundries and manufactories that dot the landscape, billowing the characteristic slightly yellow smoke of erasmian coal. another difference, which takes you a few hours to notice, is the houses. most nobility in Tanard prefer keeps or castles, whereas the oligarchs in the Duchy seem to prefer manors.
after a few hours riding at near full gallop you arrive at the palace, a beautiful piece of architecture, made largely of marble, with domed roofs and gilt doors. You are escorted to the main chamber, where the duchess herself awaits you, with her court.
the duchess sits on a small throne, made of silver (or, more likely, sliver coated iron or wood.) and wears an ornate green and copper doublet. a dozen or so hangers on stand near her, most wear doublets as well, though a few are more traditionally dressed. between yourselves and them stand a dozen guards, and anyone who is paying attention will note that there are more above. the guards armour is scaled, with an unusual shape, oddly reminiscent of a scaled fish. it may seem ornamental, but any of you familiar with metallworking, or armour know that it would be very effective at turning aside blows.
Ladies and gentlemen of my court, I introduce Sir Bonney, sir Bucanero, Good Conwall, lady Felstone, Lady Kaur, and miss Cassandra. They are well known mercinaries from our neighbors to the east, and are my personal guests. the Duchess says, gesturing to each of you in turn.
The godslayers? one member of the court says Has the plague really become so dire that such measures are nessesary?
Are you sure mercenaries are the answer... not clerics or physicians? another says.
this bickering will likely continue unless you guys interject... what do you do?
Tom sort of looks down at his holy symbol, and shifts his cloak woven with dried herbs on his shoulders as if to confirm he dressed himself correctly for the day. He looks out into the court for a moment before speaking, I understand the stories of violence are more interesting than tales of humanitarian efforts, but I began my part of our journey t' the brass city treating the source of the plague in Norwich. I have worn many hats in my life, but my most proud is a healer driving the influence of Zimran's plagues and as a cleric discovering the fate of the champion of Merciel, Ansalam.
Roshan uses her eyes to point out the guards' armor to Conwall. Roshan has a passing interest in armory, as it relates to blades, and the forges of Eloen were the main source of proper blue steel. She admires the workmanship, but uses her fascination as an excuse to really take in the room. There was something... off.
I give a gentle nod to Roshan. I've spotted it too.
Belym watches the interplay between the courtiers, taking note of any who seem particularly opposed to the group's presence.
Tom
Well, your Curriculum Vitae is definitely impressive, no one here disputes that. a noblewoman says But do you know how to deal with this plague... it is rather singular.
Yes, the issue has defied explanation by even our most talented physicians, and has, in fact, greatly reduced their numbers. How do you hope to deal with the plague without becomeing infected yourselves
you can tell that four individuals (a woman in a sky blue doublet with an unfamiliar constellation on it, a man wearing a purple doublet with a lion on it, a redhead of indetirminate gender, wearing an off-white doublet with no sigil, and a man in red, with a stallion on his lapel) all seem to be particularly displeased with you. what do you do?
Roshan
You notice the Duchess looking around at her court, her expression tells you that she is worried about how they will react. they rule her as much as she rules them. What do you do?
Belym
You absolutely notice the man in purple, glaring hatefully at your party. what do you do?
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Singular? T' your people perhaps, but the world is wide and the path of Iisac sends his followers far. The plague is dangerous only through shame, ignorance, and lack of widespread treatment. The treatment of early infections is trivial and diagnosis extremely easy when you know what t' look for, it's only a lack of treatment that poses a danger.
Within hours of infection you can coax a "red tear" from the patient with an eyedrop made from the extracted juice of the Omar weed, though it's not native t' this land. The parasite feeds on the liquid and will come t' the eyes turning them red in the corners and causing temporary blindness. After about a week, the parasite takes root in the body and you can see the formation of Sanguine's Fistula - a small and foul smelling hole that forms in the skin and weeps a reddish brown. It is like a boil that drains continuously. It's not painful, and frequently ignored. It's just a matter of having your body searched daily for the mark, a mark that frequently appears in sensitive areas or your armpits.
Once the fistula appears, any application of eyedrops will risk permanent blindness. Fortunately, my companions and I have enough Omar root t' ensure we are not infected nearly instantaneously - but for the citizenry, including the court, I must suggest medical inspection daily followed by quarantine.
The best way t' avoid infection is simply avoiding the infected who are safe until the final stages of the parasite's course. Good hygine will go a long way, and stick t' alcoholic beverages and very hot foods like soup or stew.
Belym returns the hateful glare with a cool, level gaze, focusing more of her attention on Tom's words.
Ron shifts uncomfortably. This palace is no place for a disgraced military commander.
Roshan finds it easier to fight the urge to interject now that she has a ward to project those invasive urges onto. She rests a hand on Cassandra's shoulder and squeezes each time the initiate opens her mouth to speak.
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We have already begun quarantine. the unpleasant noble in red says. It has caused no small amount of trouble for us. And without the guard to maintain order, the zones themselves have descended into savagery
We all know your opinion on the quarantine zones, Iartris. snaps a noblewoman
I still think the most prudent course of action is to locate the source of the illness says yet another noble, this one in blue
No, we must deal with the infected first, if we reduce the number of contagious, it will slow the spread.
I agree. we've the incendiaries to do so, we ought to simply urge the quarantine zone! says the woman in white
I had meant by administering a cure.
Did you even hear the word cure in his informative ramblings? even the calloused hands cannot cure this... The woman tells him, sneering.
Perhaps... The duchess says, quieting her followers Sir Bonney, or one of the other godslayers, might wish to say what they think is most prudent.
what do you do?
Ron takes a few moments to inspect the insignias of the four nobles' supplicants.
Roshan performs a stiff bow. "Were this a fire, I would agree with a purge after the initial quarantine. I have no skill in medicine, but I have routed a cult or two. A cult is a disease of the mind, you see. One does not simply purge an accult population and expect them to stop growing. In some cases, doing so will only make them spread faster, or go aground to protect themselves. They have different... vectors. To stop the spread you must understand how it is seeded. You have been doing all the right things for a normal disease, I am sure. You are all competent men and women, but the persistence of this disease despite those prudent steps speaks to a guile that will not bow to more of the same. That is why we have been summoned, yes?"
Ron
You recognize one of the noblewomen (in a sky blue doublet, with a constellation on it) as lady Aalziar Glynpeiros. Her son, Belamar, had served under you, as a captain (or equivalent). He didn't make it out of your last battle. She definitely recognizes you. What do you do?
Roshan
You suggest that someone has unleashed this upon us? asks a man in orange
How would you discover the culprits, if there are any? asks the individual in white.
No, I will not allow this! shouts the man in red, with a stallion on his tunic I will not watch this woman use out plight as an opportunity to bring down the inquisition upon us!
what do you do?
The balsa-thin restraint Roshan was holding snaps, and she takes a half-step forward, forgetting herself-
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Ron puts a calming hand on Roshan's shoulder.
Lady Glynpeiros ... nobles. If ye want us to leave, ye need only ask. I have no great desire to risk death to handle a situation that is clearly out of yer control. He makes eye contact with Glynpeiros. But duty compels all of us. What will yer people say when they learn ye turned away aid? Will they curse ye from their deathbeds? Let us do our work.
Cassandra is deeply disappointed when Roshan halts.
Yeesh, Roseanne, Tom starts, If anyone has come before you and promised a cure without seeing one of the infected, then that person was a charlatan. I came t' offer my help t' those who need it and not t' peddle wares. I was asked for aid, and announcing my presence is more a formality than a necessity if your only ability is t' bicker.
At the implied 'purging' with incendiaries, Belym's face contorts, and a few pebbles clatter to the ground around her feet. She pivots, turning her back on the court, and stands there as she attempts to calm herself down.
Very well, I bid you do so, unless you have any specific inquiries to make? The Duchess tells Ron, while Lady Glynpieros gives ron a look that could rival a basilisks stare.
If your intent is to enter the quarantined quarter, I suggest you go heavily armed. the individual in whie says And if you can, please burn the bodies.
If you have any special requests, such as needing unusual ingredients, or requiring certain items, I will try to accomodate these, so long as they are pertinent to your mission. a squat amn, in his late 50's says, looking up from a list of papers he was shuffling through, at a desk in the corner.
Roshan
Hey, not that going into a plague-infested warzone doesn't sound really great. Merick whispers to you,whe you leave the hall (whenever that happens) but I gotta ask, are you planning to stay here and do some inquiries, and would you like some added security in that?
Tom goes and discusses useful goods with the man (), and suggest useful goods that could be good to keep on hand for the court.
"They speak blithely about razing districts to ash and turn to insult our order on grounds of violence." Roshan spits. "There will be inquiries, Merick, but I may need something other than an armed entourage to procure them. Something quieter." Roshan's gaze cuts across the folk in the hall to the man in red. She would make her intentions clear away from so many prying eyes. Tom could handle the disease, and if she found something helpful, all the better, but she would get to the bottom of this court's five-legged horse.
Ron joins Tom at the man's desk. Stock up on healing potions. They usually help stave off the effects of disease for a time.
This isn't really a disease, it's a parasite. It's a creature seeking a host body instinctually. I've heard it can be quite dangerous in areas with infrastructure problems, and I cannot guarantee the effectiveness of a potion to cure it.
Belym moves to engage one of the guards in conversation, asking if they've heard anything through less official channels about the status inside the quarantine zone.
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Tom
Useful or valuable? You notice some reports on the disease, most of it old news, but very well written. all sent by one Berlen Yesydark. he has a clinic, in the quarantine zone, he might be able to help you.
Not what it appears? the disease is spreading in a very strange manner. most of it is concentrated in one area, as you would expect of a pathogen, however, there are isolated outbreaks all over the country, often concentrated on large bodies of water.
Happened here recently? well, in the papers that predate the oubreak, from the winter and spring, there were a number of incidents involving mages, and the Church of Mersiel, both of which are groups the nation has been phasing out for decades, in favour of artifice and non-denominational scholastic and chivalric orders.
Ron
Ah, yes The old man says Healing potions. I can arrange for them to be purchased from the Alchemical society at cost. 35 Pendans, if memory serves. he thinks for a moment, then says. I believe your associate mentioned Omar root. I will contact them about that as well, and have it administered to the guard. did he tell you the proper dosage?
Roshan
I hope you don't intend to hold any nobles against their will. I somewhat doubt the guards will appreciate that. Merrick says.
Sir Kaur will conduct herself as she pleases. Cassandra snaps at him. Merrick chuckles, and gives you a look that says "Kids, amiright?" before heading over toward Ron.
Conwall
When you leave the throne room, on your way out, your keen elven ears detect a whisper...in your native tongue! it says You, what are you doing here? It is coming from a corridor off to the side. what do you do?
I dart off from my group, of course.
In Elivañol I say Who is there?
Conwall
Nlaea, of house silverstream the voice says. a slight shimmer in the air, almost impossible for the less keen-sighted to notice, informs you that this individual is garbed in one of the cloaks of elvenkind. A deacon of the church of Pelnor, mage of the third degree, appointed to investigate this country for evidence of Asmodian incursion. her titles tell you that she is fairly high up in both the church and mage hierarchy. While you doubt she could match you or Roshan with a blade, or Ron, tom, and Belym with magic, she would wield both in near perfect concert. Who are you? why have you come here so openly?
Belym
the guards in the throne room only give you the standard speil, however, once a little farther our, in the kitchens, you find a guard who will tell you the unvarnished truth/
Yeah, my cousin was stationed to patrol the northern edge of the quarantine zone. says it's awful, buncha people displaced, underfed and mosta the guard's are too scared to interfere, don't wanna wind up confined to there themselves. He says between bites of meat-pie.
Most of the riverside people are there, and they brought a dozen turf-wars with em'. and a buncha that lot from up north, rowdy bunch at the best of times. he takes a swig of wine. not to say there're all bad, mind. plenty'a good folk, just trying not to get caught in it, trying to stay fed and alive... but it's not exactly a place you'd want to be, even if you was immune.
Shuffling through papers, Tom speaks openly, Ron, something is wrong here... the outbreak is atypical. Something strange is going on, and I have he feeling I will be glad t' have you all with me.
Tom marks a large pattern on the paper, See this? This is roughly the range of groundwater affected by the outbreak. It's shockingly large, but it is possible for some of the ancient parasites t' grow this large in the myths. However, it shouldn't be this round - the outbreak should be in an oval or tear shape as the water flows to the sea... We need t' see this Yesydark fellow..
Tom tucks his notes away and asks for a private refuge, an area he can be alone for a moment. Tom pulls from his robe the remains of the Godslayer's blood he had taken from Roshan. He begins his typical prayer of offering using dried herbs, but this time mixes in some Omer root specifically along with the blood and keeps the heat under his offering dish with a partial cover to create a thicker smoke. He then performs a prayer for divine guidance, a move he has not made in a while.
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I bite the corner of my lip. I've been working closely with a...coalition of Asmodean hunters. This was our next stop. I operate with Pelonore's blessing, if not necessarily his sanction.
Roshan cracks a predatory smile at Cassandra's comment.
"Ron, would you join me in visiting the guardhouse? I'm sure we would find a warmer welcome there."
Ron huddles next to Tom and nods. Agreed. I think ye'll take the lead here Tom.
Ron then follows Roshan.
Belym offers the man a sympathetic nod. "Ugh. What's your cousin's name? If we end up in that area, I'll try to check in on him. If we do end up in the zone - is there anyone who could help us navigate the area, without getting into too much trouble? "
After she's done, she finds Tom. " It might not be a bad idea for us to bring some food - a large shipment could earn us some goodwill, and even a few extra rations could help us make a friend. "
Tom
Conwall
I see. Nlaea says, moving her cloak back far enough for you to see her garb, elvish light armour, and her weapon of choice, a skysteel longbow. Am I to assume that means that this Plague is asmodian in nature?
Ron and Roshan.
In the barracks, the off-duty guard are gathered. most of them are either watching a very heated game of times, or taking efforts to pluck and clean a number of pigeons. When you enter a few look over.
Who in the hells are you? One asks.
another one who is taking a dagger to a small pile of potatoes and onions also looks up, and addresses cassandra. Kid, I don't care that yer folks can't feed ya, you don't want ta' join the guard. the food ain't worth it, the work is s@!*e, and they're sending most of the rookies to guard the quarantine zone. Find work a a border-farm, or go kill food in the woods, or become a Seamstress, anything but this. He says, before he goes back to his chopping. after that outburst, all eyes are on you three. what do you do?
Belym
Me cousin's named Errion. he's stationed at the third western tower. And I betcha some food would get you nice and popular... and paint a pretty big target on your back. He says. not saying not to do it, just saying not to all sleep at the same time.
Brow furrowed, Roshan looks down at her distinctive equipment, over to Ron, then back to the inquirer. "-"
"Sir Bucanero and Sir Kaur, in service to your Duchess, same as you-" Roshan's gaze halts Cassandra's antagonistic introduction before she says something that might lock an already closed door.
Roshan's laugh, by some fluke, comes out sounding natural. "No need for that now, page, we made it out of court. We're among practical company here. Salt of the earth. We're here to share a meal and pass the wane hours before we wade into work on the morrow." The ground shudders as Roshan drops her trunk.
Ron and Roshan
At the sound of you names, the room starts the buzz with whispers. many stealing glances at you. finally one stands. Trollshite you're Kaur and Bucanero! Godslayer Kaur is a bloodthirsty beast, a whirlwind of laceration and vengeance. And James Bucanero is 7 feet tall, and blazes with blue fire! the man yells. They have definitely heard of you... however it would seem what they have heard is only tangential to the truth.
as if to drive this point home, another woman stands. And what about the dwarf strong enough to toss boulders bigger than he is? and the elf whose blade is sharp enough to cut the wind? and the cleric whose body heals immediately from any wound? where're they?
You will need to convince them of your identities. What do you do?
Roshan nods, licking her lips as she picks up the sack of potatoes and hangs it from a support beam. "It's green these days. Ron elected to pawn off the evicted divine throne on his page. I think, perhaps, the red wind can still deliver on "a whirlwind of laceration and vengeance"..."
After a deep breath, Roshan slips into Panther's Coiled Tail. Her hands rest on the pommels of her dancing blades. A feint red steam rises from her plated shoulders. Then...
Moving like a dozen crimson ghosts, Roshan makes one circle of the bag, blades singing. The power that once turned hell's army and knocked a goddess out of the air peels a sack of potatoes before they fall into a bed of their own peels and burlap.
Cassandra claps emphatically.
"I believe... the good people... asked for fire... Ron."
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My eyes bulge a bit. If she's a point or a plank she'd be here as a surgical strike, could be an ally to us. But if she's a flail, things could get bad quickly. Best not to chance it.
I purse my lips. It's looking increasingly unlikely. I think we're wasting our time here to be frank. How has your pilgrimage been? Have you been traveling long? We're you home for the last conclave.
If nothing else I can figure out who sent her. Give a hint to her loyalties...
Tom
Your life would be so much easier if Gods would just give checklists, or sit down and have a cup of tea. as it is, they seem to prefer head-splitting migraine inducing visions.
An old man scrawls notes onto parchment. the words Uncoventional manifestation is visible on his notes. A group of shadows move through a burning city. A river flows down, next to a mountain stair. in the bones of the earth, a great door's runes flicker and go dark. a pair of towers scramble with activity, as a crowd swarm around it. and rivers run red down into the sea.
you finally return to yourself, covered in sweat and sick, movements a little shaky. What do you do?
Conwall
Nlaea sighs and drops her shoulders, and takes you by the hand to another room, one where you two are less out in the open. I understand. it had seemed nonmagical to me. and elves are quite immune. It is no threat to us, by appearances. perhaps it is for the best that I was the investigator here. The redcaps would no doubt encourage us to spread this plague. She says
I haven't been back home in nearly three decades. every time I complete a mission, the pontiff, or the high council, or my great grandmother send me on another. a hint of bitterness seeps into her voice At least in boqueck, there were 6 other investigators. but since I got shunted off to the northwest... You're the first person I've seen in 6 years. SHe tells you
Certainly, this can be none other than Sir Kaur herself. She vouches my identity and that will be enough for the lot of ye. Now, I trust my reputation as a champion Times player has not yet reached these lands. Who wishes to challenge a godslayer?
Tom pulls out the map he had written notes on and looks at the features of the land to see if anything matched his vision.
Tom then goes to speak to the court one final time to try and relate the mountain and river to the map, and to ask about any myths or stories of a door covered in glowing runes as well as a pair of towers.
"I understand; thanks for the warning. One other thing: don't suppose you've heard word from Gilfaldir, or Bogdoruhl? Or heard of a pair of dwarves travelling in the area? "