After several hair raising weeks dodging encounters in the wilderness you return to Korth and meet Archmage Silven within his expensively appointed chambers within the Twelve. He is a rather decrepit old man with a long silver ponytail and a friendly smile.
"How was the hunt?" He asks as he has an unseen servant pour you some piping hot tea.
Ulvak takes a sip of his tea, then passes his hand over the cup to add some cinnamon and apple flavoring to it. He sits back in a chair and explains what took place over the past several weeks since they left.
Ulvak takes a sip of his tea, then passes his hand over the cup to add some cinnamon and apple flavoring to it. He sits back in a chair and explains what took place over the past several weeks since they left.
"I see." Replies the Archmage. "Most exciting, reminds me of my youth as an adventurer. Tell me, have you the Ring?"
"Of course we have it and we are delighted to return it. And you have no idea why it was stolen by some dark, deceived creature that was unable to use it? For whomever sent him may try again, for whatever purposes, and you yourself may be in danger."
The Archmage places a rune inscribed box in front of you. "Place the ring inside to return it." He informs you. To Quayne he says: "Yes this is most disturbing, Raderol himself didn't have the arcane knowledge to penetrate our vaults but whomever let him in is protected from the spells of even our most powerful diviners. A most perplexing case indeed."
"And you've never heard of this witch he claims recruited him? Or Roshnuu, his dragonish companion? If you have no enemies that would attempt this, then the ring itself must have some secret purpose that we do not know. Though maybe you might?"
"No I'm afraid not, as for the ring, it is a sacred talisman of the demon lord Kabraxxis and we where going to use it to summon him for some information at the time the Ring was stolen. The demon is the patron of secrets and knowledge and we where hoping to use him to answer some questions about an important project the Twelve are working on, unfortunately the time of planar conjunction has passed and our questions must go unanswered, at least for now..."
"Hmm. What very coincidental timing. Perhaps even a motive?"
"Yea, there is definitely a lot going on here that we aren't fully aware of. Do you mind if we keep the ring long enough to make one more use of it, in an attempt to find out more information?" Regardless of the answer, Ulvak has officially turned over the ring.
Kiralinsee mills about the chamber going from priceless item to priceless item. She casually picks up a few of the rarer looking ones to examine them closer.
The Archmage closes the box. "Thank you, but no the ring is going into one of the deeper vaults now, we would rather not risk it again.
As for the information it is clear something unsettling is happening here and someone is moving against us from the shadows. At the moment however we have a more experienced, and frankly, more trusted group searching for answers, however there is something important you can help us with, that will increases your standing within the Twelve if you handle it well. I will speak of it in a moment.
First however, I owe each of you five thousands gold pieces worth of treasure or magic items, how would each of you like your reward?"
"You are most generous and I have always wished to understand more of the gods and their creations. I request a Headband of Vast Intelligence that would grant me this Knowledge of the Religions, and a Pearl of Power, not unlike my own, but which would enable the recasting of one of my least powerful spells."
"You are most generous and I have always wished to understand more of the gods and their creations. I request a Headband of Vast Intelligence that would grant me this Knowledge of the Religions, and a Pearl of Power, not unlike my own, but which would enable the recasting of one of my least powerful spells."
"Excellent." Says the Archmage. "We'll deliver those items to you shortly. What would the rest of you like?"
Ulvak thinks for several moments, trying to figure out what he would like as his reward "There is a circlet that enhances one's charismatic ability, though it is not as powerful as what I wear. I would like this as my reward, though I request it be in a form different than normal."
"Very well, I believe we have a ring in the vaults that will work for you, is that acceptable?"
Kiralinsee continues to randomly move throughout the room, picking up the occasional object here and there. Eventually she spots a small statue in the corner of the room. It seems to have been neglected for quite some time, as if forgotten.
"Hmmm, what do we have here?"
She picks up the small onyx statue and examines it carefully. It depicts a shadowy draconic figure with gold eyes.
"I'll take this, I think."
she says raising the statue.
"That old thing? You're welcome to it, gives me the creeps if I'm being honest..." The Archmage replies with a sour expression.
"Many thanks. And what of this other important task you mentioned? I am currently in a position of availability."
"Many thanks. And what of this other important task you mentioned? I am currently in a position of availability."
"A noble friend and contributor to the Twelve is having problems with some Darkblade Mercenaries in his domain. I'm not sure the exact details yet but with the military busy quelling Emerald Claw backed uprisings right now he is in rather dire straits and in need of support, if you're willing I'd like to send you to deal with the threats menacing his realm." The Archmage replies.
"I am always willing to help an ally of the Twelve. Tell me, is he associated with a House, or a freelance ally?"
"I am always willing to help an ally of the Twelve. Tell me, is he associated with a House, or a freelance ally?"
"He is an independent noble, and not very wealthy but he has done much for us in the past and certainly deserves our help. His name is Julian Staphos and we are willing to pay you each another five thousand gold if you can solve this problem."
"The size of one's wealth does not always determine the amount one can help the Houses out. Are we to meet this Julian and if so where? I am guessing he's a Karnathi noble?"
"Hmm, the Darkblades again. Well, at least we're not making new enemies. I accept." He grins his gap toothed smile.
"Very well." The Archmage replies. "You will travel to the small village of Hendice in the north, Staphos' Keep lies just outside it. I shall inform him you are coming. Spend the night in one of our guest houses here tonight and we will deliver you your items in the morning, then make haste, for I fear to leave those mercenaries to their own devices for to long..."
Knowledge:Local
"Very well, we depart on the morrow."
After spending the night in a luxurious guest house your items are delivered to you. As the sun rises you prepare for your journey.
Is there anything you'd like to do in town before leaving?
Before heading out, Ulvak will spend the morning at his House's enclave, checking in on anything special going on that he might need to know about.
While other Houses disseminate information through static sites you seek to learn the fortunes of your House by meeting an agent in a run down bar. He sits with his back to the wall and orders you a stein of beer as you take a seat across from him. He appears as an old man in ragged street clothes with a scar bisecting the left side of his face, though this is undoubtedly not his true form.
"Shadowed One." He says to you. "It's been awhile since we heard from you, how do you fair?"
Ulvak opts not to disguise himself, though with his hood pulled up and the natural shadows around him, it is difficult for most to see his features. "It goes well enough. I just got back from a rather enjoyable trip to the countryside wherein I met some fascinating new people. I had a lovely time and will actually be setting out again this afternoon with my new friends to go visit my uncle" Ulvak continues to talk about more seemingly trivial topics, while his hands which he keeps hidden from all save his contact, are busily describing the true story of where and what he's been up to these last few weeks as well as the upcoming mission.
"Your Uncle is a fine man and with the weather being so pleasant recently there really isn't a better time for a trip."
The contact's fingers dance in the shadows of the table.
Sounds like you've been busy. Unfortunately things do not go well here. Someone moves against us from the shadows. High level spies placed in the Karnathi government have been compromised by unknown means and assets have been destroyed. Our masters have a plan to counter this agency but if it fails we may need to call you in. Proceed with what you are doing currently but be prepared for action.
"Another beer for me." The old man calls to a waitress, sounding slightly inebriated.
The shadowy man continues to chat about vacationing, also ordering a beer, but continues to discuss family business with his fingers.
Of course I will remain available. How bad is the damage to our network?