Pontia frowns at the courtesan. "If you would, please tell us what you and Auren Vrood discussed."
Gregor was waiting anxiously next to Doro when the others came down the stairs. He is freakishly tall, close to seven feet, with very broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His arms reach all the way down to his knees. He is dressed in a finely tailored red doublet with yellow highlights that match his eyes, and carries a heavy pack and a long fauchard.
"By the way, I'm Pontia Canario."
Gregor bows slightly. "I'm Gregor Giles, nice to meet you." Incipient war? I'll fit right in. Oh, werewolves. I wonder what it's like to be one of them. The big man follows the others to Madame Ivanja quietly. As you walk with him, you pick up the faint scent of vanilla and roses.
"I am Niculaie Pavlencas. It is a pleasure to meet you both," Niculaie mutters. The bard hangs back during the introductions of the newcomers, happy to let Pontia and the others take the lead. In particular, he avoids meeting Doro's eyes.
"Madame," Niculaie says with a slight bow. "When Ms. Kundegard and I visited you previously -- was it the day before yesterday? -- you were kind enough to read our future for us in the Harrow cards. The cards told you that we must face a powerful, unseen force that is manipulating the current situation, both in the Shudderwood and beyond, and that this force is steadily growing in both power and malevolence, and will threaten all of Ustalav and beyond." He looks the fortune-teller in the eye. "Did you, perhaps, have another source of information about this malevolent, manipulative force, in addition to the cards? And if so, would that source happen to be the gentleman referred to by Miss Canario?" The bard gives her a slight smile, attempting to keep the encounter friendly for the moment. "Madame, I suspect you were trying to give us a message that we were too deaf to hear until now."
"Come inside, my friends, and have a seat. We can speak of this in private."
With that, her guards move out of the room to guard the door.
"I do not speak of my clients, but for this I must make an exception. One of my 'pets' spent some quality time with this Vrood and his evil-looking, implike pet." From the description she gives, you assume it is some sort of homunuculus.
"Niama, the girl I speak of, has had enough experience with clients from all over Ustalav to recognize that although the nobles claimed to be from Courtaud, their accents clearly marked them as southerners, possibly from Caliphas. She also caught a glimpse of a strange amulet worn by one of them, depicting a gagged skull. Niama has no idea of the business her guests discussed, but as she was leaving the room, she did hear them mention “the Stairs of the Moon” and something called “the packlord’s heart.” She does not know the meaning of either phrase, or any other information about the visitors, and frankly does not care. But this information might be of use to you."
She smiles warmly for a moment, and then adds, "Of additional interest, I suspect, is that Estovion has disappeared this morning. Fled the coop, it seems..."
After having introduced herself to her newfound companions, and some brief, ushered chitchat to put them up to date with the moste recent events, Vivian listens intensively to the seer, and she has a little, knowing smile when she heards about the talkative "gentlemen".
And men says we speak too much.. Nothing like pillow talk to get some precious information.
Many thanks to Niama and you...Inform your lovely ladies than people bearing that symbol, the gagged skull, should be avoided as much as possible. They are a most dangerous bunch.
Doro takes in everything and then idly adds Isnt Estovian the Owner of this establishment? Who stands ready to take over in his absence? Perhaps they might have an idea where he might have run off to...or perhaps was he convinced to go with Vrood? Might you know Madam?
Gregor listens to Vivien summarize recent events. When she mentions the spider, he frowns. "This place isn't safe, then." He checks his pack briefly. Doro hasn't taken his armor off...maybe I could wear mine too? But...my outfit is so nice. I really need to get some fancy enamel work done on my armor.
----
"We are lucky to have one so capable as yourself on our side, madam. Do you know who discovered that Estovian was missing?" Gregor crosses his long arms. "And would you know who we could talk to that would have cleaning schedules, so that we could find out if a maid saw him before he left, maybe try to pin down exactly when he did leave?" He thinks for another moment, then turns to the others. "We should interview any guards that might have been posted by the entrance. I'm not sure if they're on duty all the time, but if someone saw him leaving, that might help us figure out if he was...coerced."
At Ivanja's words, Pontia starts a little, and she keeps quiet while the others question the Varisian. Once Doro and Gregor are done, though, the wizard has regained her composure, and tries to cut off the questions.
"I think we can learn more about Estovion from others, though we may have more questions afterwards. There is still the matter of the spider attack to settle, and Corvin's possession. We can speak of this more later."
Niculaie pulls his lyre from his haversack and strums on it as he muses.
"That is all very helpful, Madame, thank you. I realize that this may seem to be an unrelated question, but I assure it is an equally essential part of our inquiry: do you know Corvin, a young man who is staying at the Lodge? Has he also visited any of your, er, pets?"
"Corvin? No, that poor boy is usually too drunk to have need of y girls. For a rich kid, he sure does seem to be very sad. Go ask around if you like, but I am sure that Estovion made his escape without notice. He is a sneaky one, and I think you all made him very nervous. I don't know if either the spider or the murder were his doing, but it would not surprise me at all."
"Thank you for your time and information. We wish you luck with--however things will settle out here."
Once the party has taken their leave, Pontia looks around quickly before speaking. "We were sure Estovion had left--he had burned most of the personal papers in his private office, but we found enough to learn something of what he had been up to. I believe we need to recover Kvalca Sain's heart and return it to the werewolf clans at the Stairs of the Moon before the clans turn against each other. Tara, Niculae, Vivian--is that your understanding of the situation?"
Doro listens to Pontia then says why just return it. Wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to do some good and choose which clan we think is the most likely to have peace? Wouldn't we be doing the right thing to align ourselves with the tribe we choose. They help us...we help them. Then we also gain some allies in this endeavor
Pontia looks off into the distance, remembering discussions from previous days. "The most likely candidate for that is the Vollensag band. The previous packlord, Kvalca Sain, was a Vollensag, and although they are small in number each one is quite powerful. A Vollensag packlord would likely continue the current detente. The Dorzhanevs tend to isolation, so a Dorzhanev packlord would be unlikely to make trouble here. I suspect an alliance of the Mordrinacht band and...our adversaries, so they are off the table, as it were. The Demon Wolves are infected lycanthropes, and were not born to shapeshifting. They also worship a demon lord and are led by one who is your opposite, if you take my meaning. The last of the major bands are the Prince's Wolves, who have ties to the Sczarni. A packlord from that band would be more acceptable than the other two I just mentioned, but would still not be ideal."
Gregor nodded when Pontia suggested that Ivanja wouldn't be the best source of further information. She's right, I don't know anyone yet. I should just follow their lead for now. Gregor bows low before the group leaves the woman.
Gregor looks at Tara, Ni, and Vivien in turn to see if they agree with Pontia. What does a heart have to do with this war? "Do we want to get involved in werewolf politics? If we install a tribe at the top of the hierarchy, what happens when we leave?" Gregor glances at the others again. "It sounds like some tribes are clearly better than others, at least from our point of view, but...we're outsiders here." He shrugs. "All I'm saying is that things may not be as clear as they seem to be, especially to us."
I dont know one tribe from another, but any trie The Whispering Way would ally with, is the wrong choice, and to leave the shudderwood in anarchy, would just lead to more deaths. The area needs the stability, that and we could use the allies. My thoughts.
Gregor looks at Tara, Ni, and Vivien in turn to see if they agree with Pontia. What does a heart have to do with this war? "Do we want to get involved in werewolf politics? If we install a tribe at the top of the hierarchy, what happens when we leave?" Gregor glances at the others again. "It sounds like some tribes are clearly better than others, at least from our point of view, but...we're outsiders here." He shrugs. "All I'm saying is that things may not be as clear as they seem to be, especially to us."
Niculaie nods in response to Gregor's comment. "Yes, under most circumstances I would agree with you, Mr. Giles - Gregor, if I may? We have grown used to a certain informality among our little band. As I say, I would ordinarily agree that meddling in the affairs of lycanthropes is outside of our bailiwick." The pale bard pulls the singed pages of Estovian's journal recovered from the fire from his haversack. "But the Silverhide tribe appears to have allied with the very agents of the Whispering Way we seek. We simply cannot allow the Whispering Way to gain effective control all the werewolf clans of the Shudderwood. Such an alliance would give the Whispering Way effective control of travel between Vieland in the northwest and the rest of Ustalav, and powerful warriors to call upon in the event of open conflict. I agree with Pontia, the Vollensag clan is the obvious choice to prevent the Silverhides from taking control."
Returning the journal to his pack, he continues. "In the course of our research, we have learned the location of the Stairs of the Moon. I believe we should proceed there with as much haste as we can muster. All of the threads we have uncovered so far appear to lead back to this ancient site, and it is likely where we will find the answers - if not the men - we seek. Unless there is an alternative destination to consider, I believe there are two loose ends that we may wish to tie off in some way before we depart."
"The first matter is the question of what is to be done with our enchanted friend Corvin, to prevent him from being compelled to commit more heinous murders while we are gone."
"The second is whether we should make one further attempt to obtain information from Belik, Estovian's aide. Does he know anything more of use about Estovian's disappearance or departure? Was he involved in the attack of the spider? Is he the person who searched our rooms? Does he have any part of Corvin's domination, and the Margrave's murder? My preference is to pack lightly and leave quickly, without giving anyone - including, perhaps, Madame Ivanja - the opportunity to warn our prey that we are on the move, but I am prone to hesitation in the absence of complete information. What do you all propose?"
Mr. Giles - Gregor, if I may? We have grown used to a certain informality among our little band.
Gregor nods, smiling faintly. Sounds like I might be travelling with these people for some time, this thread goes deeper than a single temple, no matter how old and dangerous.
"I don't know one tribe from another, but any tribe The Whispering Way would ally with, is the wrong choice, and to leave the Shudderwood in anarchy, would just lead to more deaths. The area needs the stability, that and we could use the allies. My thoughts."
"...the Silverhide tribe appears to have allied with the very agents of the Whispering Way we seek. We simply cannot allow the Whispering Way to gain effective control all the werewolf clans of the Shudderwood. Such an alliance would give the Whispering Way effective control of travel between Vieland in the northwest and the rest of Ustalav, and powerful warriors to call upon in the event of open conflict. I agree with Pontia, the Vollensag clan is the obvious choice to prevent the Silverhides from taking control."
"I agree," Gregor says, "those cultists need to be stopped. But we should be aware of the consequences of elevating another group." He is quiet for a moment, glancing at Pontia. "I think we should wait, and if the opportunity arises...ask the wolves what they think." He sighs, scratching at his chin. The shadow of a beard is starting to form, though it's not late in the day. "If we don't take their perspective into account, any decision we make might lead to rebellion, anarchy, and death."
"The first matter is the question of what is to be done with our enchanted friend Corvin, to prevent him from being compelled to commit more heinous murders while we are gone."
"We could simply take him with us? Hmmm...no, then the enchanter might find another to do their dirty work. And I'm not exactly excited about the prospect of kidnapping an innocent man and dragging him straight towards danger." He kicks at the ground gently, thinking. "Maybe we could persuade or hire someone to keep an eye on him? It's possible that, after we're gone, the enchanter won't pull any more stunts." The lordlings probably came here partially because they wanted some 'excitement', a hint of danger. But if they're threatened by something real...they don't deserve to die.
"The second is whether we should make one further attempt to obtain information from Belik, Estovian's aide. Does he know anything more of use about Estovian's disappearance or departure? Was he involved in the attack of the spider? Is he the person who searched our rooms? Does he have any part of Corvin's domination, and the Margrave's murder? My preference is to pack lightly and leave quickly, without giving anyone - including, perhaps, Madame Ivanja - the opportunity to warn our prey that we are on the move, but I am prone to hesitation in the absence of complete information. What do you all propose?"
"I agree, we should try to move quickly." Gregor's feet were sore and his shoulders hurt. He had barely even taken off his pack. I never did sample the wine but...are such things really for me? Not anymore. "I'm ready to leave later today if you are."
"A fair point, Gregor. In this case, I am not sure how much influence we would have over the packs, so I suspect that the point will be moot. However, their rite of succession--what the werewolves need the heart of the previous packmaster for--is already being tampered with by our enemies. It is they and their allies in the Mordrinacht band that we intend to stop. I expect that Doro will have strong feelings about a demon worshipper antipaladin as packmaster--feelings which I share--but at the end of the day my priority is the defeat of our enemies' plans. And now I have some magic to prepare before we leave."
The next day, you wake refreshed and ready to travel. The lodge is abuzz with rumors of Estovion's disappearance, but otherwise the staff go about their normal routine, as do the remaining guests.
You are able to secure some rations from the kitchen staff. As soon as Duristan catches wind that you are off to the Stairs of the Moon, the would-be werewolf slayer organizes a small hunting party and requests to accompany you, offering to guide you to the temple.
"What do we know about this temple?" Gregor asked at some point before the group retired. "We'll need some silver weapon blanches, and silver weapons, if we expect to fight werewolves." Gregor thought for a moment. "Anything else we can do to prepare?"
----
Gregor looked down at Duristan. "He seems more likely to get in our way than to help. Have you actually been to this temple, Duristan?"
At the sound of the half-orc's voice, Tara visibly tenses as her hand falls to her dagger. Watching the man cautiously, she quickly searches her memory to place the familiar face. "Ah," she relaxes and allows her hand to fall off her dagger, "Mr. Andalar it is nice to see you again." Allowing the others to catch the two new comers up to speed, Tara lingers near the edge of conversation. When the group moves to enter into Madame Ivanja's room, Tara opts to stay out to give the others more space.
----------
As everyone files out of the room, Tara stops her pacing from in front of the door. "Oh good, I hope that it was a successful meeting?" she asks hopefully, before her face drops at the mention of encountering the werewolf tribes. "If they don't have silver mithral also mimics the same effect, but you don't really think that we will have to fight them? They're just trying to protect themselves." she questions quietly as she gently touches her holy symbol.
"Of course! How would I be able to lead you there if I hadn't been."
"What do we know about this temple?" Gregor asked at some point before the group retired. "We'll need some silver weapon blanches, and silver weapons, if we expect to fight werewolves." Gregor thought for a moment. "Anything else we can do to prepare?"
That evening, Niculaie tells their new comrades what the group has found out about the Stairs of the Moon and the strife among the werewolf clans:
"As for preparation, I believe most of us have silver weapons of one sort or another. We have done as much research as the library here will allow. I'm not sure how much more there is to do other than rest for the journey."
The next morning, when Duristan appears with his band of "hunters," Niculaie sighs in exasperation. "Sir, much as we appreciate your offer to guide us, I have to question if that is your entire purpose, given the size and armaments of your party. Our information is that the peace between the lycanthrope clans is balanced on a knife's edge; if one of your men were to fire a crossbow at the wrong target at the wrong moment, the entire Shudderwood could explode into open warfare, with the Ascanor Lodge at the center of it. Estovian fled in apparent fear of just such an event; I ask for your word that you and your men will do nothing to bring it about."
I do have silver-tipped arrows, mostly. But either a silvered melee weapon or some alchemical silver would be a wise spending of money.
"Of course! How would I be able to lead you there if I hadn't been."
Is this guy for real? I don't believe him for a second. Gregor tries to see if he can get a read on the man's body language to tell if he is lying.
He glances back and forth between Nic and Duristan. We should offer to let him come, but only if he's willing to come alone, without the aid of his camp. Then we'd see how brave he really is. Gregor chuckles to himself, but doesn't say anything, not wanting to make enemies in a place like this.
Doro Will do Miss Tara.
As Duristan came up with the well armed party, Doro eyed the other Half Orc and heard what he had to say We are endeavoring to save lives including the werewolves that are interested in peace. I think that wouldnt be your intent...am I wrong?
"Save werewolves? You must be mad! We go to hunt the beasts and save good, kindly folk from their ilk!"
Even Gregor is able to sense the motivation here.
Doro turned to face Duristan standing straight and adjusting his shield on his arm and looked straight into the eyes of the other Half Orc.and said then no!! You may not come with us. Under any manner, nor follow is. Further if you seek to do so, you will most certainly force us to take action against you. We need to right the imbalance of the shudder wood before anarchy ensues
Duristan growls back. "Don't tell me what to do."
With that, he storms off. Unfortunately, he is the only one at the lodge that has any silver weapons or blanches...
Gregor laughs when he realizes Duristan is the only one who has what they need. "Figures," he says grimly. "I'm happy enough leaving without any silver, given the circumstances."
Pontia performs her usual morning spell preparations, then joins the rest of the party. "Will we be walking, or riding?"
Riding. Ill not leave my horse here. We may need to move directly from the Stairs of The Moon to some other location without returning.
"I'm happy enough to ride," Gregor says, ready to cast mount.
The Chelaxian recognizes Gregor's casting stance, a mirror to her own, and smiles. "You too? It's a useful spell."
Gregor nods, smiling back at her. "I used to have a horse named Arsofel, but it didn't seem fair to bring her into danger." He shrugs. "It's also amazingly convenient, meaning I have more time to drink and be merry." These last few words were said with a certain dry derision. Gregor seemed to enjoy drinking, he had been sure to taste the wine at Ascanor lodge after the group had decided to stay the night, but it didn't seem to affect him the way it did other people. He relaxed a little more, perhaps, but that was all.
I've never been much of a rider, but we have to use them so we won't waste too much time
Packing your saddlebags with rations, and gearing up as best as you can, you head out.
Venturing deeper into the Shudderwood, the long, spidery branches of the towering pines seem to weave more tightly together. Beneath this thick canopy, daylight fades, and the entire forest seems to blur into shadowy hues.
Gregor made sure to wear his armor once they left the lodge. He stayed near the front of the group, his mother's fauchard carried over a shoulder, ready to fight at a moment's notice. When it was time to sleep, if they hadn't found the temple yet, he made sure to put his armor in a neat pile within view, and to keep his potion of swift girding within his bedroll.
Once his horse is ready for the journey, Niculaie wraps himself in his cloak and pulls up the hood before addressing their new companions.
"Gregor, Doro, I would be happy to loan one of you my silver light mace if you lack silver weapons; I am - hmmmm - unlikely to get into close combat unless something goes very badly wrong. I also have silver-tipped blunt arrows and could spare a few for each of you if you use a bow."
Once the party moves into the shadow of the forest canopy, Niculaie removes his hood and blinks in relief until the spots from the bright light fade from his vision.
Doro sits astride Kal-Zi and moves to a central location in the group where he could respond to threats to anywhere part just as fast. As Niculaie offers hi a silver mace he remarks I do not have a need Friend Niculaie. I have silver daggers and of course my righteous strikes can bypass the need altogether.
"Hmm," said Gregor. "The steel of my fauchard will cut through their hide, wolf or no. But should I have need of a shorter weapon..." he fingers the light axe at his belt for a moment. "I think I would appreciate your silver light mace, Nic." He adds after another moment, "if I can call you Nic."
Pontia casts mage armor on herself before setting out. "Are any of you able to benefit from spells of physical enhancement to strength, dexterity, or constitution?"
Niculaie hands Gregor the silver mace and considers the question. "My sister called me 'Nic' when we were children, but that was several decades past. Vivian usually calls me 'Nic,' or has since our little band grew comfortable enough with each other to stop using family names and honorifics. Her informality is part of her charm, I suppose, and I have almost grown accustomed to it."
He pauses, then relents. "'Nic' is not how I think of myself or introduce myself to others, but if it will put you more at ease, I will not take offense."
Pontia casts mage armor on herself before setting out. "Are any of you able to benefit from spells of physical enhancement to strength, dexterity, or constitution?"
Niculaie nods along with the wizard. "I don't have your mastery of magic, but among the spells I do know is one that gives the recipient the agility of a cat, if that will be of use."
Even during the day, the dense pine forest lets in little light, subjecting creatures in the wood to the effects of dim light.
Suddenly, out of the dark you hear a bone-chilling howl, and two large werewolves attack in a rage! They are in hybrid form, and wield greatswords.
Recall, you are all on horseback right now, and the horses are large but without reach.
The wolves charge at your front line.
Neither seems to be able to get through the well-armored men.
Gregor attempts to trip both the werewolves before they can get close enough to attack.
Gregor dismounts from his horse quickly, stepping back and drawing his wand of shield from his wrist sheath. He activates it on himself, then drops it to the side, keeping his weapon up. "We don't want to kill them," he reminds the others, before shouting to the shapeshifters, "we are not your enemies!"