Wymond's mustache bristles at Mr. Royst's comments and he's about to launch into a "Now SEE here!" when Royst drops the act and becomes a lot more polite, causing him to close his mouth sheepishly. He patiently listens to Royst and when he mentions something going on in the Spire, his eyes widen.
"So...was it the Spire Triath was feeling? That'd make sense. Erastil chose me because someone had to guard the homes while other crusaders were off fighting demons..."
He turns to Mr. Royst.
"Worry not, Mr. Royst. If there's evil stirring beneath the Emerald Spire, I'll...we'll make sure it doesn't escape to harm Fort Inevitable or any of the River Kingdoms!"
"That's marvelous, young man," says the old sage. "I've known enough crusaders to know you mean that. But I'm only hiring you for a survey. I'll leave you to puzzle out the ethics on your own."
"However, indulge an old man and listen to some unsolicited advice: There is Evil in this world, without a doubt. But there are also wicked men and wickeder creatures with whom it is often wiser to make an accord than to fight. Some would say the same of the men and women who keep us safe here in Fort Inevitable, and the same may also be true of the stranger forces you may encounter in the deep. I suppose what I am trying to say is, pick your battles wisely. You'll live longer. Dead heroes offer no one their protection."
Wymond nods.
"Aye, Mr. Royst, those are wise words. Like Erastil says: When danger threatens, I am not a fool. I seek first te make sure the weak and innocent are safe, and THEN I quell the danger."
"Alright. I don't pay in advance and I react very poorly to being lied to. Remember that and we'll get along just fine. Next time, come during the day unless it's an emergency. I think we're done here." He stands and gestures towards the door.
"Oh," he says, remembering something. "Supplies are the lifeblood of the adventurer. Magical supplies, mostly. It will be awhile before you need something you can't get in the Fort, but if you live that long, come and see me. I still have some connections. I'll know by then if you're the real thing."
"One more bit of free advice," says Abernard Royst when you get to the door. "Don't try to hide what you're doing from the authorities. They will find out and they are not forgiving. The Citadel regards adventurers as no better than bandits. They do, however, issue permits. I'm given to understand they're very expensive."
Wymond scratches his chin.
"There WAS that handbill lookin' fer folk to fight bandits. Maybe they'll give us a discounted rate on the permits if we take care o' that problem!"
'Thank you for your time, Mr Royst. We appreciate your advice and we'll do right by you.' Perfire says as he and his allies are ushered back to the street.
'I think that's a great idea, Mr Dwerryhouse. Maybe we should wait until morning to speak with the Hellknights?' The Halfling says while squinting up at the rapidly darkening skies.
Yirrik toasts the former adventurer with his glass, "Many thanks, Mr Royst, you're patronage and advice are greatly appreciated!" he exclaims with enthusiasm.
Once outside, he nods at Perfire and Wymond, "An excellent idea! Though balancing three priorities might tax us, I think we're up to it. Let's get a good nights sleep, and meet Aldous at the Tavern...at dawn I believe he said. Then we can talk with the authorities about these permits."
Zaia nodded at the man's words and when he announced he was done with company, Zaia stood and earnestly replied, "We will not lie to you, Master Royst. We will be as frank as we can with the authorities and take out the necessary permits. Thank you for your time and I am certain we will speak again, soon." The priestess inclined her head and pondered the idea of magical supplies and whether between them had they enough coin to make such purchases at this time, especially if the permits were costly.
After their last farewells were made and they were standing outside the door of the house, she listened as the males talked. "The hour has grown late - it is certainly well past 8 o'clock now - and not wise to go knocking on any doors seeking information. I am all for speaking to people on the morrow. For now, I agree with Yirrik, we should find our beds and rest and be bright and ready for our dawn meeting. Now let us light that torch and be away."
As they walked, Zaia who had been pondering some things, spoke up, "Perhaps it is best if we return to The Red Shield Tavern and rent rooms there. We are new to town and we've met the proprietor and are on good terms. Also, it'll save us time for our dawn meeting. What say you?" The priestess kept her voice low for they were in the open streets and she did not want to be overheard or draw attention. She made no mention of the Hellknights or any information they could gleam through observing them in the tavern lest there was a patrol or a snitch hiding somewhere in the shadows of the darkness.
'Better somewhere we know I suppose. Hopefully it's not too late to get lodging.' Perfire sticks with the group as they make their way through town.
Wymond nods at the suggestion of bedding at the Red Shield.
"At least Triath has a guaranteed place to sleep, even if it's not in my chamber. Perhaps in the morning we could talk to them Goldenfire folks too, see about gettin' Perfire in with them or summat? I'd bet a gold sail they want someone te poke around the Spire for them as well."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
And so Our Heroes settled down to bed, dreams filled with an ancient castle of green glass and a mysterious verdant tower clawing at the sky.
It is morning. It rained all night, leaving the windowsills wet and the roads slick with mud. In the lane, you can hear the sounds of the town waking up. Cocks crow, wagon wheels creak and the temple bells chime.
Some time later, you are gathered in the common room of the Red Shield. There are no obvious hellknights in the room, only a gruff party of four dwarves eating their breakfasts in dour silence.You eat your own breakfast while the serving boy struggles to keep the mud off the floor and out in the street.
You're just drinking your final mug of small beer when Aldous Velikov appears. "You're here," he says. "Good. I thought you might have buggered off over night. Cold feet are pretty common in this business. Finish your breakfasts and come out into the yard."
Once out in the yard, Velikov points to a parcel wrapped in oilskin. "Some basics, to help you along," he says.
Inside the package, you find the following:
- A hand-sized polished steel mirror
- 50' of hemp rope
- 4 iron spikes
- A hammer
- 4 signal whistles
- 8 wax candles
- 8 torches
- Chalk
- A hooded lantern
- 8 flasks of oil
- 8 tindertwigs
- 2 flasks of alchemist's fire
- 2 flasks of holy water
About that time several Iron-shod boots sound on the squelching mud of the courtyard. A half-dozen hellknights enter and stop, regarding the little gathering.
"Velikov!" calls a deep-voiced hellknight. "Do you think this is funny? I'll have you whipped for this! I've half a mind to have you branded!"
"Good morning, Lieutenant," says Velikov, turning to face the hellknights. "Still trampling the River Freedoms, I see. Kick any puppies today?"
"You were warned." The lieutenant's voice has an eerie hollow quality as it echoes out of his closed-face helmet. "Your Society is interdicted in the Echo Wood, by order of the Lady Commander. And you have temerity to put up a handbill in the Red Shield? The Red Shield, Velikov!"
"Well I couldn't get close enough to the Citadel, so I had to settle."
"Enough," says the Lieutenant, who turns his eyeless helm on you. "And who are your accomplices?"
"Leave them alone, Drosthar. They're just some kids who read my bill. They're not part of this."
"Oh, but they are, Velikov, they are. You didn't mind using them in your childish little display of defiance and now they're part of it. Crime has a way of staining those around it. Ignorance of the law is no excuse."
"They're not Pathfinders! They're just some kids looking at some gear. They broke none of your gods-damned laws. Even you can't arrest them for that."
Lieutenant Drosthar regards you with his intimidating eyeless gaze. "And what do you have to say?" he asks. "Are you loyal to the Pathfinder Society?
Before retiring to bed, Zaia had taken out her religious scrolls and opening the shutters of the small window in her room, she sat down on the floor of her chamber and began her prayers to Desna. There were many clouds in the night sky that she could see and the weather looked as if it would be turning, but she pushed such thoughts aside and concentrated on the sacred writing and the spells she would prepare for the coming day. An hour passed and rolling her scrolls and putting them away, she touched the iron butterfly symbol around her neck and then the locket beneath her shirt containing Zefira's lock. She felt instantly calm. Closing the shutters against the elements, Zaia readied herself for bed and it was not long before she was sound asleep.
----------
Waking just before dawn to the signs of it having rained during the course of the night, Zaia promptly dressed, undertook her morning ablution and brushed and put up her hair. She descended the stairs and moved to join the others in the tavern's common room to break her fast. She bid a cordial "Good morning to you, sir" to Velikov when he entered and called the party outside. Zaia was careful not to get too much mud on her boots for the poor serving boy inside had enough on his plate.
She looked closely at the package provided by the Pathfinder and then spoke in a quiet/discreet voice, "A generous donation to our cause, Master Velikov. You have our gratitude. When would you like us to begin? I believe we have a few conversations to make in town this morning before we can begin in earnest. Is this acceptable, sir?"
They were suddenly interruped by a Hellknight lieutenant and Zaia had to quickly catch herself from surprise at his blustering and sobered instantly when he asked them a question. Taking a breath, she gave the man a steady, polite look and answered, "Good morning, Lieutenant Drosthar. I am Priestess Zaia Acayan and my companions and I only entered your town last eve. We have only just recently met Master Velikov here who has been kind to us and none of us are connected to the Pathfinder Society, although we have heard of them, of course." She gave the gruff soldier a cordial smile.
Wymond, much to the surprise of the others, elects to sleep in the stables that evening, stating it wouldn't be fair to leave Triath off all by his lonesome for the night. And this way, only Triath had to put up with his incredibly loud snoring, and the pig was used to it (though the sharp-eyed Yirrik swears he can see Triath rolling his eyes at that statement).
In the morning, he washes up and shaves and joins the others as they take their breakfast and meet Mr. Velikov. Before he can do much but look goggle-eyed at the supplies, they're interrupted by the Hellknights. As Zaia tries to smooth things over with the commander, Wymond sticks out his chin a bit, his mustache bristling. Men like Drosthar were just more bullies in a land full to the brim with him.
He draws himself up to his marginal full height and looks the Lieutenant square in the eye (or where they would be if the damn mask weren't in the way, how's a man supposed to SEE like that?!).
"I am loyal to my elders, for they have done much. I am loyal to the young, for they have much left to do. I am loyal to my peers, for they carry the load. And I shall carry it with them."
He bows curtly.
"Wymond Dwerryhouse, Erastil's paladin and loyal son of the River Kingdoms, at yer service. As a matter o' fact, we were plannin' on lookin' fer you after we were done here, Ser. Velikov's handbill weren't the only one, an' the one I was lookin' at said you lot could use some help givin' Echo Wood's bandits a proper thrashin'!"
Perfire was caught admiring the gifts from Velikov when the Hellknights trooped into the courtyard. Caught in the open the Halfling elected to freeze in place, hoping not to draw the attention of Drosthar. As the Hellknight and his companions speak to each other, he very slowly stands and turns toward Velikov. As he comes fully around he attempts to keep his hands behind his back casually but remains silent.
The lieutenant listens to Zaia, then focuses on Wymond. "Paladin? Indeed? Well, if that's true then you know to respect the law. And here in Fort Inevitable, the Lady Commander is the law. So I'll ask you again, Wymond the paladin. Are you a Pathfinder?"
Yirrik was going through the Pathfinder's bundle...Got it....need it....got it....got it....need it... when the Hellknights arrived.
Looking up , he bristled a bit at the Lieutenant's brusque , high handed manner, but calmed down with Wy and Zaia's more diplomatic tone.
Standing he glances at the Pathfinder, then back at Wy, wondering what his answer might be....Probably blunt and to the point... Yirrik thinks , a wry smile twitching the side of his mouth
"Nay. Mr. Velikov specifically said we wouldn't be."
"Then stand aside. This criminal is under arrest."
"Don't get involved," Velikov tells you.
As the hellknights advance to lay hands on the Venture-Captain, he suddenly bounds aside, making an impossibly large leap to the top of the courtyard wall.
"Another time, Lieutenant!" he says, with a cheery wave of his hat.
"Laugh now while you can, Velikov," says Drosthar. "The law does not sleep."
With a small bow to you, Aldous Velikov disappears over the edge of the tavern wall. Silence reigns in the courtyard while a band of angry hellknights turn their gazes to you.
"Aldous Velikov is a wanted criminal," says Lieutenant Drosthar. "You do not wish to be regarded as his associates. That would earn you five years penal servitude."
He turns to leave and one of his armigers points to the oilskin bundle. "Take the goods, sir?"
"Of course not," replies Drosthar, his voice echoing from under his eyeless helm. "We've no evidence those goods are stolen. Even a criminal may make gifts of his own possessions."
He turns back to you. "Although, those look like supplies useful in the Pathfinders' usual illegal activities, so permit me to inform you of some basic tenants of the law. The Citadel does not recognize the right of any self-declared adventurer to kill 'villains' and seize their belongings. That’s common banditry, and those who ride back to Fort Inevitable after committing such vigilantism can expect to be arrested— unless they’ve first secured a letter of warrant from the Lady Commander."
"A letter of warrant is a license from the lady commander authorizing the bearer and their company to act in the interest of good order and keep the lady commander’s laws. That includes doing most of the things adventuring parties typically do: attacking outlaws, hunting monsters, surveying dangerous ruins, and investigating mysteries."
Perfire makes a mental note to ask Aldous how he managed to make the jump to the top of the wall. Special shoes? A Quick incantation? An optical illusion?. Pondering the possibilities distracts him for a moment, hearing mention of needing a letter of warrant snaps him back to the present.
The Halfling leans over to whisper to Yirrick 'Excuse me, Mr Roone, maybe these men can fill us in on the bandit issue the Hellknights need help with. It could save us a trip to the Citadel.'
Wymond can't help but smirk a bit at Aldous' cheeky escape, but tries to keep a straight face in front of the Hellknight.
"We were actually going to see about getting one of them Letters of Warrant after we were done 'ere Lieutenant. Would you be able t'assist us with that, please, seein' as there ain't anything keepin' either of us here with Velikov gone?"
You're pretty sure that Lieutenant Drosthar is glowering beneath his helm. His voice sounds like it.
"You can apply at the Citadel. It costs 50 gold coins and and because you become an agent of the state, you must agree to turn over 30 percent of the coin, goods, and property you confiscate to the Citadel. There's some paperwork, too."
"That 50 a head, fer a grand total o' 200? Or just 50 for the lot of us?"
"The bearer 'and their company'. You only pay once for your adventuring company."
"An' where might we find the Citadel? Some of us are new te the big city, y'see."
Wymond smiled politely, even if inside he was cackling with delight at how annoying his innocent questions were to the lieutenant. The last thing a bully ever wants to do is help someone.
The Lieutenant points a gauntleted finger towards the southeast. There, rising above the rest of the town is the imposing, ninety-foot-tall octagonal tower that dominates the otherwise unimpressive skyline.
"I think you'll find it if you look," he says.
Zaia despised bullies of all kinds and this Hellknight Lieutenant certainly fit the bill. She had placed a polite smile on her face during his interaction with Velikov and then her companions once the Pathfinder had slipped detainment. As Drosthar pointed out the tower in question, she gave a quick nod and added respectfully, "Well, thank you for your patience and information, Lieutenant, you have been most helpful, and will shall abide by the laws of this land. May the gods watch over you and your men."
Yirrik nods at the small sorcerer, and raises his hand to catch the Lieutentant's attention, "If I may , good sir, " he manages to say with only the slightest bit of sarcasm, "One of the items on the bill was help dealing with bandits in Echo Wood....would that be something the Lord Commander might have added?"
"The Lady Commander doesn't post our handbills, if that's what you mean. There have been bandits preying on travelers and villagers near the Echo Wood. The warrant, if you purchase one, will give you the right to bring those vermin to justice in the name of Fort Inevitable."
"Lord, Lady...whatever..." Yirrik says with a wave of his hand, "Thanks for the advice, Lieutenant."
Yirrik then bends down once again, to sort out the gear the Pathfinder left behind.
"Good day," says the lieutenant, who then orders his men out. You're alone in the Red Shields' courtyard.
What next?
Perfire remains still until he can no longer hear the Hellknights marching away.
'I'd rather not have to deal with them again, if we can avoid it. I think the other handbill said something about a 'Goldenfire Order'? Should we go see what work they're offering?' Perfire speaks softly, keeping his eyes on the exit to the street.
Zaia watched as Lieutenant Drosthar and his men left the courtyard and hearing Perfire speak of the Goldenfire Order, she turned her focus on the Halfling and said, "Aye, let us put away Velikov's package in one of our chambers and then head for The Juliver Arms."
She aided her friends in taking the gear into the tavern before returning out in the courtyard. She remembered seeing the signage for the establishment in question when they passed by it yesterday.
"Perfire, would you like to lead the way?"
Large and comfortable by anyone’s standards, the Juliver Arms is the best inn to be found in Fort Inevitable. It’s under the management of a bustling clan of halflings named the Reedbanks, who pride themselves on setting a lavish table. The accommodations are not cheap: the Reedbanks cater to wealthy merchants and adventurers with loose pockets.
Doliver Reedbank is the clan patriarch and he sits on the porch smoking a pipe as you approach. "A fine morning to ya!" he says with lyrical lilt in his voice. "And how can I be helping you today?"
Perfire leads the group across the street, checking carefully to ensure that the Hellknights have moved off before stepping into the open. As he approaches the well appointed building, the Halfling wonders oh, maybe this wasn't such a good idea. A look of confusion crosses his face when he notices the place seems to be inhabited by his own kind.
'We're hear to see someone in charge about the posting over at The Red Shield.' Perfire still appears confused but speaks to the other Halfling with a confidence not often shown by the former slave.
Yirrik is glad to see the backs of the HellKnights, and helps bundle the supplies back into thier protective covering.
He looks about the 'Arms, impressed, a low whistle of appreciation coming unbidden from his lips.
Taking a position behind Perfire, he allows Perfire to talk with his distant kin...
Wymond scowls as they walk to the Juliver Arms. Those Hellknights had him right mad. Triath makes some inquisitive grunts and Wymond responds quietly. It's not so much speech as a shared understanding between man and pig. By the time they arrive at the Juliver Arms, he seems to have calmed down and his back to his sweet self.
"And to you, good master!" he replies to Mr. Reedbank. He notices Perfire's confused expression, and gives him a nudge.
"You okay, mate? Ya look like ye've seen a ghost!"
"Ah, that'd be Mistress Iliara Starcloak," says Doliver. "I believe she's taking tea with my wife inside."[/b] He rises, stretches and sets the pipe aside.
"Let's go find her." He leads you into the parlor of the well-appointed inn, past pastoral landscape paintings and a display of delicate abstract wood carvings into a sunny side room where a proper middle aged halfling woman laughs and sips tea with an elegant elven woman who looks no older than a young maid, but who carries herself with the dignity of someone far older. Her ice-blue eyes seem to pierce your thoughts as soon as she turns her gaze your way.
"These folks were wanting to speak to you, Lady Starcloak," Doliver says.
"Hello," she says, rising to greet you. "Have you come about my posting?"
'Fine, fine, just not used to seeing Halflings living so well' He says to Wymond
'Yes ma'am, we've come about the posting. We're new to the area and are looking to get established. Ideally we'd also like assistance in making things easier with the Hellknights. They're making some pretty stiff demands for us to work in the area.' Perfire says after courteous bow to the Elven woman.
Wymond's eyes widen at Mistress Starcloak's presence. She's incredibly pretty, prettier than any country lass Wymond had ever met.
"G-good morning, milady! Yes, our Perfire 'ere's got some skill with magicks and we heard your organization's the best in the land..."
He blushes and tries not to stare.
Since two of her companions were presently speaking to the elegant Elven lady and doing a fine job in their manner and explanation, Zaia did not interrupt or feel the need to insert any new information and waited beside her companions for Iliara Starcloak's reply. She had a resting smile on her face and kept her posture at ease before the two females taking tea. She had, however, inclined her head, in courtesy to both females upon entering the sunny chamber. Zaia silently wondered if perhaps they would be taxing themselves with taking on all four postings, but she did not utter a word on the matter in front of the present company.
Yorrik is stunned by the elf-maiden's beauty, not really having had much experience with the much more long-lived race.
For a few long moments, his mouth was agape as his mind blanked and it was all he could do to follow his fellow's conversation with mistress Starcloak.
Finally, he re-gained some composure and closed his mouth with a click of teeth, his cheeks growing beet red as he imagined that everyone noticed his discomfiture.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Iliara Starcloak smiles at you. If she's aware of your reactions, she does not show it. "There is little I can do about the hellknights," she says. "They rule in Fort Inevitable and the countryside round about. The Goldenfire order is quartered in Thornkeep, but even we pay the hellknights their due when we operate within their purview. Sometimes, they are even clients."
"I am pleased to see our reputation has reached your ears. We are a small group, but we do strive for excellence."
"Let me tell you what I need." She turns to the matronly halfling woman. "Hussan, would you mind terribly if I use your parlor for this?"
"No, my dear," says Hussan. "Help yourself. I'll get some more tea."
Iliara leads you into the next room and takes a comfortable-looking chair, waving you to doily-covered couches and chairs. When everyone is seated, she continues.
"My order is small, and we value our members quite highly. Recently, two of our number went missing and I've reason to believe they were investigating the structure known as the Emerald Spire. I am here hoping to find explorers willing to look for and either rescue them or return with positive news of their fates."
The elven woman regards you with those pale blue eyes that seem so wide and childlike. "Their names are Tiawask and Jharun. Both are humans and both wizards. The Order will pay four thousand gold coins for their return...or for certain knowledge of their fates if they are dead."
"Given that any expedition following Tiawask and Jharun must venture into the Emerald Spire, we would also like very much to make good on their research. They ventured into the Emerald Spire in order to study extraplanar portals, so the Goldenfire Order is willing to pay for their research, if you manage to recover it."
"Umm...Grim bit of business, that. Right...I'm no wizard meself, so...erm...if it's research you want, we'd be happy to get it to someone who can actually use it."
Triath nudges Wymond with his snout a bit.
"Oh, uh, right! Could ye please provide a description of the pair? May make it easier to identify them should the...should the worst have 'appened. NOT THAT IT WILL, but erm...you know...milady?"
Wymond smiles sheepishly and his round face is a bashful bright red.
Perfire let's out a long breath and sinks back into his chair at the mention of so much coin. Surely that will be enough to set me up permanently, whatever happens.
He turns to Wymond and gives him a reassuring look. 'It's good to be prepared for all possibilities. We'll want clear directions for recovery or burial of the bodies if that's what we need to do.'
After discussion of the task at hand has died down
'If you don't mind my asking, ma'am, how did Halflings end up with all this?' Perfire asks, sincerely.
Iliana smiles again, her teeth perfect and even. "How many wizards will you find stranded in the Azlanti spire, I wonder, that you will need to be certain you have the right ones?"
She describes Tiawask and Jharun, as well as the clothes they typically wore.
To Perfire, she says "This is not Cheliax, Master Perfire. It is the River Kingdoms. Halflings have the same legal status in Fort Inevitable as anyone else. The Reedbanks have run the Juliver Arms for three generations and have become prominent through commerce."
"To be sure, here alone in all of the River Kingdoms is slavery tolerated, and there are halfling slaves as well as human slaves. The Hellknights do not imprison those they deem lawbreakers. Their only penalties are fines, slavery and death."
"The Reedbanks may be tolerated, even valued, but I don't believe they would view their position as wholly secure. The Hellknights do hail from Cheliax after all."