"I never refuse to fight. I just put myself in harm's way, but when no harm comes, well..." He shrugged again, still disappointed. "He wanted us to kill his wounded mother. We said no."
After the brief respite near the fresh water flow the group continued onward. The nature of underground travel was a constant frustrating companion, putting countless unpredictable obstacles in front of the heroes. Sharp inclines and declines, unsafe partially caved-in chambers, animal dens, and sheer cliffs that forced a vertical climb up or down... and the most common occurrence seemed to be tunnels too narrow to bring the large glass golems through. The first couple of instances were remedied by the warpriest's magic, enabling the stone to be sculpted and shaped into a large enough pass. However when the magic had been tapped, more conventional methods had to be employed. Wedges were placed and driven into the stone by hammer under the strict guidance of Murk - his people had an innate and intimate connection with the stone, the very bones of the world. With strength of arm and will under the supervision of the pech, each instance of a too-tight tunnel was overcome in a matter of time.
Murk has led you on a path that backtracked on itself, leaving you facing north where you had thus far been traveling south.
A sulfurous smell again met the group as they crested a particularly steep incline. The handholds along the climb were dotted with spatters of igneous rock that were clearly not a part of the solid stone ascent. The top of the climb revealed a blackened chamber that resembled the dragon's lair several miles behind. It had vent chutes that went down into the ground and others that shot upward -- upward to a view that revealed a nightscape of twinkling stars overhead. The party had reached the surface!
Bringing a rope to secure above the chute for the party's use, the barbarian crested the top of the volcanic chute and found himself atop of a rock cluster that stood fifty or more feet from the ground below. Expecting a blast of fresh night air, he instead was assaulted with a heated wind that carried the strong scent of ash. The source was readily apparent - a walled city was several hundred feet east of the barbarian, with a good-sized chunk of its towering wall torn down and blackened by some great flame. Details just beyond the sundered wall were difficult to make out in the night's dim light, however it looked to be blackened remains of buildings both large and small. A pulsing orange glow illuminated several towers of black smoke that rose from deeper within the city, indicating that a great fire still raged somewhere out of direct sight.
Roland completely ignores the evil wizard's comment, but something calls his attention. "The second queen we meet. The second dragon. The first was a harbinger. Am I missing something here?"
Roland is astonished with the view of a second dragon destroying a city. Of course, She just killed some soldiers back at Sweetwaters, but nevertheless could easily destroy a city like that, he thought. And obviously the other Queen was not nearby, or he would have seem her. Would he? He tried to look at the sky above him and the city, to make sure it was not in sight. The stars would help her be noticed, but not by much.
"I see the city, folks, or what's left of it. The fire seems to be still raging inside." He turns to the Murk. "Is this the place we should be? Has the spear been seen in that city?"
"My friends... I am truly sorry for what occurred. The chamber was known to us but our people were unaware of any draconic presence there. The presence of liquid hot rock is sporadic and so I wanted to try this route before going the much longer routes... which may have held dangers of their own."
"I am sorry that my hopes put your safety at risk."
"Bah. We asked ye ta." He hand waves any responsibility on the guides part. "Doubt ye would have took us that way if'n ye knew of the dragon." Then he turns to Catcher. "Is that even a dragon? I didn't see wings."
"They live out here. Best place to start," Gromff yells back up at Roland. Fire at the town? Did this "Queen" do it? The other dragon serpent said she was wounded right? "Best go see what it is."
When Roland tells them about what the Pech said, Veronica shakes her head and adds "He was in just as much danger as we were before such a creature. He has done more than a fair enough job guiding us so far. I only hope he can get home by himself."
And once the Pech has been calmed, Veronica takes a deep breath and says to the party "I just wished to say... I'm glad that we decided not to aid the creature in its vendetta. It did not feel... as if it would be a legitimate use of violence."
Veronica frowns when Roland speaks of the town still burning. She wondered what a town ruled be an evil dragon was like, what the people would be like. And when the others spoke of going to look for the spear, Veronica couldn't keep from adding "There must be wounded there that could use our aid..."
Roland nods to Veronica. Definitely siding up because of the wrong reasons would not be nice, maybe it would make them fell like the devil team, instead of the heroes. "Not legitimate use of violence..." He chews on the words, unsure if they had been following that so far, by coincidence or conscientious choices.
"If you really wanna help someone there, leave the golems behind. Let's say farewell to Murk and begone. You did a good job." He's anxious to depart at once. Maybe they would find something interesting down there.
Underworld dragons (obviously) are fire dragons and they share many qualities with their wicked chromatic cousins such as powerful senses, use of a breath weapon (fire and liquid rock in this case), has wings and can fly, genius level intelligence, and an innate knack for magic.
Physically they differ in that they are serpentine in general shape, though the fundamentals remain the same - quadruped, clawed feet, scaly skin, bat-like wings, and a nightmarish maw of killer teeth.
And obviously the other Queen was not nearby, or he would have seem her. Would he? He tried to look at the sky above him and the city, to make sure it was not in sight. The stars would help her be noticed, but not by much.
*Perception check = 26*
Though there were no dragons or other flame-wielding perpetrators in sight, the barbarian did suddenly notice that a humanoid figure ducked into the shadows of a jutting stone between him and the broken wall. Features were indistinguishable in the poor night time lighting, though the person wore a dark hooded robe that was now clutched to its side, hoping to stay out of sight.
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The pech guide Murk, the kind fellow who was the first of his people to make contact with the surface-dwelling heroes, bid his farewell. Speaking to Gromff, he asked the warpriest to translate to the rest of them,
"I am glad that we have reached the surface where you can continue your quest! I am also glad to call you friends. I wonder if we will meet again. Fare well!"
Soon afterward he returned back the way they came and was gone.
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”Yes, it was a dragon, e very dangerous one while we are at this. I doubt we could defeat the ‘queen’ judging by the ‘prince’ size.”
And she laughs openly at Verônica’s naïve words. Violence is violence, there’s no legitimate use to it.
”We can leave them hidden here for a time, but I don’t want to leave them behind. After all this trouble, we need to put them to better use.”
Roland does not like to play hide-and-seek, and not even to pretend not to have seen the hidden figure. Of course the man - or whatever that was - had seen him, and the barbarian knew he could run pretty fast, so catching the man if he ran would not be that difficult, aside from the darkness, of course. Anyway, he would try his best to obtain some information from him, and it would be nice if the guy was... willing to share. He stares straight into its eyes when he speaks, not in a very nice tone. "Talking to me is a sure way to survive the night. Run and I swear I'll get you, and then we're not gonna... talk."
"What's going on in the city, and what are you doing here?"
The robed figure took a moment to comply but soon moved out from the rocks' shadows and toward the formation upon which Roland stood. The figure pulled back the hood to reveal a middle-aged man with short cropped hair, holding a glass vial in his hand that glinted in the moonlight.
He spoke up the heights where Roland was perched,
"I...I don't want trouble. I snuck out to get some dragon blood, that's all. Are you going to kill me? I had nothing to do with the attack on the queen, I swear it!"
The man was trembling in fear by the end of his remarks.
"What's going on in the city, and what are you doing here?"
"The Queen... Her voice was so loud! I heard her cry out in anger and pain from the main square, far away from my home. She said something about "betrayal" and "defiance". Soon after, there seemed to be fire everywhere. Buildings were collapsing, people were screaming... it is chaos in there. I don't know exactly what is going on now, but I saw the Queen fly this way -- toward the rocks you stand upon, I believe. I saw these puddles and so I grabbed my vials to obtain the precious ingredients before they spoiled."
"Are you going to kill me now?"
"We'll come back fer em," Gromff says to Catcher. He wanted to keep the golems around too. They'd be pretty useful against a...whatever the prince and queen were. They were obviously fire dragons. Gromff grabbed hold of the rope Roland tied at the top and slowly makes his way up.
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"We'll come back fer em,"
”I’m not leav… ” she starts automatically before noticing that this time, Gromff wasn’t opposed to her idea, somewhat embarrassed she fiddles a bit before saying ”Oh, well thanks.”
First she looks at any place closer by where they can somewhat hide themselves and when found, order both golems: ”Wait here until we return. Only attack if someone attacks you first, and if you are attacked, do your best to destroy the attacker. If it run away, give it chase for about 500 feet, at the point you’ll return and wait here in case you were not able to kill anyone that attacked you.”
Well, that should be it.
Then she prepares the others to climb the ropes but notices that the barbarian isn’t paying any attention to them. ”Roland, what’s happening over there? Can you help Gromff climb? I want to leave this place today.”
When the others had made their way up, Veronica quickly shuffled up the rope herself. She glanced around, but saw little but her normal hazy, pulsing red in the distance, though the smell in the air agreed that something else was going on.
The Paladin wants to hurry to the site of the fires, but she can't quite tell which way that is. Instead, she takes a deep breath, calms herself, and prays to Ilmater to protect the injured and the weak until they arrive.
Seeing now that the intimidating barbarian was not alone, the stranger's gaze darted to and fro as he tried to keep all of the companions in sight. After a moment of observation he added,
"You are strangers here. You are not agents of the Queen."
It was difficult to see his face clearly from the fifty foot height with dim light conditions, but somehow it seemed as if his conclusion didn't alleviate the concern from his visage.
"Ain't no one's agents but our own." Gromff looks at the figure. Seemed human enough. Then he looks over at the walled city. Pretty big population to go mostly unnoticed for so long. Was this the only one? How'd it get here when their maps showed nothing of the sort? "Just met the prince. they don't seem to like each other and now yer caught in the middle. That about the long and short o it?"
"Just met the prince. they don't seem to like each other and now yer caught in the middle. That about the long and short o it?"
"Please, come down where we don't have to shout at one another. Are you in need of assistance? I know nothing of a 'prince'. All I know is that I don't want to get caught outside the walls if a patrol comes by, especially not with outsiders."
The barbarian recites to the others what the creature said to him before, since they probably were too far to hear.
"I don't kill without a reason, pal." Trying to ease the man's thoughts Roland said calmly. "Let's go down and talk to him" - he adds to the others, in a voice clear enough for the man it to hear. He surfed down the side of the hill towards the strange figure, getting special assistance from his handsomely-brute-feather-step-boots.
"Name's Roland. Who are you?"
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She helps the girl and the old man down and then pays attention to one they have been talking to, and once she gets to the same level as the stranger, the greatsword is held ready for any surprise while she advices the stranger ”Try anything that might cause us harm and violence will be the response.” The mage makes a point to not say her name, at least for now.
She looks at the walls far ahead and then asks ”How do we enter such city? I think we might use the same way you used to venture outside unnoticed, and what’s so bad about strangers?”
He surfed down the side of the hill towards the strange figure, getting special assistance from his handsomely-brute-feather-step-boots.
"Name's Roland. Who are you?"
The man looks impressed by the ease with which Roland skated down the rock side, nodding in appreciation.
"I am Rik, alchemist and bookkeeper for the Sages Guild of Crystallus."She helps the girl and the old man down and then pays attention to one they have been talking to, and once she gets to the same level as the stranger, the greatsword is held ready for any surprise while she advices the stranger ”Try anything that might cause us harm and violence will be the response.” The mage makes a point to not say her name, at least for now.
She looks at the walls far ahead and then asks ”How do we enter such city? I think we might use the same way you used to venture outside unnoticed, and what’s so bad about strangers?”
As the party made their way down to ground level, Rik's brow stayed scrunched in concern but a bubbling curiosity was breaking through the reserved attitude. A shadow of a smile broke over his lips, but was suddenly dispelled when the young mage drew her greatsword.
"Please, put your weapon away. You have me outnumbered and I am clearly no threat to you."
"Strangers are generally not permitted within the city unless they are expected or have business relevant to our city's interests. This land is filled with dangerous foes, many of which use magic and trickery in an attempt to gain entry. We have learned to be self-sufficient and distrust those who we do not know. Personally I find the attitude tiresome and short-sighted, but it does have its merits. Safety is a valid concern."
"Quickly now, if your intent was to visit our city you should enter through the broken wall before a patrol comes, for they will certainly disallow your progress within. I have what I came for, and I am going back now."
He took a thoughtful pause before proceeding,
"I hope I do not regret this but you have piqued my curiosity. I am willing to give you shelter for this evening on the rigid condition that no weapons are drawn until you leave Crystallus; we have a law that punishes vouchers for the crimes of the vouched-for, and violence is not permitted except in the direst of circumstances."
"Do you accept the terms?"
Roland was liking this man. His straightforwardness made the interaction very easy to happen. The barbarian was sensing something weird about this city. Maybe they would find what they were looking for in here... He shrugged and looked at the others. "As long as no one threatens us, that's a deal on my behalf. You ok with that?"
Gromff takes a much slower route but eventually gets down to eye level with the alchemist. "Fightin a dragon better be enough reason then," he says, looking to the sky, expecting a wounded dragon or an angry one to come swooping down at them. He had a feeling they'd have to step in to get any information here. But at least they had a way in. "Lead on."
He shrugged and looked at the others. "As long as no one threatens us, that's a deal on my behalf. You ok with that?"
"Yes, I would say that would qualify as a dire circumstance."
"Lead on."
Rik jogged back toward the breach, one that splintered a stone wall that stood fifty feet tall and was three yards thick at the base. The man hitched up his robes as he climbed the rubble, leading the way past the barrier and into a darkened street littered with debris and ruin. Charred claw marks and melted rock were among the rubble at the base of the breach, most of which were on the inside of the wall, indicating that the damage was inflicted from within.
A trail of destruction could be seen running the length of a mostly straight road that led deeper into town, illuminated by sputtering fires and overturned street braziers along the avenue. Dozens of what looked to be humans milled about the vicinity; some surveyed the destruction, some tended to the wounded, others ran off down side streets for reasons unknown, none of whom seemed to notice the foreign band of heroes.
Rik indicated a direction away from the warzone, taking the lead down an adjacent road that was apparently untouched by the recent goings-on. If the maintained roads, swinging wooden signs, and mixed smells of hay and nightsoil were an indication, the city appeared much as any other though there was something that set it apart - a common motif of crystal permeated nearly all of the architecture and artwork. Dangling crystals adorned grated window awnings, a tavern called The Crystal Spear was up the street on the left side, large glass covers shaped into the likeness of a faceted crystal sat atop the streetlight braziers which showered the road and nearby buildings in twinkles.
Suddenly half a dozen spear-wielding men and women with chainmail shirts, gaudy helmets and sky blue tabards rounded a bend not far up the street. Rik motioned for everyone to halt and flatten against the wall while the patrol passed. Luckily their attentions were apparently focused elsewhere, and they were soon out of sight, the sounds of their booted footfalls ebbing away in the distance.
"We are here."
The guildsman pulled a large iron key with a crystal stud handle and inserted it into the lock of a double door entrance. An ornate relief carving above the doors seemed to indicate that this was a library or something similar. After everyone had been ushered inside, he closed the door behind them and locked it. He said "lights," which caused the room to illuminate by the sudden flames of hundreds of candles place in candelabras and chandeliers around the room.
The unexpected sudden light revealed the interior was indeed a library, one replete with luxuries associated with palatial life by most standards. Plush red couches and sitting chairs were plentiful. A posh bar with crystal goblets and serving bottles sat tidy and clean off to one side of the room. Countless rows of bookshelves two stories high ran along most of the room's perimeter, filled with variety of colored tomes, scrolls, and tablets. In a corner rose a lazily winding wooden staircase that led up to a level that must be a third story, given the size and height of this central room.
"You may sleep here. I am sorry I don't have any proper beds to offer, but the couches and floor rugs are not bad alternatives. Can I get you something to eat or drink?"
Without waiting for an answer, Rik made for the bar where he managed to produce a cheese wheel, a bowl of pears and red apples, a mildly stale loaf of black bread, and a bottle of wine. He placed seven goblets upon a second tray and brought the refreshments to a table in the center of the library area.
"How silly of me."
He tutted as he rose and again made for the bar, this time returning with a crock of butter and a honey pot. Aersensi stared hungrily at the fare, licking her lips in anticipation.
"One cannot have bread without honey and butter, can we? Please, tell me your tale. Tell me what brought you so deep into this hostile land we call home."
Veronica was glad that they were headed into the city, ready to change her outfit to match the local customs, to blend in and help the wounded. But instead they traipsed around the outskirts of the conflagrations. As they did so, as she saw the wounded being tended to, she grew more morose, though given her quiet nature it might be quite hard to notice.
When they arrive at the library, she seems particularly uncomfortable as she glances from spot to spot, noticing all of the... luxury. The sight of it makes her skin crawl, her guilt welling up inside of her. Finally, she has to ask "Wouldst it be possible for me to go and provide aid to the wounded? Wouldst the guards notice a new healer?"
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She follows and says nothing until she enters the library ”Amazing…” she says looking around. The woman makes sure to accommodate Walker and Aersensi on the confortable looking red couches, but that only last until the man returns with food, proper real delicious food. Catcher smiles tenderly at Aersensi anticipation, and serves a generous amount to the little girl giving up her own portion in case there isn’t enough for everyone present. She also serves the food for the old man and make sure he is comfortable.
Then, finally she turns to their host, Rik, and introduce herself.
”Well, I don’t have any titles, but they call me Catcher, and I can’t say exactly what I am. Some might say I’m a wizard, some might argue I left my way to dedicate to warrior’s path. I like to think I’m both, warrior and wizard.” she looks around, especially at the books, hoping she’d have time to read some of them, but that is a vain hope. ”As for what brings us here, well, we are hunting for legends, a legend in particular anyway. Have you ever heard of the Spear of the Destiny?” the mage doesn’t really hope for an answer as she continues ”But I got some questions myself. What is this fixation with crystals? On the briefly time since we got here, it’s crystal everywhere. Your guild: Crystallus, your key has a piece of crystal, look at this place, crystal everywhere, we even passed a tavern, the Crystal Spear.”
Once Veronica offers to help the others Catcher is conflicted, she don’t want to intrude, but she don’t want such risks ”I think that might put you, us and Rik through unnecessary risks, but I have no right to say you shouldn’t because…” she says turning to the old man and asking a question of her own ”Do you know any trusty blacksmith that could rent me their workshop so I can work on a armor of my own?”
When they arrive at the library, she seems particularly uncomfortable as she glances from spot to spot, noticing all of the... luxury. The sight of it makes her skin crawl, her guilt welling up inside of her. Finally, she has to ask "Wouldst it be possible for me to go and provide aid to the wounded? Wouldst the guards notice a new healer?"
Rik had clear skill in diplomatic discourse, and so his eyes never left Veronica's as she spoke. It was apparent that he was listening, observing, not just hearing her words. Ever so briefly he looked concerned at her request but replaced the look with resigned agreement.
"Helping others is clearly important to you and I can see you will likely not take 'no' for an answer. Going back out there will not be without its risks, however. Not only is there the current aftermath chaos but you could be seen or even incarcerated by the city guard simply for being an outsider. I feel I should also mention that there are radical factions in our midst who's distrust of the outside world could not be defined as less than zealotry. I cannot guarantee your safety."
"Buy in spite of this, yes, of course you can go. Might I add that your willingness to aid strangers is encouraging to me."
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...The woman makes sure to accommodate Walker and Aersensi on the confortable looking red couches, but that only last until the man returns with food, proper real delicious food. Catcher smiles tenderly at Aersensi anticipation, and serves a generous amount to the little girl giving up her own portion in case there isn’t enough for everyone present. She also serves the food for the old man and make sure he is comfortable.
Walker's bloodshot sunken eyes met Catcher's gaze for a moment, silently offering thanks for her helping hand. Aersensi was gently petting the old man's arm reassuringly, looking genuinely concerned for his health. While effectively slowing Catcher's progress, the child tried her best to help apportion the foods for Walker and the rest. Afterward she hungrily dove into her honeyed bread and crisp pear and apple slices.
”As for what brings us here, well, we are hunting for legends, a legend in particular anyway. Have you ever heard of the Spear of the Destiny?”
the mage doesn’t really hope for an answer as she continues ”But I got some questions myself. What is this fixation with crystals? On the briefly time since we got here, it’s crystal everywhere. Your guild: Crystallus, your key has a piece of crystal, look at this place, crystal everywhere, we even passed a tavern, the Crystal Spear.”
The librarian's demeanor betrayed a brief wave of amusement, though when he saw sincerity in the spellsword's eyes he reconsidered his words before proceeding,
"Well, of course I've heard of it; the city was built upon the spear's legacy. The weapon remains in the High Guild's council chambers while it is not being wielded by the Champion. The spear's head is made of divine crystal, which is what inspired generations of artisans and architects to honor its form in their works."
"You say you are "hunting legends." Do you seek the spear for yourselves? I am afraid it will be quite impossible for you to retrieve it. It is the very symbol of our city."
”Do you know any trusty blacksmith that could rent me their workshop so I can work on a armor of my own?”
"That might be arranged, though it could be dangerous for the same reason your healer friend's presence in the streets would be."
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”Gromff might be the best one to answer your question, since those complicated stuff of what can we tell and whatnot I’ve long since left for him to decide.” She muses over the food for a moment then continues ”but they way I see it, the spear is a tool, which we intend to use, I’m just not yet sure of how it can be used.”
Then she has the craziest of the ideas and asks ”How does one becomes the Champion?”
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It is hard for Gromff to hide his confusion...if one knew what confusion on a dwarf looked like. It was more of an annoyed squint really. And he did this through the whole town. A whole town right here in the middle of the Untamed Wilds and no one knew? How was that possible? And what was with all the crystal? The answer to that came as a great surprise a little later.
"What?" he says loudly. "I divine weapon so powerful it can kill a god is just sittin in a display case in yer town hall? How in the nine hell's did no one know of this or even this town fer that matter." He stares at Rik for a moment before turning on a heel and walking towards the door. "We can sleep later. I need ta see this thing. If this is a hoax its the worst ever played."
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”Hold your beard there Gromff.” Catcher says and then continues ”If you want to leave, remove your armor, leave your weapon behind and dress a little more like a local.” and she points to Veronica and continues ”the same goes to you. No need to draw any more attention with our dragon breastplates and shiny weapons.” she hopes that forcing him to choose between leaving his stuff behind and going unarmed will dissuade the dwarf from that action, at last for this night.
==//==
”You are an alchemist right?” she asks Rik digging into her bag and searching for items long acquired but never really used. ”I know that we… I mean I didn’t give you much of a choice in helping or not, well, at least when outnumbered by strangers holding weapons against you asking how to enter the city and implying they would use the same path you took to leave.” she seems more resigned than sorry but she continues ”I’ve been carrying some stuff for some time, which we collected during our travels that we can’t really use, but I think that you might find interesting.”
Catcher takes out the remaining of the pup and sap she collected so long ago, and the two doses of pellvine Poison .
Then she has the craziest of the ideas and asks ”How does one becomes the Champion?”
Rik looked intrigued,
"Well, the title of 'Champion' is typically awarded to someone who has shown extraordinary valor, decided by a vote amongst the Wardens Guild. The Wardens are led by great warriors with representatives from all over the city. The city guard are a branch of their guild, as are the esteemed Far Rangers who are the city's strike team for external threats and expeditions.""The current custodian is not allowed a vote in this matter. The intent is to have a democratic process to ensure the glory is shared by those who endeavor to show worthiness. I must say, it is a strong incentive to strive for excellence."
"There have been times where the custodian acted unbecoming for a Champion and was challenged directly for the right to wield the spear, but that hasn't occurred in decades. I have a book if you like to read about the subject?"
He stood from the table and walked to the bookcases where he pulled out a sturdy brown tome. He ran his finger along the columns, then looked up at the shelves where he appeared to be silently counting them. He closed the tome, drew close a sliding ladder which he climbed, then pulled a small book bound in sky blue canvas from the shelf. After climbing back down he set the book in front of Catcher.
"What?" he says loudly. "I divine weapon so powerful it can kill a god is just sittin in a display case in yer town hall? How in the nine hell's did no one know of this or even this town fer that matter." He stares at Rik for a moment before turning on a heel and walking towards the door. "We can sleep later. I need ta see this thing. If this is a hoax its the worst ever played."
”Hold your beard there Gromff.” Catcher says and then continues ”If you want to leave, remove your armor, leave your weapon behind and dress a little more like a local.” and she points to Veronica and continues ”the same goes to you. No need to draw any more attention with our dragon breastplates and shiny weapons.” she hopes that forcing him to choose between leaving his stuff behind and going unarmed will dissuade the dwarf from that action, at last for this night.[/ooc]
The dwarf's sudden move for the door startled the librarian, causing him to stand as well.
"Please, my good dwarf, your friend is correct. It would be troublesome for everyone involved for you to go out like this.""Let me get a few apprentice robes for you and your milky-eyed friend to wear. It will help you to blend in and possibly avoid trouble."
Rik disappeared down a side passage and returned moments later with a six brown robes, each emblazoned with an embroidered tome and quill. He laid them upon the table within reach of anyone who wished to don one.
”You are an alchemist right?” she asks Rik digging into her bag and searching for items long acquired but never really used. .../... ”I’ve been carrying some stuff for some time, which we collected during our travels that we can’t really use, but I think that you might find interesting.”
"Very interesting indeed. Yes, I would be willing to pay you for those. I would enjoy experimenting with them."
”Hold your beard there Gromff.” Catcher says and then continues ”If you want to leave, remove your armor, leave your weapon behind and dress a little more like a local.” and she points to Veronica and continues ”the same goes to you. No need to draw any more attention with our dragon breastplates and shiny weapons.” she hopes that forcing him to choose between leaving his stuff behind and going unarmed will dissuade the dwarf from that action, at last for this night.
Gromff looked down at his armor then up at Catcher and scoffed. "With two angry dragons flying around? Not likely. I'm stayin armed and armored in this city until their dealt with. Either by us ur one o yer fancy guilds." He trudges back over to Rik and pokes him in the chest. "And ye still didn't answer me question. No one outside this village seems ta know of its existence or that the spear is here. How is that possible? Ye gonna lead us inta some trap to deal with outsiders?"
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”Calm down Gromff, I’m the paranoid one here, not you.” she says complaining about the dwarf attitude ”It’s good enough he let us enter and provided us with asylum when the only thing we did was to threaten his life.”
The she says to the old man ”Don’t need to pay, or if a price must be set, consider it as compensation for bringing us here, shelter and the food you provided, as well all the information you have freely given.”
Gromff grunts in disapproval. "Could be a trap. Don't make no sense otherwise."
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”Trap or no trap, we are here already.” she says trying to pacify the dwarf ”Remember the legend? You don’t find the spear, the spear finds you or something like that, though I doubt that’s the real case, since the damn thing is almost a tourist attraction, with no tourists of course.”
After the little girl has eaten her share, she picks up the sleepy little elf and put her to sleep and after making sure both Aersensi and Walker are comfortable, she pick up the book offered and sits down closer to them ”It’s best we sleep while we can, I want to read this book and see if we can somehow challenge the champion for the spear, that will be faster and cleaner than any other option, so I’ll take the first guard duty,” she says and them turns to Rik adding ”Please don’t feel offended, it’s just we’ve had our fair share of trouble and that made us a little skeptical to any good intentioned person willing to help out cause.”
Gromff looked down at his armor then up at Catcher and scoffed. "With two angry dragons flying around? Not likely. I'm stayin armed and armored in this city until their dealt with. Either by us ur one o yer fancy guilds." He trudges back over to Rik and pokes him in the chest. "And ye still didn't answer me question. No one outside this village seems ta know of its existence or that the spear is here. How is that possible? Ye gonna lead us inta some trap to deal with outsiders?"
"Sir, you must understand! With very few exceptions everyone inside the city walls was born here, as were their parents and several generations before them. One might accurately brand our society as xenophobic. Crystallus is a special place, one that our ancestors desired to remain hidden and we have been mostly successful for hundreds of years."
"Frankly I am surprised that your troop discovered us, considering the geography and magical wards we have in place."
The she says to the old man ”Don’t need to pay, or if a price must be set, consider it as compensation for bringing us here, shelter and the food you provided, as well all the information you have freely given.”
"That is richly generous of you, young lady."
He smiled warmly, the kind of smile that reached the eyes.
Roland was chewing some food and enjoying the discussion. Although it was messy enough, nobody drew him in the arguments, so he could rest his mind a little bit. But then the dwarf stood up and was aiming for the door, which was obviously dangerously stupid. Roland was about to stand up to follow him to that so said spear, but everybody was stopping the dwarf already. He quietly shrugged and returned his attention to his cheeseburger. After all, they hadn't eaten decently for quite a while now. When the morning comes and they see the sun probably they would feel much better. One detail calls his attention, though. He was starting to understand them.
"Nobody knows about this city because they can't escape it. If anyone leaves, they are killed."
Roland thinks for a second. Indeed he could be wrong in that assumption. Thinking was never his forte. "Rik, why do your people guard the spear? Are they protecting it like a trophy of some kind? Or maybe are they waiting for something?"
”What magical wards?” she inquires after the man’s points out the city’s defense.
"What wards?" Gromff echoes.
"Nobody knows about this city because they can't escape it. If anyone leaves, they are killed."
"There is a grain of truth to that. Citizens and visitors alike who have not been cleared for release and choose to leave will be considered outlaws. The punishment for breaking that particular law is death."
”What magical wards?” she inquires after the man’s points out the city’s defense.
"What wards?" Gromff echoes.
"Primarily there are grand illusions built into the walls meant to cause the city to vanish from great distances, though I am left wondering what effect the recent breech might have had on the magic."
"I believe there are also wards against transportation magics as well, to prevent strangers from arriving within the walls unannounced. The subject is an old one, and one lost mostly to speculation. We have lived for generations without having to repair or reinforce any city walls, you see."
Roland thinks for a second. Indeed he could be wrong in that assumption. Thinking was never his forte. "Rik, why do your people guard the spear? Are they protecting it like a trophy of some kind? Or maybe are they waiting for something?"
"They guard it because it is a coveted, powerful weapon of divine origin! One could relate it to a trophy in a crude sort of way. It is a mark of station and accomplishment, though only temporary for its current custodian. Inevitably it will change hands to the next Champion, and then the next after that."
"Waiting for something? I do not believe so."
Roland does now know that this man knows nothing. How could a city put so much effort in hiding something they would be - if gossip could be believed - dying to show off? No, they would probably be dying to demonstrate its power against every other cities. If they were bad guys, that is. Cause if the weapon was not that powerful the whole city would not take after it. "What do you think they would do if we asked for the weapon nicely?"
"And what's up with the dragon? Do people here have business with her?"
Gromff didn't like that particular law but it was not something he could argue. They were in a new place with different values. He had to respect the laws they had in place. So that meant they best behave. "Alright. So who's the current champion? We need him ta come with us or the spear ta. Otherwise bad things are gonna happen and a few trick walls ain't gonna stop it."
Veronica listens to the back and forth, though somewhat inattentively. Between her own worries about the people outside, plus the lavish interior and offers of their host, she felt very uncomfortable. She did not want to endanger the group or their mission. But she had been taught that danger was no excuse not to do her duty.
Finally, with a heavy breath, she turns to their host and says "If thee couldst help me appear as on of thyne own, then I shall go tend to those in need. Otherwise... I shall stay..."
And with that she stands and examines the clothes of their host. Suddenly, her own clothes changed to match his, though styled for her own figure. Similarly, her skin was smooth, now scar-free, and her eyes less faded.
"Would I pass as an unknown healer like this?"
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"Would I pass as an unknown healer like this?"
”I doubt anyone will mistake you for one of the locals, even with the disguise, but that Isn’t going to stop you, right?” she says grinning and then adds ”Just don’t forget what I said about armor and weapons.”
And since this place is a library the mage doesn’t bother asking for a bath or anything like that, she takes the robes offered and walks away to any private study or something like that, glancing over her shoulders just to make sure said barbarian isn’t following her . Once away from the others, she removes remove her stained and battered clothes and uses the most basic magical trick to clean herself without needing a bath. Catcher isn’t particularly in a hurry with the process making sure that after days of travel her clothes and herself are clean again.
After the process, she dons the acolyte robes, stashing away her things for later use.
Now clean and even more curious, the mage starts to read the book, distractedly nibbling the food in case there’s anything left to eat.
==
Comes the morning, if nothing out of ordinary has happened, she helps Aersensi to clean herself, get breakfast and change her clothes to the same robes provided. She eats thinking of the events of the day and then asks Rik once more ”So, do you know anyone that would be able to rent me a workshop, it would be better if it was an private one, since what I want to work with might cause some commotion…”
"What do you think they would do if we asked for the weapon nicely?"
Rik pours himself a bit more wine and smiles into his goblet as he drinks, offering no answer to the silly rhetorical question.
"And what's up with the dragon? Do people here have business with her?"
"That one fancies herself a Queen and demands to be addressed as such. She arrives monthly demanding a fawning ceremony where we pay her tribute, though the details of what is given is largely a secret maintained by the Wardens. She first arrived a few years ago but other than her first visit where she...displayed her power...there have been no injuries or trouble with her visits -- that is, until tonight. I do not know what transpired, though it is obviously bad."
"Alright. So who's the current champion? We need him ta come with us or the spear ta. Otherwise bad things are gonna happen and a few trick walls ain't gonna stop it."
"The Champion is a rough fellow who goes by the name Griff. He is a representative of the artisans quarter, strong of arm but not particularly bright if you want the truth of it. I believe you had better seek him out, though I doubt he will happily go along with you and your lot."
And with that she stands and examines the clothes of their host. Suddenly, her own clothes changed to match his, though styled for her own figure. Similarly, her skin was smooth, now scar-free, and her eyes less faded.
"Would I pass as an unknown healer like this?"
"Remarkable! Yes, yes that will do nicely."
Rik escorted Veronica back to the door, back to the fire-lit streets that bore them there, back out to the unknown dangers of the chaotic night. Remembering a specific street corner where wounded were seen, Veronica hastened back the way they'd came with Rik in tow, eager to use her skills to ease pain and save the dying. It was as good a place to start as any.
Concerned citizens were scarce, as most of them had retreated to their respective homesteads in search of relative safety. Of the remainder who lingered in the streets, none of them suspected Veronica for anything other than what she appeared to be - a robed initiate of the Sages guild. Seeing that the she was doing fine without him, Rik had returned to his library to remain with the other companions in the interim.
Most of the victims she happened upon that night had succumbed to their wounds, though the paladin's efforts managed to save the lives of many. She treated burns, smoke inhalation, broken limbs, and even a woman who had lost an arm to the rampaging wounded dragon queen during her violent retreat. Using nearly every spell available to her, a half dozen healing potions from Rik, and countless bandages conjured by her magical coat, Veronica eventually conceded that she had done all that she could and that most/all of the nearby wounded had been treated.
Among the wounded and those nearby, rumors began circulating about a melee between many of the Wardens and the dragoness, a melee that purportedly had taken the lives of most of them - including the life of the Champion Griff. She knew this would be information worth sharing, and so thought of little else on her return to the Sage's Library.