Trying not to rush, Freyja pushes past the last guard.
As you approach the hatch to the cellar, the guard whispers when you are right beside him.
"We haven't seen the commander since she reappeared in town. We're all worried about her, but the major won't let anyone else see her. Don't take too long. If the major wakes and discovers...this, we'll all be punished."
You descend the ladder, made of newly lashed-together boards and poles, likely assembled by the occupying soldiers. The cellar is haunted by a heady aroma and is wreathed in shadows only dimly pierced by thin fingers of light infiltrating through holes in the floorboards above.
You can dimly see the outline of a cot pushed against the far wall.
Her face is streaked with sweat, plastering her golden hair to her forehead. She writhes in the grasp of a fever, her eyes half lidded and unfocused. A knotted length of bandages is run across her mouth like a gag.
”Something is wrong! They have her chained to the damn cot.”
”Commander, can you hear me? It’s Helgrim, who did this to you?”
The dwarf speaks as though he is singularly focused on the woman, but his suspicious nature causes him to glance around the room prepared for any sudden attack looking for additional threats.
I have always been able to see pretty well in dim light. Freyja says as she takes in the room. If they have her chained then likely she is in danger of shifting. She looks feverish and might not be of sound mind. Speaking loud enough to project her voice to the woman Freyja says Commander, can you hear me? We want to help you. Is it ok to approach? You can nod or shake your head. Also the major would not let us down to see you. We are not sure he has your best interest in mind or not. Are you his prisoner?
"...my idea," the commander groans. "In case...lose control."
She shakes her head in a way that takes a moment for you to realize is not merely another thrashing but an invitation to approach.
Rather than a fever, it seems that her body is struggling to fight off a potent poison. Overtaxing her body's defenses is triggering her lycan nature, hence her concern over accidental transformation.
At its root, however, Odeber derives from an old Taldane word for "bear." The matter at hand guides your mind to make a connection: Commander Odeber not only could be a werebear, but it could be a natural condition inherited through her bloodline.
"I guess you know, too?" she asks, hazarding a pained smile.
"Even as a paladin...got to keep some secrets," she groans, out of both pain and regret. "The Valers hate and fear werewolves. Wouldn't understand the difference. Got to keep their respect. Got to protect them."
"Didn't want Muldrake to find out, though," she adds, struggling mightily to crane her neck and better look at her visitors. "Not him. Least of all."
Freyja comes closer. I think I understand. You were not infected by the wolves. You carry the curse from your family. Your secret is safe with us. How can we help? Would Belladonna be of use?
"Understood, do you know anything that can aid you? My Companions are capable I trust them and I know that we can help you" he says trying to reassure his commanding officer.
"Well..." says Kit, thinking of where to begin.
"At least you are here of your own volition. And this is...hereditary? What do you need us to do? We don't trust Muldrake."
He turns to the group. "It seems we can make this quicker than we anticipated."
He turns back to Oedeber. "Speaking of the wolves, we've contacted them. We discussed a truce, not that it's likely."
Freyja's offer elicits a brief laugh from the commander, but it soon devolves into a cough.
"If I sought a cure, my husband would have no difficulty finding the ingredients. I long ago reconciled both my faith and my vocation with my unusual lineage and condition. It has helped me defend Andoran against threats, both within and without."
The commander pauses to catch her breath after a moment of weakness comes upon her.
"The werewolves that terrify the Valers are not our chief concerns right now. In a day or two, I would recover from the poison that fights a losing battle in my veins. Unfortunately, I suspect my would-be assassins may return to finish their vile duty.
"Not merely hags and harpies, we were set upon by masked killers of the Red Mantis. I have no doubt that they have visited Darkmoon Vale at the behest of Gavel Kreed, or rather the behest of his considerable fortune. It's almost flattering that he sees me as such a threat, and it's pleasing to know that we evidently have him backed into a corner."
Odeber again indulges in a few deep breaths to maintain her voice.
"The unpleasant truth is that I do not trust Major Muldrake either," she says in a low, grave voice. "I have before approached General Traxxus with my concerns about the major's loyalty, but without evidence nothing could be done. Our time here in Falcon's Hollow makes me all the more wary of his character. I fear that he may be corrupt, accepting bribes from the Consortium to sabotage our investigation."
I see. Freyja nods, taking everything in. It would make for a good song. she says with a smile before asking What would you have us do? We can stay to repel and second attack. And if we leave you quickly Muldrake will not know we have spoken. That might let us investigate him with a better chance of success. His absence each afternoon seems enough dereliction of duty for at least a reprimand though.
"Yes. Please stay and protect the town," the commander sighs. "If the Red Mantis return, I'll have no compunctions about letting myself...lose control to teach them a lesson. I am more concerned about those harpies and the hags that may be directing them. They surely have bloody business in mind for the town, and whether by incompetence or selective inaction, I do not trust Major Muldrake to lead an effective defense. The Valers may need to depend on you, auxiliaries."
"We shall see you soon, then," says Kit. "Stay safe, Commander."
After exiting, he nods to the guards impassively.
”Understood Commander. We have made friends here. We will do what we can to defend the townfolk.”
"Do you wish to have me place more loyal soldiers near you or Muldrake or both?"Wulf says as he stands firm and silent.
"As for the town. It is my home I will defend it with my last breath!!!"
"Your resolve is a welcome relief, sergeant," the commander replies, her sigh evolving into a smile. "The major and I can protect ourselves. Keep the loyal soldiers posted to defend the town. If an attack is launched upon the Hollow..."
The commander pauses, clearly reluctant to share the truth on her mind.
"I don't trust the major to properly direct a defense of the town. I need reliable people in place who can be trusted to do the right thing, even without orders. What's more, I am loathe to even suggest this, but if we had definitive evidence of Muldrake's corruption, he could be relieved of duty."
"We'll keep an eye out for that," says Qitaba, "I think there are some soldiers we can trust." He sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose between his eyes. "We need more allies."
"Lady Cirthana can be trusted," the commander suggests. "She is young and headstrong, but she will do what's right. The town sheriff is a bit stand-offish, but he, too, seems like a decent man."
A few other figures also come to your mind. There is Jak Crimmy the innkeeper, the sheriff's deputies Tabrik Splint and Daphne, and Brickasnurd who runs the general store. Although not necessarily the adventuresome sort, there are also the three young women watching Wulf's farm.
"I'll make sure we get those loyal soldiers ready" He says standing firm.
Freyja looks ready for action. So, Sir Wulf, what do we do first?
"Is there a place we can gather in secret and meet with these people in a group? I'm just not sure what the next course of action is. I'd like to address the hags and fey as well."
Qitaba looks a bit frustrated. "And I thought the court intrigue in Katheer was convoluted. Gods, I'm glad I only went there once."
"Mayhap the church" he says reaching up to scratch his chin.
Between Wulf's experience as a resident and the combined local lore that Freyja and Kit have picked up, you know a few things about the Iomedean church in town.
Falcon's Hollow has few clerics. Despite anemic competition from other faiths and a demonstrated record of care for the town's residents, Lady Cirthana Gensar continues to struggle to win converts in the beleaguered town. Few locals trust Cirthana, and most lay their medical concerns at Laurel's feet instead. What's more, the Lumber Consortium has made itself clear in denouncing the Inheritor's meddling in the town's affairs, and the locals oblige by avoiding the temple as much as possible.
Not only would the temple provide a safe meeting place, but Lady Cirthana would be an eager ally.
”Yeah, I have a relationship with the Lady. We need to speak with her.”
”Teasel, you know any woods spirits that want to live in peace with the humans? Demonstrations of unity might help us on the logging front. Maybe a replanting program can help make a sustainable model for future generations, but that is far out in timeline for most, um, shorter lived, persons.”
"We need to ask her about the lepers as well," says Qitaba, sounding more convinced now. [b]"And we did have plans to go looking for sympathetic fey. Although they are, by nature, capricious. We should not use them as a crutch, more as...ah...frosting. On a tart. That sounded wrong."[b/] Kit studies his hands, nodding.
"Too many seeds in the same row" He says rubbing his chin.
"But yes some fey allies and a few more outsiders. I believe we can get the populous on our side but we have to be diligent"
You begin your endeavor to gather like-minded, reliable allies by marching down Worship Way and arriving at the Temple of Iomedae. Although the simple structure is about as far removed from a soaring cathedral as possible, yet the stone building is still practically from an entirely different world compared to the tottering wooden homes and shops that fill the rest of the town. Although the walls are very plain, the temple and its small grounds are kept immaculately clean, despite the constant creep of the sawdust that chokes the town.
Helgrim's presence alone is reason enough for Lady Cirthana to usher you inside the temple.
Wulf tips his hat."Lady Cirthana" He says as he then enters and takes off his hat.
Kit observes Wulf and removes his chefiya to reveal his clean shaven pate. "Lady," he says deferentially.
"There are any number of woes and injustices that could have brought you here, to the Inheritor's hall," the priestess says as though issuing a proclamation. "But which do you deign to confront first? I would recommend instructing that wayward army major on the virtues of discipline, fidelity, and honor.
"Not since my last encounter with Gavel Kreed have I felt my hand so stirred towards the hilt of my sword. I arrived at that repurposed den of ill morals to offer my healing ministrations to Commander Odeber - the least I could do for a fellow dutiful adherent of Iomedae. That contemptible Muldrake dismissed me out of hand as though I were some cadet under his command. Nay, worse: as though I were some irksome urchin."
We received the same treatment Lady. But we were able to thwart the major's intend and get in to see Commander Odeber when he was predictably away.
Odeber sent us--she is still recovering," says Kit, a thin wry smile on his face as he appreciates Lady Cirthana's lofty Talane language. "We need to gather our allies and plan. I hesitate to recommend a first target without taking the number of our forces, although I would suggest that the lepers in the cutyard, who gave us eyewitness accounts of the attacks on Odeber and her troops, be treated as soon as possible. Their conditions are truly wretched."
"It is a great relief to hear that the commander is recovering," the priestess sighs. Perhaps it is her adherence to the goddess Iomedae, or perhaps it is her forthright nature, but Lady Cirthana is inept at concealing subtext in the tone of her voice. Thus, you detect a bit of hero worship when she talks about Odeber.
In terms of allies, she suggests many of the same names that Odeber mentions. At mention of the lepers, though, she tenses and straightens her posture further.
"I regret to say that I have been keeping the lepers at arm's length. Early in my tenure here, I dispatched my two acolytes to deliver supplies and provide medical aid to their camp. My acolytes never returned.
"When I investigated their fate, I heard many conflicting accounts. Some people I questioned said they were set upon by hags and harpies, and others said they were made to disappear by Consortium thugs once they were without my protection. The most worrying suggestion is the rumor that the lepers are affiliated with a cult of Urgathoa. I discovered no evidence of this, but regardless, I have had no resources to spare since that disaster. I have focused on winning converts within the town's walls first before turning my attention to the leper camp again."
"The Lady is a strong woman with a sharp mind she'll prevail." he says as he looks over those here.
"As for the Harpies and Hags, that is possible as is the Consortium. There are other things in the woods. As for the rumors, eh most lepers or diseased get that in other areas of the world." He says rubbing his chin."All I know right now is we have too many fronts, with a powerful player on our side set up for assassination.Still, we must try and protect the people first" Wulf says looking at the others.
I would have a known threat to deal with. Let us deal with the hags and harpies first. Freyja recommends. Perhaps we will learn more from dealing with them.
"My goodness. We should be able to determine the lepers' alignment to either celestial or infernal forces, Lady. But Freyja, you are correct--hags and harpies first. Easier to deal with knowns, then unknowns."
"Those woods are deep. Hunting them will be especially dangerous without knowing where to go."
First, there is a cottage in a dark hollow within the woods that once housed the legendary witch Ulizmila. Although Ulizmila has not been seen for decades, the queen of the feycourt in Darkmoon Vale, the nymph queen Syntira, placed a dryad at the cottage to keep watch for the witch's return. Although this dryad is said to be...strange among her kin, she may have information to share.
Secondly, you have heard of a cove along the Droskmere where a swan maiden dwells. She is said to have battled the harpies and hags on prior occasions, keeping them from despoiling her lake. Not only could she provide information, but she could be an ally.
Lastly, there are the ruins of Raseri Kanton. The city was utterly destroyed hundreds of years ago by the Rending, and now it is only home to undead and dark fey. Your own kin warned you to never go there, but it seems like the sort of place that harpies and hags might lurk.
Kit has a flash of insight about the ineluctable fey-haunted forests surrounding Falcon's Hollow! "Ah," he replies, inscrutably.
Aided by some reminders from Freyja, Kit recalls two notable locations within Darkmoon Wood that hold connections with the fey.
The first is the Droskmere, the lake at the heart of the forest. Hidden among the mereswans that flock to the lake to hunt popcarp is supposedly a swan maiden. She might have information regarding the harpies and hags.
The second location is the ruins of Raseri Kanton, a city at the foot of the mountains that was destroyed by the Rending hundreds of years ago. The echoes of that disaster have purportedly corrupted the environment around the ruins, causing dark fey and exiles from the fey court to congregate there. If the harpies and hags are not among them, it could still be an informative albeit dangerous lead.
"Allies first," says Qitaba. "Droskmere is my vote."
Sensible Q. I would like to meet a swan maiden.
"Sounds like a reasonable plan secure allies formulate a plan" Wulf states stroking his stubble
"In that case, Lady Cirthana, we shall be off to the Droskmere, with your blessing. May you remain well," says Qitaba, bowing to the regal cleric. He is serious, but his eyes twinkle--probably amused at the stiffness of the Iomedeans compared to the twirling Sarenrites he is used to.
”Thank you for the tip Lady. The time may come for conflict, for now though, please keep your faithful going about their lives as normally as possible. Avoid drawing too much ire your flock’s way. I think things could get ugly and I don’t want villagers to place the blame for reprisals from the Consortium or other forces on your trying to do the right or noble thing.”
”Change is coming, but we dare not force it prematurely. I know better times will come, but we are in one hell of a chess game right now and we can’t see all the pieces on the board just yet.”
The dwarf waits to see her reaction.
The priestess is silent for a moment before speaking up.
"I was never very good at chess," she says, straight-faced. "Too much scheming.
"Putting that aside, this change will be overdue. I look forward to having the chance to finally take direct action and root out the wickedness plaguing this town. Should battle be joined against those harpies and hags you spoke of, the Valers will see how the Inheritor's might eclipses the Consortium's when defending the town."
"If it is urgent, we'll send a messenger to inform you. We hope that the Droskmere and the...parlay with possible dark fey...does not accelerate our move towards open conflict."
Qitaba steeples his fingers.
The Droskmere is approximately 14 miles north of Falcon's Hollow, as the crow flies. The old dwarf road north will expedite your travel, at least for most of the journey. For the last three or four miles, you will need to travel through Darkmoon Wood to reach the lake. While a horse or mule would be useful, you would need to make sure its a surefooted animal that will not be spooked by the dense forest.