Dizzy doesn't sense malice from the guards. They do seem to be very dutiful, and are sure to provide a complete report to superiors of this encounter.
Útgöngubann er á hverju kvöldi við sólarlag. one guards says, and also explains the route to a tavern called the Fifth Facet Tavern.
|
Thank you for using diplomacy. I have recently traveled with a crazy man with a talking sword that prefers to kill local law enforcement in Rahadoum (Port Goddless).
|
Naiar smiles at the tengu, "I'm glad to see you're no longer traveling with him, haha. My sword and I are the peaceful type." before Gamin interrupts, "The scholar would dare not raise me in combat. Never has, never will." to which Naiar grins and nods in agreement. "Gamin is a friend and one who provides guidance."
Allying: An allying weapon allows the wielder to transfer some or all of the weapon's enhancement bonus to one weapon being used by an ally of the wielder. The wielder must have line of sight to the intended ally. As a free action, at the start of her turn before using her weapon, the wielder chooses how to allocate her weapon's enhancement bonus. The bonus to the ally's weapon lasts until the allying weapon's wielder's next turn. The enhancement bonus from the allying weapon does not stack with the enhancement bonus on the ally's weapon (if any).
Most of the citizens in Crystalcrag are of Oread origin, with the occasional Ifrit mixed in. The adventurers are regarded with curiosity, and though the occasional child hides behind its mother's dress, there is no harassment except for an occasional finger-pointing.
Moving around the city in search for an inn, an aging oread with hair-thin cracks spiderwebbing his skin carefully approaches the party.
Good day to you sirs, madams. he says in common, with a thick Terran accent My name is Eurdan Stonemantle, the remaining councillor of Crystalcrag. Welcome to this city. Do you have time to spare to meet me in private?
|
|
Well met, Eurdan. My name is Dizzy Dinkletrinket. I am an embassy of the Sovereign Court, a council of nobles originally from Taldor. We are here on a mission, but are suprised to find a thriving village in what we thought was a barren wasteland. Perhaps you can answer some of our questions later. For now, let us meet in private. What location do you suggest?
The councillor leads the party to a building whose exterior bears the weathered inscription “Council House” in Terran.
Once inside, he explains You are not the first foreigners to reach Crystalcrag. A group of foreigners, just like you, wearing the same type of compass badges. They are now the 'guests' of Tygora, the ruler of Crystalcrag. That is to say, they are almost certain her prisoners.
For a brief moment, us oreads had a glimmer of hope. Then Koriath, my fellow councillor, disappeared without trace, which was only just after the foreigners disappeared. Tygora surely has all of them imprisoned.
Tygora Cinderfury, our city’s efreeti ruler, oversees all actions for the city. I have no doubt she already knows you are here. She lives in Fury’s Hold, the large palace that you probably saw while you were making your way to Crystalcrag.
Crystalcrag is the haven of trade that us Oreads built ourselves. We found peace and prosperity here, until over a thousand years ago the Zhonar and Zhobl volcanoes erupted, most of the original buildings collapsed, leaving the town devastated. Nonetheless, we tirelessly rebuilt what they could and erected a large crystalline memorial in the main plaza to commemorate our struggle. That's when Tygora appeared, and granted a wish to the council. The town’s council wished for a rebuilt settlement, seclusion, and safety from the outside world. Tygora granted the wish, but she rebuilt the town to fit her own needs, she herself as absolute ruler.
Only over the past century have the volcanoes’ rifts caused many oreads to give birth to ifrit children. Tygora has been quick to take these youths under her wing, giving them both secret instruction and special privileges to secure their ruthless loyalty.
Any rebellion leads to brief, but harsh crackdowns. A year ago one of the members of the three-person council simply disappeared after trying to win concessions for the other oreads. Now recently Koriath Glaheri disappeared, leaving me as last remaining councillor..
|
|
Your safety and other Oreads appears to be in peril as Tygora establishes a dictatorship. Is there anything we can do to help? It is not the primary reason for our mission. Doing good along the way does not excuse the acts of violence just as placing a gravestone does not remove the corpse buried beneath. A sign of remembrance or live lived more selflessly unburdens the daily toil of suffering. Death and danger hang over heads but peace can be found within acceptance and hope for a better tomorrow.
Nokazi begins to inappropriately beak out a song...
|
|
Dictatorship is unnatural... we must cleanse these hard lands from passion that burns too greatly... By the fists of my ancestors...
I think we should bathe together with this person, and see what their true motives are. If need be, we could resort to more... difficult matters. The embassy of Kyonin has spoken. Ugh.
Dizzy says, as he barfs up some black slime.
We oreads, are a peaceful race. Though Tygora’s rule is harsh, many of the people here have found it somewhat of a give-and-take. Tygora gives the people complete invisibility from the surrounding settlements in exchange for completing any demands she may have requested. She imposes a curfew as one of the ways to suppress dissent.
|
"I would enjoy staying here to learn more of your language too and it would be best if we spoke with this ruler as we'd like to find out if there is any way we can rescue our fellow companions." Aurora smiles towards this stranger. "Sounds like she is accusing them of this councilor's disappearance. Did he...speak out against her?"
Why Koriath Glaheri was taken, I do not know. I only know that it happened shortly after the visitors were abducted. Perhaps she spoke out too strongly against Tygora.
Tygora's actions don't seem to focus on anymore than remaining in control. She hasn't voiced any demand, not do I expect her to. She simply imprisons any who oppose her.
|
|
"So she was taken AFTER they were abducted?" Aurora nods and thinks for a moment as she takes this in "We'll need to keep this in mind where we stay tonight. I have a feeling no matter where we rest she will know where we are and what we are doing. Best we can do is just remain on guard and not cause any trouble...unless it's needed." she gives a sly grin as she states that.
The ruler was mentioned to be an Efreeti, a kind of fire genie, while the inhabitants of the town are mostly Oread - those born with a taint of the plane of earth in them, and Ifrit, who have a bit of fire in the blood.
Efreeti are famous for their wish-granting capabilities.
|
|
Suddenly, Dizzy seems as if stung by an insect, a low growl coming from his throat.
What am I saying? Remember the lessons from your master..! always be vigilant, always be watchful of your steps. Thank you sensei.
On second thought, I don't trust these people at all. I have seen kinder and more hospitable folk who eventually turned out to be puppets of a darker force. My gut, dark as night as it is, tells me we shouldn't be here. This Tygora has our fellow pathfinders, dead.. or worse. Who knows what her plans are for us and if those plans are already in motion. Please do not take this personally Eurdan, but I would prefer to stay outside town for the night. Are you guys with me? I will prepare a shelter and supper.
|
|
Naiar tries to bring a reasonable debate to Dizzy, "The guards know of our presence and will likely report about it. If Tygora is preparing to come after us this very night then he will probably pursue us outside of the city as well. I understand your worry and it's valid, but I vote we face our fate head on. We can expect visitors and sleep lightly, if they come after us then it only gives us more reason to take down this tyrant." he says as he pets Boots. Gamin speaks up with a little more input, "It might also be easier to watch a door than the surrounding darkness of the forest."
|
|
"I side with Naiar. We were told that she most likely knows we are here already. If she wanted to just abduct us publicly, it would've been done now by her and the Ifrit children." she states as she thinks about the situation "I would suggest we keep our eyes on the door though. If we are attacked, it'd be best that we only defend ourselves, though her control is based on how happy people are here. If she just attacked us, the people are likely to rise. She will bide her time. Vile dictator she is."
They're immune to fire, but they don't have DR. That's about all you know
After some discussion, the party heads to the tavern. The Fifth Facet is a square, two-story, stone tavern that sits on the main roadway of Crystalcrag. The smell of charred timber and cooked food waft gently out of multiple windows hewn into the building’s facade.
As the adventurers enter, many of the oreads watch them surreptitiously while others do so with open curiosity. The oread barkeep gestures for the adventurers to come over, then speaks something in Terran. When that doesn't work out, he continues in common You look like that other group of foreigners we had visiting a while ago. Can I offer you a drink?
Yes, you don't want to break the curfew. You'll find a lot of folk here that don't want to break the curfew, the barkeep says, glancing around the room.
A room, then?
He's probably nervous that you're spying for Tygora
Good, good the bartender says after the soothing words of Aurora, with the recent disappearance of Glaheri, the folks have been coming here to voice their discontent. More and more have come recently, so I'm just afraid that Tygora will crack down on us. They're honest men and women, all, wouldn't want something bad happening to them. the bartender says as he looks over the patrons.
Tell ya this, a burly Oread joins in, I was jus' walkin' on the street mindin' my own business when this Ifrit strike me down jus' fer looking at him. They're our kin! Still they thinks they can do anything, cause Tygora pertects 'em. Name's Horatio, by the way. he says as he extends a shovel of a hand brings you 'ere?
|
|
Good, good the bartender says after the soothing words of Aurora, with the recent disappearance of Glaheri, the folks have been coming here to voice their discontent. More and more have come recently, so I'm just afraid that Tygora will crack down on us. They're honest men and women, all, wouldn't want something bad happening to them. the bartender says as he looks over the patrons.
Tell ya this, a burly Oread joins in, I was jus' walkin' on the street mindin' my own business when this Ifrit strike me down jus' fer looking at him. They're our kin! Still they thinks they can do anything, cause Tygora pertects 'em. Name's Horatio, by the way. he says as he extends a shovel of a hand brings you 'ere?
"As you have been honest with us I believe we should be honest with you." she continues to give a soft smile and shakes his hand. "My name is Aurora and we are part of the Pathfinder Society. We were curious as to what happened to our friends, but now we have learnt that Tygora has them so we may wish to hold an audience with her tomorrow. For the moment we do not wish to make trouble for anyone so we have made sure to come settle here for tonight before curfew."
As they discuss she looks around to see if there is a stage to perform on of somekind.
"As I mentioned before, would you object to me performing a song? There is a melody from the land of Andoran that I believe may liven up the group here and help you forget your troubles."
|
|
Aurora brings out a beautiful, heavenly melody. At times it almost sounds as if there is a choir singing instead of just a single woman. The song is based on Andoran's independence. One of bravery and how standing up against what seemed like an impossible foe was made possible by everyone banning together.
Aurora's singing manages to get the attention of the crowd, and it even gets the attention of Boots, who adds something to the performance ()
There's something boiling in the Fifth Facet tavern. The inciting song of Aurora brings the otherwise submissive oreads to the brink of revolution. If only they had a leader to follow...
It looks like these are ready to follow you Horatio says to Aurora, you only have to give the word, and they'll start rallying friends, family. It would be good if the councellor would give his blessing, though.
He also points out that Valsog, a captive giant, runs a smithy, and that he could be a powerful ally if they manage to convince him to join. Also, he says Morak the alchemists own a shop that has been seeing a lot of harassment from the Ifrit lately.
|
|
Aurora smiles as she can feel the revolution building up in this place. Of course, they'd need to organise them better with a leader and then find a way to overthrow this tyrant.
"The smithy is a prisoner? How did he get captured and why?" she asks, curious about this. "The alchemists could be helpful. If we find out where the councellor is we may need a distraction to draw her attention."
The oreads readily give direction to the smithy and the alchemist's shop. You have spoken to the councillor, haven't you? He should be at his house.
Valsog the giant was brought here fifty years ago. He was captured, but he doesn't seem to mind all that much, now that he has his own forge to work on. Be careful with him, I'm not sure of his loyalties
The party approaches the alchemy shop. This wood-and-stone structure sits on a busy street corner, red and orange paint brightening its exterior. A sign depicting colorful vials and a beaker hangs above the door.
The shopkeeper, Morak, is standing outside, and protesting loudly You can't do this, this is an outrage! at two Ifrits that are just finishing dousing sides of the shop in oil.
Stand away, they shout as they the adventurers approach, do not interfere with the queen's justice!