Looking at his two companions strip away the equipment from the fallen knight....
they are like vultures
With s smile on his face, Szordin looks toward the other room. The room that hold what could be a very valuable thing...
Szordin walks over to console timeon. He slides down beside the distraught man.
this is alot to handle. A huge weight to carry. That man would have killed us for just being alive, and you would have been killed for just being near us.when you are ready to talk...I will listen, not judge. I will listen to your wishes and help you any way I can. I am hear for you when you are ready.
The party manages to relieve the dead knight of his Mitran pendant, most likely the item their benefactor desired. The items the dead knight had in his possession include a potion of cure light wounds, longsword, dagger, cloak of resistance +1, masterwork full plate, and a heavy steel shield.
Timeon seems comforted by Szordrin and nods. He looks up at the Dark elf and asks, "Is there a way out of this maze?"
Alaric hefts the pendant and holds it up for all to see while Saulric goes for the armor. "We have our prize... let's find a way out of here now... What doors haven't we tried?"
Szordrin looks at timeon and smiles..
..of course there is a way out, we just need to find it. I would suggest that you join us.
He stands and offers his hand to timeon
Come on let us get out of this place
he looks back at the cooling body of the fallen knight..
it is time we left our nightmares behind us.
After removing everything of worth the party discusses the the ext and then remember stairs leading up and out in the room where they found the fake pendant.
"That could be the way out... let's check it out and see if it's as false as the pendant we found there." Once there, Alaric examines the area for traps and other, perhaps secret, doors.
Saulric places his hand on the boy's shoulder as they walked. He chose his path for good or ill. It was the best death those of our kind can wish for.
Looking at stairs that he hopes leads out of this dismal place.
Timeon, when we leave this place...maybe you would like to continue on with us.? Travel with us and learn first hand the truths of the world. The real world.
Alaric manages to find and then disable a trap designed to cut those walking up and out of the maze in half.
Timeon nods slowly and agrees to follow the group.
The group exits and make their way back to the Cardinals presence presenting the pendant to Tiadora wh then presents the pendant to the Cardinal.
The high priest holds the trinket and pauses as if in deep contemplation. He watches the holy symbol glitter in the light. “A pretty enough thing, eh?” he muses. “This is a holy symbol of Mitra in particular the sort favored by the Knights of the Alerion. Perhaps you already knew that.... and what of him?" the Cardinal asks of Timeon.
We have shown him the hatred Mitrans hold in their hearts for those not like them. How those who would offer them aid are rebuffed and met with violence merely for being different. I will take him as my squire and show him the true path.
"What will his training consist of? Just out of curiosity..." The Cardinal asks...
Saulric taps his chin. I had merely intended to continue his training as a knight. Teach him the ways of the warrior as his master was supposed to. But your raise an interesting point, he has much potential. Perhaps teaching him of (insert god name here because I forgot and am sleepy.) would serve him better. What do you think Timeon?
"An interesting proposal....if he is willing I will take him and have him trained him as I provide guidance to each of you before the next phase of your revenge begins. Tiadora take the lad and treat him as one of the knot." the Cardinal says tot he the group. Tiadora takes the lad by the arm and leads him out.
"You who survived have served me well and accomplished your task. Take time to heal, clean, and prepare for your next task. I will summon each of you individually over the next few days to provide some... personal... instruction... Now leave me."
While Elisa can provide a little healing I think that training Timeon up as a cleric is a good plan.
You are brought back to your rooms and there is food, wine, a hot bath drawn and fine new clothes. As you make your way to your rooms you see the poor squire being led in chains to Tiadora's room with a dejected look on his face. Later that night all manner of screams are heard and the next morning Tiadora looks rather content.
The next three months go by slowly and while you live in splendor and eat fine foods, your days are spent in constant training. Tiadora is your primary instructor and delights in causing you all pain during your training but does not push the pain too close to death, although you know she wants to. The Count oversees your training but does not directly involve himself in the team training. In addition to team focused training, the Count spends time with each of you one on one.
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Thorn is not always with you or visible and it soon becomes apparent that you are not the only ones being trained. Another small group is also sequestered on another part of the estate and you only catch fleeting glimpses of them during the day.
After the training is finished, Adrastus pronounces you ready and holds a great banquet in your honor. He awards you the title of the Nessian Knot in an infernal ritual involving blood and fire. During the ritual he summons forth a barbed devil and offers to it one of his slaves. The devil gleeful rips the slave apart and feasts on the blood. Adrastus then draws forth some of the devil’s blood with a silver athame. Adrastus traces the unholy symbol of Asmodeus on the forehead of each of you in the mingled blood of devil and sacrifice.
"Behold" he proclaims, “The Nessian Knot is forged. Just in time,” Cardinal Thorn remarks. “My ship has arrived.” On the river dock behind the manor under cover of darkness, a square-sailed longship sails into the slip. It sits heavily in the water, laden with a substantial cargo.
And our first task is what Master?
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“Your mission is war, my children. You will bring war to Talingarde." He pause to let that sink in before continuing.
"You have two objectives. First, you will see a shipment of munitions delivered to a bugbear chieftain named Sakkarot Fire-Axe. He makes his camp on the northern coast of Lake Tarik beyond the Watch Wall. With this shipment, the Fire-Axe will have resources enough to unite the barbarous humanoid tribes of the north and light the fire of war. Sitting on the dock as we speak is the longship Frosthamar captained by Kargeld Odenkirk. Tomorrow when the ship is resupplied it will be your transport. The captain is a ruthless mercenary and not to be trusted. He knows nothing of the specifics of our mission and you should keep it that way. He knows he is smuggling cargo to the north beyond the Watch Wall. That is all he need know." and the Cardinal rings a bell for a servant to enter.
“Once the cargo is safely delivered, he will take you just south across the lake under cover of darkness and land you near the town of Aldencross. There our contract with Captain Odenkirk will be concluded. It is shame how greedy he has proven. I had hoped to let the captain serve me again but it seems he is too much of a liability. Kill him. Kill his crew. Burn his ship and leave no survivors. It is crucial that no one suspects our involvement and that loose ends are taken care of. Be sure to reclaim the coin I gave him. Best not to be wasteful." he tells you in a dead and unemotional voice.
“That done, you will begin your second task. We will do more still to aid our ally the Fire-axe. The bugbears are mighty warriors but poor siege engineers. You will infiltrate the tower Balentyne, keystone of the Watch Wall, kill its commander and open the gate for Sakkarot’s horde. Once the shaggy monstrosities pierce the Watch Wall, the bugbears will pillage and lay waste to the townships of the north and the local garrisons will have no choice but to meet the Fire-Axe in the open field. Sakkarot is the most brilliant, gifted and murderous bugbear of his generation. I expect these battles will go poorly for the knights and yeoman of fair Talingarde." he smile slightly.
“Do all of this and then when your task is done, break this clay seal.” He hands them a delicately carved clay seal adorned with a tangled knot of thorns surrounding the holy symbol of Asmodeus. “I will have more instructions then. Succeed and I will see you rewarded handsomely. Fail or betray me and you will pray for the comfort of Hell before I am done with you." he says with dead eyes piercing through you.
“The mission you start upon today is a holy mission. The people of Talingarde think they have seen the last of the mighty Asmodeus. Soon enough we will remind them that there is no escaping the grasp of Hell. Let us toast our success.”
A servant then enters carrying a tray of glasses and a jug of wine. The Cardinal takes the tray, pours one glass of deep red wine for each of the you and then finally pours one for himself. He raises the glass and offers a toast.“To war.”
A slow, slight smile twitches the corners of Alaric's mouth as he raises his glass. "To war, indeed. His will be done."
Elisa raises her glass. "To war."
Szordrin raises his glass as well.
Ohta
"To war!"
The Frosthamar is a single-masted knarr with a square sail. It is similar to a Viking longship but wider and with a deeper hull better suited to carrying cargo. And the Frosthamar is obviously loaded with cargo. Sitting heavy in the water, she holds twenty four tons of weaponry, arrows and shields emblazoned with a flaming axe.
The captain is a grizzled north-man with a wiry beard, pale blonde hair and countless scars. This is Kargeld Odenkirk and he is, as promised, a ruthless mercenary with little thought of anyone but himself. His crew consists of a half dozen grim sailors who speak little of the common Talirean tongue.
“You will guard our boat all the way north, yes?” he asks of the group a they approach.
After receiving yes as the reply he grunts his assent. “Then I will take you to the cursed north past hope and life. Your friend is already here and does not speak much.” he says pointing to a cloaked figure at the bow of the ship.
Thank you captain. Yes we'll be on guard throughout the trip. If you'll excuse me. Saulric heads towards the bow. Hello little friend. How are you?
Watching as Saulric answer the captain, Szordrin walks onto the boat and tries to make himself comfortable. His cow is up and he looks for an area to sit near the middle of the ship.
The group stows their gear on the vessel and Saulric moves to see who the newcomer is. The figure is robed and does not speak much and when he does speak it is usually in Asmodeus incantations that he says over and over again in a hushed voice. Saulric recognizes the figure a that of what used to be Timeon... but the boy is different now... time spent alone with the Cardinal and Tiadora has warped his body and spirit. He keeps to himself.
Kargeld continues to bark orders out to the crew to stow away all the gear and conceal it in the event they are stopped. Once he is done he looks over to the group and wonders if they are ready to shove off.
As the Captain barks his orders, Szordrin sits listening to those orders being issued and the responses. When the captain stops and the silence grows on.
With his hood down to hide his face and to protect his eyes.
He feels that now is not the time to antagonize the captain.
He feels that he is a god on this floating piece of kindling. Let him continue to think so
If you wish to cast off....proceed at your leisure Captain....
A tall man wrapped in an elegant looking red cloak makes his way on board the ship. He makes his way straight to Timeon before speaking. He lefts his cowl revealing shoulder length hair and glowing red eyes.
Timeon! you little whelp! Orders have come in that you are not yet worthy. Now go on and get back to the estate. Heard they got something... else...planned for you. I'll be handling the 9th knot's religious needs from here on out. Now hurry up before I decide to help you with a good kick.
He turns and looks over the others with a literal burning gaze. His voice softens slightly and his demeanor becomes more amicable. Well, hopefully we all get along better than my last band. weaklings the lot of them. My name is Rythian Alzir, may we all prosper under the masters guidance. He takes a bow as he finishes, showing a black steel breastplate underneath his dark red cloak. At his side rests a morning star of almost ornate appearance and quality. A shield also appears to be strapped on his back, slightly hidden beneath the cloak.
he turns towards the captain. I assume you have no qualms with this change of passengers captain?
And I am Saulric, once but a simple guardsman but now a warrior devoted to reclaiming what the king took from me.
Alaric gives Rythian a little nod and shrugs. "A little unorthodox, but we bow to the Master's will," he says flatly, without emotion. He turns to Timeon and says softly, "Until we meet again, lad."
Elisa just watches silently, wondering at why such a late change?
Once the group declares they are ready to go Kargeld instructs his men to shove off. For all Kargeld’s grimness, the Frosthamar is a fine ship, seaworthy and strong hulled. Its clinker-built hull is resilient but flexible and well suited to surviving the rough icy seas of the northern ocean. It is smartly rigged and lovingly maintained. Kargeld, it seems, loves nothing save for this ship.
The first leg of the journey is placid and peaceful. Everyone has plenty of time to gain their sealegs and get acclimated to shipboard life. The Frosthamar may be a fine ship but it is not a ship that caters to delicate sensibilities. It has no cabins and you all sleep under the stars with the rest of the crew. There are no garderobes or chamber pots. The crew simply relieve themselves over the railing. The rations are hardtack and small beer, though Kargeld does stop a couple of times to hunt deer along the wilder part of the coasts.
It takes half a day to sail down the Varnyn River and out into the open ocean. The Frosthamar hugs the coast and from the ship you can see countless farming communities and fishing villages go by. More than a few fishermen wave at the Frosthamar. Kargeld is always sure to wave back. “Wouldn’t want ‘em to get suspicious, eh?” he says with a glower.
The Frosthamar is not swift so heavily-laden and averages about forty eight miles a day. It takes a week for the ship to pass along the settled coast of Talingarde passing the great city of Daveryn, the largest center of civilization along the western coast. Kargeld is quick to squash any talk of stopping there. “This is no pleasure cruise. Besides, I won’t get our cargo within a mile of a Talirean harbormaster.” It is only when the ship gets into the far north just abound beyond the Watch Wall that the seas get dangerous.
Still sitting as the removal of Timeon is concluded.
His cow moves and the shadows within move as well but no face is seen as
The master sent you....Very well...I am Szordrin...
The figure looks away again.
I believe that would be a wise course of action, captian. Rythian remarks as the captain mentions not going near the city. As they get further out Rythian will Scan the horizon before asking the captain.
How long to our destination from here captain?
Baziel, keep your eyes out for any sign of trouble, from the sea, OR the crew here. And don't let yourself be seen. He thinks to his Imp, a gift from his dark patron.
The ship leaves the Cardinals makeshift port and begin their journey to the north. The days are long and boring. Few ships pass by so the group is mostly left alone out on the open seas. The crew keep mostly to themselves after an incident where a few crew spoke ill of Elisa and were confronted by members of the team who nearly killed two crew members save for Kargelds intervention. Now one crew member is nursing a broken arm and another is learning how to live with only one hand. It is when the vessel gets close to the Watch Wall in the north that the seas begin to get rough.
Elisa:
Szordrin:
Rythian:
Saulric:
One morning through the mist Elisa alerts the others of a ship approaching them. Alaric and Saulric see the vessel next as does Kargeld. Kargeld grimly pairs down their options, “She’s seen us, sure as damnation. And there is no way the ‘Frosthamar’ will outrun her loaded like this. One look at our cargo and they’ll know us for exactly what we are – weapon smugglers. We could dump the cargo and if we dont outrun her then he can bluff as merchants on our way to pick up.”
Elisa goes with her standard plan (Deception and murder). "Perhaps we should allow them to come close as we play the humble and honest merchant. Then when they are halfway over to inspect us strike and kill them!"
She also makes sure her Shield extract is ready for use when the action starts.
"I can go for that plan... Captain, can your crew fight effectively? They will have to play their part when the time comes... we probably can't handle this just our small group alone. Not against a well-armed King's ship."
Perhaps However I believe our tiefling and Dark skinned companions should keep out of sight at first. If it does come to a fight, I would suggest keeping a couple alive if possible. More value in them alive than dead... usually. Will they surely attempt to search us captain? He glances towards the Captain to hear his thoughts.
Let us try diplomacy first my friends. Give the mitran symbol so I may pass as one of them. I do after all wear the armor of one of their knights.
"Then best I go below and stay out of sight... I'll be close by and listening for sounds of trouble, but if they see me free on deck, they'll suspect this vessel is not on a mission that would meet their approval."
"Of course they will attempt to search us. The King demands taxes on trade or smugglers be caught!" Kargeld spits on the floor in anger at the question from Rythian. "My men are decent scrappers but not hardy fighters. We are smugglers not pirates. Usually we flee in times like these. You persecuted ones could all cover yourselves with robes and pretend to be prisoners that one of you is taking somewhere. I could tie you up if you like..." he suggests with a creepy smile on his face.
I'd rather not be tied up, and I think I speak for my new companions here as well. He looks around for confirmation from the others.
Besides, They would likely be very interested in taking custody of said "prisoners" for a large variety reasons. Or at least escorting us. I say we try to bluff our way out, and should that fail, have a plan b that involves them dieing or being captured, and not us.
Baziel, fly out towards that ship and see if you can tell how many people are on it. Don't get too close though, no need for unnecessary risk.
The invisible Imp nods before taking flight towards the other ship.
Standing up and scanning the horizon for this ship
..back home, I remember hearing a story of a male saying almost the same thing to a female commoner..about tying her up that is. He did not look so happy when he was tied up...alive and with his own entrails. I would forgo anymore talk of tying us up. From within the hood a slight red glow seeps out from within.
Szordrin looks around at the others
If we decide to destroy them as I feel we should, I can get someone over to that ship just as it gets close. A person that enjoys up close and personal combat. I can give that person the ability to levitate and I can also turn them invisible. So they just stand on the rail and as the ship gets close enough they can jump over towards the ship and levitate up over the guards and once over them levitate back down. All this while you are invisible. When we attack we have a strong fighter at their backs. I would think that those on the ship would not put up much of a fight as they would most likely take the more experienced fighters with them to inspect our ship.
As you all and Kargeld continue your talks the ship gets closer...
Why not simply distract them. If we've got an invisible flyer a few flasks of oil and a nice fire would have them end their pursuit.