At Kalts questions, the guardsmen look at each other nervously, with Volan's resolve to move past this embarrassment breaking the stalemate. "First off, the tower is surrounded with an impenetrable wall of ice 30' high. The only way is for two of the guards from above to use magical to allow you passage through it. Then there's the portcullis. Inside you'll find a troll or two, varying numbers of guards, sprites, and atomies. I don't think there are any traps, but there has been talk about things other than men guarding the highest level of the tower. It is there you'll find the Captain Hestrig Orlov, and Jairess Sonn, the raven storm." One of the others pipes up, "Don't ferget Lady Argentina or whatever her face is." Scowling back at the upstart, Volan continues. "Yes, the Lady ARGENTEA has been a guest of Radosek and Nazhena for almost 2 weeks now, but she almost never comes down to the ground floors where the guardsmen stay. To move about the tower you need command phrases, and I only know the one to move between the first and second floors. A gathering within the hall, take one, take us all. Now, about magical defenses, they really don't have any, at least none they've shown me. They do have a LOT of mirrors in nearly every room, allowing them to yell at anyone they want at any time."
Gilganis coldly stares at the men, obviously wrestling with his own inner demons during the discussion. As the group has taken the lead on questioning the captured men he does not speak up, until the conversation seems to be nearing a conclusion.
"While I am not at all fond of the idea of these men heading to another town to harry the residents, I do take some comfort in the fact that if they were to choose to do so it would be without their common support of more soldiers and the witches. I'm also willing to accept that acting under orders would describe the reason for some of their actions in the past, however enthusiastically they followed said orders." the tiefling adds, trying to apply logic over emotion to the situation. "However, the fact remains I am no closer to regaining my family or the ones I have lost. And I feel these men have a debt to repay before they are simply allowed to walk free."
"It seems our goal is the Tower, and the information it contains. Gaining entrance on the other hand eludes us. My proposal is that these men, to repay for their acts, assist us with gaining that entrance. They feign capture of our party, and lead us into the structure. Once we have made entrance, we let them go on their way, if they survive, and follow through on their vow to not cross our paths again. If they betray us, they will have proven their dishonestly beyond a doubt, and will find the tower their grave."
Gilganis looks to the party each in turn, and then to the men, "Under that condition, I will find comfort that we are doing the right thing by letting these men go. They will have publicly betrayed their liege, and will find no allies within his walls."
The men balk at Gilganis' proposal. "We'll give you our guard cloths and point the way to the front gate, but if you expect us to lead you into the Tower and THEN make it publicly known we've double crossed them, then I think you've been inhaling too many of your strange fumes alchemist. We'll not be going back into that tower again. We've already publicly betrayed our liege as you put it by sitting here in the snow and telling you everything we know. Half the town is in the witches pocket, do you think this little chat has gone unnoticed?" replied Volan, mentally preparing himself for a retaliatory strike for rejecting his captor's plan.
"I think your plan is a bold one, Gilganis, but one we will have trouble bringing to bear. One of our number is somewhat...handicapped at the moment," Kalt says, with a quick glance at Gil's shop, where Avora sits blinded. "We will have to wait until we are at our strongest to make an attempt on the tower, and if these guards are missing for a few days, their return will attract unwanted attention. We should take their uniforms, as Volan suggests, in case they should prove useful, but I think we must let them go on their way, or kill them here. I suspect you will be given other chances to collect on the tower's debts - and find your children, I hope - before this thing is done."
Volan and his men listen to Sven's words, internalizing them as they begin to set their minds on how to live a "better" life.
" I agree with Kalt. I think expecting them to lead us in to the Tower is too much. Sorry friend Gil, I know you deserve more, but...."
Shrugging, Ankih will look around again, then head back into the Flask to check on Avora.
"Let them have the gear and send them on their way, we need to plan..."
A gathering within the hall, take one, take us all. Gotta remember that.
Bugsby looks more inclined to agree with Gilganis, but doesn't press the issue as the rest seem ready to let them go. He sighs dramatically, patting the tieflings leg, "We'llmakethempayGilganis, you'llsee!" and heads inside with the others. After hearing about the fortress defenses and thinking further he adds with a touch of sadness, "ThelovelyblueMeirulwillprobablybetheretoo." not wanting to overlook his lost love.
At some point he'll ask the others, "So, arewegoingtowaitforpoorAvoratoseeagainbeforewedoanything?", wanting to have a better understanding of their plans.
Bugsby does have a couple suggestions for shopping, "Myfriends, togetinsidewemayneedsomething, whatdoyouthinkofmylist?"
Grappling Hook - to scale the 30' wall
Hot spiced wine - for warmth
Sweatmeats - for eating
A library - for reading if they get bored
A dragon - to burn down the fortress
Something that kills raven storms
Avora accepts Sven's hand and follows him where she is led, trying to rely on her other senses as much as possible. She tries to identify sounds and smells as they walk and actively counts her steps between each change of direction.
" Hah! Friend Bugsby, that is an impressive list indeed. Though I want Nothing to do with dragons or ravens for that matter."
Ankih says while touching his not-quite healed eyes, and with a glance at Avora.
"If Gil doesn't mind, I will stay here at the Flask with him. We don't want to over-burden Nadya with all of us at once. I will come along to plan tho.."
Gilganis nods to Ankih, "You are more than welcome my friend."
"As it appears our paths have crossed, for good or ill, and our goal is a common one. If you will have me, I would like to accompany your band to the tower and see what information I can dig up there about the whereabouts of my children. I will do whatever is within my power to in turn assist you in your quest." the tiefling says to those still gathered, hoping for the best.
"And in the meantime, I'll see what I can come up with that might help turn our small friend here a little more...blue." he adds, casting a grin to the gnome.
Bugsby does a little happy dance at Gilganis's remembrance of his request to be blue, hugging the Tieflings leg spontaneously.
When they get to Nadya's house to rest and get Avora healed, Bugsby keeps an eye out for the mystery person who might be able to help them into the tower... after his unofficial, self-guided tour of the place.
Nadya’s house is apparent from the others, built from a completely different design than the rest of the village. A smaller house, it seems to have been built organically, room by room. As more space is needed, a new room was added. Entering the home it is quite cozy, with Nadya having started a fire as soon as she was home. Handmade furniture is strewn about the living area and there is a small kitchen with the beginnings of a stew being prepared. There are a few different sized bedrooms and a closet that is home to a strange little creature. Only about a foot tall and dressed in a chaotic outfit seemingly made from discards of other peoples larger clothes, the tiny thing brandishes a wooden cooking spoon as if it were a greatsword. Its small eyes appear red rimmed and it hops out of the closet and plants itself in front of the door to one of the bedrooms.
”Back.BackIsays.” it hollers when anyone gets close.
Bugsby grins happily at the appearance of the small fellow, "HibackbackIsays! I'mBugsby!" and sticks out his hand to shake.
"Thank you, Nadya, for welcoming us in your home," Kalt says, chuckling at the little creature and Bugsby's approach to it. "I assume this little one is not one of your children? If so, there's even more to you than meets the eye."
Nadya laughs at the reaction her smallest guest receives from the party. "He is a Domovoi. A type of fae that are often used as servants. This one here is Hatch. He used to be a servant of the witches in the tower, but was abused badly. He ran away and Thora found him in the snow half frozen. She took him in and nursed him back to health." As the mention of her daughter, both Nadya and Hatch begin to stifle sobs. Pressing on, she continues, "It was because of Hatch that Thora gained the eye of Nazhena. The witch herself came to remind us who controlled our little village and Thora did what children do, she spoke her mind. She berated the witch in front of half the town for her treatment of Hatch, and for that she was apparently turned into a doll and sent to watch a Taldan forest."
It is at this time that Hatch turns into a blubbery mess and vanishes from sight, spots of teardrops falling mark his path back to his closet. "It is he I thought might help you with the tower, though with how long you questioned Volan, not sure if you know as much as him now. He stayed here because of Thora, with her gone, I don't know what he'll do."
As the sad story of Hatch's presence is explained, the customary merriment and laugh lines on his face twist into a deep and poignant sadness. The gnome moves to outside the closet-room of the small fey, leans back against the wall next to it and, after a moment, begins speaking in a strange tongue through the closet door.
"Having a source of knowledge of the inner workings of this tower would only further aid our cause to be sure. His assistance would no doubt help us to revenge Thora, and would be most welcome, should he be willing. And if we are successful he may find some peace as well as be willing to accept a new home with you and your family, which it seems he may have already considered." Gilganis says to the Ulfen woman.
The closet door opens a crack as the small fae, now visible, peers out at Bugsby. He doesn't say anything, but slowly steps out before burying his face in the Gnomes chest. As the days pass while waiting for Avora's sight to return, the two become thick as thieves, and even do some minor larceny of some sweetbreads from the neighbor's windowsill. Hatch amazes Bugsby with some of his tricks, the ability to turn into a small dog, and fling small items without touching them. After a few thimblefuls of ale one night, he actually begins to juggle Bugsby, playfully tossing him around the room and allowing the Gnome to "walk" on the ceiling.
The group tends to stay indoors, as more guards and winter-touched fae begin to patrol the streets looking for the party. Those staying at the Iron Flask hear the sounds of an argument as the Brother attending the shrine of Pharasma next door openly declares that he's glad there's people to stand up to the witches. A blackened eye and bloody nose later, they toss the priest into his little temple and continue their search.
Finally, Avora wakes with her sight having returned and the group prepares to make for the Tower.
Gilganis suggests that the party consider their resources before setting out. He makes himself available as needed during the days they are waiting for Avora to regain her sight and notes that there are several shops within the town that they might be able to find valuable supplies, based on their available funds. He mentions the general store, blacksmith, and carpenter would all be good places to check, as they sometimes carry some more exotic items acquired in trade.
Bugsby has some of the most fun he's ever had during those mischievous days with Hatch. The little fey proving to be capable of endless fun and on those brief periods of sadness, the gnome finds himself in the unaccustomed position of comforter, but it's a role he takes seriously.
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Ankih spends the time, watching Bugsby and Hatch's antics, keeping an eye on Avora until her sight returns and practicing his healing craft.
" Gil I believe CLW potions would be a great help, and will gladly pitch for costs and expenses. As for alchemical flasks, I believe acid would be cheaper and possibly more effective than alchemist's fire, last time the troll had some kind of fire resistance going on."
He learns that he can use his new spell reach abilities with his spontaneous casting of cure spells, it just takes longer...
" So...Bugsby, where does your power come from? You don't study or pray. I had a .... vision... when I was blind. I was casting about with fiery rays that I don't currently possess. I got the feeling that my goddess wanted more from me than just the healing arts....Have you ever heard of a Mystic Thuerge?"
Bugsby gives Ankih a deeply offended look, as if the clerics words have wounded him deeply, "Wha-youthink-howcan-Inever-Excuseme!?" and the skin around the gnomes neck starts to redden. He starts to pace back and forth, his steps short, quick, and angry, "Never Study, you say? NEVER STUDY!?" He seems to be having trouble forming coherent thoughts and sentences at this point, "Haveyouevercountedhowmanytimesababychickopensandclosesitsmouthina48hourspa n?! Haveyouevertestedhowlongafishcanholditsbreathoutofwater? Orhowlongacatcanholditsbreathwhenheldunderwater?! Never Studied indeed! Isupposeyou'dconsiderkickingawatchmanintheshinandtiminghowlongittakesthemto catchyou 'never studying'!" With that the disgusted gnome throws his hands up above his head, too disgusted to continue, and moves off to find Hatch to help him calm down, sputtering and mumbling under his breath all the while.
...About five minutes later he returns, all traces of frustration completely vanished, and he picks up their conversation as if nothing happened, "NoIhavenotheardofa Mystic Thuerge. Whatisit?" His eyes are bright and curious.
Avora spends the first few days in a slump, but is exhilarated when her sight finally returns. She hugs Sven excitedly, then heads outside to see the sun for the first time in days, reveling in the vivid colors in the world.
Bugsby heads out to check out those stores that Gil and Nadya suggest, keeping an eye out for a wand of cure light wounds, and a grappling hook, as well as candy... and a glass rocking horse if anyone has one available. If there is a place selling wands Bugsby takes a good look around seeing what else is available and potentially useful for the group. Due to the patrols in the area, the gnome delights in sneaking around from place to place when not hiding inside.
To aid the search, Bugsby also casts Detect Magic every so often, hoping to hone in on a place selling some magic equipment.
Kalt will join Bugsby in his search for useful supplies around town, just in case the exuberant gnome decides to make any new 'friends.' Though he fits in a bit better in terms of appearance than Bugsby, Kalt will still try to keep a very low profile.
The naturally stealthy gnome forgets himself, continually remarking how well Kalt is hiding, thus making his own stealth attempts, quite obvious. Many passerby's would just see a poorly-sneaking gnome, apparently talking aloud to himself around town.
Gilganis spends the next few days busy within the Flask, furiously working at the table and brewing a number of devices that will hopefully be of some use to the party in the coming days ahead.
When he can and if Gilganis doesn't mind, Bugsby watches the creation with rapt fascination. His little eyes barely clear the work table, tracking the rising bubbles in the jars, and other unknowable -but interesting- goings on.
With Kalt around to ensure the Gnome stays on task and doesn't strike up a conversation with one of the fae on how they became blue, the two of them manage to work their way around town and discover a few magical items and a grappling hook. The carpenter, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Tengezil Frimbocket has a basic magical staff made of a darkened wood, the blacksmith's sign is a magical shield light wooden shield that carries an second enchantment of abjuration, and in the general store there is a enhancement belt and studded leather with a fairly strong magical enchantment.
" I am sorry I offended you earlier, my friend. I did not realize such things were important to your craft. As to your question, I have heard that a Mystic Thuerge is a master of both the arcane and the divine arts, able to blend them to some extent. I believe that is the direction Milady is now steering me towards."
Ankih says with a smile.
" Mostly I was inquiring to discover if it was something you could teach me."
Knowing himself to be a dead give away for a foreigner, Ankih remains inside the Flask. Helping as he can or staying out of the way, whichever seems appropriate.
Bugsby approaches those with the magic items, asking politely if they're affiliated with a blue woman named Meirul and if they have any magic stuffs for sale.
The gnome looks confused when Ankih states he'd been offended, the occurrence all but forgotten by the little Bugsby. Patting the air as if to put the damper on the idea of negative feelings, he responds, "OhIsee. NoharmdoneandhonestlyIforgotwhatweweretalkingabout. Asforteachingyou..." and gives the cleric a thoughtful look. Shrugging after a moment, "Wellwhynot!" and for the next thirty minutes he leads Ankih on an import quest to count the fleas on a dog, filch two pastries, and watch their spit freeze while eating stolen pastries.
In all three cases, the shop keeps seem friendly enough as they greet the gnome. When he mentions Meirul, their faces drain of a bit of color and their eyes begin scanning outside. They politely, but loudly, explain that currently do not have anything magical to sell, especially to those seeking to bring the wrath of the lord and lady of the land upon them.
Bugsby notices that in all three instances, the shop keep slips a small note to into his pocket.
Keeping with the theme of secrecy, Bugsby doesn't tell anyone as he embarks to these meetings. He does try to gain somewhat of an advantage by sticking to the shadows of the meeting place(s).