Tsador, licks his lips... a blackened tongue sliding across ragged skin... whilst he considers Grayface's offer, "It's above a price I'd normally pay... that's for sure... But... they are damnable fine weapons". The Half-Orc, setting down the scimitar, sidles up to Grayface - a consiratorial look in his eyes, "I'll give you fifteen hundred... Like you ask but you gotta do something for me... This here is competition - and I don't like it... This is my patch and my weapons are the finest for leagues around... You gotta encourage this Salamander to take his work elsewhere... I don't care how, that's up ta you". Tsador spits in his palm and offers it to Grayface, "Deal?"
"I spoke with High Mother Dremagne yesterday, she informed me that she has already asked you to investigate this 'Crowned Skull' matter... Our interests are not normally aligned - she wishes prosperity for the living, I merely wish respect for the departed... But, on this issue, we agree - the undead threat, which we believe to originate from the Spire, must be ended"
In response to Ea's offer of help, Father Falindor asks for assistance with burial of the bidy that Ea helped to clean, "On the morn, I will inter the body... Your presence, you and I shall be the only ones present, would be welcomed... We will start before first light"
"Great Master in the Deep? No, that's nothing I have heard tell of before... Yet, it is well known that the Spire pierces the ground for many miles... Who knows what is down there? A shame about the serpentfolk... You need to be cautious about that portal... If the priest could leave that way then there is surely nothing stopping something coming back the other way..."
There is a glint in Royst's eye when Yasmin suggests off-loading the masks, "Might be I know someone over Thornkeep way... Leave the masks with me and I'll ask around"
...and, as he pours yet another cup of tea for himself, he enquires, "Those glass cylinders? Have you tried my hypothesis yet? Do they function as I thought?"
The scarred fighter's good eye darted to the right, looking mischievously at Rallos for a moment, then turned his mirthful gaze back at Tsador. Smiling through his teeth, he replied,
"I give you our iron-clad guarantee that the salamander's hammer will not meet his anvil anytime soon."
Spitting into his own palm would have been difficult as his throat was parched from road dust, but the thought of that much money made his mouth water. He thrust his wet palm out and firmly shook the smith's calloused hand, sealing the deal.
Fifteen hundred gold coins...wow! Being an adventurer is a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it!
Rallos nodded at Tsador.
A pleasure Tsador. We may be back to get further equipment for our return to the Spire. Until then... the teifling bows as he exits the workshop.
On the way to the Julliver, he elbows Gray.
Murassa has first round, I think you will get the second, third and fourth....
I'll be there tomorrow morning, Father. I'll try to go to bed not too late, but I want to check a few things in our library first.
Yasmin nods in agreement with Royst. "I'll leave these masks in your capable hands."
"As for the cylinders, they worked just like you said! But it's strange. As I teleported, I heard a voice call out to me, asking to be saved. I worry there's more to this teleportation than meets the eye."
Yasmin shows Royst the rune denoting the seventh level. "Speaking of which, we found this carving for the number Seven. Could you teach me how to pronounce this, like you did with the others?"
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"I didn't hear any voices in my head, but I did have the strangest sensation that something was watching me," Murassa said, looking up thoughtfully. "Wonder if it has anything to do with whatever being constructed the Spire..."
Shaking his head to get rid of such thoughts, Murassa turned back tot he present conversation and asked, "I don't know if you've told the others, but what language is this?"
The walk from Tsador's to the Julliver is a happy occasion, a large bag of coins providing a reassuring... indeed, a rewarding weight to Grayface as Rallos talks happily about Murassa having the honour of buying the first round... The mood is abruptly punctured when, approaching the tavern, Grayface and Rallos realise there are no signs of activity from within...
...and, nailed to the door, a sign written in gothic script, Notice of Closure - Lady Commander Drovust, Order of the Pike - the Law will be upheld.
"The library? What will you research Sister?"
Royst puts down the cup of tea he was nursing and, with arched eyebrows, "You say a voice? And you, Murassa, a presence? Intriguing... and this Pech spoke of a 'Great Master'? I fear that there are forces at work here greater than any simple band of troglodytes or bandit gang... You should be cautious with your use of the glass devices... Who is to know what power such an entity could wield..."
"Hmmm.... Still. Let's practice those numbers then - it's a particular dialect of Azlanti, Murassa"; rolling vowels and consonants through alien combinations, the old mage teaches Yasmin and Murassa the numbers One through to Seven....
Returning his attention to the death masks, "Now.... Hmmm, I'll look at getting you a buyer for these... What other business have you in town?"
Rounding a bend the fighter's suspicion rose as he saw the paper's corners fluttering in the wind, clearly nailed to the Julliver's door in a prominent fashion. Knowing that this was almost certainly a bad thing, he increased his pace and arrived at the front of the establishment. Grayface stood with eyes narrowed as he read the blunt declaration upon the door, all notions of a cool mead washing down a warm meal dispelled.
He turned to Rallos, anger and disappointment obvious in his eyes.
"Where the hell are we supposed to sleep if the only inn in the Fort is locked up tight?"
Turning sharply he spit into the mud and began a search up and down the road until he found a hellknight.
"I need to ask you a question. My companions are I have been delving the depths of the Spire but have returned to the Fort once again for rest. We require a place to sleep this night, and the Julliver is apparently closed. Are there any other rentable beds within the fort?"
Grayface was extremely curious about how the Julliver had run afoul of the law, but he felt it was unwise to open that topic for discussion while he was trying to arrange a lodging situation for his friends.
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Taking off his backpack, worn and weathered through the years of ownership, he placed it on the floor before him and asked, "Are you any good at crafting? I was interested in gaining a dimensional storage container, and wondered if you'd be able to turn my old backpack into one. If not, I'd be more than willing to buy a new one for you to work on, but the bag has a bit of sentimental value to me."
I don't like this one bit, Gray. Do you not find it odd that the only inn in the fort is closed up? And under the Lady Commander's authority? I fear we might be caught in the middle of something....we should find the rest...better to be together, I think. You get out of buying drinks this night. Let's get Yasmin and Murassa first...perhaps Royst knows what's going on.
Yasmin allows Murassa to do his discussion. But she also has a question on her mind. She looks around for a moment, and her voice becomes quieter. "So, why is the fort on lockdown? It's not normal - seems like there's some tension in the air."
Everything we know about demons and serpentfolk. We meet some in the Spire.
The Hellknight patrol, four imposingly armoured knights, marching along Juliver way halt when haled by Grayface - inscrutable beneath their helmets, a gruff response is barked at the warrior and his friend, "The Julliver will remain closed whilst our investigations continue... In the meantime, there is the Red Shield and the Helmed Lady - both are respectable establishments. As law abiding folk, you will find them adequate for your needs". There is something implied beneath the directions - a suggestion that, as previous patrons of the Julliver, you are under suspicion...
Several hours in the small library collected in the Temple of Silence provides Ea with further knowledge...
On Demon Lords
Demon lords are the most powerful of their kind—and as with the demonic horde itself, they are countless and varied. Although mighty, and in some cases gods themselves, no demon lord can claim rule of the Abyss as a whole—the best one can attain is rulership over a handful of Abyssal realms, and most can barely maintain sway over even one layer of the Abyss. Another category of unique demons exists between the mighty balor race and the demon lords—these are nascent demon lords, powerful entities that, in time, might achieve enough power that the Abyss takes note and elevates them to the status of actual demon lords - Kro'akoth whilst an obscure Demon Lord has established his own realm in Mereznia (a hidden cavern-rest in the Spiral Path).
On Serpentfolk
Of all the subterranean horrors known to the civilized races, few inspire as much fear and horror as the venomous serpentfolk. These cold-blooded, wholly evil reptilian masters forged a long-lasting empire on a foundation of relentless conquest, slavery, and arcane power. Driven by arrogance and avarice, they waged war in the name of their slithering god, subjugating subterranean creatures and surface dwellers alike. However, the rise of mammalian humanoids eventually gave the serpentfolk pause. History tells of the titanic struggles carried out between the serpentfolk and the greatest of humanity’s progeny, a battle first waged on the sunlit surface world before it plumbed the depths of its darkest recesses.
At the climax of these wars, a cataclysmic event shook the pillars of the serpentfolk empire, severing their connection to their god and casting them into disarray. The serpentfolk were driven into retreat. Their brooding leaders went into hibernation in deep, dark holds as a strategy for outliving and outlasting their enemies. But with the passage of generations and centuries, the still- active serpentfolk guarding these strongholds devolved into degenerate brutes, only occasionally giving birth to a highborn example of their original greatness—further emphasizing the race’s humiliating descent from its once noble heights. Now, their true champions slumber in ageless hibernation, waiting for the day when humanity undefoes its own decline so the serpentfolk can seize power again.
As a race, the serpentfolk have undergone a radical transformation since the height of their lost empire. The waning of their snake-god’s influence caused a sharp distinction to manifest in the original “purecaste” specimens (those with the advanced serpentfolk template), giving birth to the more commonly encountered “degenerate” serpentfolk. Yet, the twin strains within the overall race continue to intersect—a purecaste serpentfolk of genius intelligence might result from a pairing of degenerate brutes, just as a purecaste might give birth to more monstrous offspring. Regardless, all serpentfolk share a common bond, with purecastes leveraging the strengths of the degenerates to ensure their mutual survival.
"I fear the Lady Commander is becoming more draconian... The attacks by the undead are increasing in their frequency and in their lethality. Until the threat is dealt with, the Lady Commander has decreed that the gates remain closed", pausing for a moment, "It gets worse, there is an underground movement here in the Fort - a group who reject the rule of the Hellknights and who have become more brazen in their talk... Druvost will end this threat of rebellion by any means".
Yasmin's ears perk up. "Rebellion, you say? By who? Some of us here have not always seen eye to eye with the Lady Commander." She looks first to Royst and then to Murassa, to emphasize their shared feelings on this matter. "But I'd hate for someone even worse to take charge. Do you think it has any connection to the undead?"
Gray, my friend, it seems as though we might be caught in the midst of something bad here. I did not like the tone that hellknight took with you. Don't they know we did work for the Lady Commander? Something dire is coming, mark my words. Rallos says when the patrol is out of earshot. He repeatedly looks over his shoulder to make sure they aren't being followed, his senses alert with suspicion.
Let's make haste....I think being split up is not a great idea at the moment.
"Agreed"
Needing no more words to convey his feelings on the subject, he walked alongside Rallos in search of his friends, suddenly regretting their decision to split up earlier that day.
Royst gets up to shut the front door and to draw the curtains before continuing, ”I do not believe that there is any connection between the Seven Foxes and the rise in undead activity – the Foxes seek to free the Fort from tyranny of Hellknight rule and restore freedom to those who reside here… the very thought that they would raise the dead is anathema to their beliefs. I fear the Lady Commander overplayed her hand when she put the Fort into a curfew – folk of the River Kingdoms do not respond well to such restriction. There have been several brazen contraventions of the curfew already - all instigated by the Foxes”.
The doors to Royst's home are closed when the friends arrive... and, unusually for the time of day, the curtains are drawn...
...yet, puffing gently from the chimney, a grey-ish smoke suggests someone is at home...
Upon observance of the closed drapes, Grayface raised an eyebrow and looked again into his friend's eyes. These sideways glances of profundity and suspicion were growing ever so common, and this pleased the fighter not at all. He walked right up to the door and used the brass knocker, rapping three times.
Without waiting for an answer he said in a firm voice, "Yas, Murassa? Royst?"
Rallos watches the area as he and Gray wait for an answer at Royst's house.
I hope Royst is on the right end of this split in the fort...
Yasmin was hardly a great reader of people, but even she could tell where Royst's sympathies lay. Not a huge surprise given his feelings towards Druvost. She's about to speak when she's startled by a rapping on the door. She freezes, until she hears Gray's familiar voice, and opens the door.
"Gray! Rallos! You really startled me there. Come on in. I thought you were all headed to the Julliver Arms." Once they are inside, she quickly closes the door and lowers her voice. "Our friend Royst here has some interesting insight in the lockdown. Apparently, the Hellknights are getting antsy about both the undead attacks and a group known as the Seven Foxes that are rebelling against Hellknight authority."
She returns her attention to Royst. "So, are there really seven people leading this rebellion like the name suggests? What are their beliefs?"
Well, they closed the Julliver down....there is a decree from the Hellknights on the door. We got a rather frosty reception from a patrol when we asked them about it. I am not liking this situation....not at all.
He turns to Royst.
Anything you can tell us? Is there going to be a battle
"There are two other inns here - the Red Shield and the Helmed Lady. We haven't been to either yet, so who knows how they'll compare to the Julliver, though this whole business is suspicious."
"We were given a mission to investigate the undead, the idea being that they're coming from the Spire. But how can that be? We've delved pretty deep, and I won't believe that these undead are slipping past us from deeper within. We would have seen evidence or encountered them if that were so. Maybe there is another hidden exit from a deeper level, like from the Splinter's lair? Or maybe the undead scourge has nothing to do with the Spire?"
The warrior shook his head, exasperated with all the intrigue, not to mention he was physically exhausted from carrying the snakeman all the way from the Spire.
Royst, who was spooked by the sudden rapping at the door, relaxes when he sees it is just Grayface and Rallos - he offers them tea before talking a little more about the current situation in the Fort...
"Let me start with some local history... In the spring of 4681, a Hellknight named Emos Varden passed through what used to be called Southwood shortly after a gang of brigands had set fire to several farmhouses on the outskirts of town and carried off the hapless families living there. Varden belonged to the Order of the Pike; he was bound for the Worldwound to battle against demonic hordes and wasn’t particularly interested in troubles with outlaws. But the people of Southwood scraped together enough gold to hire him as their protector, and Varden decided his crusade could begin here. Varden and his 30 seasoned troops embarked on a months-long campaign of viciously eradicating banditry wherever they found it. Any brigands his forces found on the road were killed and nailed to trees as a warning to others. By the beginning of summer, no outlaw dared show his face within 20 miles of Southwood".
"When the town council approached Varden to offer their gratitude and payment, the Hellknight announced that he would not be continuing to Mendev. During his campaign, he had realized the need to secure the region for other pilgrims and crusaders on their way to the northern battles. He announced the establishment of a Hellknight stronghold and informed Southwood’s council that he was placing the town under martial law. Taking the title “lord commander” to signify his command of the Hellknight garrison and his obligation to protect the town, Varden dissolved the town council and began construction of a permanent citadel, 'Fort Inevitable', named for the inevitability of order’s triumph."
Royst continues, "Lord Varden ruled with a heavy hand, but the town flourished in many ways. He and his Hellknights constructed a city wall and a stone keep, making Fort Inevitable the best-defended town on the Crusader Road. The town’s provisioners and armorers made a hefty profit from equipping Hellknight contingents bound for Mendev. Members of allied Hellknight orders came to serve at Fort Inevitable, establishing themselves alongside the Order of the Pike. Varden participated in several expeditions to Mendev, but always returned to Fort Inevitable. Five years ago, Varden’s reign ended when an assassin struck him down with a crossbow bolt. His second-in-command at the time was a senior maralictor named Audara Drovust... Yes, your friend the Lady Commander..."
"Lady Drovust took command and investigated the assassination. Within a month, she rounded up 11 suspected conspirators who were supposedly plotting to overthrow the Hellknight regime. Some of the conspirators went to the gallows still protesting their innocence, but the lady commander informed them they would receive the exact same clemency they had shown to Lord Varden, and hanged them anyway".
With the short history lesson over, Royst explains why that is relevant now, "The Seven Foxes movement was borne from the Lady Commander's first actions... Up until that time, folk had lived beneath the yoke of Hellknight law but at the same time, there was prosperity... Those days, it would seem are gone and now the Lady Commander is forced to use ever more draconian measures... Indeed, Rallos and Grayface have seen that the Julliver is currently closed... I fear Doliver Reedbank, the owner of the place is detained in the Citadel - accused of sympathising with the rebellion"
Royst takes a sip of his tea and looks into the orange glow of his fire, "These are dangerous days, my friends... dangerous days indeed... it will not come to open warfare but, if we continue on this path, blood will be spilt"
When Grayface asks about the undead... and expresses a doubt that they could be coming from deep within the spire, Royst looks at him quizzically,"...and tell me, my friend... just exactly how did you travel out of the spire? Yasmin tells me that my deductions about those crystals was correct... is it not feasible that these undead are somehow utilising similar means?"
Grayface declined the offer of tea - it always tasted like little more than hot wet grass to him.
He could not dispute the simple logic of the old man's words. If someone down deeper had access to another cylinder of teleportation then they would be able to transport undead monsters to the surface with ease. Gray didn't like the implications of such a theory.
The fighter said nothing, but nodded sagely in agreement with Royst's words, silently agreeing that it was in the realm of possibility.
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"We should find Ea and go find a room for the night. This place is ready to bubble over with trouble, and if that happens I'd rather we were together as a group."
"Ah, so you're saying that Druvost just found some innocent people to scapegoat for Varden's assassination? I can imagine that would've created a lot of unhappy people. Did you know any of those people? And what about Doliver Reedbank?"
Royst is quick to refute Yasmin's suggestion, "No... No... No... That would be sedition to suggest such a thing"....
...and then relaxing, "Only the Lady Commander truly knows whether she sent innocent men to the gallows on that day... They weren't associates of mine - they were mostly from the farms and smallholdings around the Fort. Reedbank though, the Lady Commander is clutching at straws... There is no way that he's involved with the Foxes".
"You have dealings with the Lady Commander? Might be you can get her to stop this madness before it gets out of hand"... "Also, given the current atmosphere in the town, I'd recommend the Helmed Lady over the Red Shield... The Hellknights tend to frequent the Shield".
...One of the Order barks at Grayface, "The Lady Commander will want an account... She is with a patrol until this evening and will be informed of your return".
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Gray thanked the old mage for his openness and his candor, then began not-so-subtly implying that it was probably time for them to leave.
"We need to go find Ea, then find us a bed for the night. The Lady Commander will possibly be back sometime this evening; should we ask her about the lockdown?"
"Much as I appreciate the old man's warnings, I'm tempted to get us a room at the Red Shield. Maybe there we'll overhear some news from the off duty knights."
Red shield sounds as good as the other to me....listening in to the knights might pay off...as well as a few well placed pints of ale...
"Seems to me the Hellknights are in a bad mood and arresting innocent people. I could stop by the Red Shield for an afternoon drink, but there's no way I'm sleeping there."
Yasmin lets out a sigh. "And to think we were ready to enjoy some nice drinks at the Julliver."
"Then let's find Ea and hit up the Helmed Lady."
The fighter took the lead with his friends close behind, silently agreeing with the sorceress' sentiments.
Aye, let's get going.
Rallos walked behind the rest of the party, his eyes darting everywhere, looking for any sign of danger.
Taking their leave of Royst and heading towards the Helmed Lady, the friends call in upon Ea at the Temple of Silence – they find her deep in contemplation of various tomes strewn across an austere table… the books, dusty and old, are open at pages illustrated with serpentfolk rituals and graphically explicit images of demons…
Together once more, the friends make their way along the Northway towards the Helmed Lady – whether it is just because they have been to the Julliver and then spoken to Royst about the Seven Foxes or it is due to a genuine atmosphere around the place, the town seems tense… not poised to descend into a rebellion but certainly a populace resenting the presence of their ‘protectors’. Indeed, talk in the Helmed Lady – the tavern is busy even in the early afternoon – seems to revolve around Hellknight investigations / activities… the conversations stop briefly as the friends enter but, with previous patrons of the Julliver recognising and acknowledging the friends, the talk is soon free-flowing…
An aged female dwarf, with a weather beaten face and grey hairs showing in her long black hair, behind the bar hales the friends as soon as they enter, ”Ye’ll be wanting rooms? And to sample our famous Alemaster Beers then?”
"Ma'am, I prefer to be asked before my mind is read."
The fighter's rare attempt at a joke came across as deadpan, though he was actually going for a flare of humor.
He ordered a beer and a plate of whatever fare was being offered that evening, and finally requested a room. He turned to survey the room again, looking for a comfortable spot for the group to sit a spell and unwind. He turned back to the bar, accepted the beer and quaffed it in half a moment. Wiping the foam from his greedy lips, his gaze met with Murassa's,
"You're still buying the first round, eh? I'll have another one of those." He burped contentedly and moseyed over to an empty table, aware of looks his armed and armored large frame always attracted in taverns. He wasn't good looking, but he knew he looked hard. It was something, at least.
Aye, ma'am. And some nice warm food too if you have some available...no rations tonight.
"You're in luck - ye can have our last two rooms... Place got busy with Old Man Julliver not open for business... Course there's always the Red Shield but...", the Dwarven Lady smiles, "...folks aren't minded to be drinking there these days". Five tankards, frothing with a particularly aromatic foam are placed on the bar, "These ones are on the house".
Rallos grabs a couple of gold coins from his purse. He slips them to the barmaid. He leans in a bit...
Why is that, ma'am? It's just we don't want to wind up on the wrong side in this...dispute I'll call it.
Yasmin takes up one of the offered ales. "What do they have Doliver Reedbank arrested for, anyway?" she asks, following up about the closing of their former inn. "I thought the Julliver was a pretty quiet place."
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"It would seem that the first round has already been taken care of," Murassa said to Greyface with a grin. "But, because I'm such a nice guy, I will graciously buy the second round for us." With that, he took up his own mug and downed a third of it. Wiping away the foam, and sneaking in a quick taste, he looked around the room. "So, what do you think of the crowd here?"
"Lady Commander got information that Reedbank was letting the Foxes use the Julliver as a meeting place - all garbage of course... The old man knows better than that - no way Druvost will make the charge stick and she'll have to let him go... Don't know what happens then... I guess it depends on how he's bin treated", the Dwarf wipes the bar clean, fastidiously polishing the taps, "So, I haven't seen you here before? You new to the town?"
"We've been delving into the Emerald Spire for the last several weeks, so we're still pretty new to town, yes. This is my first visit to the Lady."
"The folks at the Julliver have been kind to us, and so we wish them no ill-will."
Gray was being deliberately 'hands-off' about the continued patronage and friendship at the Julliver in case there were unfriendly ears about.
"This is a nice inn. We should've visited sooner! Seen any interesting folk come here lately? Strange times with these undead attacks and all."
-Posted with Wayfinder
A look of understanding sweeps across the barkeeper's face, "Of course you are!!! Folks have been talking about you... Can I let you into a secret? Each time you head out to the Spire, a little sweepstake gets set up... As to whether you will come back or not!!! The first time you went out, not a soul put a crown on you being seen agin... Now it's sort of fifty / fifty".
"The undead attacks are troubling for sure... But the Lady Commander is over-reacting... If she shuts the town down then trade will die away and Thornkeep will take the spoils from the trade route... I'd heard a rumour that High Mother Dremagne had asked you to delve the Spire for the source of the undead?"
There is an awkward silence, "I'd heard another rumour? That you were working for the Lady Commander? Is that so?"
Grayface leaned against the bar as the barkeep asked questions. The prodding nature of the questions became more intrusive, though he wasn't sure how much it actually mattered who knew the details of their employ. Simple common sense seemed to indicate that caution was wise, and so he personally declined to answer and waited for one of his more charismatic friends to reply.
Laughing, the dwarf replies to Murassa, ”Ha, I think everyone in the Fort knows your relationship with the Hellknights Murassa!!!”… before, more thoughtfully, ”Honestly? I couldn’t tell you why Reedbank is warming a prison cell bed… maybe the Lady Commander wants to put the scares on the Foxes… it’s a miscalculation though, the Reedbanks are well loved around these parts”.
As the friends gave been talking, a large-ish crowd has formed at the bar... Making sure that everyone has drinks, the dwarf apologises that she has to serve other customers, ”It’s never been so busy!!!”
Nodding to the friendly barkeep, Grayface went to secure a table large enough for all his friends where they could rest their aching feet and enjoy a few well-earned libations.
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