Micheo steps forward, showing his holy symbol, and speaks clearly and loudly.
"By the name of Sarenrae, I can state that while I was raked by the werewolf's claws, it did not succeed in biting any of us."
"We are travelling, seeking safety for the night. May we camp outside here?"
"Haste to journey got the better of us. I understand why you wouldn't want to open the door at this hour with werewolves about. I think we'd sleep better camping here in case more turn up but I'm thankful to say it was likely alone... still we can't be certain."
The proposition briefly confuses the sentries, but they acquiesce. One of them slips out of sight, and you suspect he is going to report this development to a superior.
The rest of the night, spent at the foot of Adamas' perimeter wall, passes peacefully. Taking turns on watch, you each notice the stronghold's own watch rotation eyeing you curiously throughout the wee hours. It gives you the feeling of being an animal in a menagerie.
.....
Dawn breaks, and the gates open. Two squads of soldiers, each twelve strong, march out from the enclosure. They cast their eyes in your direction, but you are not the object of their intent. Instead, they seem to be morning patrols - one marching west towards Olfden, the other along the rest of the road eastward. These squads of rank-and-file soldiers are each led by an Eagle Knight, clad in shining steel breastplates adorned with gilded eagles at the pauldrons.
A third, smaller group follows the patrols. This group strides right up to the still encamped party. This delegation is led by another, unarmored Eagle Knight, escorted by a pair of more heavily armored guards. Strangely enough, they are also accompanied by a gnomish man with purple hair. The hair upon his head is a wild mess beneath his white cap, emblazoned with a red diamond, while his bushy goatee is sharply manicured.
"Good morning," the Eagle Knight officer greets you. "I am Lieutenant Garibaldi. I'm told you had a harrowing night."
"We did. We were attacked by a silver blood werewolf along with his hobgoblin companions. But that is not why I am here. I came looking for the Eagle Knights, and my companions got me here safely. I am here to give you this."
He handed over the evidence of Consortium corruption that they had found.
"And to turn myself in. You see, I have spent my entire life in Falcon's Hollow, working for the Consortium. They keep us so far in debt that we cannot leave and pay us so little that it is impossible to ever pay them back. And anyone who speaks out against them is either beaten, or vanishes. And, well...I know that I should have just come with the evidence. But Kreed, the boss there. He and his thugs threatened me, while lording their power over us. There was a sickness, and my companions and I found the cure. They took it, and they insulted me, and threatened...and I...I had my axe. And I killed him. I killed Kreed. I killed his thugs. I went axe-mad. And I ran. My companions here did nothing wrong, they are good people who risked their lives finding a cure for my town. And they risked their lives to get this evidence to you. I am the only one here at fault, for I lost control and I killed him. So I am turning myself in, but please, do not harm my friends."
With his speech done Ulark lowered his head and prayed, his heart pounding and his hands covered in sweat.
"Theres a rot thats been eating away at Falcons Hollow. Its far from the virtues the people of Andoran are so quick to extol.."
"I can't truly understnad why he took the axe to Kreed but he did. As you'll see Kreed earned it. Ulark hasn't mentioned how he risked his life to save Kreeds son and several other children by delving into a kobold lair. I beg you to help temper any judgement of Ulark with mercy."
Dugan nods his confirmation of Ulark's reckoning, keeping his mouth shut in case his tongue get them in trouble.
Lieutenant Garibaldi's eyes widen, and his escorts swap shocked looks. Whatever they may have expected to hear from these travelers, this is certainly not it. The Eagle Knight officer takes a deep breath, letting his eyes briefly dart between his subordinates at his side and on the parapet before returning to the party before him.
"I think it would be best for you to speak with Commander Odeber. Please come with me," the lieutenant requests, struggling to maintain his disciplined facade against the worried excitement just below the surface.
If the party offers no questions or objections, you are escorted inside the enclosure walls. You are marched across the drill yard and to the singular door set in the gleaming marble tower at the opposite end of the compound. You pass several bunkhouses, a small smithy, and other outbuildings on your way. Dozens of soldiers drill in the courtyard, patrol the walls, and attend to chores around the stronghold.
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Ulark followed numbly behind. Up until very recently his life was very simple. Meet you’re quotas. Keep you’re head down. Don’t make trouble. Simple. But now little made sense. So Ulark just did what he thought was right, and right now this was it. He just hoped that they wouldn’t hang him...
Inconnu moves with the others as a knot grows in his stomach. This could go very badly for them but it seemed like at the least they would be heard.
The soldiers at the door usher you into the broad, white marble tower. Lieutenant Garibaldi stations his own two escorts at the foot of a winding staircase, though he keeps the purple-haired gnome near at hand. The small man's mouth opens repeatedly, spewing the start of a question, but the lieutenant consistently cuts him off with a firm wave of his hand, done with drilled precision.
You ascend the winding stairs, passing several floors, until you are sure you must be near the top. Finally stopping near a thick, darkwood door, the lieutenant knocks, and a woman's voice grants permission to enter.
Finally, you are led into a well appointed office. The curving wall is lined with chests of drawers, topped with rolled sheets of parchment. The broad table dominating the center of the room is similarly covered in maps, charts, and field reports. A separate area, off to the right, is curtained off by a broad linen sheet.
Your attention is immediately drawn, however, to the fair-skinned officer standing over the table. Her bright hair is kept tightly bound in a long braid, and the gold trim of her uniform, belt, and sword are in immaculate condition.
"Lieutenant, are these the travelers who camped outside our walls?" she asks with an even yet commanding tone.
Garibaldi nods and makes a subtle gesture, requesting permission to approach. When granted, he steps beside his commander and whispers to her.
"I see," the commander replies, clearly intrigued. "You and Mister Tobblemouth are dismissed. Please ensure that our alchemist does not spread word of this matter."
Lieutenant Garibaldi and the gnome depart, closing the door behind them, leaving you with the stronghold commander in her private quarters.
Suddenly very nervous, Ulark managed to say in a quiet voice ”He has told you? What is to become of me? And of the evidence we have brought?”
"I'm sure we should mentioned the extenuating circumstances backed up with evidence of Kreeds many crimes... the evidence we could easily transport with us anyway."
"I am most willing to tell the full truth of what I have seen of Ulark's deeds. In short, he stood up to evil, if not in ideal circumstance or manner."
"I'm not going to have you flogged or beheaded, if that's what you're worried about," she says, trying to put Ulark at ease with her best effort at a joke. She sighs, composing herself before truly delving into the serious matter before you.
"If not for my position as a servant of Andoran, I would say that you have done the right thing for the wrong reason," Commander Odeber states, seemingly troubled by her own perspective. "Thuldrin Kreed is - or rather, was - a tyrant. He represented everything that the Eagle Knights have sworn to protect Andoran against."
The commander paces around the table, lost in thought. She briefly casts her eyes between Ulark, his allies, and the many rolls of parchment scattered across the room's furniture. Odeber seems to reach a personal decision before continuing to speak.
"If we are speaking the truth, then as a paladin of the Inheritor, I would be remiss if I did not do the same. The Diamond Regiment was stationed her at Adamas to protect Darkmoon Vale against threats such as hobgoblins and werewolves, as well as to ensure the safe delivery of darkwood and other lumber to the shipyards in Augustana. That is our official purpose.
"Unofficially, we were stationed here in anticipation of a future raid against the Lumber Consortium. Nothing would bring me greater satisfaction than bringing down that corrupt company and throwing its vile leaders into the dungeons beneath this tower. My officers and I have long awaited word from the People's Council to move forward and put the Consortium out of business. So far, however, we have yet to produce sufficient, valid evidence."
Inconnu happily jumped on this wagon of thought. "We can additionally testify towards additional events not contained in the Ledger. Miss Laurel the Apothecary told us that after an outbreak of Blackscour Kreed, as the official bully boy of the consortium, came in demanding a bigger cut of my income. He actually threatened to 'repossess' her tools and stock, right then and there. The Sheriff was able to talk him down but that wasn't the end of his interference."
"Laurel knew of a cure, Ulark, Joanne, Duggan and I agreed to find it's various rare ingredients. We fought a Tatzlwyrm, skirted the edge of the Ruins of Raseri Kanton, engaged fey in diplomacy and delved into the ruins of a Dwarven Monastery to name but a few perils to get the herbs . No one hired us, and there was no aid, direction or input from the Lumber Consortium but the day after we returned Payden Teeydum, one of Kreed's cronnies, claimed that the cure was Consortium property and only wanted to make sure it was distributed to their labourers... not by who's need was most urgent in the expert opinion of the apothecary or some other means but purely to at best safeguard the profits of the Consortium regardless of the young, poor or those who did not work directly for the Consortium's need. If Teeydum was honest which is highly dubious, it was almost certainly have been used as another tool to prop up tyranny." Inconnu takes a deep breath before continuing.
"Even after he was convinced by the Sheriff and us to back off he was clear that there would be a large tax coming Miss Laurel's way... that's another point, while it's well ingrained in Falcon's Hollow I question how the extortion of the people of Falcon's Hollow is legally taxation on the part of the Lumber Consortium. Even if they've been empowered by Andoran to collect taxes on their behalf I assure you that it's only a fraction of what is malevolently taken."[/b] Inconnu's hand shakes as for the first time in a long while he's had to consider all they've been through.
Quite working up at this stage Inconnu continues without pause. "I've walked the coasts of Lake Encartan, while I can testify they'd be better off as serf's in Molthune because at least there they have rights. Their government offers some form of protection. The Sheriff is a good man but the best he can do is curb the Consortium's flunkies... sometimes. Citizens of Andoran are under the heel of jack booted thugs, gasping for air. So the People's Council better get their act together or have the decency to redraw their bloody maps with Falcon's Hollow outside Andoran's borders because right now that's where it is." Inconnu's body is now shaking. "It might not be diplomatic and I get the impression you're trying to do the right thing but if you wont help us I'll go back there and take a few pages from Nirmathras book in dealing with those greedy scum because if your laws don't apply to them then they wont be applying to me will they. I hope the People's Council wouldn't respond to the Consortium if they refused it's citizens!"
"I wandered into Falcon's Hollow and grew frustrated with the misery and poverty I saw all around me. When this group ended up in battle with Kreed, I could see plainly who was in the right and joined their efforts."
"If the word of a paladin of Saranrae, sworn to truth-telling, is not evidence enough, then what would be?"
Commander Odeber's face hardens and she subtly squares her shoulders as Inconnu draws comparisons to Molthune and Nirmathas. However, she quickly calms herself and diverts her attention to the recovered field journal.
"You speak well," she compliments Inconnu without looking up as she flips through the pages. "Well enough that one could almost forgive the biting comparison to Molthune. Most of what you describe of the Consortium's deeds is hardly surprising - much to my disgust. I agree, it is stomach turning how much those lumber barons are able to get away with in our land."
Micheo's words briefly draw the commander's attention from the Nightjar's journal. His identification as a paladin elicits an approving, knowing nod, but she soon turns back to the coded pages.
"This journal was kept by one of two agents we had embedded in Falcon's Hollow, trying to collect more actionable intelligence on the Consortium. How did you come to possess it?"
Inconnu's face softens and he tone is far more sympathetic."I'm sorry but given where we found it I believe he was killed by harpies."
"When we left town we snuck into the Consortium's building and grabbed what evidence we could. This is what we found. I am sorry for your loss."
Commander Odeber sighs heavily.
"I almost wish you had told me that he had been killed by the Consortium. At least then some good might have come from his sacrifice."
She looks up from the recovered journal, setting it upon the crowded table, and turns to focus her eyes upon the party again.
"Please do not think me heartless or callous," she insists. "So many of us, within both the People's Council and the army, have been trying for years to shut down the Consortium. Each time it seems like our goal is within our grasp...well, I suppose I should be grateful that it still stings whenever that chance slips away. It shows that I have not grown cynical yet."
She sets her hand on the journal and idly taps her fingers upon the cover.
"Thank you for delivering this information. Although it is not incontrovertible, it is enough to warrant another investigation into the Consortium's affairs in Falcon's Hollow. Kreed was not only a brute; he was surprisingly calculating, always concealing the worst of his deeds. With his death, the remaining Consortium authorities in Falcon's Hollow may fail to cover their tracks as effectively. I will mobilize a detachment at once to handle the investigation."
The commander's eyes settle upon Ulark, and a contemplative look crosses her face.
"Unfortunately, the question remains what is to be done with you, sir. Kreed was a tyrant, but your actions still constitute murder. Justice must be meted out, especially if we want the people of Darkmoon Vale to respect our investigation."
Ulark nodded gravely. "I...agree. Whatever your sentence, I will adhere to it."
'Maybe let the folk of Darkmoon Vale have a say in your justice?' Dugan seems to try to choke back the suggestion but can't seem to stop himself. The dwarf looks sheepish following his interjection in a conversation he wants no part of.
"I think that is a splendid idea, Dugan. I think the people might have a truth or three to say about Ulark's deeds."
"I concur. I like your idea, master dwarf," Commander Odeber says with a dawning smile. "Admittedly, my initial thought was to subject you to a Trial by Ordeal.
"You see, Adamas was built atop a rather large complex of natural caves. Although we've secured the upper reaches to serve as our somewhat infamous "dungeons," the lower levels remain more untamed, populated by somewhat dangerous inhabitants. I have enough soldiers at my command to both hold them back from emerging onto the service while also patrolling the Vale, but I like to periodically send adventurers to push these dangers back into the deep.
"However, allowing the people of Falcon's Hollow to act as jury and pass their own sentence upon your deeds could benefit us both. For you, it offers the chance for vindication, if your neighbors and peers believe you were justified. For us, this gesture of autonomy would hopefully build trust and goodwill between the Valers and the Diamond Regiment, something that has long been in short supply but will be necessary if we are to pursue the Consortium's crimes."
"A fair trial will require the Consortiums grip to be broken. Their influence should not be underestimated. The Ordeal would be a far safer option in that case."
”I am willing to do both.” Ulark said. ”Ordeal to satisfy the law. And to be judged by my peers after the consortium’s grip is broken. It would satisfy Justice all around, I think. I pride myself on doing what is right. I would not want to run from a sentence merely because I fear it.”
The commander's eyes briefly widen as Ulark volunteers for both forms of trial, but a smile soon crosses her face.
"As a paladin of the Inheritor, I commend your bravery," she says to Ulark with a polite nod of her head. "Atonement never is, and never should be, the easy path.
"When you are ready, I will personally lead you to the lower levels and send you on your quest. Please forgive me, but I will not be able to stay and await your return. I intend to personally lead the detachment to Falcon's Hollow and oversee the investigation into both Kreed's death and the Consortium's dealings under his watch."
A quizzical look briefly crosses Commander Odeber's face, and she soon begins rummaging around the papers strewn about the table.
"I only wish my other agent had reported in. Now is when I need her the most, keeping an eye on the Consortium's directors as they deal with this upheaval."
You are given a chance to fill your canteens and waterskins from the fortress' rain barrels. Commander Odeber even offers you portable food to take along into the dungeons.
"Even knights errant are not sent out unprovisioned," the commander explains.
The commander then escorts you down the winding stairs within the Gleaming Tower. You pass bunkrooms, armories, workshops, and other rooms, and many sets of soldiers' eyes watch you with idle curiosity as you descend. At the base of the tower, presumably upon the floor of the Darkmoon Plain beyond the thick marble walls, you are then guided into a passage delving into the cliffside.
The walls are carved from the native rock of the Elberwick Rise and proceeds for some sixty feet, sloping downward, before reaching a staircase leading further down into the earth. This leads to a sort of basement level beneath Adamas, where natural caverns have been widened and paneled with wood to form more accommodations and facilities for the garrison. Another, narrower spiral staircase leads to the second basement level.
This layer of the dungeons of Adamas live up to the name, largely housing the fortress' prison. The guards on duty stand at attention as Commander Odeber enters, escorting you. You do not have time to appraise the cells or how many individuals are currently incarcerated.
At the end of your path, you are brought to a well-fortified guard post. An inner door of iron and an outer door of darkwood stand between you and the unknown caverns beyond.
"Beyond here are the so-called 'Dungeons of Adams.' This is your final chance to ask any questions or make any last requests," Commander Odeber cautions. "We will have to resecure the gates behind you. Once you have brought back some token to show that you have plumbed the depths and, by strength of both arms and spirit, proven your repentance, you will be allowed to return."
"What kind of dangers are known to lurk down there?"
As guilty as Ulark was to put his friends in danger, he didn’t insult them by asking them to let him go alone. Instead he asked ”What have others brought with them to show their worth in the past?”
"The inhabitants of the caverns below seem to change, especially further down," she explains. "In the past, we've had particular issues with gray dwarves, dark fey, and stray undead. I should also warn you: the shafts of the soldiers' privy on the floor above empty into the upper levels of the caverns. Besides the issue of the smell, this waste likely also attracts vermin and fungus."
Ulark's question elicits a contemplative look upon Commander Odeber's face.
"Others before you have brought back the head of a giant, the hammer of a duergar warband captain, or a relic from a rediscovered dwarven ruin."
Ulark looked at Dugan. ”Gray...dwarves? I thought dwarves were good. Why would wearing gray make them someone to fight?”
Inconnu considers what he might know about these grey dwarves.
You do not know anything about relations or problems with the duergar in Darkmoon Vale, but you can guess that they would not be friendly.
Micheo also appears puzzled.
"Members of any of the races can be turned to evil. In that case, they are foes."
"Nice so going into a pit where evil festers..."
"Duergar or gray dwarves are cousins to the dwarves we know. They're far more likely to be involved in cruel acts and slavery though I do not know why. While I wouldn't say all are evil far more of them than the distant kin we know would be."
Dugan stretches, enjoying increased comfort with his heavier armor in recent days. He shrugs at Ulark's question. 'Ain't kin of mine. I figure if they're as bad as all that I won't feel too bad about driving them back.' A thought crosses his mind, he looks to Commander Odeber. 'These 'Dergor' enjoy strong drink? I haven't had a decent glass in what feels like weeks'
Anything brewed by the duergar would be strong, but it would not be enjoyable.
"They're still some kind of dwarves. They obviously care for tunnels. I wouldn't expect mead or wine but some kind of fungus based drink perhaps?"
Ulark nodded. ”If they can fight like Dugan we will have our work cut out for us. I am ready to descend.”
"Here's hoping crap doesn't hit us in waves of more crap."
"I will instruct the off-duty soldiers above to, ahem, hold their fire for a while," Commander Odeber offers, trying to suppress a grin. She instructs the guards on duty to open the gates and let you pass, then she turns on her heel to attend to other matters.
One of the guards nervously watches his commanding officer depart. Once she is out of sight, he leans in and quietly whispers.
"Hey, listen. When you're in there, try not to hurt Scamp," he quietly asks. The other guard nods her agreement with the request. "We've grown kind of fond of him. He's not bad, he's just hungry. If you have an extra knife or something that you don't need, just toss it to him. He'll be as friendly as a pup."
'He eats knives?' Dugan whispers back, clearly confused.
"What exactly is Scamp might I ask?" Inconnu had to admit this was an unexpected turn. "And how is he on swords? I'd rather keep my cold iron dagger."
"Well, we don't quite know what Scamp is," the guard answers sheepishly. "We first encountered him a few weeks back. He looked like a giant bug, like a brown cricket or something, with big feathery antenna. It watched us like a confused hound, then it seemed to smell something it liked, and started bounding around as though it were a pup."
The other guard also leans in and adds more details.
"He likes anything made of iron or steel," she explains quietly. "Don't know how he does it, but he turns it to dust, then licks it up like it was sugar. That's why we added the wooden outer door," she says, nodding towards the gate. "We didn't want him eating the iron gate."
Ulark unconsciously put a protective hand on his axe. "That is very good advice. We'll be sure not to hurt him. Sounds like there is nothing malicious about...eh...Scamp."
Dugan thinks for a moment and unshoulders his pack. He quickly digs out an iron cooking pot. 'You think Scamp 'd take this to leave us alone?'
"Well, I reckon that would be a veritable feast for Scamp," the guard says, tilting up the rim of his bowl-shaped helmet. "If you were to give him that, he'd be your right friend."
"Or he'd at least leave your weapons and armor alone," the other guard says. She nods to Dugan in particular. "Just make sure he doesn't leap up onto you. Like we said, this thing's like an overly friendly dog."